Tests for phosphates from Rum Jungle, Northern Territory

Abstract

Phosphate-rich rock from Rum Jungle, N.T., was tested as fertilizer against Christmas Island rock phosphate dust (CIRPD) and superphosphate in two pot and three field experiments. The Rum Jungle material had little short-term value as fertilizer, but the long-term residual effects were about 60 per cent of those of CIRPD. Calcining at 450°C gave a marked improvement in short-term response in pots, but had little effect in a long-term field experiment. Pelletting the Rum Jungle material with sulphur and Thiobacillus ('biosuper') increased its effectiveness in the field at the end of the second year to the equivalent of that of superphosphate.