A groundbreaking study by botanists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has uncovered that a mere 12.6% of the inorganic phosphorus fertilizers used globally each year are actually absorbed by plants. The majority of these fertilizers end up being stored in soils, raising concerns about sustainability and agricultural efficiency.
The research team from the South China Botanical Garden under CAS meticulously compiled a global database, encompassing 987 sets of observation data sourced from 274 papers published between 1972 and 2021. Their comprehensive analysis aimed to understand the distribution of inorganic phosphorus fertilizers in terms of plant uptake, soil storage, and leaching loss.
These findings highlight the urgent need for improved fertilizer management and the development of more efficient agricultural practices to ensure that more of these essential nutrients are utilized by crops, ultimately supporting global food security and environmental health. 🌍💚
