Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rock Research Articles

Appropriate Use of Local Phosphate Rock Increases Phosphorus Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Sorghum and Cowpea in the Sudan Savanna

Development of local P fertilizers using low-grade phosphate rock (PR) is expected to overcome the low-stagnated crop yield in Sub-Saharan Africa. Calcination and partial acidulation methods have been proposed to increase the phosphate (P) solubility of PRs. However, the effects of fertilization with calcinated PR (CPR) and partially acidulated PR (PAPR) on sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivation are poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year field experiment in Burkina Faso to identify the differences in sorghum and cowpea responses to CPR and PAPR application. The following eight treatments were applied with six replicates using a complete randomized block design: control without P fertilization, two types of CP (CPs), triple superphosphate (TSP) as a positive control for CPs, three types of PAPR with different degrees of acidulation (PAPRs), and single superphosphate (SSP) as a positive control for PAPRs. SSP mostly comprised of water-soluble P fraction (WP), TSP and PAPRs of WP and alkaline ammonium citrate-soluble P fraction (SP), and CPRs of SP and 2% citric acid-soluble P fraction (CP). Their solubility was in the order WP > SP > CP. The fertilization effects were evaluated by P use efficiency (PUE). In 2019, the biomass and P uptake of sorghum was decreased by the low available soil water at the early growth stage. On the contrary, cowpea survived the low available soil water because of its shorter growing period compared to sorghum. P fertilization significantly increased the grain yields. However, the effect size differed according to the crop and fertilizer types. The SP, along with WP, significantly contributed to the PUE and grain yield of sorghum, whereas only WP contributed to the PUE of cowpea. Therefore, CPs, mainly consisting of SP and CP, had a disadvantage compared to TSP, especially for cowpea. We thus concluded that PAPRs are effective for sorghum and would be effective for cowpea when the acidulation level is sufficiently high. We also conclude that the long growing period of sorghum is favorable for absorbing slow-release P, but is unfavorable for the variable rainfall often observed in this region.

Agronomic Suitability of Biologically Produced PARP as a Source of Phosphorus for Maize Production

Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) deficiencies are recognized as the major constraint of agricultural productivity in developing countries including Zambia. While N deficits can be restored at least in part through the application of crop residues and manure, the restoration of soil P can only be achieved by use of phosphate fertilizers which are unaffordable by the small scale farmers. The aim of the study was to assess the availability of P for crop use from rock phosphate (RP), partially acidulated by acid produced by sulfur oxidizing bacteria. The RP was obtained from Keren Mining Limited at Sinda district, Zambia; the Pyrite rock (iron sulfur) and bacteria culture were obtained Nampundwe mine dump. The pyrite and PR were ground and mixed with the bacterial culture to produce the Partially Acidulated Rock Phosphate (PARP). A pot experiment was set up in a CRB design in a greenhouse on four soil types with four treatments of: soil alone (control), soil with GRP, soil with PARP and soil with super single phosphate (SSP) replicated four times. The results showed that the plant height, biomass yield and P uptake across the different P sources showed significant differences (p 90% effective within and across the four soils indicating that the PARP is reactive and suitable for direct application for crop production.

Evaluation of fertilizers solubility and phosphate release in slightly acidic arable soil

ABSTRACTThe geochemical reactivity of single superphosphate (SSP), triple superphosphate (TSP), phosphate rock (PR), partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) was evaluated in an incubation trial. The soil was Anthrosols, Ap horizon (Sandy loam). Solubility equilibrium of phosphates was calculated by phosphate (PPot = logH2PO4 – pH) and calcium (CaPot = logCa + 2pH) potentials. Next, activity ratio (AR°) and Woodruff potential (ΔF) were considered for estimating phosphate dynamics in the soil. Data showed that phosphate potentials stressed on significant solubility process and varied accordingly to the rates of the fertilizers: −5.50, −4.81, −4.47 and −4.09 for 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg P ha−1. The values of the Woodruff potential (ΔF) varied widely from −1929 to 8573 cal mol−1, i.e., from marginal supplying power in the case of the control treatment to very high supplying power for the TSP (Triple superphosphate). These findings are of practical value for the following reasons: TSP and KH2PO4 are recommended for quick and high P supply to plants; SSP and PAPR for moderate supply and finally PR for slow and low supply. Phosphorus efficiency should be treated with priority particularly for areas with intensive cropping and susceptibility to runoffs.

