scholarly journals Towards optimal use of phosphorus fertiliser

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mart B. H. Ros ◽  
Gerwin F. Koopmans ◽  
Kees Jan van Groenigen ◽  
Diego Abalos ◽  
Oene Oenema ◽  
...  

Abstract Because phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting nutrients in agricultural systems, P fertilisation is essential to feed the world. However, declining P reserves demand far more effective use of this crucial resource. Here, we use meta-analysis to synthesize yield responses to P fertilisation in grasslands, the most common type of agricultural land, to identify under which conditions P fertilisation is most effective. Yield responses to P fertilisation were 40–100% higher in (a) tropical vs temperate regions; (b) grass/legume mixtures vs grass monocultures; and (c) soil pH of 5–6 vs other pHs. The agronomic efficiency of P fertilisation decreased for greater P application rates. Moreover, soils with low P availability reacted disproportionately strong to fertilisation. Hence, low fertiliser application rates to P-deficient soils result in stronger absolute yield benefits than high rates applied to soils with a higher P status. Overall, our results suggest that optimising P fertiliser use is key to sustainable intensification of agricultural systems.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (01-02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl W. Nyabundi ◽  
P. Okinda Owuor ◽  
Godfrey W. Netondo ◽  
John K. Bore

Tea husbandry practices in Kenya are uniform despite variations in responses to agronomic inputs with locations. Nitrogen availability is the most limiting tea/crop growth factor. However, tea yields vary with region of production even with the same cultivar, suggesting responses to nitrogen fertiliser and nitrogen utilisation may vary with locations. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of clone TRFK 6/8 was investigated across three different locations/environments in western Kenya. Yields responded significantly (pd”0.05) to nitrogen fertiliser rates, but the responses varied with location of production. The responses to nitrogen rates were significantly lower (pd”0.05) in Timbilil than in Arroket and Changoi. This suggests that optimal nitrogenous fertiliser application rates should vary with locations. Nitrogen application rates between 75- 300Kg N did not cause significant variation in harvestable shoots nitrogen contents. However, there were large differences in the amounts of nitrogen removed with crop. The NUE of tea decreased as nitrogen fertiliser rates increased and was low in areas where yield responses were low. Such areas need low nitrogen fertiliser application rates to justify return on investment. Quantity of nitrogen removed with crop followed same pattern. On replacement basis, nitrogen removed with crop did not exceed the recommended rate of application (150 kg N/ha/year) at any location or nitrogen rate. Shoot nitrogen contents suggest that soil applied nitrogen may not be responsible for locational variations in yield realisation. Results demonstrate that fertiliser management practices, especially nitrogen rates need to be location specific.


2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. SAARELA ◽  
H. HUHTA ◽  
P. VIRKAJÄRVI

In order to update fertilisation recommendations for Finnish silty and sandy soils, the effects of repeated phosphorus (P) fertilisation on the yields of cereals, grasses and other crops were measured at ten sites for 9 to 18 years. Results of some earlier studies were also used in examining the relationships of the yield responses to applied P and to the soil test values measured by the Finnish ammonium acetate method (PAc). Significant effects of P fertilisation were observed at all sites that had low or medium PAc values; in the case of potatoes, even at sites with fairly high values. The mean relative yield without applied P divided by yield with 60 or 45 kg P ha-1 of the ten sites was 81% (mean PAc 11.6 mg dm-3) varying from 55% at the PAc value of 4.7 mg dm-3 to 100% at the highest PAc values. In order to achieve a relative yield of 97%, which is considered the optimum for cereals and leys, the required mean annual application of P in the later parts of the experiments was 25 kg ha-1 (variation 0-42 kg ha-1). On the six soils that had low or medium PAc values (4.5-9.1 mg dm-3, mean 8.0 mg dm-3), relative yield was 97% at the P application rate of 35 kg ha-1 (variation 22-42 kg ha-1), while 11 kg P ha-1 (variation 0-25 kg ha-1) sufficed on the four soils that had higher PAc values (mean 20.8 mg dm-3, variation 11.7-35.2 mg dm-3). Reasons for the poor availability of P in silty and sandy soils were discussed.;


Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 913 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Dorahy ◽  
I. J. Rochester ◽  
G. J. Blair

