Phosphate sorption curves as a soil testing technique: A simplified approach

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Abstract
Single point phosphate sorption curves effectively estimated phosphate fertilizer requirements while requiring less work than multiple point curves. Correlation coefficients of 0.961 and 0.981 were obtained when phosphate rates, estimated using single point curves, were compared with those from multiple point curves. Reducing the ionic strength of the supporting electrolyte solution by using 0.001 M CaCl2 or water rather than 0.01 M CaCl2 during equilibration increased dissolved inorganic phosphate 73% and 141% on the average thus improving analytical precision. The relative effects of salt concentration were sufficiently independent of pH and phosphorus concentration to suggest that a simple conversion factor can be used to convert external P requirements from one set of equilibrium conditions (salt concentration) to another.