Microbial phytase activity and their role in organic P mineralization

Plants respond to their external environment to optimize their nutrition and production potential to minimize the food security issues and support sustainable agriculture system. Phosphorus (P) is an important nutrient for plants and is involved in plant metabolic processes. It is mostly available as orthophosphate and has a tendency to form complexes with cations. It has low mobility in soil, thus becoming unavailable for plant uptake that causes a reduction in plant growth and yield. Besides free P, phytate is the major form of organic P in soil and plant tissues. Phytases obtained from different sources, that is, plants, animals, and microorganisms, catalyze the hydrolysis of phytate and release available forms of inorganic P. The knowledge of mechanisms involved in catalytic activity of phytase obtained from microorganisms in soil is limited. This review summarizes the role of microbial phytase in releasing organic P by hydrolysis of phytate and factors affecting its activity in the soil.     

Cover Crops and Soil Phosphorus Availability

Plants affect soil phosphorus (P) solubility through root exudates, but studies are lacking on species used as relay or cover crops in tropical environments. We evaluated the effect of cover crops on soil phosphorus (P) availability in an oxisol. Ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), crambe (Crambe abyssinica), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were grown in pots with soil. Phosphorus uptake, soil inorganic and organic P, maximum P adsorption capacity, and plant root systems were assessed. When root length density is high, the efficiency of P uptake is low due to root competition. Crambe results in greater soil P availability, while peanut and sorghum decrease the soil maximum P adsorption capacity, probably by exuding or stimulating microbial production of organic acids and phenolic compounds. Hence, crambe, peanut, and sorghum are species that may be of interest to increase P use efficiency in cropping systems.     

Seasonal variations and effects of nutrient applications on N and P and microbial biomass under two temperate heathland plants

Eutrofication is a threat against nutrient-poor habitats as increased amounts of nutrients in ecosystems may cause changes in the vegetation. Nitrogen (N) deposition leads to conversion of Calluna heathlands into graminoid dominated heath, but low availability of P may hinder or slow down this process.In this study the soil properties under two dominant heathland plants, the dwarf shrub Calluna vulgaris and the grass Deschampsia flexuosa, were investigated, with focus on nutrient content in the organic top soil and soil microbes during the main growing season and effects of nutrient amendments. The concentration of inorganic and dissolved organic N was significantly higher under D. flexuosa than C. vulgaris all though there were the same amounts of total N in the soil below the two species. N and P amendment enhanced available N and P in the soil, but added nutrients had little direct effects on microbes. The microbial biomass on the other hand was positively related to soil water content in fertilized plots indicating that this was due to an indirect effect of enhanced nutrient availability. Microbial N and P pools were respectively 1000 and 100 times higher than the pool of inorganic N and P, and microbes therefore may play an important role in regulating plant nutrient supply. Judged from responses of inorganic and microbial N and P concentrations to added N and P, N seemed to limit C. vulgaris and soil microbes below while P seemed to limit D. flexuosa and soil microbes below this species. There were lower rates of net nitrification, net ammonification and DOC and DON production rates during winter in the soil under C. vulgaris than below D. flexuosa, although all these rates were equal under the two species on an annual basis. This indicates that these microbial processes were taking place during winter but were affected by exudates from C. vulgaris.     

不同施肥条件下红壤旱地磷素形态及有效性分析

磷素是红壤地区农业生产的最重要的限制因素，因此红壤磷素形态与转化问题的研究，对红壤地区农业生产具有重要意义。用Hedley方法对不同施肥条件下红壤旱地土壤磷素形态进行了研究，结果表明：施磷肥能明显增加红壤各形态无机磷含量和大多数形态有机磷含量；红壤中，对植物最有效的树脂磷和碳酸氢钠磷含量很少，铁铝结合态磷和残留磷含量很多；对有效磷（Bray磷）贡献最大的磷素形态是碳酸氢钠无机磷、铁铝结合态无机磷和存在于土壤团聚体内表面的有机磷。这对于了解不同施肥条件对红壤旱地磷素有效性的影响、探索磷素消长规律、指导红壤旱地磷素管理等都有一定的理论和实践意义。     

Soil and microbial C:N:P stoichiometries play vital roles in regulating P transformation in agricultural ecosystems: A review

Stoichiometry plays a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles and can modulate soil nutrient availability and functions. In agricultural ecosystems,phosphorus(P) fertilizers(organic or chemical) are often applied to achieve high crop yields. However, P is readily fixed by soil particles, leading to low P use efficiency. Therefore, understanding the role of carbon:nitrogen:P stoichiometries of soil and microorganisms in soil P transformation is of great significance for P management in agriculture....     

