Submit Manuscript

Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2006 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 999-1004
Facebook Twitter Digg Reddit Linkedin StumbleUpon E-mail
Research Article

Benefits of Phosphate Rocks in Crop Production: Experience on Benchmark Tropical Soil Areas in Nigeria

Ezekiel Akinkunmi Akinrinde and Gabriel Olufemi Obigbesan

ABSTRACT

Paucity of research information on the agronomic effectiveness of Nigerian phosphate rocks had until recently hindered their direct application by farmers. We have investigated the behaviour of some indigenous phosphate rocks (Ogun Phosphate Rock, ORP and Sokoto Phosphate Rock, SRP) under laboratory; greenhouse and field plot conditions. Their physico-chemical and mineralogical properties as well as phosphate release in strongly acidic and mildly acid soil types and different moisture regimes were determined. Their suitability for direct application as phosphorus (P) fertilizer for maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and oil palm (Elaeis guineesis) seedlings were tested in comparison with single super phosphate. Here, their agronomic efficiency in field studies at selected agro-ecological zones and soil types is reviewed. The results of chemical and crystallographic tests revealed the carbonate fluorapatite nature, the high total P content (ORP = 30.50% P2O5; SRP = 32.5% P2O5) and their soil ameliorating (liming) potential (ORP = 19.2% CaO; SRP = 44.2% CaO). ORP and SRP are reactive phosphate rocks, since more than 30% of P content are soluble in 2% citric acid. Unlike SRP with low Fe2SO4 and Al2O3 contents, ORP by virtue of its high Al and Fe oxides (6.9 and 7.3%) might be less suitable for partial acidulation. The chelating effect of the admixture of ground rock phosphate with poultry manure facilitated the solubilization of rock P and resulted into higher agronomic effectiveness. The results showed that SRP and ORP could be conveniently used for direct application in the humid and sub-humid zones with rainfall above 1200 mm. Low rainfall of semi-arid zone would be inadequate for their solubilization.
PDF References Citation

Search

REFERENCES

  1. Adediran, J.A. and R.A. Sobulo, 1998. Agronomic evaluation of phosphorus fertilizers developed form Sokoto rock phosphate in Nigeria. Commun. Soil sci. Plant Anal., 29: 2415-2428.
  2. Akande, M.O., E.A. Aduayi, A. Olayinka and R.A. Sobulo, 1998. Efficiency of Sokoto Rock Phosphate as a fertilizer source for maize production in southwestern Nigeria. J. Plant Nutr., 2: 1339-1353.
  3. Akinrinde, E.A., O.A. Onanuga, O.S. Bello and G.O. Obigbesan, 2003. Efficiency of indigenous ground phosphate rocks, organic fertilizer and their mixtures for maize performance in two Nigerian alfisols. Moor J. Agric. Res., 4: 1-7.
    Direct Link
  4. Akinrinde, E.A., O.S. Bello, K.O. Ayegboyin and L. Iroh, 2005. Added benefits of combined organic and mineral phosphate fertilizers applied to maize and melon. J. Food Agric. Environ., 13: 75-80.
  5. Baugor, K.C., K.S. Yadav and M.M. Mishra, 1985. Transformation of rock phosphate during composting and the effect of humic acid. Plant Soil, 85: 259-266.
  6. Bromfield, A.R., 1975. Effects of ground phosphate-sulphur mixture on yield and nutrient uptake of groundnut in Northern Nigeria. Exp. Agric., 11: 265-272.
  7. Chien, S.H. and R.G. Menon, 1995. Factors affecting the agronomic effectiveness of phosphate rock for direct application. Fertil. Res., 41: 227-234.
    Direct Link
  8. Hammond, L.L., 1990. Potential use of acidulated and partially acidulated phosphate rock. Phosphorus Potassium, 168: 15-19.
  9. Kagbo, Z.B., 1991. A comparison of Nigerian rock phosphate with imported cotton fertilizer in cotton/cereal rotation in Mali. Exp. Agric., 27: 263-268.
  10. Khasawneh, F.E. and E.C. Doll, 1978. The use of phosphate rock for direct applications to soils. Ad. Agron., 30: 159-206.
  11. Obigbesan, G.O. and K. Mengel, 1981. Use of electro ultra filtration (EUF) method for investigating the behaviour of phosphate fertilizers in tropical soils. Fertil. Res., 2: 169-176.
  12. Obigbedan, G.O. and E.A. Akurinde, 2000. Evaluation of the performance of Nigerian rock phosphate applied to millet in selected Branch mark soils. Nig. J. Soil Sci., 12: 88-99.
  13. Zapata, F. and H. Axmann, 1995. Isotopic techniques for evaluating the agronomic effectiveness of rock phosphate materials. Fertil. Res., 41: 189-195.
  14. Tian, G. and G.O. Kolawole, 1999. Comparison of various plant residues as phosphate rock amendment on savannah. Soils West Afr., 27: 571-583.
  15. Sobulo, R.A., 1994. Final report on agro-mineral project. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.
  16. Adegoke, O.S., J.A. Ajayi, M.A. Rahmos and J.I. Nehikare, 1991. Fertilizer raw material situation in Nigeria. Proceedings of the National Organic Fertilizer Seminar Kaduna Nigeria, Mar. 26-27, Federal Minstry of Agriculture, pp: 51-55.
  17. Ojo, O.D., 2003. Growth, development and yield of amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) varieties in response to different sources of phosphorus. Ph.D. Thesis, University of lbadan, Nigeria, pp: 300.
  18. Amapu, I.Y., V.O. Chude, E.N.P. Iwuafor and O.A. Babalola, 1999. Soil and fertilizer factors influencing the utilization of phosphate rock in the sub-humid Nigeria savanna. Proceedings of Book of Abstracts 25th Annual Conference, Nov. 21-25, Soil Sci. Society of Nigeria, Benin, pp: 35-35.
  19. Bationo, A., S.K. Mughogho, A.U. Mokwunye and P.L.G. Vlek, 1986. Management of N and P fertilizers in sub-saharan Africa. Maritinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp: 283-318.
  20. Chapin, F.S. and L. Van Cleve, 1992. Approaches to Studying Nutrient Uptake, Use and Loss in Plants. In: Plant Physiological Ecology: Field Methods and Instrumentation, R.W. Pearcy, J. Ehleringer, H.A. Mooney and P.W. Rundell (Eds.). Chapman and Hall, London, Endland, pp: 185-207.
  21. Jones, J.B., B. Wolf and H.A. Mills, 1991. Plant Analysis Handbook: A Practical Sampling, Preparation, Analysis, and Interpretation Guide. Micro-Macro Publishing, USA., ISBN: 9781878148001, Pages: 213.
    Direct Link

Search

Related Articles

Comments

muhammed yunusa sule Reply

l will need a brief introduction about the benefit of sokoto phosphate rock.thank u

muhammed yunusa sule Reply

i will need a brief introduction about sokoto phosphate rock.thank u.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *