Phosphorus Nutrition of Soybean

Outline P Nutrition of Soybean

P uptake by above-ground plant tissue Soybean root morphology P influx by roots Yields and soil test P levels P placement P timing P and soybean pests/diseases

P Uptake by AboveGround Plant Tissue

Examining uptake throughout the season

Nutrient Uptake by 80 bu/A Soybeans

Aerial accumulation (lb/acre)
450 400 350 300 250

P2O5

K2O

200
150 100 50 0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Days after planting

Source: Henderson and Kamprath, 1970

Soybean P Uptake
100 90 80 Total P uptake: 12 24 lb P2O5/A Beans

% of total uptake

70 60 50

Pods Stems

40
30 20 10

Petioles

Leaves Leaves (fallen)

Petioles (fallen)

0 0
V1
Source: Hanway and Weber, 1971

28

56
V6 V10 R4

84

112
R6 R7

Days after emergence Growth stage (inferred)

Soybean Phosphorus Derived from Fertilizer

Soybean plant fraction P derived from fertilizer (%) Leaves (and petioles?) Stems Pods Beans 36 20 25 16

Source: Ham and Caldwell, 1978

Soybean Phosphorus Content Derived from Fertilizer

Soil P level % of P derived from fertilizer 60 50
Low

40
Medium

30
High

20
10 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Days after planting

Source: Bureau et al., 1953

Soybean Root Morphology

Establishing a background for discussions of P placement

Soybean Root Growth

6 in.

Phase 1 (1st month after planting)

Rapid vegetative top growth Downward taproot growth Development of horizontal laterals in upper soil profile

Source: Mitchell and Russell, 1971

Soybean Root Growth

Phase 2 (2 2.5 months after planting)
High rates of top growth (from flowering through pod formation) More laterals develop in upper soil profile Some laterals begin to turn downward

6 in.

Source: Mitchell and Russell, 1971; Raper and Barber, 1970

Soybean Root Morphology

Left side: single soybean plant grown in isolated plot
Primary lateral roots branch from taproot within upper 15 cm (6 in.) Below 15 cm (depth of cultivation), taproot degenerated to a root with a diameter similar to primary laterals but with less branching

(approx. 10 wk. after planting)

Source: Raper and Barber, 1970

Soybean Root Morphology

Right side: soybean grown in 30 in. rows
Primary lateral roots branch from taproot within upper 15 cm (6 in.) Near center of rows (45 cm or 18 in.), laterals angle down sharply as they encounter root zone of neighboring plant

(approx. 10 wk. after planting)

Source: Raper and Barber, 1970

Soybean Root Growth

Phase 3 (Seed set to maturity)
Continued rapid rates of downward extension of laterals Laterals penetrated deeper than the tap root Depth of sample (in.) 0 - 3 3 - 6 Root dry weight at the following days after planting: 31 67 80 102 -------------- (grams) ------------0.24 0.04 2.60 0.26 3.10 0.73 4.23 0.52

6 - 9
9 - 12 12 - 18 18 - 24 24 - 36

0.01
0.01 ----

0.07
0.04 0.05 0.03 0.07

0.12
0.07 0.10 0.10 0.08

0.08
0.04 0.04 0.08 0.07

36 - 48
48 - 72
Source: Mitchell and Russell, 1971

---

---

0.06
--

0.06
0.03

Roots Proliferate in Zones of Higher P Concentration

0.8 0.7 0.6 Soybean Corn 1:1

Portion of total root length in P-treated volume

0.5
0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 P treated soil portion, % 0.6

Source: Borkert and Barber, 1985

Effects of P or Mycorrhizae on Soybean Shoot Dry Weight

Greenhouse study Shoot dry weight, grams
3.0 2.5 2.0 60

80

1.5
40 1.0 0.5 0 0 20
Initial Bray 1 soil test P = 8 ppm

115

345

920

Applied P rate, lb P2O5/A

Source: Lambert et al. 1979

% of root colonized

Non- mycorrhizal DM Non-mycorrhizal infection

Mycorrhizal DM Mycorrhizal infection

100

Management Factors Affecting Soybean Root Morphology

Cultivar choice Root angle Root elongation rate Planting date Soil temperature Soil moisture Photoperiod Quantity of radiation Tillage Soil moisture Soil temperature Soil bulk density Soil aeration Soil fertility Plant dry matter distribution Root proliferation Irrigation Soil moisture profile

Source: Coale and Grove, 1986

P Influx by Roots
Examining how quickly roots can absorb P

Nutrient Influx by Roots

Ions are not simply absorbed according to their ratios in solution Ions with this characteristic influx pattern require energy to be absorbed
H2PO4-, HPO42 K+

22-23 day old soybean roots

Influx, 10-14 lb P2O5 / (in2 s) 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 Imax

Maximum influx is reached at higher solution concentrations (Imax)

Sources: Barber, 1984; Edwards and Barber, 1976

0.0
-0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5 Solution P, 10-6 lb P2O5/gal

