Humic acid improved efficiency of fertigation and productivity of tomato

Studies were conducted during 2010–2012 at University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. Four fertigation levels were tested with humic acid (combined fertigation) and without humic acid (sole fertigation or fertigation alone). The experiment comprising eight treatment combinations in Randomized Block design, replicated four times. Investigations revealed that combined fertigation significantly increased plant height (5.7%), total dry matter (7.7%), leaf area index (3.2%), chlorophyll content (4.7%) and fruit yield (9.6%) over sole fertigation. Higher available N and K in was recorded in surface soils whereas, better translocation of available P was noted at 10–20 cm soil layers under combined fertigation. Higher nutrient recovery and fertilizer use efficiency was also noted in combined fertigation. Fertigation along with humic acid resulted in 20 per cent fertilizer savings over fertigation alone. It is concluded that efficiency of fertigation can further be increased by using humic substances in any agricultural production system.     

Productivity of capsicum as influenced by fertigation with chemical fertilizers and humic acid

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertigation through drip on nutrient distribution and productivity of capsicum. The experiment was set up in Randomized Block Design with three levels of fertigation (100, 80 and 60% of recommended NPK) without humic acid (sole fertigation) and with humic acid (combined fertigation). Combined fertigation registered lower available N and K and higher available P in deeper soil layers. Fruit yield was 17–27 percent higher under combined fertigation over sole fertigation. Fertilizer use efficiency was higher in combined fertigation. Significantly higher N, P and K uptake was also observed under combined fertigation. Further, growth and yield of capsicum were statistically at par between 100 percent (sole fertigation) and 80 percent recommended NPK dose (combined fertigation). The results, therefore, ensures the partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with more economic and environmentally safe organic materials when applied through drip.     

不同滴灌施肥模式对棉花产量及养分吸收的影响

通过等养分和等成本施肥田间试验,研究不同滴灌施肥模式对棉花产量及养分吸收的影响。试验设4种滴灌施肥模式,分别为常规基施(CK)、常规追施(DCK)、普通滴灌专用肥(F1)和高磷钾滴灌专用肥(F2)。结果表明,在等养分施用条件下,高磷钾滴灌专用肥和普通滴灌专用肥处理的棉花干物质重、养分吸收量和产量均显著高于常规基施处理,但普通滴灌专用肥和常规追施处理差异不大;常规基施处理的氮肥和磷肥的利用率最低,普通滴灌专用肥和常规追施处理的氮肥和磷肥利用率差异不显著,高磷钾滴灌专用肥可显著提高磷肥利用率。在等成本施用条件下,常规追施处理的棉花干物质重、养分吸收量和产量最高,而高磷钾滴灌专用肥、普通滴灌专用肥和常规基施处理无显著差异。因此,滴灌专用肥尤其是高磷钾滴灌专用肥具有较好的应用效果,但是如何降低肥料成本是滴灌专用肥技术面临的重要问题。     

Nutrient use efficiency and harvest index of cassava decline as fertigation solution concentration increases

Response of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to fertigation as a form of nutrient delivery is unknown. The objectives of this study were to establish a balanced nutrition and to enhance agronomic nutrient use efficiency (ANUE) of cassava under fertigation. This study was conducted in the greenhouse and in the field. In both, the results showed a similar trend. There were six fertigation concentrations and three cassava varieties, selected for their duration of growth in the field. Shoot biomass of the long‐duration variety (Nalumino) was the highest, even though its dry root yield was the lowest (10.18 t ha^?1) among the varieties. In contrast, the medium‐duration variety (Kampolombo) produced the highest dry root yield (20.34 t ha^?1) and a lower shoot biomass. The highest root yield of the shortest‐duration variety (Mweru) was achieved at 200 mg N, 30 mg P, and 200 mg K L^?1 (155.0, 23.3, 155.0 kg N, P, K ha^?1), while Nalumino's was at 70 mg N, 7 mg P, and 70 mg K L^?1 (54.3, 5.4, 54.3 kg N, P, K ha^?1). ANUE and harvest index of these varieties declined as the fertigation concentrations increased. Additionally, the correlation between concentrations of N in the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL) blades and dry root yields was the lowest (R² = 0.5488), whereas P and K were R² = 0.7237 and R² = 0.8006, respectively, an indication that nutrient concentrations in the leaf, especially N, cannot easily be used to predict root yield. When cassava reaches nutrient sufficiency, mainly N, its accumulation in the leaf continues without significant increase in the root yield.     

