Evaluation of p as a limiting macronutrient in volcanic ash soils of guatemala

Abstract

P status of soils derived from volcanic ash in Guatemala was investigated. Growth chamber and greenhouse studies were conducted with H‐3 hybrid corn (Zea mays). All plants exhibited P deficiency symptoms and yielded less dry matter when they were grown on soils that received only lime at a rate equivalent to 2,240 and 4,480 kg/ha. The P content of plants was low and correlated with P deficiency symptoms. Application of P (336 and 672 kg/ha) under constant liming corrected the P deficiencies and increased dry matter. In comparative studies, plants grown on a highly fertile, non‐volcanic soil showed vigorous growth and yielded high dry matter. Apparently, P was limiting productivity in volcanic ash soils of Guatemala, and due to low exchangeable Al, addition of only lime did not produce beneficial results. The soils responded to P fertilization and they should be supplied large quantities of this macronutrient.     

Effects of liming on yield,forage cation composition,and tetany potential of wheat in Kansas

Abstract

We studied the effects of liming on dry matter production, nutrient composition, and grain yields of wheat in field experiments conducted on two soil types at three locations during the 1976–77 and 1977–78 growing seasons. Lime sources were commercial agricultural lime, finely divided stack dust, and dolomitic limestone (which contained 10.6% Mg). Lime applied at 2,800 kg/ha in the 1976–77 and 10,750 kg/ha in the 1977–78 experiments provided Mg from the dolomite at rates of 300 and 1,140 kg/ha, respectively.

Soil pH was significantly increased by liming, but Mg saturation percentages were significantly greater only at the 1,140 kg/ha rate. Forage dry matter and grain yields were not increased by lime applied at the lower rate, but significant increases were found in dry‐matter production in the late fall and spring samplings of the 1977–78 experiment. Those increases in plant growth and dry matter production were probably due to reductions in the soluble Mn and Al concentrations in the soil. Forage N and P concentrations were generally not influenced by liming. Potassium concentrations in forage from the limed plots were usually equal to or greater than those in forage from unlimed plots. Calcitic limestone sources generally increased forage Ca concentrations, but liming with dolomite more often than not depressed Ca concentrations below levels found in the check plots. Dolomite, when applied at the 1,140 kg/ha rate, effectively increased the forage Mg concentration, although the concentration exceeded 0.2% only during the early growth stages. Liming generally showed no significant reduction in the tetany potential of the wheat forage as predicted by the equivalent ratio K/(Ca + Mg).     

Effect of molybdenum,phosphorus, and lime application to acid soils on dry matter yield and molybdenum nutrition of lentil

Deficiency of molybdenum (Mo) in acid soils causes poor growth of pulses. An experiment was, therefore, conducted in greenhouse to study the effect of Mo, phosphorus (P), and lime application on the dry matter yield and plant Mo concentration of lentil (Lens esculenta L.) in two Mo‐deficient acid alluvial soils. The experiment was conducted using a factorial design with three levels of lime (no lime, half, and full lime requirement), three levels of P (0, 25, and 50 mg kg^‐1), and two levels of Mo (0 and 1.0 mg kg^‐1). Plants were grown for 60 days and at harvest their dry matter yield and Mo concentration were recorded. The three treatments significantly increased dry matter yield, Mo concentration and Mo uptake, the increase being most pronounced with Mo application followed by lime and P. Increases due to applied Mo were greater in presence than in absence of added P; while the reverse was true with the liming treatments. Liming and P application at their lower levels also interacted positively for better Mo nutrition of plants. Results thus indicated that the severity of Mo deficiency in the lentil plants may be reduced by lime and P application in Mo‐deficient acid alluvial soils.     

