INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus (P) is a critical macronutrient essential for plant growth, it involved in energy transfer, cell division, and development of root systems. This study was conducted to examine different forms of inorganic phosphorus in soils planted to plantain. The study was conducted between April-October 2025, on twelve (12) soil samples collected from five (4) depths, three (3) replicates in soils planted to plantain within University of Benin, Edo States, Nigeria. Some soil properties were determined using standard laboratory procedures, Forms of inorganic P were determined by six step sequential fractionation using suitable chemical extractants, while the relationship between some soil properties and forms of inorganic P was
evaluated by simple linear correlation. Genstat (12 th edition) statistical package was employed for data analysis, Duncan multiple ranged test was used to separate means at 5%. Results revealed that various forms of inorganic P were distributed in the soils with the Al and Fe bound P forms occurring in the largest amount with grand mean values of 88.83 and 51.80 mg kg -1 respectively. The forms of P in the soils were influenced negatively and positively by some soils properties across the various soil depths, however at 0-30 cm soil depths Ca bound P correlated positively with Ca+Mg (r= 0.997*), saloid bound P showed significant positive and negative relationship with sand (r = -1.000 ***) and Organic carbon (r = 1.000***) respectively, the relation between other soil properties, with some forms of inorganic P were also obtained