Phosphate Starter Fertilizer Temporarily Enhances Soil Arsenic Uptake by Apple Trees Grown under Field Conditions

Abstract

Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) is a popular starter fertilizer in Pacific Northwest tree fruit orchards; however, its use on soils contaminated with lead arsenate pesticide residues can enhance As solubility, thereby increasing As phytoavailability. `Fuji'/EMLA.26 apple trees (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) were planted in Mar. 1992 on a lead arsenate—contaminated Cashmont gravelly sandy loam soil (HCl-extractable soil As range: 60-222 mg·kg-1) using in-hole starter fertilizer application of either MAP or ammonium sulfate at equivalent N and anion rates. In ensuing years, all trees received identical applications of ammonium nitrate only. Relative trunk cross-sectional area was inversely related to soil As concentration in the year of planting but not in subsequent years, and was independent of starter fertilizer treatment. Leaf and fruit As were positively related to soil As in all years. Leaf As was initially higher in the MAP-treated trees; however, this effect diminished over time and disappeared by 1995. Fruit As was independent of starter fertilizer treatment, and was substantially lower than the tolerance established for As in fresh produce. The experimental results indicate that MAP starter fertilizer can increase soil As phytoavailability to apple trees grown under field conditions; however, the effects on tree growth and food safety are insignificant.