石灰性土壤肥际磷酸一钙的转化及肥料磷的迁移

肥际是肥料与土壤接触后肥料养分浓度很高、肥料与土壤组分相互作用强烈的区域.P肥肥际反应尤为强烈,其过程对肥料P在土壤中迁移及生物有效性可能起着至关重要的作用.本文以肥际为切入点,通过土柱培养试验,研究了磷酸二氢钙(MCP)在石灰性潮土肥际的形态转化及肥料P的迁移.结果表明,MCP施肥31天后,肥料P的迁移距离达45 mm.MCP异成分溶解导致约30%的肥料P残留在原施肥点;另有约70%进入土壤.无机P形态分级结果显示,进入土壤的肥料P仍保持较高的有效性,且主要以磷酸钙盐存在.其中,近10%仍以水溶态(WE-P)存在,近35%转化为Ca2-P,近35%转化为Ca8-P,近15%转化为A1-P,约5%转化为Fe-P,仅不足1%转化成O-P,而Ca10-P没有明显变化.肥际(0～2 mm)新增各形态含P矿物中,Ca8-P所占比例显著增加,O-P的比例略有增加,其他形态P的比例相应减少.MCP施肥后土壤WE-P和Ca2-P的分布呈明显的分段特征,即由自施肥点开始的快速线性下降阶段和随后的缓慢线性下降阶段构成,其他形态的P的分布也有肥际集中分布特性,使得进入土壤的肥料P90%左右集中在不足一半的扩散距离内.MCP施肥引起肥际土壤pH显著下降,对肥际碳酸盐及铁、铝矿物溶解破坏作用极为显著,特别是2 mm内碳酸盐被完全分解.土壤CaCO3溶解释放的Ca2+是进入土壤的肥料P转化固定的主要因素,其次是施肥伴随的Ca2+,肥际铁、铝矿物溶解释放出的Fe3+、Al3+对P的固定也有重要贡献.MCP对土壤矿物的溶解破坏及其异成分溶解作用是石灰性土壤中该肥料有效性的主要限制因素.     

长期施磷对灰漠土无机磷形态的影响

通过3年田间肥料定位试验,研究不同磷肥用量对灰漠土无机磷形态的影响及其与土壤速效磷的相关性。试验中磷肥(P2O5)用量设置4个水平:0,75,150,300kg/hm2(分别以P0、P75、P150和P300表示)。结果表明,连续3年不施肥,土壤Ca2-P和Ca8-P、Al-P、Ca10-P含量均在年际间呈降低趋势,而Fe-P含量较初始值增加15.4%,O-P变化不大。不同磷肥用量下,Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Fe-P含量随磷肥用量增加,在年际间显著增加,较第1年增幅分别为21.3~71.6%,13.4~24.8%,4.9~13.9%;Al-P含量仅在第3年略有增加,O-P和Ca10-P含量受磷肥用量和施肥年限的影响不大。Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Fe-P在无机磷中的比例随施肥年限的增加而增加,Al-P和O-P的比例变化较小,Ca10-P所占比例在年际间随磷肥用量增加呈降低趋势。土壤速效磷含量在不施磷肥处理下持续降低,而在不同磷肥用量下,土壤速效磷含量随磷肥用量增加,在年际间呈增加趋势,且增加幅度随施肥年限增加而增大。连续施肥3年后,土壤Ca10-P和O-P与其余形态无机磷的相关性较差,且Ca10-P和O-P与速效磷之间相关关系不显著,各形态无机磷对速效磷的有效性依次为Ca2-PCa8-PFe-PAl-PCa10-P、O-P。     

长期定位施肥对棕壤无机磷形态及剖面分布的影响

对棕壤26年长期定位试验的无机磷分级表明:长期施入有机肥或化学磷肥,除了Ca10-P含量在耕层减少外,其它各形态无机磷含量都有所增加;仅施N肥或不施肥,Al-P,Fe-P,O-P,Ca10-P含量均减少,Fe-P,Al-P,Cas-P,Ca2-P占无机磷总量的比例增加,而O-P,Ca10-P则下降了.各形态无机磷的剖面分布相似,均为先下降而后略微上升.相关分析和逐步回归分析表明,Ca2-P,Ca8-P,Al-P,Fe-P,O-P与速效磷之间达到1%的极显著水平,Ca10-P与速效磷之间达到5%的显著水平.Ca2-P,Cas-P对速效磷的贡献最大.     

