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Phosphate potential and phosphate capacity of soils

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Summary

The relationship between the phosphate potential (I) and the amount of phosphate (Q), added to the soil has been examined by equilibrating soil samples with 0.001M or 0.01M CaCl2 solutions containing various amounts of phosphate.

For one neutral and two alkaline soils the Q/I relationship depends on the CaCl2 concentration and the pH in such a way that the apparent values of I decrease when the CaCl2 concentration increases from 0.001 M to 0.01M. The difference between the two values increases when the pH increases. When correction is made for the formation of the soluble calcium phosphate complex, CaHPO4, the Q/I relationship becomes independent of the CaCl2 concentration. The initial phosphate potential (I0) determined by interpolation, is also found to be independent of the CaCl2 concentration.

The necessary amount of phosphate to be added or removed per gram of soil in order to obtain a certain alteration of the phosphate potential is designated the differential phosphate potential buffering capacity, DPBC. For ten soils DPBC-values are determined on the basis of the Q/I relationships, (ΔQ/ΔI)Io, and found to be independent of the CaCl2 concentration. The content of colloids and of inorganic phosphate accounts for a significant part of the variation in the DPBC for different soils. The importance of the DPBC for characterization of the phosphate status of soils in respect to phosphate supply to plants is briefly discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrotechnical Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen

    H. E. Jensen

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  1. H. E. Jensen
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Additional information

The author is indebted to professor, Dr. H. C. Aslyng, head of the department for his suggestions and helpful criticism during the progress of this work.

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Jensen, H.E. Phosphate potential and phosphate capacity of soils. Plant Soil 33, 17–29 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378193

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378193

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