水肥一体化技术对不同生态区果园苹果生产的影响

为探究水肥一体化技术对陕西省不同生态区苹果生产的影响,分别选取渭北旱塬区和关中平原区典型‘红富士’苹果园,研究了相同肥料用量的NPK传统施肥[NPK(C)]、NPK水肥[NPK(F)]和肥料用量减半的NPK水肥[1/2NPK(F)]对苹果产量、品质、肥料利用效率、果实养分吸收和果园经济效益的影响。结果表明,因不同生态区环境条件和果园自身土壤和肥力等存在差异,水肥一体化技术对苹果生产的影响也不同。渭北旱塬区果园,与NPK(C)相比,NPK(F)处理苹果增产13.0%,果实硬度增加10.6%,糖酸比提高19.1%,化肥偏生产力(PFP)由18.2 kg·kg?1提高至36.3 kg·kg?1,果实N、P和K养分吸收量分别增加36.0%、75.3%和44.8%;1/2NPK(F)处理对苹果生产的影响基本不显著。关中平原区果园,与NPK(C)相比,1/2NPK(F)使苹果增产26.2%,糖酸比提高16.9%,PFP从27.2 kg·kg?1提高至68.7 kg·kg?1,果实N、P和K养分吸收量分别增加41.8%、98.9%和58.9%;然而,NPK(F)处理苹果仅增产14.1%,果实养分吸收无显著增加,品质亦无明显改善。经济收益方面,在相同肥料用量下,采用水肥一体化技术可使渭北旱塬区和关中平原区果园分别增收1.55万元·hm?2和3.65万元·hm?2;当肥料用量减半时,收益增加分别为0.21万元·hm?2和7.28万元·hm?2。总体而言,在陕西渭北旱塬区和关中平原区果园采用水肥一体化技术均能显著提高苹果产量和改善品质,但其效果存在明显差异,实践中需因地制宜,根据果园实际情况,采用适宜的水肥用量以求达到高产、高效和优质的目标。     

Effect of different amounts of acid application in fertigation on calcareous soil pH

This study was carried out during 3 different periods and in 24 various greenhouses. Average pH values of the irrigation water (7.61, 7.55, 7.29) and average soil pH values before fertigation (7.61, 7.57, 7.55) were measured. Average fertigation pH values were measured to be 6.80, 6.61 and 6.44. Depending on fertigation pH values, average soil pH values decreased at the rate of 0.52, 0.65 and 0.60 compared to those before fertigation. Although average soil pH decreased depending on acid doses used by growers in the greenhouse, this decrease was not sufficient. In conclusion, if growers fertilize with lower fertigation pH doses, availability of plant nutrients can be increased. Additionally, this may lead to less fertilizer use by increasing availability of fertilizers used in fertigation in soils that have calcareous and high pH values. It is clear that further studies should be done with this approach.     

Effect of composted sewage sludge amendment on soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability

Abstract

Municipal sewage sludge previously composted with sawdust (CSS) was applied to an eutric sandy cambisol at rates of 7.5, 15.0, 22.5, and 30 g#lbkg^‐1. Incubation and pot experiments were conducted to evaluate CSS effectiveness on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) soil availability and on plant nutrition. The CSS rates did not increase soil mineral N and had little effect on organic P and on labile forms of P. Efficiency of total applied P was 17% for the soil labile forms and 4.8% for the resin extractable fraction. In contrast, CSS significantly increased hydroxide extractable inorganic P and nonextractable soil P fraction. The major portion of the increment on nonextractable forms was at the expense of HC1 extractable P fraction [calcium (Ca)‐bounded], dominant on the original CSS. Thus, chemical rather than biological reactions lead to the redistribution of CSS‐borne P to more firmly held forms after its application to the soil. Ryegrass dry matter yield, N content, and N uptake did not increase in CSS‐treated soils. Plant P content increased at the second harvest, but the effect was nil in the subsequent harvest. Total P uptake increased from 14.1 to 20.2 mg#lbpot^‐1, but percentage P recovery by ryegrass was modest, averaging 2.5% of the CSS‐borne P. Results suggest that moderate application of CSS to agricultural systems are inadequate for crop growth but may contribute to nutrient recycling without environmental risks related to N and P loss.     

