Effect of soil pH and minerology on the sorption and desorption of phosphite and phosphate in Ultisols of the Southeastern Coastal Plain

The development of transgenic crop varieties capable of utilizing phosphite (Phi) as a phosphorus (P) source is a promising strategy to increase P use efficiency while decreasing reliance on phosphate (Pi)-based fertilizers. However, little information is available on Phi sorption and desorption in soils. We conducted batch experiments to investigate the sorption of Phi and Pi by three Ultisols from the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. At the soils' acidic field pH (pH 4.7–6.2), Pi had a higher affinity than Phi for soil solids, where maximum sorbed concentrations of Pi were an average of 44% greater than those of Phi. The sorption of both P species decreased when experiments were repeated adjusting soil pH to 6.5. More Phi than Pi was recovered during desorption experiments, indicating that Phi was more reversibly sorbed and, therefore, may be more plant-available than Pi. Multiple linear regression between calculated linear distribution coefficients (KD; 10 mg P L−1 in..., , , # Data from: Effect of soil pH and minerology on the sorption and desorption of phosphite and phosphate in Ultisols of the Southeastern Coastal Plain

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.63xsj3v9w](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.63xsj3v9w)

The dataset includes phosphate and phosphite isotherms, maximum sorbed concentrations of phosphate and phosphite, calculated linear distribution coefficients, percent of phosphate and phosphite recovered during desorption experiments, and raw X-ray diffraction data. 

## Description of the data and file structure

All data are provided in a Microsoft Excel sheet. Separate tabs correspond to individual figures or tables and a labeled in the Excel sheet. All units are provided along with a brief description of the experimental methodology. Detailed methodology is provided in the manuscript. The provided data will allow the user to recreate all figures and calculated values presented in the manuscript. 

The tab labeled \"Figure 1\" provides measured solution c...