Lime and phosphorus interactions on growth and nutrient uptake by upland rice,wheat, common bean,and corn in an Oxisol

Liming and phosphorus (P) applications are common practices for improving crop production in acid soils of the tropical as well as temperate regions. Four greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Oxisol (clayey, kaolinitic, isothermic, Typic Haplustox) to evaluate response of liming (0,2, and 4 g/kg) and P application (0, 50, and 175 mg P/kg) in a factorial combination on growth and nutrient uptake by upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and corn (Zea mays L.). Phosphorus application significantly (P<0.01) increased dry weight of tops of all the four crop species as well as dry weight of roots of wheat and corn. Liming significantly (P<0.01) improved growth of common bean and corn but had significant negative effects on rice growth. Maximum dry weight of tops of rice and wheat was obtained at 175 mg P/kg without lime. Maximum dry weight of tops in common bean was obtained at 4 g lime/kg with 175 mg P/kg of soil. In all the crops, increasing levels of applied P significantly increased nutrient uptake. With some exceptions, increasing levels of lime tend to reduce uptake of P, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) and increase the uptake of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in all the crop species. Decrease in potassium (K) uptake, due to high lime, is probably due to antagonistic effects of Ca and Mg and reduced micronutrients uptake is probably due to increased soil pH resulting in decreased availability of these elements to plants. Therefore, in these types of acid soils, one should avoid over liming.     

Effect of Calcareous Soil on Photosynthesis Rate,Mineral Nutrition,and Source‐Sink Ratio of Table Grape

Abstract

Vitis vinifera L. cv Aurora grafted on S.O.4 (medium lime‐tolerance) rootstock was grown in pot with a high‐carbonate‐soil and a low‐carbonate‐soil. The aim of the trial was to check soil effect on some physiological features such as leaf chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and gas exchange, whole‐canopy gas exchange, mineral nutrition, dry matter partitioning, and technological grape parameters. Measurements for whole‐canopy gas exchange were taken using a custom‐built, flow‐through whole‐canopy gas exchange system set up to run continuous, automated, and simultaneous net carbon exchange rate (NCER) readings of four canopies. The most significant findings were: (a) high‐carbonate‐soil decreased leaf and whole canopy photosynthesis, grape yield, and total dry matter production; (b) high‐carbonate‐soil increased the distribution share of dry matter in the trunk and roots, as compared to the low‐carbonate‐soil, and decreased the share of dry matter in the clusters; and (c) lime‐stress conditions affected mineral nutrition, especially P and K concentrations, which were depressed in most of the organs.     

Effect of annual applications of pelletized dolomitic lime on soil chemical properties and grass productivity

Lime in pelletized form is potentially more convenient for farmers than ground limestone, as it can be applied using conventional fertilizer‐spreading equipment. Pelletized lime is intended to maintain an optimum soil pH when applied annually at a rate of 350 kg lime/ha/yr. Interactions between lime and N fertilizer rate were examined by applying 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg N/ha/yr (as calcium ammonium nitrate) in combination with 0, 175, 350 and 525 kg pelletized dolomitic lime/ha/yr over 3 yr to a permanent grassland sward used for silage production in County Down, Northern Ireland. Equal rates of ground lime, from the same source as the pelletized lime, were applied as a comparison. Effects on soil chemical properties, grass dry matter (DM) yield and herbage nutrient removal were examined. Lime maintained or slightly increased the soil pH, particularly in the top 2.5 cm of the profile, but there was no difference in the performance of pelletized lime compared to ground lime in any of the parameters measured. Lime had no significant effect on grass DM yield or grass quality; however, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in yield at the first cut, particularly in year 2, when the highest lime rate (525 kg lime/ha/yr) was applied in the absence of N fertilizer. The dolomitic nature of the lime (11% Mg) resulted in significant (P < 0.001) increases in soil and herbage magnesium levels, and this could be beneficial for reducing the incidence of grass tetany in grazing animals. The P content of the herbage was also significantly higher in plots receiving lime, which suggests that lime may have enhanced the mineralization of P or stimulated root growth.     

