The effects of repeated fertilizer applications on phosphorus cycling in wild blueberry stands

The application of fertilizers in excess to plant requirements may affect nutrient cycling. The experiment took place over 2002 and 2003. A control (0 kg P2O5 ha-1), P46 (46 kg P2O5 ha-1) and P92 (92 kg P2O5 ha-1) treatment plots were used. Results indicate that the soils that received high P additions contained large amounts of Mehlich 3 extractable P. The only plant components that exhibited significant treatment effects were roots and rhizomes. A soil column study was set up to examine P leachablity. One experiment simulated 1000 mm of precipitation over 30 days. In another experiment, P solutions were added for 90 days. No P was consistently detected. Therefore, P leaching from lowbush blueberry fields is not a concern. An incubation study was designed to examine the rate of mineralization over time. Results demonstrate that P does not become available to the plant over a short period of time.