Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

The effect of soil organic matter on long-term availability of phosphorus in soil: Evaluation in a biological P mining experiment

J. M. B. Hawkins, Charlotte Vermeiren, M. S. A. Blackwell, Tegan Darch, S. J. Granger, S. J. Dunham, Javier Hernández-Allica, Erik Smolders, S. P. McGrath

Geoderma · 2022

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Summary

This 2022 study examined the relationship between soil organic matter and the sustained availability of phosphorus in agricultural soils through a biological phosphorus mining experiment. The authors investigated how organic matter influences the mobilisation and long-term accessibility of phosphorus for plant uptake, as suggested by the experimental design. The findings contribute to understanding nutrient cycling mechanisms relevant to sustainable phosphorus management in farming systems.

UK applicability

The results are directly applicable to UK agricultural practice, as phosphorus management and soil organic matter enhancement are key priorities for sustainable intensification and reducing fertiliser dependency. The biological mining approach offers potential insights for UK farmers seeking to improve soil fertility and nutrient cycling efficiency.

Key measures

Soil phosphorus availability, organic matter content, biological P mining efficiency, plant-available phosphorus fractions

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated how soil organic matter influences the long-term availability of phosphorus in soil using a biological phosphorus mining experimental approach. The research assessed phosphorus dynamics and plant-available P pools under conditions simulating biological nutrient extraction.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.115965
Catalogue ID
BFmowc2359-thi3fm

Topic tags

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