Dynamics of soil phosphorus measured by ammonium lactate extraction as a function of the soil phosphorus balance and soil properties

Summary

This paper, published in Geoderma in 2020, investigates how ammonium lactate extraction—a standard method for assessing plant-available phosphorus—responds to cumulative soil phosphorus balance and underlying soil properties. The work, conducted across European sites by soil scientists including McGrath and Smolders, suggests that extraction efficacy varies as a function of both phosphorus management history and inherent soil characteristics, with implications for interpreting soil testing results in phosphorus management.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK soil testing protocols and phosphorus management advisory services, as ammonium lactate extraction is widely used in British soil laboratories. Understanding how soil properties modify extraction results could improve interpretation of soil test recommendations for UK farmers.

Key measures

Ammonium lactate-extractable soil phosphorus; soil phosphorus balance; soil properties (texture, pH, organic matter, mineralogy)

Outcomes reported

The study examined how ammonium lactate extraction measures soil phosphorus under varying soil phosphorus balances and soil property conditions. The research quantified relationships between soil phosphorus dynamics, extraction methodology, and soil characteristics.

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