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Department of Science (Biology), Teachers College in Riyadh, P.O. Box 4341, Riyadh 11491, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT 

Phosphorus availability in calcareous soils is often low despite frequent phosphate applications. Soil samples were collected from eight localities in Saudi Arabia, and analysed for texture, organic matter, pH, total soluble salts and calcium carbonate. Phosphate availability of Saudi Arabian soils was determined after four months following calcium phosphate applications of 100 mg P/kg soil. The addition of calcium phosphate fertilizer to soils led to a marked increase in the concentration of phosphate in most soils. The maximum amount of available phosphate was recorded in Alkharj soil (52 ppm) and the lowest amount of available phosphate was recorded in Hail soil (6.7 ppm) which exhibited the largest content of calcium carbonate and total soluble salts. Generally soil phosphate availability is influenced by soil pH, calcium carbonate content and total soluble salt concentrations in Saudi Arabian soils.

Keywords: Agricultural soil; phosphate availability; Saudi Arabia.