Obtaining the partially acidulated phosphate rocks by means of intermediate-grade phosphate and diluted phosphoric acid: Influence of some parameters

Abstract In this work, some parameters during the partial acidulation by phosphoric acid of phosphate 53.75% BPL (bone phosphate of lime) having different particle sizes are determined. P2O5 recovery is obtained by performing a series of reactions using phosphoric acid diluted from 10 to 40 wt.% and with reaction times ranging from 10 to 50 minutes. The best conversion rates are obtained with the following reaction parameters: phosphates size: 88-177 μm, reaction time: 50 minutes and phosphoric acid concentration: 40 wt.%. In the second part, the water-soluble P2O5 of PAPRs (Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rocks) obtained with phosphoric acid 30% and 40 wt.% is measured. The results of experiments showed that the water-soluble P2O5 has reached 15.2% for PAPRs obtained by reacting phosphate 88 μm with phosphoric acid 40 wt%.

Partial acidulation of phosphate rock for enhanced phosphorus availability in alluvial soils of Bihar, India

The present study was undertaken to fractionate partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) and evaluate its effect on Phosphorus availability in alluvial soils. For this purpose, low grade phosphate rock was collected from Udaipur, Rajasthan and acidulated at different degrees with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) (v/v)Results from an incubation study showed that the available fraction of P [Water soluble (WSP) and Citrate soluble (CSP)] increased with increasing degree of acidulation. The maximum WSP was obtained at 50% H2SO4 (52.30% of total P) and the maximum CSP was obtained at 80% H2SO4 (49.54% of total P). 50 % dissolution of rock phosphate was the best treatment and found to be at par with that of 60% and 80% but was significantly superior to rest of the treatments. The maximum WSP in the soil samples was obtained after acidulation with 50 %H2SO4 and the maximum Olsen’s P by the 14th day of incubation. An increasing trend was found at initial stages of incubation (7-14 days) with a notable decrease in the later stages. WSP demonstrated the maximum correlation at 40% dissolution(r = 96* for first order reaction, r =95* for second order reaction) while for Olsen’s P, the maximum correlation was found in initial rock phosphate sample (r =88* for first order reaction, r =94* for second order reaction). Kinetics analysis of the obtained rock phosphate demonstrated that the PARP has more influence on phosphorus release pattern as compared to the inorganic P (SSP).

Temperature and moisture influence on the curing process of PAPR-type fertilizer products

PAPRs (Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rocks) are the most prospective phosphate fertilizers, mainly through the use of the smaller amount of reagents and the ability to utilize low-grade phosphate rocks with a low content of P2O5. The aim of our studies was to investigate the temperature and moisture infl uence on the curing process of PAPR-type fertilizer products. Fertilizer preparations of a PAPR-type were obtained in the Atlas model-type apparatus (Syrris Ltd.). The curing temperature and the moisture content were controlled by the heating time of the reaction vessel and the degree of PAPR stoichiometric norm (ηPAPR). Our results indicate that increasing the curing temperature of the PAPR-type fertilizer product by 10oC can lead to a decrease in the moisture content of the fi nal product by an average value of 1.5% w/w. Additionally reducing the moisture content by 1% w/w may correspond to an increase in P2O5 content by an average value of 0.5% w/w.

Agronomic and environmental aspects of phosphate fertilizers varying in source and solubility: an update review

This review discusses and summarizes the latest reports regarding the agronomic utilization and potential environmental effects of different types of phosphate (P) fertilizers that vary in solubility. The agronomic effectiveness of P fertilizer can be influenced by the following factors: (1) water and citrate solubility; (2) chemical composition of solid water-soluble P (WSP) fertilizers; (3) fluid and solid forms of WSP fertilizers; and (4) chemical reactions of P fertilizers in soils. Non-conventional P fertilizers are compared with WSP fertilizers in terms of P use efficiency in crop production. Non-conventional P fertilizers include directly applied phosphate rock (PR), partially acidulated PR (PAPR), and compacted mixtures of PR and WSP. The potential impacts of the use of P fertilizers from both conventional (fully acidulated) and non-conventional sources are discussed in terms of (1) contamination of soils and plants with toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), and (2) the contribution of P runoff to eutrophication. Best practices of integrated nutrient management should be implemented when applying P fertilizers to different cropping systems. The ideal management system will use appropriate sources, application rates, timing, and placement in consideration of soil properties. The goal of P fertilizer use should be to optimize crop production without causing environmental problems.

