Influence of Synthetic Chelating Agents on the Growth of Corn and Solubilization of Phosphorus in P Accumulated Soils.

An excess application of fertilizers for 2 or 3 crop cultivation per 1 year in the plastic film house in Korea cause unbalanced plant nutrition, accumulation of phosphorus, and water body pollution. This study is to evaluate the effects of chelating agents for the recycling accumulating phosphate and vigorous plant growth in plastic film house soils. The synthetic chelating agents may improve the solublization of phosphorus by ligand exchange reaction. Citric acid, oxalic acid, DTPA, and EDTA were tested to determine their influence on water soluble P, available phosphate, and corn growth during 2 months in two soils with accumulated phosphate. The synthetic chelating agents were applied at concentration of 0.001, 0.005, and 0.01M. Results showed that the application of chelating agents was increased water soluble P, Lancaster extractable phosphate, and the growth and phosphorus uptake of corn. The citric acid among chelating agents was more effective as a chelating agent for improvements of corn growth and availability of phosphate accumulated in plastic film house.