Long-Term Fertilization Effect on Fraction and Distribution of Soil Phosphorus in a Plastic-Film House in China

Abstract

Knowledge of phosphorus (P) behavior in long-term fertilized soils is essential for better fertilization practices and protection of environmental quality. Therefore, we evaluated the various forms of P contents, fraction, and distribution of soil inorganic P in a greenhouse under continuous fertilization since 1988. Continuous fertilization increased total and available P contents at the 0- to 20-cm soil layer. Applied organic manure and chemical fertilizer increased the contents of total, available, organic, and inorganic P (P_i) significantly. In the soil fertilized with organic manure, the greatest fraction of the P_i was occluded P (O-P), whereas in the soil not fertilized with organic manure, the greatest fraction of the P_i was calcium-bound P (Ca-P). All fractions of the P_i in both soils treated with organic manure and inorganic manure decreased gradually with soil depth. Thus, the long-term fertilization of organic fertilizer increases the accumulation of various soil P forms and causes deeper P_i translocation.

Keywords:

• Long-term fertilization
• soil P fraction
• soil P distribution
• vegetable field

Acknowledgments

The research was financially supported by the Chinese National Natural Science Fund (30370972, 50869001). We are grateful for Dr. Zhang Enping for providing us with soil samples.