The objective of this work was to evaluate P availability in representative soils for plant cane cultivation in the Brazilian Northeast region, and to establish a new P-fertilizing recommendation for this crop in these soils. The study was done in five soil types, in Zona da Mata of Pernambuco: Argissolo Amarelo distrocoeso (Ultisol), Argissolo Amarelo distrófico (Ultisol), Latossolo Amarelo distrófico (Oxisol), Gleissolo Háplico eutrófico (Gleisol), and Espodossolo Humilúvico órtico (Spodosol). Seven P doses were evaluated for maximum P adsorption capacity of each soil (solution equilibrium phosphorus, P-rem). Thirty days after soil fertilization, P contents in soils were determined with the extractors Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, Bray-1, and anion exchange resin. P critical levels were calculated for each soil and extractor. From P availability ranges, five fertility classes were defined for different clay contents in the soils: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Mehlich-1 and anion exchange resin are able extractors to adequately represent soil-P availability for plant cane cultivation in the evaluated soils.
Saccharum; maximum adsorption capacity; phosphorus availability; soil fertility; critical levels; fertilizer recommendation.
