The effectiveness of rock phosphate fertilisers in Australian agriculture: a review

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland ◽  
RJ Gilkes ◽  
MFD' Antuono
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Rock Phosphates ◽  
Mean Annual Rainfall

Plant responses to apatite rock phosphates and Calciphos, a calcined calcium iron-aluminium rock phosphate fertiliser, have been measured in many pot and field experiments in Australia, but there is no consistent view of the agronomic effectiveness of these fertilisers. Quantitative indices of the effectiveness of freshly applied rock phosphates relative to freshly applied superphosphate (relative effectiveness or RE values) have been calculated from the data for 164 Australian pot and field experiments on the basis of the substitution value of the rock phosphates for superphosphate. RE values range from <0.1 to 2.5, with the mean value for apatite rock phosphates being 0.26 compared with 0.42 for Calciphos. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrate that variations in RE values were primarily due to systematic differences in experimental design and fertiliser solubility, and not to differences in soil pH, plant species, the capacity of the soil to adsorb P and mean annual rainfall. All RE values >0.4 were obtained from experiments in which only 1 or 2 levels of fertiliser were applied to soils that were poorly responsive to applied P; thus it was not possible to define the complete response curves required to obtain precise values of RE. In most cases, RE values were < 0.4 for experiments in which several levels of fertiliser P were applied to highly P-responsive soils so that complete response curves were defined and precise values of RE estimated. The effectiveness of previously applied rock phosphate (i.e, residual value) remained low and approximately constant for several years after application, being 5-30% as effective as freshly applied superphosphate for the various experiments. The corresponding average value of the relative effectiveness of superphosphate declined by 40% in the first year after application, by a further 15% in the second year, and by a further 30% over the remaining 6 years. However, the magnitude of these declines in relative effectiveness differed substantially between individual sites. The residual value of both the superphosphate and rock phosphate fertilisers appears not to have been systematically influenced by soil type, soil pH, the capacity of the soil to adsorb P, mean annual rainfall, and whether the fertilisers were topdressed or were incorporated. However, there is a need for additional experiments to investigate the influence of these factors on fertiliser effectiveness. It is concluded that, on the basis of published data, rock phosphate fertilisers cannot be regarded as economic substitutes for fertilisers containing water-soluble P for most agricultural applications in Australia. This is because, relative to freshly applied superphosphate, the fertiliser effectiveness of rock phosphates is low in the year of application and it remains low in subsequent years so that uneconomical, very high rates of application of rock phosphate are required.

A comparison of values for initial and residual effectiveness of rock phosphates measured in pot and field experiments

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 753 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Weatherley ◽  
MDA Bolland ◽  
RJ Gilkes
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Pot Experiment ◽  
Systematic Change ◽  
Rock Phosphates ◽  
Residual Effectiveness

The effectiveness of Calciphos (500�C calcined calcium-aluminium C-grade rock phosphate from Christmas Island), Queensland rock phosphate (low carbonate substituted apatite, from Duchess deposit, Northern Queensland [QRP]), and granular North Carolina rock phosphate (highly carbonate substituted apatite from U.S.A. [NCRP]) were compared with the effectiveness of monocalcium phosphate (MCP) fertilisers in pot and field experiments. Three different lateritic soils from south-western Australia and different plant species were used. In the pot experiment, the effectiveness of the fertilisers was measured relative to freshly applied MCP for 5 successive crops. Subterranean clover, oats, triticale and barley were grown for about 1 month before harvesting. In the field experiment, the same plants were grown, and the effectiveness of the fertilisers was measured relative to freshly applied triple superphosphate for 3 successive years. On a dry matter yield basis, the effects of freshly applied rock phosphate dressings measured in the pot experiment were in a similar range to those measured in the field experiment for the same soil types, and the same plant species, indicating that pot trials can substitute for field trials for the evaluation of the initial effectiveness of fertilisers. However, the residual effectiveness values for both MCP and the RPs were generally much lower for the pot experiment, indicating that pot experiments cannot replace long-term field experiments for the reliable measurement of residual effectiveness of fertilisers. For the pot experiment, the relative effectiveness values of freshly applied NCRP and Calciphos for all soils were 0.2-0.3 and 0.1-0.2 respectively. The corresponding values for the field experiment were 0.1-0.3 for NCRP and 0.1 for Calciphos. For the pot experiment, the relative effectiveness of freshly applied QRP on all soils ranged from 0.03 to 0.1, compared with from 0.1 to 0.3 for the field experiment. The relative effectiveness of all fertilisers declined markedly with successive crops (i.e. crops 2-5) in the pot experiment, whereas in the field experiment the relative effectiveness of QRP and NCRP showed no systematic change for the 3-years of the experiment. For the pot experiment the relative effectiveness of residual MCP decreased to about 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1, compared with 0.5, 0.2 and 0.5 for the field experiment for West Dale, South Bodallin and Gibson soils, respectively. For the pot experiment and for all soils the residual relative effectiveness of NCRP and Calciphos was about 0.01- 0.04, compared with 0.003-0.02 for QRP. For the field experiment the corresponding values were 0.05-0.2 for NCRP and Calciphos and 0.01-0.1 for QRP. For both the pot and the field experiments the relationship between yield and phosphorus content was sometimes dependent on fertiliser type.

