Can Phosphate Rock Boost Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth under Alkaline Soil Conditions?

Phosphorus deficiency forms an important constraint for crop production, especially in tropical marginal countries like the Sudan. Unfortunately, the majority of soils in the Sudan are phosphate (Pi) deficient, while chemical Pi fertilizers are not affordable for resource-poor farmers. Thus, alternative fertilization strategies are urgently needed to improve yields of crops, especially on alkaline low-fertile soils. Having some novel and simple solutions can offer tremendous opportunities to protect the environment, rebuild soil fertility, and improve food security in the Sudan and similar countries. Hence, a pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of phosphate rock (PR) on the growth performance of maize “line KHM405” grown in two types of alkaline soils differing in the soil physical and chemical properties (clay vs. sand-clay-loam). Results obtained showed that the application of PR to clay or sand-clay-loam soil had no significant effect on all examined parameters (plant and soil). Because of the alkalinity of the soil, the present study indicated the importance of future studies to establish efficient methods of partial acidulation to improve the solubility of phosphate in the PR materials.