Optimizing Phosphorus Fertilizer Use on the Loess Plateau: Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Production Efficiency

Abstract

Various phosphorus (P) fertilizers are commonly utilized in agricultural production on the Loess Plateau. However, there exists a widespread issue of improper matching between P fertilizers, crop types, and soil types. This study proposes a scientifically based approach to managing phosphate fertilizer through a matching experiment. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different P fertilizers on soil P profiles in a wheat–corn rotation between October 2017 and September 2021. The experiment adopted a randomized block design. P fertilizer was applied as a basal fertilizer at rates of 115 kg P2O5 ha−1 during the wheat season and 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 during the maize season. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates were 120 kg N ha−1 for wheat and 180 kg N ha−1 for maize. N fertilizer was divided into two applications, with 60% applied at pre-planting and 40% at the jointing stage of wheat or the V12 stage of maize. P fertilizer variants utilized in the study included ammonium dihydrogen, ammonium phosphate, calcium-magnesia phosphate fertilizer, calcium superphosphate, and ammonium polyphosphate. The transformation process of phosphate was examined, revealing that the commonly considered dominant diammonium phosphate fertilizer was not the optimal choice in this production system. Ammonium polyphosphate, calcium superphosphate, and ammonium dihydrogen were deemed more suitable for application in Loess soil. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on the relationship between P fractions, soil properties, and soil Olsen-P. This research emphasizes the significance of strategic phosphate fertilizer use in agriculture to ensure efficient production and to help address the global P scarcity.