Response of Maize to Different Soil Residual Phosphorus Conditions
2019
de Oliveira, Luiz E Zancanaro | Nunes, Rafael de S. | de Sousa, Djalma M. G. | Busato, Jader G. | de Figueiredo, Cícero C.
Large reserves of phosphorus (P) in Brazilian soils can be potentially used by crops. However, it is not well known how different tillage systems and past P fertilizer management strategies affect legacy P utilization. A trial was conducted in an Oxisol (Rhodic Haplustox) at Embrapa Cerrados, Federal District, Brazil to investigate the effects of different soil residual P conditions on maize yield. For 17 yr, annual summer crops were fertilized with 80 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ P₂O₅ in a split‐plot design consisting of eight treatments: no‐tillage system (NT) or conventional tillage (CT), fertilized with triple superphosphate (TSP) or reactive rock phosphate (RRP), applied to the crop furrow or broadcast. P fertilization was then discontinued and maize grown for 4 seasons relied on the residual soil P under NT or CT. Residual P use efficiency, calculated as a ratio between grain yield and total residual P in the soil, was greater under NT than CT, as a consequence of higher availability of P determined by Bray‐1, Mehlich‐1 and Olsen methods. Past use of RRP sustained better yields and higher residual P use efficiency, especially in NT, due to its lower solubilizing rate. P placement strategy did not change residual P use efficiency. We recommend assess amount of available P to identify sites in which residual P may sustain crop needs. Finally, the use of RRP, especially under NT, is a recommended management strategy for reducing phosphate fertilizer demand in heavily weathered soils of Central Brazil. Core Ideas No‐tillage system promotes efficient P use, especially after discontinued P supply. Due to slow solubilizing rate, reactive rock phosphate sustains better residual P availability. Fertilizer placement did not influence residual P use efficiency.
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