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Sharpley, A. N., Beegle, D., Bolster, C., Good, L., Joern, B., Ketterings, Q., Lory, J., Mikkelsen, R., Osmond, D., & Vadas, P. (2012). Phosphorus Indices: Why We Need to Take Stock of How We Are Doing. Journal of Environmental Quality, 41, 1711-1719.
https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2012.0040

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Integrating Source and Transport Factors with Best Management Practices to Derive an Index for Assessing Phosphorus Mobilization Risks from Mauritius Sugarcane Fields

  AUTHORS: Tesha Mardamootoo, Christiaan Cornelius du Preez

  KEYWORDS: Dissolved Phosphorus, Particulate Phosphorus, Phosphorus Fertiliser, Soil Erosion, Surface Runoff

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, Vol.10 No.4, April 24, 2022

  ABSTRACT: Application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers to sugarcane fields in Mauritius increased almost four-fold per unit area over the past 60 years. Some of the applied P accumulated in the soils and can therefore be transported eventually to surface waters resulting in the eutrophication thereof. Precaution measures such as an appropriate P index as a management tool is required. Source factors (dissolved P, particulate P, P application rates, methods and timing), transport factors (soil erosion, runoff potential and precipitation factor) and a best management practices multiplier were integrated to derive an index for assessing risks of P mobilisation from the island’s sugarcane fields. Farmers and their advisors can use the proposed P index during the planning process before sugarcane fields are planted and will be applicable for the whole crop cycle of 6 - 7 years if factors in the index do not change. The index can be also valuable in the selection of alternative management practices that could reduce the risks of P losses from sugarcane fields where the potential of P movement is initially high. Sensitivity analyses and edge-to-plot field tests showed that the P index needs further improvement, especially the estimation of soil erosion rates. The P index can, however, be applied by farmers and their advisors if they are well informed about the index’s capability.