Phosphorus status and strategies to increase P use efficiency for sustainable crop production

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and plays a crucial role in various biochemical processes within plants. However, the availability of P in soil is often limited, leading to reduced crop yields and potential environmental issues associated with excessive fertilizer application. Thus, understanding the P status in agricultural soils and implementing effective strategies to enhance P utilization is critical for sustainable crop production. The understanding of P dynamics in soil and its implications for crop productivity is essential for developing innovative approaches and technologies aimed at improving P use efficiency in agriculture. Several factors influence P availability for example, soil properties, nutrient management practices and environmental factors. Further management techniques such as efficient P application methods, breeding for improved P uptake, biofertilizers and bio-inoculants, intercropping and crop rotation, organic amendments, composting, nano-phosphatic fertilizers, variable-rate applicators, and the use of biochar and struvite are resulting greater changes in P availability and use. In addition to this, the environmental implications of excessive P application and mitigation measures are discussed, including soil and water conservation practices, soil P management, nutrient management planning, and policy and outreach strategies. This review emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to P management, considering both agronomic and environmental aspects to achieve sustainable crop production.