Phosphorus in the Soil and Optimum Rates of Fertilizer Application

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Phosphorus in the soil
Phosphorus is a macro-element that is essentially required for plant nutrition. Phosphorus assists
in the metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, energy transfer and in the synthesis and
during carbohydrates breakdown. Phosphorus is found in soil as a mineral as well as an organic
compound. However the amount of phosphorus readily available in the soil cannot meet the total
amount of phosphorus needed in the soil thus in various cases, phosphorus is added to the soil.
The phosphorus reaction in the soil
Phosphorus in the soil is identified in an organic form and as a mineral though has high soil
solubility and equilibrium has been found between the soil and solution of phosphorus in the soil.
The soil phosphorus is a stable chemical compound therefore plant takes a small amount of
phosphorus which has dissolved in the soil. Plants take phosphorus from the soil and for the
stability of the equilibrium to be maintained some phosphorus are absorbed into the soil in the
solid form (Rattan Lal, 2016). The determination of the phosphorus compound is done by
confirming the soil pH and the type and amount of minerals such as aluminum, iron, manganese
and calcium in the soil. These mineral react with soil acid while the soil alkaline dominate the
fixation with calcium of the pH
Phosphorus deficiency
The symptoms of phosphorus deficiency are shown in plant such is stunted growth and the dark
purple color of older leaves and also inhibits flowering and the root system. However these
results are only seen when phosphorus concentration in the soil is below 0.2%.