Phosphorus distribution in soil aggregate size fractions in a poultry litter applied soil and potential environmental impacts

Long-term poultry litter (PL) application in pasture soil was found to enhance accumulation of certain phosphorus (P) forms in soil micro-aggregate fractions and have potential impacts on non-point water pollution by wind erosion or run-off. A P fractionation method was utilized to identify P forms in aggregate fractions derived from a long-term PL applied pasture soil. Enrichment of surface soil P by PL application has considerable effects on increasing specifically the labile P forms in surface soil micro-aggregates. Particular concern is of accumulation of water soluble and labile inorganic P forms in micro-aggregate particles susceptible to wind and soil erosion. Continuous application of PL to pasture fields for at least 15 years at a rate of 2.3 T ha− 1 y− 1 resulted in a considerable increase in inorganic P forms including Mehlich-3, water soluble and labile bicarbonate P (NaHCO3–P) forms in most aggregate size fractions. Mehlich-3-P was highest in