How to Use Phosphorus to Increase Crop Productivity
Phosphorus is a macronutrient essential for healthy plant growth. It is involved in the process of changing energy from the sun into life-giving compounds. Phosphorus is part of the plant's blueprint and plays an important part in the plant's energy production throughout its life cycle. Phosphorus improves root growth, increases the strength of the plant's stem and stalk, results in increased crop quality and earlier maturity, and increases a crop's disease resistance. The amount of phosphorus in soil is affected by the climate, weathering, erosion, the makeup of the soil, whether the crops are removed after harvest or allowed to decompose, and fertilization programs. Most soil does not have enough available phosphorous and requires the addition of this macronutrient. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Test the soil using a commercially available testing kit or through your local university extension service. Although the amount of usable phosphorus can't be measured, the test can be used to give you an idea of the ability of the soil to replenish phosphorus, and recommendations of how much phosphorus should be added for a healthy crop. Apply fertilizer shortly before planting.
-
2
Apply fertilizer to low-phosphorus soil by placing half the amount needed in bands, or pockets, and broadcasting the rest. Medium- to high-phosphorus soil can be successfully fertilized by banding or broadcasting. Exceptions to these recommendations are forage crops, onions and tomatoes. Apply the fertilizer directly below the seeds or sets of these crops. Do not apply phosphorus to soils testing very high in this macronutrient.
-
-
3
Add lime to the soil if it is too acidic. Phosphorus availability is optimal in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
-
4
Add other fertilizers as recommended by the soil testing. Phosphorus is best absorbed in the presence of other nutrients.
-
5
Apply organic matter with high pH to soil, such as manure, plant waste or a cover crop, also known as a green manure crop.
-
6
Aerate the soil. Compaction decreases available oxygen and the amount of phosphorus the roots can take up. It also limits root penetration of the soil, reducing the plant's access to this macronutrient.
-
7
Improve drainage of the garden, if possible. High moisture content reduces available oxygen, compacts the soil and keeps the soil cooler. Cool soil reduces the plant's ability to take up phosphorus.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit fed up of gardening. image by Paula Gent from Fotolia.com
