Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) has high capacity to take up phosphorus (P) from a calcium (Ca)-bound Source

Two experiments were carried out in a growth chamber to investigate the phosphorus (P)-uptake efficiency of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat) and Triticum aestivum (spring wheat) from a Ca-bound form. The first experiment was based on a sand-culture system with either rock phosphate (RP) or CaHPO₄ (CaHP) as the P source and nitrate or ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source. A highly calcareous soil was used in the second experiment. Buckwheat was shown to be highly efficient in taking up Ca-bound P compared to spring wheat. When plants were supplied with nitrate, the total P uptake by buckwheat from RP was nearly 10-fold higher than that of spring wheat (20.1 compared with 2.1 mg P pot^–1). Changing nitrogen source from nitrate only to ammonium nitrate increased P uptake by spring wheat substantially, but not buckwheat. High P-uptake efficiency of buckwheat was also demonstrated using the field soil, but to a lesser extent, which may be related to the difference in Zn supply between sand culture and field soil. It is suggested that buckwheat may be included in intercropping or crop rotation systems to activate P sources in calcareous soils. The principal mechanism of P uptake efficiency of buckwheat may be its ability to acidify the rhizosphere; however, further study is needed to unravel the regulation of root excretion of H⁺ and its molecular basis in order to exploit buckwheat's genetic capability to utilise sparingly soluble P from soil.     

Root-induced modifications of the exchange of phosphate ion between soil solution and soil solid phase

The uptake of phosphorus (P) by roots results in a depletion of phosphate ions (PO₄) in the rhizosphere. The corresponding decrease in PO₄ concentration in the soil solution (C_P) gives rise to a replenishment of P from the solid phase which is time- and C_P-dependent. This PO₄ exchange which reflects the buffer power of the soil for PO₄ also varies with the composition and the physico-chemical conditions of the soil. As root activity can modify these physico-chemical conditions in the rhizosphere, the question arises whether these modifications affect the ability of PO₄ bound to the soil solid phase to exchange with PO₄ in soil solution. The aim of the present work was to measure and compare the parameters which describe the amount of PO₄ bound to soil solid phase that is capable to replenish solution P for both rhizosphere and bulk soils. The soil sample was a P-enriched, calcareous topsoil collected from a long-term fertiliser trial. Rhizosphere soil samples were obtained by growing dense mats of roots at the surface of 3 mm thick soil layer for one week. Three plant species were compared: oilseed rape (Brassica napus L., cv Goeland) pea (Pisum sativum L., cv. Solara) and maize ( Zea mays L., cv. Volga). The time- and C_P-dependence of the PO₄ exchange from soil to solution were described using an isotopic dilution method. The measured C_P values were 0.165 mg P L⁻¹ for bulk soil and 0.111, 0.101 and 0.081 mg P L⁻¹ for rhizosphere soils of maize, pea and rape, respectively. The kinetics of the PO₄ exchange between liquid and solid phases of soil were significantly different between rhizosphere and bulk soils. However, when changes in C_P were accounted for, the parameters describing the PO₄ exchange with time and C_P between soil solution and soil solid phase were found to be very close for bulk and rhizosphere soils. For this calcareous and P-enriched soil, plant species differed in their ability to deplete PO₄ in solution. The resulting changes in the ability of the soil solid phase to replenish solution PO₄ were almost fully explained by the depletion of soil solution P. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phosphorus mining for ecological restoration on former agricultural land

To restore species‐rich terrestrial ecosystems on ex‐agricultural land, establishing nutrient limitation for dominant plant growth is essential because in nutrient‐rich soils, fast‐growing species often exclude target species. However, N‐limitation is easier to achieve than P‐limitation (because of a difference in biogeochemical behavior), biodiversity is generally highest under P‐limitation. Commonly used restoration methods to achieve low soil P‐concentrations are either very expensive or take a very long time. A promising restoration technique is P‐mining, an adjusted agricultural technique that aims at depleting soil‐P. High biomass production and hence high P‐removal with biomass are obtained by fertilizing with nutrients other than P. A pot experiment was set up to study P‐mining with Lolium perenne L. on sandy soils with varying P‐concentrations: from an intensively used agricultural soil to a soil near the soil P‐target for species‐rich Nardus grassland. All pots received N‐ and K‐fertilization. The effects of biostimulants on P‐uptake were also assessed by the addition of arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus spp.), humic substances or phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas spp.). In our P‐rich soil (111 µg P_Olsen/g), P‐removal rate was high but bioavailable soil‐P did not decrease. At lower soil P‐concentrations (64 and 36 µg P_Olsen/g), bioavailable soil‐P had decreased but the P‐removal rate had by then dropped 60% despite N‐ and K‐fertilization and despite that the target (<10 µg P_Olsen/g) was still far away. None of the biostimulants altered this trajectory. Therefore, restoration will still take decades when starting with ex‐agricultural soils unless P‐fertilization history was much lower than average.     

