Albrecht, Walter

An important figure in popularizing agricultural chemical analysis, especially regarding soils and their role in plant, animal and human nutrition and health was William A. Albrecht (d. 1974), who published hundreds of papers and press articles from 1918 to 1974. He was based at the Department of Soils of the Missouri Experiment Station. A collection of many of these publications has been edited by Walters (1975-1995). They are published by Acres USA ... 

C N (or carbohydrate protein) ratios are important with respect to the relative requirements of plants and microbes. Straw has a C N value of approximately 80 1, whereas after ploughing under to form a humus-rich soil, the value narrows to about 12 1. Albrecht found that the humus fraction of the experimental Sanborn Field, cultivated over 50 years, had a C N ratio of about from 2 1 to 3.4 1, where the lower ratio is similar to that of the microbes themselves. Therefore, if microbes feed on straw that has been incorporated into the soil, they will require an additional source of nitrogen, and happen to be more successful at competing with plants for the same nutrient. In Missouri clay, Albrecht found 1.5% C and 0.15% N, which represents a favourable ratio of 10 1, and is an average value for well-weathered soils (Walters, 1989). 

Albrecht recognized that trace elements are significant for plants, but are present in such small amounts that our measures yet designed are too unreliable to warrant specifications of them for either soil or crop (Albrecht, 1963, and in Walters, 1989). Analytical techniques have since improved sufficiently to allow such measurements, but we are unable to find recommended amounts or ratios in Albrecht s research. He did find, however, that a BCSR of 2% K was the limit for uptake by plants unless B was present at a level of... 

Walters, C. Jr (1 975) (ed.) The Albrecht Papers, Vol. II. Soil Fertility and Animal LJealth. Acres USA, Kansas City, Missouri, 192... 

Walter D, Satheesa S, Albrecht P, Bornhauser BC, D Alessandro V, Oesh SM, Rehrauer H, Leuschner J, Koscielniak E, Gengler C, Moch H, Bernasconi M, Niggli FK, Schafer BW. CWS, Study Group. CD133 positive embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma stem-like cell population is enriched in rhabdosphere. PLoS One. 2011 65 el9506. doi 10.1371/j ournal.pone.0019506. 

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