Soil Phosphorus Research Articles

Growth, yield and quality variability of flue-cured tobacco in response to soil and climatic factors in Northern Vietnam

Flue-cured tobacco is an annual industrial crop cultivated widely in more than 120 countries, with yield and quality varying between cultivars and with ecological factors. This study investigated variability of four flue-cured tobacco cultivars in response to 11 environmental factors, including soil properties and climatic conditions. The cultivars were grown in four locations in the northern upland region of Vietnam over two years. Growth characteristics, yield, leaf quality, and stability statistics were assessed. Variability and significant effects of cultivar, location, year, and their interactions on plant performance were observed. Positive associations between plant growth characteristics and yield were identified. Fresh and dry yields were significantly positively correlated with soil available nitrogen phosphorus, and temperature. All leaf quality characteristics were significantly correlated with soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and sunshine hours. Canonical correlation analysis showed that yield was strongly influenced by four ecological factors. Leaf nitrogen and chlorine contents were influenced by seven and nine ecological factors, respectively. Low stability statistics, low average sum of ranks, moderate to high yield and leaf quality indicated that D65 was the most stable cultivar across locations and years. GL2 and GL7 were desired for their stability in leaf quality and yield, respectively.

Differential responses of soil phosphorus fractions to varied nitrogen compound additions in a meadow steppe

Nitrogen (N) addition can greatly influence soil inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and organic phosphorus (Po) transformations. However, whether and how the N compound forms may differentially affect the soil P fractions remain unclear. Here, we investigated the responses of soil Pi (labile Pi, moderately-occluded Pi, and recalcitrant Pi) and Po fractions (labile Po and stable Po) to varying addition rates of three N compounds ((NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, and urea) in a meadow steppe in northern China. Our studies revealed that with increasing N addition rate, soil labile and moderately-occluded Pi increased, accompanied by decreases in soil recalcitrant Pi. This shift was attributed to N-induced soil acidification, which accelerated the conversion of recalcitrant Pi into labile and moderately-occluded Pi. Soil labile Po decreased with increasing rate of N addition, whilst soil stable Po was not affected. Regardless of the compound forms, N addition increased soil Olsen-P, suggesting a potential alleviation of P limitation in this grassland ecosystem. The effect of N addition on soil labile Pi was significantly greater with addition of urea than with addition of either (NH4)2SO4 or NH4NO3, indicating that urea was more efficient in enhancing soil P availability. Addition of (NH4)2SO4 imposed a more pronounced positive effect on soil moderately-occluded Pi than the addition of either NH4NO3 or urea, mainly due to the greater mobilization of recalcitrant Pi as a result of higher soil acidification strength of (NH4)2SO4. These findings underscore the importance of considering the distinct effects of different N compounds when studying grassland soil P dynamics and availability in response to N addition.

Optimal organic fertilization enhances the phytoavailability of phosphorus in the root zone of rice

AbstractOrganic fertilization is considered an effective approach in promoting agricultural green development, dramatically affecting soil phosphorus (P) availability. Nonetheless, limited information is available on the comprehensive impact of full substitution of organic fertilizer for chemical fertilizer on P speciation, phytoavailability, and apparent balance throughout different rice‐growth stages. To address this gap, a 5‐year field experiment was conducted, implementing five organic P gradients ranging from 0 (P0), 70 (P70), 140 (P140), 210 (P210) to 280 (P280) kg P2O5 ha−1 of organic fertilizer. To assess P phytoavailability in the root zone with submillimetre spatial resolutions, this study employed techniques such as the one‐ and two‐dimensional diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique and the high‐resolution soil solution sampling technology (HR‐Peeper). The findings revealed that increasing P rates enhanced soil Olsen‐P and biological‐based P fractions across rice‐growth stages, primarily driven by variation in mineral‐associated P. Notably, the P140 treatment demonstrated the highest P uptake efficiency among the different rice‐growth stages, with a significant increase in soil DGT‐P, particularly in the 0–60 mm soil layer (p <0.05), providing tangible evidence for enhanced P uptake. Moreover, compared with higher P treatments (P210 and P280), the P140 treatment markedly increased P use efficiency by 31.7% and 99.0%, respectively (p <0.05). Further, with a high ratio of DGT‐P to Peeper‐P and a low apparent balance of P, organic fertilization at the rate of 140 kg P2O5 ha−1 effectively struck a balance between ensuring adequate P supply for yield stability and mitigating potential P loss risks. These results underscore the significance of optimal organic fertilization in enhancing agronomic benefits while reducing environmental risks. They offer valuable insights to support field P management strategies and government decision‐making processes.