不同农业土壤中有效磷的变化与磷平衡的关系

Maintaining soil phosphorus(P) at adequate levels for plant growth requires assessing how the long-term P balance(viz., the difference between P inputs and outputs) results in changes in soil test P. The hypothesis that routinely measured soil properties can help predict the conversion factor of P balance into Olsen P was tested at 39 sites in agricultural areas of the Mediterranean region in Spain. A set of soil samples from each site was analyzed for Olsen P, inorganic P(P extracted using 0.5 mol L~(-1) H_2SO_4), pseudototal P(P extracted using 0.5 mol L~(-1) H_2SO_4 following ignition at 550℃), and organic P(the difference between pseudototal P and inorganic P). Organic and Olsen P were uncorrelated in most of the 39 soil sets, which suggests that organic P content changed little with P inputs and outputs. The slopes of the regression lines of Olsen P against pseudototal and inorganic P, which were used as two different measures of the conversion factor, ranged widely(from 0.03 to 0.25 approximately), with their average values(about 0.10) being similar to those found in long-term experiments conducted in temperate areas. Neither conversion factor was significantly correlated with any routinely measured soil property; however, the conversion factor for inorganic P was significantly lower for calcareous soils than for noncalcareous soils. Our negative results suggest the need to isolate the influence of soil properties from that of management systems and environmental factors relating to P dynamics in future studies.     

Rhizospheric organic compounds in the soil–microorganism–plant system: their role in iron availability

Poor iron (Fe) availability in soil represents one of the most important limiting factors of agricultural production and is closely linked to physical, chemical and biological processes within the rhizosphere as a result of soil–microorganism–plant interactions. Iron shortage induces several mechanisms in soil organisms, resulting in an enhanced release of inorganic (such as protons) and organic (organic acids, carbohydrates, amino acids, phytosiderophores, siderophores, phenolics and enzymes) compounds to increase the solubility of poorly available Fe pools. However, rhizospheric organic compounds (ROCs) have short half‐lives because of the large microbial activity at the soil–root interface, which might limit their effects on Fe mobility and acquisition. In addition, ROCs also have a selective effect on the microbial community present in the rhizosphere. This review aims therefore to unravel these complex dynamics with the objective of providing an overview of the rhizosphere processes involved in Fe acquisition by soil organisms (plants and microorganisms). In particular, the review provides information on (i) Fe availability in soils, including mineral weathering and Fe mobilization from soil minerals, ligand and element competition and plant‐microbe competition; (ii) microbe–plant interactions, focusing on beneficial microbial communities and their association with plants, which in turn influences plant mineral nutrition; (iii) plant–soil interactions involving the metabolic changes triggered by Fe deficiency and the processes involved in exudate release from roots; and (iv) the influence of agrochemicals commonly used in agricultural production systems on rhizosphere processes related to Fe availability and acquisition by crops.     

Carbon addition reduces labile soil phosphorus by increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in intensive agricultural systems

Accumulation of inorganic and labile organic phosphorus (P) in intensive agricultural systems leads to P loss from soil which can cause serious environmental problems. Soil microbes are important in mobilizing soil non-available P, however, little is known about the role of soil microbes in immobilizing P to reduce P loss. Here, we test whether stimulating microbial biomass to immobilize P could reduce the amount of labile P available for leaching. The distribution characteristics of Olsen P, organic P and microbial biomass P were determined in three intensive agricultural systems. In addition, we conducted a pot experiment with three P and four carbon (C) levels. CaCl₂ extractable P was measured and used to indicate the risk of P leaching. We found that there was a positive relationship between soil organic C and microbial biomass P. Carbon addition drove the process of P immobilization and reduced CaCl₂ extractable P. Microbial biomass P increased by 64% (p < .05) with the addition of C, and Olsen P and CaCl₂ extractable P decreased by 28% and 17%, respectively. Our results show that C addition increased microbial immobilization of P and reduced forms of labile P susceptible to leaching. Stimulating microbes to immobilize P by adding C to soils may have the potential to reduce P loss from intensive agricultural systems, reducing their environmental impact.     

