Crimson Publishers Review Article

Wings to the Research

Phosphorus Nutrient in Organic

Farming - A Review
Nguyen Hue*
Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
Resources, University of Hawaii, USA
ISSN: 2637-7659
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is essential to all living organisms and a major nutrient for successful crop production in
organic farming. Organic production guidelines ban the use of highly soluble, manufactured P fertilizers,
thus P sources for organic farming must come from P rock, green or animal manures, compost, and
biofertilizers. In this article, we first briefly describe the P dynamics in soils, covering organic and
inorganic P operational pools. Next, practical P sources for organic farming are discussed. These include
phosphate rock, bone meal, animal and green manures, and compost. Bio-enhancers of soil P availability is
covered next, including mycorrhizal fungi, P solubilizing microbes and biofertilizers with mixed microbial
species. Detailed organic P molecules, such as phytate (monoesters phosphate) and nucleic acids (diester
phosphates) and their hydrolyzing enzymes are presented. Finally, the role of organic P in crop growth
is considered.

Keywords: Biofertilizers; Compost; Manures; Organic P; P Rock; Phosphatases; Phytate

*Corresponding author: Nguyen Hue,
Department of Tropical Plant and Soil
Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture Introduction
and Human Resources, University of
Hawaii, USA Organic farming follows a holistic approach to agriculture and avoids the use of synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides [1]. More specifically, it relies on mined substances of low solubility
Submission: January 08, 2024 (e.g., P rock, green sand), green and animal manures, compost, crop rotation, P or potassium
Published: January 24, 2024
(K) solubilizing microbes, and biofertilizers to maintain soil health and crop productivity [2].
Volume 13 - Issue 4 With no chemical inputs, organic farming must be skillfully managed. Particularly, soil nutrient
management poses a serious challenge to organic growing, especially if the cultivated soils are
How to cite this article: Nguyen P deficient as is often the case of “old”, highly weathered soils in the Tropics [3,4].
Hue*. Phosphorus Nutrient in Organic
Farming - A Review. Mod Concep Dev Along with nitrogen (N) and K, P is an essential element and a major (needed in large
Agrono. 13(4). MCDA. 000820. 2024. amounts) nutrient to all crops [5]. The P requirement for optimal growth of most plants is
DOI: 10.31031/MCDA.2024.13.000820
in the range of 0.2-0.5% dry weight [6]. Biologically, P is a component of genetic molecules
Copyright@ Nguyen Hue. This article is (DNA, RNA) as well as the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which transfers energy
distributed under the terms of the Creative during photosynthesis and respiration [4,7,8]. ATP is an energy rich molecule, which can
Commons Attribution 4.0 International release approximately 30kJ mole-1 when transformed (phosphorylation) to ADP [4,6]. Thus, P
License, which permits unrestricted use
is needed (and often found) in relatively large quantities in growing parts, seeds, and fruits;
and redistribution provided that the
original author and source are credited. in fact, phytin is the principal storage form of P in seeds [9]. In P-deficient plants, reduction
in leaf expansion and number of leaves is most noticeable, resulting in stunted growth [6,10].
The chlorophyll concentration tends to increase under P deficiency, and P-deficient leaves are
dark green because leaf expansion is inhibited more strongly than chlorophyll formation [11].
In advanced stage of P deficiency, leaves turn purple [9,12].
Given the importance of P in plant nutrition and its low availability in highly weathered
soils, the objective of this review was to better understand P transformation processes in soils
so more efficient management practices can be realized, especially for organic farming.
The review utilized a thorough literature search with keywords such as sustainable
agriculture, organic farming, crop nutrients, organic soil amendments, soil organic matter,
soil phosphorus, organic P, biofertilizers, phosphohydrolases, P solubilizing microorganisms.

