Effect of locally available phosphorus sources on soil phosphorus fractions, phosphorus uptake, maize dry matter production and grain yield on a typic plinthustuulf

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effect of different locally available phosphorus sources on agronomic P use efficiency, P utilization efficiency, P recovery efficiency, total dry matter production, grain yield of maize and soil P fractions in a locally available amended Typic Plinthutuuf in 2017 and 2018 minor cropping seasons. The study involves nine treatments each replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatment combinations were: No amendment (T1), 1.30 kg/ plot Urea+ 1.92 kg/ plot TSP + 0.38 kg/plot KCl (T2); 49.56 kg/plot EFB Mulch + 0.25kg/plot Urea + 1.03 kg/plot TSP (T3) , 24.80 kg/plot EFB Mulch + 0.25kg/plot Urea + 20.16kg/plot EFB Compost+ 1..05 TSP (T4), 53.76 kg/plot RH Biochar + 0.19 kg/plot Urea + 1.38 kg/plot TSP + 22.68 kg/plot EFB Compost (T5), 28 kg/plot EFB Mulch + 28 kg/plot RH Biochar+ 0.19 kg/plot Urea+ 1.25 kg/plot TSP (T6), 40.6 kg/plot EFB Compost + 0.25 kg/plot Urea + 1.3 kg/plot TSP (T7), 49.2kg/plot RH Biochar + 28.08 kg/plot EFB Compost + 1.91 kg/plot RP (T8) , 21.3 kg/plot EFB Mulch + 28.08 kg/plot EFB Compost + 1.15 kg/plot RP (T9). The data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD at 5 % level of significance was used to separate the means. The maize grown on T2 enhanced the highest agronomic P use efficiency and grain yield in 2017 as well as total dry matter production and growth parameters in both 2017 and 2018. T5 was also observed to promote maize plant with the highest total P uptake and P recovery efficiency in both 2017 and 2018 minor cropping seasons. The highest soil P fractions, the soil properties as well as the P utilization efficiency and the P harvest index were obtained from organic P sources and integrated P sources. Across all the treatment, maize plant performed better in 2018 minor cropping season than in 2017 minor cropping season probably due to the higher rainfall and temperature in 2018. In conclusion, the application of NPK, rice husk boichar and its compost and rock phosphate promoted the highest grain yield and total dry matter production and therefore is recommended for adoption by all farmers.