长期施肥对砂姜黑土无机磷形态的影响

采用顾益初、蒋柏藩的无机磷分级方法,研究了长期施肥下砂姜黑土无机磷组分含量变化、生物有效性及其与土壤有效磷的关系。结果表明,长期耗竭状况下Ca2-P和Ca8-P的植物营养效率最高,其次为Al-P和Fe-P,O-P和Ca10-P也表现出了一定的有效性;Fe-P和Al-P对植物的营养贡献率最高,虽然Ca2-P和Ca8-P活性最高,但由于含量低,对磷素养分的贡献率较低,土壤磷素极度耗竭下,Ca2-P的植物营养贡献率甚至低于Ca10-P和O-P。砂姜黑土对磷的固定严重,土壤中积累的磷主要向Al-P、Fe-P和有效性更低的Ca10-P和O-P转化,Ca2-P、Ca8-P的增量较少。相关分析和通径分析表明,无机磷组分对有效磷的贡献为:Al-P＞Ca8-P＞Ca2-P＞Fe-P＞O-P＞Ca10-P;建立了Olsen-P与无机磷组分间的回归方程:Y = 3.8751 +0.4674X1 +0.4470X2+ 0.3769X3-0.1166X4-0.07838 X 5 (Y代表有效磷含量,X1、、X2、X3 、X4 、X5分别代表Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P、Fe-P和Ca10-P含量;P＜0.01,R2=0.9989)。     

长期施肥对灰漠土无机磷组分的影响

以国家灰漠土土壤肥力与肥料效益长期监测站为平台,采用蒋柏藩-顾益初土壤无机磷分组方法,对23年长期定位施肥条件下、不同施肥处理土壤无机磷总量(IOP)及组分(Ca_2-P、Ca_8-P、Al-P、Fe-P、O-P、Ca_(10)-P)进行测定,以掌握长期施肥对干旱区灰漠土无机磷组分的影响规律并指导合理施肥。结果表明,长期不施肥(CK)处理土壤无机磷总量无显著变化,组分间主要发生Ca_2-P、Ca_8-P向Ca_(10)-P的转化;长期施肥(NPK、NPKM、NPKS)处理IOP极显著增加,其增加量主要为Ca_2-P、Ca_8-P、Al-P和Fe-P,其中前三者增加作用极为显著;长期施肥条件下,土壤无机磷组分中Ca_8-P转化率最高、占土壤无机磷转化总量的39%~50%,其次是Al-P、占16%~30%,再次是Ca_2-P、占10%~29%,三者合计占78%~88%,其余三种组分Fe-P、O-P、Ca_(10)-P占12%~22%。     

长期施肥对黄土高原旱地土壤无机磷空间分布的影响

研究了18年肥料长期定位试验土壤无机磷的空间分布特征。土壤剖面无机磷占全磷总量的65．0％－79．4％，无机磷以Ca-P为主，Ca2-P,Ca8-P,Ca10-P分别占无机磷总量的2．1％－16．0％，0．6％－2．4％和59．7％－80．5％，Al-P,Fe-P,O-P分别占无机磷总量的1．8％－6．0％，3．9％－6．5％和9．2％－14．7％，土壤Ca2-P,Ca8-P,Al-P空间分布特征总趋势为耕层含量较高，耕层以下含量减少，在120cm土层以下趋于稳定。Ca10-P耕层有一定的积累，耕层以下含量减少，但底土含量略高于耕层。Fe-P,O-P空间分布不明显，长期施肥土壤中磷素大量以O－P累积在剖面各土层，其次主要转化为Ca2-P,Ca8-P和Al－P累积在耕层。     

长期秸秆还田对潮土土壤各形态磷的影响

基于黄淮海低平原区潮土上33年长期肥料定位试验,采用蒋柏藩―顾益初的石灰性土壤无机磷分级方法,研究冬小麦―夏玉米轮作中长期不同氮磷用量下秸秆还田对土壤全磷、有效磷(Olsen-P)及各形态无机磷的影响。结果表明:黄淮海低平原区潮土上冬小麦―夏玉米轮作中P2O5用量0~240 kg hm~(-2),随磷肥用量的增加,土壤全磷、Olsen-P、无机磷总量及无机磷中Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P和Fe-P均显著增加,O-P和Ca10-P无显著变化;当土壤输入磷量低于作物输出磷量时,无论秸秆还田与否,土壤全磷、无机磷总量、Olsen-P和无机磷中除Ca8-P外的其他各形态磷均无显著变化;当土壤输入磷量高于作物输出磷量时,随秸秆用量的增加土壤全磷、Olsen-P和无机磷中的Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P均显著增加,其中以Olsen-P增幅最大,无机磷中以Ca2-P增幅最大,其次为Ca8-P,再次为Al-P;土壤磷素盈余和亏缺量与土壤中各磷形态含量均呈显著正相关关系。     

