212 Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218

Zhaoliang Song1,2
Shengdao Shan1
Zheyue Song1
1
School of Environmental Sciences
and Technology, Zhejiang A&F
University, Lin’an, Zhejiang, P.R.
China
2
State Key Laboratory of
Environmental Geochemistry, Institute
of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Guizhou, P.R. China
Research Article
Bioavailability and Interaction of Si and P in a
Coastal Saline Soil Amended with Pig Slurry
The effects of widely applied organic waste amendment on soil Si and P bioavailability
and their interaction have rarely been investigated. The study examined bioavailability
and interaction of Si and P in response to pig slurry (PS) amendment in a coastal saline
(CS) soil. The final purposes of the study are to assess fertilizer Si and P needs and to
ensure environmental quality. The results show that PS amendment can cause accumu-
lation of bioavailable Si in surface soil (0–20 cm), and significantly improve both soil
bioavailable P content and soil P lability through PS-Si and P input, and by the input of
PS-organic matter (OM) and enhancing the complexation of OM with soil Si and P. As a
result of the Si-P competitive sorption, Si shows a more rapid increase in bioavailability
than P at the preliminary stage of PS amendment. However, under the weakly alkaline
conditions as a result of relatively long term PS amendment, the fixation capacity of Si
by soil solid components increases causing a rapider decline of Si bioavailability than
that of P.
Keywords: Coastal saline soil; Pig slurry amendment; Si and P availability
Received: February 6, 2010; revised: July 15, 2010; accepted: October 5, 2010
DOI: 10.1002/clen.201000053

1 Introduction wastes can also be used as efficient organic fertilizer and pesticide
beneficial to plant growth and disease prevention [25–27].
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plants and maintenance
Symptoms presently regarded as salt injury in saline soils are
of adequate amounts of soil P is critical for sustainable plant growth
observed on many kinds of plants such as barley, oats and cucumber,
[1–3]. Although deemed to be a non-essential nutrient for the
and probably associated with deficiency of Si and other nutrients
majority of plants, silicon (Si) can increase plant drought [4], salt
(e.g., P and K) as a result of low element solubility in these soils [1, 5,
[5, 6] and heavy metal [7] tolerance, and pathogen resistance [8].
6]. Organic waste amendment measures such as PS drip-irrigation
Furthermore, Si can also improve soil P bioavailability [9, 10] through
were widely taken in saline soils to alleviate salt stress [23, 28, 29].
sorptive interaction of the two elements [11, 12] and enhancement of
However, a detailed study on bioavailability and interaction of Si and
phosphate solubility [13], and immobilize soil heavy metals such as
P in saline soils amended with organic wastes has rarely been
Cd caused by silicate-induced pH rise [7]. Therefore, fertilization of Si
reported. The study investigated PS amendment effects on bioavail-
and P is becoming an increasingly accepted measure in crop pro-
ability of Si and P and their interaction in coastal saline (CS) soil
duction throughout the world [14–16]. However, added Si and P may
profiles to offer references for efficient use of organic waste-Si and P
accumulate in soil during long term crop production due to low
and to ensure environmental quality.
fertilizer use efficiency [2, 14, 17, 18] and increase the potential of
their loss through run-off water causing eutrophication [3, 19–21].
Therefore, the biogeochemical behavior of Si and P in fertilized soils 2 Materials and methods
must be determined to assess fertilizer Si and P needs and ensure
A field experiment with watermelon was carried out to examine the
environmental quality.
bioavailability and interaction of Si and P in response to PS amend-
Organic wastes such as pig slurry (PS) contain significant amounts
ment in a coastal saline soil (CS soil) during 2004–2007. The trial site
of N, P, and Si, and can be a potential nutrient source for water
is located at the Ninghai Agricultural Circular Economy
environment if not properly treated or beneficially used for crop
Demonstration Park, Zhejiang, Eastern China. The climate in the
production [22]. However, in combination with modern technologies
region is subtropical, controlled by East Asian monsoon. The annual
such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation [23, 24], organic
average temperature in the region ranges from 15 to 178C and the
annual rainfall is between 1000 and 1600 mm. The annual mean
sunshine time is approximately 1900 h. The soil at the field site has a
Correspondence: Prof. Z. Song, School of Environmental Sciences and
Technology, Zhejiang A&F University, No. 88 North Huancheng Road,
salt content of 7–12 g kg
1 (average 9 g kg
1) with a HCO-3 /(Cl– þ SO24- )
Lin’an, Zhejiang 311300, P.R. China ratio of 2–12 (average 6), and is classified as Soda CS soil according to
E-mail: songzhaoliang78@163.com; songzl@zjfc.edu.cn the Chinese soil classification system and classified as Solonchak
according to the FAO soil classification system. The plots had been
Abbreviations: AC, accumulation coefficient; CS soil, coastal saline soil;
ER, effective ratio; OM, organic mater; PS, pig slurry; SOM, soil organic reclaimed and planted with broad bean, cotton, and rice for more
matter. than 20 years before the experiment. The difference of soil Si and P

