The impact of superphosphate and surface-applied lime on the profitability and sustainability of wool production on the tablelands of NSW

Soil acidification is one of the major forms of soil degradation in higher rainfall areas of the tablelands of NSW. A grazing experiment was conducted near Sutton, NSW, to assess the effect of various rates of superphosphate, lime, sewage ash and stocking rates on wool production and sustainability between 1999 and 2008. The results from the discounted cash flow analysis show that the net present value of the treatment without lime, the lower rate of superphosphate and the lowest stocking rate returned the highest net present value of $266.30/ha. Raising the application of superphosphate from 125kg/ha every two to three years to 250kg/ha every year on un-limed and limed soil reduced the net present value by$278.70/ha and $249.30/ha, respectively. The addition of lime at the rate of 4t/ha on un-limed soil at the low superphosphate level reduced the net present value by about$234.60/ha. The net present value fell by $205.24/ha when the level of superphosphate rate increased to 250kg/ha every year. The net present value decreased as the level of stocking rate increased. We conclude that wool producers will be unlikely to use lime to ameliorate acid soil, even though production will not be sustainable, unless there are more favourable input and commodity prices in the market and government intervention.economic, acid soil, lime, superphosphate, sewage ash, stocking rate, policy,

Comparison of the efficiency of sodium nitrate and superphosphate as nutrients in the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted water

The effect of Aspergillus Niger stimulated with 0.2M sodium nitrate and 0.2M single superphosphate fertilizer (nutrients) was investigated in this study. The ambient temperature averaged 29oC all through the 25 days of the research. The comparison was done using three setups- two samples of the hydrocarbon polluted water were amended with the nutrients and with Aspergillus Niger. The third sample served as control. After twenty five days, it was observed that the sample amended with 0.2M sodium nitrate went through the highest amount of bioremediation: For the total hydrocarbon content, the sample with 0.2M sodium nitrate in it dropped by 78.62% (393 – 84mg/L), the sample with 0.2M superphosphate in it - 72.5% (393 – 108mg/L) and the control sample with the lowest drop of 52.16% (393 – 188mg/L). For the biological oxygen demand, the sample with 0.2M sodium nitrate in it dropped by 71.60% (1832.6 – 520.47), the sample with 0.2M superphosphate in it dropped by 63.37% (1832.6 – 671.3mg/L) and the control sample had the lowest drop of 50.27% (1832.6 – 911.29mg/L). The pH of the samples with nutrients in them were initially acidic but became less acidic with time while the control sample which was initially neutral became more acidic

A comparison of two phosphorus soil tests as inputs to a pasture growth model : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Soil Science at Massey University

Glasshouse and field studies were carried out to investigate relationships between plant growth and extractable soil phosphorus and between fertilizer phosphorus and extractable soil phosphorus respectively. The purpose of the studies was to provide information with which to quantify the parameters of a simple model designed to predict relative pasture yield as a function of soil and fertilizer phosphorus. The relationship between yield and water-extractable soil P differed markedly between two soils of different P retention properties in glasshouse studies using both intact cores and conventional pots. To illustrate this difference, the levels of water-extractable P (0-8 cm depth) in intact cores required for 90% of maximum yield were 12.7 and 2.6 μg/g soil in the soils of lower and higher P retention respectively. In contrast, the relationship between yield and Olsen (bicarbonate-extractable) P was much less soil type dependent. The corresponding levels of Olsen P in intact soil cores required for 90% of maximum yield were 17.7 and 17.8 ug/g soil respectively. For modelling purposes, the Olsen procedure was therefore considered to provide a more suitable index of plant available soil P from which to predict pasture production on soils differing in P retention. The proportion of yield variation accounted for by differences in extractable soil P was 25% or less in initial harvests from the intact cores, 50-75% in later harvests from the intact cores and 89-97% in the pot experiments. The results of the intact core experiments, however, were considered to be more directly applicable to the field situation than were the results of the pot experiments. Seasonal changes in extractable soil P in Tokomaru silt loam included an increase during the dry season to reach a peak in late autumn followed by a decline in winter. The magnitude of these changes with respect to Olsen P was approximately 2.5 and 5 μg/g soil in the 0-8 cm and 0-4 cm depths respectively. A subsequent decline in extractable soil P during the spring and second summer was attributed largely to plant uptake of soil P and its loss in discarded clippings. The application of superphosphate increased extractable soil P in proportion to the rate applied. The increases per unit of applied fertilizer P, in both absolute terms and relative to an initial (time-zero) increase, were greater in a soil of low P retention (Tokomaru) than in a soil of high P retention (Ramiha). Water-extractable P (0-8 cm depth) was increased on average by 2.3 and 0.2 μg/g in the Tokomaru and Ramiha soils respectively six months after the application of 40 kg P/ha as super-phosphate. The corresponding average increases in Olsen P (2.7 and 1.1 μg/g) were greater, and differed less between the soils, than the increases in water-extractable P. Thus, neither soil P extraction procedure was independent of soil type in terms of the effects of applied fertilizer P. For modelling purposes the effects of applied fertilizer would need to be assessed in a wider range of soils. The level of water-extractable P in stored, air-dry soils was found to undergo short-term fluctuations, apparently due to changes in the conditions of extraction such as variations in the pH of distilled water. Longer-term increases of 25-100% in the level of water-extractable P of stored soils also occurred. No reason for the latter changes was apparent

