The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil
Soil pH strongly influences phosphorus (P) availability and, consequently, plant response to P fertilization. This study aimed to assess how soil pH affects P availability, uptake, and fertilizer use efficiency in maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) grown under controlled conditions. A pot experi...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Jolanta Korzeniowska Ewa Stanisławska-Glubiak Joanna Brosig |
| author_facet | Jolanta Korzeniowska Ewa Stanisławska-Glubiak Joanna Brosig |
| author_sort | Jolanta Korzeniowska |
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| description | Soil pH strongly influences phosphorus (P) availability and, consequently, plant response to P fertilization. This study aimed to assess how soil pH affects P availability, uptake, and fertilizer use efficiency in maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) grown under controlled conditions. A pot experiment was conducted using three soil pH<sub>KCl</sub> levels (4.2, 5.2, and 6.4) and five P application doses (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g P pot<sup>−1</sup>). Each pot contained 10 kg of soil. Results showed that soil P concentration after harvest increased with both P dose and pH, with the highest values recorded at pH 6.4. Maize grain and straw yields responded differently to P fertilization depending on pH. At pH 5.2, the highest grain yield and agronomic efficiency (AE) were observed at the 0.5 g P dose, while higher doses led to yield reductions. At pH 4.2, P fertilization significantly increased both grain yield and P uptake, but excessive doses reduced yields. In contrast, at pH 6.4, yield increased steadily with rising P doses, though AE and apparent phosphorus recovery (APR) were lowest. The highest APR was observed at pH 4.2 and the lowest at pH 6.4. Overall, the results suggest that optimal maize response to P fertilization occurs near pH 5.2, where both yield and efficiency indices peak. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-56385baf1cfb45b48ee25d359556b0282025-08-20T03:36:30ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-07-011515159910.3390/agriculture15151599The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy SoilJolanta Korzeniowska0Ewa Stanisławska-Glubiak1Joanna Brosig2Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute in Pulawy, Department of Weed Science in Wroclaw, Orzechowa 61, 50-540 Wroclaw, PolandInstitute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute in Pulawy, Department of Weed Science in Wroclaw, Orzechowa 61, 50-540 Wroclaw, PolandInstitute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute in Pulawy, Department of Weed Science in Wroclaw, Orzechowa 61, 50-540 Wroclaw, PolandSoil pH strongly influences phosphorus (P) availability and, consequently, plant response to P fertilization. This study aimed to assess how soil pH affects P availability, uptake, and fertilizer use efficiency in maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) grown under controlled conditions. A pot experiment was conducted using three soil pH<sub>KCl</sub> levels (4.2, 5.2, and 6.4) and five P application doses (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g P pot<sup>−1</sup>). Each pot contained 10 kg of soil. Results showed that soil P concentration after harvest increased with both P dose and pH, with the highest values recorded at pH 6.4. Maize grain and straw yields responded differently to P fertilization depending on pH. At pH 5.2, the highest grain yield and agronomic efficiency (AE) were observed at the 0.5 g P dose, while higher doses led to yield reductions. At pH 4.2, P fertilization significantly increased both grain yield and P uptake, but excessive doses reduced yields. In contrast, at pH 6.4, yield increased steadily with rising P doses, though AE and apparent phosphorus recovery (APR) were lowest. The highest APR was observed at pH 4.2 and the lowest at pH 6.4. Overall, the results suggest that optimal maize response to P fertilization occurs near pH 5.2, where both yield and efficiency indices peak.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1599P fertilizationsoil acidityP ratesefficiency indicesagronomic efficiencyapparent phosphorus recovery |
| spellingShingle | Jolanta Korzeniowska Ewa Stanisławska-Glubiak Joanna Brosig The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil Agriculture P fertilization soil acidity P rates efficiency indices agronomic efficiency apparent phosphorus recovery |
| title | The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil |
| title_full | The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil |
| title_short | The Effect of pH on Fertilizer Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil |
| title_sort | effect of ph on fertilizer phosphorus use efficiency in sandy soil |
| topic | P fertilization soil acidity P rates efficiency indices agronomic efficiency apparent phosphorus recovery |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1599 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jolantakorzeniowska theeffectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil AT ewastanisławskaglubiak theeffectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil AT joannabrosig theeffectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil AT jolantakorzeniowska effectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil AT ewastanisławskaglubiak effectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil AT joannabrosig effectofphonfertilizerphosphorususeefficiencyinsandysoil |