Summary
This global meta-analysis of 5876 observations from 474 papers examines drivers of soil phosphatase activity in croplands and its relationship with crop yield. Climate, crop family, and management practices significantly influence acid and alkaline phosphatase activity differentially; notably, doubling of acid phosphatase activity correlates with more than two-fold increases in crop yield—a relationship not previously demonstrated in cropland systems. These findings suggest that promoting soil phosphatase activity through targeted management could enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
Regional applicability
The study is global in scope and the findings are applicable to United Kingdom arable systems, particularly regarding management strategies (organic fertilization, reduced tillage, crop rotation) that enhance phosphatase activity. However, the interaction effects of temperature and precipitation with phosphatase activity may require contextualisation to cooler, higher-rainfall UK conditions; further region-specific research would help translate these global patterns into UK practice.
Key measures
Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹); crop yield; temperature and precipitation; crop family; management practices (organic fertilization, crop rotation, irrigation, tillage intensity)
Outcomes reported
The study analysed 5876 observations across 474 papers to quantify how climate variables, crop family, and management practices affect acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in cropland soils, and demonstrated a relationship between phosphatase activity and crop yield. Key finding: acid phosphatase activity doubles (from 100.0 to 200.0 mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) correlates with more than two-fold increase in crop yield.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.