Nutrient Influx Depends on Both P and K Fertility

Low P limits P diffusion and energy for P uptake P2O5 influx by soybean roots
Influx, 10-13 lb / (in2 s)
10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 50 70

Low P limits energy for K uptake K2O influx by soybean roots

55 ppm Bray P-1 55 ppm Bray P-1

11 ppm Bray P-1

90 110 130 150 50 70

11 ppm Bray P-1

90 110 130 150

Soil test K, ppm

Source: Hallmark and Barber, 1984

P Influx Varies with Plant Age

Influx, 10-5 lb P2O5 / (in. day)
5 4 Corn

3
2 1 0 0 -1 20 40 60 80 100 120

Soybean

Plant age, days

Sources: Barber, 1978; Mengel and Barber, 1974

Yields and Soil Test P Levels

Examining how production level is related to soil test P level

Soil Test P Calibration Data

Relative grain yield, %

100 80 60 40 20 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Corn

Soybean

Soil test Bray P-1, ppm

Source: Mallarino, 1999

Comparisons of Soil Test P Calibration Data

120 100

Relative yield, %

80

60
40 20 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
MO IL AR KY MS AL

Bray P-1 soil test level, ppm

Source: Snyder, 2000

P placement
Broadcast and banded applications

Nutrient Placement Considerations

Banding: Less soil volume fertilized Smaller portion of fertilizer is tied up Roots proliferate where N and P are found Rate may be too low to maximize yield Fewer roots exposed to supply Increase in influx rate by roots may not compensate for fewer total number of roots near P supplies
Source: Anghinoni and Barber, 1980

Conceptual model (nutrient deficient soil) Dry matter yield

High nutrient rate

Low nutrient rate

20

40

60

80

100

Fertilized soil fraction, %

Starter vs. Broadcast: Irrigated Zone

3 of 10 site-years responded significantly pH: 7.6 8.1 Olsen P: 5.6 10.7 ppm Calcareous soil Band placement: 2 in. below 2 In. to the side (2x2)
25 Range in average yields: 50 - 71 bu/A

Soybean yield response, %

20

Broadcast
15
10 5 0 0 -5 20 40 60 80 100

2x2 Band

P2O5 rate, lb/A

Source: Rehm, 1986

Starter vs. Broadcast: Dryland Zone

60

Yield response, %

50 40

1 in. below 1 in. x 1 in.

30
20 10 0 -10 0 25 50 75 With seed Spring broadcast Fall broadcast 100 125

P rate, lb P2O5/A
Source: Bullen et al., 1983

Starter vs. broadcast: Temperate Rain Fed Zone

20 site-years at research stations
Yield response, % Averaged over responsive sites 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 13.1 11.6 Averaged over all sites 3.9 3.9

4 29 ppm Bray P-1

9 sites tested Very Low to Low (6 to 15 ppm Bray P-1) 7 of the 9 sites (78%) (6 to 11 ppm Bray P-1) showed significant responses to P P placement did not influence soybean yield

Starter

Broadcast

Source: Borges and Mallarino, 2000

Broadcast

Starter

Comparison of Placement Combinations and Rates

20 19.9
Bray P-1: 3.5 ppm NH4OAc K: 150 ppm

19.6

Yield response, %

15 10 5.0
w/seed

14.0
broadcast + w/seed broadcast + band

7.2
band
broadcast

5 0 N:

10 46 12

0 60 30

4 78 35

10 106 42

P2O5: 18 K2O:
Source: Ham et al., 1973

Deep Banding vs. Broadcast

20 site-years at research stations No-till systems 0 6 in. soil samples:
4 29 ppm Bray P1 pH 5.9 7.1
Range in average yields: 26 63 bu/A

30 in.

Significant responses to P occurred on 7 sites ranging from 6 11 ppm Bray P1

Average response at these sites: 4.6 bu/A 5 of the 7 sites showed no differences in placement
Source: Borges and Mallarino, 2000

6 - 8 in.

30 in.

Deep Banding vs. Broadcast

11 site-years on farmer fields No-till systems 0 6 in. soil samples:
5 34 ppm Bray P1 pH 5.8 7.5
Range in average yields: 37 58 bu/A

7.5 in.

Across all site-years, there was a slight (1 bu/A) advantage to P fertilization, and no difference between placement methods
Source: Borges and Mallarino, 2000

6 - 8 in.

30 in.

Considerations for Placement

Banding is expected to be superior when soil test levels are low and only smaller rates of P are applied Broadcast applications may be superior to banded applications when rainfall or irrigation keeps moisture in the upper part of the soil profile Placement of bands directly below the seed may be better than other band placements Band and broadcast applications used together may be better than either one applied on its own

P Timing
Comparing fresh and residual effects of fertilization

Annual vs. Biennial: Broadcast Applications

Corn/soybean rotation Long no-till history P timing (0-46-0)
Every 2-yr. 80 lb P2O5/A Every yr. 40 lb P2O5/A
Range in average yields: 24 48 bu/A

30 in.

