Correlation of solution and extractable phosphorus with vegetative growth of teff

Abstract

Three soils, Hiwassee loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic, Typic Rhodudults), Vaiden clay (very fine, montmorillonitic, thermic, Vertic Hapludalfs) and Marvyn sand (fine, loamy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Hapludults), were used in this study. Phosphorus sorption and desorption isotherms of the soils were determined in the laboratory. Average P sorption maximum (b) was calculated using the Langmuir isotherm equation. Based on the P sorption capacity, each soil was fertilized with different P rates and teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc)] was grown in the greenhouse. The amount of P sorbed and desorbed increased as the concentration of equilibrating solution P increased. Phosphorus sorption maximum from sorption and desorption isotherms was 278, 251, and 37 mg P/kg for Hiwassee, Vaiden, and Marvyn soils, respectively, and for maximum dry matter yield of teff the soils needed a minimum of 0.029, 0.048, and 0.065 mg/L soil solution P, respectively, which were all below the soil solution P at P adsorption maximum.

Soil P was extracted by the Mehlich I, Mehlich III, modified Mississippi, Bray P‐l and Olsen methods. Plant‐available P extracted by each of the five methods was significantly correlated with teff dry matter yield, and statistically any of the five methods can be used as the basis for predicting teff yield responses.

Notes

Present address: Department of Agricultural Sciences Milbank Hall, Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL 36088