Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Managing Phosphate Rock to Improve Nutrient Uptake, Phosphorus Use Efficiency, and Carrot Yields

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess (a) the efficiency of lemon and pineapple juices and the concentration and time needed to release more than 50% of available phosphorus from phosphate rock (PR), and (b) the effect of different types of PR management on carrot yields, nutrient uptake, and phosphorus use efficiency. Field trials were set up at two sites with humic andosols and orthic acrisols over two seasons in Kenya. In a randomized complete block design, replicated three times, the following treatments were compared: (i) composted dissolved PR in lemon juice; (ii) powdered PR composted; (iii) dissolved PR in lemon juice added to compost; (iv) powdered PR and compost; (v) triple superphosphate and compost; (vi) compost alone; (vii) triple superphosphate and Tithonia diversifolia mulch; with (viii) un-amended soil as a control. Lemon juice was effective in solubilizing PR, releasing 63% of the total phosphorus applied into available phosphorus, compared to 11% for pineapple juice and 6% for water. The combined application of compost and PR dissolved in lemon juice at planting significantly increased phosphorus and potassium uptake, phosphorus use efficiency, and carrot yields that was comparable to the use of triple superphosphate and compost. The study concludes that the dissolution of phosphate rock with lemon juice at a ratio of 1:5 phosphate rock to lemon juice and its combined application (immediately after dissolution) with compost at planting improves nutrient uptake, phosphorus use efficiency, and crop yields. We recommend further studies to explore the possibility of using citrus peels or other acidic organic materials to enhance the solubility of phosphate rock, and to assess their practical feasibility and the economic advantage(s) in the large-scale production of high value crops.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbasi MK, Musa N, Manzoor M (2015) Mineralization of soluble P fertilizers and insoluble rock phosphate in response to phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and poultry manure and their effects on the growth and P utilization efficiency of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Biogeosciences 12:4607–4619. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4607-2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adamtey N, Musyoka MW, Zundel C, Guillermo-Cobo J, Karanja E, Komi KMF, Muriuki A, Mucheru-Muna M, Vanlauwe B, Berset E, Messmer MM, Gattinger A, Bhullar GS, Cadisch G, Fliessbach A, Mader P, Niggli U, Foster D (2016) Productivity, profitability and partial nutrient balance in maize-based conventional and organic farming systems in Kenya. Agric Ecosyst Environ 235:61–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.10.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adeleke R, Nwangburuka C, Oboirien B (2017) Origin, roles and fate of organic acids in soils: a review. S Afr J Bot 108:393–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2016.09.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolan NS, Naidu R, Mahimairaja S, Baskaran S (1994) Influence of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the solubilization of phosphates. Biol Fertil Soils 18(4):311–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00570634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brouder SM, Volenec JJ (2008) Impact of climate change on crop nutrient and water use efficiencies. Physiol Plant 133:705–724. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01136.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chien S, Prochnow LI, Mikkelsen R (2010) Agronomic use of phosphate rock for direct application. Better Crops 94(4):21–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicek H, Bhullar GS, Mandloi LS, Andres C, Riar AS (2020) Partial acidulation of rock phosphate for increased productivity in organic and smallholder farming. Case Report, Sustainability 12:607. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020607

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costa MG, Gama-Rodrigues AC, Goncalves JLM, Gama-Rodrigues EF, Sales MVS, Aleixo S (2016) Labile and non-labile fractions of phosphorus and its transformations in soil under eucalyptus plantations, Brazil. Forests 7(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/f7010015

  • Dorozhkin SV (2012) Dissolution mechanism of calcium apatites in acids: a review of literature. World J Methodol 2(1):1–17. https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v2.i1.1

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Etienne P, Diquelou S, Prudent M, Salon C, Maillard A, Ourry A (2018) Macro and micronutrient storage in plants and their remobilization when facing scarcity: the case of drought. Agriculture 8(1):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8010014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giri A, Heckathorn S, Mishra S, Krause C (2017) Heat stress decreases levels of nutrient-uptake and -assimilation proteins in tomato roots. Plants 6(4):6. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants6010006