2 of 4 site-years showed no timing differences 1 site (18 ppm Bray P1): annual > biennial by 3 bu/A 1 site (37 ppm Bray P1): biennial > annual by 3 bu/A
Source: Buah et al., 2000

Annual vs. Biennial: Broadcast Applications

Corn/soybean rotation Long no-till history P timing
Every 2 yr. (0, 30, 80, 160 lb P2O5/A) Every yr. (0, 15, 40, 80 lb P2O5/A) Direct > residual 2 out of 3 years 2 bu/A average response Bray P-1: 6 14 ppm
Range in average yields: 37 46 bu/A

10 in.

Source: Buah et al., 2000

Annual vs. Biennial: Starter Applications

Corn/soybean rotation Long no-till history P timing (0-46-0)
Every 2-yr. 80 lb P2O5/A Every yr. 40 lb P2O5/A

Range in average yields: 24 48 bu/A

30 in.

2 of 4 site-years showed no timing differences 1 site (18 ppm Bray P1): annual > biennial by 6 % 1 site (37 ppm Bray P1): biennial > annual by 13 %

3 - 4 in. 2 in. 30 in.

Source: Buah et al., 2000

Annual vs. Biennial: Starter Applications

Corn/soybean rotation Long no-till history P timing
Every 2 yr. (0, 30, 80, 160 lb P2O5/A) Every yr. (0, 15, 40, 80 lb P2O5/A) Annual > biennial 2 out of 3 years 2 bu/A average response Bray P-1: 6 14 ppm
Range in average yields: 37 46 bu/A

10 in.

4 in. 30 in.

Source: Buah et al., 2000

Residual effect of a single, large application of P

% of yield attained with 600 lb P2O5/A applied initially, and 67.5 lb P2O5/A applied annually 120 110 0 lb P2O5 applied initially 67.5 lb P2O5/A applied annually

100
90 80 70 60 600 lb P2O5 applied initially 0 lb P2O5/A applied annually

50 40 1975
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Year
Source: Dodd and Mallarino, 2005

Timing Considerations
Cases where annual applications may be better than biennial applications in no-till systems:
Soils with lower soil test levels Soybeans planted in narrower rows

Other tillage systems need to be investigated Single, larger applications of P can have significant residual value
Builds soil test levels Can be performed when economics of larger applications are favorable Allows P to be omitted in times of unfavorable economic conditions

Phosphorus and soybean pests/diseases

Nutrition and Foliar Diseases: Asian Rust

Rate N P2O5 (lb/A) 80 0 0 0 61 0 0 0 32 upper third upper third upper third heavy medium medium sporulating sporulating sporulating susceptible mod. susceptible mod. susceptible K2O Upper extent of rust lesions Lesion density Type of pustule Overall rating

80
27

184
61

0
32

upper third
middle third

heavy
medium

sporulating
non-sporulating

susceptible
mod. resistant

Source: Piccio and Fanje, 1980

Nutrition and Diseases: Soybean mosaic virus

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 25

K2O

SMV incidence, %

P2O5 N Total N + P2O5 + K2O, at equal rates 50 75 100 125 150

Nutrient rate, lb/A

Source: Pacumbaba et al., 1997

Nutrition and Nematodes: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN)

Cultivar highly susceptible to SCN races 3 and 4

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

30 25
Yield response

Yield response, %

Cysts / 100cc

20 15 10 5 0

0-0

30-30

60-60

90-90 120-120

Fertilizer mixture (P2O5 - K2O), lb/A

C/C
Source: Howard et al., 1998

S/S

C/S

Yield response

Nutrition and Nematodes: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN)

Cultivar resistant to SCN races 3 and 4

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

30
Yield response, %

25
Yield response

Cysts / 100cc

20 15 10 5 0

0-0

30-30

60-60

90-90 120-120

Fertilizer mixture (P2O5 - K2O), lb/A

C/C
Source: Howard et al., 1998

S/S

C/S

Yield response

Conclusions
At harvest, most of the P in the above-ground portion of soybean is in the grain At lower soil test levels, more of the P taken up by the plant comes from applied P In the first month after planting, root development is primarily characterized by elongation of the taproot In subsequent months, soybean develops much of its root system near the soil surface Compared to corn, the rate of P influx by soybean roots is about 4 times slower in the first 20 days P proliferates soybean roots when present in concentrated zones Mycorrhizae can increase soybean growth at low soil test P levels, even when P is applied

Conclusions
Soil test calibration data provide a biological evaluation of chemical tests Average calibration relationships can be similar across large geographies Placement of bands directly below the seed may be better than other band placements Band and broadcast applications used together may be better than either one applied on its own Annual applications appear to be superior to biennial applications when plant spacing is narrower and soil tests are low P can help reduce the incidence and or severity of some soybean diseases

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