Crop production in sub-Sahara Africa is constrained by low soil phosphorus (P) content. A study was conducted in western Kenya to explore alternative P inputs and ways of optimizing their effectiveness and profitability. A field experiment established in 2007 studied the effects of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) and triple superphosphate (TSP) on maize, common beans and soybean yield. MPR and TSP were applied seasonally at a rate of 0, 12.5, 25 and 50 kg P ha -1 either alone or in combination. Application of P, irrespective of amount, resulted in significantly higher grain yield and total biomass for maize, common beans and soybean compared with the 0 P treatment. Applying P at 12.5 kg ha -1 resulted in significantly (q B 0.05) lower maize, common beans and soybean grain yields than all the other P rates. On the other hand, application of P at 25 kg ha -1 resulted in similar yields to the higher P application rates. Relative agronomic effectiveness of MPR was similar for both maize and soybeans in most seasons, confirming that MPR has high potential for direct application in these soils. Switching from no application to P applied at 12.5 and also 25 kg P ha -1 attracts a marginal rate of return of at least 200 %.Switching from 25 kg P ha -1 to any of the other options attracted MRR \ 200 %. This implies that adoption of either MPR or TSP by farmers in western Kenya is profitable for maize and soybeans production, given that MRRs were above 100 % minimum acceptable rate of return which is a requirement for farmers to change from one technology to another.

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An incubation and a pot experiment were conducted to evaluate the dissolution and agronomic effectiveness of a less reactive phosphate rock, Busumbu soft ore (BPR), in an Oxisol in Kenya. Resin (anion and anion + cation)‐extractable P and sequentially extracted P with 0.5 M NaHCO3, 0.1 M NaOH, and 1 M HCl were analyzed. Dissolution was determined from the increase in anion resin (AER)–, NaHCO3‐, and NaOH‐extractable P in soil amended with PR compared with the control soil. Where P was applied, resin P significantly increased above the no‐P treatment. Busumbu‐PR solubility was low and did not increase significantly in 16 weeks. Anion + cation (ACER)‐extractable P was generally greater than AER‐P. The difference was greater for PR than for triple superphosphate (TSP). The ACER extraction may be a better estimate of plant P availability, particularly when poorly soluble P sources are used. Addition of P fertilizers alone or in combination with Tithonia diversifolia (TSP, BPR, TSP + Tithonia, and BPR + Tithonia) increased the concentration of labile inorganic P pools (NaHCO3‐ and NaOH‐Pi). Cumulative evolved CO2 was significantly correlated with cumulative N mineralized from Tithonia (r, 0.51, p < 0.05). Decrease in pH caused NH$ _4^+ $‐N accumulation while NO$ _3^- $‐N remained low where Tithonia was incorporated at all sampling times. However, when pH was increased, NH$ _4^+ $‐N declined with a corresponding rise in NO$ _3^- $‐N. Tithonia significantly depressed soil exchangeable acidity relative to control with time. A significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed for P uptake but not dry‐mass production in maize where BPR was applied. The variations in yield and P uptake due to source and rates of application were statistically significant. At any given P rate, highest yields were obtained with Tithonia alone. Combination of Busumbu PR with TSP or Tithonia did not enhance the effectiveness of the PR. The poor dissolution and plant P uptake of BPR may be related to the high Fe content in the PR material.

Concentrations and identity of ions in the soil solution may affect soil phosphorus (P) reactions and P availability. In this study, the magnitude of these reactions was evaluated following the application of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) combined with chloride and carbonate salts of Na and Ca within an incubation experiment. Twenty-one days later NaOH-P and HCl-P were determined. This investigation was undertaken with the aim of identifying the role of Ca-ion activity in the liquid phase on the solubilization of MPR and formation of insoluble Ca-P phases.The increase in pH was higher with Na 2 CO 3 than with CaCO 3 , while both CaCl 2 and NaCl resulted in slight decreases in pH. The dissolution of MPR was higher overall when MPR was applied singularly than for the combined application of the phosphate rock with salts of calcium or sodium after 60 days of incubation. Dissolution of MPR decreased as levels of CaCO 3 or CaCl 2 increased but the decrease was more pronounced in CaCO 3 -treated than in CaCl 2 -treated soils.Ca-ion activity in the liquid phase is the main factor responsible for the insolubilization of MPR and the formation of insoluble Ca-P phases (HCl P). The formation of Ca-P solid phases increased with the concentration of Ca-ions, and was governed by the pH and nature of the accompanying anion. For soils with low levels of exchangeable cations and where liming is a recommended intervention measure, Ca from lime will form insoluble P phases and reduce the dissolution of PR and P availability to plants.

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