Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-9q27g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-16T16:10:00.297Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on phosphate fixation in Scottish soils. I. The recovery of added phosphate from a soil of the acid igneous group

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. G. Williams
Affiliation:
The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen
A. B. Stewart
Affiliation:
The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen

Extract

1. A long-term investigation consisting of field, pot and laboratory experiments has been commenced to study the extent, rate, nature and significance of phosphate fixation in north Scottish soils with the ultimate objects of improving fertilizer practice and standardizing methods for determining readily soluble phosphate.

2. Quantities of a phosphate-deficient soil derived mainly from granitic drift were treated with incremental dressings of phosphate and exposed in earthenware pots in the open. The soil had an initial pH of 5·80 and a total phosphate content of 0·250% of which 28% is soluble in constant-boiling HCl solution.

3. The recovery of added phosphate by different methods from samples taken after varying periods of exposure has been studied. Data are given for extractions with calcium lactate, acetic acid, potassium bisulphate, citric acid, magnesium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and chloride and sulphate solutions, together with pot experiments and determinations by the Neubauer and aspergillus methods.

4. Complete recovery is approached only in strongly acid and strongly alkaline extracts, and about 25% of the added phosphate is very firmly bound by the soil. The solubility varies greatly with the pH of the extracts and is very low at pH values in the region of 5. At lower pH values, however, the nature and concentration of the anions present are also of considerable importance. The results indicate a high capacity for fixing phosphate in difficultly soluble form.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1943

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Buehrer, T. F. (1932). Tech. Bull. Ariz. Agric. Exp. Sta. no. 42.Google Scholar
Burd, J. S. & Murphy, H. F. (1939). Hilgardia, 12, 323.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coleman, R. (1942). Soil Sci. 54, 237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dyer, W. J. & Wrenshall, C. L. (1941). Soil Sci. 51, 159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Egner, H. (1932). Medd. CentAnst. Försöksv. Jordbr., Stockh., no. 425.Google Scholar
Jenny, H. & Overstreet, R. (1939). Soil Sci. 47, 257.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krügel, C., Dreyspring, C. & Heinz, W. (1934). Superphosphate, 7, 181, 201.Google Scholar
Lohse, H. W. & Ruhnke, G. W. (1933). Soil Sci. 35, 437, 459.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattson, S. (1931). Soil Sci. 32, 343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattson, S. & Karlsson, N. (1938). Ann. Agric. Coll., Sweden, 6, 109.Google Scholar
Mattson, S. & Karlsson, N. (1940). Ann. Agric. Coll., Sweden, 8, 405.Google Scholar
Mitscherlich, E. A. (1930). Die Bestimmung des Düngerbedürfnisses des Bodens, 3rd ed.Google Scholar
Smith, A. M. (1934). J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Lond., 53, 250T.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, A. M. (1936). J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Lond., 55, 217T.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stewart, R. (1932). Tech. Commun. Bur. Soil Sci., Harpenden, 25, 41.Google Scholar
Stewart, A. B. & Williams, E. G. (1942). Scot. J. Agric. 24, 52.Google Scholar
Tiulin, A. Th. (1936). Soil Sci. 42, 291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiley, R. C. & Gordon, N. E. (1923). Soil Sci. 15, 371.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, E. G. & Stewart, A. B. (1941). J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Lond., 60, 291T.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wrenshall, C. L. & Dyer, W. J. (1939). Canad. J. Res. B, 17, 199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar