Evaluation of the agronomic effectiveness of natural and partially acidulated phosphate rocks in several soils using32P isotopic dilution techniques

The agronomic effectiveness of two natural phosphate rocks (PRs) from North Carolina (USA) and Togo and their 50% partially acidulated products (PAPRs) was evaluated in two greenhouse experiments using³²P isotopic dilution techniques, namely L and A_L values.In the first experiment rye grass was grown in a soil from Ghana. While the proportion of P in the plant derived from the P fertilizer (Pdff) ranged on. the average from about 10% for the PRs up to 80% for the PAPRs, the P fertilizer recovery was less than 1% for a 60-day growth period. In the second experiment, average values of P in the maize plants derived from the PAPRs ranged from 35% to 75% in 3 different soils. Both PRs were ineffective with the exception of North Carolina PR in the Seibersdorf soil. The P fertilizer recovery was 0.25% for the North Carolina PR in this soil whereas the recovery values ranged from 1.2% to 1.6% for the PAPRs.Mean values of the relative fertilizer efficiency estimated from the L values of each soil were less than 1% for the PRs whereas the values for the PAPRs which were dependent on soil type ranged from 20% up to 45%. The coefficient of relative effect of partial acidulation, that was calculated from the ratio of A_L values for PR and PAPR in each soil indicated that partial acidulation increased the effectiveness of the natural PRs in all soils under study.This study showed that the use of³²P isotope dilution techniques allows an accurate measurement of the P availability from natural and modified PR products to crops. Another advantage is that quantitative comparison of the P sources under study, PRs and PAPRs in this case, can be made even in soils where there is no response to the applied P sources.     

Enhancing the agronomic effectiveness of natural phosphate rock with poultry manure: a way forward to sustainable crop production

Phosphorus inputs are required in highly weathered tropical soils for sustainable crop production. However, high cost and limited access to mineral P fertilizers limit their use by resource-poor farmers in West Africa. Direct application of finely ground phosphate rock (PR) is a promising alternative but low solubility of PR hampers its use. Co-application of PR with manure could be a low cost means of improving the solubility of natural PR and improve their agronomic effectiveness. Our objective was to quantitatively estimate the enhancement effect of poultry manure on P availability from low reactive PR (Togo phosphate rock) applied to highly weathered soils. We utilized two highly weathered soils from Ghana and Brazil for this greenhouse study. Using ³²P isotopic tracers, the agronomic effectiveness of poultry-manure-amended Togo rock phosphate (TPR) was compared with partially acidulated Togo rock phosphate (PAPR) and triple superphosphate (TSP). Four rates of poultry manure: 0, low (30 mg P kg⁻¹ soil), high (60 mg P kg⁻¹ soil) and very high (120 mg P kg⁻¹ soil) were, respectively, added to a constant amendment (60 mg P kg⁻¹ soil) of the P sources and applied to each pot of 4 kg soil. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used for the greenhouse experiment and Maize (Zea mays L.) was used as a test crop. The plants were grown for 42 days after which the above ground biomass was harvested for analysis. Without poultry manure addition, the agronomic effectiveness, represented by the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) and proportion of P derived from fertilizer (% Pdff) was in the order TSP > PAPR > TPR = control (P₀). In the presence of low rate poultry manure addition, the agronomic effectiveness followed the order TSP > PAPR = PR > P₀. However, at the high and very high rates of poultry manure addition, no significant differences in agronomic effectiveness were observed among the P sources, suggesting that at this rate of poultry manure addition, PR was equally as effective as TSP. The study showed that direct application of PR co-applied with poultry manure at a 1:1 P ratio will be a viable option for P replenishment. Thus a combination of PR and poultry manure could be a cost-effective means of ensuring sustainable agricultural production in P-deficient, highly weathered tropical soils.     