Effect of different levels phosphatic fertilizer on soil phosphorus fractions of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Effect of different levels phosphatic fertilizer on soil phosphorus fractions of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

Planted species influences soil phosphorus losses in a historically fertilized pasture system: A mesocosm study

AbstractThe gradual accumulation of phosphorus from historical fertilization can contribute to the eutrophication of surface waters by increasing the potential for subsurface leaching losses. Grazing lands areas are a priority for concern, and phytoremediation efforts in grazing lands have prioritized grasses that may be used as forage for cattle. This study investigated the influence of three different forage species—Paspalum notatum, Hemarthria altissima, and Cynodon nlemfuensis—on the loss of phosphorus in leachate from surface soils. The experiment used a nested pot mesocosm design that allowed us to monitor leachate volume and concentration biweekly over the course of 3 months. Pots containing P. notatum plants leached significantly more phosphorus than pots containing C. nlemfuensis or empty pots with no plants growing in them, despite losing an equivalent amount of water. H. altissima lost equivalent amounts of phosphorus in leachate water, but each H. altissima plant removed approximately 33.6 mg of phosphorus, approximately 2.5× that removed by P. notatum (13.4 mg). C. nlemfuensis had lower average leachate phosphorus concentrations at each biweekly sampling than either plant species (C. nlemfuensis‐P. notatum, padj = 0.001; C. nlemfuensis‐H. altissima, padj = 0.02), averaging only 0.110 ppm in leachate relative to 0.175 ppm and 0.200 ppm in pots beneath H. altissima and P. notatum, respectively. This, combined with C. nlemfuensis' slightly higher‐than‐average aboveground P content and overall aboveground biomass expression suggest it is the best possible phytoremediation candidate. As even minor leachate P loads can be critically threatening to neighboring oligotrophic water bodies, if the conservation of downstream environments is the priority, the short‐term threat of increased leachate must be considered. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and field‐scale implications of these findings.

Identification of Functional Groups of Rapitest Luster Leaf Products for Soil Phosphorus Testing Based on Color Changes using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

Identification of Functional Groups of Rapitest Luster Leaf Products for Soil Phosphorus Testing Based on Color Changes using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

Biochar amendment alleviates soil microbial nitrogen and phosphorus limitation and increases soil heterotrophic respiration under long-term nitrogen input in a subtropical forest

Nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) inputs substantially affect soil microbial functions. However, the influences of long-term N and C additions on soil microbial resource limitation and heterotrophic respiration—fundamental microbial functional traits—remain unclear, impeding the understanding of how soil C dynamics respond to global change. In this study, the responses of soil microbial resource limitation and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) to 7-year N and biochar (BC) additions in a subtropical Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantation were investigated. We used eight treatments: Control, no N and BC addition; N30, 30 kg N (ammonium nitrate)·hm−2·a−1; N60, 60 kg N·hm−2·a−1; N90, 90 kg N·hm−2·a−1; BC20, 20 t BC (originating from Moso bamboo chips) hm−2; N30 + BC20, 30 kg N·hm−2·a−1 + 20 t BC hm−2; N60 + BC20, 60 kg N·hm−2·a−1 + 20 t BC hm−2; and N90 + BC20, 90 kg N·hm−2·a−1 + 20 t BC hm−2. Soil microbes were co-limited by N and phosphorus (P) and not limited by C in the control treatments. Long-term N addition enhanced soil microbial N and P limitation but significantly reduced soil Rh by 15.1 %–20.0 % relative to that in the control treatments. BC amendment alleviated soil microbial N and P limitation and significantly decreased C use efficiency by 10.9 %–42.1 % but increased Rh by 33.6 %–91.6 % in the long-term N-free and N-supplemented treatments (P < 0.05). Soil C- and N-acquisition enzyme activities were the dominant drivers of soil microbial resource limitation. Furthermore, microbial resource limitation was a more reliable predictor of Rh than soil resources or microbial biomass. The results suggested that long-term N and BC additions affect Rh by regulating microbial resource limitation, highlighting its significance in understanding soil C cycling under environmental change.

