The effects of application of three different phosphate fertilizer sources on the short term availability of some phosphorus fractions in the lateritic soils of intermediate zone of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The present study investigates, the application of three phosphorous (P) fertilizer sources; Imported Rock Phosphate (IRP), Eppawela Rock Phosphate (ERP) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) on the short term availability of different P fractions in the lateritic soils in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. The available different P fractions in pots with and without Ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis L.) as an indicator plant was determined after six months from the date of application of the fertilizers. Each P fertilizer, was treated in triplicate at three different levels, viz., 15, 30, 60 mg P2 O5 /100g soil, separately into pots with and without Ruzi grass. The control with and without Ruzi grass was also carried out in triplicate without fertilizers. The soil moisture content in all the pots was maintained at 60% of field capacity. Phosphorus concentration and total dry matter content of grass were determined bimonthly over six month period. The soils were analyzed for the concentrations of different P fractions, viz., saloid bound P (Sa–P), aluminium bound P (Al–P), iron bound P (Fe– P), occluded P (Occ–P) and calcium bound P (Ca–P). The results revealed that, (i) Ruzi grass utilize more Sa-P and Al-P fractions than Occ-P, Fe-P and Ca-P fractions. (ii) The P uptake by Ruzi grass was low for both IRP and ERP applications compared to TSP application. (iii) Both ERP and IRP fertilizers did not show any significant increase in P uptake with increasing level of their application. Unlike ERP and IRP, the TSP applications showed a linear increase of P uptake by Ruzi grass with increasing the level of P treatment. The overall results indicated that, for short term application TSP is superior to IRP and ERP, though IRP was found to be slightly better than ERP in providing available P.