Em busca de melhorar a eficiência do uso de fontes de fósforo (P) e viabilizar o aumento da absorção deste nutriente, objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar as mudanças promovidas por plantas de cobertura, associadas à fontes fosfatadas de solubilidade distintas, na colonização por fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA), como também avaliar as mudanças promovidas na disponibilidade de frações de P no solo e na eficiência de uso do P pelas coberturas. O delineamento adotado foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5x3, com quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas quatro plantas de cobertura: milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensis), guandú-anão (Cajanus cajan) e crotalária (Crotalária juncea), além do controle (pousio);Duas fontes de P: fosfato natural reativo Bayóvar e superfosfato simples, além de um tratamento controle (sem fosfato),. Avaliou-se a colonização micorrízica por FMA e densidade de esporos no solo em três épocas, correspondendo à estação chuvosa e seca de 2013 e a estação chuvosa de 2014. Avaliou-se também a produção de massa seca e o acúmulo de P pelas plantas. No final do segundo ano, analisou-se o fracionamento de P do solo. A colonização radicular foi mais influenciada nas épocas chuvosas. A presença das plantas de cobertura proporcionou maior colonização micorrízica e densidade de esporos na época chuvosa. As aplicações de fontes fosfatadas não influenciam a densidade dos esporos, enquanto que as plantas de cobertura, principalmente o guandú e a braquiária, apresentaram aumento no número de esporos. Apesar de não aumentar as frações lábeis do P no solo, a utilização de plantas de cobertura proporcionou maior ciclagem do nutriente. Os fosfatos não influenciaram a massa seca nem o acúmulo de P, sendo que houve efeitos das plantas de cobertura na massa seca e no acúmulo de P na parte aérea, com destaque para o milheto e a braquiária. / In order to improve the use efficiency of phosphorus sources and enable a higher absorption of this nutrient, this research aimed to determine the changes promoted by cover crops and phosphorus sources of different solubility in the colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as much as the availability of P fractions in the soil and the use efficiency of P by the cover crops. A complete randomized block design was adopted, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, with four replications. For the first factor were used four cover crops: millet (Pennisetum glaucum), brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea), including a control (fallow); for the second factor were used the reactive phosphate Bayovar and the simple superphosphate plus a control treatment (no phosphate). It was assessed the AMF colonization, the spore density in the soil in three different times, the rainy and dry seasons in 2013, and the rainy season in 2014. At the end of 2014, it was also evaluated the amount of the fractioned P in the soil. The root colonization was more influenced in rainy season. The presence of cover crops provided greater mycorrhizal colonization and spore density in the rainy season. The applications of phosphate sources did not influence the spores density. However, the cover crops, mainly pigeon pea and brachiaria, showed an increase in the number of spores. The use of cover crops did not increase the labile fractions of P in the soil, Nevertheless they provided greater cycling of this nutrient. Phosphates did not influence the dry matter or the accumulation of P. Interestingly, the dry matter and P accumulation in shoots was influenced by the kind of cover crops, being higher for millet and brachiaria.

Em busca de melhorar a eficiência do uso de fontes de fósforo (P) e viabilizar o aumento da absorção deste nutriente, objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar as mudanças promovidas por plantas de cobertura, associadas à fontes fosfatadas de solubilidade distintas, na colonização por fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA), como também avaliar as mudanças promovidas na disponibilidade de frações de P no solo e na eficiência de uso do P pelas coberturas. O delineamento adotado foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5x3, com quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas quatro plantas de cobertura: milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensis), guandú-anão (Cajanus cajan) e crotalária (Crotalária juncea), além do controle (pousio);Duas fontes de P: fosfato natural reativo Bayóvar e superfosfato simples, além de um tratamento controle (sem fosfato),. Avaliou-se a colonização micorrízica por FMA e densidade de esporos no solo em três épocas, correspondendo à estação chuvosa e seca de 2013 e a estação chuvosa de 2014. Avaliou-se também a produção de massa seca e o acúmulo de P pelas plantas. No final do segundo ano, analisou-se o fracionamento de P do solo. A colonização radicular foi mais influenciada nas épocas chuvosas. A presença das plantas de cobertura proporcionou maior colonização micorrízica e densidade de esporos na época chuvosa. As aplicações de fontes fosfatadas não influenciam a densidade dos esporos, enquanto que as plantas de cobertura, principalmente o guandú e a braquiária, apresentaram aumento no número de esporos. Apesar de não aumentar as frações lábeis do P no solo, a utilização de plantas de cobertura proporcionou maior ciclagem do nutriente. Os fosfatos não influenciaram a massa seca nem o acúmulo de P, sendo que houve efeitos das plantas de cobertura na massa seca e no acúmulo de P na parte aérea, com destaque para o milheto e a braquiária. / In order to improve the use efficiency of phosphorus sources and enable a higher absorption of this nutrient, this research aimed to determine the changes promoted by cover crops and phosphorus