Long-Term Combined Organic and Inorganic Fertilization Alters Soil Phosphorus Fractions and Peanut Uptake

• Published in: Agronomy
• Main Authors: Keyao Zhou, Haoxiang Li, Xiao Li, Bingbing Zhou, Xuezeng Wei, Ying Wang, Ning Liu, Xue Li, Xiumei Zhan, Xiaori Han
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
• Subjects: biochar; straw return; manure compost; soil properties; Hedley phosphorus fractionation; phosphorus uptake by peanuts
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/9/2104

Organic amendments, such as straw, biochar, and animal manure, have been demonstrated to enhance soil phosphorus (P) availability effectively; however, the long-term impacts and underlying mechanisms require further study. Based on a long-term field experiment, this research systematically analyzed the effects of biochar (BIO), biochar-based fertilizer (BF), straw-returning (CS), and pig manure compost (PMC) on soil phosphorus transformation and crop phosphorus uptake. Results showed that biochar significantly boosted soil available phosphorus (AP) by releasing soluble phosphorus, raising soil pH, reducing phosphorus fixation by iron and aluminum oxides, and enhancing soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) to promote phosphorus dissolution and transformation. Notably, biochar increased the proportion of NaOH-P, facilitating phosphorus accumulation in peanut grains and improving the phosphorus harvest index and utilization efficiency. Straw-returning primarily elevated soil AP by promoting organic phosphorus mineralization and inorganic phosphorus release; however, its acidification of the soil impaired phosphorus translocation to grains, resulting in lower phosphorus-use efficiency compared to biochar. Pig manure compost reduced soil phosphorus fixation and increased soil total organic carbon (TOC), thereby boosting phosphorus transformation. Despite enhancing phosphorus dry-matter production in plants, most phosphorus remained in stems and leaves, with limited translocation to grains, leading to lower phosphorus-use efficiency than biochar. In conclusion, biochar was most effective in enhancing soil phosphorus availability and crop phosphorus-use efficiency, highlighting its potential in sustainable soil fertility management and optimized crop production.