Greenhouse evaluation of agronomic potential of different sources of phosphate fertilizer in a typical concretionary soil of Northern Ghana

The concretionary soils of Northern Ghana, which are near neutral with respect to pH and which comprise mostly lateritic ferruginous nodules are known to sorb significant amounts of phosphate. Instead of imported superphosphate, the use of less expensive indigenous Togo rock phosphate (PR) or partially acidulated (50%) Togo rock phosphate (PAPR-50), are possible alternative phosphate fertilizer options for these soils. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of freshly-applied SSP, PR and PAPR-50, and the effectiveness of the residues of these fertilizers in a glasshouse pot study. Laboratory studies were also undertaken to study the transformation of these fertilizers after their application to the concretionary ferruginous soils. In the greenhouse study, yield of dried tops and the P uptake by the tops of maize var. Dobidi (Zea mays) was used to measure fertilizer effectiveness. One level of P was applied for each fertilizer (26.4 kg P ha^–1). Plants were grown for 28 days. After harvesting the first crop, subsequent cropping was carried out to evaluate the effects of the residual P in the pots. The results showed that increases in dry matter yield of shoot and total P uptake followed the trend SSP > PAPR-50 > PR > control. The relative agronomic effciency (RAE) of PAPR-50 was 58% that of commercial SSP in increasing growth of the crop, while that of PR was only 23%. The residual effect of either PAPR-50 or PR on dry matter yield and total P uptake was found to be negligible compared with SSP, suggesting that apatitic P was poorly effective relative to SSP in the used soils. The P fractionation results confirmed that PR and PAPR-50 did not significantly increase any of the P fractions in either the soil fines or nodules after the first crop. By contrast, application of SSP increased all extractable Pi fractions, most of the P added being recovered from the nodules in forms associated with Fe (hydroxide and residual Pi).It is concluded that, relative to SSP, the P from residues of PAPR-50 and PR are poorly effective in the soils studied for sustainable plant production.     

Field evaluation of partially acidulated phosphate rocks in a Ferralsol from Cuba

Phosphorus (P) is needed in large areas of developing countries toimprove soil fertility for crop production. The use of phosphate rock (PR) isan alternative to costly soluble P fertilizers, but it is ineffective usuallyin non-acid soils unless it is modified i.e. partially acidulated (PAPR). Alaboratory incubation study using the isotopic exchange kinetic method of³²P and field experiments were undertaken on a neutral Ferralsol ofCuba to evaluate the effectiveness of PAPRs as fertilizers for common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris, L.). Sulfuric-acid based PAPR using40%, 50% and 60% of the acid required to produce singlesuperphosphate were studied. In the laboratory experiment Trinidad de GuedesPAPR was effective in providing P to the soil, through increases inisotopicallyexchangeable P and the percentage of P derived from fertilizer (%Pdff). In the three field experiments carried out to compare the P sources,yields of common bean were increased by PAPR, though the response was less thanwith triple superphosphate (TSP). The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) ofPAPR was greater than that of unacidulated PR. Taking into account the RAEvalues and the current cost of the P sources, the choice of Trinidad de GuedesPAPR instead of TSP could be economic, although the RAE value for PAPR waslowerthan that of TSP. This result indicates that PAPR could be used in thesoil understudy to obtain the best economic return. DM yield, P uptake and grain yield ofcommon bean were significantly increased by applying P as 50% PAPR. Lowcost improvement of the agronomic value of PR can be achieved by partialacidulation, so this modification of the phosphate rock show promise forutilization of PR reserves indigenous to developing countries.     

32P isotopic techniques for evaluating the agronomic effectiveness of rock phosphate materials

Tropical soils are often low in available P and therefore require inputs of P fertilizer for optimum plant growth and production of food and fiber. The cost of applying imported or locally produced, water-soluble, P fertilizers is often greater than utilizing indigenous phosphate rock. Therefore quantifying the P availability of soils amended with phosphate rock-based products in a variety of crop management and environmental conditions in developing countries is desirable for making recommendations on best type and rate of fertilizers to use to obtain maximum agronomic and economic benefits. One adequate approach for evaluating the agronomic effectiveness of rock phosphate materials is through the use of³²P/³³P isotopic tracers. The present paper describes the principles and assumptions of the³²P isotopic techniques commonly used in the field and greenhouse for the agronomic evaluation of rock phosphate materials. An overview of the applications of these techniques is also given.     

