Fluoride accumulation in pasture forages and soils following long-term applications of phosphorus fertilisers

Abstract

Ingestion of soils with high fluoride (F) concentration may cause chronic fluorosis in grazing animals. Analysis of New Zealand pasture soils with long-term phosphorus (P) fertilisation histories showed that total surface soil (0–75 mm depth) F concentration increased up to 217–454 mg kg −1 with P fertiliser application. One-third to two-thirds of F applied in fertilisers resides in the top 75 mm soil depth. Pasture forage accumulation of F was low, and therefore, F intake by grazing animals through pasture consumption is expected to be much lower than F intake by soil ingestion. Ten annual applications of single superphosphate (30 and 60 kg P ha −1 year −1) to a Pallic Soil (Aeric Fragiaqualf) significantly increased total F and labile F (0.01 M CaCl 2 extract) concentrations to 200 and 120 mm depths, respectively, of the 300 mm depth investigated. The mobility of F in the soil profile was similar to two other elements, P and cadmium derived from the fertiliser.