Mung bean response during immobilization of exchangeable aluminum in acidic soil

A soil incubation and shot-term plant growth experiment was conducted to study the effect of ferruginous mineral application on exchangeable Al immobilization. The mineral containing mainly siderite was mixed at various rates with A-horizon soil and incubated at 80% humidity for 45 days. Following the incubation, a short-term plant growth test was carried out using mung beans. The ferruginous mineral application into tested soil resulted in a reduction of the exchangeable aluminum concentration and soil acidity. An increase in root growth and stalk length, as well as a general improvement of plant condition was observed in the case of ferruginous mineral application. This observation was confirmed by chemical analysis of roots and stalks. The greatest amount of essential elements: calcium and magnesium and the lowest amount of aluminum were determined in green part of mung beans sown in the soil with addition of 2% ferruginous mineral.