Phosphorus Fertilizer Calibration Studies with Three Mustard Cabbage Varieties in Tropical Soils with Initial High P Levels

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 40; no. 4; p. 1107
• Main Authors: Valenzuela, Hector, Goo, Ted, Wall, Dave, Corrales, Roger, Migita, Susan, Yamasaki, Milton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2005
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.40.4.1107D

Regulatory agencies are concerned about the high levels of P fertilizers used in some agricultural areas because of potential runoff to aquatic habitats. Farmers in Hawaii traditionally make blanket P applications even in soils high in P. Many farmers, especially those growing leafy crops, claim to observe responses to P, especially during the cooler winter months. A series of 15 field experiments were conducted over a 2-year period to evaluate the response of three mustard cabbage varieties to five P fertilizer rates across three locations in the state, and across several planting seasons. All experiments were conducted in soils with P levels that the University of Hawaii determined to be high in P. The experimental design for each experiment consisted of three commercial mustard cabbage varieties, and five P application rates (from 0 to 400 kg·ha -1 of TSP). Each plot consisted of a 3-m double-row, with plants spaced 15 cm within the row, and 30 cm between rows, with four replications per treatment. Each experiment thus consisted of 60 plots (three varietie × five P rate × four replications). After the initial P applications were made on each site, three consecutive crops were planted on the same site without making any additional P applications. Data collected included soil fertility prior to initiation and after experiment completion, tissue nutrient levels, plant height during crop establishment, and individual head weight of 20 plants per treatment. Our data show that even in soils with initial high levels of P, mustard cabbage responded to P applications, especially at high elevations and during the cooler months of the year. From this data we recommend that the University recalibrate its P fertilizer recommendations for leafy vegetable production in Hawaii.