sources of different solubility in the colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as much as the availability of P fractions in the soil and the use efficiency of P by the cover crops. A complete randomized block design was adopted, in a 5x3 factorial scheme, with four replications. For the first factor were used four cover crops: millet (Pennisetum glaucum), brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea), including a control (fallow); for the second factor were used the reactive phosphate Bayovar and the simple superphosphate plus a control treatment (no phosphate). It was assessed the AMF colonization, the spore density in the soil in three different times, the rainy and dry seasons in 2013, and the rainy season in 2014. At the end of 2014, it was also evaluated the amount of the fractioned P in the soil. The root colonization was more influenced in rainy season. The presence of cover crops provided greater mycorrhizal colonization and spore density in the rainy season. The applications of phosphate sources did not influence the spores density. However, the cover crops, mainly pigeon pea and brachiaria, showed an increase in the number of spores. The use of cover crops did not increase the labile fractions of P in the soil, Nevertheless they provided greater cycling of this nutrient. Phosphates did not influence the dry matter or the accumulation of P. Interestingly, the dry matter and P accumulation in shoots was influenced by the kind of cover crops, being higher for millet and brachiaria.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Phospho-composts of different mix ratios (5:5, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1) were produced through thermophilic co-composting of poultry manure (PM) and sewage sludge (SS) with ground phosphate rock (GPR). Composted PM and SS without GPR addition were included as control. Cured phospho-composts were chemically characterised and used for both laboratory incubation and greenhouse studies, respectively for phosphorus (P) mineralisation and bioavailability, over a period of 42 days. Results revealed that Bray-P1 concentration measured in compost amended soils at 14, 21 and 42 DAI differed significantly (P<0.05) and ranged between 5.47 and 11.14 mg kg-1 and between 5.28 and 11.78 mg kg-1 in poultry manure and sewage sludge-based phospho-composts, respectively. The maximum amount of cumulative P mineralised of 16.06 and 9.98 mg kg -1, respectively in PM and SS-based phospho-composts were obtained from the 8:2 mix ratio. The content of the acid detergent fibre of the different phospho-composts showed positive and significant correlation with cellulose, lignin and total organic carbon (TOC). Similarly, cellulose as well as C:P ratio showed significant correlation with both lignin and TOC. The polynomial relationship between cumulative P mineralised and the various GRP and manure mix ratios revealed significant and positive R2- values of 0.731 and 0.613 for PM and SS-based phospho-composts, respectively. The maximum amount of maize tissue P uptake of 0.12 and 0.11 mg pot-1 in PM and SS-based phospho-compost respectively were also obtained from the 8:2 mix ratio while the least amount of 0.04 mg P pot-1 was obtained from GPR and unamended pots. Maize tissue P uptake following the phospho-compost application was significantly affected by the differences in soil type. Tissue P uptake was 0.06 and 0.11 mg P/pot, respectively in low potential and high potential soils with a significantly higher value. The use of the different phospho-composts showed great potential for amelioration of P-deficiency problems in crops while thermophilic cocomposting improved the solubility and bioavailability of P from non-reactive GPR. Keywords: Ground phosphate rock; poultry manure; sewage sludge; phosphocomposts; phosphorus mineralisation; soil fertility management.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural sites and the subsequent loading into surface water bodies contribute to eutrophication. Environmental concerns associated with P loading in soil have motivated the need for the development of a proper tool that will allow farmers to identify agricultural areas or management practices that have the greatest potential to accelerate eutrophication. The objective of the study was to determine the spatial variability of soil test P, soil loss potential of the farm, P application rate and methods, and map P runoff risk across the field. This study was conducted in Vierfontein Boerdery in Kriel, Mpumalanga province, South Africa (longitude 29.11258833 and latitude -26.27104340). The field was under dryland cultivation and planted to yellow maize that was rotated with soybeans. Soil samples were taken at georeferenced locations in a 100 x 100 m grid for soil analysis. Spatial layers of soil P distribution, soil loss potential as well as application rate and method were created in ArcGIS software. These layers were used as input factors in a P index model to identify areas in the farm that are vulnerable to P runoff. Results indicated a variation in soil test P. Although soil test P variation was not statistically different at P≤0.05, variation had both agronomic and environmental implications. This variation could be attributed to differences in site-specific conditions and management practices. Furthermore, soil loss potential across the study site predicted by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) showed variation with a range of 3-15 tons/ha/yr. This variation was attributed to differences in topographic variations in the study site. There is a need for best management practices that control soil erosion to minimize P runoff into water bodies. KEYWORDS: Eutrophication, Geographic Information System, Phosphorus best management practises, Phosphorus runoff index, Soil erosion, Site-specific management.

