Managing mineral phosphorus application with soil residual phosphorus reuse in Canada

Abstract

With limited phosphorus (P) supplies, increasing P demand, and issues with P runoff and pollution, developing an ability to reuse the large amounts of residual P stored in agricultural soils is increasingly important. In this study, we investigated the potential for residual soil P to maintain crop yields while reducing P applications and losses in Canada. Using a P cycling model coupled with a soil P dynamics model, we analyzed soil P dynamics over 110 years across Canada's provinces. We found that using soil residual P may reduce mineral P demand as large as 132 Gg P year−1 (29%) in Canada, with the highest potential for reducing P applications in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Using residual soil P would result in a 21% increase in Canada's cropland P use efficiency. We expected that the Atlantic provinces and Quebec would have the greatest runoff P loss reduction with use of residual soil P, with the average P loss rate decreasing from 4.24 and 1.69 kg ha−1 to 3.45 and 1.38 kg ha−1, respectively. Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia would experience relatively lower reductions in P loss through use of residual soil P, with the average runoff P loss rate decreasing from 0.44, 0.36, and 4.33 kg ha−1 to 0.19, 0.26, and 4.14 kg ha−1, respectively. Our study highlights the importance of considering residual soil P as a valuable resource and its potential for reducing P pollution.

Forest-to-Cropland Conversion Reshapes Microbial Hierarchical Interactions and Degrades Ecosystem Multifunctionality at a National Scale

“…In this study, the alternation in soil total phosphorus levels after the forest-to-cropland conversion was suggested to be the main reason for the decline of the cropland-declined microbial cluster (Figures d and S7). This was not surprising because people may apply excessive phosphorus fertilizer into the soils during agricultural practices, − which might have adverse effects on certain microbial taxa, especially those within the cropland-declined microbial cluster. For instance, it was reported that soils with higher P levels were not conducive to the growth and activity of Candidatus Solibacter genus (i.e., the keystone taxon within the co-occurrence and coexclusion network herein) .…”

In Situ Evolution of Ionic Sites at Clay Mineral Interfaces Facilitates Fluoride and Phosphorus Mineralization

“…Maintaining appropriate P levels in the soil is crucial to prevent eutrophication and ensure efficient P utilization . The latest strategies for sustainable P use involve P mineralization, which helps balance effective P activity through the in situ formation of slow-release P pools, e.g., hydroxyapatite, struvite, and Fe- and Al-phosphorus oxide. − Currently, there is limited research on the intricate interplay mechanisms and synergism of F and P in the environment. Fluorapatite (FAP) is a natural mineral that contains both F and P .…”