The interaction between soil pH and phosphorus for wheat yield and the impact of lime-induced changes to soil aluminium and potassium

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Scanlan ◽  
Ross F. Brennan ◽  
Mario F. D'Antuono ◽  
Gavin A. Sarre
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Additive Effect ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
The Impact

Interactions between soil pH and phosphorus (P) for plant growth have been widely reported; however, most studies have been based on pasture species, and the agronomic importance of this interaction for acid-tolerant wheat in soils with near-sufficient levels of fertility is unclear. We conducted field experiments with wheat at two sites with acid soils where lime treatments that had been applied in the 6 years preceding the experiments caused significant changes to soil pH, extractable aluminium (Al), soil nutrients and exchangeable cations. Soil pH(CaCl2) at 0–10cm was 4.7 without lime and 6.2 with lime at Merredin, and 4.7 without lime and 6.5 with lime at Wongan Hills. A significant lime×P interaction (P<0.05) for grain yield was observed at both sites. At Merredin, this interaction was negative, i.e. the combined effect of soil pH and P was less than their additive effect; the difference between the dose–response curves without lime and with lime was greatest at 0kgPha–1 and the curves converged at 32kgPha–1. At Wongan Hills, the interaction was positive (combined effect greater than the additive effect), and lime application reduced grain yield. The lime×P interactions observed are agronomically important because different fertiliser P levels were required to maximise grain yield. A lime-induced reduction in Al phytotoxicity was the dominant mechanism for this interaction at Merredin. The negative grain yield response to lime at Wongan Hills was attributed to a combination of marginal soil potassium (K) supply and lime-induced reduction in soil K availability.

scholarly journals Field experiments on phosphate fertilizers: A joint investigation

1956 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Dicalcium Phosphate ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Basic Slag ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizers ◽  
Rock Phosphates ◽  
Joint Investigation

The results of over 400 field experiments testing different kinds of phosphate fertilizers are summarized and are discussed with special reference to the reactions of the soils used. The classifications were:‘very acid’ soils—pH below 5·5, ‘acid soils’— pH 5·6 to 6·5, neutral soils—pH over 6·5. All comparisons are made in terms of fertilizers supplying the same amounts of total phosphorus.In war-time experiments Gafsa and Morocco rock phosphates were about two-thirds as efficient as superphosphate for swedes and turnips grown on very acid soils. In 1951–3 experiments on very acid and acid soils Gafsa phosphate was practically equivalent to superphosphate for swedes, but for potatoes it was as effective as only one-third as much phosphorus supplied as superphosphate; on neutral soils Gafsa phosphate was useless. For establishing grassland on acid soils Gafsa and Morocco phosphate were equivalent to about onethird as much phosphorus supplied as high-soluble basic slag. Rock phosphates were somewhat more effective for promoting growth of established grassland but they remained inferior to high-soluble basic slags and to superphosphate. Curacao rock phosphate was roughly equivalent to Gafsa phosphate for swedes and grass. Florida pebble phosphate was much less effective and was judged unsuitable for direct application. Mixtures of rock phosphate with superphosphate were not more efficient than equivalent amounts of the separate components used correctly.Silicophosphate was practically as effective as superphosphate for swedes grown on very acid and acid soils; it was less efficient on neutral soils. For potatoes silicophosphate was nearly as effective as superphosphate on very acid soils; it was much less efficient on acid and neutral soils. Silicophosphate was roughly equivalent to high-soluble basic slag for grassland.Mixtures of superphosphate with lime, serpentine, and low-grade basic slag were prepared, most of the water-soluble phosphorus being converted to insoluble forms. In experiments on swedes and potatoes these basic superphosphates were not superior to untreated superphosphate. For establishing grassland on very acid soils, the mixtures were slightly superior to ordinary superphosphate.Dicalcium phosphate was practically equivalent to superphosphate for swedes on all groups of soils. For potatoes dicalcium phosphate was more efficient than superphosphate on very acid soils, on less acid and neutral soils it was inferior to superphosphate.

