Response of Maize (Zea Mays L.) to Phosphorus Fertilizers in Two Alfisols with Contrasting Phosphorus Availabilities and Sorption Capacities

摘要

Increase in phosphorus (P) availability with fertilizer addition is influenced by soil properties such as P sorption capacity. We investigated P availability changes and response of maize (Zea mays L) to four P fertilizers rates (0, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha(-1)) in a two-site field experiment, having soils of contrastingly different available P (2.9 and 22.1 mg kg(-1)) and P sorption capacities (171.9 and 54.2 mg kg(-1)). Increase in available P was significantly greater in the soil with higher available P but lower P sorption capacity, than in the other; however, yield responses were similar in the two soils. Fertilizer P rates of 30 and 40 kg ha(-1) gave significantly greater maize yields than the unfertilized treatment in both soils. Results suggest the need to account for the P sorption capacity when deciding rates of P fertilizers to increase available P in soils.