Phosphorus availability from phosphate rock and sewage sludge as influenced by the addition of water soluble phosphate fertilizer

Phosphorus (P) inputs are required for sustainable agricultural production in most acid soils of the tropics and subtropics. Phosphate rocks (PR) and organic materials have been suggested as alternative P sources in these soils. Quantitative information on the P availability from sewage sludge (SL) is scanty. Methods to improve the effectiveness of PR such as partial acidulation and compaction with water-soluble P sources have been recommended. The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of Florida PR and sewage sludges (irradiated and non-irradiated) applied alone and in mixture with a water-soluble source (triple superphosphate, TSP) at two rates (50 and 150 mg P kg^–1 soil). The ³²P isotope dilution technique was utilised to determine the proportion of P in the plant taken up from the P fertilizer treatments. Wheat was grown on an acid loamy sand Dystric Eutrocrepts and harvested 6 weeks after planting. Results on total P uptake and the RAE of the P fertilizer sources tested indicated that the addition of 50 mg P kg^–1 soil as TSP was adequate in supplying P to the 6-week-old wheat plants as compared to PR and sewage sludge. Intermediate values were obtained for the mixtures. Similar responses were observed for the high P rate. For a given P rate, phosphorus uptake from PR and SL in presence of TSP was higher than P uptake from these sources alone, indicating an enhancement effect of TSP on the effectiveness of these non-readily available sources. With respect to P uptake from PR applied alone, the relative increases in P uptake from PR due to TSP influence were 52 and 67% for the low and high P rates, respectively. The relative increases in P uptake from SL due to TSP when compared to P uptake from SL alone were 102 and 59% for the low and high P rates of application. Application of a water-soluble P fertilizer together with a non-readily available P source shows an enhancement on the P uptake from the non-readily available P source by the wheat plants. In this experiment the estimated enhancement effects are very likely underestimated.     

Induced phosphorus fixation and the effectiveness of phosphate fertilizers derived from Sukulu Hills phosphate rock

A greenhouse study was conducted with two surface, acidic soils (a Hiwassee loam and a Marvyn loamy sand) to measure the effect of increasing P-fixation capacity, on the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of phosphate fertilizers derived from Sukulu Hills phosphate rock (PR) from Uganda. Prior to fertilizer application, Fe-gel was added to increase P-fixation capacity from 4.4 to 14.3% for the Marvyn soil and from 37.0 to 61.5% for the Hiwassee soil. Phosphate materials included compacted Sukulu Hills concentrate PR + Triple superphosphate (CTSP) at a total P ratio of PR:TSP = 50:50; 50% partially acidulated PR (CPAPR) from Sukulu Hills concentrate PR made with H₂SO₄; and Sukulu Hills concentrate PR (PRC) made by magnetically removing iron oxide from raw PR ore. Triple superphosphate (TSP) was used as a reference fertilizer. After adjusting soil pH to approximately 6, P sources were applied at rates of 0, 50, 150, and 300 mg total P kg^–1 soil. Two successive crops of 5 week old corn seedlings (Zea mays L.) were grown. The results show that the RAE of the phosphate materials measured using dry-matter yield or P uptake generally decreased as P-fixation capacity was increased for both soils. CTSP was more effective in increasing dry-matter yield and P uptake than CPAPR. PRC alone was an ineffective P source. Soil chemical analysis showed that Bray 1 and Mehlich 1 extractants were ineffective on the high P-fixation capacity Fe-gel amended Hiwassee soil. Mehlich 1 was unsuitable for soils treated with PRC since it apparently solubilizes unreactive PR. When all of the soils and P sources were considered together, Pi paper was the most reliable test for estimating plant available P.     

