Long-term greenhouse evaluation of partially acidulated phosphate rock fertilizers

Abstract

Twelve granular partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) fertilizers were compared with unacidulated phosphate rocks (PR) and superphosphate at five rates of total P in the presence and absence of supplementary sulfate and plant residue recycling treatments in a long-term green-house experiment with lucerne (Medicago sativa L., cv. CUF101). The PAPRs were prepared from two PRs (Christmas Is. A grade and Duchess, Queensland) and acidulated at two rates (25% and 50% on an H2SO4 to single superphosphate basis) with either H2SO4 or H3PO4. Six harvests (each bulked from three cuttings) were collected over a 2-year period. It was generally found that lucerne response to PAPRs depended closely on their water-soluble plus citrate-soluble P contents which increased with increased degree of acidulation. The H3PO4 tended to yield more soluble P on acidulation of PR than H2SO4 and acidulation of Christmas Is. PR yielded more soluble P than did acidulation of Duchess PR. There was little evidence for enhanced availability of P due to action of the triple point solution in hydrolyzing granules on residual PR in those granules.