Phosphate sources for pasture production on summer‐dry soils in eastern New Zealand

In the period 1988–96, staff of Ravensdown Fertiliser Co‐operative Ltd undertook a series of pastoral trials with the primary purpose of examining the performance of commercially and locally available fertiliser products containing various forms of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S). Treatments included Superphosphate (SSP), Longlife Super, two partially acidulated phosphate rocks (PAPRs), and North Carolina reactive phosphate rock (NCPR), all containing where required additional sulphur (as elemental S, So). These were applied annually for 6 years to supply the current requirements for P and S at each site. The sites were predominantly in eastern New Zealand. This paper covers 12 pastoral sites representing the summer‐dry Pallic soils (yellow‐grey earths and their intergrades to yellow‐brown earths). In mowing trials, 10 sites responded significantly in dry matter production to the commercial fertilisers; the remaining two sites had high initial Olsen P values or did not last 6 years. Superphosphate, Longlife Super, and the PAPR products Hyphos Supreme and Phospar/So produced significantly more dry matter than the control in all years, as did NCPR/So from year 2. Superphosphate gave the highest mean dry matter in all years, producing significantly more dry matter than NCPR/So in all years, Longlife Super in year 4, and the PAPR treatments in years 2–4. By year 5, the Longlife Super and PAPR treatments had reached 80–90% and the NCPR/So 60–70% of the relative effectiveness of SSP. There was some variation in the relative performance of individual fertiliser treatments with each site, however the causes could not be clearly isolated due to the interaction of climate on P and/or S plant availability. Results suggest NCPR/ So treatments were not suitable for these soils, due to their inability to release P quickly, and the high requirement for S on these soils. Longlife Super and PAPR treatments performed well but only on some sites. Currently they are not cost effective compared with SSP. Rainfall, in particular summer rainfall, was considered the most important driver of the treatments in releasing P (and S) on these soils.

Relative Agronomic Effectiveness of phosphate rocks and P adsorption characteristics of an Oxic Rhodustalf in Eastern India

AbstractThe Relative Agronomic Effectiveness (RAE) of rock phosphates as compared to water soluble Triple Super Phosphate was measured on direct, residual, and cumulative application of the P fertilizers in a field experiment with rice on an Oxic‐Rhodustalf in the eastern plateau region of India. The fertilizers were Morocco Rock Phosphate (MORP), Mussoorie Rock Phosphate (MRP), Partially Acidulated Rock Phosphate (PARP), and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP). The RAE of the rock phosphates were lower for direct application (54–80 %) and cumulative application (70–93 %) of P but roughly equal or larger for the residual effect (92–142 %) as compared to TSP. The P adsorption characteristic of the experimental soil conformed to the linear relationship of both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equation. The adsorption data when plotted according to Langmuir equation deviated from a single linear relationship at higher concentration (10 μg ml–1), thereby giving two adsorption maximum values ( 68.49 μg g–1 and 256.41 μg g–1) and binding energies ( 2.86 ml μg–1 and 0.089 ml μg–1) for the soil. Two populations of P adsorption site with widely different affinity for P probably existed in the soil.

Agronomic effectiveness of partially acidulated phosphate rock fertilizers in an allophanic soil at near‐neutral pH

The agronomic effectiveness of five partially acidulated phosphate rocks (PAPRs) and an unground phosphate rock (PR) were compared against single superphosphate (SSP) in a glasshouse experiment using a high phosphorus (P) retention soil at a near‐neutral pH (pH 6.5), and corn (Zea mays L.) as the test crop. The PAPRs were prepared by acidulating unground North Carolina PR with either phosphoric or sulphuric acid (expressed as Phos‐PAPR and SA‐PAPR, respectively) and at three levels of acidulation (20, 33, and 50%). The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) and substitution value (SV) of the test fertilizers, calculated with respect to SSP using the standard “vertical”; and “horizontal”; comparisons, showed that 50% phosphoric acidulated PAPR performed as effectively as SSP whereas the other fertilizers were less effective. The PR treatment showed a small yield response. The dry matter yield and P uptake were linearly related to water‐soluble P of the fertilizers up to 66% of total P and there was no advantage in acidulating fertilizers above this level of water‐soluble P using reactive PR. Whereas very little of the directly‐applied PR dissolved (3.4% of PR applied), PR applied as a component of PAPRs dissolved up to 22%. The dissolved proportion of added PR component increased with increasing water‐soluble P content of the fertilizer. The results suggest a greater efficiency of PAPR than SSP as a P supplier to plants.

