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Soil phosphate chemistry and the P-sparing effect of previous phosphate applications

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Abstract

Soil phosphate research has been hampered by the persistence of superseded ideas and language. Consequently few have recognised the two phosphate-sparing effects of previous phosphate fertilizer application: one caused by the decreased buffering capacity; the other caused by the eventual cessation of the diffusive movement of phosphate into the adsorbing particle. This is one cause of excessive phosphate applications and thence to contamination of water.

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Notes

  1. It is probable that most of the reaction of phosphate is with iron oxides. However, some reaction with aluminium oxides may also occur. It is difficult to distinguish them; nor is it very useful as both oxides have similar variable charge properties. Further, “iron oxides” contain appreciable aluminium and vice versa. In the remainder of this manuscript “iron” should be read as “iron and perhaps aluminium”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, USA

    N. J. Barrow

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  1. N. J. Barrow
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Correspondence to N. J. Barrow.

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Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

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Barrow, N.J. Soil phosphate chemistry and the P-sparing effect of previous phosphate applications. Plant Soil 397, 401–409 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2514-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2514-5

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