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Evaluation of phosphorus in savannah soils of western Nigeria under bush fallow systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

O. J. Ayodele  and
A. A. Agboola
O. J. Ayodele
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
A. A. Agboola
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
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Summary

Yield calibration of soil tests in western Nigeria savannah has been difficult owing to low response to P and response to only low P rates despite low available P in the soils. A study on the distribution of P forms in 60 surface soils of the savannah derived from igneous and metamorphic rocks and grouped into 11 classes was made. Average total P was 0·018% and organic P, which varied between 44 and 114 mg/kg, constituted 41% of total P. Active P components made up 40% of total inorganic P, the bulk of which was in the Fe-P fraction. All P forms except non-extractable P correlated significantly with organic matter.

The amounts of P needed to increase available P by 1 mg/kg in the soils, an index of P fixation, was correlated with pH and the free oxides of Fe and Al. The direct role of Fe-oxides and probable indirect effect of organic matter were indicated by regression analysis.

There was minimal maize yield response to P application and this was obtained only at low P rates from which an optimum rate of 20 kg P/ha was suggested. An attempt to use phosphorus sorption capacity (PSC) for P recommendation was not successful probably because of the low PSC values. A quick P recommendation based on available P status, fertilizer factor of 3·0 mg/1 and an optimum available P level derived from the relative yield v. soil P calibration curve was therefore suggested.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 101 , Issue 2 , October 1983 , pp. 283 - 289
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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