Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of dryland grain sorghum at Katherine, Northern Territory. 2. Effect of rate and source of phosphorus fertilizer

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Katherine, Northern Territory, in 1970-71 and 1971 -72 to examine responses of dryland grain sorghum to applied phosphorus at different growth stages. In the first, the effect of rate of application up to 100 kg P ha-1 as triple superphosphate was investigated. Growth responses to phosphorus were noted from mid-elongation onwards, but the magnitude of response varied between seasons, being greater in the higher rainfall season 1970-71. Maximum yields of grain were 7730 kg ha-1 with 50 kg P ha-1 in 1970-71, and 4440 kg ha-1 with 100 kg P ha-1 in 1971-72, which were increases of 49 and 37 per cent respectively over the appropriate zero phosphorus treatment. These suggested an increased requirement for phosphorus over previous recommendations. Phosphorus reduced the time from emergence to anthesis from 68 to 60 and from 70 to 63 days respectively in the two seasons. About half of the plant phosphorus was taken up after anthesis. It was concluded from soil analysis that phosphate-treated plots had an enhanced supply of phosphorus throughout the period of crop growth. In the second study, four phosphorus sources (superphosphate, triple superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and diammonium phosphate) were compared. With 25 kg P ha-1 and with constant nitrogen, grain yield response followed the order superphosphate > monoammonium phosphate > diammonium phosphate > triple superphosphate in both years. Triple superphosphate tended to give lower dry matter yields and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations than the other three sources.