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Deep P bands – the solution to subsoil decline or just a useful supplement?

Bell, M. J., Sands, D. J. and Lester, D. W. (2022) Deep P bands – the solution to subsoil decline or just a useful supplement? In: Proceedings of the 20th Agronomy Australia Conference, 2022, 6 - 10 February 2022, Toowoomba Qld.

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Abstract

Increasing removal of phosphorous (P) via grain harvests, shallow fertiliser placement and direct drill tillage systems have collectively produced soil P profile distributions that are strongly stratified and increasingly deficient in subsurface layers. Nutrient supply in these layers is a critical success factor for cropping systems that rely on stored soil moisture. Banding of P fertilisers into the 10-30cm profile layer has produced strong crop yield responses in Vertosols in CQld, particularly in seasons where topsoils are dry for extended periods. The relationship between P uptake and grain yield is typically linear, with little evidence of luxury P accumulation in either biomass or grains. We hypothesize that root proliferation around deep P bands rapidly dries these P-rich zones and limits P acquisition unless rain events are large enough to rewet those profile layers. While residual fertiliser benefits are strong, crops are still reliant on declining indigenous P reserves to achieve water-limited yield potential.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Additional Information:Open access
Keywords:Phosphorus, deep-banding, crop uptake, rainfed cropping, Vertosols.
Subjects:Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Agriculture and the environment
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Soils. Soil science > Soil and crops. Soil-plant relationships. Soil productivity
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Agricultural meteorology. Crops and climate
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Methods and systems of culture. Cropping systems
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Improvement, reclamation, fertilisation, irrigation etc., of lands (Melioration)
Plant culture > Field crops
Live Archive:04 Apr 2022 00:31
Last Modified:04 Apr 2022 00:31

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