Distribution of Inorganic and Organic Phosphorus Fractions in Two Phosphorus-Deficient Soils as Affected by Crop Species and Nitrogen Applications

It is desirable to know the distribution of phosphorus (P) fractions in soil so that plants may use P efficiently. Here we report the dynamics of inorganic and organic P in P-deficient black and rice soil cropped by soybean, white lupin, and maize supplied with nitrogen (N) inputs by N fixation and urea fertilizer. Inorganic P fractions of the three cropped soils could be ranked as O-P (organic phosphorus) > Al-P (aluminum phosphorus) > Fe-P (iron phosphorus) > Ca₁₀-P (calcium-10 phosphorus) > Ca₈-P (calcium-8 phosphorus) > Ca₂-P (calcium-2 phosphorus), irrespective of soil type. The potential of various inorganic P fractions to plant nutrition differed between soybean and white lupin. The percentage of total P present as inorganic P was affected by crop, soil type, and N source. In black soil, the change of organic P fraction induced by N fixation was larger than by urea application. The moderately labile organic P (MLOP) concentration was not affected significantly by soil type and crop species, and it was probably the main P source to the inorganic P fraction because the correlation between the two pools was high (r = 0.945; P < 0.05). Crop species differed in their uptake of inorganic and organic P from soil. Though P fraction concentrations varied between black soil and rice soil, their response to crop species and N source was similar. The amounts of P removed from soil were affected by N source. The right choice of crop species and the application a suitable N source may increase crop yield and P uptake by plant in P-deficient soils.     

Long-term organic phosphorus mineralization in Spodosols under forests and its relation to carbon and nitrogen mineralization

In forest soils where a large fraction of total phosphorus (P) is in organic forms, soil micro-organisms play a major role in the P cycle and plant availability since they mediate organic P transformations. However, the correct assessment of organic P mineralization is usually a challenging task because mineralized P is rapidly sorbed and most mineralization fluxes are very weak. The objectives of the present work were to quantify in five forest Spodosols at soil depths of 0-15 cm net mineralization of total organic P and the resulting increase in plant available inorganic P and to verify whether net or gross P mineralization could be estimated using the C or N mineralization rates. Net mineralization of total organic P was derived from the net changes in microbial P and gross mineralization of P in dead soil organic matter. We studied very low P-sorbing soils enabling us to use lower extractants to assess the change in total inorganic P as a result of gross mineralization of P in dead soil organic matter. In addition, to enable detection of gross mineralization of P in dead soil organic matter, a long-term incubation (517 days) experiment was carried out. At the beginning of the experiment, total P contents of the soils were very low (19-51 μg g⁻¹) and were essentially present as organic P (17-44 μg g⁻¹, 85-91%) or microbial P (6-14 μg g⁻¹; 24-39%). Conversely, the initial contents of inorganic P were low (2-7 μg g⁻¹; 9-15%). The net changes in the pool size of microbial P during the 517 days of incubation (4-8 μg g⁻¹) and the amounts of P resulting from gross mineralization of dead soil organic matter (0.001-0.018 μg g⁻¹ day⁻¹; 0.4-9.5 μg g⁻¹ for the entire incubation period) were considerable compared to the initial amounts of organic P and also when compared to the initial diffusive iP fraction (<0.3 μg g⁻¹). Diffusive iP corresponds to the phosphate ions that can be transferred from the solid constituents to the soil solution under a gradient of concentration. Net mineralization of organic P induced an important increase in iP in soil solution (0.6-10 μg g⁻¹; 600-5000% increase) and lower increases in diffusive iP fractions (0.3-5 μg g⁻¹; 300-2000% increase), soil solid constituents having an extremely low reactivity relative to iP. Therefore, soil micro-organisms and organic P transformations play a major role in the bioavailability of P in these forest soils. In our study, the dead soil organic matter was defined as a recalcitrant organic fraction. Probably because gross mineralization of P from this recalcitrant organic fraction was mainly driven by the micro-organisms’ needs for energy, the rates of gross mineralization of C, N and P in the recalcitrant organic fraction were similar. Indirect estimation of gross mineralization of P in dead soil organic matter using the gross C mineralization rate seems thus an alternative method for the studied soils. However, additional studies are needed to verify this alternative method in other soils. No relationships were found between microbial P release and microbial C and N releases.     