Agronomic evaluation of phosphorus fertilizers developed from sokoto rock phosphate in Nigeria

Sokoto rock phosphate (SRP) obtained from Sokoto in the Northern Nigeria was evaluated with some other phosphorus (P) sources viz: Partially acidulated rock phosphate (PARP) and single superphosphate (SSP) in the greenhouse and field studies. These fertilizers were also compared with nitrogen‐phosphorus‐potassium (NPK) 11–12–11–9.7S‐1.4Zn and NPK 10–20–5–6.5S which have 80% of their P as rock phosphate and were formulated through compaction. The fertilizers were applied in the greenhouse at 0–400 mg kg‐1soil on the Oyo Arenic Haplustalf and Alagba Kandiudult soil. Field trials were carried out at four locations—at Ikenne in the humid, Samara in the subhumid, Gumi and Gusau in the semi‐arid zones of Nigeria. The fertilizers were applied at 0–150 kg P2O5 ha‐1 in the humid zone and 0–100 kg P2O5 ha‐1in the subhumid and semi‐arid zones. Maize was used as test crop in most sites except at Samaru where sorghum was planted. The results of the greenhouse study showed that on the Haplustalf, PARP, and NPK 10–20–5–6.5S gave almost a similar relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE about 70%) as SSP, which was followed by SRP and NPK 11–12–11–9.7S‐1.4Zn (RAE between 50 and 60%). On the Kandiudult, the RAE of the fertilizers increased significantly. The PARP and NPK 10–20–5–6.55S gave high effectiveness (RAE about 90%) relative to SSP. The field trials results indicated that ground SRP was suitable for direct application on slightly acid soil in the humid zone (annual rainfall > 1,200 mm). Its efficiency was fairly moderate in the subhumid and quite low in the semi‐arid zones (annual rainfall <900 mm). The PARP gave higher RAE than SRP and had almost similar efficiency as for NPK 10–20–5–6.5S. The PARP was well comparable to SSP in the humid and subhumid zones and was fairly comparable to the later in the semi‐arid. This suggests that PARP may be suitable for humid and subhumid zones and the physical quality was also superior to SRP and SSP. Application of SRP on soils in the semi‐arid zones of low rainfall gave relatively low yields which could be due to inadequate moisture availability required to enhance P solubilization.

Effect of acidulation of high cadmium containing phosphate rocks on cadmium uptake by upland rice

Little information is available in literature on Cd uptake by crops from either phosphate rock (PR) or partially acidulated PR (PAPR). The purpose of this greenhouse experiment was to study the effect of acidulation of two PRs having high Cd content (highly reactive North Carolina PR and low-reactive Togo PR) on Cd uptake by upland rice. The degrees of acidulation with H2SO4 were 100% for North Carolina PR (NC-single superphosphate [SSP]) and 50% or 100% for Togo-PR (i.e., Togo PAPR or Togo-SSP). Separation of the confounding effect between P uptake and Cd uptake from various P sources was made by adding 200 mg P/kg as KH2PO4 to all the treatments. Rates of Cd added from various P sources were 50–400 µg Cd/kg. Upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) was grown on two acid soils (Hartsells, pH 5.0 and Waverly, pH 5.6) to maturity. The results show that Cd uptake by rice grains followed the order of NC-SSP> NC-PR and Togo SSP> Togo PAPR> Togo PR. The results also showed that most of the Cd uptake was retained in rice roots and straw. Total uptake of Cd, Ca, and P by rice plant (root, straw, and grain) was higher from NC-PR than from Togo-PR. Cd concentration in rice grains showed no significant difference between NC-PR and Togo-PR, whereas Cd concentrations in root and straw were higher with NC-PR than that with Togo-PR. There was a significant relationship between total Cd uptake by rice plant and Cd extracted by DTPA from soils treated with various P sources at 400 µg Cd/kg.

