Chemical characteristics of phosphorus in alkaline soils from southern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bertrand ◽  
R. E. Holloway ◽  
R. D. Armstrong ◽  
M. J. McLaughlin

This study was performed to better understand the chemical behaviour of P in a variety of alkaline soils from southern Australia. To do so, surface soil samples of 47 alkaline cropping soils from Upper Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and from western Victoria were collected. The 22 soils collected from Eyre Peninsula were Calcarosols, and those from western Victoria were Vertosols, Alkaline Duplex soils, Sodosols, and Red Brown Calcareous soils. Parameters included total and amorphous Al and Fe, organic C, organic P, CaCO3 content, P sorption characteristics, phosphorus buffer capacity, calcium lactate (Ca-Lac) extractable P, bicarbonate-extractable (Colwell) P, water-extractable P, anion exchange membrane extractable P (AEM-P), and isotopically exchangeable P (labile P). Concentrations of micronutrients in the Calcarosols were relatively low, considered to be a function of low clay contents. Given very low background Cd concentrations in the soils, it was estimated from Cd measurements that the majority of total P in the soils was derived from previous fertiliser applications. Phosphorus buffer capacities (PBCs) were relatively high in the Calcarosols and moderately high in the other alkaline soils. P sorption behaviour in the Calcarosols was a direct function of CaCO3 content, although in the other alkaline soils, amorphous Al and Fe oxides were the principal determinants of the P sorption behaviour. Both Colwell and Ca-Lac extractants dissolved non-labile P in the highly calcareous soils, whereas AEM appeared to only remove surface-adsorbed P. In addition, Colwell P values were positively related to PBC and to the slope term in the Freundlich model (Kf) when Kf > 10. It is suggested that AEM-P may be a better predictor of P availability in highly calcareous soils compared with the other extractants.

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1088-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Bortolon ◽  
Paulo Roberto Ernani ◽  
Elisandra Solange Oliveira Bortolon ◽  
Clesio Gianello ◽  
Rodrigo Gabriel Oliveira de Almeida ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this work was to assess the risk of phosphorus losses by runoff through an index based on the degree of P saturation (DPS), in cropland soils of Southern Brazil. Sixty-five highly representative cropland soils from the region were evaluated. Three labile P forms were measured (Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, and ammonium oxalate), and four P sorption indexes were tested (phosphorus single sorption point and Fe+Al determined with the three extractors). Water-extractable P (WEP) was used as an index of P susceptibility to losses by surface runoff. The DPS was determined from the ratio between labile P and each sorption index. DPS values obtained from the ratio between Mehlich-1 P and the single P sorption point ranged from 1 to 25%, whereas those from Mehlich-1 P and Fe+Al (ammonium oxalate) ranged from 1 to 55%. All DPS types were highly correlated with WEP. From a practical stand point, the DPS obtained with both P and Fe+Al extracted with Mehlich-1 can be used to estimate the risk of P losses by runoff in soils of Southern Brazil.


Soil Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. C. R. Holford

Phosphorus (P) is the most important nutrient element (after nitrogen) limiting agricultural production in most regions of the world. It is extremely chemically reactive, and more than 170 phosphate minerals have been identified. In all its natural forms, including organic forms, P is very stable or insoluble, and only a very small proportion exists in the soil solution at any one time. Plant-available P may be considered in either its quantitative or intensive dimension. The quantity of available P is time-specific and crop-specific, because it is the amount of P that will come into the soil solution and be taken up by the crop during its life cycle. The intensity of available P (availability) is most easily identified with its concentration in the soil solution. The soil property controlling the relationship between the solid phase P and its concentration in solution is known as the buffering capacity. The solid phase P involved in this relationship is only a small proportion of the total P, and is known as labile P. It is usually measured by isotopic exchange, but this exchangeable P component does not include the sparingly soluble compounds that also replenish the soil solution as its concentration is depleted by plant uptake. The buffering capacity is the ability of the soil solution to resist a change in its P concentration as P is removed by plant uptake or added in fertilisers or organic materials. Buffering capacity is synonymous with sorptivity, which is a preferable term in the context of the reactivity of P fertiliser with soil. It is usually measured from an adsorption isotherm. By fitting a suitable equation, such as the Langmuir, the total sorption capacity as well as the sorption strength can be determined. Both parameters are important in understanding P availability in soils. Buffering capacity has a major effect on the uptake of labile P because it is inversely related to the ease of desorption of solid phase P and its diffusion. Available P therefore is a direct function of the quantity of labile P and an inverse function of buffering capacity. This has been demonstrated in plant uptake studies. Similarly, the most effective methods of measuring available P (soil tests) are those which remove a proportion of labile P that is inversely related to buffer capacity. Soil tests which measure the concentration of P in solution actually measure availability rather than available P, and their efficacy on a range of soils will depend on the uniformity of the soils" buffer capacities. The most effective soil test usually consists of an anionic extractant. Acidic lactate or fluoride have been found most effective in New South Wales, on a wide range of soils, except calcareous soils which neutralise the acidic component (usually hydrochloric or acetic acid) of the extractant. Sodium bicarbonate (pH 8 · 5) has been found effective on calcareous soils and is widely used throughout the world. It has proved unreliable on NSW soils, and may need more thorough evaluation on non-calcareous soils in other parts of Australia.


