Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

Convective transport of phosphorus was studied in a loamy sand Typic Ustochrept) in laboratory as well as in field with dryland chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at various initial soil water levels developed by differential charging of the soil profile before sowing. The convective transport was induced by applying water immediately after application of P fertilizer to the soil. Both surface-applied and placed-P moved in the columns down to 40 and 35 cm, respectively, with peak concentration around the place of application of P. Field observations endorsed laboratory results. Both uptake and yield (grain and haulm) of the crop improved with application of P, its convective transport and soil water stress levels at seeding of the crop. Phosphorus placement before presowing irrigation (convective transport) improved the uptake and yield of the crop over the normal practice of placement of P after application of presowing irrigation. Even the P broadcast before presowing irrigation yielded as good results as placed P after application of water.