How Soil pH and Texture Impact Phosphorus Movement in Tropical Soils

Phosphorus (P) is essential for plants, but in acidic soils, it's often tightly bound and unavailable. To make P easier for plants to use, farmers sometimes mix it with organic matter. This study explored how loamy and clayey soils in a tropical region handled P differently, when pH was changed, and when P came from organic-mineral blends or regular fertilizers. They used columns of soil to watch how P moved and stuck.

When they raised the pH from 4. 8 to 6. 0, P stuck less and moved more freely. The denser soil particles packed closer at the higher pH. Clayey soil, however, stayed stable through all pH changes. Results showed how pH, soil type, and mineral makeup all play a big role in controlling P. This means farmers need to tailor their soil care based on these factors to keep crops healthy and the environment safe.

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