Around 30-50% of the agricultural soils in Atlantic Canada have high to excessive available P as a result of intensive phosphate and manure application. Due to the high available P content in agricultural soils, manure disposal became a significant problem. P movement trough runoff from agricultural soils has become a major concern as nonpoint nutrient source in a number of watersheds. The goal of this project was to develop technologies (1) for reducing of P in agricultural soils, and (2) reducing P availability in animal manures before application to soil. Field and container experiments were conducted to explore feasibility of using phytoremediation and immobilization approaches for soil and manure P. Results from this study indicated that various amendments affected soil pH and P availability. Overall, tartaric acid reduced P availability, while EDTA and sewage sludge increased P availability. In addition to P, treatments affected availability of number of other elements such as Ca, K, Na, Cu, and Zn. More than 30 plant species were tested for enhanced P uptake. Incubation container studies aimed at reducing P availability in chicken manure demonstrated significant reduction of Mehlich 3-extractable P following the application of alum, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, ferrous chloride and ferrous sulfate.
See more of Phosphorus Chemistry in Soils: III. P Fluxes in Managed Systems
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See more of The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (November 6-10, 2005)