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Phosphate Forms in Particle Size Separates of Irish Soils in Relation to Drainage and Parent Materials¹

ABSTRACT

Particle-size separates of sand, silt, and clay from 24 representative Irish soils were analyzed for total, inorganic, and organic P (Mehta & Legg), and for forms of inorganic P (Chang & Jackson). In general, all forms of P were highest in the clay fraction and lowest in the sand. The inorganic P of the clays and silts was mainly iron-P whereas calcium-P was the dominant form in the sand fraction.

The influence of parent material on the P content of the separates was examined, and it was found that soils of limestone origin had a higher content of calcium-P in their separates than did those from the shale-derived soils. The sands of the shale soils contained more total P than the same fraction in the limestone soils.

Drainage also affected the distribution of P. In general, the clays and silts from the well-drained soils were higher in total P, but total and organic P and the proportion of organic P to total P was higher in the sands of the poorly-drained soils than in the sands of the well-drained soils.

A significant negative correlation (–0.61) was obtained between the percent clay in the soil and the total P content of its clay fraction.

¹ Presented before Div. S-2, Soil Science Society of America, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., August 24, 1966.

² Senior Research Officer and Experimental Officer, Soils Division, Agricultural Institute, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland.

Received for publication August 6, 1969. Accepted for publication March 3, 1970.