Low effectiveness of three rock phosphates as phosphorus fertilizers and liming materials on an acid clay-loam

Abstract

The effectiveness of three finely ground rock phosphates (PRs) was compared with ordinary superphosphate (OSP) for subterranean clover growth and for increasing soil bicarbonate-extractable P levels over two successive 8-week periods on a very acid clay-loam (pH (0.01 M CaCl2) 4.3) in a glasshouse experiment. All PR sources were poorly effective compared to OSP. Maximum dry matter and P uptake of each PR source was less than that of OSP at each harvest. Relative to surface application, mixing throughout the soil reduced the effectiveness of OSP for dry matter and P uptake, but had little effect on the PR sources. Relative to OSP, the effectiveness of PR sources did not increase at the second harvest. Bicarbonate-extractable P levels for soil-incorporated Island PR plateaued below the highest rate applied. Phosphorus uptake by the herbage at harvests 1 and 2 was not well related to soil bicarbonateextractable P levels at harvest 1, and source dependency was indicated. Soil pH was markedly increased by each of PR sources at application rates within the rates required to reach maximum dry matter and P yield. Increased soil pH at high PR applications is likely to have reduced PR dissolution, and contributed to low agronomic effectiveness. Dry matter yield at both harvests was dependent on P concentration in the tops, regardless of the P source or method of P application. A higher soil buffering capacity for pH, P or Ca than was present in this soil seems necessary for sufficient PR dissolution to achieve the same agronomic effectiveness as OSP.