ABSTRACT
Phosphorus (P) is a crucial nutrient for plant growth and development, however, plant may struggle to access enough P due to high sorption capacity in soils.
The study examined the physical and chemical properties of Orlu soil series as well as Phosphorus (P) sorption capacity at different concentrations. Soil samples were collected from Orlu soil series in Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). All the data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance ANOVA of GenStat Statistical package and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test of the same GenStat package.
The result showed that there was a significant (P) difference in sand, silt and clay across the soil depths with sand being the dominant soil fraction. The pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and available P were all within normal range for crop production and ranged between 5.06 – 5.70, 4.47 – 10.34 gkg-1, 0.22-0.52 gkg-1 and 0.35 – 0.36 mgkg-1 with mean values of 5.37, 6.40 gkg-1, 0.32 gkg-1 and 0.36 mgkg-1 respectively. The P sorption characteristics of the soils varied with soils depth. However, it was observed that the soils P sorption capacity was highest (30.48 mgg-1) 0-30 cm soil depth considering the Freundlich sorption capacity.
P sorption characteristics should accompany P fertilization programme to reduce the risk of P under fertilization for adequate P availability to crops.
