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

Summary

This 2020 study in Geoderma investigates the reliability of ammonium lactate extraction—a widely-used soil phosphorus test in European soil testing systems—as a predictor of soil phosphorus status in relation to cumulative phosphorus balance and key soil properties. The research appears to evaluate whether this extraction method provides consistent estimates of bioavailable phosphorus across contrasting soil types and phosphorus accumulation histories, with implications for phosphorus fertiliser recommendations and sustainable nutrient management in European farming. As suggested by the title and journal scope, the work likely contributes to understanding the mechanistic basis for extractant choice in phosphorus soil testing protocols.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK soil testing and phosphorus management practices, as ammonium lactate extraction (or closely related methods such as Olsen) is commonly used in UK soil testing laboratories and fertiliser recommendation systems. The study's attention to soil property variations is relevant to UK soil diversity and the need for context-specific phosphorus recommendations.

Key measures

Ammonium lactate-extractable phosphorus; soil phosphorus balance (cumulative inputs minus outputs); soil properties (pH, texture, organic matter, clay content); relationship between extracted phosphorus and phosphorus accumulation state

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated how ammonium lactate soil phosphorus extraction reflects phosphorus dynamics in relation to cumulative phosphorus balance and soil properties across different soil types. The research assessed the reliability of this extraction method as an indicator of bioavailable phosphorus status for fertiliser recommendation systems.

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