Yield,fruit quality and nutrient uptake of ‘Nabbut-Ahmar’ date palm grown in sandy loam soil as affected by NPK fertigation

A field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of fertigation on yield, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of ‘Nabbut-Ahmar’ date palm cultivar grown in sandy loam soil. Three fertigation treatments were compared with traditional application. In traditional treatment (CT), the recommended dose [2300 g nitrogen (N), 1200 g phosphorus (P) and 1400 g/tree] was applied as a soil broadcast in three equal doses. The fertigation treatments, (T2), (T3) and (T4), represent all nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) amounts of CT, 2/3 CT and 1/3 CT, respectively that were injected in twelve equal doses. The results showed that compared to CT, the fertigation treatments increased yield/palm by 41%, 31% and 18% for T3, T2 and T4, respectively. Beside the increase in yield, 33% and 66% of the applied fertilizers were saved by T3 and T4, respectively, compared with CT. Feritgation treatments had no negative impact on the overall fruit quality characteristics and even increased total soluble solids (TSS), soluble tannins and total phenols concentrations compared to the conventional fertilization. Availability of NPK increased by fertigation but without further increase in leaves and fruit. In conclusion applying 2/3 of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers under dry land condition through fertigation maximize yield, quality and fertilizer use efficiency.     

The Effect of Humic Substances and Phosphate Fertilizer on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of the Potato

ABSTRACT

The use of applied phosphorus (P) and the uptake of nutrients from the soil by plants can be improved when the fertilizer is combined with the application of humic substances (HS). However, these beneficial effects are inconsistent and can depend on the type of soil. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the application of HS (0, 1.25, and 7.50 mL pot^–1), as Humic HF®, and fertilizer-P (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg P dm^–3), as triple superphosphate, on root morphological characteristics, dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, and tuber yield of potatoes grown in sandy and clayey soils. Only under low P supply in the sandy soil did the supply of HS, at the rate of 1.25 mL pot^–1, increase the plant growth, yield of tubers, and uptake of macronutrients by the plants, without affecting the efficiency of the P fertilization. In the clayey soil, which had a higher organic matter content, the application of HS did not affect plant growth, tuber yield or nutrient uptake. In both soils, P fertilization increased plant growth, tuber yield, and nutrient uptake. The combined application of HS and P increased the root length of potatoes in sandy soil.     

Prediction of phosphorus uptake by a mechanistic model in a low phosphorus highly weathered soil as affected by mycorrhizae inoculation

Mechanistic models need to be validated before being widely used. The Barber‐Cushman mechanistic nutrient uptake model has successfully predicted phosphorus (P) uptake in high‐P soils, but it has not been tested in soils with low available P. Some assumptions of this model (no influence of mycor‐rhizae and root hairs on nutrient uptake) may have different implications according to the soil P level. The objective of this study was to test the ability of the Barber‐Cushman model to predict P uptake for corn in an Oxisol with low P values as influenced by mycorrhizae inoculation. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a factorial with two levels of P (25 and 100 mg/kg), of limestone (pH 4.7 and 5.5), and of mycorrhizae inoculation (with and without). Observed P uptake was determined in the roots and in the shoots of 46‐day‐old corn plants. The predicted P uptake by the model was calculated using a computer program. There was a good agreement between observed and predicted P uptake (r² = 0.97). The model, however, underpredicted the amount of P taken up by corn plants, probably due to the contribution of root hairs. Inoculation with mycorrhizae did not affect corn yield and had a small influence on both observed and predicted P uptake. The model predicted, respectively, 31% and 41% of the P taken up by plants for treatments with and without mycorrhizae inoculation. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that P in the soil solution and the rate of root growth were the parameters that most influenced predicted P uptake, and that plant uptake kinetics had a small contribution.     