Effect of rock phosphate and superphosphate on crop yield and soil phosphorus test in long‐term fertility plots

Abstract

A long‐term (1968–1987) field study using corn‐soybean in rotation was conducted to compare the effect of rock phosphate (RP) and superphosphate (SP) at two lime levels on crop yield, soil available phosphorus (P) as Bray P‐1 (0.025M HCl + 0.03M NH₄F) and Bray P‐2 (0.1M HCl + 0.03M NH₄F) tests, and on the relationship between crop yield and available P tests. Treatments included a control, application of RP and SP ranging from 12 to 96 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1 yr^‐1, and combinations of RP with SP or sulphur at various rates. The RP was applied once in 1968 at 8 times the annual rate while SP was applied annually until 1985. Corn and soybean yields increased with P application, more with SP than with RP. Bray P‐l and Bray P‐2 increased linearly with the amount of P applied as SP or RP. A significant correlation (r > 0.64) was found between corn yield and Bray P‐2 at low lime level with both P sources. In contrast, a poor correlation (r < 0.50) was found between soybean yield and soil P tests. Both RP and SP were effective sources of P fertilizers for corn on soils treated with a small amount of lime compared with a large amount of lime. Under low lime the Bray P‐2 accounted for 41% and 66% variability in com yield with applied RP and SP, respectively. On the other hand, Bray P‐1 was only of value when SP was the source of P.     

Prediction of residual effects of zinc sulfate on growth and zinc uptake of corn plants using three zinc soil tests

Abstract

A significant portion of chemical zinc (Zn) fertilizers applied to calcareous soils is not absorbed by the first crop and may, therefore, affect the growth and chemical composition of the subsequent crops. This is called the residual effect of Zn. Soil tests may be used to predict such effects. The present experiment was conducted to study the residual effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) on the second crop of corn (Zea mays L.) grown on selected highly calcareous soils of Iran and to compare the suitability of three soil tests for prediction of the effects. Twenty highly calcareous soils of southern Iran (16–58% calcium carbonate equivalent; pH 7.9–8.5), previously treated with three levels of Zn (0, 10, and 20 mg Zn/kg as ZnSO₄) and under one crop of corn, was used in greenhouse to grow a second crop of corn without additional Zn fertilizer but with uniform application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe). Soils were sampled before the second crop and extracted with three Zn extradants, DTPA, EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃, and EDTA. Dry weight of plant tops and Zn concentration and uptake after eight weeks under the greenhouse conditions were used as the plant responses to residual Zn. Statistical analyses including F‐test and multiple regression equations showed that the overall effect of previously‐applied Zn on dry matter was nonsignificant, but Zn concentration and uptake were significantly increased. The three soil tests predicted the Zn concentration and uptake equally well. Moreover, DTPA and EDTA soil tests could predict the dry matter of plants at the highest level of previuosly‐applied Zn (20 mg Zn/kg), especially when selected chemical properties of soil, namely, calcium carbonate equivalent or organic matter content, were considered in the regression equations.     

Effect of nutrients and liming on changes in pH,redox potential,and uptake of iron and manganese by wetland rice in iron-toxic soil

In a greenhouse experiment, the nutrients NPK, NPK + lime, K, and Mn were applied to an iron-toxic soil (Typic Haplastulf). Soil pH and dry matter production were increased and Eh and available Fe in the soil were decreased. Though liming the soil decreased available Fe and Mn and increased pH to the greatest extent, the highest dry matter production was obtained with NPK application. NPK + lime produced a smaller yield than NPK without lime. Though the application of K or Mn alone produced much less dry matter than NPK or NPK + lime, no symptoms of Fe toxicity were observed. We conclude that Fe toxicity can be reduced with a balanced use of fertilizers (NPK or NPK + lime) and its occurrence was mostly due to nutrient stress.     

Effect of soil application of cadmium contaminated lime on soil cadmium distribution and cadmium concentration in strawberry leaves and fruit

Heavy metal environmental pollution which occurs as a result of lime contaminated with cadmium (Cd) poses a potential health hazard. This investigation was undertaken to study uptake of Cd by strawberry plants grown in soil amended with three different sources and two different rates of industry waste lime containing 3.4, 14.3, and 60.0 mg Cd/kg, respectively. The effects of Cd applied to the soil were investigated, including its distribution in the soil and effect on Cd concentration in strawberry cv. Senga Sengana (Fragaria anassa) leaves and fruit in response to soil organic matter content and lime rates. Cadmium accumulated mainly in the plough layer, increasing from 0.170 mg Cd/kg (background level) to a maximum of 1.2 mg Cd/kg. Fruit had very high, hazardous Cd concentrations regardless of its content in the soil. This indicates that Cd was easily taken up by strawberry plants and accumulated in upper plant parts, including the fruit. Soil Cd content had no effect on concentration of this element in strawberry fruit. However, plant Cd uptake and fruit concentration was increased in acid soils even when soil Cd concentration was low.     

