Research Article 2026-04-20 posted v1

Fertilization strategy drives phosphorus retention and potassium vulnerability in a tropical integrated crop–livestock system

J
João Eduardo Alves Davi Federal University of Paraná
C
Camila Calazans da Silva Luz Federal University of Rondonópolis
G
Gabriela Castro Pires Federal University of Rondonópolis
E
Edicarlos Damascena de Souza Federal University of Rondonópolis
L
Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira Federal University of Paraná
L
Leandro Pereira Pacheco Federal University of Rondonópolis
B
Bruna Karolayne Andrade Nogueira Federal University of Paraná
L
Luiz Guilherme Santos Oliveira Universidade de São Paulo

Abstract

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) can enhance nutrient cycling and reduce dependence on external inputs, particularly in tropical Oxisols where phosphorus (P) fixation and potassium (K) mobility limit nutrient use efficiency. This study quantified annual fluxes, stocks, and balances of P and K in a soybean–pasture system under contrasting fertilization strategies, including fertilizer placement (pasture vs. soybean) and nitrogen (N) application in the pasture phase. Annual P cycling ranged from 70 to 87 kg ha⁻¹, with system fertilization increasing residual P in pasture by 18% compared to conventional fertilization. Nitrogen application enhanced soybean P uptake by 21%, although crop P balances remained positive across all treatments. Potassium cycling ranged from 178 to 198 kg ha⁻¹ and showed greater variability, with strong interactions between fertilization strategy and N supply. Potassium balances ranged from −48.9 to +18.4 kg ha⁻¹, with the largest deficit observed under system fertilization combined with N. These results indicate that fertilizer placement in pasture improves P retention and redistribution, whereas K dynamics are more sensitive to N inputs and grazing-mediated nutrient return. In tropical ICLS, short-term nutrient balances are strongly influenced by the interaction between fertilization strategy and N management, with contrasting implications for P stability and K vulnerability.

Citation Information

@article{jooeduardoalvesdavi2026,
  title={Fertilization strategy drives phosphorus retention and potassium vulnerability in a tropical integrated crop–livestock system},
  author={João Eduardo Alves Davi and Camila Calazans da Silva Luz and Gabriela Castro Pires and Edicarlos Damascena de Souza and Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira and Leandro Pereira Pacheco and Bruna Karolayne Andrade Nogueira and Luiz Guilherme Santos Oliveira},
  journal={Research Square},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9226884/v1}
}
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