Phosphorus forms and enzymatic hydrolyzability of organic phosphorus in soils after 30 years of organic and conventional farming

Lower P‐input levels in organic than conventional farming can decrease soil total and available P, which can potentially be resupplied from soil organic P. We studied the effect of 30 y of conventional and organic farming on soil P forms, focussing especially on organic P. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were taken in a field experiment with a nonfertilized control, two organic systems receiving P inputs as animal manure, and two conventional systems receiving only mineral P or mineral P and manure. Soils were analyzed for total, inorganic, organic, and microbial P, by sequential P fractionation and by enzyme additions to alkaline soil extracts. Samples taken prior to starting the experiment were also analyzed. Average annual P balances ranged from –20 to +5 kg ha^–1. For systems with a negative balance, labile and moderately labile inorganic P fractions decreased, while organic and stable inorganic P fractions were hardly affected. Similar quantities and proportions of organic P extracted with NaOH‐EDTA were hydrolyzed in all soils after addition of an acid phosphatase, a nuclease, and a phytase, and enzyme‐stable organic P was also similar among soils. Thus, neither sequential fractionation nor enzyme addition to alkaline soil extracts showed an effect of the type of applied P (manure vs. mineral) on organic P, suggesting that organic P from manure has largely been mineralized. Thus far, we have no indication that the greater microbial activity of the organic systems resulted in a use of stable P forms.     

Soil phosphorus dynamics in cropping systems managed according to conventional and biological agricultural methods

The effects of conventional and biological farming systems on soil P dynamics were studied by measuring some microbiological parameters after 13 years of different cropping systems. The treatments included control, biodynamic, bio-organic, and conventional plots and a mineral fertilizer treatment. The farming systems differed mainly in the form and quantity of nutrients applied and in the plant protection strategies. The results of a sequential fractionation procedure showed that irrespective of the form of P applied, neither 0.5 M NaHCO _inf3 ^sup- nor 0.1 M NaOH-extractable organic P, but only the inorganic fractions, were affected. The residual organic P, not extracted by NaHCO₃ or NaOH was increased in the biodynamic and bio-organic plots. The soil microbial biomass (ATP content) and the activity of acid phosphatase were also higher in both biologically managed systems. These results were attributed to the higher quantity of organic C and organic P applied in these systems, but also to the absence of or severe reduction in chemical plant protection. The relationship between acid soil phosphatase and residual organic P was interpreted as an indication that this fraction might be involved in short-term transformations. The measurement of the intensity, quantity, and capacity factors of available soil P using the ³²P isotopic exchange kinetic method showed that P could not be the factor limiting crop yield in the biological farming systems. The kinetic parameters describing the ability of P ions to leave the soil solid phase, deduced from isotopic exchange, were significantly higher for the biodynamic treatment than for all other treatments. This result, showing a modification of chemical bonds between P ions and the soil matrix, was explained by the higher Ca and organic matter contents in this system.     

Actinobacteria-enhanced plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and crop protection: Advances in soil, plant, and microbial multifactorial interactions

Agricultural areas of land are deteriorating every day owing to population increase, rapid urbanization, and industrialization. To feed today’s huge populations, increased crop production is required from smaller areas, which warrants the continuous application of high doses of inorganic fertilizers to agricultural land. These cause damage to soil health and, therefore, nutrient imbalance conditions in arable soils. Under these conditions, the benefits of microbial inoculants (such as Actinobacteria) as replacements for harmful chemicals and promoting ecofriendly sustainable farming practices have been made clear through recent technological advances. There are multifunctional traits involved in the production of different types of bioactive compounds responsible for plant growth promotion, and the biocontrol of phytopathogens has reduced the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There are some well-known groups of nitrogen-fixing Actinobacteria, such as Frankia, which undergo mutualism with plants and offer enhanced symbiotic trade-offs.In addition to nitrogen fixation, increasing availability of major plant nutrients in soil due to the solubilization of immobilized forms of phosphorus and potassium compounds, production of phytohormones, such as indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-pyruvic acid, gibberellins, and cytokinins, improving organic matter decomposition by releasing cellulases, xylanase, glucanases, lipases, and proteases, and suppression of soil-borne pathogens by the production of siderophores, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and chitinase are important features of Actinobacteria useful for combating biotic and abiotic stresses in plants.The positive influence of Actinobacteria on soil fertility and plant health has motivated us to compile this review of important findings associated with sustaining plant productivity in the long run.     

