Phosphorus Adsorption Saturation of Ferrihydrate as an Index of Phosphorus Availability to Paddy Rice

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of phosphorus (P) sorption/desorption of artificially synthesized ferrihydrate and the relationship between P adsorption saturation of ferrihydrate, rice growth, and P uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied. The results obtained from experiments showed that the artificially synthesized ferrihydrate had a very large adsorption potential to P, with 45045 μg P g^?1 of maximum adsorption capacity (Qm). Phosphorus adsorption isotherm of ferrihydrate could be fitted very well with the Langmuir equation. Desorption of P adsorbed by ferrihydrate was controlled mainly by P adsorption saturation of ferrihydrate. Phosphorus adsorbed by ferrihydrate with saturation of less than 30% was hardly desorbed. Phosphorus desorption slowly increased with the increase of P saturation from 30% to 60%, but sharply increased with P saturation of greater than 60%. Thus it could be seen that P adsorption saturation should be a key factor affecting the availability of P adsorbed by iron oxides and be a better index than the quantity of oxalate-extractable P in estimating P phyto-availability in flooded soils. A Bioassay using rice indicated that 50% of P adsorption saturation could be used as a critical index for diagnosing status of P supplied by ferrihydrate-bonded P at the tillering stage of rice.