Effect of nitrogen form and phosphorus source on the growth,nutrient uptake and rhizosphere soil property of Camellia sinensis L.

The effects of nitrogen form and phosphorus source on the growth, nutrient uptake and rhizosphere soil property of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) were investigated in a pot experiment. The experiment was performed with a compartmental cropping device, which enables the collection of rhizosphere soil at defined distances from the root of tea plant. Nitrogen was supplied as nitrate or ammonium in combination with soluble phosphorus as Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ or insoluble P as rock phosphate. The leaf dry matter production of tea was significantly greater in the treatments with NH₄ ⁺ than NO₃ ^-, whereas dry matter production of root and stem was not significantly affected. Addition of phosphorus as either source did not influence the dry matter production. The concentrations of K in root, Mg and Ca in both the shoot and root supplied with NO₃ ^- were significantly higher than in NH₄ ⁺ and influence of P sources was minor. On the contrary, Al and Mn concentrations were significantly larger in NH₄ ^--fed plants which could be attributed to remarkably increased availability of Al and Mn caused by acidification of the rhizosphere soil (the first 1-mm soil section from the root surface) with NH₄–N nutrition. The concentration of N in shoot was also significantly higher in NH₄- than in NO₃-fed plants, indicating higher use efficiency of NH₄–N. Whatever the phosphate source, rhizosphere pH declined in ammonium compared to in nitrate treatment. The pH decrease was much larger when no P or soluble P were applied and reached 0.85–1.30 units which extended to 3–5 mm away from the root surface. Exchangeable acidity, content of exchangeable Al and Mn were also considerably higher in the rhizosphere soils of NH₄ ⁺ fed tea plants. Significant amounts of P dissolved from rock phosphate accumulated in rhizosphere of NH₄ ⁺, not NO₃ ^-, suggesting that the dissolution of rock phosphate was induced by the proton excreted by tea root fed with ammonium. With soluble P addition, shoot and root P concentrations were greater in NH₄ ⁺ than in NO₃ ^- treatment and it appeared that this difference could not be sufficiently explained by the available P content in soil which was only slightly higher in NH₄ ⁺ treatment. With rock phosphate addition, the shoot and root P concentrations were hardly affected by nitrogen form, although the available P content was much higher and accumulated in the rhizosphere soil supplied with ammonium. The reason for this was discussed with regard to the inter-relationship of Al with P uptake. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of high nonexchangeable aluminium on nitrogen and phosphorus availability in a humus-rich acid forest soil

The effect of high nonexchangeable aluminum on availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was studied in a Cryptopodzolic soil (Cademario) derived from mica schist in southern Switzerland. The research involved a greenhouse pot experiment comparing growth of barley on soil samples of three soil layers (10- to 25-, 40- to 60- and 70- to 90 cm) of the Cademario profile, representing a range of Al and organic matter properties, with the 10- to 40 cm layer of a profile of an acidic brown earth (Haplumbrept), derived from cherty limestone. The experiment, which included four nutrient treatments [check, N₀ (PKS), P₀ (NKS) and full (NPKS)], lime and no lime treatments and four replicates, was supplemented by soil chemical analysis. Results showed that liming alone produced greater yield responses in the Cademario soil than N or P added singly or together. On unlimed soils, barley yield for check, N₀, and P₀ treatments showed a positive linear relation with exchangeable Ca of soils and a negative linear relation with organically-complexed Al. Failure of liming to influence P_av, especially when combined with P fertilization, suggests that P was quickly absorbed on highly active surfaces formed from initially exchangeable Al.This research is a cooperative effort of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Stations, Journal Article No. 7100 and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape; it was supported by the National Science Foundation, USA, Grant No. INT-8304490, and the Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant No. 2.919-803.This research is a cooperative effort of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Stations, Journal Article No. 7100 and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape; it was supported by the National Science Foundation, USA, Grant No. INT-8304490, and the Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant No. 2.919-803.     

