Concentration and Distribution of Phosphorus Species in Marginal Land Soils

Abstract

This research focused on soil leachable and total P from three selected Ontario fields (London, Simcoe and Ottawa), of which one is agricultural land (London) as a reference in 2019. Leachable P was obtained through leaching soil with an acidified water solution and analyzed using colorimetric method. Total P was obtained through microwave acid digestion and analyzed using ICP-OES. There was little to no statistical difference in both P fractions when comparing between urea fertilizer applications, sorghum hybrids or over sorghum growth periods. Ottawa and Simcoe soil leachable P has variable correlation with the total P in each respective depth but didn’t match the correlation found in London soil. Leachable P was strongly related to biomass yield in London and urea applied Simcoe field but not in Ottawa field. The correlation difference between Ottawa and Simcoe soil can be due to tile drainage and soil textures allowing different P movement.