ARS | Publication request: Phosphatase Hydrolysis of Soil Organic Phosphorus Fractions

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 13, 2007
Publication Date: November 4, 2007
Citation: Tazisong, I.A., Senwo, Z.N., Taylor, R.W., He, Z. 2007. Phosphatase Hydrolysis of Soil Organic Phosphorus Fractions. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting. CD-ROM

Technical Abstract: Plant available inorganic phosphorus (Pi) is usually limited in highly weathered Ultisols. The high Fe, Al, and Mn contents in these soils enhance Pi retention and fixation. The metals are also known to form complexes with organic phosphorus (Po) compounds. Hydrolysis of Po compounds is needed for Pi release. The ease with which the Po compounds are hydrolyzed depends on metal-Po complex strengths. Soils amended with poultry litter and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in cropping systems may lead to the redistribution of Po and Pi concentrations and fractions among the metals and organic matter. Our study was carried out to partition Po and Pi into various fractions, and to study the ease with which each Po fraction is hydrolyzed by various enzymes from different sources. Results from our study showed that the Al associated Po > Fe bound Po > Organic matter bound Po. The Pi was in the order of Fe bound > Al associated > organic matter. This research demonstrates the importance of soil metals, enzyme activity, and their interactions on P availability.