Phosphorus fixing parameters, soil chemical properties and soil microbarthropods population under different soil management practices

Soils, as a dynamic body, exhibit changing chemical properties as a result of biological and human activities. Phosphorus fixing ability of soils has attributed to different physiochemical properties. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the phosphorus fixing parameter, soil chemical properties and soil microarthropod population under different soil management practices environmental conditions. Routine Laboratory analysis and sorption studies were carried out on the soil to determine the soil pH, particle size, soil organic matter, exchangeable acid, copper, total microarthropods, clay content, exchangeable calcium. The P-sorption isotherm was determined by plotting of P in equilibrium against the amount of P-added. Data obtained from the experiment fitted into the Frendlich adsorption model. The Frendlich K correlating result of multiple regression analysis show the contribution of soil properties with Frendlich K as follows; Fe < ex-acid < eu < total micro-arthropods < soil pH < organic carbon; and to Frendlich in the order soil pH < organic carbon < Fe. Results show that micro-arthropods contribute significantly to P dynamics in the soil.