Efficiency of nitric phosphates and Mussoorie rock phosphate in three cycles of clusterbean–wheat and groundnut–wheat rotations

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Hundal ◽  
B. R. Arora ◽  
G. S. Sekhon
Keyword(s):  
Relative Efficiency ◽  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Soluble Phosphorus ◽  
Effective Source ◽  
Phosphatic Fertilizers

SUMMARYNitric phosphates containing 80, 50 and 30% water-soluble phosphorus, and Mussoorie rock phosphate, alone or with Amjhore pyrites, farmyard manure or straw, were compared relative to concentrated superphosphate for each of three cycles of a clusterbean–wheat and a groundnut–wheat rotation. Both the field experiments were made on alkaline P-deficient Samana sands. All phosphatic fertilizers were applied to each crop at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 kg P/ha. Dry forage of clusterbean, groundnut pods and grain yield of wheat were measured. The model of concurrent straight line response was employed to calculate availability coefficient ratios which express the relative effectiveness of the different phosphatic fertilizers.Nitric phosphate containing 80 % water-soluble phosphorus and concentrated superphosphate were almost equal in their effectiveness in both 3-year rotational studies of clusterbean–wheat and groundnut–wheat. The relative efficiency of the nitric phosphates increased with the amount of water-soluble phosphorus they contained. Mussoorie rock phosphate was the least effective source of fertilizer phosphorus, although its efficiency is considerably higher for the legume clusterbean and for groundnut than for the cereal wheat. The efficiency of Mussoorie rock phosphate increased when it was mixed with the soil together with Amjhore pyrites, farmyard manure and straw respectively. These materials were more effective for clusterbean and groundnut than for wheat.

A review of the use of phosphate rocks as fertilizers for direct application in Australia and New Zealand.

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
NS Bolan ◽  
RE White ◽  
MJ Hedley
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Chemical Reactivity ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Phosphate Rocks ◽  
Mean Annual Rainfall ◽  
Suitable Area

Field trials in New Zealand have shown that reactive phosphate rocks (RPRs) can be as effective as soluble P fertilisers, per kg of P applied, on permanent pastures that have a soil pH<6.0 (in water) and a mean annual rainfall >800 mm. Whereas RPRs such as North Carolina, Sechura, Gafsa and Chatham Rise have been evaluated on permanent pastures in New Zealand, most Australian field trials have examined unreactive PRs such as Christmas Island A and C grade, Nauru and Duchess, using annual plant species. Only in recent experiments has an RPR, North Carolina, been examined. Except on the highly leached sands in southern and south-western Australia, both reactive and unreactive PRs have shown a low effectiveness relative to superphosphate. In addition to chemical reactivity, other factors may contribute to the difference in the observed agronomic effectiveness of PRs in Australia and New Zealand. Generally, PRs have been evaluated on soils of lower pH, higher pH buffering capacity (as measured by titratable acidity) and higher P status in New Zealand than in Australia. Rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year on New Zealand pastures than in Australia where the soil surface dries out between rainfall events. Dry conditions reduce the rate at which soil acid diffuses to a PR granule and dissolution products diffuse away. Even when pH and soil moisture are favourable, the release of P from PR is slow and more suited to permanent pasture (i.e. the conditions usually used to evaluate PRs in New Zealand) than to the annual pastures or crops used in most Australian trials. Based on the criteria of soil pH<6.0 and mean annual rainfall >800 mm, it is estimated that the potentially suitable area for RPRs on pasture in New Zealand is about 8 million ha. Extending this analysis to Australia, but excluding the seasonal rainfall areas of northern and south-western Australia, the potentially suitable area is about 13 million ha. In New Zealand, many of the soils in the North and South Islands satisfy both the pH and rainfall criteria. However, suitable areas in Australia are confined mainly to the coastal and tableland areas of New South Wales and eastern Victoria, and within these areas the actual effectiveness of RPR will depend markedly on soil management and the distribution of annual rainfall. Further research on RPR use should be focused on these areas.

