Effect of Organic Matter, Silicates and Moisture Levels on Availability of Phosphate

Organic matter at the rate of 1.0 gm (10000 ppm) and silicate at 0.1 gm (1000 ppm) and 0.3 gm per 100 gm of soil proved to be effective in increasing the available phosphorus from native as well as added phosphorus. Both basic slag and sodium silicate were significantly effective, but due to increase in soil pH with sodium silicate, basic slag was considered to be superior to sodium silicate. At the same phosphorus level, higher moisture percentage increased the availability of phosphorus. Minimum fixation was found at 60 per cent moisture level and maximum at 10 per cent moisture level.