The Swedish Environmental Agency (SEPA) proposed a national target to increase the rate of phosphorus recycling from wastewater sludge in 2013. Reusing phosphorus from wastewater sludge by spreading it on arable lands raises the risk of contamination and substance deposition in soils. In addition to quantifying the targeted rate of recycling, the proposal has also introduced new thresholds that limit the concentrations of undesired substances in wastewater sludge. This thesis assesses the potential challenges and opportunities in implementing the proposed measure in the Swedish municipality settings. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been gathered from three selected mid-sized Swedish municipalities in the Östergötland County and other data sources. The analytical framework of the thesis is based on the Systems Framework for Phosphorus Recovery and Reuse. Several discrepancies between the national goal to increase phosphorus recycling and local circumstances that affect local decision-making have been identified in this thesis. Reducing the flow of undesired substances into the wastewater stream raises goal conflict and is an enormous challenge which requires regulating the way chemicals are consumed in society. From the policy perspective, the national environmental objectives framework is ambiguous with regards to how local decisions should be directed in line with the national goals. The proposed measure should hierarchically be unequivocal and its implementation needs to be coordinated across all geographical scales. The thesis also highlights that there are significant local opportunities for addressing other sustainability goals through phosphorus recycling measures. Sweden’s commitment to creating a resource-efficient phosphorus cycle affirms that the key for a sustainable phosphorus management is the transformation of path-dependent social and technical systems.

The main objective of this project was to investigate and model phosphorus (P) transport in soil column studies. A model named HYDRUS-NICA was developed, by coupling a hydrological and transport model (HYDRUS-1D model) with an aqueous chemical model (non-ideal competitive adsorption - NICA), to improve the predictions of P transport in soil and water. The HYDRUS-NICA model was developed by replacing the non-linear empirical (Freundlich and Langmuir) equations of the HYDRUS-1D model with the NICA model equations. The numerical accuracy of the HYDRUS-NICA model was then evaluated by comparing the relative errors produced by the HYDRUS-NICA and HYDRUS-1D models. The results showed that the numerical schemes of the HYDRUS-NICA code are stable. / The ability of the NICA model to describe phosphate (PO4) adsorption to soil particles was tested using soils collected from agricultural fields in southern Quebec. The surface charge and PO4 adsorption capacity of these soils were measured. Results were used to estimate the NICA model parameters using a non-linear fitting function. The NICA model accurately described the surface charge of these soils and the PO4 adsorption processes. / The HYDRUS-1D model was applied to simulate water flow and PO4 transport in re-constructed soil column experiments. The HYDRUS-1D model was calibrated based on physical and chemical parameters that were estimated from different experiments. Overall, the HYDRUS-1D model successfully simulated the water flow in the columns; however, it overestimated the final adsorbed PO4 concentrations in the soil. The discrepancies in the results suggested that the HYDRUS-1D model could not account for the differences in the soil structure found in the columns, or that the Freundlich isotherm could not adequately describe PO4 adsorption. / The HYDRUS-NICA model was calibrated and validated with results from re-packed column experiments. The simulated results were then compared with results obtained by the HYDRUS-1D model. The overall goodness-of-fit for the HYDRUS-1D model simulations was classified as poor. The HYDRUS-NICA model improved significantly the prediction of PO4 transport, with the coefficient of modeling efficiency values being close to unity, and the coefficient of residual mass values being close to zero. The HYDRUS-NICA model can be used as a tool to improve the prediction of PO4 transport at the field scale.

