Tuesday, 8 November 2005
8

Factors Controlling Soil P Losses in Runoff fromTropical Soils.

John J. Ramírez-Avila, David Sotomayor-Ramírez, Gustavo Martínez-Rodríguez, and Luis Pérez-Alegría. University of Puerto Rico, Po Box 9030 - Agronomy and Soils, Mayagüez, PR 00681

Phosphorus (P) in runoff from agricultural soils is an important contributor to surface water eutrophication. To quantify P losses from organic (poultry litter [PL]) and inorganic (triple superphosphate [TSP]) P amended soils, the relationship between runoff P and Olsen and Bray I soil test P (STP) in two geographic zones in Puerto Rico was evaluated, using simulated rainfall. The soils were an Ultisol-Oxisol complex with nativized pastures in Mayagüez and an Ultisol with grass cover (Brachiaria Decumbens) in Corozal. The dissolved P fraction (DP) corresponded to 80% of total P (TP) concentrations in Mayagüez, while in Corozal DP represented between 32 and 35% TP concentrations in runoff in TSP and PL amended soils, respectively. Higher topography and lesser groundcover observed in Corozal favored the lesser DP/TP ratio in this site. The TP and DP concentrations in runoff increased with STP following an exponential model. Organic residues in surface soil and plant material increased P losses and concentrations in PL amended soils. Runoff P fractions and concentrations were reduced with increases in runoff volume and antecedent soil moisture. Environmental critical STP levels in inorganic amended soils, calculated based on a 1 mg L-1 DP threshold were between 176 and 184 mg kg-1 Olsen P STP and 206 mg kg-1 for Bray I P STP, respectively. In organic amended soils thresholds values were 88 and 111 mg kg-1 Olsen and Bray I, respectively.

Back to Phosphorus Chemistry in Soils: I. P Availability
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