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Phosphorus and nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency of wheat seedlings grown in soils from contrasting tillage systems.

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Abstract

Aims

This paper assessed the effect that the vertical stratification of nutrients in conservation cropping systems of Australia has on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertiliser use efficiency.

Methods

Intact soil cores from two long-term tillage experiments, located on a Vertosol and on a Calcarosol were used to assess if tillage system (zero tillage - ZT vs conventional tillage - CT) and soil water influence fertiliser use efficiency (using 33P and 15 N) of wheat under controlled growth conditions.

Results

Adding P increased shoot growth and P uptake on the Calcarosol, provided the surface remained moist and N was applied. The percentage of plant P derived from fertiliser (Pdff) was greater on the Calcarosol regardless of tillage practice. Pdff increased when the soil remained wet or when N was added. The percentage of N derived from fertiliser (%Ndff) was not affected by tillage practice on the Vertosol but when the soil surface was allowed to dry, it was significantly greater under ZT than CT on the Calcarosol. Adding P increased N fertiliser recovery but tillage practice had no effect.

Conclusion

The effect of tillage practice on P and N fertiliser use efficiency depends on soil and topsoil water status.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Caroline Johnston (CSIRO) with the preparation of the 33P component and subsequent chemical analysis, Dr B Kuskopf (University of Melbourne) for 15 N analysis and Roger Perris, Claire McMahon and Mel Munn (Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources) for assistance with collecting the intact cores and running the glasshouse experiment. The research was co-funded by the Grains Research & Development Corporation (Project DAV00095).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Horsham, VIC, 3400, Australia

    R. D. Armstrong & K. Dunsford

  2. School of Agriculture, Food and Wine and Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

    M. J. McLaughlin & S. Mason

  3. CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

    M. J. McLaughlin & T. McBeath

  4. Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, The University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    V. M. Dunbabin

  5. Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia

    R. D. Armstrong

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  1. R. D. Armstrong
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  2. K. Dunsford
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  3. M. J. McLaughlin
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  4. T. McBeath
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  5. S. Mason
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  6. V. M. Dunbabin
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Correspondence to R. D. Armstrong.

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Armstrong, R.D., Dunsford, K., McLaughlin, M.J. et al. Phosphorus and nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency of wheat seedlings grown in soils from contrasting tillage systems.. Plant Soil 396, 297–309 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2586-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2586-2

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