Fertiliser for available soil phosphorus in organic farming systems
Project Summary
Full title:
Fertiliser for available soil phosphorus in organic farming systems
Project ID:
05P207
Project type:
Research
Start date:
01/07/2005
Completion date:
30/11/2007
Project status:
Current
Project leader:
,
Lead agency:
NSW DPI
Locations:
Cootamundra District Office
Mudgee District Office
NSW Agriculture Lockhart District Office
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
Project Details
Objectives:
(i) Develop commercially viable reactive phosphate rock - sulphur fertiliser effective for increasing plant available soil phosphate. (ii) Improve understanding of the conditions for effective use of reactive phosphate rock - sulphur fertiliser. (iii) Evaluate commercial products purported to increase soil phosphate or the ability of plants to access soil phosphate.
Methodology:
A range of rates of reactive phosphate rock and elemental sulphur, in combination, will be applied to soil low in available phosphate, at a number of sites of contrasting soil types and climate. Plant available phosphate (Olsen P) will be monitored for two seasons. Several soil and climatic properties will be characterised so that Olsen P responses to the fertiliser can be evaluated against conditions of application.
At one site, about 10 commercial products will be applied to soil or seed as recommended. Their effect on either plant available soil phosphate and/or plant uptake of phosphorus will be measured over two seasons and compared to background levels.
Industry relevance:
Broad-acre soil used for organic cropping are often low in plant available soil phosphate: this is reducing grain yields and pasture quality, and continued exploitation of the available soil phosphorus reserve will lead to unsustainable cereal-livestock cropping. Replenishing soil phosphorus to maintain optimal available phosphorus, using an approved fertiliser strategy, is essential to develop and grow a sustainable organic grain industry.
Target audience:
Organic producers, fertiliser manufacturers, industry agronomists.
The information contained in this web page is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are
reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to
check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of New South Wales
Department of Agriculture or the user’s independent adviser.
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