Plant Nutrition
Phosphorus Nutrient Info

Phosphorus - Quick Facts
- Phosphorus is present in every living cell, both plant and animal.
- Helps with the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy, proper plant maturation, and stress mitigation.
- Form used by plants: H2PO4- (when soil pH <7) and HPO4-2 (when soil pH>7)
- Phosphorus availability is critical during the early growth stages to ensure a quick and healthy start.
Phosphorus - Role of Nutrient
- Stimulates early season growth.
- Grows deeper and stronger roots.
- Hastens plant maturity and promotes seed production.
- Phosphorus functions as one of the main promoters of photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and energy transfer via energy-rich linkages (ATP).
- Phosphorus is involved in the formation of all oils, sugars and starches, and encourages early plant growth for longer growing seasons.
- Phosphorus is utilized by plants to form nucleic acids, which regulates protein synthesis.
Phosphorus - Nutrient in Soil
- Low soil pH (< 6.0), P is generally in an unavailable form because of reactions with soluble iron, aluminum, manganese, or their hydroxides.
- High soil pH (> 7.0), phosphorus fixation occurs thus making it unavailable for plant uptake.

Phosphorus - Deficiency Symptons
- Slow growth and stunted plants
- Abnormal purplish colouration of foliage starting from older leaves
- Delayed maturity
- Poor grain, fruit and seed development
- Fruits and old leaves drop prematurely
Phosphorus - Factors Affecting Deficiency
- Cold soil temperature, wet soils reduce the supply or conversion of available or labile P into the soil solution.
- Low soil pH (< 6) and high soil pH (>7.2) reduce the availability of P to the plant.
- Higher available Fe and Ca in soil can limit P availability.
- Excessive phosphorus fertilizer can aggravate iron and zinc deficiencies and increase the soil salt content.
- Nitrogen fertilization may increase P concentration in plants by increasing root growth and by decreaing soil pH as a result of the absorption of ammonium (NH4+) and thus increasing the solubility of fertilizer P.
Phosphorus - Deficiency Photos
Phosphorus deficiency in Canola | Phosphorus Deficiency in Canola
Phosphorus deficiency in Canola | Phosphorus Deficiency in Canola
Phosphorus deficiency in Canola | Phosphorus Deficiency in Canola
Phosphorus deficiency in Canola | Phosphorus Deficiency in Canola
Phosphorus deficiency in Soybeans | Phosphorus Deficiency in Soybeans
Phosphorus deficiency in Soybeans | Phosphorus Deficiency in Soybeans
Phosphorus deficiency in Wheat | Phosphorus Deficiency in Wheat
Phosphorus deficiency in Wheat | Phosphorus Deficiency in Wheat
Phosphorus deficiency in Wheat | Phosphorus Deficiency in Wheat
R3 Agronomic Platform

Roots – The vegetative stage looks to develop vigorous, healthy roots to maximize nutrient acquisition from the soil. The end result is a healthy root rhizosphere.
Reproduce – Supply the essential nutrients at reproduction to help the plant maximize pollen viability, flowering, pollination, seed set and fruit development.
Ripen – Late season nutrition is vital to optimize the nutrient density and quality of the crop.