Soil Research ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. McBeath ◽  
R. D. Armstrong ◽  
E. Lombi ◽  
M. J. McLaughlin ◽  
R. E. Holloway

Recent field trials on alkaline soils in southern Australia showed significant grain yield responses to liquid compared with traditional granular forms of P fertiliser. However the advantages of liquid over granular P forms of fertiliser has not been consistent on all soil types. In order to better predict the soil types on which liquid P fertilisers are likely to have potential, a glasshouse trial was conducted to compare the responsiveness of wheat to both liquid and granular forms of P on a wide range of Australian soils. A granular P fertiliser (triple superphosphate) and 2 liquid fertilisers (phosphoric acid and ammonium polyphosphate) were compared at a rate equivalent to 12 kg P/ha in 29 soils representing many of the soil types used for grain production in Victoria and South Australia. Wheat biomass was enhanced by P application in 86% of the soils tested. In 62% of the P-responsive soils, wheat dry matter was significantly greater when liquid P fertilisers were used compared with the granular form. Chemical analysis of the soils tested showed that the better performance of liquid P forms was not correlated to total P concentration in soil, P buffer capacity, or P availability as measured by Colwell-P. However, there was a significant positive relationship between calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of soil and wheat responsiveness to liquid P fertiliser.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Tanabhat-Sakorn Sukitprapanon ◽  
Metawee Jantamenchai ◽  
Duangsamorn Tulaphitak ◽  
Nattaporn Prakongkep ◽  
Robert John Gilkes ◽  
...  

Understanding phosphorus (P) dynamics in tropical sandy soil treated with organic residues of contrasting quality is crucial for P management using organic amendments. This research determined P fractions in a tropical sandy soil under the application of organic residues of different quality, including groundnut stover (GN), tamarind leaf litter (TM), dipterocarp leaf litter (DP), and rice straw (RS). The organic residues were applied at the rate of 10 t DM ha−1 year−1. The P fractions were examined by a sequential extraction procedure. Organic residue application, regardless of residue quality, resulted in P accumulation in soils. For unamended soil, 55% of total P was mainly associated with Al (hydr)oxides. Organic residue application, regardless of residue quality, diminished the NH4F-extractable P (Al-P) fraction, but it had a nonsignificant effect on NaOH-extractable P (Fe-P). The majority of Al-P and Fe-P fractions were associated with crystalline Al and Fe (hydr)oxides. NH4Cl-extractable P (labile P), NaHCO3-extractable P (exchangeable P and mineralizable organic P), HCl-extractable P (Ca-P), and residual P fractions in soil were significantly increased as a result of the incorporation of organic residues. The application of organic residues, particularly those high in ash alkalinity, increase soil pH, labile P, and Ca-P fractions. In contrast, applications of residues high in lignin and polyphenols increase residual P fraction, which is associated with organo-mineral complexes and clay mineral kaolinite.


Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Adhami ◽  
Hamid Reza Memarian ◽  
Farzad Rassaei ◽  
Ehsan Mahdavi ◽  
Manouchehr Maftoun ◽  
...  

