African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6924

Full Length Research Paper

Phosphorus fixation and its relationship with physicochemical properties of soils on the Eastern flank of Mount Cameroon

Kenneth Mbene
  • Kenneth Mbene
  • Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde 1, P. O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon.
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Aaron SuhTening
  • Aaron SuhTening
  • Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
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Cheo Emmanuel Suh
  • Cheo Emmanuel Suh
  • Department of Geology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
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Norbert Nkafu Fomenky
  • Norbert Nkafu Fomenky
  • Department of Chemistry, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
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Vivian Bih Che
  • Vivian Bih Che
  • Department of Geology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
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  •  Received: 20 June 2017
  •  Accepted: 04 July 2017
  •  Published: 07 September 2017

Abstract

The Eastern flank of Mount Cameroon is made up of human settlement and agricultural activities. Determination of phosphorus (P) fixation characteristics of soils around this region is important for a clean environment and economic fertilizer application. The objectives of this study were to evaluate P-fixation characteristics of soils within the region and identify factors contributing to P-fixation. Composite surface soil samples from five sites (between 36 to 1006 m) were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties and P-fixation capacity. Fixation data were obtained by equilibrating the five soil samples with 25 ml of KH2PO4 in 0.01 M CaCl2, containing 0, 10, 50, 100, 250 and 500 mg L-1. Phosphorus-fixation data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models and the relationship between P-fixation and soil properties was determined. The adsorption maximum (KL) for Freundlich model was the highest for Limbe - Man O’War Bay Road (LMR, 174.58 mg P kg-1), followed by SLR (34.12 mg P kg-1), Dibanda-Mutengene Road (DMR, 24.72 mg P kg-1), VAS and UPD (16.87 mg P kg-1). The Langmuir adsorption maximum for Vasingi (VAS), Upper Boduma (UPD), Sasse-Limbe Road (SLR), DMR, and LMR were 0.01, 0.02, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 mg P kg-1, respectively. The phosphate adsorption isotherm gave good fit adopting Freundlich (r = 0.98 to 0.99). KF correlated with pH (r = - 0.87), Ca (r = - 0.87), exchange acidity (r = 0.87), and clay (r = 0.67). This study illustrated that P sorption isotherm in relation to soil properties can be used as a tool for P management in sustainable crop production.

 

Key words: Phosphorus fixation, adsorption isotherms, soil physicochemical properties, volcanic soils, Mount Cameroon.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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