Phosphorus Dynamics in High-Legacy Soils: Acid Phosphatase Activity, Extraction Techniques and Isotherm in Florida Potato Fields

Thioro Fall, Kanika Inglett, Andrew V. Ogram, Patrick Inglett, Bruce Schaffer, Yuncong Li, Kelly Morgan and Guodong Liu ()
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Thioro Fall: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Kanika Inglett: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Andrew V. Ogram: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Patrick Inglett: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Bruce Schaffer: Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA
Yuncong Li: Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA
Kelly Morgan: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Guodong Liu: Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: In Florida, many agricultural soils contain up to 600 mg/kg of Mehlich-3 extractable phosphorus (P), yet potato growers continue to apply P fertilizers, indicating complex P dynamics that remain underexplored. Previous studies have mainly focused on P fertilizer trials, overlooking crucial factors like phosphatase activity and P sorption isotherms in high-legacy P systems. This study aimed to address this gap by examining acid phosphatase activity (AcPA) and P sorption dynamics in a potato field in northeastern Florida. Utilizing a split-block design, 24 plots were subjected to two P application rates (0 and 49 kg/ha) and three management treatments: a multispecies cover crop (MSCC), MSCC with Telone-C35 (a nematicide), and an untreated control. Significant increases in AcPA were observed during the tuber bulking stage, suggesting that applied P was insufficient for plant needs. P sorption isotherms indicated that the soil had reached maximum P sorption capacity, with applied P primarily fixed through chemical processes. These findings underscore the need for revised P fertilizer strategies in high-legacy P soils and highlight the importance of monitoring AcPA and sorption phases for effective nutrient management.

Keywords: nutrient management; potato productivity; phosphorus bioavailability; soil health; agricultural sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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