Comparing two theories about the nature of soil phosphate. (20th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barrow, N. J.
• Is Part Of: European journal of soil science. Volume 72:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 679
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 2020-08-20
• Subjects: P availability and pH -- P fertilising -- P fractions -- P penetration -- P sorption; Soil science -- Periodicals; 631.4
• DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0754

Abstract

Abstract: Two theories about the nature of phosphate in soil are current. One holds that soil phosphate is mostly present as particles of iron, aluminium and calcium phosphates: the precipitate‐particulate theory . The other holds that phosphate is mostly adsorbed and penetrates heterogeneous, variable‐charge particles: the adsorption‐penetration theory . This is the only theory that is consistent with and can be deduced from observations. It is my contention that the persistence of the precipitate‐particulate theory leads to: wasted research effort in trying to identify the supposed phosphate fractions; failure to recognize the long‐term changes in soil phosphate due to repeated applications, and thus to over‐fertilisation; and misapprehension about the effects of pH on phosphate availability.