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 MCDA.000820. 13(4).2024 1301

Such comprehensive search was done for available electronic and about 200mg kg-1 in soils of the Tropics. Although total soil P
information resources in the Scopus, Web of Science and Science only remotely reflects the actual P pools that affect crop growth, it
Direct databases. Most appropriate research and review studies illustrates a limited resource that we, as human beings, must face.
were considered in this review. Moreover, unlike N, P is not renewable since there is no atmospheric
P reservoir. From the agricultural and environmental standpoint,
Phosphorus Dynamics in Soils total P in soil can be divided into five functional pools: (1) P in soil
According to Sanchez [4], total P in soils has been used as a solution, (2) labile or weakly adsorbed P; (3) strongly adsorbed
weathering index, meaning total P decreases with weathering and/or precipitated P, including rock P, (4) organic P from manures,
stage. The author cited those representative soils from the US compost, bone meal, (5) microbial/biomass P (Figure 1). Pools 2
Midwest average about 3000 mg kg-1 total P in the topsoil (0-50cm and 3 are inorganic solids; pools 4 and 5 are obviously organic.
depth), 500mg kg-1 in the more weathered soils of the Southeast,

Figure 1: Representation of the different P pools in soils. The different numbers refer to the processes affecting
the P pools: (1) adsorption, (2) desorption, (3) dissolution, (4) precipitation, (5) assimilation, (6) mineralization, (7)
decomposition, and (8) Phosphorus solubilization by microbes. Modified from Nesme et al. [16].

Soil-solution P pool is rather small. Its P concentration usually minerals (predominantly aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides,
ranges from 0.1μM (or 0.003mg L-1) to 10μM (0.31mg L-1), with an hydroxides), and some clay minerals, and (b) P-bearing minerals
average of 0.05mg L-1 [3,13,14]. Soil-solution P exists predominantly such as variscite [Al(OH)2H2PO4], strengite [Fe(OH)2H2PO4] in acidic
as H2PO4- anion at pH 3.0-7.0 and as HPO42- anion at pH > 7.2 environment, and hydroxyapatite [Ca5(OH)(PO4)3] in neutral or
[4,9,15]. Both anions move by the slow diffusion process and are alkaline soils [4,16,17]. For example, Figure 2 shows the adsorption
readily taken up by plants. However, the dynamics of soil-solution P of H2PO4- ion on goethite (FeOOH) forming inner-sphere complexes.
are fast and are interconnected with the other P pools [16]. The formation of variscite mineral from H2PO4- ion and soil-solution
The weakly adsorbed or labile P pool and the strongly Al3+ is shown below:
adsorbed or precipitated P pool are inorganic P attached to Al3+ + H2PO4- + 2H2O ==→ Al (OH)2H2PO4 (solid) + 2H+
the soil solid phases, which may include (a) positively charged

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Figure 2: Adsorption of phosphate on soil Fe oxides 2a: 2D-sketches of possible complexes, 2b: 3D-sketches of
phosphate adsorbed on goethite (FeOOH) mineral. Adapted from Celi et al. [18].