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Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218 Si-P in Pig Slurry Amendment Soil 213

distribution between the plots caused by past fertilization before the
experiment was negligible. Our experiment had four treatments
(three replicates) including natural fallow for more than 3 years
(S0), 1 year PS drip-irrigation with watermelon growth (S1), 2 year
PS drip-irrigation with watermelon growth (S2) and >3 year PS drip-
irrigation with watermelon growth (S3). For the plots of 1, 2, and 3,
PS was drip-irrigated with a rate of 4 m3 ha
1 d
1 throughout the
growing season of watermelon. Based on analyses, PS applied to the
plots had a pH of 8.10  0.50, 1.1  0.3 g L
1 total organic matter
(OM), 37  10 mg L
1 total P, 12.9  1.7 mg L
1 total Si.
acid/sodium acetate (pH 4.0) and sodium bicarbonate (pH 8.5),
respectively [31]. The Si and P in the extracts were determined
colorimetrically [12, 32, 33].
2.3 Data dealing
Data of each soil horizon and corresponding bottom soil for each soil
profile were used to calculate the accumulation coefficient of
element X (ACX) and effective ratio of element X (ERX).
The accumulation coefficient of element X (ACX) can be defined as

ACX ¼ WXprofile soil =WXbottom soil (1)

2.1 Soil sampling and treatment
Soil sampling was carried out immediately after watermelon har-
vest. Plant litter on the soil surface was gently removed, and soil
samples from each profile were horizontally collected to a depth of
50–65 cm according to the difference of groundwater level. The
samples were air-dried and crushed to pass a 2-mm sieve after
removing visible stones, roots, and crop residues. Subsamples were
further ground to pass a 100-mesh sieve and used for subsequent
chemical analysis.
where WXprofile soil and WXbottom soil represent the content of element
X in profile soils and corresponding bottom soils.
If ACX > 1, the element X is accumulated in profile soils relative to
corresponding bottom soil.
If ACX ¼ 1, the element X is neither accumulated nor lost in profile
soils relative to corresponding bottom soil.
If ACX < 1, the element X is lost in profile soils relative to corre-
sponding bottom soil.
The effective ratio of element X (ERX) can be defined as

2.2 Physical and chemical analysis ERX ¼ BW Xsample =W Xsample  100% (2)

Grain-size classification was carried out after removal of Fe oxides
with Na-dithionite and OM with H2O2 at 908C and following dis-
persion with hexametaphosphate. Sand, >50 mm particle-size
diameter was separated by wet sieving. Silt and clay contents were
determined with the hydrostatic deposition method [30].
The soil pH was determined in a soil/water (1:2.5) suspension
with a PHS-3C precision pH meter [31]. Organic carbon (Corg) was
determined using a wet oxidation method with K2Cr2O7 and
concentrated H2SO4 [31]. Soil organic matter (SOM) was calculated
from Corg data [31]. Soil labile OM was extracted with hot water
and determined using wet oxidation method [31]. Soil samples
were fused with NaOH in 6508C nickel crucible and determined
colorimetrically after neutralization with HCl for SiO2 and total P
[12, 32, 33]. Soil bioavailable Si and P were extracted with acetic
where BWXsample and WXsample are the bioavailable X content and the
total X content, respectively. A greater ERX value means that plants
can utilize the element with a higher efficiency.
3 Results
3.1 Physical and chemical parameters in CS soil
profiles
The results of soil physical and chemical analysis are listed in
Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Generally, the soils used in this study
contained 76–87% of silt, 11–23% of clay, and 1–9% of sand (Table 1).
All soil samples were neutral to weakly alkaline, and the plots
amended with PS were more alkaline than that not amended with