生物质炭基肥缓释性能及对土壤改良的研究进展

生物质炭基肥是以生物质炭为基质,与有机、无机肥料配制而成的新型生态环保缓释肥料,也作为土壤改良剂应用于农业生产中,近年来受到农业与环保领域的广泛关注和研究应用。本文讨论了生物质炭基肥缓释性能机制及影响因素,生物质炭基肥的缓释性能在很大程度上取决于磷、氮、钾元素与生物质炭的结合方式。主要结合方式包括静电吸附、络合、矿化等。生物质炭基肥的缓释性能受到生物质炭原料种类、炭基肥制备方法和炭肥配合比的影响。生物质炭基肥通过改善土壤理化性质、调节土壤微生物活性,提高植物对养分的利用效率以及减少土壤中养分流失。综合已有研究与应用结果,需要进一步开展生物质炭基肥在土壤中的长期应用效果、老化过程研究,注重在老化过程中对土壤微生物结构的风险评估;建立生物质炭基肥的标准化应用体系,研究和完善生物质炭基肥对土壤持续的、累加性的改良标准。     

Cypermethrin persistence and soil properties as affected by long-term fertilizer management

Abstract

Little is known about the effects of long-term fertilization on pesticide persistence. A long-term field experiment was thus conducted to study the influence of fertilization on soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass carbon, microbial quotient, enzyme activities, and cypermethrin dissipation. Five fertilization treatments were arranged: organic manure (OM), NPK fertilizer, PK fertilizer, NK fertilizer, and no fertilizer (control). Soil organic C, N, P contents and enzymatic activities were higher in soils with balanced fertilization as opposed to those with unbalanced fertilization, especially fertilization with organic manure. The longest half-life of cypermethrin was in the NK treatment (15.1 d), the least in the PK treatment (9.6 d). Pesticide dissipation in non-sterilized and sterilized soils showed that changes of cypermethrin persistence were caused by biodegradation. Soil N/P ratio (ratio of soil-available N to available P) and available N content positively correlated with half-life (p<0.05), and could limit cypermethrin dissipation greatly. These results indicate that in agricultural practice, oversupplying N should not be advocated. P application may be an efficient way to decrease N/P ratio and enhance cypermethrin dissipation in soil with high available N content. Based on a comprehensive consideration of soil fertility, crop yield, and environment, a mixed application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers is recommended in the region, although balanced fertilization results in slower cypermethrin dissipation than does N-deficiency treatment.     

Phosphorus fractions and dynamics as affected by land-use changes in the Central Mexican highlands

Land-use change from forest to agriculture in the volcanic ash-derived soils of Mexico has increased over recent decades. It is likely that land uses and management practices, particularly fertilizer use have affected phosphorus (P) distribution and availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of land-use types (native forest and maize mono-cropping), and the related P addition, on the forms and distribution of soil P and their isotopic exchangeability. An Andisol, sampled from a cropping site, along with the contiguous area under native forest was treated with ³²P-labelled potassium phosphate (KH₂³²PO₄). The soil samples were extracted after incubation times of 7, 21, 35 and 49 days. Phosphorus content and ³²P recovery in fractions sequentially extracted were assessed for each incubation time. Total soil P was dominated by inorganic fractions (79 to 86%) in both land-use types. Resin-Pi, bicarbonate extractable inorganic P (Bic-Pi) and sodium hydroxide extractable inorganic P (NaOH_0.1-Pi) were all raised with P addition. However, the proportion of organic P fraction was reduced under cropped soil. The recovery of ³²P in soils with P addition indicates that resin-Pi, Bic-Pi and NaOH_0.1-Pi comprised nearly all the exchangeable P. In native soils with no P addition, more than 19% of the ³²P was recovered in Bic-Po and NaOH_0.1-Po forms. This finding indicates that organic P cycling is crucial when soil Pi reserves are presented in an inadequate amount. Ecologically based management has to be designed for replenishment and succeeding maintenance of soil organic P compounds to increase sustainable agricultural production.     

Efficiency of Bacillus coagulans as P biofertilizer to mobilize native soil organic and poorly soluble phosphates and increase crop yield

Bacillus coagulans, a phosphatase- and phytase-producing bacterium was isolated and tested under greenhouse conditions and in the field in a loamy sand soil. Bacterial population build-up and efficiency was compared under sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions. Exploitation of plant unavailable (poorly soluble) P was higher in sterilized soil, mainly due to an increased bacteria population. A gradual increase in microbial build-up of up to 21 times the inoculated population was observed over a 4-week period under the sterilized soil condition. Clusterbean influenced acid phosphatase and phytase activity. The depletion of organic P was much higher than the depletion of mineral and phytin P. The microbial contribution to the hydrolysis of the different P fractions was significantly higher than the plant contribution. The maximum effect of inoculation on different enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phytase and dehydrogenase) was observed in pants between 5 and 8 weeks of age. A significant improvement in plant biomass (25%), root length (28%), plant P concentration (22%), seed (19%) and straw yield (28%) resulted from inoculation. The results suggested that B. coagulans produces phosphatases and phytase, which mobilized P from unavailable native P sources and enhanced the production of clusterbean.     

