PHOSPHORUS (P) STRATEGIES TO MAXIMISE UPTAKE AND YIELD

APPLYING APPLYING P P CLOSE CLOSE TO TO THE THE SEED SEED MAXIMISES MAXIMISES UPTAKE UPTAKE
P P does does not not move move very very far far through through the the soil. soil. .. Plants Plants access access P P by by growing growing roots roots through through the the fertiliser. fertiliser. Fertiliser Fertiliser P P needs needs to to be be placed placed close close to to the the seed seed to to maximise maximise uptake. uptake.

P P placement placement is is even even more more important important in in soils soils with with hostile hostile subsoils subsoils e.g. e.g. Mallee Mallee Sodosol Sodosol Placing Placing fertiliser fertiliser close close to to the the seed seed improves improves early early root root establishment, establishment, allowing allowing the the plant better access to soil P and moisture later in the season. plant better access to soil P and moisture later in the season.

P P UPTAKE UPTAKE INCREASES INCREASES WITH WITH SOIL SOIL MOISTURE MOISTURE
Soil Soil moisture moisture affects affects P P uptake, uptake, because because it it determines determines the the amount amount of of root root growth. growth.

When When moisture moisture is is low, low, it it is is more more difficult difficult for for plants plants to to grow grow a a root root system system that that can can access access P P in in the the soil. soil.

Some Some starter starter P P is is recommended, recommended, even even when when a a dry dry season season is is expected expected

LIQUID LIQUID SOURCES SOURCES OF OF PHOSPHORUS PHOSPHORUS

Trials Trials using using liquid liquid MAP MAP have have shown shown quite quite positive positive results. results. Compared Compared to to granular granular fertiliser, fertiliser, liquid liquid MAP MAP shows shows less less reaction reaction with with the the soil soil and and better better availability availability to to crops. crops. Liquid Liquid P P fertiliser fertiliser is is a a viable viable future future option option

INCREASING INCREASING P P UPTAKE UPTAKE TO TO IMPROVE IMPROVE PROFITABILITY PROFITABILITY BY BY $10/HA $10/HA
Good Good P P management management depends depends on on a a few few simple simple factors: factors: Only Only apply apply P P when when crop crop demand demand is is highest highest i.e. i.e. early early in in the the season. season. Apply Apply fertiliser fertiliser P P close close to to the the seed. seed. Consider Consider using using higher higher rates rates of of P P when when soil soil moisture moisture is is high high and and the the seasonal seasonal outlook is good. outlook is good.

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries 2006 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

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