Agronomic evaluation of modified phosphate rock products

Phosphorus (P) is critically needed to improve the soil fertility for crop production in large areas of developing countries. The high cost of conventional, water-soluble P fertilizers constrains their use by resource-poor farmers. Finely ground phosphate rock (PR) has been tested and used as a direct application fertilizer on tropical acid soils as a low-cost alternative where indigenous deposits of PR are located. However, direct application of PR with low reactivity or with inappropriate soil/crop combinations does not always give satisfactory results. Partial acidulation of PR (PAPR) or compaction with triple superphosphate (PR + TSP) or single superphosphate (PR + SSP) represent technologies that can be used to produce highly effective P fertilizers from those indigenous deposits. Numerous field trials conducted by IFDC in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America have demonstrated that PAPR at 40-50% acidulation with H₂SO₄ or at 20% with H₃PO₄ approaches the effectiveness of SSP or TSP in certain tropical soils and crops. This paper discusses how the agronomic effectiveness of PAPR is affected by mineralogical composition and reactivity of PR used and by soil properties and soil reactions. The paper also indicates that if a PR has high Fe₂O₃ + Al₂O₃ content, it may not be suitable for PAPR processing because of the reversion of water-soluble P to water-insoluble P during the PAPR manufacturing process. Under these conditions, compaction of PR with water-soluble P fertilizers (e.g. SSP, TSP) at P ratio of approximately 50:50 can be agronomically and economically attractive for utilizing the indigenous PRs in developing countries.     

Effect of phosphate rock sources on biological nitrogen fixation by soybean

Very little information is available concerning the effect of phosphate rock (PR) sources on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legume crops. In a greenhouse study, the¹⁵N isotopic dilution technique was used to compare the effectiveness of three sources of PR (Hahotoe rock, Togo; Tilemsi rock, Mali; and Sechura rock, Peru) with that of triple superphosphate (TSP) in increasing soybean seed yield and the amounts of N fixed by the soybean crop. The acid Hartsells slit loam was limed to pH 5.2 and incubated with 8.5 mg N kg^–1 as K¹⁵NO₃ and sucrose for 2 months prior to planting. Then fertilizer P was incorporated into the soil at 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg P kg^–1 rates.The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of the three PRs with respect to TSP (RAE = 100%) in terms of increasing seed yield was Hahotoe rock = 6.0%, Tilemsi rock = 45.9%, and Sechura rock = 75.2%; this trend followed the same trend as PR reactivity, i.e., Sechura rock > Tilemsi rock > Hahotoe rock. BNF was affected significantly by all the P treatments. Of the total N derived from the three N sources (atmosphere, N_dfa; fertilizer K¹⁵NO₃, N_dff; and soil, N_dfs), N_dfa was highest with TSP and lowest with Hahotoe rock, whereas the reverse was found with N_dfs. Among various plant parts, more N_dfa was translocated and stored in seeds than in stems + leaves and roots. The RAE values of the three PRs with respect to TSP (RAE = 100%) in terms of influencing the amount of BNF were Hahotoe rock = 3.0%, Tilemsi rock = 43.4%, and Sechura rock = 71.2%. A linear relationship was found between the amount of BNF by the whole soybean plant and the soybean seed yield.     

Extractable phosphorus to predict agronomic effectiveness of ground and unground phosphate rocks

The reactivity of 11 phosphate rocks (PRs), both in their finely ground and unground forms, and containing up to 12% of CaCO₃ were estimated from the P extracted with 2% citric acid, 2% formic acid and neutral ammonium citrate. With the neutral ammonium citrate, PRs were also extracted sequentially. To determine the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of PRs a greenhouse experiment was conducted using three soils of different P retention, and growing ryegrass as the test plant. PRs were applied at three rates plus control. Ground Sechura PR was employed as the standard PR and single superphosphate was included to determine maximum dry matter production. Three cuts of ryegrass were taken over 4 months in 2 soils, and 8 cuts over 10 months in one soil. RAE of the PRs was calculated from dry matter yields obtained at a fertiliser P rate where superphosphate gave 90% of the maximum attainable yield, and also from the yield and P uptake values averaged over rates of application.Amount of P extracted by the different reagents correlated closely with each other (R² 0.82–0.99). Chemical extractable P integrated the effect of particle size as well as the inherent chemical reactivity of PRs. Formic P expanded the scale and thus was the most sensitive indicator to rank PRs. The ranking of PRs were similar between soils. RAEs between soils correlated significantly (R² = 0.88–0.91). For predicting the agronomic potential of PRs, RAEs calculated from 4 cuts of ryegrass over 4 months appeared to be as good as those calculated from 8 cuts, over 10 months.The total P of PRs was smaller in the large and very small size fractions than in the intermediate ones. With unground rocks the extractable P decreased with increasing particle size mainly due to their decreasing specific surface area. Practical implications of these results are discussed. Extractable P did not decline with increasing total P in the different size fractions of PRs. End-over-end shakers, unlike wrist-action shakers, gave consistent extractable P values.Formic-P was the best predictor of the agronomic effectiveness of PRs even when the data from ground and unground PRs, and from 3 soils of differing P retention were treated as one population (R² = 0.87–0.92).     

