IAEA TECDOC 1805 : 2016

SUMMARY
An overview of phosphorus in the soil-plant-system, agroecosystems and the environment
Chemical, nuclear and radio isotopic tracer techniques for studying soil phosphorus forms and estimating phosphorus availability, fluxes and balances
Phosphorus isotope tracer techniques: Procedures and safety issues
APPENDIX
IAEA PUBLICATIONS AND SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT AND CROP
NUTRITION
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACROYNMS
CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFT AND REVIEW

Phosphorus (P) is an important nutrient and a strategic resource to plants. A better and holistic understanding of P dynamics in the soil/rhizosphere-plant-animal continuum is vital to guide integrated P management strategies associated with the manipulation of soil and rhizosphere processes, development of P efficient crops, and improving P recycling efficiency. However, some aspects of overall P dynamics in the soil/rhizosphere-plant-animal continuum are not thoroughly understood. These include the regulation of P acquisition and P-starvation mechanisms in plants, P sources (organic and inorganic forms) and its adverse effects on human health and environmental quality. The paper summarizes the key processes influencing soil P dynamics, soil P cycling processes and its availability and P acquisition mechanisms by plants. Selection and management of organic and inorganic P fertilizers, including farm effluents, bio solids (sewage sludge) as well as the prospects for the utilization of rock phosphate (PR) products for direct application in agriculture are discussed. Environmental issues related to the use of P sources such as heavy metals contamination and P losses and water quality are described. Management strategies for sustainable phosphorus management in agroecosystems are also examined.