Effect of phosphate rock,coal combustion by-product,lime, and cellulose on ryegrass in an acidic soil

Remediation of soil acidity is crucial for increasing crop production and improving environmental quality of acid infertile soils. Soil incubation and greenhouse pot experiments were carried out to examine the interactions between phosphate rock (PR), coal combustion by-product (BP), dolomitic lime (L), and cellulose (C) in an acidic soil and their effects on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv Linn) growth. BP and PR application increased plant P content and dry matter yield (DMY) of shoots and roots by improving soil Ca availability and reducing Al toxicity. Application of BP at low rates (5 to 10 g BP kg^-1) with PR appeared to decrease both plant P content and DMY compared to PR application alone. The reduced DMY is due to an increased Al concentration in soil solution as a result of displacement of sorbed Al by Ca of BP. Increases in DMY were obtained by addition of lime along with PR and BP at low rates or by increasing BP application rates above 15 g kg^-1. This improved plant response was likely related to alleviation of Al toxicity by CaCO₃ contained in the BP. In addition to raising the pH to an acceptable level for plant growth, the dolomitic lime supplied needed Mg for plants, thereby maintaining a good balance between available Ca and Mg for plants in the BP- and PR-amended soils. The addition of cellulose to the BP- and PR-amended soils reduced water-soluble Al and increased DMY. Plant growth increased PR dissolution by 2.4 to 243% in a soil with low available P. Use of BP at moderate rates with PR and dolomitic lime appears to be the best combination in increasing crop yields on infertile acidic soils.     

The effect of phosphate rock dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat seedling root elongation

Soils of the Appalachian region of the United States are acidic and deficient in P. North Carolina phosphate rock (PR), a highly substituted fluoroapatite, should be quite reactive in these soils, allowing it to serve both as a source of P and a potential ameliorant of soil acidity. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of PR dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Hart) seedling root elongation. Ten treatments including nine rates of PR (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg P kg^-1) and a CaCO₃ (1000 mg kg^-1) control were mixed with two acidic soils, moistened to a level corresponding to 33 kPa moisture tension and incubated for 30 days. Pregerminated wheat seedlings were grown for three days in the PR treated soils and the CaCO₃ control. Root length was significantly (P<0.05) increased both by PR treatments and CaCO₃, indicating that PR dissolution was ameliorating soil acidity. The PR treatments increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca, and soil solution Ca while lowering exchangeable Al and 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable soil Al. Root growth in PR treatments was best described by an exponential equation (P<0.01) containing 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable Al. The PR dissolution did not reduce total soil solution Al, but did release Al complexing anions into soil solution, which along with increased pH, shifted Al speciation from toxic to nontoxic forms. These results suggest that North Carolina PR should contribute to amelioration of soil acidity in acidic, low CEC soils of the Appalachian region.     

Effects of plant species on phosphorus availability in a range of grassland soils

Vegetative conversion from grass to forest may influence soil nutrient dynamics and availability. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil phosphorus (P) availability in 15 grassland soils collected across New Zealand using ³³P isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) and chemical extraction methods. Results from this study showed that radiata pine took up more P (4.5–33.5 mg P pot^–1) than ryegrass (1.1–15.6 mg pot^–1) from the soil except in the Temuka soil in which the level of available P (e.g., E _1min P_i, bicarbonate extractable P_i) was very high. Radiata pine tended to be better able to access different forms of soil P, compared with ryegrass. There were no significant differences in the level of water soluble P (Cp, intensity factor) between soils under ryegrass and radiata pine, but the levels of Cp were generally lower compared with original soils due to plant uptake. The growth of both ryegrass and radiata pine resulted in the redistribution of soil P from the slowly exchangeable P_i pool (E _{> 10m} P_i, reduced by 31.8% on the average) to the rapidly exchangeable P_i (E _1min-1d P_i, E _1d-10m P_i) pools in most soils. The values of R/r ₁ (the capacity factor) were also generally greater in most soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass. Specific P mineralisation rates were significantly greater for soils under radiata pine (8.4–21.9%) compared with ryegrass (0.5–10.8%), indicating that the growth of radiata pine enhanced mineralisation of soil organic P. This may partly be ascribed to greater root phosphatase activity for radiata pine than for ryegrass. Plant species × soil type interactions for most soil variables measured indicate that the impacts of plant species on soil P dynamics was strongly influenced by soil properties.     