长期施肥对黑垆土无机磷形态的影响研究

对黄土高原旱地黑垆土进行25年长期定位肥料试验,对土壤无机P形态、数量和对作物的有效性进行了研究。结果表明,石灰性土壤无机P的组成以Ca10-P占绝对优势,约占无机P总量的57.7%,其次是闭蓄态P(O-P),占17.9%,而Al-P、Fe-P、Ca8-P分别占5.9%、5.7%、10.1%,最少的为Ca2-P,只有2.8%。所有施肥处理中,各形态无机P均以土粪 NP含量最高;Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P以N处理最低,而Fe-P、O-P、Ca10-P以CK处理最低;长期施肥对无机P各组分相对含量也有影响,耗P处理主要是Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P的降低,而施P处理是Ca10-P的降解和Ca2-P的积累。与1990年比较,CK处理均有下降;N处理除O-P、Ca10-P有增加外,其他各组分含量均下降;而NP、秸杆. NP、土粪、土粪. NP处理均呈增加趋势。不同处理对土壤有效P和缓效态P均有不同程度的影响,而与无效态P关系不大。同时做了各形态无机P与作物产量的相关性分析,在各级无机P与产量的相关性中,Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P都达到了极显著水平,其中以Ca8-P与产量的相关性最高,而Fe-P、O-P、Ca10-P也都达到了显著水平。     

栗钙土中磷肥转化及效应的研究

采用石灰性土壤无机磷的分级方法,研究了磷肥在栗钙土中的转化以及包被物对土壤中磷肥转化的影响和莜麦的磷肥效应。研究结果表明,在不种作物的情况下,磷肥施入土壤后很快转化为Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P、Fe-P等形态,随施肥时间的延长,Ca2-P呈减少趋势,其它形态的无机磷则逐渐增加;在种植莜麦的情况下,莜麦对磷肥的吸收利用率为31.1％,土壤残留为68.9％,残留磷中各形态无机磷占施入磷的比率:28.9％为Ca2-P,11.0％为Ca8-P,10.3％为Al-P,5.5％为Fe-P,9.5％为O-P,3.7％为Ca10-P;包被磷肥较未包被磷肥减少了土壤中Ca2-P向Ca8-P转化,增加了施入磷向Al-P的转化而减少了向Fe-P、O-P的转化,磷肥的利用率提高2.9个百分点。施用磷肥莜麦增产178％。     

耕作方式对黄绵土无机磷形态的影响

以设置在陇中黄土高原并已经进行了5年的田间定位试验为基础,采用蒋-顾石灰性土壤无机磷分级法,研究了不同耕作方式对黄绵土无机磷形态的影响。结果表明,供试土壤中78.6%的磷以无机磷形式存在,且以Ca-P占绝大多数。无机磷各形态含量排列顺序为:Ca10-P Ca8-P O-PAl-P Fe-PCa2-P。与传统耕作不覆盖(T)相比,免耕秸秆覆盖(NTS)、免耕不覆盖(NT)、传统耕作结合秸秆还田(TS)均可降低土壤中的Ca8-P、O-P和0—5 cm土层中的Ca10-P含量,其中NTS最为明显;NTS处理可提高土壤中的Al-P、Fe-P含量。不同处理中,Ca2-P、Ca8-P、Al-P、Fe-P均以0—5 cm土层中含量最高,且随着土层的增加呈下降趋势;但是Ca10-P 以5—10 cm土层含量最高;各处理O-P在土壤剖面中的变化没有显著差异。     

