Call number: LD2668 .T4 1984 M93 / Master of Science

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.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Low yields in dry bean are often reported to be associated with lack of inoculation of seeds prior to planting. This also results in little fixed nitrogen contributed by the crop. Soil phosphorus (P) is another important yield limiting factor in most of the dry bean producing regions. Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the response of dry bean cultivars to inoculation and phosphorus application under dryland farming conditions during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 growing seasons at the Syferkuil farm of University of Limpopo. The experiments were carried out as a split split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plot factor comprised two dry bean cultivars viz, red speckled bean and small white haricot. Rhizobium phaseoli inoculation levels (inoculated and uninoculated) were assigned in the sub-plot whilst the sub-sub plot was applied with three phosphorus rates at 0, 45 and 90 kg P kg/ha. Growth parameters, phenological characteristics and yield data were collected during the course of the experiments. The results of the two experiments showed that there was no interactive effect of treatments on growth and yield parameters. However, there was a significant interactive effect of cultivar and inoculation on phenological characteristics in both growing seasons. Main effects of cultivar and inoculation significantly affected most of the parameters measured. Inoculated red speckled bean produced tallest plants which reached 50% flowering and maturity earlier than the small white haricot variety. In both growing seasons grain yield was significantly different between the two cultivars (P ≤ 0.01). The red speckled bean produced higher grain yield of 1657 kg ha-1 and 2547 kg ha-1 in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, respectively. In contrast, the small white haricot bean achieved grain yield of 1396 kg/ha and 1797 kg/ha in the respective seasons. Grain yield was significantly increased by approximately 16.15% and 27.50% with Rhizobium inoculation in the respective seasons. Phosphorus application at varying rates did not have a significant influence on all parameters measured the experiment in both 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons.

Grain corn (Zea mays L.) production occupies more farmland than any other annual crop in Quebec and is expanding demand from the livestock sector and the emerging bioethanol industry. Corn production requires high nutrient inputs and intensive tillage (IT). Many producers have thus switched to conservation tillage systems like ridge-tillage (RT) to overcome soil compaction and erosion problems that are common in IT systems. However, fertilizer guidelines developed for IT soils are used in RT although RT adoption greatly modifies phosphorus (P) dynamics. Lower fertilizer P requirements are expected because arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis known to enhance plant P nutrition are minimally disrupted under RT, compared to IT systems. A two-year study was conducted on a commercial farm in the Monteregie region (Quebec, Canada) to investigate the effects of P fertilizer rates and soil P-saturation status on corn early growth, nutrition and yield. Surface soil plant-available P was monitored in situ with anionic exchange membranes (P AEM) from seeding to the end of July. The effects of indigenous AM fungi on corn parameters and rhizosphere soil P pools were also investigated in untreated (AMNI) or AM-inhibited fungicide-treated (AMI) soils. Quebec's P fertilizer guidelines underestimated the soil P fertility in studied soils. Adding inorganic P (Pi) did not improve the early corn P nutrition, growth or yield, and had little impact soil PAEM. Variations in PAEM were better explained by climatic variables. AMNI corn had similar early development and high yield, regardless of whether P fertilizer was applied, whereas AMI plants needed P fertilizer to produce optimal yield. AMNI corn had reduced dependence on Pi inputs due to more efficient uptake of soil solution P i in surface and rhizosphere soils during the first 22 days after seeding (DAS), In the rhizosphere, available-Pi pool appeared to be used first to replenish the resin-P pool, but over the longer term, AM symbiosis also enhanced NaHCO3-Po mobilization through a mechanism that remains unclear. Deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which AM fungi alter soil P dynamics will contribute to the development of more sustainable P fertilizer programs for RT systems.

