Sensitivity of Soil P Availability Tests to Ca-P in Oxisols

Abstract

We assessed the sensitivity of mixed exchange resin (MER) and Mehlich-3 (M3) to calcium-bound phosphate (Ca-P) in Oxisols. These methods were compared with Mehlich-1 (M1) and anion exchange resin (AER), which have high and low sensitivity, respectively, to this soil P form. We used maize (Zea mays L.) as a test plant. Three samples from two Oxisols were treated with five ratios of Triple Superphosphate—TS and Bayóvar Phosphate Rock—BPR (0 + 100; 25 + 75, 50 + 50, 75 + 25 and 100 + 0% TS + BPR). The MER extracted more P than AER and M3 at the highest BPR:TS ratios (high Ca-P) and similar quantities at the higher TS:BPR ratios (low Ca-P) for two soil samples. Unlike M1-extracted P, M3-P, AER-P, and MER-P positively correlated with maize dry matter production and P uptake. Mehlich-3 and MER were suitable to assess P availability in high Ca-P Oxisols.