Residual value of molybdenum for wheat production on naturally acidic soils of Western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Wheat Roots ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Tissue Test

Naturally acidic sandplain soils in the lower rainfall (<350 mm annual average) eastern region of the agricultural areas of south-western Australia are deficient in molybdenum (Mo) for grain production of wheat. Liming soils ameliorates Mo deficiency, but it is not an economic option for these soils because they are naturally acidic at soil depths commonly explored by wheat roots. Consequently, Mo fertiliser, usually as Mo trioxide, needs to be applied to wheat on these soils. The residual value of the Mo fertiliser for these soils was not known, so was measured using grain yield of wheat in 2 long-term field experiments. The Mo fertiliser treatments were applied once only in different years to plots not treated with Mo in a previous year. In both experiments, the residual value of the fertiliser was measured in 1993. Thus, it was possible to determine the effectiveness of the fertiliser applied once only 1–11 years previously (previous Mo) relative to freshly applied (current) Mo applied in 1993. At both sites, a continuous decline in the effectiveness of previous Mo relative to current Mo was related to time of Mo–soil contact. In experiment 1, the effectiveness of previous Mo relative to current Mo decreased by about 40, 50, 60 and 70% when applied 2, 5, 7 and 11 years previously. In experiment 2, on a more acidic soil with a larger capacity to sorb Mo, the relative effectiveness of previous Mo decreased by about 60 and 80% for Mo applied 2 and 6 years previously. The concentration of Mo measured in youngest emerged leaf blades was related to 90% of the maximum shoot yield at the time of sampling (diagnostic critical tissue test value) and to 90% of the maximum grain yield (prognostic critical tissue test value). Irrespective of the growth stage of wheat, both critical diagnostic and prognostic values were about 0.07 mg Mo/kg. The concentration of Mo in grain that was related to 90% of the maximum grain yield was 0.02 mg/kg. The reapplication of Mo fertiliser to naturally acidic sands can be made with knowledge of the residual value and use of tissue testing for Mo, particularly when sampled at early growth stages of wheat.

Residual value of phosphorus from superphosphate for wheat grown on soils of contrasting texture near Esperance, Western Australia.

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Good Prediction ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
P Content ◽  
P Application ◽  
Texture Contrast

The residual value for wheat of phosphorus (P) from superphosphate was measured in field experiments on two texture-contrast (duplex) soils near Esperance, Western Australia. Superphosphate was applied to previously untreated plots once only, in 1980, 198 1, 1982 or 1983. The residual value of this P was measured in 1983 relative to P applied in 1983. Results were similar for both soils. Superphosphate applied in previous years did not produce the same yield as superphosphate applied in the current year. As calculated from yield response, relative effectiveness was 65, 42 or 32% after 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Yield depended on P content of plant tops, and this relationship was independent of time of P application. As the period of contact of P with the soil increased, less P was taken up by the plants, and this limited yield. As calculated from the P content of plant tops, relative effectiveness was 60, 30 or 23% after 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. The amount of P extracted from the soil by 0.5M sodium bicarbonate decreased by about 54% from day 210 to day 575 after application of superphosphate, by a further 35% from day 575 to day 940, and by 15% from day 940 to day 1305. Bicarbonate-extractable P determined on soil samples collected mid January 1983 gave a good prediction of yields measured in the spring of that year

Granular reactive apatite rock phosphate is not an effective phosphorus fertilizer in the short term on lateritic soils in south-western Australia.