Phosphorus Release Characteristics from Biosolids-Derived Organomineral Fertilizers

This study investigated the availability of phosphorus (P) following soil application of a novel biosolids-derived organomineral fertilizer (OMF15; 15:4:4) in comparison with single superphosphate (0:18:0). Two soil types of contrasting characteristics were incubated over a period of 90 days at 25 °C and maintained near field capacity. Phosphorus was applied at rates equivalent to 0 (control), 150, and 300 kg ha−1 of P2O5, respectively. Availability of P from OMF15 was low throughout the experiment accounting for less than 6.5% of total OMF15-P applied. It was shown that after the 90 days incubation period, the overall increase in soil extractable P in OMF15-treated soil was marginal in both soil types. For single superphosphate (SSP), P availability ranged from 16% to 46% of total SSP-P applied. Application of SSP increased soil extractable P levels significantly (P < 0.001) compared with unfertilized control soils. The results of this study aided the development of fertilization strategies for the best use of OMF produced from nutrient-enriched biosolids granules for applications in winter cereal and grass crops in England

Phosphorus and sulphur nutrition of pastures in high rainfall areas.

J.S.Yeates and M.F.Clarke started these experiments. In January 1990 M.D.A. Bolland replaced J.S. Yeates (who became Regional Manager of the Northern Agricultural Region) as the Research Officer responsible for the management of the long-term experiments, and to continue the research on the topic. In the experiments the fertilizers wee applied in autumn (March-April) in the years listed in the tables. Trial 80AL4 Location: Cuthbert. A new experiment was started in 1989 to compare two partially acidulated rock phosphate (PARP) fertilizers with ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP). Trial 84AL32 Location: Denmark The fertilizers compared are ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP). New (pre 1990) Coastal Superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate and Calciphos (500 degrees C crandallite-millisite rock phosphate from Christmas Island). Trial 84AL33 Location: Denmark The phosphatic fertilizers compared were applied once only, in the years 1984 to 1988. the fertilizers compared were: ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). Data are the mean of three replicates. Trial 84AL35 Location: Denmark Comparison of ordinary (single) superphyosphate (OSP) and new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS as sulphur sources for pasture. The fertilizers were applied at the levels of S shown each year (repeated \u27rates\u27). Data are mean of three replicates. Trial 84HA17 Location: West Harvey. Comparison of different P fertilizers when levels of fertilizer (O, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 100 kg P/ha for each fertilizer) were applied to the same plot each year (i.e. repeated \u27rates\u27). The fertilizers compared were: ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSB), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). Data are the mean of three replicates. Trial 84HA18 Location: West Harvey To compare several fertilizers as sources of P for pasture. The fertilizers were applied once only in the years listed. The fertilizers compare were ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSB), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). Data are the mean of three replicates, measure on October 30 1989. Trial 84HA19 Location: West Harvey A comparison of ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP) and new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS) as sulphur sources for pastures. The fertilizers were applied at seven levels, using the same level each year (repeated \u27rates). Data are the mean of three replicates, measured October 31, 1989). Trial 84HA20 Location: West Harvey A comparison of ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP) and new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS) as sulphur sources for pasture. The fertilizer levels were only applied once only in the years listed. Herbage yields were measured on October 31, 1989. Trial 84HA24 Location: Pinjarra Comparison of four sources of phosphorous as fertilizers for pastures. The fertilizers compared are ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSB), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). The fertilizers were applied at the same levels listed each year (repeated \u27rates\u27). Yields were measure on October 23, 1989. Trial 84HA25 Location: Pinjarra Comparison of the effectiveness of different P fertilizers for pasture production. The fertilizers compared are ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSB), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). Levels of each P fertilizer were applied once only in the years listed. Results are the mean of three replicates, and yields were measured on October 19, 1989. Trial 84HA26 Location: Pinjarra This experiment compares ordinary superphosphate (OSP) and