Rape genotypic differences in P uptake and utilization from phosphate rocks in an Andisol of Chile

A main constraint to agricultural productivity in the southern regionsof Chile is the low available soil P exacerbated by the high P sorptioncapacityof the predominant Andisols. Therefore, substantial amounts of P fertilizersmust be applied to obtain optimum growth and crop yields. One cost-effectivestrategy followed to supply P to crops grown in these soils is the directapplication of the local Bahia Inglesa PR source. However, a more sustainablestrategy would be to combine the use of the local PR with the crop species andcultivars that are able to grow in these acid soils and can utilize efficientlyPR. Rape is reported to be very efficient in utilising P from PR sources due toits capacity to exude organic acids to the rhizosphere. Therefore, the presentstudy was conducted to evaluate the ability of five rape cultivars grown in anAndisol of southern Chile in utilising P from two PR sources (Bahia Inglesa andBayovar) and triple superphosphate, a water-soluble P fertilizer. It was foundthat rape was able to absorb significant amounts of P from the PR sources andmuch less from the TSP and soil P. Both Bahia Inglesa and Bayovar PRs werefoundto be as effective as TSP for the rape genotypes in the Andisol Pemehue. Theuseof the ³²P isotope technique enabled to assess the ability of thegenotypes tested to utilize P from the different P fertilizers applied. Thegenotypes G2 and G3 showed increased P acquisition from the PR than thegenotypeG5. Combined utilization of P efficient genotypes and direct application of theBahia Inglesa PR seems to be a promising technology for attaining sustainableagricultural productivity in the Andisols of Chile. Further field trials forvalidating these findings at the level of cropping systems are needed. Thisagronomic testing should be accompanied by in-depth studies to assess therelative importance of the morphological and physiological traits determining ahigher P efficiency.     

Isotopic assessment of soil phosphorus fertility and evaluation of rock phosphates as phosphorus sources for plants in subtropical China

Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major factor limiting crop productivity in many tropical and subtropical soils. Due to the acidic nature of these soils, rock phosphate (RP)-based P fertilizers that are cheaper than manufactured water-soluble P fertilizers can be an attractive alternative under certain conditions. Assessment of the efficacy of these alternative P fertilizers and a rational management of local P resources for sustainable agricultural production require an understanding of the dynamics of P in the soil–plant system and the interactions of various P sources in soils and monitoring of soil available P levels. The present work was conducted to test the applicability of the ³²P isotopic kinetic method to assess the soil P fertility status and evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of local rock phosphates in subtropical China. A series of experiments was carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions with the following specific objectives: (a) to evaluate the suitability of this isotopic kinetic method in evaluating soil P fertility in 32 soil samples collected across southern China, (b) to test and further develop chemical extraction methods for routine soil P testing, (c) to monitor the dissolution kinetics of local low to medium grade rock phosphate sources and their effect on soil properties and (d) to evaluate their agronomic effectiveness in greenhouse and field experiments. Since most of the studied soils had very low concentrations of soluble P and high P-fixing capacities, the isotopic kinetic method was found unsuitable for evaluating soil P fertility and to predict plant P uptake. In contrast, the proposed chemical extraction method (NaHCO₃-NH₄F) predicted very well plant P uptake, suggesting that this extraction method can be routinely used to evaluate soil bioavailable P in similar soils in subtropical China. From the incubation study, it was found that although the local low to medium grade RPs were inferior to the reactive NCPR in increasing soil available P levels, they have the potential to improve soil chemical properties. Field experiments indeed demonstrated that the medium grade Jinxiang RP significantly increased crop yield, suggesting that local low to medium grade RPs could be used as P sources to provide P to plants and also to improve soil chemical properties. Overall, these results provide important information for a rational management of P resources for sustainable agriculture in subtropical China.     