Eficiência relativa de fertilizantes fosfatados no crescimento inicial de eucalipto cultivado em solos do cerrado

Tendo como objetivo avaliar a eficiência relativa do superfosfato simples (SS), fosfato parcialmente acidulado (FAPS) e termofosfato magnesiano (TERM) como fonte de P e outros nutrientes para o cultivo de plantações de eucalipto, em dois solos da região dos Cerrados, uma areia quartzosa (50 g kg-1 de argila) álica e um latossolo vermelho-escuro (230 g kg-1 de argila) álico, foi realizado este experimento, sob condições de casa de vegetação, na ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba (SP), em 1993. Subamostras do AQ receberam 0, 75, 150 e 300 mg kg-1 de P e, do LE, 0, 125, 250 e 500 mg kg-1 de P no solo. As doses de P foram estimadas com base na solubilidade dos adubos; SS e FAPS, em citrato de amônio, e TERM, em ácido cítrico 20 g L-1. Em cada vaso (5 kg de solo), deixou-se uma planta de Eucalyptus grandis por 90 dias após a emergência e desbaste das plântulas. Paralelamente ao experimento em casa de vegetação, subamostras de todos os tratamentos, com 2 kg de solo, foram incubadas no interior de sacos plásticos por 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 e 80 dias. Ao término de cada período de incubação, os solos eram amostrados e analisados. Mediante o cálculo de índices de eficiência relativa entre os adubos, verificou-se que o TERM foi superior 64% ao SS e 57% ao FAPS no solo AQ. No LE, o SS foi superior 55% ao TERM e 34% ao FAPS. O TERM foi a fonte de P que promoveu os maiores acréscimos do nível de fertilidade dos solos, com expressiva elevação do pH do solo, redução das concentrações de Al e aumento daquelas de Ca e Mg. Os ganhos de produção das mudas de eucalipto foram altamente correlacionados com a absorção de P, K, Ca, Mg e Zn. O TERM proporcionou as maiores absorções desses nutrientes no solo AQ e, as menores, de P, Ca e Zn no LE. As distintas respostas de crescimento para os adubos avaliados, em ambos os solos, sobretudo para TERM e SS, foram atribuídas, em grande parte, aos efeitos secundários das fontes de P sobre a fertilidade dos solos.

Agronomic effectiveness of a partially acidulated reactive phosphate rock fertiliser

Summary. The agronomic effectiveness of a partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR), produced by the 50% acidulation of North Carolina phosphate rock with sulfuric acid, was compared over 4 growing seasons with triple superphosphate (TSP) and the highly reactive North Carolina phosphate rock at 22 permanent pasture sites in the National Reactive Phosphate Rock Project. The performance of PAPR as a phosphorus (P) fertiliser for permanent pasture was determined by calculating the substitution value of TSP for PAPR at 50% of the maximum yield response for TSP from the fitted annual dry matter response curves. PAPR performance varied both between sites, and between years at individual sites. Annual yield responses with PAPR were larger than those with TSP at 1 high rainfall site where water-soluble P from TSP was thought to leach from the root zone. PAPR was superior to TSP at another site and generally similar in effectiveness to TSP at 4 sites with light-textured, low or medium P-sorbing soils with a moderate annual rainfall (500–750 mm). The mean substitution value over the 4 years for these sites was &gt;0.9. PAPR performance at other sites where highly reactive phosphate rocks were effective in the short or medium term was variable: there were equivalent yield responses to TSP in some years but much smaller yield responses in other years. PAPR performed very poorly in a third group of sites where the soil had a high to very high P sorption capacity or where there was a very high demand for fertiliser P due to large legume responses on a P-deficient soil. Although generally inferior to TSP, the PAPR was more effective than North Carolina phosphate rock at the majority of sites during the 4-year study.