new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS) as sulphur sources for pastures. The levels of each fertilizer listed in the table were applied every year (repeated \u27rates\u27). Data are mean of three replicates. Yields are measured on October 26, 1989. Trial 84HA27 Location: Pinjarra Comparison of ordinary superphosphate (OSP) and new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS) as sulphur sources for pastures when levels of the fertilizers were applied once only in the years listed. Yields were measured on October 23, 1989. Trial 84HA28 Location: Yarloop. Comparison of different P fertilizers for pasture productions. The fertilizers were applied at the levels listed every year (repeated \u27rates\u27). The fertilizers compared were ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS), Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and Calciphos (CAL). Trial 84HA28 (1989 PARP trial) Location: Yarloop In 1989, two P fertilizers were compared in a new experiment adjacent to the original 1984 experiment. The fertilizers compared were ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP) and the new 1989 partially acidulated rock phosphate (PARP) made by CSBP and Farmers Ltd from North Carolina reactive apatite rock phosphate. Data are mean of three replicates. Yields were measured on October 27, 1989. Trial 86HA1 Location: Cookernup Comparison of different fertilizers as P sources for pasture. The fertilizers were applied at the levels listed every year (repeated \u27rates\u27). The fertilizers compared are ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP) , new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate , Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and North Carolina (reactive apatite) rock phosphate (NCRP). Data are means of three replicates. Yields were measured on November 2, 1989. Trial 86HA2 Location: Coolup. The experiment compare ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate, Island (low-reactive apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) and North Carolina (reactive apatite) rock phosphate (NCRP) as P fertilizers for pasture. The fertilizers were applied at the levels shown in the table every year (repeated \u27rates). Data are the mean of three replicates. Yields were measured on November 3, 1989). Trial 88V10 Location: Vasse Research Station The experiment compares ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP), new (pre 1990) coastal superphosphate (NCS) and Island (apatite) rock phosphate (IRP) a P fertilizers for pasture. These fertilizers are applied at the levels listed in the table each year (repeated \u27rates\u27). Data are the mean of three replicates. Yields are measured on October 17, 1989. Trial 88V11 Location: Vasse Research Station This experiment compares ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP), new coastal superphosphate (NCS) as sulphur fertilizers for pastures. The fertilizers were applied at the levels listed in the table each year (repeated \u27rates\u27). Data are the mean of three replicates. Yields were measured on October 17, 1989

An investigation into the fertilizer potential of slaughterhouse cattle paunch

In Australia, the red meat processing industry actively seeks approaches to improve the management of solid waste from processing operations and enhance the environmental performance. Recycling of paunch waste to farmland could be a cost-effective and practicable environmental option. However, little is known about the agronomic value of fresh and composted paunch, and the associated requirements for land application. Therefore, a short-term experimental work was undertaken to assess potential risks due to weed seed contamination and determine the agronomic response of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) to soil incorporation of paunch. The risk of weed contamination from soil application of paunch appeared to be low; however, methods that account for viability of seeds may be required to fully discard such a risk. Soil application of paunch at field equivalent rates of 150-300 kg ha-1 of N increased dry matter yield by ≈30% on average compared with untreated grass, but was approximately 35% lower than a mineral fertilizer treatment applied at the same rates. Dry matter yield of paunch-treated grass was between 2000 and 3000 kg per ha over four consecutive cuts at 25-day intervals. Nitrogen use-efficiency of paunch was approximately 10% (range: 3% to 20%, depending on paunch type), and total N in harvested plant material showed values, which were between 2% and 3%. Overall, there appears to be potential for paunch-derived products to be used as a source of carbon and nutrients in crop production. Areas that merit a research priority within this space are also outlined in this paper. Such work is required to inform soil-, climate- and crop-specific land application rates, optimize agronomic performance, and minimize environmental concerns. There is also a requirement for the value proposition to industry to be determined, including reduced cost of disposal of material via gate fees and fertilizer replacement value