In Brazil, plant-available Zn in the soil is determined by several chemical procedures, of which the most commonly used are Mehlich-1 and DTPA. The objective of this study was to evaluate Zn availability in soils of Minas Gerais State, under different Zn and lime rates, using the extractors Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA and maize as indicator plant. Seven soil samples were incubated with lime to reach pH 6.0. The samples were treated with Zn in the form of ZnSO4, in the absence or presence of lime, and with a basic Zn-free fertilization of macro and micronutrients. Fifteen days after fertilization, sub-samples were collected for Zn determination by the extractors. For Mehlich-1 the extract was obtained by two procedures: filtering soon after extraction (M-1f) and aliquot withdrawal from the supernatant after 16 h (M-1s). The remaining soil was filled into plastic pots for maize cultivation during 50 days. The extraction capacity diminished in the following order: M-1s > M-1f > M-3 > DTPA, in all soils, with or without liming. M-1s and M-3 did not differ in extraction capacity in limed soil, whereas M-1f and DTPA were sensitive to liming. The Zn concentration values obtained with all extractors were negative and significantly correlated with clay content and soil water field capacity, with or without liming. The extraction capacity of DTPA was better correlated with soil properties in the presence of lime, indicating that the response of this extractor is better in higher-pH soils. All extractors were correlated with plant Zn content, and can therefore be used in the evaluation of soil Zn availability.
micronutrients; extractant; correlation; content
