The Effect of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) on Phosphorus (P) Content and Uptake by Crops, and Soil Available P Balance in a Six-Year Field Experiment

Abstract

The aim of a six-year field experiment conducted in north-eastern (NE) Poland was to determine the effect of meat and bone meal (MBM) on phosphorus (P) content and uptake by different crops, soil available P balance, and soil pH. Five treatments were established: (1) zero-fert; (2) inorganic NPK; (3) 1.0 t ha−1 MBM; (4) 1.5 t ha−1 MBM; and (5) 2.0 t ha−1 MBM. Constant nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) rates and increasing P rates (0.0; 45; 68 and 90 kg ha−1) were applied. The lowest dose of MBM, which supplied 45 kg P ha−1 each year, was sufficient to meet the P requirements of silage maize, winter wheat, and winter oilseed rape to the same extent as mineral P fertilizer at the equivalent rate. The uptake, balance, and utilization of P by plants were comparable in both treatments. Phosphorus applied each year at high rates (68 and 90 kg ha−1) with two higher MBM doses contributed to excessive P accumulation in soil; therefore, MBM should not be applied at doses exceeding 1.5 t ha−1 to crops grown in acidic soils. Soil pH was not significantly affected by MBM. MBM can replace conventional mineral P fertilizers in crop cultivation.