Hybrid ryegrass response to acid soil treatment with calcitic and dolomitic lime

Abstract

Since ryegrass (Lolium sp.) is a widely grown cool‐season forage grass, its magnesium concentration is of special interest to ruminant livestock producers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of calcitic or dolomitic lime addition on dry matter yield and mineral composition of hybrid ryegrass, Lolium (multiflorum x perenne x perenne) grown in eight acidic soils. Each soil received two levels of calcitic or dolomitic lime, L(C₁) and L(C₂) or L(D₁) and L(D₂), which raised pH to approximately 5.3, and 6.0. Dry matter yield response was obtained only in soils having an initial % Al saturation ≥59, % Mg saturation ≤10 and % Ca saturation ≤21. Only in one soil, which had an initial exchangeable Mg level of 0.05 cmol_c/kg of soil, was response to dolomitic lime higher than that obtained with calcitic lime. Magnesium concentration in dry matter was increased by both levels of dolomitic lime with the increase dependent on the rate used and on the initial level of exchangeable Mg. The average Mg concentration increased from 0.8 to 3.9 g/kg, from 1.6 to 3.6 g/kg, and from 2.6 to 3.9 g/kg, when ryegrass was grown in soils having low, medium, and high initial exchangeable Mg levels, respectively. Mg concentration in the ryegrass tended to be lower in the unlimed soils than when calcitic lime was used, 1.1 vs. 1.4 g/kg, when the soils had low to medium exchangeable Mg levels. The results suggest that if ryegrass is to be grown in acidic soils containing low to medium levels of exchangeable Mg, the use of dolomitic lime is desirable, even if no yield response to applied Mg is expected, to decrease the probability of the Mg deficiency disease, hypomagnesemia, in ruminant animals.     

Relative importance of Ca,N, and P in enhancing mycorrhizal activity in leucaena leucocephala grown in an oxisol subjected to simulated erosion

Pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to determine the combined effects of lime, nitrogen and phosphorus and the relative importance of each of these nutrients in establishing nodulated and mycorrhizal Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Var. K8 in an oxisol subjected to simulated erosion. Leucaena was grown in the soil inoculated or not with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith emend Koske, with or without a basal nutrient (basal) consisting of K, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, and B plus lime, N, and P (complete) or one of the latter three supplements.

The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots as well as mycorrhizal effectiveness, as measured by pinnule P content increased when the eroded soil was amended with combinations of all the nutrients and inoculated with G. aggregatum. Similar trends were observed when symbiotic effectiveness was measured in terms of shoot P, Cu, and Zn status and dry matter yield. Nodule dry matter was also responsive to amendment of the soil with the complete nutrients and to vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation. Phosphorus was found to be the most important nutrient limiting mycorrhizal effectiveness in the eroded soil, followed by N and lime. It is concluded that lost nutrients, particularly P, need to be replaced before legumes can be established successfully on highly weathered eroded soils inoculated with vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.     

Tolerance of forage legumes to lime‐stabilized sludge

Abstract

Lime‐stabilized sludge (LSS) from dairy processing waste‐water treatment plants is a desirable product for land application. The material contains lime, which neutralizes soil acidity, and P, which is useful as a plant nutrient. The fineness of the lime and the solubility of P make LSS especially desirable in establishing forage legumes. This greenhouse study had two objectives: to determine a reasonable quantity of LSS for establishing forage legumes such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and to prevent adverse effects on seedlings. Sludge was applied at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 g kg^‐1 to an acid, low P soil in pots, and alfalfa and red clover seeds were sown. All treatments received 123 μg g^‐1 potassium as KCl. A completely randomized design with four replications was used. Each species was handled as a separate study. Dry matter production was measured at one‐tenth bloom stage. Plant samples were analyzed for P, K, Ca, and Mg content. Soil samples taken at the end of the study were analyzed for pH, organic matter, Bray P, K, Ca, Mg, exchangeable Al, EC, and CEC. The higher quantities of LSS (7.5 g kg^‐1 for alfalfa and 5.0 g kg^‐1 for red clover) had negative effects on seedling germination and establishment. Lime‐stabilized sludge resulted in an increase in total nutrient uptake of Ca, Mg, K, and P up to 5.0 and 2.5 g kg^‐1 in alfalfa and red clover, respectively. In both species significant dry matter yield increases were obtained with LSS up to 5.0 g kg^‐1; however, 7.5 g kg^‐1 caused a reduction in dry matter yield. Based on these results, applications of LSS at 5.0 for alfalfa and 2.5 g kg^‐1 for red clover had positive effects in seedling establishment, nutrient uptake, and dry matter production. Lime‐stabilized sludge application resulted in significant increases in soil pH, available P, Ca, Mg, EC, and CEC; decreases were seen in neutralizable acidity and exchangeable Al levels in soil. This study indicates that LSS is appropriate for the acidic, low P soils of Southern Missouri for alfalfa and red clover establishment and production, if applied in appropriate quantities.     