Table 1. Selected physical properties of the soils used in this study

Plot treatment a) Depth (cm) Particle contents (g kg
1)

Sand (>50 mm) Silt (2–50 mm) Clay (<2 mm)

Not amended with PS (S0) 0–8 39.3 781.9 178.8

8–22 47.2 764.3 188.5
22–40 24.4 780.9 194.7
40–55 22.8 780.5 196.7
Amended with PS for 1 year (S1) 0–8 11.4 762.8 225.8
8–22 9.7 772.9 217.4
22–40 22.6 768.9 208.5
40–60 17.3 784.3 198.5
Amended with PS for 2 years (S2) 0–8 93.9 778.7 127.5
8–20 19.5 846.6 133.9
20–35 14.2 868.4 117.5
35–55 27.5 840.8 131.8
Amended with PS for >3 years (S3) 0–8 34.5 809.3 156.2
8–20 55.0 781.3 163.7
20–40 19.6 818.0 162.4
40–55 17.8 812.1 170.1
55–68 10.5 783.8 205.7
a)
The treatment S0 was the representative plot not amended with PS, while the treatment of S1, S2, and S3 were the representative plots
amended with PS for 1, 2, and >3 years, respectively.

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214 Z. Song et al. Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218

Table 2. Selected chemical properties of the soils used in this study

Plot treatment Depth (cm) pH SOM (g kg
1)b) SiO2 (g kg
1) P (mg kg
1) Labile OM (mg kg
1)c)
a)
Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE

Not amended with PS (S0) 0–8 7.30 0.14 22.1 1.0 451.6 17.4 1291 34 1038 26
8–15 7.27 0.10 27.1 1.3 597.3 21.8 1388 46 1086 21
15–22 7.29 0.11 24.1 0.8 566.2 19.3 1228 38 991 22
22–30 7.36 0.07 25.5 0.5 586.5 13.7 1295 29 614 14
30–40 7.65 0.06 15.8 0.7 592.5 12.9 1129 22 472 17
40–48 7.72 0.08 16.0 0.3 597.7 7.5 1202 17 425 10
48–55 7.73 0.05 14.7 0.3 585.7 10.8 927 18 378 12
Amended with PS for 1 year (S1) 0–8 7.94 0.15 18.0 0.8 578.2 22.3 1024 28 1133 33
8–15 8.01 0.11 24.3 0.7 654.2 26.6 1323 37 1073 21
15–22 8.41 0.09 19.8 1.0 601.2 21.9 1152 31 897 28
22–30 7.52 0.12 15.2 0.8 574.5 24.7 835 23 614 19
30–40 7.62 0.07 15.3 0.6 544.0 18.2 788 14 425 24
40–48 7.55 0.08 15.2 0.4 559.0 10.4 801 19 472 19
48–60 7.68 0.06 15.4 0.5 517.4 11.3 841 16 425 14
Amended with PS for 2 years (S2) 0–8 7.64 0.14 25.4 1.2 525.7 16.9 1522 43 1558 55
8–12 7.90 0.09 21.4 0.9 561.1 12.8 1502 34 1510 45
12–20 7.94 0.12 15.5 0.5 585.9 10.3 1033 25 1274 36
20–28 7.96 0.07 14.5 0.6 598.3 11.4 828 20 850 22
28–35 8.14 0.08 13.6 0.7 623.0 18.5 776 18 614 24
35–45 8.24 0.06 9.1 0.5 606.5 17.4 723 14 472 16
45–55 8.23 0.07 9.7 0.4 623.0 14.7 980 19 519 14
Amended with PS for >3 years (S3) 0–8 7.95 0.09 20.0 0.9 570.2 17.1 1046 21 1416 60
8–12 7.62 0.11 21.6 1.1 596.4 19.4 1497 26 1605 57
12–20 8.13 0.08 15.4 0.8 573.5 18.5 1268 33 1369 48
20–30 8.10 0.06 20.0 1.0 524.4 9.6 1283 27 1463 41
30–40 8.12 0.07 19.4 0.7 540.8 16.4 962 18 1510 38
40–48 8.19 0.05 18.1 0.5 551.9 14.9 837 14 1369 28
48–55 8.31 0.06 17.4 0.6 540.1 16.7 824 17 1322 29
55–62 8.47 0.05 7.1 0.4 540.8 11.0 675 13 614 22
62–68 8.53 0.05 7.4 0.3 557.8 13.8 715 11 566 21
a)
SE values indicate standard errors of the mean (n ¼ 3).
b)
SOM, soil organic matter.
c)
Labile OM, hot water soluble organic matter. For other description, see Table 2.

