Does it matter where exactly phosphorus is placed in the soil profile?

Background 

Many soils in Queensland are deficient in phosphorus (P). Farmers therefore apply P fertilisers, often by deep banding in 50cm rows. At the same time developments with crop breeding have delivered genotypes with different rooting patterns (deep/shallow) which may change how placed P fertiliser is used. Much remains unknown about how placement and patterns of soil exploration interact to deliver optimal growth responses to P fertiliser.

Objective

understand genotypic responses to P placed in different locations in the soil profile

Activities

You will conduct growth experiments with contrasting genotypes and P placement. You will use rhizoboxes to observed belowground patterns and you will conduct some lab work to prepare basal fertilisers and to analyse plant nutrient contents

Who

You are enthousiastic to grow plants and to monitor growth. You don't mind getting your hands dirty and like to get things done. You have some basic experience with lab work and processing of data in excel

Outcome

An overview of plant responses to P placement

Location

St Lucia and Gatton