Phosphorus Stock Depletion and Soil C:N:P Stoichiometry Under Annual Crop Rotations and Grassland Management Systems Over 13 Years

• Published in: Frontiers in Soil Science (Online) 2022-07, Vol.2
• Main Authors: Somavilla, André, Caner, Laurent, da Silva, Isley Cristiellem Bicalho, Rheinheimer, Danilo dos Santos, Chabbi, Abad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 31P-NMR; Agricultural sciences; C and N stocks; forage; Life Sciences; P export; P pools; Soil study; SOM
• ISSN: 2673-8619; 2673-8619
• DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2022.863122

Phosphorus (P) nutrition is essential to both plant yield and soil organic matter (SOM) input. However, continuous extraction of P by plants and biomass harvesting can lead to soil P stock depletion, a reduction in crop yields and ultimately a reduction in organic matter input to the soil. In this work, we analysed P, C and N stock trends in the 0-30 cm topsoil layer cultivated with permanent cropland (CC) and mowed permanent grassland (GG) for 13 years. In addition, we characterized the changes in P organic forms by using 31 P-NMR. The results showed that the amount of P exported within 13 years was 10% greater in GG than in CC (295 and 268 kg ha -1 , respectively). The total P stocks decreased under both the CC and GG management systems (0.30 and 0.25 Mg ha -1 , respectively). This depletion was mainly observed in total Pi forms, which recorded reductions of 0.75 and 0.29 Mg ha -1 in GG and CC, respectively. The total Po stock increased by 42.6% in GG; these results were consistent with the increase in C and N stocks in GG (2.6 and 0.19 Mg ha -1 , respectively) and their reduction in CC (-4.2 and -0.38 Mg ha -1 , respectively). Although P depletion mainly affected the P pool presenting the highest lability (labile P), this depletion did not have a negative effect on plant yield after 13 years due to the buffering capacity of P pools presenting less lability (moderately labile P). Mowing permanent grasslands led to a change in the pool of labile P from inorganic to organic forms and an increase in soil C and N stocks. Based on the 31 P-NMR technique, permanent grasslands significantly reduced α-glycerophosphate and increased myo-IHP and adenosine monophosphate more than the permanent cropland. Although there was no significant decrease in productivity, the depletion of available P should be monitored over time, especially in mown permanent grassland crops, to prevent potential nutrient stress.