Residual values of Australian rock phosphates

Authors

Michael D A BollandFollow

Keywords

Rock phosphate, Phosphorus fertilizers, Residues

Disciplines

Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Mineral Physics | Sustainability

First Page Number

52

Last Page Number

56

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

For years superphosphate has been the cheapest, convenient and most effective way of supplying phosphorus to newly cleared soils in Western Australia's South-West that are acutely deficient in phosphorus. However its effectiveness as a phosphorus source falls markedly after application. Regular applications are needed to maintaine profitable pastures and crops on these soils.

After a big jump in supperphosphate prices in the mid 970s, researchers tested the use of Australian rock phosphates as potentially cheaper alternative phosphorus fertilisers to superphosphate. On the none-leaching sands, as this article shows, none of the rock phosphates was as effective for plant growth as superphosphate in the year of application or in subsequent years.

Research is now concentrating on measuring the residual value of fertiliser phosphorus for pastures so that phosphorus fertiliser recommendations can be more finely tuned.

Recommended Citation

Bolland, Michael D A (1985) "Residual values of Australian rock phosphates," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 26: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol26/iss2/6