Modeling an Improvement in Phosphorus Utilization in Tropical Agriculture

Abstract

Studies of Terra Preta soils have generated interest in recreating their fertility elsewhere. Much of the research has focused on soil amendment charcoal ("biochar"). Terra Preta also contains bone fragments, producing a high concentration of phosphorus. Some forecast worldwide declines in phosphorus supplies, and better agricultural system management is required to improve phosphorus use efficiency. A conceptual model is offered to consider the influence of charcoal on bioavailability of phosphorus. The model describes a system where improvements in the chemical and biological condition of the soil result in increased phosphorus availability and cycling. Mechanisms of phosphorus/charcoal interaction are considered, and an

Co-Pyrolysis of Poultry Litter and Phosphate and Magnesium Generates Alternative Slow-Release Fertilizer Suitable for Tropical Soils

“…3 Phosphorus fixation represents a problem in Brazil's soils due to intensive agriculture, and soils can impose a "P tax" to improve plant nutrition and increase yields. 4 Therefore, P applied via fertilizer and absorbed by the crop in the first growing cycle is usually in the order of 10−20% of the total applied P. 5 Since the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers is very low, 6 it is essential to search for alternatives aiming at optimizing the use of P sources or reducing P losses (precipitation, adsorption, and ultimately "fixation") in agricultural systems, 3,7 either by the development of more efficient P fertilizers or by the use of alternative P sources such as organic wastes. Among organic residues, poultry litter (PL) is produced in massive amounts in Brazil and worldwide and is not always properly disposed.…”

Genetic Characterization of a Novel Composite Transposon Carrying armA and aac(6)-Ib Genes in an Escherichia coli Isolate from Egypt

“…Biochar has been also found to decrease nutrient leaching on its own (Downie et al, 2007;Dünisch et al, 2007), as well as after incorporation within soil (Lehmann et al, 2003). Soil phosphorus seems to be more available for plants in biochar-enriched soils (Edelstein and Tonjes, 2011) due to less binding to non-soluble forms (Cui et al, 2011). Animal bone char (ABC) is a suitable material as a source of phosphate for plants and as a carrier for beneficial soil bacteria, meanwhile reusing P from wastes of the food chain (Postma et al, 2010).…”

A bioszén felhasználásának lehetőségei a talaj tápanyag-utánpótlásában – Szemle

“…Általánosságban megfigyelhető, hogy a foszfor jobban hozzáférhetővé válik bioszénnel kezelt talajokban (EDELSTEIN & TONJES, 2012). Előfordul azonban, hogy a foszfor felvehetőségére a bioszén adagolás nem gyakorol semmilyen hatást, vagy a foszfor megkötődését elősegítő folyamatok kerülnek inkább előtérbe.…”