Summary
This geochemical study compared phosphorus mobility between native prairie grassland and agriculturally managed soils in Kansas, finding that prairie soils contained lower extractable phosphate and bio-available phosphorus but substantially higher soil organic matter and water-extractable organic carbon. Optical spectroscopic analysis revealed that the source and composition of soil organic matter—particularly humic-like substances—correlates strongly with phosphorus bioavailability, suggesting that organic matter quality is a key control on phosphorus mobility in these calcareous soils.
UK applicability
The findings on soil organic matter's role in phosphorus mobility may be applicable to UK chalk and limestone soils, which are similarly calcareous. However, the study focuses on Great Plains conditions; UK temperate grasslands and agricultural soils differ in climate, parent material weathering rates, and management history, so direct transfer of findings requires local validation.
Key measures
Water-extractable phosphate (PO₄³⁻) concentrations, Bray-P, soil organic matter (loss on ignition), water-extractable soil organic carbon (WE-SOC), fluorescence spectroscopy peaks (A, C, M), specific UV absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄)
Outcomes reported
The study compared water-extractable phosphate, bio-available phosphorus (Bray-P), soil organic matter, and water-extractable organic carbon between native prairie grassland and agricultural soils. Optical spectroscopic analysis revealed relationships between soil organic matter composition and phosphorus mobility.
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