Yield depression due to phosphate fertilizer in sugar-cane

Abstract

A large series of trials involving phosphate fertilizer showed that yields of cane could be reduced by the application of superphosphate at rates of up to 2 cwt/acre in four distinct areas.

In these areas, the yield response to phosphate was dependent on the rate of nitrogen fertilization; yield depression only occurred where the nitrogen supply was adequate; phosphate could increase yields at low nitrogen. In most cases, the yield depression was associated with a low calcium/ magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio in the soil (a ratio of less than 3.0 in terms of milliequivalents). On soils with high Ca/Mg ratios, regressions of yield response on soil or leaf phosphate indicated critical levels similar to those accepted elsewhere. Significant regressions could not be obtained from soils with low Ca/Mg ratios.

A few trials testing a phosphate x trace element interaction indicated that the phosphate yield depression in at least one area was due to an induced deficiency of some trace element. The trace element effect is independent of the Ca/Mg ratio effect.