Phosphorus: The Underrated Element for Feeding the World

Trends Plant Sci. 2016 Jun;21(6):461-463. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2016.04.010. Epub 2016 May 5.

Abstract

Predictions on the lifetime of phosphate (Pi) reserves usually take into account only the need for crop production. A recent report predicts the global need of chemical Pi fertilizer for sustaining productivity in cropland and grassland. Here we discuss the implications of these predictions for the lifetime of Pi reserves.

Keywords: Phosphorus reserves; crop plant improvement; food safety; phosphorus use optimization.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Crops, Agricultural / metabolism
  • Crops, Agricultural / physiology*
  • Fertilizers
  • Food Supply*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / physiology*
  • Soil Microbiology

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Phosphorus