Effect of soil pH on the requirement for water-soluble phosphorus in triple superphosphate fertilizers

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine if soil pH affects the requirement for water-soluble P and the tolerance of water-insoluble impurities in TSP fertilizers. Two commercial TSP fertilizers were selected to represent a range in phosphate rock sources and impurities. Phosphate fertilizer impurities were isolated as the water-washed fraction by washing whole fertilizers with deionized water. TSP fertilizers with various quantities of water-soluble P (1.2 to 99% water-soluble P) were simulated by mixing the water-washed fertilizer fractions or dicalcium phosphate (DCP) with reagent-grade monocalcium phosphate (MCP). The fertilizers were applied to supply 40 mg AOAC available P kg^–1 to a Mountview silt loam (fine-silty, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudults). Wheat (Triticum aestivum (L.)) was harvested at 49 and 84 days after planting. Soil pH values at the final forage harvest were 5.4±0.16 and 6.4±0.15. At a soil pH of 5.4, the TSP fertilizers required only 37% water-soluble P to reach maximum yields while at pH 6.4 the fertilizers required 63% water-soluble P. Results of this study show that higher levels of water -insoluble P can be tolerated in TSP fertilizers when applied to acid soils. Phosphorus uptake was not affected by soil pH, but for the mixtures containing the fertilizer residues the source having the lowest level of Fe and Al had a higher relative agronomic effectiveness.     

Factors affecting the agronomic effectiveness of phosphate rock for direct application

Phosphorus (P) is critically needed to improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production in large areas of developing countries. In recent years, phosphate rock (PR) for direct application has been tested in tropical acid soils as a potential alternative to conventional water-soluble P fertilizers like single superphosphate (SSP) and triple superphosphate (TSP). Some developing countries have PR deposits which, if used to supplement other imported P fertilizers, would allow a saving of much needed foreign exchange. Solubility of P fertilizers is not the only criterion in selection of the most suitable P fertilizer. This paper discusses the results of experiments to compare the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of various PR sources with respect to SSP or TSP as influenced by four important factors: PR sources, soil properties, management practices, and crop species. Under certain conditions, PRs can be agronomically effective.     

Agronomical evaluation of phosphate fertilizer as a nutrient source of phosphorus for crops: Isotopic procedure

The agronomic effectiveness of P fertilizers, as sources of phosphorus for crops, was evaluated using the quantities, P_f, of phosphorus taken up byLolium perenne grown on 14 soils during greenhouse experiments in pot cultures. The P_f quantities were determined using³²P-labelled fertilizers. Data were analysed using a new concept: the Isotopic Relative Agronomic Effectiveness (IRAE). The IRAE value was defined as the ratio of the P_f quantity, taken up by a crop, of a tested fertilizer over the P_f quantity, taken up by a crop, of a fertilizer used as standard. In our experiments diammonium phosphate (DAP) was used as standard P fertilizer and two rock phosphates, the North Carolina rock phosphate (NCPR) and a calcium-iron-aluminium phosphate (Phospal), were tested. As a linear relationship between P_f(NCPR) quantities and P_f(DAP) quantities was obtained, with r² = 0.95, when the application rates increased from 15 mgP (kg soil)^–1 to 200 mgP (kg soil)^–1, it is conciuded that IRAE values for a given fertilizer, other than the standard fertilizer, could be determined with a single rate of application. As regards soil pH in the range 4.7 to 8.2 the IRAE_NCPR is related to soil pH by a curvilinear relationship: log IRAE_NCPR = –(0.44) pH + 4.05 with r² = 0.89. The average of IRAE_phospal values was 0.15 with a standard error = 7% irrespective of soil pH. Then a logarithmic relationship was obtained between IRAE values of the two tested fertilizers and their water P-solubility determined at the soil pH where they were applied.     