Phosphorus Fractionations in Acidic Piedmont Rice Soils

Piedmont lands in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and many other Asian countries are important rice-growing soils, but most of the soils are potentially phosphorus (P) deficient because of low pH. Phosphorus fractions of rice-growing acidic piedmont soils were determined. Soil samples were amended with 100 and 200 mg P kg^?1 soil, and a control soil without P amendment was maintained. The samples were analyzed for the following fractions: solution P, labile pool [sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) P], alkali-extracted inorganic pool [sodium hydroxide (NaOH) P_i], organic pool (NaOH P_o), acidic pool [sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)?hydrochloric acid (HCl) P], and residual P. About 98% of the applied P in soils was extracted by the sequential extraction employed in the present experiment. The mean total P concentration in 10 acidic Piedmont soils was 247 ppm, of which only 0.12% was in solution, 8% labile (NaHCO₃), 16% NaOH-extracted inorganic, 32% resistant organic, 18% relatively recalcitrant acidic, and 25% residual. Application of P fertilizer increased mainly the labile P fraction, which would be easily available to wetland rice. Solution P was positively and significantly correlated with pH_KCl (r = 0.64, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with clay (r = ?0.77, P < 0.01). A negative and significant correlation of NaHCO₃-P was observed with pH_H2O (r = ?0.62, P < 0.05). Solution P showed a negative and significant relationship with NaOH-P_i (r = ?0.63, P < 0.05). A significant and negative relationship of solution P was also observed with acid P (r = ?0.78, P < 0.01) and residual P (r = ?0.82, P < 0.01). The relationship of NaHCO₃-P with NaOH-P_i was positive (r = 0.70, P < 0.05) and significant. Similarly, a positive and significant relationship (r = 0.89, P < 0.01) between NaOH-P_i and acid P was observed, and acid P was positively and significantly correlated with residual P (r = 0.84, P < 0.01).     

Phosphorus balances for arable soils in Southern England 1986–1999

The behaviour of P in a range of English arable soils was examined by plotting the change in resin P in the topsoil (ΔPres) at the end of a 3‐ to 5‐year period, against the P balance over the same period (fertilizer P applied minus offtake in crops, estimated from farmers’ reported yields and straw removal). Based on the assumption that values for offtake per tonne of crop yield used for UK arable crops are valid averages, 20–60% of ΔPres was explained by the balance. Applying excess P fertilizer increased Pres, and reducing P fertilizer use decreased it; typically 3–4 kg P ha^?1 was required for each mg L^?1ΔPres (6–8 kg ha^?1 for each mg L^?1 of Olsen P). About half the P balance seems to be resin extractable and this differed little between soil groups, except in cases of very low P (index 0) in which the P buffering was stronger, and on very high P soils (index 4/5) when buffering was less. However, on calcareous soils and red soils, when fertilizer was applied in accord with offtake, Pres fell by up to 4 mg L^?1 year^?1 (2 mg L^?1 yr^?1 olsen P) and to prevent this an extra 3–10 kg P ha^?1 year^?1 fertilizer was required. But on most non‐calcareous soils, replacing offtake maintained Pres, with perhaps slight rises on soils of low clay content or greater organic matter content. In soils under arable rotations, the apparent recovery of P from fertilizer was often around 100%, falling to 85% on Chalk soils and 75% on medium–heavy soils on limestone or Lower Chalk. The fate of the ‘missing’ P needs clarification. The case for corrections to current P fertilizer recommendations in the UK on certain soil types is discussed.     

Changes in Soil Phosphorus Fractions Resulting from Crop Residue Removal and Phosphorus Fertilizer

It is crucial to know how management factors influence soil test phosphorus (P) since non-point P sources for surface waters are becoming recognized as a problem throughout the USA. Phosphorus fertilizer and crop residue can impact the cycling of P in soils. An eight-year crop residue removal and P fertilization (0, 7.3, 14.7 and 29.4 kg P/ha) as triple superphosphate (TSP) experiment were conducted to determine the effect of P applications on soil P fractions. Significant differences in Bray-l extractable P were observed after only one year of P applications. Extractable P at the highest P rate was significantly higher than all the other rates. For each 5.6 kg P/ha added or removed, Bray-l P changed by 1 mg/kg. Fertilizer P applications did not significantly change the organic P (P_o) levels, microbial P (P_m) or soil pH, whereas residue treatments had effects on them except for soil pH. Residue-retained plots had significantly higher P_m in the last two years of study, and P_o in the 8^th year, compared with residue-removed plots.     

