Evaluation of Soil Tests for Phosphorus Availability

Abstract

A number of methods are in use to determine the available phosphorus in soils. Some of these methods have given satisfactory results in certain soils, but none has been found to be applicable under all soil conditions. Hence in this study an attempt is made to compare a number of soil tests for available phosphorus with the phosphorus uptake by ragi seed- lings in a Neubauer experiment to determine which method is most suitable for each soil type or a group of soil types in the matter of predicting yield or uptake of phosphorus. Simplicity, rapidity and dependability have been taken as the chief considerations in the choice of methods for determination of available phosphorus.