Phosphorus fertilization for sugarcane in representative soils for cultivating this species in the Brazilian Northeast

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate P availability in representative soils for plant cane cultivation in the Brazilian Northeast region, and to establish a new P‑fertilizing recommendation for this crop in these soils. The study was done in five soil types, in Zona da Mata of Pernambuco: Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso (Ultisol), Argissolo Amarelo distrófico (Ultisol), Latossolo Amarelo distrófico (Oxisol), Gleissolo Háplico eutrófico (Gleisol), and Espodossolo Humilúvico órtico (Spodosol). Seven P doses were evaluated for maximum P adsorption capacity of each soil (solution equilibrium phosphorus, P‑rem). Thirty days after soil fertilization, P contents in soils were determined with the extractors Mehlich‑1, Mehlich‑3, Bray‑1, and anion exchange resin. P critical levels were calculated for each soil and extractor. From P availability ranges, five fertility classes were defined for different clay contents in the soils: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Mehlich‑1 and anion exchange resin are able extractors to adequately represent soil‑P availability for plant cane cultivation in the evaluated soils.