Silicon effects on soil phosphorus availability: results obtained depend on the method used

Silicon effects on soil phosphorus availability: results obtained depend on the method used

Effects of Forest Conversion on the Stocks and Stoichiometry of Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus at a County Scale in Subtropical China

The decline in primary natural forests worldwide has intensified research on the effects of forest transformation on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycles and stocks. However, the extent to which soil C, N, and P stocks and stoichiometry are affected by forest conversion remains unclear. Here, we examined the effects of forest transformation on soil nutrient storage capacity and stoichiometric characteristics in native broadleaf forests (BFs), plantation forests (PFs), tea gardens (TGs), cultivated lands (CLs), and urban artificial green spaces (GSs) at a county scale in subtropical China. The results showed that the other forest types exhibited significantly reduced soil C and N contents and stocks but increased soil P content and stock compared to BFs. The soil C:N:P stoichiometric ratios for BFs and the converted PFs, TGs, GSs, and CLs were sequentially decreased as follows: 444.8:24.2:1, 95.0:10.0:1, 30.2:3.9:1, 23.1:3.7:1, and 19.4:1.9:1, respectively. Within the altitude (AL) span of 180 to 1200 m surveyed, the AL decided the type of forest conversion and significantly influenced the stock levels and stoichiometric ratios of soil C, N, and P. The results of this study highlight the importance of the ecological management of TGs and the optimization of soil P production in CLs, TGs, and GSs.

Nitrogen addition reduces soil phosphorus leaching in a subtropical forest of eastern Tibetan Plateau

Globally, increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has comprehensively altered phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Phosphorus is the second most common nutrient limiting for ecosystem productivity. Even though, ultimately under enhanced atmospheric N deposition it is likely to be the primary one. However, the response of soil P leaching to the elevated atmospheric N deposition in subalpine forests are still elusive. Here, we examined the effects of >7-year N additions on soil P leaching in a subalpine forest of eastern Tibetan Plateau. We found that independent of soil horizon (organic versus mineral horizons) and N addition rate (control 0, low 8 and high 40 kg N/ha yr−1), dissolved inorganic P (DIP), rather than dissolved organic P (DOP), dominated soil P leaching. The N addition treatments reduced the leaching of total P and DIP throughout the soil profile by 13 % and 14 %, respectively. The enhanced biological immobilization and P adsorption capacity (increased by 15–33 % in organic horizon and 9–35 % in mineral horizon) under the N addition contributed to the decrease in soil P leaching. We conclude that the reduction in soil P leaching under the elevated atmospheric N deposition should boost the enhanced N driven forest productivity and ecosystem carbon sequestration in the subalpine forests.

Complex imprint of air pollution in the basal area increments of three European tree species

The impact of atmospheric pollution on the growth of European forest tree species, particularly European beech, Silver fir and Norway spruce, is examined in five mesic forests in the Czech Republic. Analyzing of basal area increment (BAI) patterns using linear mixed effect models reveals a complex interplay between atmospheric nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) deposition, climatic variables and changing CO2 concentrations. Beech BAI responds positively to N deposition (in tandem with air CO2 concentration), with soil phosphorus (P) availability emerging as a significant factor influencing overall growth rates. Fir BAI, on the other hand, was particularly negatively influenced by S deposition, although recent growth acceleration suggests growth resilience in post-pollution period. This fir growth surge likely coincides with stimulation of P acquisition following the decline of acidic pollution. The consequence is the current highest productivity among the studied tree species. The growth dynamics of both conifers were closely linked to the stoichiometric imbalance of phosphorus in needles, indicating the possible sensitivity of exogenous controls on nutrient uptake. Furthermore, spruce BAI was positively linked to calcium availability across sites. Despite enhanced water-use efficiency under elevated CO2, spruce growth is constrained by precipitation deficit and demonstrates weakening resilience to increasing growing season air temperatures. Overall, these findings underscore the intricate relationships between atmospheric pollution, nutrient availability, and climatic factors in shaping the growth dynamics of European forest ecosystems. Thus, incorporating biogeochemical context of nutrient availability is essential for realistic modelling of tree growth in a changing climate.

Assessment of Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Sugarcane Cultivation Areas of Navsari District: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

Sentinel 2 satellite data from the year 2021 were acquired from the Copernicus site to identify the sugarcane producing area in the Navsari district. Hybrid classification approach i.e., supervised and unsupervised with ground truth data were applied using ERDAS IMAGINE software. After image classification, 2.5 km x 2.5 km grid was prepared in Q-GIS software which along with classified sugarcane area were overlapped for site identification. Then, random soil surface and sub-surface samples were collected with reference from grid of intensive sugarcane growing area. The available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, DTPA-Fe, DTPA-Mn, DTPA-Zn and DTPA-Cu of surface soil ranged from 132.19 to 428.65 kg ha-1, 18.48 to 107.32 kg ha-1, 202.34 to 359.39 kg ha-1, 0.97 to 29.90 ppm, 1.10 to 29.63 ppm, 0.20 to 6.89 ppm and 1.02 to 11.69 ppm while sub-surface soil varied from 101.91 to 388.62 kg ha-1, 10.16 to 99.57 kg ha-1, 138.66 to 323.35 kg ha-1, 0.35 to 24.97 ppm, 0.20 to 29.08 ppm, 0.05 to 3.64 ppm and 0.21 to 8.07 ppm respectively. The soils of sugarcane growing area of Navsari district showed low OC, available N and S while other nutrients were normal in range for sugarcane cultivation.