Effect of Zinc × Boron Interaction on Plant Growth and Tissue Nutrient Concentration of Corn

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse on a calcareous soil (fine, mixed, mesic, Fluventic Haploxerepts) to study the interaction of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on the growth and nutrient concentration of corn (Zea mays L.). Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of seven levels of B (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg kg^{? 1}as boric acid), two sources of Zn [zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O) and zinc oxide (ZnO)], and three levels of Zn (0, 5, and 10 mg kg^{? 1}) in a completely randomized design with three replications. Plants were grown for 70 d in 1.6 L plastic containers. Applied Zn significantly increased plant height and dry matter yield (DMY) of corn. Source of Zn did not significantly affect growth or nutrient concentration. High levels of B decreased plant height and DMY. There was a significant B × Zn interaction on plant growth and tissue nutrient concentration which were rate dependent. In general, the effect of B × Zn interaction was antagonistic on nutrient concentration and synergistic on growth. It is recommended that the plants be supplied with adequate Zn when corn is grown in high B soils, especially when availability of Zn is low.     

Effect of lime,P, and Mg on growth and elemental concentrations of mugwort

Abstract

There is evidence that mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) may have potential for use as a livestock forage. This study was undertaken to determine mugwort growth response to lime, P, and Mg, and their effect on elemental concentration of plant material.

Factorial combinations of 0, 5.6, and 11.2 mt lime/ha; 0, 112, and 224 kg P/ha; and 0, 224, and 448 kg Mg/ha were applied to low pH soil in greenhouse pots and planted to mugwort. In the absence of lime and Mg, growth was very poor. Lime was the most effective treatment in promoting mugwort growth. Growth response to Mg was greatest in the absence of lime, and response to P was dependent on lime and/or Mg application. Macronutrient concentrations of mugwort plants were considered adequate for use as forage for non‐lactating beef cows. Concentrations of several of the micronutrients were very high, especially at low lime and Mg. Copper was high at all treatments.     

Cadmium Uptake by Cowpea and Mungbean as Affected by Cd and P Application

A green house experiment was conducted to determine the interactive effects of cadmium (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg Cd kg-1 soil) and phosphorus (0, 20 and 40 mg P kg-1 soil) on dry matter yield of cowpea and mungbean, and tissue concentration and uptake of cadmium (Cd) and Phosphorus (P). Application of Cd to soil decreased the dry matter yield of both the crops significantly at each level of applied P. Phosphorus application, on the other hand, increased the dry matter yield of both crops significantly at each level of Cd additions to the soil. Cadmium concentration in plant tissue and uptake of Cd by plants increased markedly with the increasing rates of Cd in the soil. The magnitude of increase in tissue Cd concentration, however, was higher in the absence than in the presence of added P. Consequently, the concentration of Cd in plants decreased with increasing levels of P application to the soil. This decrease in tissue Cd concentration with increasing P supply in the soil was mainly attributed to increased dry matter yield of crops. The concentration of P in cowpea and mungbean tissue increased while the uptake of P by these crops decreased markedly with increasing levels of Cd in the soil, irrespective of the rates of P applied.     