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland ◽  
AJ Weatherley ◽  
RJ Gilkes ◽  
JW Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Carbonate Apatite ◽  
Rock Phosphates ◽  
Fertilizer Effectiveness ◽  
Eastern Australia

The effectiveness, as a phosphate fertilizer, of granular reactive rock phosphate (carbonate substituted apatite from North Carolina, U.S.A.), granular triple superphosphate and partly powdered Duchess non-reactive rock phosphate (low carbonate apatite from north-eastern Australia) was compared in three field experiments on different soil types in different climatic regions of south-western Australia. Calciphos (finely ground calcined crandallite rock phosphate from Christmas Island) was included in one experiment. The rock phosphates were incorporated into the soil and their effectiveness was compared with both topdressed and incorporated superphosphate. Different species were grown at each site (barley, triticale and subterranean clover). As determined on the basis of relative amounts of fertilizer required for constant yield, the effectiveness of all the rock phosphates relative to incorporated superphosphate was very low at each site throughout the growth of each species. Fertilizer effectiveness of rock phosphates was about one-fifth that of superphosphate for barley, and one-tenth for triticale and clover. The maximum yield obtained from rock phosphate was generally 88-100% that obtained from superphosphate. Incorporation did not greatly affect the effectiveness of superphosphate.

Growth characters and yield of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) as affected by contents of water–soluble P in triple superphosphate/dicalcium phosphate and triple superphosphate/rock phosphate mixtures

1972 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. P. Govil ◽  
Rajendra Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Dicalcium Phosphate ◽  
Soluble Phosphate ◽  
Triple Superphosphate ◽  
Rock Phosphates ◽  
Phosphorus Application

SUMMARYA field experiment was made during the rainy seasons of 1968 and 1969 on a sandy loam soil to study the response of Sorghum hybrid CSH–1 to phosphorus in relation to content of water-soluble phosphate in fertilizers. Triple superphosphate, dicalcium phosphate, rock phosphate (200-mesh), nitrophosphate and mixtures of triple superphosphate with dicalcium phosphate and rock phosphate in 3:1, 2:2 and 1:3 ratios were studied. The amounts of phosphorus applied were 30 and 60 kg P2O5/ha. Phosphorus application significantly affected dry matterproduced, plant height, days to 50% bloom, number of grains per ear, thousand-grain weight, stover and grain yield. Triple superphosphate and 3:1 triple superphosphate/dicalcium phosphate mixture were the most effective while rock phosphate and 1:3 triple superphosphate/rock phosphate mixture the least. Differences among sources were more marked in 1968 and at the higher amount i.e. 60 kg P2O5/ha. The response of sorghum to phosphorus was considerably lowered when the water solubility waa below 50% in triple superphosphate/dicalcium phosphate mixtures and below 75% in triple superphosphate/rock phosphate mixtures. Relative effectiveness was assessed by calculating ‘superphosphate equivalents’ and ‘multiple regressions’. Using superphosphate equivalents dicalcium phosphate, nitrophosphate and rock phosphates were 47–53%, 35–56% and 3–25%, respectively, as effective as triple superphosphate.

ÜBER DIE ANTAGONISTISCHE WIRKUNG VON TRIJODTHYRONIN UND PROGESTERON AUF DEN PREDNISOLONEFFEKT AM EPIPHYSENKNORPEL (PRÜFUNG DER REISSFESTIGKEIT)

1963 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ther ◽  
H. Schramm ◽  
G. Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Prednisolone Acetate ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Deoxycorticosterone Acetate ◽  
Weight Range ◽  
Diuretic Action ◽  
Maximal Load

ABSTRACT Longitudinal tension exerted on a killed rat's femur results always in rupture on the same place viz: the distal epiphyseal line. The power required to produce this effect can be measured with a simple dynamometer. The tensile strength increases with advancing age and during exsiccation (thirst). In untreated rats (weight range 100–120 g) this value amounts to about 1.5–1.8 kg. Tensile strength of the femoral epiphyseal line may be influenced by hormones. Corticosteroids such as prednisolone acetate and cortisol acetate increase the level of maximal load to more than 2.0 kg. In general the effect of a single injection reaches a climax after 48 hours. Dose-response-curves can be established and relative effectiveness may be gathered therefrom. Deoxycorticosterone acetate likewise increases tensile strength in spite of the fact that contrary to prednisolone exhibiting diuretic action this compound has a water retaining effect. Triiodothyronine and progesterone when given alone produce a slight decrease in tensile strength. The effect of prednisolone when given simultaneously with one of these two compounds is antagonized: this phenomenon is more pronounced in the case of triiodothyronine.

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