Phosphorus

A collection of vocabulary flashcards focusing on key terms and concepts related to soil phosphorus health and its impact on plant growth.

Phosphorus (P)

An essential nutrient for plants involved in energy storage and transfer, root growth, and component of ATP.

Orthophosphate

Forms of phosphorus that plants absorb, specifically H2PO4 - and HPO4 2- depending on soil pH.

C:N:P:S ratio

Average ratio in soil is 120:10:1:1, indicating the proportion of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Phosphorus cycle

The process of phosphorus movement through the environment, including crop removal, runoff, and mineralization.

VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza)

A type of biofertilizer that helps with phosphorus absorption by forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots.

Mineralization

The process of converting organic phosphorus into inorganic forms (H2PO4 -/HPO4 2-) that plants can uptake.

Immobilization

The retention of inorganic phosphorus in soil organic forms, which makes it unavailable to plants.

pH influence on phosphorus availability

Soil pH affects the forms of phosphate available: at pH < 7.2 predominates H2PO4 - and at pH > 7.2 predominates HPO4 2-.

Soil OM content

Organic matter in soil that can increase phosphorus availability through solubilization and replacement effects.

Visual deficiency symptoms of phosphorus

Signs of phosphorus deficiency in plants include stunted growth, darker green coloration of leaves, and purplish leaf color.