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Optimisation of nutrients in soil-plant systems: Determining how phosphorus availability is regulated in soils

Reference	BBS/E/C/00005197
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Stephen Paul McGrath
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor John Crawford
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,489,592
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2012
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	59 months

Abstract

Many soils in the UK contain relatively large quantities of phosphorus (P), and phosphates (Po) can account for 20-90% of the total P present, representing a potentially significant reserve. One of the major challenges for research is to better understand the mechanisms and soil management techniques that can make available to plants this potentially large store of soil P. The objectives of the project are therefore to: 1. Determine why the critical level of available P differs between soils. 2. Investigate how the P in soil/organic residues can be exploited to reduce the need for fertiliser P. 3. Determine whether there are key microbial groups associated with making P available to crops. To achieve this we will: 1. Use experiments at Rothamsted and the Farm Platform at North Wyke that differ in their P status and in native and applied organic matter to investigate the chemical speciation of P using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectrometry (e.g. XANES) for solid phase speciation and 31P-NMR for solution phase speciation in soil extracts. 2. Measure the dynamics of C and organic and inorganic N and P, using 13C and P18O4 tracers, the direct mobilisation of 33P or 15N, and identify processes which increase the microbial pool (P and N) which can subsequently be released, using lab and field experiments. This capability will complement standard laboratory analyses and enzyme hydrolysis methods. 3. Analysis of soil microbial community metagenomes to identify which pathways are active in different conditions. Sequence analyses will allow identification of the microbial group(s) responsible, aiding management of soil to optimise their abundance and activity. 4. Work with colleagues to model how long-term treatments and different plants affect the quantities and forms of inorganic/organic P and the dynamics of how these change with C and N over time, and to use the model to inform land management for optimal use of P resources.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbiology, Plant Science, Soil Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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