Review of Australian phosphate rock research

Summary. Most of the research on the effectiveness of phosphorus (P) fertilisers in Australia has involved comparing phosphate rock (PR) or partially acidulated PR (PAPR) with superphosphate (SP) or other water-soluble P fertilisers. There are many estimates of effectiveness (current relative effectiveness or CRE) which compared freshly-applied (current) PR and freshly-applied (current) SP. The CRE values for PR range from &lt;0.1 to 2.5, with a mean value for apatite PR of 0.26 and 0.43 for calcined calcium iron aluminium PR (Calciphos). As measured in field experiments in the years after application, and using current SP as a basis for comparison, the residual effectiveness of PR (residual value or RV) is low and constant for up to 11 years after application. Phosphate rock is 5–30% as effective as current SP. The average value of RV for SP declines by about 40% in the first year after application, followed by a further 15% in the second year, and a further 30% over the remaining 6 years. Values of relative effectiveness and RV, and the rate of decline in RV differ substantially between sites and sometimes between plant species. Laboratory studies of reactions between PR and soil have shown that the poor effectiveness of PR is primarily due to the limited extent and rate of dissolution of these fertilisers compared with the almost complete and rapid dissolution of water-soluble P fertilisers. Many Australian soils are only moderately acid (pH in water &gt;5.5) with low pH buffering capacities and they cannot quickly contribute a large supply of hydrogen ions to promote rapid dissolution of PR. Soils are commonly sandy and have low water-holding capacities; in the strongly seasonal Mediterranean climate of south-western and southern Australia, the fertilised surface soil rapidly dries between rains thereby restricting PR dissolution. This restricted dissolution contributes to the poor agronomic effectiveness of PR fertilisers. Studies in Western Australia have shown that the effectiveness of current and residual PR relative to current SP generally decreases with increasing level of application. Therefore, relative to current SP, PR fertilisers become less effective per unit of PR as more is applied to the soil. Consequently, PR fertilisers frequently cannot support the same maximum yield as current SP. Published work indicates that PR fertilisers cannot be regarded as economic substitutes for SP for most agricultural applications in Australia. However, much Australian research has used low reactive PRs in conditions that are not likely to favour even highly reactive PRs. The soils dry out between rains during the growing season and have insufficient hydrogen ions to cause rapid, extensive dissolution of even reactive PR. Research elsewhere has suggested that reactive apatite PRs can be as effective as SP for suitable soils and environments. These are soils that remain wet for the whole growing season and which contain sufficient hydrogen ions to cause rapid dissolution of reactive PR. Laboratory studies, in which there is no P leaching, on 254 different soils collected from throughout south-western Australia showed that 29 soils, all collected from &gt;800 mm average annual rainfall areas, dissolved &gt;40% highly reactive North Carolina PR, suggesting that in the field these soils could be suitable for highly reactive PRs. Insufficient research has been conducted in the high rainfall areas of Australia, where the environment is more likely to favour highly reactive PR, and PAPR made from highly reactive PR. Therefore, a national program was undertaken in 6 Australian states to identify circumstances under which PRs, including reactive PR and PAPR made from reactive PR, may be economic fertilisers for acidic soils in the high rainfall areas of Australia where agricultural production is largely based on pasture production.

Phosphorus availability to irrigated lowland rice as affected by sources, application level and green manure

To evaluate alternative fertilizer phosphorus (P) sources in lowland rice, two field experiments were conducted under irrigated conditions in Quezon Province, Philippines during 1990–1991 crop year. In another field experiment fertilizer P recycling through a green manure crop applied in the succeeding rice, was studied. Addition of fertilizer P increased grain yield by 1.5–2.0 t/ha (46%) in 1990 wet season (WS) and by 1.6–2.1 t/ha (56%) in 1991 dry season (DS). However, fertilizer P source and application level did not effect grain yield significantly. Results indicated that the less water-soluble and less expensive partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR), phosphate rock (PR) and less reactive PR were as effective as the more soluble but more expensive triple superphosphate (TSP). The relative effectiveness (RE) of local guano was significantly lower than that of other sources of fertilizer P. Fertilizer P applied to a pre-rice Sesbania rostrata green manure increased rice grain yield by 1.5–1.9 t/ha during 1991 DS. Further, S. rostrata fertilized with Morocco phosphate rock (MPR) gave significantly higher rice grain yield than did rice fertilized with MPR applied alone. In the P source experiments Olsen method and Pi correlated better with growth attributes than Bray 2 P. Phoshours uptake did not differ significantly among P sources and levels. Results suggest that P uptake was improved with green manuring. Correlation analyses revealed a close correlation between P uptake and dry matter yield and P uptake and grain yield.

