Sugarcane Biomass Yield Response to Phosphorus Fertilizer on Four Mineral Soils as Related to Extractable Soil Phosphorus

The efficient use of phosphorus (P) fertilizers is very important in South Florida so that the environmental impact is minimal while meeting crop demand. To ensure that this is accomplished, an updated soil test P calibration is needed for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) grown on Florida mineral soils, which accounts for almost 30% of the total sugarcane planted in the state. An outdoor pot experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating four soil extractants for potential use in soil test P calibrations. Sugarcane cultivar CL 88-4730 was grown in 26L pots in a randomized complete block design with four replications of four P fertilizer rates (0, 38, 76, and 152 mg P L-1 soil) and four soil series (2 Spodosols, 1 Entisol, and 1 Alfisol). Sugarcane biomass was significantly increased with P fertilizer application and extractable soil P significantly increased with increasing P fertilizer rate. Strongest relationships of extractable soil P with relative fresh weight yield were determined with the water, acetic acid, and ammonium acetate extractants. All extractants tested, including Mehlich 3, had significant relationships with relative yield and leaf P concentration and so all these extractants should be considered in further field calibration studies with sugarcane on Florida mineral soils.