Effects of phosphorus-based application of animal manure compost on the yield of silage corn and on soil phosphorus accumulation in an upland Andosol in Japan

Animal manure contains significant amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) that can be utilized as fertilizer. However, manure application rates are generally set to meet crop N demand, which results in excess P application which increases the risk of P loss into bodies of water. We examined the application method of manure compost based on crop P demand on the dry matter yield of silage corn (Zea mays L. var. indentata), on nutrient uptake and on soil P accumulation in an upland Andosol with a high P-fixing capacity. Cattle and poultry manure composts (CMC and PMC) with different P solubility were applied to meet the crop’s N requirements (N-based application) or P requirements (P-based application) in 3 consecutive years. Supplemental N was applied using polyolefin-coated urea in the P-based treatments. The dry matter yields and nutrient uptakes of silage corn in the P-based CMC and PMC application systems were similar to those in the corresponding N-based systems. The average relative efficiency of N in CMC (33%) was close to the predicted value (30%) during the study. On the other hand, the relative efficiency of N in PMC (42%) was higher than the predicted value (28%). The average relative efficiency of P from CMC and PMC was 109% and 50%, respectively. These were higher than the predicted values based on the available P proportion (the sum of water- and sodium bicarbonate-soluble P) for CMC (78%) and PMC (34%), indicating that the available P fraction in the manure composts was more effective than that in P fertilizer for corn growth or that the other P fractions were also effective for corn. P-based manure compost application lowered the soil P accumulation to between 41 and 43% of the value in the N-based accumulation (versus a value of between 31 and 40% of that value for soil Truog-P). Compared to N-based manure compost application, P-based manure compost application with supplemental N fertilizer produced similar dry matter yields of corn and suppressed soil P accumulation in the upland Andosol field.     

Genetic Variations of Brassica Cultivars for P Acquisition in a P Stress Environment and Comparison of P Sources for Sustainable Crop Management

To compare the growth performance of Brassica in a phosphorus (P) stress environment and response to added P, six Brassica cultivars were grown in pots for 49 days after sowing, using a soil low in P [sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)–extractable P = 3.97 mg kg^?1, Mehlich III–extractable P = 6.13 mg kg^?1] with (+P = 60 mg P kg^?1 soil) or without P addition (0P). Phosphorus‐stress markedly reduced biomass accumulation and P uptake by roots and shoots. However, root–shoot ratio remained unaffected, implying that relative partitioning of biomass into roots and shoots had little role to play in shoot dry matter (SDM) production by cultivars. Biomass correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with total P uptake. Under P stress, the cultivars that produced greater root biomass were able to accumulate more total P content (r = 0.95^**), which in turn was related positively to SDM and total biomass (r > 0.89^**) and negatively to P‐stress factor (r = ?0.91^**). There was no correlation between P efficiency (PE) (relative shoot growth) and plant P, but PE showed a very significant correlation with shoot P content and SDM. Wide differences in growth and better performance of cultivars such as ‘Brown Raya’ and ‘Con‐1’ under P stress encouraged screening of more germplasm, especially in the field, to identify P‐tolerant cultivars.

In another study, potential relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of sparingly soluble P sources was investigated by growing two contrasting cultivars. The P sources incorporated into soil at 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg P Kg^?1 were (i) powdered Jordan rock P (RP), (ii) triple superphosphate (TSP), (iii) powdered low‐grade TSP [TSP(PLG)], (iv) a mixture of RP + TSP compacted into pellets at 50:50 P ratio [RP + TSP(PelC)], and (v) a mixture of powdered RP + TSP at 50:50 P ratio [RP + TSP(PM)]. The RP was low in RAE and only 5 and 29% as effective as TSP in producing dry matter (DM) of P‐sensitive ‘B.S.A.’ and P‐tolerant ‘Brown Raya’ cultivars, respectively. There were no significant differences between TSP and RP + TSP(PelC) in DM yield of ‘Brown Raya,’ whereas, in the case of ‘B.S.A.’ RP + TSP(PM) was significantly less effective than RP + TSP(PelC) compared with TSP. Combined utilization of superior genome and P sources [such as TSP(PLG) and RP + TSP(PelC)] produced from low‐grade RP (that cannot be used either for direct application or acidulated P fertilizers) can be used as an alternative strategy for sustainable crop production, especially in resource‐poor environments. Further field trials at the level of cropping systems are needed.     