Low availability of soil phosphorus (P) caused by strong sorption of P is a major constraint to agricultural production in most South African soils, particularly those from the high rainfall areas. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate whether combined addition of goat manure with inorganic P fertilizers could enhance P availability in some P fixing soils of the Transkei region, South Africa. The study addressed the following specific objectives (i) to assess P sorption capacities and requirements of selected soils and their relationship with selected soil properties and single point sorption test, (ii) to assess the effects of goat manure and lime addition on P sorption properties of selected P fixing soils (iii) to assess the temporal changes in concentration of inorganic and microbial biomass P fractions following application of inorganic fertilizer P with goat manure in a laboratory incubation experiment, and, (iv) to assess the effects of goat manure application with inorganic phosphate on inorganic and microbial biomass P fractions, P uptake and dry matter yield of maize. Sorption maxima (Smax) of seven soils examined ranged from 192.3 to 909.1 (mg P kg-1) and were highly and positively correlated with sorption affinity constant (r = 0.93, p = 0.01) and organic C (r = 0.71, p = 0.01). The amount of P required for maintaining a soil solution concentration of 0.2 mg P l-1 ranged from 2.1 to 123.5 mg P kg-1 soil. Soils collected from Qweqwe (a Cambisol), Qunu (an Acrisol), Ncihane (a Luvisol) and Bethania (a Ferralsol) had lower external P requirement values and were classified as lower sorbers, whereas soils from Ntlonyana (a Planosol), Chevy Chase (a Ferralsol) and Flagstaff (a Ferralsol) were classified as moderate sorbers. The results suggested that P availability could be compromised in 43 percent iii of the soils studied and that measures to mitigate the adverse effects of P sorption were needed to ensure that P is not a limiting factor to crop production, where such soils are found. Goat manure addition at varying rates (5, 10 and 20 tha-1 dry weight basis) to two of the moderately P fixing soils from Chevy Chase and Flagstaff, reduced P sorption maxima (Smax) compared to the control treatment. Phosphate sorption decreased with increasing amounts of goat manure in both soils but the extent of reduction was greater on Chevy Chase soil than on Flagstaff soil. The relative liming effects of the different rates of goat manure followed the order 20 t GM ha-1 > 10 t GM ha-1 > 5 t GM ha-1. In a separate experiment, addition of inorganic P at varying rates (0, 90, 180, and 360 kg P ha-1) to Flagstaff soil increased labile P fractions (resin P, biomass P and NaHCO3-Pi) and the increases were greater when goat manure was co-applied. The control treatments contained only 17.2 and 27.5 mg P kg-1 of resin extractable P in the un-amended and manure amended treatments, respectively which increased to 118.2 and 122.7 mg P kg-1 on day 28 of incubation. Biomass P concentration was increased from 16.8 to 43.9 mg P kg-1 in P alone treatments but the fraction was greatly enhanced with manure addition, increasing it from 32.6 to 97.7 mg P kg-1. NaOH-Pi was the largest extractable Pi fraction and ranged from 144.3 to 250.6 mg P kg-1 and 107.5 to 213.2 mg P kg-1 in the unamended and manure amended treatments, respectively. Dry matter yield and P uptake by maize grown in the glasshouse were highly and significantly (p = 0.05) correlated with the different P fractions in the soil. The correlations followed the order resin P (r = 0.85) > NaOH-Pi (r = 0.85) > NaHCO3-Pi (r = 0.84) >> biomass P (r = 0.56) for dry matter yield at 6 weeks after planting. At 12 weeks after planting, goat manure had iv highly significant effects on resin P and biomass P but had no effect on NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH–Pi. The combination of biomass P, resin P and NaHCO3-Pi explained 75.8 percent of the variation in dry matter yield of which 63.0 percent of the variation was explained by biomass P alone. The greatest increase in biomass P occurred when added P was co-applied with 5 or 10 tha-1 goat manure. The predictive equation for maize dry matter yield (DM) was: DM (g) = 1.897 biomass P + 0.645 resin P (r = 0.73). Resin P was the fraction that was most depleted due to plant uptake and decreased by 56 to 68 percent between the 6th week and the 12th week of sampling indicating that it played a greater role in supplying plant available P. The results therefore suggested that the use of goat manure may allow resource poor farmers to use lower levels of commercial phosphate fertilizers because of its effect to reduce soil P sorption. In addition, higher increases in biomass P due to manure addition observed at lower rates of added P indicated that goat manure has potential for enhancing bioavailability and fertilizer use efficiency of small inorganic P applications.

Thermal desorption (TD), a remediation method used to remove hydrocarbons from contaminated soils, may cause changes in soil properties that threaten soil function and plant productivity. The goal of this research is to better understand the effect that TD treatment has on soils intended for agricultural use. A series of soil phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption experiments were conducted on soils before and after TD treatment to determine P availability for plant uptake and risk for run-off. TD-treated soils retained more P, likely due to mineral transformations of Fe- and Al-oxides. In addition, a three-year field study using mixtures of topsoil (A), crude-contaminated soil (SP), and TD-treated soils (TDU) was conducted. Yields were significantly greater in plots that included A in the mixture compared to SP and TDU soils alone. TD-treated soils can be a replacement for topsoil, but the addition of topsoil will reduce the time to successful reclamation.