City refuse compost as a phosphorus source to overcome the P-fixation capacity of sesquioxide-rich soils

In sesquioxide-rich soils of tropical and subtropical areas and volcanic-ash soils with high levels of active Al(Fe), large amounts of phosphate fertilizers are needed to overcome their high P-fixation capacity (quenching strategy). A greenhouse pot experiment has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of city refuse compost (CRC) as a P-source for these variable-charge soils, compared to inorganic P. Mature CRC and K₂HPO₄ were applied at rates equivalent to 125, 250, 375, 500 and 625 kg P ha^–1 to a ferrallitic soils from Tenerife Island (Andeptic Paleudult) with a high content in active Al+Fe (4.82%) and a high P-fixation capacity (87%). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in pots and plants were harvested at regular intervals after seedling emergence. CRC increases plant P concentration and soil labile-P proportional to the applied rate. The best results were obtained from a compost application of 30 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate, after a residence time of at least three months. An important residual effect in the supply capacity of P in relation to the phosphate fertilizer was also observed. The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) in comparison to K₂HPO₄ was 66% after 6 months, considering P uptake + soil labile-P. The soil P-fixation capacity was significantly reduced from a compost application of 40 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate. Competition in adsorption between organic ligands and phosphate, in combination with net mineralization of organic P in compost, might account for the high RAE value obtained. The main conclusion is that the city refuse compost could be a suitable P-amendment for resquioxic soils due to its high RAE, and the residual effect on P-supply. ei]H. Lambers     

Inorganic and organic P in soil solutions from three upland soils

Soil solutions from three P-deficient Cambisols were analyzed for inorganic orthophosphate (P_i), organically combined phosphorus (P_o), total phosphorus (P_t) and residual phosphorus (P_r=P_t–(P_o+P_i)). The solutions were obtained by centrifugation of soil samples wetted-up to 90% field capacity. Increasing the centrifugal force from 750 to 1400×g (for 60 minutes) increased the volume of soil solution obtained by 17–35%. Increasing the centrifugation period from 30 to 90 minutes (at 1000×g) increased the volume by 2–12%. The effect of the different centrifugation conditions on the P composition of soil solutions were not critical and had little effect on either P_t concentration or on the distribution of P between P_i, P_o and P_r fractions. Soil solutions were also obtained on a seasonal basis over a 2-year period. The soils, fresh from the field, were wetted-up to 90% field capacity and centrifuged at 1000×g for 60 minutes to isolate the soil solution. Although the soils were derived from contrasting parent rock, and had different Fe and Al sesquioxide contents, the P_t concentrations of the soil solutions and the distribution between the fractions were similar. Annual average P_t concentrations for the 3 soils ranged from 93 to 114 and 63 to 89 g dm^-3 during the first and second year, respectively. Seasonal changes were of a similar order as those resulting from differences in soil type. During May, June, August and October soil solutions had average P_t concentrations ranging from 82 to 111 and 51 to 119 g P dm^-3 in 1989 and 1990, respectively. P_o was a major P component in soil solution and exceeded the amount of P_i by about 5–20 times.     

Phosphorus Transformations in an Oxisol under contrasting land-use systems: The role of the soil microbial biomass

It is generally assumed that phosphorus (P) availability for plant growth on highly weathered and P-deficient tropical soils may depend more on biologically mediated organic P (P_o) turnover processes than on the release of adsorbed inorganic P (P_i). However, experimental evidence showing the linkages between P_o, microbial activity, P cycling and soil P availability is scarce. To test whether land-use systems with higher soil P_o are characterized by greater soil biological activity and increased P mineralization, we analyzed the partitioning of P among various organic and inorganic P fractions in soils of contrasting agricultural land-use systems and related it to biological soil properties. Isotopic labeling was used to obtain information on the turnover of P held in the microbial biomass. Soil samples were taken from grass–legume pasture (GL), continuous rice (CR) and native savanna (SAV) which served as reference. In agreement with estimated P budgets (+277, +70 and 0 kg P ha^–1 for CR, GL and SAV, respectively), available P estimated using Bray-2 and resin extraction declined in the order CR > GL > SAV. Increases in Bray-2 and resin P_i were greater in CR than GL relative to total soil P increase. Organic P fractions were significantly less affected by P inputs than inorganic fractions, but were a more important sink in GL than CR soils. Extractable microbial P (P_chl) was slightly higher in GL (6.6 mg P kg^–1) than SAV soils (5.4 mg P kg^–1), and significantly lowest in CR (2.6 mg P kg^–1). Two days after labeling the soil with carrier free ³³P, 25, 10 and 2% of the added ³³P were found in P_chl in GL, SAV and CR soils, respectively, suggesting a high and rapid microbial P turnover that was highest in GL soils. Indicators of P mineralization were higher in GL than CR soils, suggesting a greater transformation potential to render P_o available. Legume-based pastures (GL) can be considered as an important land-use option as they stimulate P cycling. However, it remains to be investigated whether crops planted in pasture–crop rotations could benefit from the enhanced P_o cycling in grass–legume soils. Furthermore, there is need to develop and test a direct method to quantify P_o mineralization in these systems.     