Abstract. Seventeen field experiments were conducted on alkaline soils in eastern Australia between 1997 and 2000 to evaluate irrigated cotton response to phosphorus (P) fertilisation. Only 3 experiments demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) increases in crop P uptake or lint yield with P application. Comparison of several soil P tests revealed that Colwell (bicarbonate) P provided the best correlation with P uptake at early flowering and lint yield. Soil P may limit cotton growth where Colwell-P concentrations are <6 mg/kg. Soil P concentrations at most of the sites were well above this critical limit, so P fertiliser application was not required. Average P uptake at physiological cut-out and P removal in seed cotton was 21 and 15 kg P/ha, respectively. Apparent P fertiliser recovery was variable (0–67%) and may have contributed to the lack of response that was observed in 14 out of the 17 experiments. It is recommended that at least 40 kg P/ha be applied to soils with Colwell-P concentrations <6 mg/kg to increase soil P reserves. Application rates of at least 20 kg P/ha are recommended where Colwell-P falls between 6 and 12 mg/kg to maintain soil P fertility.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
G. P. Riethmuller ◽  
K. H. M. Siddique ◽  
S. P. Loss

Yield responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cv. Fiord to applications of fertiliser phosphorus (P), as superphosphate, were measured in 2 field experiments. The P was either (i) placed with the seed while sowing at 6 cm depth and also cultivating at 3–4 cm below the seed (drilled P) or (ii) placed 3–4 cm below the seed while sowing at 6 cm depth (banded P). This was done when the seed and fertiliser were placed in rows at either the standard 19 cm apart (current recommendation) or 38 cm apart (makes it easier to sow into the stubble of the previous crop). Yield of dried shoots and seed (grain) increased with increasing amount of P applied (0–30 kg P/ha in experiment 1, 0–45 kg P/ha in experiment 2), but were unaffected by the method of P application or spacing between seed and fertiliser rows. Therefore, (i) up to 45 kg P/ha can be drilled with the seed while sowing faba bean crops (current farmer practice) and (ii) faba bean can be sown and fertilised at 38-cm spacings making it easier to sow into the stubble of the previous crop than the 19-cm spacing currently being practiced.


Soil Research ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. McBeath ◽  
R. D. Armstrong ◽  
E. Lombi ◽  
M. J. McLaughlin ◽  
R. E. Holloway

Recent field trials on alkaline soils in southern Australia showed significant grain yield responses to liquid compared with traditional granular forms of P fertiliser. However the advantages of liquid over granular P forms of fertiliser has not been consistent on all soil types. In order to better predict the soil types on which liquid P fertilisers are likely to have potential, a glasshouse trial was conducted to compare the responsiveness of wheat to both liquid and granular forms of P on a wide range of Australian soils. A granular P fertiliser (triple superphosphate) and 2 liquid fertilisers (phosphoric acid and ammonium polyphosphate) were compared at a rate equivalent to 12 kg P/ha in 29 soils representing many of the soil types used for grain production in Victoria and South Australia. Wheat biomass was enhanced by P application in 86% of the soils tested. In 62% of the P-responsive soils, wheat dry matter was significantly greater when liquid P fertilisers were used compared with the granular form. Chemical analysis of the soils tested showed that the better performance of liquid P forms was not correlated to total P concentration in soil, P buffer capacity, or P availability as measured by Colwell-P. However, there was a significant positive relationship between calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of soil and wheat responsiveness to liquid P fertiliser.


2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Hill ◽  
R. J. Simpson ◽  
J. T. Wood ◽  
A. D. Moore ◽  
D. F. Chapman

Grassland production in southern Australia is generally based on phosphorus (P)- and nitrogen (N)-deficient soils. Use of P-fertiliser is necessary for high production in higher rainfall zones and economic pressures are increasing the need to apply fertiliser more widely and consistently. The P and N requirements of 10 temperate pasture species were examined to understand how increased fertiliser use will affect grassland botanical composition. The plant species fell into 2 main groups with respect to their critical external P requirements (P application rates required to achieve 90% of maximum yield) : those with a high requirement (Trifolium subterraneum, Hordeum leporinum, Bromus molliformis, Microlaena stipoides, and Phalaris aquatica), and those with a low requirement (Lolium rigidum, Vulpia spp., Austrodanthonia richardsonii, and Holcus lanatus). The critical external N requirements of H. leporinum, L. rigidum, and B. molliformis were significantly higher than those of A. richardsonii, Arctotheca calendula, and H. lanatus. Species that ‘tolerate’ nutrient stress were relatively abundant in unfertilised grazing systems and tall ‘competitor’ species were dominant in fertilised pasture under low grazing pressure. The abundance of the species present in fertilised pastures grazed for high utilisation was negatively correlated with their relative growth rates and it is hypothesised that this may indicate that abundance was determined by tolerance or avoidance of grazing.


