Assessing break crop options for enhanced soil phosphorus availability

Title
Assessing break crop options for enhanced soil phosphorus availability
Publication Date
2012
Author(s)
Doolette, Ashlea
McNeill, Ann
Armstrong, Roger
Marschner, Petra
Tang, Caixian
Guppy, Christopher
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-607X
Email: cguppy@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cguppy
Editor
Editor(s): Isa Yunusa
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Australian Society of Agronomy Inc
Place of publication
Armidale, Australia
UNE publication id
une:13075
Abstract
Any reduction in the need for fertiliser application through strategies that mobilise P from the 'soil P bank', enabling uptake by crops will provide a substantial economic benefit for the grower. Whilst many controlled environment studies report that certain break crop species have the capacity to mobilise P from less labile pools, there is scarce information suggesting mobilisation occurs in the field. This paper reports measurements of available P (Colwell and DGT) for root zone soils under break crops and wheat from five field locations in southern Australia, covering a range of climates and soil types differing in P sorption capacity. The aim was to identify potential for P mobilisation by break crops. Results demonstrate the enormous variability in plant-available P in the root-zone of different break crops across sites, as well as a clear influence of soil type on this soil P pool. More differences were detected between crops for DGT P than Colwell P. Across all sites, available P in the root zone soil of peas was consistently greater than other break crops, but not cereals. At one site, there was more available P in the root zone soil under lupins than the other break crops. However, it is concluded that the P mobilisation potential for any break crop cannot be assessed solely from available P measures in the root zone and a P budget for each crop is required.
Link
Citation
Capturing Opportunities and Overcoming Obstacles in Australian Agronomy: Proceedings of 16th Australian Agronomy Conference, v.Nutrition

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