Effect of Christmas Island rock phosphate and rice straw compost application on soil phosphorus availability and maize (Zea maysL.) growth in a tropical acid soil of Kelantan, Malaysia

Phosphorus (P) fixation is very common in Malaysian acid soils due to the fixation of soluble inorganic P by Al and Fe under acidic soil pH conditions. Farmers tend to perform lots of liming and apply excess amount of P fertilizers in order to saturate the Al and Fe in the soil so that the plants are able to absorb the remaining P. Excessive liming and application of P fertilizers are not only not economical but also not environmentally...