Agronomic Efficiency of Indian Rock Phosphates in Acidic Soils Employing Radiotracer A‐Value Technique

Abstract

A greenhouse pot culture study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of two rock phosphates from Mussoorie (MRP) and Purulia (PRP) in two acidic soils from Dapoli (Maharashtra) and Aruvanthklu (Karnataka), India, by growing maize (cv. Ganga) as the test crop and using ³²phosphorus (P) single superphosphate (³²P=SSP) as a tracer (A‐value technique). Dry‐matter yield and P uptake increased significantly with the application of P fertilizers compared to control treatment (without P) in both the soils. There was no significant difference with respect to dry‐matter yield among the P fertilizer treatments. However, P uptake by the shoots was found to be significantly higher in the PRP treatment in only Dapoli soil compared to other P fertilizer treatments. Phosphorus derived from fertilizer decreased in rock phosphate treatments compared to standard ³²P‐SSP treatment in both the soils, indicating an excess availability of P from the rock phosphates. A‐values of soil and rock phosphate indicate a relatively higher P availability from Aruvanthklu soil compared to Dapoli soil; A‐values for the rock phosphates were in the order PRP>MRP. The substitution ratio showed that the availability of P from both the rock phosphates were less than SSP in both the soils.     

Fertigation of humic substances improves yield and quality of broccoli and nutrient retention in a sandy soil

There is lack of information available concerning the effect of humic substances (HS) applied via fertigation on plant growth in sandy soils. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at El‐Saff district (20 km southwest of Cairo), Egypt, to investigate the role of HS fertigation on water retention of a sandy soil, yield and quality of broccoli (Broccoli oleracea L.) as well as on soil nutrient concentration retained after harvest. The experiment consisted of six fertigation treatments (50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended NPK‐fertilizer rate for broccoli combined with and without HS application at 120 L ha^–1) in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Humic substances affected spatial water distribution and improved water retention in the root zone. Furthermore, application of HS increased total marketable yield and head diameter of broccoli as well as quality parameters (i.e., total soluble solids, protein, and vitamin C). Higher nutrient concentrations were found in the broccoli heads and concentrations of plant‐available nutrients in soil after harvesting were also higher, indicating an improvement in soil fertility. In conclusion, HS fertigation can be judged as an interesting option to improve soil water and nutrient status leading to better plant growth.     

Effect of leaching events on the fate of polyhalite nutrient minerals used for crop fertilization

Abstract

Polyhalite is a natural mineral containing potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) and is proposed as a fertilizer source for these essential nutrients. Application of polyhalite is expected to be most relevant in soils where the availability of these nutrients is low: in sandy soils, in highly leached soils, or in areas where crops are irrigated by water with low content of these nutrients or are rain-fed. A controlled lysimeter experiment investigated the efficacy of surface applied polyhalite as a fertilizer supplying K, Ca, Mg and S compared to soluble sulfate salts in two soils (sandy and loamy) with or without simulated rain leaching events through two cycles of cropping. In the first cycle, carrot response and nutrient uptake, transport, and loss through leaching were studied, while in the second cycle the residual effect of the fertilizer was considered on maize without additional fertilizer application or leaching. Polyhalite plus rain led to increased carrot yield due to augmented Ca uptake in sandy soil. In both soils, polyhalite behaved as a prolonged availability fertilizer with more nutrients retained in the top soil layer and not leached below the root zone. The treatments did not affect maize growth or nutrient uptake except for lower K and S uptake in soils where rain had been simulated for the previous crop. We conclude that polyhalite shows potential as a commercial fertilizer to supply K, Ca, Mg, and S nutrients under conditions of dryland agriculture where occasionally leaching by rainfall occurs.     

