Abstract
Phosphorus (P) fertilizers have a dramatic effect on agricultural productivity, but conventional methods of application result in only limited recovery of the applied P. Given the increasing volatility in rock phosphate prices, more efficient strategies for P fertilizer use would be of economic and environmental benefit in the drive for sustainable intensification. This study used a combination of controlled-environment experiments and radioisotopic labeling to investigate the fertilizer use efficiency of a combination of seed (grain) dressing and foliar applications of P to spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). Radioisotopic labeling showed that the application of foliar P in the presence of photosynthetic light substantially increased both P-uptake into the leaf and P-mobilization within the plant, especially when an adjuvant was used. When compared with soil application of inorganic P buried into the rooting zone, a combination of a 3 μmol seed dressing and three successive 46.3 μmol plant−1foliar applications were far more efficient at providing P fertilization benefits in P-limiting conditions. We conclude that a combination of seed dressing and foliar applications of P is potentially a better alternative to conventional soil-based application, offering greater efficiency in use of applied P both in terms of P-uptake rate and grain yield. Further work is required to evaluate whether these results can be obtained under a range of field conditions.
Highlights
Due to its low mobility in soil phosphorus (P) availability to plants is often limited, with corresponding constraints upon growth and yield
The readily soluble P-fertilizers diammonium phosphate (DAP) or triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied at 885 μmol P per pot based on 35 kg P ha−1 equivalent as per UK government recommendations for this soil (AHDB, 2019)
For the 3 and 4 μmol P dosages there was no significant difference in P uptake compared with plants grown in soil to which 885 μmol P (35 kg P ha−1) had been added in the form of TSP or DAP
Summary
Due to its low mobility in soil phosphorus (P) availability to plants is often limited, with corresponding constraints upon growth and yield. Agriculture has compensated for this by applying high quantities of soluble inorganic P fertilizers, which has produced a significant positive effect on agricultural productivity, but often results in a negative effect on environmental quality (Zhang et al, 2015; Withers et al, 2020). This is prevalent in wheat production systems where over fertilization of the soil leads to excessive P losses to surface and groundwater via surface run-off and leaching (Dodd and Sharpley, 2015). Maximizing the recovery of residual or legacy soil P helps to reduce the losses both to the soil and watercourses, improving the financial efficiency of the process, while reducing the risk of pollution
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