PS (Table 2). The pH values increased systematically with depth for
most soil profiles except that there was a pH maximum of >8 at 15–
22 cm depth in 1 year PS amended treatment (S1). SOM content
decreased systematically with depth for each profile. SiO2 content
decreased with depth in 1 year PS amended treatment (S1), and
increased with depth in 2 year PS amended treatment (S2), did
not vary significantly with depth in 0 year (S0) and >3 year (S3) PS
amended treatments. P content decreased with depth for each pro-
file, and P content in S0 (average 1208 mg kg
1) was slightly higher
than that in S1 (average 966 mg kg
1), S2 (average 1051 mg kg
1), and
S3 (average 1012 mg kg
1). Labile OM content decreased significantly
with depth for each profile, and increased with the cumulative
additions of PS.
3.2 Bioavailable Si and P in CS soil profiles
The bioavailability of Si and P and molar ratio of bioavailable Si/P are
shown in Table 3. Generally, bioavailable Si and P contents in the
upper part of S0 were lower than those in other treatments and
decreased systematically with depth for each profile (Table 3). The
molar ratio of bioavailable Si/P increased with depth for each profile.
The bioavailable Si accumulation coefficient (ACbioavailable Si) and Si
effective ratio (ERSi) were calculated according to Eqs. (1) and (2). The
results are shown in Fig. 1a and b. The Cbioavailable Si value in S0 and in
middle-lower profiles (a depth >20 cm) of other treatments (e.g., S1,
S2, and S3) was >1 and fluctuated slightly, while that in upper
profiles (a depth <20 cm) of S1, S2, and S3 decreased with depth
(Fig. 1a). The ACbioavailable Si value in upper profile S0 was lower than
that in upper profiles of S1, S2, and S3. The Si effective ratio (ERSi) in
all soil profiles was 0.03–0.09% (with an average of about 0.06%) and
decreased slightly with depth for each profile (Fig. 1b).
The bioavailable P accumulation coefficient (ACbioavailable P) and P
effective ratio (ERP) according to Eqs. (1) and (2) were graphically
represented in Fig. 2a and b. ACbioavailable P and ERP values decreased
with depth for all soil profiles (Fig. 2a). Generally, ACbioavailable P and
ERP in soil profiles increased with the cumulative additions of PS
(Fig. 2b).
4 Discussion
4.1 Effect of PS amendment on CS soil Si and P
bioavailability
The elevation of the accumulation coefficient of bioavailable Si
(ACbioavailable Si) and P (ACbioavailable P), and the effective ratio of P
(ERP) (Table 3, Figs. 1 and 2) with PS amendment indicates that PS
amendment can improve soil bioavailable Si and P supply. Soil
acidification, input of Si and P from PS amendment, and complex-
ation of Si and P with labile OM from PS amendment are the
potential mechanisms of bioavailable Si and P accumulation.
The pH value in the studied PS ranged from 7.1 to 8.9 (average 8.0),
a value which is equal to or higher than that in CS soil, indicating

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Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218 Si-P in Pig Slurry Amendment Soil 215

Table 3. Changes of bioavailable Si and P in CS soil profiles before and after PS amendment

Plot treatment Depth (cm) Bioavailable Si (mg kg
1) Bioavailable P (mg kg
1) Bioavailable Si/P a)
Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE

