Evaluation of Two Types of Biological Phosphate

In order to evaluate the effects of phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms, to study the biological phosphate fertilizers effectiveness, and to compare them with chemical phosphorus fertilizers in corn cultivation in Iran, a 3-year field experiment was conducted in corn fields of Fars province, Khozestan (Dezful area), Varamin, and Karaj. In each site, an experiment was performed in the form of randomized complete block design with 4 treatments and three replications. The treatments were: a) control (without phosphorus application), b) application of phosphorous as microbial phosphate source, c) application of phosphorus as Golden Bio-phosphate source, and d) application of phosphorus as triple super phosphate. Fertilizers rates were based on soil test. Since there was some organic matter, sulfur, and zinc in the organic fertilizers, equivalent amounts of these compounds were also applied to the other treatments. Results showed that, there was a positive and significant effect of P application on grain yield. In all study sites, triple super phosphate was more effective than the other sources. Microbial phosphate effects were the same as triple super phosphate and were in the second place. Although Golden bio-phosphate fertilizer had a positive and significant effect on grain yield in Varamin and Dezful, but in overall, there was no significant difference between the control and Golden bio-phosphate source. In general, application of microbial phosphate can be recommended instead of triple super phosphate, but additional research is needed before recommendations can be made regarding use of Golden bio-phosphate for corn.