Phosphorus - a limiting factor in future food production.

Abstract

Extractants producing no change in the state of P in the soil (distilled water, CO2-saturated water) are not sufficiently effective to be of use in determining the release of non-labile P. Their effectiveness can be increased however by introducing an anion exchange resin charged with Cl ions into the soil-water system. The resin, apart from its ability to exchange anions, is inert, and, if applied in sufficient quantity, provides a large sink for the PO4 ions. A knowledge of the readiness with which non-labile P can be released could be helpful in periods of PO4 shortage for deciding whether PO4 need be applied. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)