Exploring the Nature of the Relationships Among Total, Extractable and Solution Phosphorus in Cultivated Organic Soils*

Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the nature of the relationships among total P, extractable P and solution P under fertilized and unfertilized conditions for burned pineapple residues management practice in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soils. There was no significant relationship among total P, extractable P and solution P for the unfertilized and fertilized conditions at 0-10, 10-25 and 25-45 cm depths. This revelation was partly due to low bulk density (due to the inherent nature of tropical peat soils) and leaching of P. To suggest some ways of reducing leaching, a more frequent P application (foliar or soil) schedule at lower application rates need to be studied, so that a response curve could be examined and optimum rates derived. This will help to address the issue of whether sufficient or excessive P is being applied in the right form and in a sustainable way.