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Corn Growth as Affected by Suspension Fertilizers Containing Fluorosilicic Acid

Agricultural Research Dep.

E. F. Dillard and J. R. Burnell

Chemical Research Dep., National Fertilizer Environmental Research Center, Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL 35660-1010

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Fluorosilicic acid (H₂SiF₆) is a suggested additive to suspension fertilizers produced from monoammonium phosphate (MAP) to prevent gelling of the suspension. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine if F added to soil via P suspension fertilizers was detrimental to corn (Zea mays L.) growth. The F sources consisted of reagent-grade NH₄F, NH₄SiF₆, and three P suspension fertilizers. Equilibria constants and measurements with a F^- ion selective electrode (ISE) indicated SiF₆^2- dissociates to H₄SiO₄ and F^- at pH > 4 and total F concentration <1 mM. Therefore, only F^- needed to be considered as a potential toxic component in soils. At an initial soil pH of 5.8, an 11% dry-matter weight decrease was observed when a suspension fertilizer with 89 g F kg^–1 was added to soil to supply a rate of 170 mg F kg^–1 soil. An adequate level of F in P suspension fertilizers is between 16 and 23 g kg^–1 and this level did not affect corn dry-matter weight with application rates 32 mg F kg^–1 soil. At high soil F-application rates from 30 to 170 mg F kg^–1 soil, F was not suspected to be the phytotoxic agent since F concentrations in corn tops were all <0.4 mg kg^–1. There was a significant correlation between soil Al and F extracted with water, which led to a hypothesis that decreased corn growth was due to Al phytotoxicity.

Received for publication May 23, 1991.

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