Soil legacy phosphorus after 10 years of annual dairy liquid manure application in a no-tillage system

The benefits of manure as a source of nutrients for plants and to improve soil quality are well-known. Monitoring of manure application is needed if environmental issues are to be prevented. In particular, the availability and accumulation of phosphorus (P) has to be subject to rigorous monitoring. This study aims to both evaluate the efficacy of the resin method in extracting inorganic labile P in soils under the long-term application of dairy liquid manure (DLM), and verify the influence of DLM on the recovery of applied P and soil legacy P. To realize our objectives, two long-term field experiments were established under a no-tillage system with annual DLM application on sandy clay loam (sandy Oxisol) and clayey (clayey Oxisol) soils. Treatment consisted of DLM applications (0, 60, 120, 180 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), independent of mineral fertilizer. Soil samples were taken from the 0–5, 5–10 and 10–15 cm layers after 10 years from the beginning of the trial. A single extraction with resin underestimated inorganic labile P; however, successive extractions were able to take up 43% and 26% of the total P in sandy and clayey Oxisols, respectively, whereas in a single extraction the take-up was 17% and 8% from the same soils, respectively. The resin method was more effective in extracting P from the sandy Oxisol. Thus, when interpreting soil P contents for fertilizer planning, the soil texture should be taken into account. DLM application decreased P recovered from applied P, ranging from 54% to 83% (sandy), and 43% to 67% (clayey), and substantially increased soil legacy P.     

再论中国磷肥需求预测——基于农业绿色发展视角

磷肥产业发展关乎我国粮食安全、资源利用和环境保护。近40年来由于化学磷肥的持续施用，我国农田土壤有效磷快速提升，在这一背景下基于农业绿色发展的要求，调整未来我国磷肥的需求预测十分必要。本文综合分析了我国农田土壤有效磷的变化，明确了在粮食作物上我国农田土壤有效磷平均已经达到或超出了作物生产的农学阈值(15～25 mg·kg^-1)，在蔬菜和果树等经济作物上土壤有效磷已经全面超过农学阈值。农业绿色发展要求在保障作物高产的同时，要充分发挥作物的根系/根际生物学潜力以提高磷资源利用效率、同时改善农产品营养品质和降低环境风险，为此，应将磷肥施用策略从培肥地力保增长调整到以农学阈值为目标的维持施磷保增产、升效率、提品质。同时，农业绿色发展需要从工艺和农艺两方面最大限度提高农业废弃物中磷资源的再利用效率。据此，考虑我国粮食和其他农产品需求，继2007年基于土壤磷肥力变化预测我国磷肥需求的基础上，本文对我国未来农业磷肥需求进行了再预测。结果表明，到2030和2050年，我国化学磷肥的需求量分别为1084万吨和742万吨。因此，在各项措施持续优化基础上，我国化肥磷的需求在短期(203...     

Phosphorus in Low-Input Dryland Agriculture: The Perspective from Syria

Although most of the research on phosphorus (P) in developed countries focuses on the environmental implications of excess P fertilizer use, the opposite occurs in developing countries. The northern Africa–western Asia region has low-input agriculture with limited P fertilizer use, and cropping is constrained by low rainfall. The evolution of P research in Syria is similar to that other countries of the region, but the approach adopted by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas is unique, with the research conducted being relevant to the whole region. This review identifies the various phases in P research in Syria, that is, initial diagnosis of the extent of P deficiency, fertilizer trials on station and in farmers’ fields, influence of rainfall and soil moisture on P behavior, soil studies elucidating the responses of applied P in soils, and laboratory standardization.     

Phosphorus Dynamics in a Luvic Phaeozem After 50 Years of Different P Fertilization

After 50 years of differentiated P fertilization great differences in plant-available P contents between the treatments were measured. However, yield and P uptake varied marginally and only in few plant species these parameters changed significantly. Investigations of P availability, P release and P sorption in different soil depths should show, which phosphorus fractions are important for P supply of agricultural plants in a Luvic Phaeozem. This information can be used for the improvement of fertilization recommendations. A significant decrease in DL-soluble P content in P0 and P15 treatments down to a soil depth of 60cm was measured. Diffusible P content was substantially higher in the P45 treatment in comparison to P0 and P15. Subsoil seems to be an important additional P source. Plant species have a significant influence on phosphorus dynamic. High P sorption in the investigated Luvic Phaeozem, which could not be reduced by excessive P fertilization, may be one of the reasons for low fertilization efficiency in this trial.     

