Re: Phosphorus questions
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Phosphorus questions
  • From: S*@aol.com
  • Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2012 18:36:49 -0400 (EDT)
Linda:
 
I think you are right.  Direct contact in heavy doses is probably not  a 
good idea.
 
 
Several web pages mention superphosphates being bad for  earthworms.  
However, other say that this is a myth and phosphorus is  good for earthworms and 
earthworms are good at helping to provide phosphorus to  plants.  However, 
too much phosphorus will make the plants disassociate  themselves from the 
mycorrhiza.
 
 I used BR-61 which is high in phoshorus and my soil has  earthworms.
 
Here are some websites that mention superphosphates being bad for  
earthworms.
 
_http://www.writework.com/essay/effects-superphosphate-plants-and-environmen
t_ 
(http://www.writework.com/essay/effects-superphosphate-plants-and-environment) 
_http://doctorhumate.tripod.com/id10.html_ 
(http://doctorhumate.tripod.com/id10.html) 
_http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg051828048894.html_ 
(http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg051828048894.html) 
_http://panhwar.com/Article157.htm_ (http://panhwar.com/Article157.htm) 
_http://stri.lib.msu.edu/vol24-1948/pdf/sptri48007162.pdf_ 
(http://stri.lib.msu.edu/vol24-1948/pdf/sptri48007162.pdf) 
_http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesorg/msg0121111820007.html_ 
(http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesorg/msg0121111820007.html) 
_http://www.agrifert.co.nz/content/7/25/_ (http://www.
agrifert.co.nz/content/7/25/) 
_http://www.ecofarm.co.nz/Articles/American+scientists+observations+of+NZ+fa
rming+shows+we+are+not+all+we+are+cracked+up+to+be.html_ 
(http://www.ecofarm.co.nz/Articles/American+scientists+observations+of+NZ+farming+shows+we+are+
not+all+we+are+cracked+up+to+be.html) 
 
Scarlett
 
 
In a message dated 4/8/2012 4:15:17 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
lmann@lock-net.com writes:

I think  the problem with 'burning' plants or hurting any soil biota 
would come  from either using too much in the whole bed or spilling it  
somewhere.  A spilled sack of fertilizer will certainly kill the  grass & 
probably wouldn't make the worms very happy  either!

With very small seedlings, it would take a relatively small  amount of 
salt (i.e., superphosphate or any kind of concentrated  fertilizer) in 
direct contact with baby roots to fry them.  But mixed  in, maybe a day 
ahead, shouldn't be a problem even with small  seedlings.

Because triple superphosphate is more concentrated and made  to be 
soluble, there would theoretically be more risk, but like Dave says,  
seems unlikely to be a problem with normal applications.

I'm  curious - where did the idea that phosphorous might be harmful to  
earthworms come from?

Linda Mann east TN USA zone  7

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