Interactions between phosphorus availability and an AM fungus (Glomus intraradices) and their effects on soil microbial respiration, biomass and enzyme activities in a calcareous soil

The interactions between soil P availability and mycorrhizal fungi could potentially impact the activity of soil microorganisms and enzymes involved in nutrient turnover and cycling, and subsequent plant growth. However, much remains to be known of the possible interactions among phosphorus availability and mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) grown in calcareous soils deficient in available P. The primary purpose of this study was to look at the interaction between P availability and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus intraradices) on the growth of berseem clover and on soil microbial activity associated with plant growth. Berseem clover was grown in P unfertilized soil (−P) and P fertilized soil (+P), inoculated (+M) and non-inoculated (−M) with the mycorrhizal fungus for 70 days under greenhouse conditions. We found an increased biomass production of shoot and root for AM fungus-inoculated berseem relative to uninoculated berseem grown at low P levels. AM fungus inoculation led to an improvement of P and N uptake. Soil respiration (SR) responded positively to P addition, but negatively to AM fungus inoculation, suggesting that P limitation may be responsible for stimulating effects on microbial activity by P fertilization. Results showed decreases in microbial respiration and biomass C in mycorrhizal treatments, implying that reduced availability of C may account for the suppressive effects of AM fungus inoculation on microbial activity. However, both AM fungus inoculation and P fertilization affected neither substrate-induced respiration (SIR) nor microbial metabolic quotients (qCO₂). So, both P and C availability may concurrently limit the microbial activity in these calcareous P-fixing soils. On the contrary, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes responded negatively to P addition, but positively to AM fungus inoculation, indicating that AM fungus may only contribute to plant P nutrition without a significant contribution from the total microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Therefore, the contrasting effects of P and AM fungus on the soil microbial activity and biomass C and enzymes may have a positive or negative feedback to C dynamics and decomposition, and subsequently to nutrient cycling in these calcareous soils. In conclusion, soil microbial activity depended on the addition of P and/or the presence of AM fungus, which could affect either P or C availability.     

The effects of Glycine max and Helianthus annuus on nutrient availability in two soils

The effects of two plant species—soybean (Glycine max), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) on nutrient availability in two soils (an organically farmed soil, OF, and a native grassland soil, GS, both Alfisols)—were measured with anion exchange membranes (Plant Root Simulator, PRS^TM probes) in a greenhouse study. Vegetation (especially sunflower) in the OF soil caused significant reductions in soil N and K availability (which was interpreted as due to uptake), and significant increases in P, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn availability. The increases in the latter case were consistent with the results of a previous study showing rhizosphere-enhanced mineralization of native soil organic matter in this soil. Vegetation had no significant effects on Ca, Mg, B, or Al availability in the OF soil and no significant effects on any measured nutrient in the GS soil. Collectively, these results show that the presence of plants can have either a negative or a positive effect on soil nutrient availability, and that plant uptake and soil nutrient availability are interdependent.     

Evaluating Nutrient Availability in Semi-arid Soils with Resin Capsules and Conventional Soil Tests,I: Native Plant Bioavailability under Glasshouse Conditions

Resin capsule technology developed for nutrient analysis in agriculture soils recently has been expanded to semi-arid soils without knowledge of effectiveness. This study determined if resin nutrient adsorption is correlated to plant uptake and yield in semi-arid soils. Two soils were treated with five rates of nitrogen (N) and four rates of phosphorus (P), placed in pots with resin capsules, seeded with squirreltail grass (Elymus elymoides), and grown in a glasshouse for 120 d followed by biomass determination and nutrient analysis of capsules, soils, and tissues. Yield and total nutrient uptake were highly correlated to fertilizer application rates, resin ammonium (NH₄)-N, and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)–extracted P; marginally correlated to resin and potassium chloride (KCl)–extracted nitrate (NO₃)-N, and unrelated to KCl-extracted NH₄-N and resin P. Use of resin capsules to estimate N bioavailability is promising, but P bioavailability is not effectively estimated with resin capsules; instead traditional NaHCO₃ extraction is recommended.     