Author(s):  
D.R. Wilson ◽  
J.B. Reid ◽  
R.F. Zyskowski ◽  
S. Maley ◽  
A.J. Pearson ◽  
...  

Fertiliser management is an important aspect of growing good forage brassica crops. Every crop has a different requirement, depending on soil fertility and the expected yield response. Systems were developed for forecasting how much fertiliser, and what types, to apply to individual kale and Pasja crops. First, yield responses to fertiliser application were measured in trials in diverse climates and soil fertility conditions. Yield responded strongly to N and P availability, there were few responses to K fertiliser application, and there were no responses to S application. Second, overall responses to the nutrient supply from soil and fertiliser sources were determined in a comprehensive across-trials analysis using the PARJIB model. R-squared values for correlations between actual yields and yields simulated with the PARJIB calibrations were 0.65 and 0.64 for Pasja and kale respectively. Finally, the results were programmed into new software systems (The Kale Calculator and The Pasja Calculator) that deliver a forecast for each crop of the types and amounts of fertiliser that will give the best economic return on the investment in fertiliser. Keywords: The Kale Calculator, The Pasja Calculator, fertiliser application, yield response, PARJIB analysis


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. SALO ◽  
J. ESKELINEN ◽  
L. JAUHIAINEN

Since 1995 the Finnish Agri-Environmental Program has set limits for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser application rates in agriculture. The decrease in N and P fertiliser recommendations, and especially the decrase in N and P amounts applied in practice, has raised the question of whether N and P application rates are too low to produce high quality yields. The test weight, 1000 grain weight and protein concentrations measured in 1990–2005 by the Cereal Inspection Unit of the Finnish Food Safety Authority were analysed against soil type, location and NP fertiliser data. The purpose of this study was to document and statistically analyse changes in fertiliser use, important quality factors and the connection between fertiliser use and grain quality of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), winter rye (Secale cereale L.) as well as spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Applications of N and P fertiliser, test weight and 1000 grain weight have decreased in Finland since 1990-1994. Protein content began to decrease in 1995–1999, but then increased in 2000–2005. The statistical analysis showed that reduced N application rates are associated with lower test weight, 1000 grain weight and grain protein concentration. In addition, low P application rates were associated with reduced 1000 grain weight and protein concentration in some instances, although protein concentration also increased in winter wheat grain. The magnitude of grain quality reduction was not solely explicable through N and P application rates. During the observation period many other factors changed in Finnish cereal production and, for example, the decrease in cereal prices, increase of reduced tillage and low investments in drainage and liming could have been associated with decreased grain quality.;


HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1391-1396
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhu ◽  
Yuncong C. Li ◽  
Rao S. Mylavarapu ◽  
Kelly Morgan ◽  
Mingjian Geng

Preplant soil testing is essential for optimizing phosphorus (P) fertilization and minimizing the potential for soil P losses. Currently, there is no effective soil P extractant for calcareous soils in Florida. This study was conducted to compare Mehlich-3, ammonium bicarbonate–diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA), and Olsen for evaluating P availability, estimating soil-test P (STP) critical levels, and calibrating P application rates for fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in a calcareous soil. Tomatoes were grown during Winter 2014 and 2015 with P application rates of 0, 29, 49, 78, 98, and 118 kg·ha‒1 P. Water-extractable P (water-P) and dissolved reactive P (DRP) in leachate were used to determine the STP change point of leaching potential. Results showed the greatest correlation occurred between Mehlich-3 and Olsen of the three STP extractants. For Mehlich-3-P, the medium STP level (producing 75% to 90% relative yield) was predicted from 76 to 89 mg·kg‒1 and the change point was predicted at 88 or 104 mg·kg‒1 by split-line models. The P requirement was calculated from 52 to 112 kg·ha‒1 when Mehlich-3-P was rated as low level (producing 50% to 75% relative yield), which was from 42 to 76 mg·kg‒1. The multiple regression models using AB-DTPA-P and Olsen-P could not predict either the medium STP level or the practical P application rates for the low level. Consequently, based on 2 years of data, Mehlich-3 was the most effective extractant for estimating soil P availability and calibrating P rates in calcareous soils with an extremely high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content.


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