Not amended with PS (S0) 08 176 9.2 85 3.4 2.3 0.1
815 174 8.5 77 2.5 2.5 0.1
1522 176 8.4 70 2.6 2.8 0.2
2230 182 8.7 56 1.5 3.6 0.2
3040 175 8.2 40 1.2 4.8 0.3
4048 166 7.6 33 1.0 5.6 0.3
4855 154 7.3 20 1.1 8.6 0.6
Amended with PS for 1 year(S1) 08 242 9.4 141 4.0 1.9 0.1
815 235 10.3 148 3.9 1.8 0.1
1522 227 9.8 102 3.5 2.5 0.1
2230 192 8.8 37 1.8 5.8 0.4
3040 195 8.1 18 1.3 11.8 1.0
4048 169 7.2 16 1.4 11.7 1.1
4860 170 7.9 11 0.9 17.3 1.6
Amended with PS for 2 years (S2) 08 207 10.9 236 6.7 1.0 0.1
812 164 9.5 137 3.4 1.3 0.1
1220 151 9.0 51 2.1 3.3 0.2
2028 125 8.9 26 1.9 5.3 0.5
2835 128 7.3 17 1.6 8.4 0.9
3545 94 6.6 16 1.3 6.5 0.7
4555 110 6.7 13 1.2 9.1 1.0
Amended with PS for >3 years (S3) 08 188 9.7 166 5.3 1.3 0.1
812 169 8.8 186 4.6 1.0 0.1
1220 170 8.6 123 3.7 1.5 0.1
2030 150 7.3 92 3.8 1.8 0.1
3040 143 6.8 23 1.5 6.8 0.5
4048 124 7.2 15 1.4 9.2 1.0
4855 136 7.5 12 1.1 12.6 1.4
5562 146 7.4 9 0.9 18.0 2.0
6268 140 7.1 10 0.8 15.1 1.4
a)
Bioavailable Si/P is the molar ratio of bioavailable Si and bioavailable P.

that PS amendment can elevate the pH value in CS soil (Tables 2

and 4). Thus, the negative correlation of bioavailable Si-pH and
bioavailable P-pH in CS soils (Figs. 3a and 4a) implies that PS amend-
ment cannot improve soil Si and P bioavailability through soil
acidification.
The Si concentration in the studied PS was 9.0–13.6 mg/L (average
11.7 mg/L), about 7 and 0.004% of bioavailable Si and total Si in CS

Figure 2. Changes of bioavailable P accumulation coefficient

(ACbioavailable P) (a) and P effective ratio (ERP) (b) in CS soil profiles with
PS amendment. ACbioavailable P and ERP were calculated according to
Eqs. (1) and (2), respectively.

Table 4. Chemical characteristics of PS for application in CS soil during

2004–2007

Different application pH OM (g L
1) P (mg L
1) Si (mg L
1)

Figure 1. Changes of bioavailable Si accumulation coefficient
(ACbioavailable Si) (a) and Si effective ratio (ERSi) (b) in CS soil profiles with 2004 7.6 1.3 35 13.6
PS amendment. ACbioavailable Si and ERSi were calculated according to 2005 8.0 1.4 49 11.9
Eqs. (1) and (2), respectively. The treatment S0 was the representative plot 2006 8.5 0.8 27 11.1
not amended with PS, while the treatment of S1, S2, and S3 were the 2007 8.3 0.9 38 14.8
representative plots amended with PS for 1, 2, and >3 years, respectively.

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216 Z. Song et al.
soil before PS amendment, respectively (Tables 2–4). In contrast, the
P concentration in the studied PS was 27.4–38.0 mg/L (average
11.7 mg/L), about 60 and 2.7% of bioavailable P and total P, respect-
ively (Tables 2 and 4). Therefore, at a current PS amendment rate
(4 m3 ha
1 d
1) and PS amendment duration, Si and P input from
PS amendment can improve bioavailable Si and P contents
Figure 3. Influence of PS amendment on the relationship of bioavailable Si
with pH, SiO2, SOM, and labile OM in CS soil profiles.
ß 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218
significantly, total P content mildly, but can not have an obvious
influence on the total Si content in CS soil. The weak correlation of
SiO2-bioavailable Si (Fig. 3b) and mild correlation of total P-bioavail-
able P (Fig. 4b) also support the above conclusion.
The OM concentration in the studied PS was 166–940 mg/L
(average 396 mg/L), about 1.9% of SOM and 50% of labile OM in CS
Figure 4. Influence of PS amendment on the relationship of bioavailable P
with pH, P, SOM, and labile OM in CS soil profiles.
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Clean – Soil, Air, Water 2011, 39 (3), 212–218 Si-P in Pig Slurry Amendment Soil 217

Table 5. The determined and predicted bioavailable Si contents and their relative deviation in upper CS soil profiles before and after PS amendment

Plot treatment Depth (cm) Determined bioavailabele Predicted bioavailable Relative deviation of determined
Si content (mg kg–1) Si content (mg kg
1) vs. predicted bioavailable Si (%)