Interaction of phosphorus fertilizer form and soil medium on Douglas-fir seedling phosphorus content,growth and photosynthesis

Douglas-fir seedlings were grown in containers in peat-vermiculite or mineral soil each amended with different levels of concentrated superphosphate (CSP) or a granulated North Carolina phosphate rock (RP). Media dilute acid-fluoride extractable phosphorus (DAP), seedling photosynthesis, weights, and tissue P concentrations were measured at 65±3 and 105±3 days. DAP was highly correlated with soluble fertilizer P (but not total P) added at the beginning of the experiment. Considerable soluble P was lost from peat-vermiculite but not from the mineral soil. Seedling total P content was proportional to the amount of soluble P per container at both harvests, but was greater for a given level of soluble P in the organicversus the mineral medium. Added soluble P increased foliar P concentrations, plant P content, and dry weight. Net carbon uptake was highly correlated with added levels of soluble P, foliar P concentrations, and with total P content. The internal efficiency of P from the RP source was less than P from CSP with respect to P contentversus growth, net CO₂ uptake, and net photosynthesis rates. At the end of the experiment, seedling P content plus DAP remaining in the media for the higher fertilizer rates accounted for 75% of the originally added soluble P in the mineral soils, but only 15% of the originally added soluble P in the organic media.     

Agronomic effectiveness of partially acidulated phosphate rock as influenced by soil phosphorus-fixing capacity

A greenhouse study compared the effect of soil P-fixing capacity on the relative argonomic effectiveness (RAE) of partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) and water-soluble P. Such information is lacking in the literature. Six soils varying widely in P-fixing capacity (5.6%–56.1%) were used. A phosphate rock (Huila PR) from Colombia was acidulated with H₂SO₄ at 50% of the level necessary to achieve full conversion to single superphosphate (SSP). Rates of P applied from PAPR or SSP were 0,05, 100, and 300 mg P kg⁻¹. The P fertilizers were mixed with the soils, and maize was grown for 6 weeks before harvest. The results show that the effectiveness of PAPR in increasing dry-matter yield and P uptake over yield and uptake obtained with SSP linearly increased as the soil P-fixing capacity increased. PAPR and SSP were equally effective in increasing dry-matter yield or P uptake at P-fixing capacities of 28% or 36%, respectively. PAPR was found to be more effective than SSP in soils (treated with Fe-gel) with P-fixing capacity higher than these values. The internal efficiency, which is defined as the ratio between dry-matter yield and P uptake, was the same for both PAPR and SSP in all the soils.     

烟气脱硫石膏对滨海农耕土壤磷素形态组成的影响

为探明不同烟气脱硫石膏施用量对滨海农耕土壤中的全磷、有效磷、无机磷组分等的影响,通过田间试验的方式,分别在试验区土壤中施加0t/hm~2、15t/hm~2、30t/hm~2、45t/hm~2烟气脱硫石膏。研究结果表明:与对照组相比,各处理组的土壤全磷含量无显著差异,而土壤中的有效磷和渗滤液中的可溶性磷含量则随着烟气脱硫石膏施入量的增加而降低;施入烟气脱硫石膏后农耕土壤中无机磷含量显著增加,其中又以磷酸钙盐含量的增加为主,磷酸钙盐中的Ca2-P、Ca_8-P和Ca_10-P含量分别增加了30.8%—68.9%、35.2%—66.3%和7.3%—17.8%。烟气脱硫石膏的施用促进了植物的生长发育,有效磷的降低和无机磷组分中磷酸钙盐的增加并未影响到植物对磷素的吸收。因此,烟气脱硫石膏能有效地固定滨海农耕土壤中的溶解态磷,控制土壤过量磷素向水体迁移,降低附近水体富营养化发生的机率,保障区域水体生态系统环境安全。     

