Strategies and agronomic interventions to improve the phosphorus-use efficiency of farming systems

Abstract

Phosphorus (P)-deficiency is a significant challenge for agricultural productivity on many highly P-sorbing weathered and tropical soils throughout the world. On these soils it can be necessary to apply up to five-fold more P as fertiliser than is exported in products. Given the finite nature of global P resources, it is important that such inefficiencies be addressed. For low P-sorbing soils, P-efficient farming systems will also assist attempts to reduce pollution associated with P losses to the environment. P-balance inefficiency of farms is associated with loss of P in erosion, runoff or leaching, uneven dispersal of animal excreta, and accumulation of P as sparingly-available phosphate and organic P in the soil. In many cases it is possible to minimise P losses in runoff or erosion. Uneven dispersal of P in excreta typically amounts to~5% of P-fertiliser inputs. However, the rate of P accumulation in moderate to highly P-sorbing soils is a major contributor to inefficient P-fertiliser use. We discuss the causal edaphic, plant and microbial factors in the context of Plant Soil (2011) 349:89-120 soil P management, P cycling and productivity goals of farms. Management interventions that can alter P-use efficiency are explored, including better targeted P-fertiliser use, organic amendments, removing other constraints to yield, zone management, use of plants with low critical-P requirements, and modified farming systems. Higher productivity in low-P soils, or lower P inputs in fertilised agricultural systems can be achieved by various interventions, but it is also critically important to understand the agroecology of plant P nutrition within farming systems for improvements in P-use efficiency to be realised.

Responses of Soil Fungi to Logging and Oil Palm Agriculture in Southeast Asian Tropical Forests

“…There is also frequent mechanical disturbance of soils from motorized vehicles used to harvest palm fruits and chemical inputs from fertilizers and liming. This lack of vertical stratification in soils may reduce nutrient capture and lead to "leakier" nutrient cycles, as is often the case in other highly managed systems [73,74]. The high relative abundance of the Archaeorhizomycetales in the oil palm fungal communities is also noteworthy given that this group of fungi is newly described [75].…”

Effect of phosphorus on arsenic uptake and metabolism in rice cultivars differing in phosphorus use efficiency and response

“…The widespread realization that improvements in P nutrition are crucial to the future need to raise global agricultural production has resulted in several recent reviews that have explored these different opportunities (Hinsinger 2001, McNeill and Penfold 2009, Richardson et al 2009, Ryan et al 2009, McLaughlin et al 2011, Simpson et al 2011, Rowe et al 2016.…”

“…As such, agricultural production consumes 90% of non-renewable rock phosphate reserves mined each year to supply P to crops and pastures (Cordell et al 2009). As the world's population increases and high-grade rock phosphate resources decline, there is a growing need to improve the efficiency of P use (PUE) at the plant and whole farm scale (Simpson et al 2011).…”

Whole-farm management of soil nutrients drives productive grazing systems: the Cicerone farmlet experiment confirms earlier research

“…However, as noted in a related paper by Shakhane et al (2013b), there was evidence that 'patch' grazing developed on the typical farmlet B compared with the other farmlets and thus this farmlet may have resulted in a more uneven distribution of nutrients through spatial concentrations of dung and urine in sheep 'camps' over time. As noted by Simpson et al (2011), the uneven distribution of animal excreta can be an important factor constraining efforts to improve the efficiency of P use, especially in grazed systems.…”