Microbial biomass P dynamics and sequential P fractionation in high and low P fixing Kenyan soils

Abstract

We tested how the incorporation of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic phosphorus (P), KH2PO4 fertilizer changed soil microbial biomass phosphorus (biomass Po and inorganic and organic P fractions) in high and low P fixing Kenyan soils. Four soil treatments were compared during 32 weeks of laboratory incubation: (i) Nil; (ii) FYM (10 g kg−1); (iii) KH2PO4 (2.5 g kg−1) (P); and (iv) FYM (10 g kg−1) + KH2PO4 (2.5 g P kg−1). Biomass P was determined by fumigation-extraction followed by resin extraction, and P availability determined using a modified Hedley P fractionation method. The addition of FYM + KH2PO4 only increased biomass P in the high P fixing soil. From a maximum of about 22.5 μg P g−1 soil (week 1), biomass P declined to 4.8 (week 2), increased steadily to week 16 (15.2), and then decreased to 9.7 μg P g−1 soil (week 32). Biomass P in the low P fixing soil, with higher fertility, resin P and organic matter concentrations did not show any significant change. The P fractions that changed the most relative to the control, were the resin, Po–HCO3 and P–OH (week 1 and 16). This difference was enhanced in the high P fixing soil but resin P was the same in that soil at week 16, and the reduction in Po–OH in the FYM + KH2PO4 treatment (162.4 μg P g−1) compared to the control (242.2 μg P g−1) was more pronounced. This indicates an enhancement of microbial activity in the high P fixing soil.