Phosphorus sources and fractions in an oxisol under no-tilled soybean

Abstract

Phosphorus dynamics in soil can be modified by the use of no-till systems. Brazilian farmers have applied phosphorus fertilizers onto the soil surface to optimize machine field operations despite the lack of research supporting this practice. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of the application of two P sources onto soil surface and soybean seed furrows. The treatments consisted either of the application or not of 80 kg ha-1 of total P2O5 as natural reactive rock phosphate and superphosphate spread on the soil surface over the standing plant residues. At soybean planting, additional treatments (80 kg ha-1 of Natural Phosphate or Superphosphate) were applied at seed furrows. Soil was sampled down to 40 cm deep before soybean planting and after harvest. A control sample was taken from an adjacent non-cropped area. Phosphorus contents increased down to 40 cm after the soybean crop, and the increase was observed mainly in Ca-bound P and organic phosphorus. However, there was a decrease in Fe-bound P, showing that P availability to soybeans was likely related also to this fraction. Phosphorus fertilization with both phosphates decreased occluded P contents on the soil surface layer when compared with the non-cropped area.