塑料大棚内长期施肥对菜田土壤磷素组成及其含量影响

对塑料大棚内自1988年开始的蔬菜施肥长期定位试验田土壤磷索组分和含量进行了研究.结果表明,除了长期单独施用氮肥引起耕层土壤全P、有效P降低外.其他施肥处理均能提高土壤中全P和有效P含量.长期施用有机肥土壤闭蓄态P(O-P)含量最高.占无机P总置的35%～47%;不施有机肥土壤磷酸钙(Ca-P)含量最高,占无机P总量的29%～39%.施用有机肥可以显著提高土壤有机P总量,有机肥组各处理土壤活性有机P和中等活性有机P含量均显著高于不施有机肥组各对应处理,而稳定性有机P和高稳定性有机P含量则低于不施有机肥组.长期施用磷肥会增加土壤中无机P积累,且有效性较高的Ca-P、磷酸铝(Al-P)积累程度高于较稳定的O-P、磷酸铁(Fe-P),土壤有效P含量与各组分无机P及其总量、活性有机P、中等活性有机P及有机P总量呈显著正相关.而与稳定性有机P、高稳定性有机P和全P含量的相关性不明显.因此,长期施用有机肥和磷肥能够改变土壤磷索组成.提高磷素有效性.     

设施菜地利用强度对土壤磷形态分布及其有效性的影响——以江苏省水耕人为土和潮湿雏形土为例

以江苏省水耕人为土和潮湿雏形土两种土壤类型为对象,研究了设施菜地利用强度对土壤磷形态分布及其有效性的影响。结果表明:随利用强度增加,两种土壤类型的各磷形态含量均有所增加,以水溶态磷和铝结合态磷(Al-P)增加最为显著(P<0.05)。而水耕人为土闭蓄态磷(O-P)占总磷百分比和潮湿雏形土残渣态磷占总磷百分比随利用强度增加则表现出显著降低的趋势(P<0.05)。回归分析结果表明,水耕人为土有效磷主要来自于铁结合态磷(Fe-P)和Al-P;潮湿雏形土有效磷主要来自于水溶态磷和钙结合态磷(Ca-P),且以前者更为重要。另外,设施蔬菜生产增加了土壤磷淋失的风险,尤其是潮湿雏形土。水–旱轮作并结合减少施肥量可能是降低设施土壤磷淋失风险的一个有效措施。     

Effect of organic,inorganic, and combined organic and inorganic P fertilization on plant P uptake and soil P pools

Phosphorus (P) is a limited resource, and its efficient use is a main task in sustainable agriculture. In a 6‐year field experiment on a loamy‐sand soil poor in P, the effects of organic, inorganic, and combined organic‐inorganic fertilization on crop yield, P uptake into grain, and soil properties (organic matter [OM] content, pH, water‐extractable P [P_w], double lactate–extractable P [P_dl], oxalate‐extractable P [P_ox], P‐sorption capacity [PSC], and degree of P saturation [DPS]) were investigated for the maritime climate in northeast Germany. Nine treatments were compared: a control treatment without fertilizer application, two organic fertilizers (cattle manure [CM] and biowaste compost [BC]; applied at a rate of 30 t ha^–1 in autumn 1998 and 2001), application of triple‐superphosphate (TSP; applied once a year either in autumn or in spring to evaluate the effects of application date), and combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizations. Several winter and spring crops (oilseed rape, barley, wheat) were cultivated according to good agricultural practice. The 6 year–average yield and P uptake were significantly higher for fertilized plots than for nonfertilized plots. Although the combination of organic × inorganic fertilizers resulted in higher soil P contents, significant yield increases were only found when organic fertilization was combined with TSP in spring. Small effects of P supply on yield in some years indicate that plant‐available soil P (despite of low P_dl values) was sufficient for crop growth. Phosphorus supply affected soil P_dl and P_w more than the parameters measured in the oxalate extract (P_ox, PSC, DPS). In general, periodically applied cattle manure and biowaste compost had the same effect on yield, P uptake, and soil P status as annually applied soluble mineral P.