Soil‐test values after eight years of tillage research on a Norfolk loamy sand

Abstract

Long‐term effects of alternate tillage systems on soil‐test values for Coastal Plain soils were unknown. Therefore, soil pH, organic carbon, and Mehlich I extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations measured during an eight‐year tillage study on Norfolk loamy sand (fine‐loamy, silicious, thermic, Typic Paleudults) have been summarized. Yields for corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are also summarized to provide an indication of nutrient removal by the crops. Soil‐test measurements after six years showed no significant differences in Mehlich I extractable nutrient concentrations for the 0‐ to 20‐cm depth between disked (conventional) and nondlsked (conservation) tillage treatments, but for pH, P, Ca, and Mg, the tillage by depth of sampling interaction was significant at P‐0.05. Stratification did not appear to affect crop yield. Soil organic matter concentration in the Ap horizon nearly doubled after eight years of research at this site. This change occurred within both tillage treatments, apparently because high levels of management produced good crop yields, residues were not removed, and even for the disked treatment, surface tillage was not excessive. These results show that long‐term average yields for corn and soybean on Norfolk soil will not be reduced by adopting reduced or conservation tillage practices. They also show that nutrient levels can be maintained at adequate levels for crop production on Coastal Plain soils by using current soil‐test procedures and recommendations for lime and fertilizer application.     

Effect of Lime and Flooding on Phosphorus Availability and Rice Growth on Two Acidic Lowland Soils

Abstract

Loss of soil‐water saturation may impair growth of rainfed lowland rice by restricting nutrient uptake, including the uptake of added phosphorus (P). For acidic soils, reappearance of soluble aluminum (Al) following loss of soil‐water saturation may also restrict P uptake. The aim of this study was to determine whether liming, flooding, and P additions could ameliorate the effects of loss of soil‐water saturation on P uptake and growth of rice. In the first pot experiment, two acid lowland soils from Cambodia [Kandic Plinthaqult (black clay soil) and Plinthustalf (sandy soil)] were treated with P (45 mg P kg^?1 soil) either before or after flooding for 4 weeks to investigate the effect of flooding on effectiveness of P fertilizer for rice growth. After 4 weeks, soils were air dried and crushed and then wet to field capacity and upland rice was grown in them for an additional 6 weeks. Addition of P fertilizer before rather than after flooding depressed the growth of the subsequently planted upland rice. During flooding, there was an increase in both acetate‐extractable Fe and the phosphate sorption capacity of soils, and a close relationship between them (r²=0.96–0.98). When P was added before flooding, Olsen and Bray 1‐extractable P, shoot dry matter, and shoot P concentrations were depressed, indicating that flooding decreased availability of fertilizer P. A second pot experiment was conducted with three levels of lime as CaCO₃ [to establish pH (CaCl₂) in the oxidized soils at 4, 5, and 6] and four levels of P (0, 13, 26, and 52 mg P kg^?1 soil) added to the same two acid lowland rice soils under flooded and nonflooded conditions. Under continuously flooded conditions, pH increased to over 5.6 regardless of lime treatment, and there was no response of rice dry matter to liming after 6 weeks' growth, but the addition of P increased rice dry matter substantially in both soils. In nonflooded soils, when P was not applied, shoot dry matter was depressed by up to one‐half of that in plants grown under continuously flooded conditions. Under the nonflooded conditions, rice dry matter and leaf P increased with the addition of P, but less so than in flooded soils. Leaf P concentrations and shoot dry matter responded strongly to the addition of lime. The increase in shoot dry matter of rice with lime and P application in nonflooded soil was associated with a significant decline in soluble Al in the soil and an increase in plant P uptake. The current experiments show that the loss of soil‐water saturation may be associated with the inhibition of P absorption by excess soluble Al. By contrast, flooding decreased exchangeable Al to levels below the threshold for toxicity in rice. In addition, the decreased P availability with loss of soil‐water saturation may have been associated with a greater phosphate sorption capacity of the soils during flooding and after reoxidation due to occlusion of P within ferric oxyhydroxides formed.