Soil organic phosphorus in Eucalyptus plantations, Brazil: extraction methods

Abstract

In-depth knowledge of total soil organic phosphorus (TP O ) as a potential P source for plants allows for a comprehensive understanding of the adoption of an efficient management system of phosphorus fertilization in forest plantations. Thus, we aimed to compare three TP O extraction methods (Hedley; Bowman; Bowman and Moir) in different Eucalyptus plantations on strongly weathered soils. The TP O concentrations obtained by the "Hedley" (mean of 130 mg kg -1 ), and "Bowman and Moir" methods (mean of 131 mg kg -1 ) were similar. The "Bowman" method extracted less than 50 % of the TP O content extracted by the other methods. Both "Hedley" and "Bowman and Moir" methods showed similar TP O extraction efficiency compared to TP determined by acid digestion. However, the "Hedley" method is the most expensive and time-consuming analytical technique. In view of this, the NaOH+Na 2 EDTA extractor (Bowman and Moir) would be the most suitable since, in addition to showing high extraction efficiency, it offers fast analysis execution, low analytical error, and lower cost.

Effect of Forest Thinning on Soil Phosphorus Stocks and Dynamics on a Global Scale

“…Forest thinning is an important method for forest ecosystem management [1]; it optimizes stand structure and improves the stand environment by regulating stand density, and also plays an important role in restoring degraded forest ecosystems [2,3]. Soil acts as a link between material and energy transmission in forest ecosystems [4], and the supply of soil nutrients directly affects the growth status and the yield of forest trees [5]. Soil phosphorus (P) is an important limiting factor for plant growth and development in terrestrial ecosystems [6], and an important nutrient index for soil fertility and soil quality [7].…”