Effects of organic matter addition on phosphorus availability to flooded and nonflooded rice in a P‐deficient tropical soil: a greenhouse study

Addition of organic matter (OM) to flooded soils stimulates reductive dissolution of Fe(III) minerals, thereby mobilizing associated phosphate (P). Hence, OM management has the potential to overcome P deficiency. This study assessed if OM applications increases soil or mineral fertilizer P availability to rice under anaerobic (flooded) condition and if that effect is different relative to that in aerobic (nonflooded) soils. Rice was grown in P‐deficient soil treated with combinations of addition of mineral P (0, 26 mg P/kg), OM (0, ~9 g OM/kg as rice straw + cattle manure) and water treatments (flooded vs nonflooded) in a factorial pot experiment. The OM was either freshly added just before flooding or incubated moist in soil for 6 months prior to flooding; blanket N and K was added in all treatments. Fresh addition of OM promoted reductive dissolution of Fe(III) minerals in flooded soils, whereas no such effect was found when OM had been incubated for 6 months before flooding. Yield and shoot P uptake largely increased with mineral P addition in all soils, whereas OM addition increased yield and P uptake only in flooded soils following fresh OM addition. The combination of mineral P and OM gave the largest yield and P uptake. Addition of OM just prior to soil flooding increased P uptake but was insufficient to overcome P deficiency in the absence of mineral P. Larger applications of OM are unlikely to be more successful in flooded soils due to side effects, such as Fe toxicity.     

Effect of Drip Boron Fertigation on Yield and Fruit Quality in a High-Density Apple Orchard

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out in 2001–2003 at the Experimental Orchard of the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Skierniewice, Poland, on mature ‘Jonagold’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees (M.26 EMLA) planted at 4 × 2.5 m spacing on a sandy loam soil with low boron (B) availability. The trees were drip fertigated with B at rates of 0.5, 1, or 1.5 g tree^{? 1} over 4 weeks at 3-d intervals beginning at the stage of bud break. Plants that did not receive B via drip irrigation system served as a control. Drip B fertigation effectively increased water-soluble B concentrations in the soil and the status of this microelement in leaves of current season shoots. However, the B fertigation had no effect on tree vigor. In 2 out of 3 years, the drip B fertigation improved flower B status, fruit set, and yield. The efficiency of the drip B fertigation was not influenced by B rate. In all growing seasons, the drip B fertigation increased B level and a soluble solids concentration in the fruit flesh, but had no effect on mean fruit weight, color, titratable acidity, and fruit firmness. It was concluded that on coarse-textured soils with low B availability, the drip B fertigation of mature apple trees in high-density orchards can be recommended from the stage of bud burst to petal fall at a rate of 0.5 g tree^{? 1}.     

水培法磷矿石对小麦生长的影响

Screening cultivars to grow under conditions of low phosphorus (P) availability and utilize P efficiently from compounds of low solubility in soils may be beneficial to overcome poor plant growth in P-deficient soils.The growth behavior and P utilization efficiency of seven wheat cultivars grown in hydroponics were studied,using rock phosphate as P source.The wheat cultivars grown for 30 days were significantly different in biomass accumulation,P uptake and P utilization efficiency.The dry matter production of all the cultivars was significantly correlated with P uptake,which in turn correlated to the drop in the root medium pH.The ranking of wheat cultivars on the basis of dry matter yield,P uptake and P utilization efficiency was Zamindar 80 ＞ Yccora ＞ C 271 ＞ WL 711 ＞ Barani 83 ＞ PARI 73 ＞ Rohtas.The cultivar Zamindar 80 appeared to possess the best growth potential in P-deficient soils.     

Phosphorus Fertilizer Requirements and Nutrient Uptake of Irrigated Dry‐Season Cotton Grown on Virgin Soil in Tropical Australia

Considerable amounts of phosphorus (P) fertilizer will be required on soils in the proposed Ord Stage II area of northwestern Australia if a sustainable dry‐season cotton production system is to be established, because in their virgin state the soils are known to be inherently low in P. This study aimed to determine P fertilizer requirements on these soils to optimize cotton yield as well as nutrient uptake. Five rates of P fertilizer were applied to soil recently cleared of trees and prepared for irrigation. In the second year, these same rates were imposed over the trial. We conclude that the application of 60 kg ha^?1 of P was sufficient to allow maximum yield and quality for dry‐season cotton grown in the first season on virgin soils in the Ord River Irrigation Area, whereas a total of 80 kg ha^?1 of P was required when cotton was grown over two seasons.