Monitoring P Efficiencies and Corn Yield by VAM and Sulfur Application in Calcareous Soils

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Soil and water science dept. College of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Rare studies have been carried out on the use of Phytoavailability Soil Test (PST) using ion exchange resin capsules in calcareous soils. Resin capsules were used to monitor P efficiencies due to Vascular Arbscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) inoculation and sulfur application in calcareous soil. Surface soil samples (0-30 cm) were collected from Nubaria region. Corn was used as a test plant. The obtained data showed that RAQ-P (Resin Adsorption Quantity) value increased with increasing soil P supply. Generally, the highest concentration of available –P was obtained after 60 days of adding P. Also it is clear that the RAQ-P value decreased at the third time (after 45 days) relative to the first time (15 days). RAQ was higher in mycorrhizal corn plants than the non-mycorrhizal. Also increasing S levels significantly increased P-RAQ. The highest significant P-RAQ was recorded with the treatment of 100 kg P Fed-1 + O.M and 100kg S inoculated.

Main Subjects