Agronomy

Phosphorus helps to create strong root development and growth in plants. It’s like the human equivalent of carbs. Without phosphorus in the soil plants look spindly and weak. Photosynthesis can not support the necessary plant functions if phosphorus is not present. It’s the energizer of plant production.

Phosphorus is an essential element in all living cells and is a component in RNA and DNA. It’s main commercial use is in fertilizers but it’s also found in matches, fireworks, explosives, detergents and even toothpaste.

Common fertilizer uses of phosphorus are diammonium phophate - DAP - monoammonium phosphate - MAP - ammonium polyphosphate - APP - and triple super phosphate - TSP.

Phosphorus used in fertilizers comes from phosphate rock which is made up of the fossilized remains of sea creatures.

Crop yields can suffer when phosphorus is not available in the proper amounts to feed the growing plants. While plants will continue to grow they will be more suceptible to disease, take longer to mature and will produce food with lower nutritional value.

Crops with adequate levels of phosphorus display healthy growth with helps reduce soil erosion and increases the utilization of nitrogen. Phosphorus is a team player because without it other nutrients like nitrogen could not be used efficiently by the plants and their nutritional value would be less.