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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 44(3)

Stratification, forms, and mobility of phosphorus in the topsoil of a Chromosol used for dairying

W. J. Dougherty A B F , D. M. Nash C , D. J. Chittleborough A , J. W. Cox D and N. K. Fleming E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Soil and Land Systems, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

B New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 4, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries and eWater CRC, RMB 2460, Ellinbank, Vic. 3820, Australia.

D CSIRO Land and Water and eWater CRC, PMB 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.

E South Australian Research and Development Institute, GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: warwick.dougherty@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 44(3) 277-284 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR05076
Submitted: 10 June 2005  Accepted: 10 February 2006   Published: 5 May 2006

Abstract

The forms and stratification of soil phosphorus (P) and their relationship to mobile forms of P were investigated in soils collected from a subcatchment used for grazing of dairy cattle in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Phosphorus in the soils was highly stratified. The concentration of calcium chloride extractable P in the 0–0.01 m increment was, on average, 5.7 times greater than in the 0.05–0.10 m increment. Organic P (% of total P) in the top 0.01 m was significantly (P < 0.001) related to soil P content such that low P soils (total P of ~600 mg/kg) had high proportions of Po (~65%), whereas high P soils (total P of ~2000 mg/kg) had low proportions (~25%) of Po. Runoff P from these soils was predominantly (86%) dissolved (i.e. <0.45 μm). There was a significant (P < 0.001) exponential relationship between Olsen P in the top 0.01 m and dissolved P concentration in runoff. The form of dissolved P in runoff from soil in repacked trays was also significantly (P < 0.001) related to soil P. Runoff from low P soils (high Po) had high proportions (>50%) of dissolved unreactive P (DUP), whereas runoff from high P soils (low Po) had low proportions of DUP (<10%). Ultrafiltration of runoff samples revealed that 94 and 65% of the dissolved reactive P and DUP, respectively, was subcolloidal (i.e. <1 nm). These results highlight the relationship between soil fertility, the forms of soil P, and the concentrations and forms of P mobilised in runoff. Such relationships need to be considered in further studies of P mobilisation and the subsequent development of strategies designed to reduce runoff P concentrations.

Additional keywords: organic P, pasture, colloid, Australia, ultrafiltration.


Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Dairy Australia. The suggestions of 2 anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.


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