The future of phosphorus in our hands

Abstract

We live in a global phosphorus (P) system paradox. P access is becoming increasingly limiting, leading to food insecurity but at the same time an overapplication or abundance of P in many agricultural and urban settings is causing environmental degradation. This has been recognised in the academic literature and at regulatory levels, but swift action and multilevel cooperation of all stakeholders is required to ensure the economically, environmentally and socially responsible use of P. To provide foundations for future cooperation, a conceptual model describing the elements of P need, P availability and P use in different systems and at different scales was developed during the Young Scientists Workshop in P Week 2014 in Montpellier, France. Here we describe our extended conceptual model and a theoretical P balance calculation tool for describing multi-scale P balances and imbalances to impartially advise all stakeholders on more sustainable P use across the world.

Cattle slurry acidification and application method can improve initial phosphorus availability for maize

“…Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient and crucial for future food security (Klinglmair et al 2015). Mineable rock phosphate, the main source of P for production of mineral P fertilizers, is a non-renewable resource (Shepherd et al 2016), which is very unevenly distributed globally . In developed countries mineral P is often used in excess, whereas in developing countries P fertilization is often limited because of lacking mineral resources and/or financial constraints (Shepherd et al 2016).…”

“…Mineable rock phosphate, the main source of P for production of mineral P fertilizers, is a non-renewable resource (Shepherd et al 2016), which is very unevenly distributed globally . In developed countries mineral P is often used in excess, whereas in developing countries P fertilization is often limited because of lacking mineral resources and/or financial constraints (Shepherd et al 2016). The local, the regional and the global P imbalances call for better management strategies of the finite P resource and development of circular economies with minimum use of fertilizers based on rock phosphates and reduced environmental damage (EC 2014;Withers et al 2015).…”

Variation in root system architecture and morphology of two wheat genotypes is a predictor of their tolerance to phosphorus deficiency

“…Phosphorus (P) deficiency occurs in the majority of terrestrial ecosystems and reduces crop productivity (Shenoy and Kalagudi 2005;Lynch 2011). This sub-optimal supply can be overcome through the application of P fertilizers (Shepherd et al 2016); however, this is only a part of the solution because P fertilizers are non-renewable, potentially harmful to the environment when in oversupply and costly (Jones et al 1989;Liu 2015;Roberts and Johnston 2015). Therefore, the development of crops that harbor an enhanced ability to acquire P as well as to utilize P more efficiently is an important strategy to improve agricultural productivity (Vance et al 2003;Lambers et al 2006;Lynch 2007;Wang et al 2010).…”

Guiding phosphorus stewardship for multiple ecosystem services

“…, Shepherd et al. ). Our focus is on stewardship of the agricultural uses of P (e.g., fertilizer and manure management), but we also identify key gaps and uncertainties regarding how broader P stewardship strategies align with ecosystem service management.…”

“…Here, we develop a new conceptual framework for the "phosphorus-ecosystem services cascade" (PESC) to examine the effect of P stewardship on the delivery of multiple ecosystem services along the land-water continuum. Phosphorus stewardship encompasses diverse strategies for managing P inputs, losses, recycling, recovery, and demand at scales ranging from agricultural fields to the global food system (Withers et al 2015, Shepherd et al 2016). Our focus is on stewardship of the agricultural uses of P (e.g., fertilizer and manure management), but we also identify key gaps and uncertainties regarding how broader P stewardship strategies align with ecosystem service management.…”