Bioprospecting a mountain-derived phosphorus-solubilizing bacterium: Bacillus thuringiensis B3 as a plant-growth promoter in lettuce and tomato horticultural crops

The biogeographic and climatic conditions of islands like Cuba generate distinctive ecosystems as reservoirs of microbial biodiversity. This study explores the potential of the B3 strain, isolated from the Guamuhaya Mountain in Cuba, in Cuban urban horticulture, where the soil phosphorus availability poses a significant challenge to crop productivity. The B3 strain demonstrates remarkable phosphorus solubilization capabilities, along with nitrogen fixation and nutrient mobilization, production of growth regulators, siderophores, lipases, and both volatile and diffusible antimicrobial compounds. The strain's multifaceted functionalities indicate its potential to limit phytopathogen proliferation, contributing to plant health. The strain showed Bacilli morphological characteristics, confirmed through MALDI-ToF MS and MLSA, classify it as Bacillus thuringiensis. The strain's safety profile, demonstrated by negative results in hemolysis and DNA degradation tests, underscores its suitability for agricultural applications. The Bacillus thuringiensis B3 significantly enhanced germination of lettuce and tomato seeds, root structure and early plant growth, confirming its value in horticultural production. The integration of this strain into Cuban urban horticulture represents a step forward in sustainable agriculture with low environmental impact.

Extraction, identification and mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from faba bean (Vicia faba L.) rhizosphere soils using maize (Zea mays L.) as a host plant

Ethiopia is the second-largest grower of faba bean in the world next to China. The crop is highly useful with its edible seed serving as an essential protein complement of the Ethiopian diet, especially for those who cannot afford animal protein. Even though faba bean is mycotrophic to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the different genera and species that are associated with the crop are not determined in yet at the maturity time of the crop (harvesting period). Sixteen faba bean rhizospheric soils were collected to isolate and identify AMF. Spores were extracted using the wet-sieving and decanting method. The Glomus genera was the most dominant, followed by the Acaulospora and Gigaspora genera. The highest spore load per 100 g of soil was observed in the sample that contained the lowest soil phosphorus. Furthermore, an inverse relationship between the spore load and soil phosphorus was observed. Three treatments were considered for mass multiplication of AMF, viz, Treatment (1) Glomus aggregatum, treatment (2) Glomus sp.BZ, and treatment (3) Glomus sp.AZ. However, the highest number of AMF's spore and root colonization was seen in treatment 3 with significant difference (P < 0.05) from the others. In conclusion, AMF constituted an important component of the faba bean rhizosphere during its harvesting period (dry season) and its multiplication using maize favored the viability and infectivity of the fungi.

Insights into soil phosphorus bioavailability increase induced by periphytic biofilm decomposition: a comparison with straw decomposition

Insights into soil phosphorus bioavailability increase induced by periphytic biofilm decomposition: a comparison with straw decomposition

Trade-Offs in Plant Functional Traits Driven by Soil Changes under Urban Hardened Surfaces

The large-scale surface hardening has changed the urban environment and affected the normal growth of urban plants. However, it is still unclear how the urban hardened surface affects the functional urban plant traits. To explore whether the urban hardened surface affects the ecological strategies of plants by changing the urban soil properties and reflecting them on the plant traits, we studied the physical and chemical properties and plant functional traits of three different types of hardened surface in Shandong Province, China. Our results showed that the physical and chemical properties (soil bulk density, soil total porosity, capillary porosity, non-capillary porosity, soil moisture content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, and available potassium) of urban soils showed obvious differences with the increase of hardening strength. In this case, the plant functional traits (branch diameter, branch length, leaf thickness, branch weight, internode length, leaf dry weight, leafing intensity, leaf area, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content) were also differentiated to varying degrees. Meanwhile, there was a strong correlation among plant functional traits. Nevertheless, hardened surfaces break the quantitative relationship among functional traits of urban trees. They do not affect their stable correlation: as the hardening intensity gradually increases, its correlation weakens. In addition, plant functional traits have a significant response mechanism to soil physicochemical properties. There was a transformation of plant resource utilization strategy by changing plant functional traits to adapt to the hardened environment. Urban trees exhibit strong and rapid resource-allocation strategies. They are mainly reflected in the reduction of branch diameter, branch weight, leaf dry matter content, leaf area, mass ratio of branches and leaves, and the improvement of leafing intensity and leaf thickness. Overall, there were tight connections among urban soil properties, plant branches, and leaves functional properties. This finding reveals that urban trees can change their functional traits and the plasticity of their trait combinations under the background of hardened urban surface expansion, which is conducive to survival and growth.

