Phosphate Reaction Products in Red Soils of West Bengal

Phosphate reaction products following the application of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) in red soils of W. Bengal, were identified by X-ray diffraction technique supplemented by chemical analysis. Reaction of MAP in these soils was very fast and yielded crystalline reaction products like ammonium taranakite and variscite. Reaction of MCP caused progressive dissolution of soil constituents and resulted in the formation of mainly colloidal amorphous iron-aluminium phosphate compounds, excepting in one sample where crystalline compounds like potassium taranakite and brushite were also formed.