Measurement of P Contribution From Several P Sources by Using <sup>32</sup>P Method

Abstract

P-fertilizer other than chemical fertilizers has been used extensively in agriculture. However, the extent to which P-fertilizer contributes to the growth of plants has only been discussed a few, meanwhile the information will be very helpful to the use of P-fertilizer efficiently. The 32 P method was used to distinguish P contribution from several sources, i.e soil, chemical fertilizer (Sp) and manure/organic fertilizer (Pk). The isotope carrier free solution of KH 2 32 PO 4 , which is contained of 98% 32 P, was applied to the soil and thus making it as the only source of labeled-P. Radioactivity counting of soil samples will lead to the measurement of P-contribution from several sources of P given. The experiment result showed that most of the P taken up by the plants was from soil. Thus, the P from Sp (P-Sp) and Pk (P-Pk) became un-significantly support the plant growth expressed in lesser dry weight of straw, grain and plants compared to those who taken its P from soil. Although soil contributed most of its available P to straw and grain of lowland rice, but Sp and Pk still contributed P to both plant parts. It was obtained that in straw 64 – 82% P was derived from soil; 12 – 21% P was derived from Pk; and 18 – 29% P was derived from Sp. For grain 49 – 89% P was derived from soil; 11 – 15% P was derived from Pk; and19 – 45% P was derived from Sp. Received: 20 November 2009; Revised: 09 August 2010; Accepted: 23 August 2010