Darbo tikslas – nustatyti fosforo trąšų įtaką dirvožemio elektrocheminių parametrų kaitai bei miežių grūdų kokybės parametrams. Darbo uždaviniai: o nustatyti sertifikuotų ekologiškų fosoforo trąšų fosforitmilčių įtaką dirvožemio elektrocheminėms savybėms; o nustatyti sertifikuotų fosforo trąšų įtaką žemės ūkio augalų grūdų elektrocheminėms savybėms. Darbo objektas – Lietuvos žemės ūkio universiteto Agroekologijos centro ekologinės gamybos ūkio dirvožemis bei jame auginti vasariniai miežiai. Darbo rezultatai. Lietuvos žemės ūkio universiteto Agroekologijos centro ekologinės gamybos ūkyje atlikus sertifikuotų fosforo trąšų įtakos dirvožemio elektrocheminėms savybėms tyrimus, nustatyta, kad patręšus P60 fosforitmičių norma esminiai padidėjo dirvožemio pH rodiklio reikšmė, lyginant su netręštu dirvožemiu bei tręšimu P90 ir P120 normomis. Tiriant dirvožemio savitojo elektrinio laidžio reikšmes prieš tręšimą fosforo trąšomis pavasarį ir po vasarinių miežių derliaus nuėmimo, nustatyta, kad dirvožemio savitojo elektrinio laidžio reikšmės sumažėjo esminiai. Ištyrus dirvožemio savitąjį elektrinį laidį rudenį po tręšimo fosforo trąšomis, nustatyta, kad dirvožemio savitasis elektrinis laidis esminiai padidėjo, lyginant su dirvožemio ėminiais, paimtais po vasarinių miežių nupjovimo, bet negauta esminių skirtumų, lyginant su dirvožemio ėminiais paimtais pavasarį prieš vasarinių miežių tręšimą. Patręšus didžiausia tirta P120 fosforo trąšų norma, esminiai padidėjo dirvožemio redokso... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The thesis aims at defining the effect of phosphatic fertilizers on the change of electrochemical parameters of the soil and the quality parameters of barleycorn. The goals of the thesis are as follows: • determination of the effect of bone meal as a certified organic phosphatic fertilizer on the electrochemical parameters of the soil. • determination of the effect of certified phosphatic fertilizers on the electrochemical parameters of the crop grain. The soil of the organic farm of the Agro-ecological Centre of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture and spring barley grown therein constitute fall within the scope of the thesis. Findings. Research of the effect of certified phosphatic fertilizers on the electrochemical parameters of the soil in the organic farm of the Agro-ecological Centre of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture shows that application of the standard P60 bone meal resulted in a considerable increase of the pH value of the soil, as compared to unfertilized soil or use of the standard P90 and P120. The analysis of the values of soil conductivity before application of phosphatic fertilizers in spring and after reaping of spring barley reveals that the values of soil conductivity decreased to a remarkable extent. After testing of soil conductivity in autumn after use of phosphatic fertilizers it was established that soil conductivity, as compared to the soil samples taken after reaping of spring barley, considerably increased, however, testing shows no... [to full text]

The potential shortage of phosphorus (P) fertilizer is a threat to food security and closing the nutrient loop through recycling human excreta, especially urine, has been considered, so as to mitigate this crisis. Struvite (magnesium, ammonium phosphate), a material derived from human urine, is a product which is gaining credence with regards to using urine as a P amendment since more than 90% of P in urine can be captured during struvite production. A study to evaluate the potential of struvite as a P amendment in three contrasting soils was conducted. The soils used were an A horizon of Inanda (Ia), A horizon Sepane (Se) and an E horizon of Cartref (Cf). Phosphate adsorption properties of the soils were studied and the Freundlich model used to derive sorption parameters. From these studies, Pmax was related to the Kf parameter of the Freundlich equation. Two sets of incubation studies were then conducted. The first ran for 122 days and the second for 22 days to examine in closer detail the early stages of dissolution of the struvite as the major P release occurred during this time period of the incubation. A pot experiment was conducted in a controlled environment so as to determine the effect of P released from struvite on maize growth. The Ia, with high content of iron and aluminum oxides, displayed high sorption and affinity for P, whereas soil texture was a principal factor in the sorption properties of the Se (clayey) and Cf (sandy). The Kf decreased in the order Ia > Se > Cf and external P requirements decreased in the order Se > Ia > Cf. In the incubation studies solution P content increased with an increase in application rate of struvite. Struvite dissolution and P release varied between the different soils and the dissolution was found to be related to the P adsorption maximum of each individual soil and soil pH. The magnesium content also increased with time. In the glasshouse study, drymatter yield after six weeks growth was improved by the addition of struvite. There were no benefits achieved by using more than the recommended application rates for each soil. Struvite was as effective as conventional single superphosphate in the Ia and Cf, while superphosphate outperformed struvite on the Se. The findings of this study suggest that struvite has the potential to release P in an available form although its effectiveness and capability to release P could depend on soil pH, exchangeable acidity and initial P levels. Further research needs to focus on the effect of pH on struvite dissolution, the effect of struvite on soil pH, as well as comparison of nutrient release patterns between struvite and rock phosphate. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

The effects of phosphorus fertilization on the growth and survival of Liatris pycnostachya, Physostegia virginiana, and Sporobolus heterolepis seedlings were examined in a prairie restoration project. Treatment included fertilizing once at the time of planting. Plant responses were measured on two soil types, Bono (very high phosphorus levels, lower and flatter) and Morley (very low phosphorus levels, on a slight hill with some slope). P fertilization did not increase the growth of any species on either soil type, although results may have been limited by the effects of surrounding plant competition. Only one significant difference in plant growth was observed between fertilized and unfertilized plots; control Liatris pycnostachya and Physostegia virginiana in the Bono soils produced more shoots than fertilized plants of the same species. P- fertilized Liatris pycnostachya in Morley soil had significantly higher survivorship than unfertilized plants. In contrast, P-fertilized Physostegia virginiana in the Bono soil had the significantly lower survivorship than unfertilized plants. For the other species on either soil type, the survivorship was not significantly different. Because P-fertilization produced very limited benefit, and even adverse plant responses in some cases, the recommendation of this study is that P-fertilization should not be applied at the time of planting of prairie restoration projects. / Department of Biology

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2005. / Principal faculty advisor: Gregory D. Binford, Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

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.