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Grubben GJH, Denton OA (2004) Plant resources of tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands / Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands / CTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. pp 668

  • Horticultural Crops Directorate (2017) Horticulture: validated report 2015-2016. Agriculture and food authority, Nairobi. Kenya

  • Ivanova RP, Bojinova DY, Gruncharov IN, Damgaliev DL (2006) The solubilization of rock phosphate by organic acids. Phosphorus Sulfur Silicon Relat Elem 181(11):2541–2554. https://doi.org/10.1080/10426500600758399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jamal A, Khan A, Sharif M, Jamal H (2018) Application of different organic acids on phosphorus solubility from rock phosphate. J Hortic Plant Res 2:43–48. https://doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/JHPR.2.43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaetzold R, Schmidt H (1983) Farm management handbook of Kenya: part B; Central Kenya (Rift Valley and Central Province). Natural conditions and farm information, 11. Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya and German Agricultural Team (GAT) of German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Germany

  • Jeptoo A, Aguyoh JN, Saidi M (2013) Improving carrot yield and quality through the use of bio-slurry manure. Sustain Agric Res 2(1):164. https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v2n1p164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kisinyo PO, Othieno CO, Gudu SO, Okalebo JR, Opala PA, Ng’etich WK, Nyambati RO, Ouma EO, Agalo JJ, Kebeney SJ, Too EJ, Kisinyo JA, Opile WR (2014) Immediate and residual effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on soil acidity and maize production in Western Kenya. Exp Agric 50(1):128–143. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479713000318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klaic R, Kaneko R, Ribeiro C, Zangirolami TC, Farinas CS (2017) Solubilization of phosphate rock by organic acids. XXI National Bioprocesses Symposium (SINAFERM) and XII Hydrolysis Enzymatic of Biomass Symposium (SHEB), 3–6 September, 2017, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil

  • Kumari K, Phogat VK (2008) Rock phosphate: its availability and solubilization in the soil—a review. Agric Rev 29(2):108–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafta AM, Lorenzen J (1995) Effect of high temperature on plant growth and carbohydrate metabolism in potato. Plant Physiol 109(2):637–643. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.109.2.637

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ligeyo DO (2007) Genetic analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) tolerance to aluminium toxicity and low phosphorus stress and development of synthetics for use in acid soils of western Kenya. PhD thesis, Moi University, Kenya

  • Mbatha AN, Ceronio GM, Coetzer GM (2014) Response of carrot (Daucus carota L.) yield and quality to organic fertilizer. S Afr J Plant Soil 31(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2013.862309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Msolla MM, Semoka JMR, Borggaard OK (2005) Hard Minjingu phosphate rock: an alternative P source for maize production on acid soils in Tanzania. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 72:299–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-005-6081-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muhmood A, Majeed A, Niaz A, Javid S, Shah SSH, Shah AH (2015) Nutrients uptake and the yield of okra and carrots in response to bioslurry and inorganic N fertilizers. Int J Plant & Soil Sci 7(5):297–305. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2015/17084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukhongo RW, Tumuhairwe JB, Ebanyat P, AbdelgGadir AH, Thuita M, Masso C (2016) Production and use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and ways of improving. Int J Soil Sci 11:108–122. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijss.2016.108.122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chem Acta 27:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-2670(00)88444-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishanth D, Biswas DR (2008) Kinetics of phosphorus and potassium release from rock phosphate and waste mica enriched compost and their effect on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum). Bioresour Technol 99(9):3342–3353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.08.025

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nour V, Trandafir I, Ionica ME (2010) HPLC organic acid analysis in different citrus juices under reversed phase conditions. Not Bot Hort Agrobot Cluj 38(1):44–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okalebo JR, Gathua KW, Woomer PL (2002) Laboratory methods of soil and plant analysis: a working manual: 2nd Edition. TSBR-CIAT and SACRED Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. pp 128

  • Osman MA (2015) Studies on the possible use of rock phosphate in agriculture. Int J ChemTech Res 8(10):53–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Panhwar QA, Jusop S, Naher UA, Othman R, Razi MI (2013) Application of potential phosphate solubilizing bacteria and organic acids on phosphate solubilization from phosphate rock in aerobic rice. Sci World J 2013:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/272409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Core Team (2018) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL https://www.R-project.org/