Soil phosphorus dynamics along a loess–limestone transect in Mihla,Thuringia (Germany)

The distribution of phosphorus (P) along a loess–limestone soil transect were investigated to delineate the spatial variation of the nutrient vertically in the soil profiles and laterally in the landscape. We hypothesized that spatial P patterns result from translocation caused by P mobilization, although P fixation would be expected along the slope. To depict this, three P fractions clearly differing in solubility were determined. Soil samples were treated with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), with 12.1 M HCl, and with aqua regia (AR). In the profiles the spatial P distribution slightly corresponds to the occurrence of different bedrocks and substrata. Thus, a native “P loading” might not primarily explain the spatial P patterns. Especially the strong enrichment of the toeslope with easily soluble P indicates P translocation and prior mobilization. The enrichment is detectable throughout the profiles. Thus, superficial translocation (e.g ., erosion) cannot sufficiently explain that pattern. Instead, underground processes must be the cause for this. They cause relatively high vertical and lateral variation in the spatial P distribution, e.g ., within soil horizons and substratum layers. Hence, mixed sampling of soil sections might not produce data accurate enough for some kinds of P research and for P management. Also, the lateral P distribution should be detected more precisely prior to fertilization of agricultural land.     

Plant availability of p in commercial superphosphate fertilizers

Abstract

The quality of phosphate rock (PR) is declining and the use of lower quality PR results In lower water‐soluble and higher citrate‐soluble P in the fertilizer product. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the plant availability of P in commercial superphosphate fertilizers having various levels of water‐soluble P. Seven commercial fertilizers, Including 6 granular concentrated superphosphates and one normal superphosphate, were evaluated. Reagent grade monocalcium phosphate served as a control. The fertilizers were manufactured from PR deposits located in the United States (Florida, Idaho and North Carolina) and Morocco. Water‐soluble P ranged from 77 to 92 X of the total fertilizer P. Citrate‐soluble, water‐insoluble P ranged from 7 to 20 % of the total fertilizer P. Four of the 5 American fertilizers had a lower percentage of water‐soluble P as compared to the concentrated superphosphate from Morocco. Fertilizers manufactured from U.S. phosphate deposits contained an average of 6 times more Fe and 4 times more Al than the Moroccan concentrated superphosphate.

Each source was added to a Mountvlew slit loam soil (pH = 6.5) at rates to supply 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg P kg^‐1soil (0, 22.9, 45.8, 68.7, 91.6, and 114.5 ppm P₂O₅, respectively). Sorghum‐sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor) was harvested at 28 and 56 days after planting in the treated soil. Herbage yields and the P concentration in harvested forage were not affected by the source of added P. The effect of the rate of added P on forage yield and P concentration was described by polynomial regression. The granular concentrated superphosphate fertilizers used in this study contained ≥ 80 % of their plant available P in a water‐soluble form and were as effective as reagent grade monocalcium phosphate. Thus the level of water‐soluble P that will be required to reduce the performance of a fertilizer is lower than the levels currently found in American commercial concentrated superphosphates     

Plant availability of isotopically exchangeable and isotopically nonexchangeable phosphate in soils

Isotopically exchangeable P (IEP) is usually considered to be completely plant‐available and the major source of P for plant uptake. The aim of the present study is to test whether plants can, besides IEP, also use non‐IEP and if part of the IEP has an equilibrium concentration in soil solution which is below the minimum concentration, C_Lmin, and can therefore not be taken up by plants. A pot experiment was carried out with maize for two years on two soils, an acid sandy and a neutral loamy soil, either without P fertilizer or fertilized with ten P sources of different solubility. Throughout both years of the study, pots were kept moist either without plants or planted twice with maize (Zea mays L., cv. Athletico). At the end of the experiment, plant P uptake, P concentration in the soil solution (C_L), and P accessible to isotopic exchange within 5 d (E_5d) were measured. Plant growth decreased the E_5d which was about equal to P uptake by maize for most treatments in the acid soil. But for some treatments, i.e., five in the acid and eight in the neutral soil, P uptake was up to 50% larger than the decrease of E_5d, indicating that plants had, besides IEP, also used P from non‐IEP sources. At adequate P supply, both soils had an E_5d of about 100 mg P (kg soil)^–1, but about 30 to 40 mg kg^–1 of this IEP had an equilibrium P concentration in the soil solution below C_Lmin of 0.1 μmol L^–1 at which P would actually not be plant‐available. This study shows that plants take up P mainly from IEP, but not the whole IEP is plant‐available. Furthermore, plants may also use P from non‐IEP sources.