Texture Influence on Soil Phosphorus Content and Distribution in Semiarid Pampean Grasslands

Abstract

Soil texture can modify the content and dynamic of soil phosphorus (P). The objective of this work was to study the P form contents associated to physical fractionation of SOM in soils with different texture. Soil samples (0-0.15 m) were obtained from 27 sites with different texture in a twenty five years old pasture located in the Experimental Station of Bordenave, Argentina (63°01’20”W; 37°51’55”S). Soil particle size fractions were obtained by wet sieving separating the fine (0-100 µm) and coarse (100-2000 µm) fractions. Soil organic matter was determined in each fraction, mineral associated (MOM) and particulate organic matter (POM), respectively. Extractable (Pe), organic (Po), inorganic (Pi) and total extractable (Pt) phosphorus was determined and occluded P (Pocl) was calculated as the difference [Pt - (Po+Pi)] in the whole soil and the particles fractions. In these soils, texture determines P reserves and the equilibrium of its different forms. Available P forms (estimated by Pe) was related to the inorganic form present the fine fraction of the soil. Phosphorus content in its different forms is closely associated with soil fractions. Soils with higher content of fine fraction present the coarse fraction enriched in Po. All the studied P forms were higher in fine textured soils than in coarse ones, however, P forms in particle size fractions showed different tendencies. In coarse textured soils, Po in MOM was lower than fine textured ones. However, P content in MOM was richer and in POM was poorer than in fine textured soils. The available P, estimated with Pe content, comes predominantly from the inorganic pool and it is associated to the fine fraction of the soil. Phosphorus content in its different forms is closely associated with soil size fractions. It was proposed a conceptual model in wich size fractionation of SOM and P forms determination can be represented to a better understanding of soil P equilibriums.