E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 2 (2) pp. 053-059, May 2012; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897

Evaluation of Rock Phosphate-Phosphorus Sorption and Release in Basement Complex Soil Cultivated to the Oil Palm

E. G. Uwumarongie-Ilori¹^*, P. O. Oviasogie¹, A. E. Aghimien¹
¹Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, P.M.B, 1030, Benin City
^*Corresponding Author E-mail: esohe_grc@yahoo.com
Accepted 3 March 2012

Abstract

In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to estimate the amount of P released/sorbed in soil supporting oil palm by varying moisture content of soil, amount of phosphate rock (PR) added to soil and time of equilibration. Soils from the NIFOR experimental station, Onishere, Ondo State were used for the study. Mean values of 2.27, 0.95, 0.58 and 0.47mg/kg, 1.38, 1.47, 1.25 and 1.51mg/kg and 1.54, 1.55, 1.51 and 1.23mg/kg P were obtained for 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and 15, 30 and 60mins equilibration time respectively used for the study. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in P released from phosphate rock with time and moisture content. The results showed that increase in time of equilibration and low level of moisture content favoured release of water extractable P. The use of PR as P fertilizer is therefore site specific as soils tend to have different properties

Keywords: Phosphate Rock, Release, Sorbed

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