Inorganic phosphorus (P) sequential fractionation schemes are applicable techniques to interpret soil P status. The present study was initiated to determine the origin of various P fractions in highly calcareous soils. Inorganic P forms were determined by a sequential fractionation procedure extracting with NaOH (NaOH-P), Na citrate-bicarbonate (CB-P), Na citrate 2 times (C1-P and C2-P), Na citrate-ascorbate (CAs-P), Na citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD-P), Na acetate (NaAc-P), and HCl (HCl-P). Results showed that NaOH-P was negatively correlated with active iron oxides. CB-P was positively correlated with silt content and negatively related to citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite extractable Fe (Fed). This result illustrates the weathering effect on Ca-P, with Ca-P content declining as a consequence of weathering. A negative correlation was observed between C1-P and citrate ascorbate extractable Fe (FeCAs). Second citrate extractable P (C2-P) was negatively related to calcium carbonate equivalent and positively related to hydroxylamine-hydrochloride and neutral ammonium acetate-hydroquinone extractable Mn (Mnh and Mnq). Fine silt (Fsilt) was the most influential factor affecting CAs-P. It seemed citrate-dithionite-bicarbonate extractable Al (Ald), Mnh, and Mnq have been sinks for CBD-P, while free iron oxide compounds (Feo, Fec, and FeCAs) were a major contributing factor for the formation of NaAc-P. Stable P compounds (HCl-P) of highly calcareous soils originated from coarse silt (Csilt) and hydroxylamine-hydrochloride extractable Mn (Mnh).


1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Brand ◽  
C. Tang ◽  
A. J. Rathjen

Current varieties of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupin angustifolius L.) are poorly adapted to alkaline and calcareous soils found commonly throughout the south-estern Australian cropping zone. Apot experiment compared the growth of Lupinus angustifolius cv. Gungurru with L. pilosus P20954 in a range of soils collected throughout South Australia. The soils displayed a range of texture (clay, 3–82%), pH (1:5 soil:H2O, 7·0–9·6), and calcium carbonate content (CaCO3, 0–47%). Potting mix (pH 5·8) was used as the control. The plants were grown for 7 weeks with weekly measurements of chlorosis score and leaf number. At harvest, dry weights were recorded and the youngest fully expanded leaves were analysed for nutrient concentrations. The line P20954 grew much better in all the soils than Gungurru in terms of plant dry weight relative to the control soil, this being particularly evident in the calcareous soils. Chlorosis score correlated highly with shoot dry weight for Gungurru, but not for P20954. The main soil factor contributing to the chlorosis score of Gungurru was CaCO3 content, whereas none of the soil factors significantly affected P20954, although in Weeks 2 and 3 chlorosis score correlated with CaCO3 content. The dry weight of Gungurru was affected by a combination of factors including clay content, pH, and CaCO3 content, whereas the dry weight of P20954 was affected by most of the soil factors measured. The dry weight of P20954 was positively correlated with aluminium and magnesium concentrations. Concentrations of all nutrients were above critical levels for both genotypes grown in all soils. The results indicate that L. pilosus has the potential to be grown in areas where current varieties of L. angustifolius are poorly adapted.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1200
Author(s):  
Sara Lombardo ◽  
Cristina Abbate ◽  
Gaetano Pandino ◽  
Bruno Parisi ◽  
Aurelio Scavo ◽  
...  

The enhancement of the actual low yields is the most important challenge regarding organic farming management. In this view, a valid tool may arise by the improvement of fertilization management and efficiency. In this regard, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can play an important role, especially in low fertility soils such as calcareous ones, through a better nutrient uptake and by alleviating abiotic stresses. A replicated-space experiment was carried out to investigate the role of mycorrhizal-based inoculants combined with full or halved fertilizer doses on yield and physiological traits of three early potato cultivars organically grown in highly calcareous and alkaline soils. The results indicate that AMF symbiosis ameliorated, in comparison to the not-inoculated plants, the potato tolerance to limestone stress by enhancing the potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/F0) and plant gas-exchange parameters (photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance). Moreover, a significant improvement of marketable yield (+25%) was observed, mainly due to an increase of the number of tubers plant−1 (+21%) and, to a lesser extent, of average tuber weight (+10%). The AMF efficiency was higher applying halved fertilizer doses and in the location where soil conditions were unfavourable for potato growth. Moreover, the qRT-PCR highlighted that AMF colonization was similar in each location, demonstrating their tolerance to limestone, alkalinity and P stresses. These findings outlined that AMF are good candidate to bio-ameliorate calcareous soils and are very useful for improving potato yields under organic farming, limiting external fertilizers supply and environmental pollution.


