Phosphorus Uptake from Soil Layers Having Different Soil Test Phosphorus Levels1

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of available P in subsoil on plant uptake of P from surface soil layers and consequently on fertilizer recommendations is largely unknown. Our objective was to determine how much P may be removed by crops from subsurface soil layers and how the subsurface P level influences crop drawdown of P from the surface layer. Soil columns were prepared that contained all four possible combinations of low or high P levels in the surface soil and low or high P levels in the subsurface layer. The soil used was a Farnum fine sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Pachic Argiustoll). Phosphorus removal was monitored by growing hybrid sorghum‐sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. ‘Honey Chow’] 84 days with an intermediate harvest after 35 days. Compared to when both the surface and subsurface layers had low P levels, P uptake increased when either or both layers had high P levels. Root growth and morphology responded to the P level of the soil layers. For all conditions, P uptake demonstrated a high correlation (R2=0.94) to an accessibility factor defined as the product of the available P level and root length summed for both soil layers. Comparing ratios of crop P removal to the change in soil test showed that P drawdown from the surface layer was reduced when the P‐supplying capacity of the subsurface layer was high. We concluded that available P in the subsurface layer can supply P to the crop, especially if the surface layer cannot supply sufficient P to meet crop demand. These results suggest that subsoil fertility should be considered in evaluating P available to crops and in estimating crop drawdown of available P.