Comparative effectiveness of liquid and solid phosphatic fertilisers on grasslands

Field experimental evidence from New Zealand and overseas has shown that under grassland and arable farming the efficiency of utilisation of P in superphosphate is high, 75-90%, and allows little room for improvement by the introduction of foliar sprays. Trials conducted in different parts of New Zealand on permanent pastures showed solid fertilisers to be much more effective than a commercial liquid fertiliser 'Liquiphos' when compared on an equal-cost basis. Laboratory prepared N-P-K liquid fertiliser without alginate yielded similarly to Liquiphos containing alginate. The use of Liquiphos is not recommended.