International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Acid reaction and nutritional imbalances, mainly low levels of plant available phosphorus (P) are often limiting factors of soil fertility in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The aim of this study was testing the impact of ameliorative P fertilization on soil properties and status of maize and wheat on acid soil (pH in 1n KCl: 4.0) of Tuzla Canton in B&H.

The experiment of increasing rates of P fertilization has been started in spring of 2013. The experiment was conducted by randomized complete block design in four replicates (basic plot 63 m² ). Monoammonium phosphate (12% N + 52% P₂O₅) was added to standard fertilization (kg ha^-1: 150 N + 50 P₂O₅ + 50 K₂O) in amounts as follows (P₂O₅ kg ha^-1):  75, 475, 875, 1275 and 1675. In the next two years only standard fertilization was applied for crop rotation maize (2013) – maize (2014: crop was complete damaged by flood) – winter wheat (2014/2015).

By increasing P rates the contents of mobile P were increased from 7.66 mg P₂O₅ 100 g^-1 to  20.10 mg P₂O₅100 g^-1 or 2.6 times. Also, maize yields were considerably increased up to 17%. (6.68 and 7.82 t ha^-1, for control and the highest rate of applied P, respectively). Yield of wheat was significantly increased by P fertilization up to 14% (4.35 and 5.02 t ha^-1, for control and the highest P rate respectively). However, for significant improvement of baking quality parameters (protein, wet gluten and sedimentation) the lowest P rate in level 475 kg P ha^-1 was sufficient.