Although the inorganic pools are commonly dominant (>50%) in an acidic Oxisol by adding finely ground Florida rock P at 75mg
in cultivated soils, in forest soils or under organic farming practices, kg-1 (approximately 150kg ha-1 of rock P) and 1.0g kg-1 (or about 2
organic P can be high, ranging from 30 to 80%, which includes P in tons ha-1) of coral lime. The resulting pH was 5.2 and soil-solution
crop residues, green and animal manures, and compost as well as P was 0.05mg L-1. The above reaction also provides the logic of
P inside microbial tissues [18-20]. Most soil organic P compounds using neutral ammonium citrate (or NAC at 2% concentration) to
have P bonded to oxygen in ester bonds (C-O-P), unlike in soil estimate the P availability of different P rocks. According to Sanchez
organic N compounds where N is bonded directly to carbon (C- [4], P rocks with greater than 5.9% P soluble in NAC can be applied
N). Over 50% organic P is monoesters, mainly inositol phosphate directly to most annual and perennial crops. Those with 3.4-5.9%
(phytate); about 5% is phospholipids, and 2% is nucleic acids [21]. P soluble in NAC can be applied directly to low P-demanding
Phosphate ester bonds can be readily broken by phosphatases, crops like forage species, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and
which are extra-cellular enzymes and produced by certain bacteria, tree crops. Those P rocks with less than 3.4% P soluble in NAC
fungi, and plant roots [22]. could be used on tea (Camellia chinensis L.) plants and perennial
tree crops. A field study on two low-P, acid Ultisols in Indonedia
Practical Phosphorus Sources for Organic Farming [24] showed that a Moroccan P rock with high NAC extractable P
Phosphate rocks (applied one time at approximately 130kg P ha-1) outperformed
three other P rocks from Jordan, Senegal and Tunisia, and produced
Since igneous and metamorphic P rocks are much less soluble
as much maize (Zea mays L.) yields as a simple superphosphate
than their sedimentary counterpart, only the latter is used as a P
manufactured chemically during six growing seasons (3 years).
source in organic farming. Chemically, P rock is a combination of
hydroxyapatite [Ca10(OH)2(PO4)6] and fluoroapatite [Ca10F2(PO4)6] Fine sizes (< 100 mesh or 0.15mm) of P rock and its use in
with some minor substitution of OH- or F- by carbonate [4]. In the combination with other organic inputs such as manures or compost
USA, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Idaho are the states (which may release Ca chelating compounds) also help increase its
that have had P rock mining operations [23]. The solubility (and P releasing capacity because of small sizes and thus large surface
plant-availability) of rock P is quite low, so its use, especially in areas.
organic farming, requires some soil amending actions such as by Bone meal (about 30% total P) and meat from cattle or fish
keeping relatively low pH and/or low Ca2+ (Ca2+ can be lowered (approximately 3 -5% P) can be used as a source of P in organic
by chelation with organic-acid anions released from manures) as farming. These materials consist mainly of apatite-like calcium
illustrated by the following chemical reactions. phosphate minerals, so they should react in a manner similar to
Ca10(OH)2(PO4)6 + 14 H+ → 10 Ca2+ + 6H2PO4- + 2H2O rock P. As an example, Jeng et al. [25] reported that an application
of 500 kg ha-1 of a meat-bone meal containing approximately 8%
Ca2+ + C2O42- ==→ Ca(C2O4) (Ca-Oxalate complex)
N, 5% P, and 10% K to a field experiment in Norway produced
Recently, Huang et al. [3] reported that adequate levels of P maximum yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) based on the fact
nutrition for soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings could be attained that a supply of extra mineral P gave no further yield increase.

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Animal manures as Phosphorus sources in organic beef manure and 4.4% in poultry layer manure. Manure P is quite
farming water soluble; it is commonly accepted that about 70% of P in
most animal manures are available to the crop during the year of
Unlike P rocks, which may have 10-18% total P with low
application [26]. Beneficial effects of manure were documented in
solubility and slow-release rate, P in manures is rather low (range:
long-term (25 years) experiments in China showing that pig solid
1-5% P, average 2%) and the release rate is relatively fast [26].
manure produced greater wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize
Furthermore, manure P content varies significantly with animal
(Zea mays L.) yields than did synthetic fertilizers due mainly to
species, feed, bedding, and manure storage practice (Table 1).
improved soil fertility [27].
For example, as calculated from Table 1, P content was 1.0% in

Table 1: Typical nutrient content from different animal manures [26].

Manure Type % Dry Matter Ammonium-N Organic-N P2O5 K2O

Slurry manure (lb. of nutrient per 1000 gallons of manure)
Dairy 8 12 13 25 40
Beef 29 5 9 9 13
Swine (finisher, wet-dry feeder) 9 42 17 40 24
Swine (slurry storage, dry feeder) 6 28 11 34 24
Swine (flush building) 2 12 5 13 17
Solid manure (lb. of nutrient per ton of manure)
Beef (dirt lot) 67 2 22 23 30
Beef (paved lot) 29 5 9 9 13
Swine (hood barns) 57 4 13 20 18
Broiler (litter from house) 70 15 60 27 13
layer 40 18 19 55 31

