Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal

Dinesh Khadka; Keshab Raj Pande; Bhaba Prasad Tripathi; Roshan Man Bajracharya

doi:10.18393/ejss.2010205

Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) adsorption and desorption regulate P availability, soil fertility, and the risk of P loss from terrestrial ecosystems; however, these processes remain poorly characterized in Nepalese soils. Despite their significance, there is limited understanding of these processes in Nepalese soils. This study aimed to explore how P adsorption and desorption vary across agro-ecological zones in central Nepal. A total of 225 soil samples, equally distributed among the high-hills, mid-hills, and Terai regions (75 from each), were collected across diverse locations. Isothermal P adsorption and desorption experiments were conducted to evaluate these behaviors, employing Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models to assess P adsorption-desorption characteristics. Adsorbed P was highest in the high-hills (28.67–525.91 µg g⁻¹), followed by the Terai (28.57–494.68 µg g⁻¹) and mid-hills (25.63–422.14 µg g⁻¹). Similarly, P desorption was also highest in high-hills (3.39 to 69.38 µg g-1), followed by the Terai (5.15 to 56.00 µg g-1) and mid-hills (3.14 to 47.91 µg g-1). The P adsorption and desorption parameters, namely P adsorption capacity, bonding energy, maximum P buffering capacity (MPBC), P sorption index (PSI), P desorption capacity, maximum P desorption capacity, standard P requirement (SPR), external P requirement (EPR) were highest in the high-hills, while lowest in the mid-hills. However, maximum P adsorption capacity and P desorption capacity were highest and lowest, respectively, in the Terai. Moreover, the P desorption intensity, readily desorbable P (RDP), degree of P saturation (DPS), and P eutrophication risk index (PERI) were highest in the mid-hills, while lowest in the Terai. In contrast, the P buffering capacity (PBC) did not significantly differ among zones. These contrasting patterns demonstrate the need for zone-specific P management: the high-hills and Terai have comparatively greater fertilizer-P requirements, whereas the mid-hills exhibit higher laboratory-derived indicators of potential P loss. This study offers valuable insights for developing improved soil P management strategies for sustainable agriculture in diverse agro-ecological zones.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the National Soil Science Research Centre (NSSRC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, for their generous support in providing essential laboratory facilities and technical assistance. Special gratitude is extended to the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) for funding this study through the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) Project. The authors are also grateful to the farmers and agricultural technicians in the respective areas for their invaluable cooperation during the soil sampling phase.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Dinesh Khadka ^* This is me
0000-0003-0909-8342
Nepal

Keshab Raj Pande This is me
0000-0003-2744-4990
Nepal

Bhaba Prasad Tripathi This is me
0009-0009-2287-4554
Nepal

Roshan Man Bajracharya This is me
0000-0003-2946-1030
Nepal

Publication Date

October 5, 2026

Submission Date

May 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2010205

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94TC32UT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Khadka, D., Pande, K. R., Tripathi, B. P., & Bajracharya, R. M. (2026). Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(4), 580-598. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2010205

AMA

1.Khadka D, Pande KR, Tripathi BP, Bajracharya RM. Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal. EJSS. 2026;15(4):580-598. doi:10.18393/ejss.2010205

Chicago

Khadka, Dinesh, Keshab Raj Pande, Bhaba Prasad Tripathi, and Roshan Man Bajracharya. 2026. “Variation in Soil Phosphorus Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics across Agro-Ecological Zones in Central Nepal”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (4): 580-98. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2010205.

EndNote

Khadka D, Pande KR, Tripathi BP, Bajracharya RM (October 1, 2026) Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 4 580–598.

IEEE

[1]D. Khadka, K. R. Pande, B. P. Tripathi, and R. M. Bajracharya, “Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 580–598, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.2010205.

ISNAD

Khadka, Dinesh - Pande, Keshab Raj - Tripathi, Bhaba Prasad - Bajracharya, Roshan Man. “Variation in Soil Phosphorus Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics across Agro-Ecological Zones in Central Nepal”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/4 (October 1, 2026): 580-598. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2010205.

JAMA

1.Khadka D, Pande KR, Tripathi BP, Bajracharya RM. Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal. EJSS. 2026;15:580–598.

MLA

Khadka, Dinesh, et al. “Variation in Soil Phosphorus Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics across Agro-Ecological Zones in Central Nepal”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 580-98, doi:10.18393/ejss.2010205.

Vancouver

1.Dinesh Khadka, Keshab Raj Pande, Bhaba Prasad Tripathi, Roshan Man Bajracharya. Variation in soil phosphorus adsorption and desorption characteristics across agro-ecological zones in Central Nepal. EJSS. 2026 Oct. 1;15(4):580-98. doi:10.18393/ejss.2010205