Abstract
Given the non-renewable nature of global phosphate reserves, there is a push to increase the phosphorus (P) efficiency of agricultural crops. Research has typically focussed on investigating P acquisition efficiency or internal P utilization efficiency to reduce crop fertilizer requirements. A novel option that would reduce the amount of P exported from fields at harvest, and may ultimately reduce P fertilizer requirements, would be to reduce the amount of P translocated to grains to minimize grain P concentrations. While such a trait has been mentioned in a number of studies over the years, there has not been a concerted effort to target this trait in breeding programs. In this perspective piece we explore the reasons why a low grain P trait has not been pursued, and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a trait in the context of breeding to improve the P efficiency of cropping systems.
Highlights
The majority of the world’s mined rock phosphate is used for the manufacture of phosphorus (P) fertilizers applied in agriculture to improve or sustain crop yields
A novel option that would reduce the amount of P exported from fields at harvest, and may reduce P fertilizer requirements, would be to reduce the amount of P translocated to grains to minimize grain P concentrations. While such a trait has been mentioned in a number of studies over the years, there has not been a concerted effort to target this trait in breeding programs. In this perspective piece we explore the reasons why a low grain P trait has not been pursued, and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a trait in the context of breeding to improve the P efficiency of cropping systems
We argue that given the economic and environmental gains to be made with a low grain P trait, seedling vigor should not be seen as an impediment for further exploration, but rather an issue that should be addressed through further research
Summary
The majority of the world’s mined rock phosphate is used for the manufacture of phosphorus (P) fertilizers applied in agriculture to improve or sustain crop yields. At harvest, cereals typically contain 70+% of their total P in grains with very little remaining in straw, prompting us to investigate whether reductions in grain P concentrations are a possible way to improve overall crop PE in cereal systems.
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