In general, poultry manure has lower N/P ratios than cattle over a 4-year period.
manure due to its higher P content. This may result in over P
fertilization if amounts applied are to meet N requirements of crops Bio-Enhancers of Soil Phosphorus Availability
[28]. The available phosphorus in organically managed soils could be
Green manures: Manures from plants, even legumes, contain enhanced by manipulating plant root morphology, its rhizosphere
only 0.2-0.4% P [29], whereas their N can be as high as 6% [12,30]. composition and/or adding biofertilizers.
Thus, green manures are more often used as an organic source for Given the low concentration of phosphate ions in the soil
N than for P [31]. A quick estimation would show that at least 10 solution and their poor mobility, root architecture plays an
ton (dry weight basis) per hectare (ha) of a green manure having important role in P acquisition [35]. It is no surprise that plants
0.2% P must be added to provide 20kg ha-1 of total P, which is a need to develop a large volume of the rhizosphere to access enough
marginally sufficient quantity of required P for good plant growth, P, especially in low-P soils. Producing proteiod roots is a response
especially in P-poor soils such as Oxisols and Ultisols of the Tropics. to low P in some plant species such as macadamia (Macadamia
Nevertheless, increases in P uptake as much as 2.8 times when a integrifolia L.) [36]. Other plant species can exude P-mobilizing
mixture of red clover (Trifolium pretense), hybrid lucern (Medicago compounds such as protons, carboxylates, and phosphatases as
media) and white meliot (Melilotus albus) was applied as green triggered by P deficiency [13,37]. In addition, the rhizodeposition
manure to a sandy loam soil of Estonia [32]. The P contribution of carbon-rich compounds stimulates both naturally occurring and
from that mixed green manure was 17-24kg ha-1. inoculated microorganisms in the rhizosphere, which can alter the
Compost: Since compost is often made from plant materials, availability of soil P [38,39].
either alone or in combination with animal manures, P in compost
Mycorrhizal fungi
is also low, ranging between 0.1 and 2.3% [7]. Plant-based compost
usually contains less nutrients (N, P, K) than animal manure-based While root hairs can extend up to 1-2mm away from the root
compost [29]. In any case, compost has been used to replace surface, mycorrhizal hyphae can extend beyond many cm [40],
chemical fertilizers in farming systems partially or completely thus playing an exclusive role in obtaining remotely placed soil P.
[29]. Castan et al. [33] reported that applications of four types of Mycorrhizae are, in fact, essential root extenders. They infect the
compost at 40 tons ha-1 to a sandy soil of subtropical northeast roots of most vascular plants, effectively increasing the soil volume
Argentina resulted in increases in soil Olsen-P between 25% and from which plants can take up nutrients and water. There are
525% compared to a non-amended control. Eghball et al. [34] two main mycorrhizal types: ecto- and endo-mycorrhizae [4,41].
reported increases in soil Bray-P by 57% - 159% with 32 and 64kg Ectomycorrhizae form a fungal mantle around the roots and are
ha-1 P applications, respectively, of a composted manure applied often associated with tree species [42]. Endomycorrhizae are

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associated more with crop plants. They are classified as arbuscular hyphae, the inflow of phosphate ions can be many orders faster
mycorrhizae, ericoid mycorrhizae, arbutoid mycorrhizae, than their diffusion through soil [44]. As a result, mycorrhizal
monotropoid mycorrhizae, ectendo mycorrhizae, and orchid plants use P rock more efficiently than non-mycorrhizal plants.
mycorrhizae [43], of which arbuscular one is most agronomically The association between mycorrhizae and plant can be obligate or
important. Their fungal hyphae penetrate the cortex of root cells, facultative. In such association, the fungus is dependent on its host
forming a structure shaped like a tree, called arbuscule. The hyphae for photosynthates and energy, in return it supplies nutrients to its
grow and develop round fruiting spores outside the roots. These host. In organic farming, it has been recommended that seeds be
mycorrhizae markedly increase the uptake of immobile nutrients inoculated with effective arbuscular mycorrhizae, to make more
such as P, also Fe, copper and zinc (Figure 3). Through mycorrhizal efficient use of soil P [45].

Figure 3: The association between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots. Adapted from Weil et al. [51].

