IODINE CONTENT OF SOME TEXAS SOILS

Abstract

An examination of some soils in Texas, chiefly those of the Blackland prairie section, indicates that the I content apparently does not influence the distribution of root-rot of cotton. The average, maximum and minimum I contents found were respectively, 6.08, 21.13 and 0.12 p.p.m. The calcareous black clay soils of the Houston series generally contain more I than the lighter-textured noncalcareous Wilson clay loam soils. The alluvial soils examined, Harlingen clay and Yahola silty clay loam, contain less I than the residual soils of the Blackland and Grand Prairie sections. The high level of I in the calcareous soils of the Blackland prairie section may be the result of favorable organic matter and colloid content, associated with the particular geol. formation.