Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.agee.2022.107926
Document accepted manuscript
Title (Primary) Thresholds of target phosphorus fertility classes in European fertilizer recommendations in relation to critical soil test phosphorus values derived from the analysis of 55 European long-term field experiments
Author Steinfurth, K.; Börjesson, G.; Denoroy, P.; Eichler-Löbermann, B.; Gans, W.; Heyn, J.; Hirte, J.; Huyghebaert, B.; Jouany, C.; Koch, D.; Merbach, I.; Mokry, M.; Mollier, A.; Morel, C.; Panten, K.; Peiter, E.; Poulton, P.R.; Reitz, T. ORCID logo ; Holton Rubæk, G.; Spiegel, H.; van Laak, M.; von Tucher, S.; Buczko, U.
Source Titel Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Year 2022
Department BZF; BOOEK
Volume 332
Page From art. 107926
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Phosphorus; Olsen-P; Critical soil test P; P fertilization; Fertilizer recommendation
Abstract Phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations of individual countries may differ in many aspects, but often the main principle is to reach or maintain a target range of plant-available P in soil. Within this target P fertility class, the soil is expected to supply enough P to the crop, while P fertilization replaces what is exported by the harvested crop. However, the threshold values of the target P fertility classes are based on a multitude of different soil test P (STP) methods and vary by a factor of up to three, even for countries using the same STP method. This study aimed to provide a comparison of the thresholds of target P fertility classes of different European countries and critical soil test P values (Pcrit; STP below which the average relative yield falls below 95% due to P insufficiency) derived from the analysis of data from 55 long-term field experiments in eight European countries. To overcome the issue of diverging STP methods, all values were converted to Olsen-P using empirically based conversion equations from the literature. Converted threshold values varied by a factor of up to five. For the experimental data, we fitted multi-level Mitscherlich-type models to determine Pcrit values of unfertilized soils corresponding to 95% of maximum yield. We found an average Olsen-Pcrit value of 15 mg P kg−1 (adj. R² = 0.37; RMSE = 14.1% relative yield; n = 2368; 55 experiments), which lies far below several country-specific thresholds of target P fertility classes. Crop-specific analyses resulted in higher Olsen-Pcrit values for sugar beet (22 mg P kg−1), potato (19 mg P kg−1) and winter rapeseed (18 mg P kg−1). Among the texture classes (loam, sand, silt and clay), sandy soils exhibited the highest average Olsen-Pcrit value (22 mg P kg−1). We consider a reevaluation of extraordinarily high country-specific thresholds as well as an inclusion of crop type and soil texture (where not already implemented) to be a reasonable measure towards more cost-effective and environment-friendly P fertilization.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25859
Steinfurth, K., Börjesson, G., Denoroy, P., Eichler-Löbermann, B., Gans, W., Heyn, J., Hirte, J., Huyghebaert, B., Jouany, C., Koch, D., Merbach, I., Mokry, M., Mollier, A., Morel, C., Panten, K., Peiter, E., Poulton, P.R., Reitz, T., Holton Rubæk, G., Spiegel, H., van Laak, M., von Tucher, S., Buczko, U. (2022):
Thresholds of target phosphorus fertility classes in European fertilizer recommendations in relation to critical soil test phosphorus values derived from the analysis of 55 European long-term field experiments
Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 332 , art. 107926 10.1016/j.agee.2022.107926