Phosphorus solubilizing microbes strongly adsorb phosphate [48]. Sundara et al. [49] reported that
an application of P rock along with a PSB, Bacillus megaterium var.
Although total P content may be large, most phosphates are
phosphaticum, to a sugarcane field increased sugar yield and juice
in solid forms and unavailable for plant uptake. The P-solubilizing
quality by 12.6% and reduced P requirement by 25%. Zhang et
bacteria (PSB) such as Achromobacter, Micrococcus, Aerobacter,
al. [50] reported that two fungi species: Aspergillus neoniger and
and Pseudomonas is common in nature. Their number, however,
Talaromyces aurantiacus, isolated from the rhizosphere of moso
may vary with soil type and environmental conditions. As an
bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) grown in acid soils of China, can
example, Oliveira et al. [46] isolated, screened and evaluated 45 PSB
considerably solubilize recalcitrant P sources, namely Ca3(PO4)2,
isolates from maize rhizosphere soil of a P-deficient Oxisol of the
FePO4, and AlPO4, in this decreasing order [51].
Brazilian Cerrado Biome for use as potential microbial inoculants.
The authors reported that two strains B17 and B5, identified as To use phosphate from its organic forms, the P compounds must
Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp., respectively, were the most first be hydrolyzed by phosphatases (acid and alkaline enzymes),
effective, mobilizing 67% and 58.5% of the total P in Ca3(PO4)2 after which are of plant or microbial origin [52]. Some fungi of the genera
10 days of incubation. PSB can increase P availability to plants by Aspergillus and Penicillium can efficiently cleave the C-O-P ester
secreting organic acids such as citric, malic, oxalic tartaric, gluconic, bond and release P for plant uptake (Table 2). Inositol penta- and
etc. [47]. The secreted acids can either directly replace solidly hexa-phosphates, which are the major storage form of P in plant
held phosphate anions by their conjugate anions (e.g., citrate, seeds, can be hydrolyzed by the enzyme phytase which is produced
malate, etc.) or by dissolving P minerals via chelating Ca in P rock by fungi of genera Aspergillus, Emericella, Gliocladium, Penicillium,
or Al/Fe in sesquioxide minerals (e.g., gibbsite, goethite) that can and Trichoderma [48,53].

Table 2: Release potential of P-mobilizing enzymes by some important fungi [48].

Enzyme Release (EU x 10-3 per g fungal mat)

Fungi Acid phosphatase Alkaline phosphatase Phytase
Intra Extra Intra Extra Intra Extra
Aspergillus flavus 20.7 5.2 5.0 1.9 33 1246
Chaetomium globosum 14.6 4.0 5.3 1.2 26 954
Curvularia lunata 13.7 3.4 1.1 0.2 19 699

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Paecillium variotii 37.5 9.4 0.9 0.2 48 1824

Penicillium sp. 8.9 2.2 1.5 0.3 13 507
LSD (p = 0.05) 1.8 1.2 0.9 0.2 2.3 8.9

Biofertilizers and ectomycorrhizae such as Amanita, Boletus, Laccaria, and

Pisolithus [54].
Biofertilizers consisting of bacteria and fungi that can solubilize
solid P and/or hydrolyze organic P, have been formulated and Potential Contribution of Organic Phosphorus to
commercialized [44,54]. They can have dry (solid) or liquid Soil Fertility and P Nutrition of Crops
formulations to prolong microbial viability under variable
conditions and to ensure their efficiency even under biotic and Major forms of organic P in soils
abiotic stresses; and their nutrient enhancing functions can goes The concentration of soil P that presents in organic forms can
beyond P, including K, silicon (Si), and even micronutrients. For P vary from a few mgkg-1 to over 500mg kg-1 soil, or approximately
nutrient, biofertilizers often contain one or more of the following 20-80% of total P in soils [14,52,55,56]. Table 3 presents some
microbes: (1) phosphate solubilizers: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, specific values of various soil P forms. About half of the soil organic
Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Rhizobium, Burkholderia, P is inositol phosphates, other organic P are phospholipids (0.5-
Flabobacterium, and Pantoea [55]; and (2) phosphate mobilizers: 5%), and nucleic acids (0.2-2.5%) [19]. Major organic P groups are
Arbuscular mycorrhiza (including Glomas, Giga spora, Sclerocytis) briefly described below.

Table 3: Forms of P in selected soils amended with organic wastes. Adapted from [28].