1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
RF Parsons ◽  
RL Specht

In southern Australia, deep calcareous and deep siliceous sands each carry a distinctive assemblage of eucalypts. Three of these species with contrasting edaphic ranges were investigated: Eucalyptus baxteri, which is widespread on acidic soils and is never found on highly alkaline soils like the calcareous sands; E. incrassata, which is widespread on acidic and neutral soils, occurs occasionally on some highly alkaline soils, but is also absent from calcareous beach sands; and E. diversifolia, which is found on both acidic and highly alkaline soils and is widespread on calcareous beach sands. All three species occur on siliceous sands, with E. baxteri in wetter areas than the other two species. Comparative pot experiments in which typical calcareous and siliceous sands were used showed that: (1) E. baxteri is stunted by severe lime chlorosis when grown on calcareous sand, while the other two species are not affected. (2) E. baxteri markedly outyields the other two species on siliceous sands. It is suggested that E. baxteri is absent from calcareous sands because it is physiologically intolerant of highly alkaline soils, and that E. baxteri replaces the other two species on the wetter siliceous sands because its faster growth rate enables it to outcompete them when rainfall is adequate. However, the slower growth rates of E. diversifolia and E. incrassata will be accompanied by slower rates of water use and this may give them an advantage over E. baxteri on drier siliceous sands. The wide edaphic range of E. diversifolia is considered to be the outcome of the wide physiological tolerance of individual plants rather than of intraspecific differentiation.


1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown on 32 virgin soils in pot cultures, and the yield responses to phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum were determined for each soil. The soils were collected from a wide area in eastern Australia, extending from south-western Victoria to southern Queensland. Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency. In fact, 75 per cent. of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur. Thirty-one per cent. were deficient in all three elements. The effect of the interaction between the elements on the occurrence and intensity of the deficiencies is shown. Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected. A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two. There was no correlation between the occurrence or intensity of the deficiencies and the geological origin of the soil parent material, the climate of the regions from which the soils were collected, or such soil characters as colour, organic matter, and texture. Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate. The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.


Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Nash ◽  
Murray Hannah ◽  
Kirsten Barlow ◽  
Fiona Robertson ◽  
Nicole Mathers ◽  
...  

Phosphorus (P) exports from agricultural land are a problem world-wide and soil tests are often used to identify high risk areas. A recent study investigated changes in soil (0–20 mm), soil water and overland flow in 4 recently laser-graded (<1 year) and 4 established (laser-graded >10 years) irrigated pastures in south-eastern Australia before and after 3 years of irrigated dairy production. We use the results from that study to briefly examine the relationships between a series of ‘agronomic’ (Olsen P, Colwell P), environmental (water-extractable P, calcium chloride extractable P, P sorption saturation, and P sorption), and other (total P, organic P) soil P tests. Of the 2 ‘agronomic’ soil P tests, Colwell P explained 91% of the variation in Olsen P, and Colwell P was better correlated with the other soil tests. With the exception of P sorption, all soil P tests explained 57% or more of the total variation in Colwell P, while they explained 61% or less of Olsen P possibly due to the importance of organic P in this soil. Variations in total P were best explained by the organic P (85%), Calcium chloride extractable P (83%), water-extractable P (78%), and P sorption saturation (76%). None of the tests adequately predicted the variation in P sorption at 5 mg P/L equilibrating solution concentration. The results of this limited study highlight the variability between soil P tests that may be used to estimate P loss potential. Moreover, these results suggest that empirical relationships between specific soil P tests and P export potential will have limited resolution where different soil tests are used, as the errors in the relationship between soil test P and P loss potential are compounded by between test variation. We conclude that broader study is needed to determine the relationships between soil P tests for Australian soils, and based on that study a standard protocol for assessing the potential for P loss should be developed.


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