Application of solid and liquid organic matter to increase P availability in Inceptisol

Abstract

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but its supply in the soil is limited by two constraints, namely small in amount and small in its availability. In acidic soil, P is tied up by Al and Fe, while in high soil pH, P is bound by Ca. Thus, to increase the availability of P in the soils, prepared organic matter may be added. The quality of prepared organic matter depends on the type of source material, composting process, and the method of application. To find out the effects of applying solid and liquid organic matter on the availability of P in the soil, this glasshouse experiment involving the application of five treatments of organic matter on corn, which was planted in Inceptisol, was conducted. Two organic matters used were solids: cow manure compost [CMC] and goat manure compost [GMC]; and the other three were in liquid form: composted cow manure extract [CCME], composted goat manure extract [CGME], and humic substance [HS]. Based on the results on the observed parameters, at 7 weeks after planting, the application of CMC produced the highest increase in available-P in the soil, followed by GMC, HS, CGME, and CCME, in that order. In either solid or liquid form, the applied organic matter significantly raised available-P, total-N, organic-C, cation exchange capacity [CEC], soil electrical conductivity [EC], and exchangeable bases in the soil, with the solid organic matters performing better, overall, than their liquid counterparts. Future research on closely related technical and economic aspects is recommended.