Effects of Phos-Chek® on Soil Nutrient Availability Tye A. Morgan, and Dr. Robert R. Blank and Matt O'Neill Wildfire frequencies and intensities have been steadily increasing on western US landscapes. Phos-chek® is an aerially-applied fire retardant used to contain and control wildfires. Composed of ammonium and phosphate salts, Phos-chek® has the potential to increase soil nutrient availability of N and P. We measured soil nutrient availability, 0-10 cm, 9 months after Phos-chek® application and in control areas north of Reno, NV. Soil beneath Phos-check® had dramatic increases in ortho-p (414%), bicarbonate-extractable P (112%), NH4+ (574%), NO3- (60%), and DTPA-extractable Zn (39%), Cu (39%), and Mn (58%), relative to the control areas. That the bicarbonate-extractable P and mineral N pools increased so markedly suggests long-lasting effects to vegetation and soil organisms. Such increases in soil nutrient availability likely explain greater growth of vegetation witnessed on Phos-chek® applied areas.
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