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Downward movement and transformation of phosphorus in soils after long-continued fertilizer application to coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. Loganathan
Affiliation:
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka
V. Nalliah
Affiliation:
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka

Summary

Determinations of sodium bicarbonate (pH 8·5) extractable P made on profiles of a sandy loam soil 7 and 8 years after fertilizer application to coconut in the Dry zone of Sri Lanka showed that the downward movement of P from concentrated superphosphate was greater than from rock phosphate (saphos). The surface layers (0–15 cm) of soil given concentrated superphosphate had higher P values (60 and 89 mg/kg for the 8th and 9th year respectively) than those given rock phosphate (3 and 16·5 mg/kg). At 40 cm depth the concentrated superphosphate treatment had 6 and 30 mg P/kg but the rook phosphate treatment had almost zero P at and below 40 cm.

Phosphorus in the soil profile 8 years after fertilizer application was fractionated by the method of Chang & Jackson. Concentrated superphosphate treatment increased the Al-P and to a lesser degree Fe-P and Ca-P. Rock phosphate treatment increased the Ca-P and to a lesser extent Fe-P and Al-P. Phosphorus concentration in the 14th leaf was significantly correlated with Al-P, Fe-P and NaHCO3-P but not with Ca-P and organic P.

The significance of the findings to phosphorus fertilizer application to coconut is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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