Lombi, E.McLaughlin, M.Johnston, C.Armstrong, R.Holloway, R.2007-07-182007-07-182005Plant and Soil: international journal on plant-soil relationships, 2005; 269(1-2):25-340032-079X1573-5036http://hdl.handle.net/2440/36332The original publication can be found at www.springerlink.comDespite a long history of application of phosphorus fertilisers, P deficiency is still a major limitation to crop production on calcareous soils. Recent field research conducted in highly calcareous soils in southern Australia has demonstrated that both grain yield and P uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is greater when fluid forms of P are used compared to granular forms. To improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this response to P in the field, we compared the lability, solubility and mobility of P applied as either a fluid (3 products) or granular (3 products) form to two calcareous and one alkaline non-calcareous soils in the laboratory. Over a five-week period, between 9.5 and 18 % of the P initially present in the fertiliser granules did not diffuse into the surrounding soil. The degree of granule dissolution was independent of the soil type. In contrast, P solubility, lability and diffusion were significantly greater when fluid products were applied to the calcareous soils, but not to the alkaline non-calcareous soil. These findings are discussed in relation to field trials results where fluid products outperformed granular fertilisers.enphosphorusfluid and granular fertiliseralkaline and calcareous soilJournal article002005064810.1007/s11104-004-0558-z0002303969000042-s2.0-2114443245654896McLaughlin, M. [0000-0001-6796-4144]