Iron and Aluminum Oxide Influence on Agronomic Effectiveness of Modified Phosphate Rocks

AbstractA greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the influence of Fe and Al oxide in phosphate rocks (PR) on partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) effectiveness and to evaluate compaction of PR with soluble phosphates as an alternate method of utilizing PR with high Fe and Al oxide. Five PR with Fe + Al oxide ranging from 19 to 320 g kg−1 were acidulated with 50% of the H2SO4 (PAPR, 50% H2SO4) required to fully convert the PR to triple superphosphate (TSP) or were compacted with TSP so that 50% of the total P was in TSP form (PR + TSP). They were applied to Hartsells silt loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult, pH 4.8) at rates 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg P kg−1. Two successive crops of maize (Zea mays L.) and one of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown. Biomass yield of the first crop from PAPR‐treated soils decreased from 86% of that from TSP to 16% and P uptake from 72 to 12% with increasing Fe and Al oxide from 1.9 to 32%. The decrease in effectiveness of PAPR was directly related to a decrease in water‐soluble P in PAPR with increasing Fe and Al oxide content. The compacted PR = TSP were 86 to 104% as effective as TSP in increasing biomass yield and 78 to 94% as effective in increasing P uptake. There were no great differences between PAPR and the compacted PR + TSP in terms of residual effect on the second crop of maize, except for Matongo PR. The difference in residual effectiveness between PAPR and compacted PR + TSP was not as pronounced for rice as for maize.

Agronomic evaluation of fertilizer products derived from Sukulu Hills phosphate rock

Partial acidulation of phosphate rock (PR) or compaction of PR with soluble P fertilizers can improve the usefulness of unreactive PR for use as P fertilizer. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate nonconventional phosphate fertilizers derived from a low reactive Sukulu Hills PR from Uganda. Raw PR (which contained 341.0 g kg−1 Fe2O3), beneficiated or concentrate PR, partially acidulated PR (PAPR) and PR compacted with triple superphosphate (TSP) were evaluated. Compacted materials had a P ratio of PR:TSP = 50:50. PAPR materials were made by 50% acidulation with H2SO4. TSP was used as a reference fertilizer. Fertilizers were applied to an acidic (pH = 5.4) Hiwassee loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kanhapludults) at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg P kg−1 soil. Two successive corn (Zea mays L.) crops were grown for 6 weeks. Compacted concentrate PR + TSP and raw PR + TSP were 94.4 and 89.7% as effective as TSP, respectively, in increasing dry-matter yields for the first corn crop. PAPR from the concentrate was 54.8% as effective as TSP. Raw PR, concentrate PR and the PAPR from the raw PR were ineffective in increasing dry-matter yields. The same trends were obtained when P uptake was used to compare effectiveness. Ineffectiveness of the raw PR and its corresponding PAPR was attributed to a high Fe2O3 content in the raw PR. Bray I and Pi paper were found to be nearly equally suitable at estimating available P in the soils treated with responsive fertilizer materials. Mehlich 1 overestimated available P in soil treated with raw PR, concentrate PR or the PAPR from the raw PR.

Agronomic effectiveness of partially acidulated phosphate rock fertilisers in selected New Zealand soils

The agronomic performances of some longlife superphosphate (LSP) and partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) fertilizers were compared with single superphosphate in glasshouse pot trials over 9-10 months using a range of New Zealand soils. The fertilizers used differed in the type (origin) of phosphate rock (PR), the acid to rock ratio used in the production of LSP, percentage acidulation of PAPR, and incorporation of elemental sulfur into LSP. The agronomic effectiveness of the fertilizers studied was primarily influenced by the type of PR and percentage acidulation of PAPR, but not by the acid to rock ratio. Variations in the agronomic effectiveness of LSP and PAPR fertilizers made from different PRs did not reflect the relative solubilities of the original PRs. This was mainly attributed to alterations in the chemistry and consequent solubility of PR which occurred during fertilizer manufacture. Plant phosphorus uptake was highly correlated with fertilizer solubility in 2% citric and 2% formic acids. The relative agronomic effectiveness of LSP and PAPR fertilizers was not significantly related to any single soil property.

Comparison of single and coastal superphosphate for subterranean clover on phosphorus leaching soils

“Coastal superphosphate”, a partially acidulated rock phosphate (PARP), is being considered as an alternative fertilizer to single superphosphate for pastures in high rainfall (> 800 mm annual average) areas of south-western Australia. The effectiveness of single and coastal superphosphate, as P fertilizers, was measured in two field experiments using dry herbage yield of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum). The experiments were started in April 1990 and were terminated at the end of 1993. In the years after P applications, soil samples were collected each January to measure Colwell soil-test P, which was related to plant yields measured later on that year, to provide soil P test calibrations.