Soil properties and growing duration determine phosphorus phyto-availability dynamics of polyphosphate versus orthophosphate fertilizers

Ran Erel, David Yalin, Adi Kushmaro-Bier, Qianqian Li, Frédéric Gérard, Natalie Toren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Polyphosphate (poly-P) fertilizers were proposed to increase the low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of orthophosphate (ortho-P) fertilizer but empirical data is inconsistent. Our study is aimed at investigating how soil properties, application time, and growth duration affect their phyto-availability. Methods: Olsen-P dynamics were monitored using six soils amended with either ortho-P or poly-P. Subsequently, two contrasting soils (sandy and loamy) were selected to estimate P availability to plants using wheat as a model plant. Mechanistic modelling was used to interpret P dynamics in these experiments. Results: For poly-P amended soils, Olsen-P increased continuously, while using ortho-P fertilizer the highest values were attained right after application and then monotonously decreased afterward. Olsen-P dynamics varied greatly among soils depending on their sorption capacity and related properties. In sandy soils, Olsen-P was consistently higher for ortho-P. In highly calcareous soils, Olsen-P was higher for poly-P after three weeks. Plant experiments confirmed a greater uptake of poly-P over ortho-P in loamy soil and extended trials (4 months) but not in sandy soils or short-term trials (4 weeks). Geochemical modeling suggested that complexation of soil Ca by poly-P reduced long-term P immobilization. Conclusions: Soil properties and growth duration affect the efficiency of ortho-P vs. poly-P fertilizers. In clayey soils and extended growth duration, poly-P fertilizer can enhance PUE due to its prolonged phyto-availability as compared to ortho-P. In sandy soils and short growth duration poly-P has little advantage. The complexation of Ca by poly-P may have caused the increase of P phyto-availability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)299-315
Number of pages17
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume485
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer
  • Geochemical modelling
  • Olsen-P
  • Phosphate utilization efficiency
  • Wheat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Soil Science
  • Plant Science

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