The Effect of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) on Phosphorus (P) Content and Uptake by Crops, and Soil Available P Balance in a Six-Year Field Experiment

The aim of a six-year field experiment conducted in north-eastern (NE) Poland was to determine the effect of meat and bone meal (MBM) on phosphorus (P) content and uptake by different crops, soil available P balance, and soil pH. Five treatments were established: (1) zero-fert; (2) inorganic NPK; (3) 1.0 t ha(-1) MBM; (4) 1.5 t ha(-1) MBM; and (5) 2.0 t ha(-1) MBM. Constant nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) rates and increasing P rates (0.0; 45; 68 and 90 kg ha(-1)) were applied. The lowest dose of MBM, which supplied 45 kg P ha(-1) each year, was sufficient to meet the P requirements of silage maize, winter wheat, and winter oilseed rape to the same extent as mineral P fertilizer at the equivalent rate. The uptake, balance, and utilization of P by plants were comparable in both treatments. Phosphorus applied each year at high rates (68 and 90 kg ha(-1)) with two higher MBM doses contributed to excessive P accumulation in soil; therefore, MBM should not be applied at doses exceeding 1.5 t ha(-1) to crops grown in acidic soils. Soil pH was not significantly affected by MBM. MBM can replace conventional mineral P fertilizers in crop cultivation.

Automated summary

Meat and bone meal has an impact on soil phosphorus balance and crop phosphorus uptake, with moderate amounts being able to replace mineral phosphorus fertilizers, but excessive application can lead to phosphorus accumulation in the soil.