Application of Sorption Isotherms for Determining the Phosphorus Buffering Indices and the Standard P Requirement of Some Calcareous Soils in Isfahan

Phosphate sorption by soils is one of the most important processes indicating the buffering power and availability of P for plants. Phosphorus sorption characteristics of eight representative calcareous soil of Isfahan region were evaluated. For this purpose, 3 grams, of < 2-mm soil were equilibrated for 24 hours at 25±l °C in 60 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2 with varying amounts of P. Sorbed phosphorus was calculated by the difference between P initially added and P remaining in the final solution. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Van Huay equations were fitted to the sorption data. All four equations adequately described the relationship between sorbed and solution P, but the Van Huay model was slightly superior. Some phosphorus buffering indices were calculated from the sorption isotherms. These buffering indices were highly related to each other as well as to soil properties. Clay percent showed the highest correlation with buffering indices (r=0.771 to 0.949) followed by calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The quantity of P sorbed at standard concentration of 0.3 µg P/ml (SPR) is reported to the amount that satisfies the phosphate requirement of many crops. This parameter was calculated from Van Huay equation and showed a strong correlation with buffering indices (r=0.807 to 0.990) and soil properties such as clay (r=0.960) and CCE (r=0.809) percents. Regression analysis suggested that clay and CCE percents were the most important soil properties for estimating the buffering power and the standard P requirement of the calcareous soil in Isfahan region.