Sustainable agriculture requires improved phosphorus (P) management to reduce the overreliance on P fertilization. Despite intensive research of root adaptive mechanisms for improving P acquisition, the inherent potential of roots for efficient P acquisition remains unfulfilled, especially in intensive agriculture, while current P management generally focuses on agronomic and environmental conc...

The spatial and temporal stability of soil test values is important to the use of soil testing for nutrient management. A study was conducted to evaluate the spatial and temporal stability of soil test phosphorus (P). Five sites ranging in size fiom 9.1 to 10.8 acres were soil sampled in the same locations in a 60 X 60 ft. grid either three or four times over a two year period. Bray 1 -P values...

Larger, and deeper, root systems of new maize varieties, compared to older varieties, are thought to have enabled improved acquisition of soil resources and, consequently, greater grain yields. To compare the spatial distributions of the root systems of new and old maize varieties and their relationships with spatial variations in soil concentrations of available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) an...

Background Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations can increase crop yields; however, it is poorly understood if plants require higher phosphorus (P) inputs to support increased production. In addition, soils with contrasting P-sorption capacities may alter plant response elevated CO2. Aims We examined the effect of on critical soil available P and shoot for growth in capacities. Methods Response...

Prosopis laevigata and Mimosa biuncifera are frequently found in arid and semiarid shrublands, but scarce information is available about their influence on plant community structure and soil fertility. We compared plant community structure, diversity and soil nutrients of three semiarid shrubland sites located in Mezquital Valley, Mexico. These sites differ in their dominant species: Site 1 (Bi...

Phosphorus (P) in irrigation runoff may enrich offsite water bodies and streams and be influenced by irrigation water quality and antecedent soil surface conditions. Runoff, soil loss, and P fractions in runoff using reverse osmosis (RO) water or mixed RO and well water (RO/ Tap) were studied in a laboratory sprinkler study to evaluate water source effects on P transport. A top- or subsoil Port...