Influence of soil water content on the supply of phosphate to plants

Abstract

Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in a pot trial in soil of high phosphate adsorption capacity at 10 levels of P-supply and at two water regimes, one regularly adjusted to the water-holding capacity of the pots corresponding to a water potential of -2 to -3 kPa, and the other at 20% less water volume corresponding to - 20 kPa. P uptake was lower in the lower water treatment at all P-supply levels, even when the P-supply was severely limiting P uptake. This reduction in P uptake at all P levels was equivalent to the reduction in water volume between the two water treatments, and is apparently a result of a lower supply of solution phosphate in the lower water treatment in the highly buffered soil.