Phosphorus Uptake by Upland Rice From Superphosphate Fertilizers Produced With Sulfuric Acid Treatments of Brazilian Phosphate Rocks

Upland rice is an important crop in Brazilian agriculture and phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most yield limiting factors for this crop. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating response of upland rice to P rate and sources. The treatment consisted five P rates: 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg dm−3 supplied through four P sources: Araxa, Catalão, Irece, and Lagamar. The soil used in the experiment was a Typic Hapludox. Rice grain yield, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight was significantly increased with increasing resin extractable P in the soil. Maximum shoot dry weight and grain yield was achieved with resin extractable P of 30 mg P dm−3. However, root dry weight increased linearly with increasing P concentration in the range of 4 to 72 mg dm−3. Shoot dry weight, grain yield, and root dry weight increased significantly in a quadratic fashion with increasing P concentration in the shoot. Rice yield and P uptake were not affected significantly with P sources. Grain Cd concentration also was significantly affected by P rates but did not exceed the permissible concentration for human consumption, according to Brazilian food legislation.