Do nanoparticles and colloids replenish soil phosphorus in the rhizosphere of winter wheat?

The rhizosphere is generally depleted in nutrients, but as a hotspot of microbial activity it fosters crop P uptake. We hypothesized that P contents of water extractable nanoparticles (<0.1 μm) and small sized colloids (<0.45 μm) differ between non-rhizosphere and rhizosphere soil. To test this hypothesis, rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils (Luvisol and Cambisol) were sampled at harvest period of winter wheat near Selhausen (Germany). Microaggregate and colloidal fractions in the size range of 53–250 μm, 20–53 μm, 0.45–20 μm, and <0.45 μm were separated by wet-sieving and centrifugation. Subsequently, the colloids <0.45 μm were further isolated in 0.66–20 nm, 20–100 nm and 100–450 nm fractions using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and directly analyzed by online coupled organic carbon detector (OCD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for element composition. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were measured between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil P contents of microaggregate fractions. The rhizosphere soil, however, showed ∼26 % depletion of average P content in the 0.66–20 nm fraction, which went along with an enrichment of P content of the 100–450 nm fraction by a factor of two. Apparently, P uptake by plants results in a redistribution of P in the rhizosphere, with small nanoparticles providing available P to plants while excess residual P is bound to fine colloids.

Response of oilseed flax to different level of mineral nutrition in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

The article presents the results of studying the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the water regime of meadow-chernozem soil, yield and oil content of flax seeds in 2022–2023. on a stationary experiment at the field forage production laboratory of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Omsk ASC” in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region. The objects of observation are oilseed flax of the Northern variety and meado-chernozem soil. The scheme of the experiment included the following options: factor A — medium soil availability of mobile phosphorus (50-100 mg/kg according to F.V. Chirikov, background 0), increased (100–120 mg/kg, background I and 140–150 mg/kg, background II), high (150– 200 mg/kg, background III); factor B — phosphorus fertilizer (P0, P60); factor C — nitrogen fertilizer (N0, N30, N60). In this case, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers were superimposed on backgrounds of varying soil phosphorus supply. Climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) determined the initial reserve of total moisture in the soil when sowing oil flax, which was at the level of 82% of the lowest moisture capacity in a meter layer and did not depend on the background phosphorus supply. Mineral fertilizers increased crop productivity. Its highest yield was observed against the background of an increased supply of soil with mobile phosphorus (1.71 t/ha) with the pre-sowing application of ammonium nitrate and ammophos. The oil content of flax, on the contrary, decreased when using fertilizers. Its highest indicators (39.5%) were observed against background II when using phosphorus fertilizers.

Organic Waste from the Management of the Invasive Oxalis pes-caprae as a Source of Nutrients for Small Horticultural Crops.

The management of invasive plants is a challenge when using traditional control methods, which are ineffective for large areas, leading to the abandonment of invaded areas and the subsequent worsening of the situation. Finding potential uses for waste resulting from invaders' management could motivate their control in the long-term, concurrently providing new bio-based resources with different applications. Oxalis pes-caprae is an invasive plant, widely distributed worldwide, which spreads aggressively through bulbils, creating a dense ground cover. This study was designed to assess the potential of Oxalis aboveground waste for use as fertilizer and in ameliorating deficit irrigation effects in growing crops. Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket) seedlings were planted in pots with soil mixed with Oxalis waste at 0, 2.2 and 4.3 kg m-2 or with commercial fertilizer, left to grow for 27 days and then irrigated at 100% or 50% field capacity for 14 days. The incorporation of the Oxalis waste improved the biomass, photosynthesis, sugars, total phenols and total antioxidant capacity in the crop, achieving commercial fertilization values, as well as increasing the phosphorus in soils. However, Oxalis waste seems not to directly affect plants' relative water contents. Our results support the use of Oxalis waste as fertilizer, which can encourage the long-term control of this invasive species.

The Effects of Struvite on Biomass and Soil Phosphorus Availability and Uptake in Chinese Cabbage, Cowpea, and Maize

The Effects of Struvite on Biomass and Soil Phosphorus Availability and Uptake in Chinese Cabbage, Cowpea, and Maize