Isolation of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Maize Rhizosphere and Their Potential for Rock Phosphate Solubilization–Mineralization and Plant Growth Promotion

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play a significant role in plant P nutrition by their effect on soil P dynamics and their subsequent ability to make P available to plants via solubilization and mineralization processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of separate and combined use of indigenous PSB, poultry manure (PM) and compost on solubilization and mineralization of rock phosphate (RP) and their subsequent effect on growth and P accumulation of maize (Zea mays L.). A group of fifty seven bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere/rhizoplane of maize that had been grown in soils collected from varying altitudes (655–2,576 m) of the mountain region of Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. After screening, the capacity of eleven isolates to solubilize mineral phosphate was quantitatively evaluated using insoluble Ca₃(PO₄)₂ in culture medium as a time course study through spectrometer. The growth hormone producing (IAA) capacity of the isolates was also determined. Furthermore, five potential isolates were tested for their ability to increase P release capacity (mineralization) of insoluble RP in an incubation study. The effect of PSB inoculation on maize was determined in a completely randomized greenhouse experiment where root and shoot biomass and P accumulation in plants were assessed. The P solubilization index of selected isolates varied from 1.94 to 3.69, while the P solubilization efficiency ranged between 94.1% and 269.0%. The isolates MRS18 and MRS27 displayed the highest values. The P solubilization in the liquid medium was maximum at 6 and 9 days of incubation ranging between 9.91 and 44.04 µgmL^?1 and the isolates MRS27 and MRS34 exhibited the highest solubilization. Six isolates showed additional capability of producing IAA ranging between 2.66 and 28.41 µgmL^?1. Results of the incubation study indicated that P release capacity (P mineralization) of RP-amended soil varied between 6.0 and 11.8 µgPg^?1 that had been significantly increased to 30.6–36.3 µgPg^?1 (maximum value) when PSB were combined with RP. The combined application of PSB and organic amendments (PM, compost) with RP further increased P mineralization by releasing a maximum of 37.7 µgPg^?1 compared with separate application of RP (11.8 µgPg^?1) and organic amendments (21.5 and 16.5 µgPg^?1). The overall effect of PSB (as a group) with RP over RP alone on maize growth showing a relative increase in shoot length 21%, shoot fresh weight 42%, shoot dry weight 24%, root length 11%, root fresh weight 59%, root dry weight 35% and chlorophyll content 32%. This study clearly indicates that use of PSB, and organic amendments with insoluble RP could be a promising management strategy to enhance P availability in soil pool and improve plant growth in intensive cropping systems.     

The utilization of phosphorus from muds by the phytoplankter,Scenedesmus dimorphus,and the significance of these findings to the practice of pond fertilization

Muds from 12 types of soils were used as the only source of phosphorus in cultures of Scenedesmus dimorphus. Some muds supported as much algal growth as was obtained with 0.075 to 0.5 mg/1 of phosphorus, while little or no growth occurred in cultures which contained other muds as a source of phosphorus. Algal growth was correlated with the fractions of soil phosphorus which were extracted with the following solutions; I — the phosphorus — free nutrient solution, II — 0.05N HCl plus 0.025N H₂SO₄, III — 0.002N H₂SO₄ plus 3 g/l of K₂SO₄, and IV — 0.1N HCl plus 0.03N/NH₄F. Additions of phosphorus to the soils prior to their use as muds increased the suitability of some as sources of phosphorus, but for others the added phosphorus was so tightly bound to the soil that little or none was available to S. dimorphus. The findings indicate that the type of soil in a pond will likely have a large influence on the efficiency of fertilization with phosphate fertilizers.

     

Coupled soil-availability and tree-limitation nutritional shifts induced by N deposition: insights from N to P relationships in Abies pinsapo forests

Background and aims

Interacting effects of atmospheric N deposition on the degree to which tree demand for other nutrients is met by soil supply has seldom been explored in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. We hypothesized that patterns for the relative availability of N and P in soils will be matched by variations in process rates related to soil organic P cycling and by shifts from N to P limitation of tree growth.

Methods

We examined N/P relationships in Mediterranean-fir (Abies pinsapo) forests from two nearby regions differing in N deposition levels.