<p>Converting a nutrient management plan from commercial fertilizers to poultry litter helps effectively utilize waste from the nearly 10 billion broiler birds across the United States. Nine field scale watersheds from the USDA ARS Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory near Riesel, TX were evaluated for P inputs and P outputs to determine phosphorus budgets for 15 years of annual application of poultry litter ranging from 75 – 219 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1 on cultivated and pasture/grazed fields. The cumulative net P continued to increase regardless of the application rate and had a positive relationship with soil level P (Mehlich-3 P) and flow weighted mean concentration (FWMC) for dissolved reactive P for both cultivated and pasture managed fields. We assessed hydrological connectivity within two nested watersheds by using the before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. Results showed hydrological connectivity during high rainfall years whereas low rainfall years had minimal connectivity compared to the controls. These results suggest the P contributions from upstream fields receiving poultry litter, even at high application rates, did not exhibit a treatment effect during the low rainfall years at downslope monitoring stations. </p><p><br></p> <p>As nutrient source variability increases in nutrient management plans, improving our ability to differentiate P sources and their fate in soils is critical. We evaluated soils with unique P inputs: inorganic P, poultry litter, and cattle grazing for isotopic signatures by forming silver phosphate and determining the δ¹⁸O_P. Isotopic signatures of the oxygen molecules which are strongly bound to P, provided signatures of 17.09‰, 18.00‰, and 17.20‰ for fields receiving commercial fertilizer, poultry manure, and cattle grazed, respectively. Significant effort was made to determine critical steps in the method to successfully precipitate Ag₃PO₄for analysis. Results show adding a cation removal step as well as monitoring and adjusting pH throughout the method increases probability of successful Ag₃PO₄precipitation. Findings from this study provide a valuable framework for future analysis to confirm unique δ¹⁸O_P signatures which can be used to differentiate the fate of different phosphorus sources in agricultural systems.</p>

The laboratory-scale University of Cape Town (UCT) process was designed to investigate the effects of changing COD/TP ratios on the performance of biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes. Specific objectives of the research were to investigate the effects of COD/TP ratio on the rates of phosphorus removal, COD removal, nitrogen removal, PHB utilization and oxygen uptake. The system was fed with municipal wastewater and operated at 20° C. The influent COD concentration was held approximately constant while the phosphorus concentration was varied to obtained the desired COD/TP ratio. Once robust enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) has been established, the COD/TP ratios of 20, 30, 40 and 60 were investigated. The COD/TP ratio of the influent wastewater was observed to have a substantial effect upon the performance of the UCT BNR system. The amount of phosphorus removed by the system and the percent phosphorus in the aerobic zone MLVSS decreased as the COD/TP ratio increased. In addition, the amount of phosphorus released in the anaerobic zone per unit of COD removed in the anaerobic zone increased as the COD/TP ratio decreased. From this research, the amount of anaerobic COD removal required to remove 1 mg/L of phosphorus in the aerobic zone approached a minimum value as the COD/TP ratio decreased. It was also shown that PHB production increased as the COD/TP ratio increased. The highest specific oxygen uptake rate was always observed in the second aerobic reactor and tended to increase as the COD/TP ratio increased. However, the changes in the COD/TP ratio did not significant affect COD removal, nitrogen removal and the observed yield coefficient, but did strongly affect the MLSS concentration. The MLSS concentration at the COD/TP ratio of 60 was only 55% of that at the COD/TP ratio of 20. A high level of anaerobic COD removal, an elevated percent phosphorus in the waste activated sludge (WAS) and a high soluble effluent phosphorus concentration can be used as indicators that the system is operating under COD limiting conditions. Several phenomena were also observed during this research. Firstly, the performance of the UCT BNR system for EBPR was greatly enhanced by reducing the aerobic volume. Secondly, the correlation between non-oxic phosphorus release and the aerobic phosphorus uptake improved when anoxic phosphorus release was taking into consideration. This indicated that the anoxic phosphorus release was not secondary release once the aerobic zone volume was reduced. Finally, no denitrification was observed in the aerobic zone from this study, based on the assumption that 12% of nitrogen was required for bacterial growth. / Master of Science