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The distribution and availability of phosphorus fractions in restored cut slopes soil aggregates: a case study of subalpine road, southwest China

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Abstract

The distribution and availability of phosphorus (P) fractions in restored cut slope soil aggregates, along altitude gradients, were analyzed. Samples were collected at 3009, 3347, 3654 and 3980 m of altitude. We examined soil aggregates total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP) and phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC), and discovered that there was no significant difference in TP levels between all four altitudes samples (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in AP at 3009, 3347 and 3980 m of altitude (p < 0.05). At the altitudes of 3009, 3347 and 3654 m, the AP accumulation in small size aggregates was more advantageous. Overall, PAC dropped steadily as soil aggregates sizes increased, as shown: PAC (3654 m) > PAC (3347 m) > PAC (3009 m) > PAC (3980 m). In all particle size soil aggregates, the distribution of the P fractions was as follows: total inorganic phosphorus (TPi) > total organic phosphorus (TPo) > residual phosphorus (R-P), at 3009, 3347 and 3654 m, but a different registry was observed at 3980 m of altitude: TPo> TPi> R-P. Through correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis, it was concluded that active NaHCO3-Pi was the main AP source. It was also suggested that more attention should be given to the ratio of small particle size aggregates to increase soil AP storage. In order to improve the activation capacity and supply of soil P, along with promotion of the healthy development of soil ecosystem on slope land, it was suggest that inorganic P fertilizer and P activator could be added to soil at both low (3009 m) and high altitudes (3980 m).

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41971056) and the National Key R & D Program of China (No. 2017YFC0504903). The authors thank all the supporters and referees of the project for their constructive and instructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Mengke Zhu, Bocong Huang, Zongyang Liu, Xiaoyan Ai, Meihua Sheng & Yingwei Ai

  2. Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Shenghao Ai

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Shenghao Ai

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  1. Mengke Zhu
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  2. Bocong Huang
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  3. Shenghao Ai
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  4. Zongyang Liu
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  5. Xiaoyan Ai
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  6. Meihua Sheng
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  7. Yingwei Ai
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Correspondence to Yingwei Ai.

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Highlights

• There was no significant difference in soil aggregates TP along altitude gradient.

• Overall, PAC dropped steadily as aggregate size increased.

• In soil aggregate sizes, TPi > TPo > R-P at 3009,3347 and 3654 m except 3980 m.

• Active NaHCO3-Pi was the main AP source.

• Proportion of small aggregate sizes was emphasized to increase AP storage.

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Zhu, M., Huang, B., Ai, S. et al. The distribution and availability of phosphorus fractions in restored cut slopes soil aggregates: a case study of subalpine road, southwest China. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 17, 42 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1642-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1642-z

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