‘Biosuper’ as a phosphate fertiliser: A glasshouse evaluation

Abstract

Christmas Island ‘A’ grade phosphate rock combined with finely-divided, elemental sulphur and Thiobacillus thioxidans was assessed as a fertiliser (‘biosuper’) on three soils in the glasshouse by measuring dry matter yields and phosphate (P) uptake by white clover (Trifolium repens. L.) grown in pots. ‘Biosuper’ increased DM yields of white clover by 10–20% on all three soils. On two soils the increased yield was similar to that resulting from superphosphate applications at equivalent rates of P. The results of the study are discussed in relation to those from overseas studies and also to their application under New Zealand field conditions. Suggestions for future research are made.

Keywords:

• Sulphur
• superphosphate
• white clover
• Trifolium repens
• ‘biosuper’