Mean Minimum Maximum Mean Minimum Maximum

Not amended with PS (S0) 0–8 176 177 177 178
0.5
0.2
1.0
8–15 174 174 174 174 0 0 0
Amended with PS for 1 year (S1) 0–8 242 182 164 205 34 47 18
8–15 235 185 166 208 28 42 13
15–22 227 168 152 186 26 49 22
Amended with PS for 2 years (S2) 0–8 207 216 192 249
4 8
17
8–12 164 181 163 202
9 0.5
19
12–20 151 165 167 162
8
9
Amended with PS for >3 years (S3) 0–8 188 191 171 216
1 10
13
8–12 169 198 177 226
14
5
25
12–20 170 176 159 196
3 7
13

Molar ratio of Si and P (Si/P) in PS (0.37–0.52, average 0.41) and in CS soil before PS amendment (1.8–2.5, average 2.1) was used. In addition,
bioavailable P content in CS soil before PS amendment was taken (77–92 mg kg
1, average 85 mg kg
1).

soil before PS amendment (Tables 2–4). At a current PS amendment 5 Conclusions

rate (4 m3 ha
1 d
1) and PS amend duration, although PS
amendment may have no significant influence on total SOM content,
it can improve labile OM content significantly (Table 3). The
good correlation of SOM and labile OM with bioavailable Si and
bioavailable P in CS soil before and after PS amendment
(Figs. 3c, 3d, 4c, 4d) implies that PS amendment may improve CS
soil Si and P bioavailability by the input of PS-containing OM
and enhancing the complexation of labile OM with Si and P. The
findings that complexation of labile OM with Si and P may reduce
soil Si and P adsorption by and/or increase soil Si and P desorption
from solider components (e.g., clays, Al- and Fe-oxyhydrate) [3, 34]
also support the above conclusion.
Effects of PS amendment on bioavailability and interaction of Si and
P in a CS soil were observed. PS amendment can cause accumulation
of bioavailable Si in surface soil (0–20 cm) and improve soil bioavail-
able P content and P lability. PS amendment may improve CS soil Si
and P bioavailability through PS-Si and P input, and by inputting PS-
OM and enhancing the complexation of labile OM with soil Si and P.
As a result of Si-P competitive sorption, Si has a rapider increase in
bioavailability than P at the preliminary stage of PS amendment,
while under the weakly alkaline conditions as a result of relatively
long term PS amendment, the fixation capacity of Si by soil solid
components increases causing a rapider decline of Si bioavailability
than that of P.

4.2 Interaction of Si and P in CS soil profiles Acknowledgments

affected by PS amendment
In order to discuss possible interaction of Si-P in CS soil amended
with PS, we theoretically predicted mean, minimum, and maximum
of bioavailable Si content in CS soil obviously influenced by PS
amendment, and calculated relative deviation of determined vs.
predicted bioavailable Si with mass balance methods, based on data
of molar ratio of Si and P (Si/P)mol in PS and CS soil before PS
amendment, and bioavailable P content in CS soil before PS amend-
ment. A molar ratio of Si and P (Si/P)mol in PS (0.37–0.52, average 0.41)
and in CS soil before PS amendment (1.8–2.5, average 2.1) was used.
In addition, bioavailable P content in CS soil before PS amendment
was taken (77–92 mg/kg, average 85 mg/kg). The prediction and cal-
culation results were shown in Table 5.
The determined bioavailable Si content was obviously higher
than the predicted bioavailable Si content in CS soil amended
with PS for 1 year (S1), while the determined bioavailable Si
content was close to or lower than the predicted bioavailable Si
content in CS soil amended with PS for 2 years (S2) and >3 years (S3)
(Table 5). The phenomenon implies that as a result of Si-P
competitive sorption [11, 12], Si shows a more rapid increase in
bioavailability than P at the preliminary stage of PS amendment,
while under the weakly alkaline conditions caused by relatively
long term PS amendment, the fixation capacity of Si by soil
solid components increases causing a rapider decline of Si bio-
availability than that of P.
We gratefully acknowledge Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science
Foundation Program (Grant No. Y5080110 and Z5080203),
Opening Project of State Key Laboratory of Environmental
Geochemistry (SKLEG9011), Research Development Program of
Zhejiang Forestry University (2351000741 and 2451012029), and
Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education
Department (200803727) for support of this work.
The authors have declared no conflict of interest.
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