• Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netOPM
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    1 year ago

    Iron oxides bond with available phosphorus in soil and prevent it from being used by plants. Tropical soils are really P deficient due to this.

    You could add literal tons of P fertilizers only to see very short term benefit, with the soil returning to its pre-application state

      • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netOPM
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        1 year ago

        P has a lot of fractions (forms) with only the soluble inorganic forms and some organically bound forms available.

        Other organic forms are present in microbes and the soil biome to support living critters (ATP).

        Other more recalcitrant forms serve only to replenish the soluble and organic pools

          • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netOPM
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            1 year ago

            Tillage isn’t bad if you are using it to incorporate organic amendments.

            if you plant very deep rooting plants, they can pull P from deeper horizons, but it’s slow. Test your soil, determine your P goals, and then apply an amendment, such as wood ash (careful with pH)