The biological transformation of phosphorus during the incubation of a soil treated with soluble inorganic phosphorus and with fresh and rotted organic materials

Abstract

The effect of adding inorganic phosphorus to the soil on the mineralization of organic phosphorus was studied in an incubation experiment over a period of twelve weeks. The addition of inorganic phosphorus increased the mineralization of soil organic phosphorus. During the decomposition of added organic materials, there was an initial luxury absorption of inorganic phosphorus by soil micro-organisms in the soil receiving high levels of soluble phosphate. This was followed by enhanced mineralization of organic phosphorus as incubation proceeded.