Cowpea varietal differences in uptake of phosphorus from Gafsa phosphate rock in a low-P Ultisol

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate varietal differences in the uptake and availability of P from Gafsa phosphate rock (PR) to five cowpea cultivars grown in a low-P Paleustult soil from Ghana, using the A value technique. The³²P radioisotope used as a tracer was³²P-labelled triple superphosphate (TSP). Each cultivar received sole or a combined application of the two fertilizers (TSP, PR). From these treatments it was possible to estimate for each cultivar, A_R + A_S, A_S and by difference A_R (A_R and A_S stand for A values for phosphate rock and soil, respectively). Using this approach we measured significant genotypic differences in P uptake from PR and A_R values. The ranking of the cultivars in P uptake from PR was the same as for A_R, i.e. Asontem > Vallenga > Soronko > IT81D-1137 > Amantin. Similarly, ranking for uptake from soil P was the same as A_S, i.e. Vallenga, Soronko, IT81D-1137, Asontem and Amantin. Thus although PR could not be labelled directly, using the A value approach it was possible to distinguish between P availability from PR and soil to the plant. The recoveries of applied TSP ranged from 8.0% to 9.4% and those of PR from 2.3% to 3%.The other advantage of the A value method is that it made it possible for the different genotypes tested to be compared directly in units of a standard fertilizer, TSP in this case. Thus for Vallenga in this soil 3.01 kg of P in Gafsa PR was capable of supplying the same amount of P that could be supplied by 1 kg P of TSP; whereas for Amantin a higher amount i.e. 3.5 kg P as Gafsa PR was needed. This information is useful for adjusting application rates to be recommended for different P fertilizer sources in field trials so as to achieve similar effects.     

Chemical characterization and agronomic effectiveness of phosphorus applied as a polyphosphate-chitosan complex

This work was undertaken to characterize a chitosan-polyphosphate complex (CH-PP) and to evaluate its agronomic effectiveness as a source of phosphorus for ryegrass (Lolium perenne) grown on loamy and clayey soils. High resolution solid state³¹P and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance were used to characterize this complex and to monitor the structural changes occurring to it during an 8-week incubation period in a loamy soil. A pot experiment was conducted on the two soils after labelling the available P with³²PO₄ ions. This experiment allowed for the determination of the agronomic effectiveness of the chitosan-polyphosphate complex compared to polyphosphate and to monocalcium phosphate. Results showed that chitosan immobilized up to 147 mg P kg^–1 as pyrophosphate and hexametaphosphate. This reaction did not involve major structural changes in the pyrophosphate or hexametaphosphate groups nor in the chitosan. The chitosan-polyphosphate complex was as efficient as the polyphosphate alone to sustain the P nutrition of ryegrass. The relative agronomic effectiveness of these P sources was slightly lower compared to that of monocalcium phosphate. The high P fertilizing value of the chitosan-polyphosphate complex was attributed to its gradual hydrolysis in the soil. The potential interest of chitosan to remove polyphosphates from waste waters while preserving the high P fertilizing value of polyphosphates was addressed.     

