Lithothamnium Effects on Soil Attributes, Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency, and Grain Yield of Soybeans, Corn, and Common Bean

Abstract

Lithothamnium is a source of organic origin fertilizer that can be used to improve soil biochemical conditions and the initial development of plants and grain yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lithothamnium on initial soil chemical attributes and its effects on phosphorus (P) release (PUE—plant phosphorus use efficiency) and yield of soybean, corn, and common beans. Three experiments were conducted from 2020 to 2023 in a randomized block design with six replications. (1) Under greenhouse conditions, in the factorial scheme, with four doses of Lithothamnium with and without P, (2) under field conditions, in the factorial scheme with five calcium (Ca) doses × three sources of Ca, and (3) also, under field conditions, with a combination of four doses of Lithothamnium and four doses of P. The results of the experiment under greenhouse conditions showed that the increase in Lithothamnium doses provided to the soil a reduction in active and potential acidity very quickly (30 days) with a direct effect on the increase in clay activity (more negative charges). Besides, it increased the level of P and Ca in the soil and improved the amount of P and Ca absorbed by the soybean plants. Therefore, it showed the great efficiency of Lithothamnium in releasing P (from 13 to 30 ppm of P when increasing Lithothamnium rates). In the second experiment, it was concluded that Ca from Lithothamnium was the most efficient source for the initial chemical conditions in the furrow and that it provided significant increments in grain yield and P and Ca contents in the petiole of soybean plants. After these results, six field experiments showed significant increases in the efficiency of PUE in common bean, soybean, and corn crops (63% on average). Lithothamnium has become an indispensable technology to provide greater productive efficiency for crops.