A recent study conducted by botanists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reveals that among tens of millions of tonnes of inorganic phosphorus fertilizers used globally each year, only 12.6 percent is absorbed by plants, with the majority remaining stored in soils.
The research team from the South China Botanical Garden under the CAS established a comprehensive global database, comprising 987 sets of observation data from 274 scientific papers published between 1972 and 2021. The study focused on the distribution of inorganic phosphorus fertilizers in terms of plant uptake, soil storage, and leaching loss.
The findings indicate that a significant portion of applied phosphorus fertilizers is not directly utilized by crops, highlighting potential inefficiencies in fertilizer use. Understanding the dynamics of phosphorus absorption and retention in soils can inform better agricultural practices and contribute to more sustainable farming methods.
This extensive database offers valuable insights for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers aiming to optimize fertilizer use efficiency and improve crop yields. By analyzing decades of data, the researchers provide a foundation for further studies on phosphorus management and its impact on global agriculture.
Reference(s):
Study: Very little inorganic phosphorus fertilizer absorbed by plants
cgtn.com