Results

N pools and transformation rates and the contribution of organic fractions to the labile P pool in soils showed increasing trends toward the pollution source. Phosphomonoesterase activity (PME) in bulk soils, root PME per unit biomass (but not per unit soil volume) and biomass accumulation in P-fertilized root-in-growth cores incubated in situ were also the highest at the sites receiving elevated N deposition, indicating P limitation. In contrast, forest stands in the region farther from the pollutant source were N-limited (preferential root growth in N-rich soil microsites) and showed lower PME activities and higher total fine root biomass.

Conclusions

In the forests under elevated N deposition, higher values for an overall indicator of soil N status matched with indications of an accelerated soil organic P subcycle and P-limitation of tree growth.     

Soil chemical limitations to growth and development of Veronica officinalis L. and Carex pilulifera L.

Veronica officinalis and Carex pilulifera, widespread plants of acid soils in Europe, were grown in 50 soils of natural and seminatural ecosystems representing a wide range of soil chemical properties. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse at a soil moisture content of 55–65% WHC, ca. 60% R.H. of the air, temperature 14–16°C at night and 19–21°C by day; additional light 70 W m^-2 12 h d^-1. Properties closely related to soil acidity precluded growth of V. officinalis and limited the growth rate of C. pilulifera at soil pH-KCl < ca. 3.4. In slightly-moderately alkaline (calcareous) soils, growth was primarily limited by insufficient phosphate uptake. A low growth rate of C. pilulifera. in such soils was related to low concentrations of exchangeable soil phosphate and low tissue concentrations of phosphorus. However, in high-pH soils, secondary effects due to suboptimum trace element (probably Fe) conditions, giving rise to symptoms of chlorosis, were also indicated. The highest growth rates of both species were invariably measured in soils of intermediate acidity having very high concentrations of exchangeable phosphate. Multiple regression tests on the entire material indicated that 65–75% of the variability in several growth functions could be accounted for, when two or more soil characters were included in the equation. Besides phosphate, exchangeable Zn (in C. pilulifera) and nitrate (in V. officinalis) were of considerable importance in accounting for growth rates.     

Soil solution phosphate,root uptake kinetics and nutrient acquisition: implications for a patchy soil environment

Summary The importance of increased root phosphate (P) uptake kinetics, root proliferation and local increases of soil solution P (P₁) for P acquisition from fertile soil microsites was explored with a simulation model and calculated uptake was compared with experimental data. Based on the partitioning of added P in microsites to P₁ and P adsorbed on soil particles and the results of a dual-isotope-labeling experiment (Caldwell et al. 1991a), acquisition of P from the fertile microsites was some 20 X that of uptake from an equal volume of soil which received only water. Simulations were in general agreement and also showed that elevation of root P uptake kinetics could contribute more to the increased acquisition than did root proliferation under these circumstances. Although increased physiological uptake capacity for P has generally been considered to be of little benefit because of diffusion limitation, in patchy soil environments selective elevation of P uptake kinetics in fertile microsites may be of considerable benefit. These tests were conducted in calcareous soil which releases much less P into the soil solution than do many other soils. In many noncalcareous soils the benefits of selective elevation of root uptake kinetics would likely be greater.     

Direct assessment of mineral phosphorus availability to tropical crops using 32P labelled compounds

The availability to plants of phosphorus (P) derived from sparingly soluble iron and aluminium phosphates was directly assessed with ³²P labelled compounds in two glasshouse trials.In the first experiment, the comparative availability of all mineral phosphate (P) compounds to maize increased with time (14 to 42 days post emergence) and plant total P uptake, but P source did not affect the growth or total plant uptake of P. The comparative availability of the amorphous AlPO₄ (Al-P), crystalline AlPO₄ (variscite), amorphous FePO₄ (Fe-P), and crystalline FePO₄ (strengite) compared to KH₂PO₄ (=100) was 53.1, 3.4, 38.9, and 1.9%, respectively. In the second experiment, the availability of Fe-P, strengite, and KH₂PO₄ to several topical crop species was examined. There was no difference between maize, sorghum, mungbean, cowpea or soybean in their ability to utilise Fe-P or KH₂PO₄, although maize utilised strengite more than the other species. The major difference between these species in their ability to acquire P appears to be a difference in ability to locate soluble soil P rather than differences in their ability to access different pools of soil P.The advantages of using neutron irradiation to directly measure P absorption from mineral P compounds over traditional methodologies is discussed.