Phosphorus sorption and desorption in oxide-rich Ferralsols of New Caledonia

Phosphorus (P) availability in soils is one of the main limiting factors for crop production in Ferralsols that contain high amounts of aluminium and iron oxides. Highly weathered Geric Ferralsols cover large surface areas of south Pacific islands, some of which are required for agricultural development. Sorption and desorption of P in Geric Ferralsols of the island of Mare (New Caledonia) were investigated. The soils contain large quantities of oxides, especially of aluminium. The clay fraction consisted exclusively of fine, discrete oxide particles. Both Freundlich and Langmuir equations provided a good fit to the data for equilibrium P concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 850 mg P/L. The extremely high P sorption capacities of New Caledonian Geric Ferralsols were exemplified by the large Langmuir sorption maxima which ranged from 6400 to 9250 mg P/kg. A strong negative correlation between P sorption and organic matter was noted, resulting in a larger P availability in topsoils. This relationship can be used to provide a first assessment of P sorption capacities of Geric Ferralsols across the island. Management of organic matter is likely to be of major importance in the control of P availability in Geric Ferralsols of south Pacific islands.