Abstract

Determination of the P-sorption characteristics of soils is important for economic fertilizer application and to recommend appropriate management strategies for high P-fixing soils. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate P-sorption characteristics of soils occurring in some areas of southern Ethiopia and identify factors contributing to P sorption. Composite surface (0-20 cm) soil samples from 6 sites of two locations were collected. The results revealed that the P-sorption data were fitted well with both Langmuir and Freundlich models with r2 values of 0.99. But later model was found to better in describing P-sorption data than the former model. The adsorption maxima (Xm) and distribution coefficient (Kf) values of soils ranged from 909-2000 mg PKg-1 and 245-487 mg PKg-1 based on Langmuir and Freundlich models respectively. The corresponding SPR values ranged between 57-196 mg P kg-1 and 71.8-211 mg P kg-1 based on Langmuir and Freundlich models respectively. Bonding energy constant (K) of Langmuir model and Freundlich constant (b) ranged from 0.15-1.4 and 0.54-0.66 Lmg-1 respectively. The bonding energy constant (K) of Langmuir model was found to be more valuable than Xm in discriminating the study soils as high and low P sorbing soils. Based on both models soils of Bulle had SPR values >150 mg PKg-1 and then were classified as high P-fixing soils while soils of Wonago had SPR values <150 mgPKg-1 were classified as low P-fixing. The result of path analysis revealed that exchangeable Al and Clay had direct effect on P-sorption parameters of both models. It is concluded that P-sorption models can effectively be used to discriminate soils based on P-fixation ability. However, validation of both models through real time experiments in greenhouse and field is recommended before the models used for large scale.

Keywords: P-Sorption/Fixation; Standard P requirement (EPR); Exchangeable Al; Fe; Langmuir model; Freunlich model