Modified Labile Phosphorus Estimation Method for Arid Ecosystem

A new method for estimation of resin phosphorus (P) in arid soils was developed. Four extractants [hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and sodium bicarbonate] at various concentrations were used by different ion exchange resins. The results clearly showed HCl was the best extractant at 1.0 N concentration and that 6 h was the optimum time for more adsorption. The optimum adsorption and extraction occurred at 200 rpm and 75 rpm, respectively. Basic anion exchange resin in chloride form was the best resin for P mobilization. A strong correlation (P < 0.001) with the P uptake by different arid crops (pearl millet, clusterbean) was observed. Resin P showed correlation with soil total P (P < 0.001), available and mineral P (P < 0.01), and soil organic P (P < 0.05). The present method for resin-P estimation is found to be an important tool to determine plant P availability and available soil P status under arid environments.