The Size of P Pools in Soils is Affected by Soil Properties and Compost Addition

Abstract

ABSTRACTIt is well known that compost amendment can improve soil phosphorus (P) availability, but there are few studies comparing the effect of one compost type on soil P pools of soils which differ in properties. The aim of this glasshouse experiment was to determine the effect of compost (derived from garden waste) application on P pools in soils with different properties planted with wheat. Four soils from two sites were used, with a heavier and a lighter textured soil from each site. The compost was applied as a 2.5 cm thick layer on the soil surface and wheat plants were grown for 63 days. The treatments also included soil without compost and plants. All pots were regularly watered. The soils were sampled on day 0 in the unamended soils and on day 63 in soil without compost and with compost, and plants after removal of the compost layer. Without and with compost the concentrations of most P pools were higher in the two heavier textured soils (16% and 35% clay) than in the two lighter textured soils (8% and 13% clay). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the concentrations of most P pools were positively correlated with organic matter, clay, and silt content of the soils. Only the concentration of water-soluble P was positively correlated with sand content. Compost addition increased the concentration of microbial P, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)-Pi, sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-Pi, hydrochloric acid (HCl)-P, and residual P in all soils, whereas the concentration of NaHCO3-Po was reduced and the concentration of NaOH-Po little affected by compost addition indicating that P was transferred from the compost layer with watering. Compared with the unamended soil on day 0, the concentrations of microbial P, NaHCO3-Pi, NaOH-Pi, HCl-P, and residual P on day 63 were higher, whereas the concentrations of the two organic pools (NaHCO3-Po and NaOH-Po) were lower. This suggests mineralization of organic P pools and formation of inorganic P as well as microbial P uptake. These changes occurred in the unamended and compost-amended soils with greater increases over time in the compost-amended soils. It can be concluded that the size of the P pools is predominately affected by soil texture. Compost amendment increases P availability and microbial P uptake but also leads to the formation of less labile P pools such as HCl-P and residual P which could serve as plant P sources in the long term.