Agronomic evaluation of fertilizer products derived from Sukulu Hills phosphate rock

Partial acidulation of phosphate rock (PR) or compaction of PR with soluble P fertilizers can improve the usefulness of unreactive PR for use as P fertilizer. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate nonconventional phosphate fertilizers derived from a low reactive Sukulu Hills PR from Uganda. Raw PR (which contained 341.0 g kg^–1 Fe₂O₃), beneficiated or concentrate PR, partially acidulated PR (PAPR) and PR compacted with triple superphosphate (TSP) were evaluated. Compacted materials had a P ratio of PR:TSP = 50:50. PAPR materials were made by 50% acidulation with H₂SO₄. TSP was used as a reference fertilizer. Fertilizers were applied to an acidic (pH = 5.4) Hiwassee loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kanhapludults) at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg P kg^–1 soil. Two successive corn (Zea mays L.) crops were grown for 6 weeks. Compacted concentrate PR + TSP and raw PR + TSP were 94.4 and 89.7% as effective as TSP, respectively, in increasing dry-matter yields for the first corn crop. PAPR from the concentrate was 54.8% as effective as TSP. Raw PR, concentrate PR and the PAPR from the raw PR were ineffective in increasing dry-matter yields. The same trends were obtained when P uptake was used to compare effectiveness. Ineffectiveness of the raw PR and its corresponding PAPR was attributed to a high Fe₂O₃ content in the raw PR. Bray I and Pi paper were found to be nearly equally suitable at estimating available P in the soils treated with responsive fertilizer materials. Mehlich 1 overestimated available P in soil treated with raw PR, concentrate PR or the PAPR from the raw PR.     

Availability and residual effects of phosphate rocks and inorganic P fractionation in a red soil of Central China

The agronomic effectiveness, phosphorus utilization efficiency and inorganic fractions of phosphorus, applied once to an Ultisol in Xianning, Hubei province, and then cropped 9 seasons, were measured. The results showed: (1)forall crops, the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of three phosphate rocks (PRs), compared with triple superphosphate (TSP), reached 103.1–154.9% at three rates of P applied; (2) phosphorus utilization ratios during 5 years were 33.7–59.3% with the average of 35.0–52.7% for three PRs, greater than TSP ; (3)the total amountof inorganic phosphorus in soils which received phosphate fertilizers were 395.5–492.8 mg/kg, however, it was 387.4 mg/kg in soil given no phosphorus fertilizer. The most remarkable increases were occluded P(O-P) and calcium P(Ca-P) fractions at P 35 level (i.e. soil extractable P reached 35 mg/kg). (4) after 9 crops were harvested, the balance of phosphorus in the soils of control (CK) and all P 15 level treatments was negative, however, for soils treated with P 25 level and P 35 level, the balance was positive. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Partially acidulated phosphate rocks: Controlled release phosphorus fertilizers for more sustainable agriculture

Phosphate rocks partially acidulated either with H₃PO₄ or H₂SO₄ were compared against SSP or TSP as phosphate fertilizers for permanent pasture. Eleven field trials were conducted over periods of up to 6 yrs. Fertilizers were surface applied annually. Initial soil pHw values ranged from 5.5–6.3 and Soil P retention from 25% to 97%. The PRs used for partial acidulation were unground or ground North Carolina PR, ground Khouribga PR, and a blend of ground PRs of North Carolina, Arad and Khouribga PRs. From the DM yields, fertilizer substitution values were calculated: fertilizer substitution value was the ratio of total P applied as superphosphate to total P as PAPR required to produce the same DM yield.Rates of dissolution of the PR component of PAPRs were also determined in soils collected from two trials.Agronomic results demonstrated that 30% acidulated phosphoric PAPRs (about 50% of total P as water-soluble P) were as effective as TSP, when the PR acidulated was from unground North Carolina PR. Results from one field trial indicated that when PAPR was from ground North Carolina PR, 20% acidulated product (water-soluble P 30–40% of total P) was equally effective as TSP. Replacement of ground North Carolina PR by a less reactive Khouribga PR did not appear to decrease the yield. Results indicated that per unit P released into soil solution, PAPRs were more efficient fertilizers than TSP. With annual applications, fertilizer substitution value of PAPR 30% tended to increase with time.Sulphuric PAPRs prepared from North Carolina PR were generally inferior to phosphoric PAPRs containing similar amounts of water-soluble P. This was attributed to the presence of CaSO₄ coatings.Abbreviations DM Dry matter - PAPR Partially acidulated phosphate rock - PR Phosphate rock - SSP Single superphosphate - TSP Triple superphosphate