Effects of phosphate buffer capacity on yield response curvature and fertilizer requirements of wheat in relation to soil phosphate tests

Abstract

Data from 39 fertilizer field experiments in north-western New South Wales were used to examine the effects of phosphate buffer capacity on yield response curvature and fertilizer requirements of wheat in relation to six soil phosphate tests (Bray1, Bray2, BSES, Truog, lactate, and bicarbonate). The soil tests were also evaluated for their accuracy in predicting yield responsiveness in a total of 48 experiments. There was a highly significant negative correlation between buffer capacity and response curvature, accounting for nearly 50% of the variance in curvature. The accuracy of the relationship was highest for moderately and strongly buffered soils. When used to predict curvature and hence fertilizer requirements, buffer capacity increased the variance accounted for by the most effective soil test (lactate) from 32% to 75%, compared with 93% using actual response curvatures. Whether used to predict responsiveness or fertilizer requirement, the lactate test was superior and the bicarbonate test was inferior to other soil tests. The bicarbonate test accounted for only half as much variance in responsiveness as the lactate test, and it accounted for none of the variance in fertilizer requirement. The results confirmed earlier studies showing that the bicarbonate test has several intrinsic properties which make it inferior to other soil tests on moderately acid to alkaline soils.