  • Rattanpal HS, Singh G, Singh S, Arora A (2017) Citrus cultivation in Punjab. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India

  • Roy T, Biswas DR, Datta SC, Sarkar A (2018) Phosphorus release from rock phosphate as influenced by organic acid loaded nanoclay polymer composites in an Alfisol. Proc Natl Acad Sci, India, Sect B Biol Sci 88(1):121–132 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-016-0739-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy RN, Zapta F (2003) Use of phosphate rocks for sustainable agriculture. FAO Technical paper. http://www.fao.org/3/y5053e/y5053e01.html

  • Ruelle P (1999) Understanding the volume-solubility dependence: the mobile order and disorder view. J Phys Org 12(10):769–786. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1395(199910)12:10%3C769::aid-poc197%3E3.0.co;2-g

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson KR, Sanderson JB (2006) Prince Edward Island growers can reduce soil phosphorus buildup while maintaining carrot crop yield. Can J Plant Sci 86:1401–1403. https://doi.org/10.4141/p06-109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syers JK, Johnston AE, Curtin D (2008) Efficiency of soil and fertilizer phosphorus use. Report no. 18, FAO Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin, Rome.

  • Traina SJ, Sposito G, Hesterberg D, Kafkafi U (1986) Effects of pH and organic acids on orthophosphate solubility in an acidic, montmorillonitic soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 50:45–52. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000010009x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verde BS, Danga BO, Mugwe JN (2013) Effects of manure, lime and mineral P fertilizer on soybean yields and soil fertility in a humic nitisol in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Int J Agric Sci Res 2(9):283–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahba MM, Bahna FL, Amal MA (2018) Improving the availability of phosphorus from rock phosphate in calcareous soils by natural materials. Biosci Res 15(3):1796–1804

    Google Scholar 

  • Westerveld SM, McDonald MR, McKeown AW (2007) Nitrogen utilization timeline of carrot over the growing season. Can J Plant Sci 87:587–592. https://doi.org/10.4141/p06-159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xin-Hua L, De-Quan S, Qing-Song W, Sheng-Hui L, Guang-Ming S (2014) Physico-chemical properties, antioxidant activity and mineral contents of pineapple genotypes grown in China. Molecules 19:8518–8532. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19068518

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav H, Fatima R, Sharma A, Mathur S (2017) Enhancement of applicability of rock phosphate in alkaline soils by organic compost. Appl Soil Ecol 113:80–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.02.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zafar M, Rizwan MS, Shahid M (2017) Introduction of composted rock phosphate and poultry manure enhances winter wheat phosphorus use efficiency, grain yield and soil quality. J Plant Nutr 40(13):1887–1899. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2016.1270316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zapata F, Zaharah AR (2002) Phosphorus availability from phosphate rock and sewage sludge as influenced by the addition of water soluble fertilizer. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 63:43–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development, the Swiss Coop Sustainability Fund, the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). We appreciate the support of the SysCom Kenya Team in undertaking this study, KALRO Muguga Chemistry Laboratory, for its assistance in soil analysis and Nicholas Parrott of TextualHealing.eu whose empathetic English language editing has helped to improve the article’s readability.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya

    Edwin Mwangi, Catherine Ngamau & John Wesonga

  2. International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Edwin Mwangi, Edward Karanja, Martha Musyoka & Felix Matheri

  3. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P.O Box 2008, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Komi Fiaboe

  4. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL), Ackerstrasse 113/ Postfach 219, 5070, Frick, Switzerland

    David Bautze & Noah Adamtey

Authors
  1. Edwin Mwangi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Catherine Ngamau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Wesonga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Edward Karanja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Martha Musyoka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Felix Matheri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Komi Fiaboe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. David Bautze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Noah Adamtey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noah Adamtey.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mwangi, E., Ngamau, C., Wesonga, J. et al. Managing Phosphate Rock to Improve Nutrient Uptake, Phosphorus Use Efficiency, and Carrot Yields. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20, 1350–1365 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00217-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00217-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation