Spatial variability of sequentially extracted P fractions in a silty loam

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of soil P forms in agricultural fields is important for evaluating the risk of P transfer to waterways. The objective of this study was to characterize the spatial variation of total P (P t ) and sequentially extracted P forms in the Ap horizon of arable soils at the field scale. Soil samples were taken on a regular grid of 50 m × 50 m with 40 sampling points. Chemical analyses included basic soil properties, P t , sequentially extracted P forms, and acid phosphomonoesterase activity. The spatial variability was analyzed by geostatistics and descriptive statistics. The concentrations of P t ranged from 521 to 1020 mg kg –1 with lower values observed for Gleysols and Stagnic Phaeozems and higher values for Luvisols and Cambisols. For the sequentially extracted P fractions, the largest coefficients of variation (c.v.) were found for NaHCO 3 ‐P o (41%), NaHCO 3 ‐P i (36%), NaOH‐P o (34%), and resin‐P (33%). Despite this great spatial variability, no spatial dependence could be proved by geostatistics because the calculated range of P forms (<10 m) was below the smallest sampling distance (50 m). A clear trend of increasing concentrations and proportions of organic NaHCO 3 ‐ and NaOH‐P fractions and phosphomonoesterase activity towards lower slope positions and the discharging brook indicated that Gleysols were a particular source of P losses to waterways in this catchment. It was concluded that these soils require a specific management with reduced P inputs and, perhaps, chemical treatment to fix leachable P.