Urochloa decumbens growth and P uptake as affected by long-term phosphate fertilization, mycorrhizal inoculation and historical land use in contrasting Oxisols of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the fertility management of highly weathered-leached Brazilian Oxisols, P is the most limiting macronutrient. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the influence of the interaction between P doses, mycorrhizal inoculation and historical land use on Urochloa decumbens growth and P uptake in four Oxisols with contrasting chemical, physical and mineralogical properties. The plants were cultivated in plastic pots containing 4 kg of soil in a completely randomized design, four replications and 2x2x2 factorial scheme: with two P doses; with and without mycorrhizal inoculation; soils cultivated for long periods and non-cultivated (under native vegetation). There were two plantings of ten weeks each. Shoot dry mater, concentration and accumulation of P in the shoot were evaluated. In the first planting, the Urochloa response was greater in non-cultivated soils associated with inoculation and P addition. However, in the second planting, the inoculation had a greater effect in all soils compared to the first planting associated with the lowest P dose. As the P concentration in the soil increased, P in the shoot dry matter increases. The inoculation did not affect the P concentration and accumulation in the shoot of Urochloa. The growth of Urochloa decumbens was strongly influenced by the interaction among soil class x history of land use x dose of P x inoculation.