Phosphorus in soil

Phosphorus (P) in soil derives from weathering of primary minerals, such as apatites, present in almost all types of rocks, globally ensuring its availability for plants. In natural systems, P availability depends on a concerted interaction between abiotic processes – sorption/desorption, precipitation/dissolution, leaching and runoff – and biological processes – microbial mineralization/immobilization, plant uptake and organic P recycling–. However, the P cycle has been largely modified by anthropic actions, leading to an uneven P distribution in global soils that can increase the global imbalance in P-cycling and food production. The sustainability of future agricultural production requires that P recovery from wastes is improved, losses to water systems are limited and the availability of legacy soil P is enhanced.