Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Understanding soil phosphorus cycling for sustainable development: A review

Julian Helfenstein, Bruno Ringeval, Federica Tamburini, Vera Leatitia Mulder, Daniel S. Goll, Xianjin He, Edwin Alblas, Ying‐Ping Wang, Alain Mollier, Emmanuel Frossard

One Earth · 2024

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Summary

This 2024 review examines soil phosphorus cycling mechanisms and their relevance to sustainable agricultural development. Drawing on international authorship and publication in One Earth, the paper appears to integrate agronomic, biogeochemical, and soil science perspectives on phosphorus dynamics to inform nutrient management strategies. The work suggests that improved understanding of phosphorus cycling—particularly the balance between plant-available forms and loss pathways—is central to reducing nutrient depletion and environmental impact in farming systems.

UK applicability

Findings on phosphorus cycling are applicable to UK arable and mixed farming systems, where phosphorus fertility management and water quality (particularly runoff to freshwaters) are significant policy concerns. The review's recommendations on P efficiency may inform UK fertiliser strategy and statutory obligations under the Nitrates Directive and Water Framework Directive.

Key measures

Phosphorus cycle pathways, soil phosphorus availability, phosphorus losses (leaching, runoff, erosion), plant phosphorus uptake, phosphorus use efficiency

Outcomes reported

This review synthesises current understanding of phosphorus cycling processes in agricultural soils and their implications for sustainable nutrient management. The paper examines phosphorus transformations, losses, and availability across soil–plant–animal systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil fertility & nutrient management
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.oneear.2024.07.020
Catalogue ID
SNmov5j4tp-fvxwdd

Topic tags

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