Soils Total P (mgkg-1) Organic P (mgkg-1) Inorganic P (mgkg-1)

Manure-amended soils
Four Delaware soils 1467 281 (19%) 1166 (81%)
Seven Pennsylvania soils 2240 427 (19%) 1813 (81%)
Pullman clay loam (Washington State)
Untreated soil 353 202 (57%) 151 (43%)
Soil + feedlot waste at 67Mg ha-1
996 323 (32%) 673 (68%)
year-1

A. Inositol phosphates (monoester phosphates): The content are more resistant to mineralization than the other fractions of
of inositol phosphates is highly variable, but they are often the soil organic P. This would explain the observation that they only
dominant component (up to 80%) of total organic P. Among account for 10-25% of fresh organic P inputs from microbial
the inositol hexaphosphates, there are several stereo isomeric and plant sources, but commonly would accumulate into a
forms, namely myo-, scyllo-, D-chiro-, and neo-inositol major portion (over 50%) of organic P in soils. Furthermore,
phosphates [52]. The myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate, similar to inorganic phosphate ions, inositol phosphates can
Figure 4) is the only compound found in soils, plants (mainly in be strongly adsorbed by Al and Fe oxides in acid soils and can
seeds), animals, and microorganisms [52]. Inositol phosphates form precipitates with Ca in alkaline soils [18].

Figure 4: Chemical structure of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (or phytate).

B. Phospholipids and nucleic acids (diester phosphates): as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine can
Phospholipid concentrations vary from 0.2 to 14mg kg-1 soil, represent up to 40% of the phospholipids [57]. Less than 3%
or about 0.5-5% with an average of 1% of soil organic P [52]. of soil organic P are nucleic acids and their derivatives [57].
They may originate from microbes, plants or animals, but they Nucleic acids are rapidly mineralized, re-synthesized and
decompose rather quickly in soil. Phosphoglycerides such combined with other soil constituents, or incorporated into

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 MCDA.000820. 13(4).2024 1306

microbial biomass [58]. Teichoic acids are bacterial polymers of which can be produced by some organisms, including bacteria,
glycerol phosphate linked to carbohydrates via phosphodiester fungi, and amoeba [59]. Some pesticides, such as glyphosate
bonds. They form the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. and phophinothricin, are synthetic phosphonates that may
C. Phophonates: Phosphonates have C-P bonds as opposed exist in agricultural soils.
to C-O-P bonds in other organic P compounds found in Roles of enzymes and microorganisms in the
soils. The strong C-P bonds make phosphonates resistant to mineralization of organic phosphorus
chemical hydrolysis and thermal degradation. However, their
Organic P, be it derived from compost, animal manure or
concentrations in soils are very low, often non-consequential
microbial biomass, must be converted (hydrolyzed) to inorganic P
in terms of crop P nutrition. The most common and naturally
before it can be utilized by plants as illustrated in Figure 5.
occurring phosphonate is 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid,

Figure 5: Soil phosphorus dynamics: sources and transformations.

We will focus on the mineralization of Inositol phosphates goethite (FeOOH) via 4 of the 6 phosphate groups, forming Fe-O-P
because they are the main components of the phosphate bonds (Figure 6), and via 2 phosphate groups on ferrihydrite. These
monoesters (which represent 80% or more of the soil organic adsorptive affinities are even stronger than those of these minerals
P). Phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) can be hydrolyzed with inorganic phosphate (H2PO4-).
by phosphatase enzymes [52]. Plant roots, fungi and bacteria
can produce phosphatases in soils [47]. There are two types of
phosphomonoesterase enzymes: the ‘acid’ phosphatases which
show maximum activity in the acidic environment, and the ‘alkaline’
phosphatases which express maximum activity under alkaline
conditions. Fungi Aspergillus terreus and A. niger and bacterium
Bacillus subtilis can release phytases that are specific for phytate.
The specificity of these enzymes, which belong to the histidine acid
phosphatases, is mainly dependent on the amino acid residue 300
[60]. On the other hand, the alkaline phosphatase of the bacterium
Lysobacter enzymogenes is nonspecific with the substrate used. It
can hydrolyze glucose 6-phosphate and α- and β-glycerophosphates
at rates similar to para-nitrophenylphosphate as well as phytate.
It should be noted that both enzymes and their substrates
(organic P) are subject to adsorption and precipitation by the soil
Figure 6: Adsorption of phytate on the goethite
solid phases, particularly Fe and Al hydroxyl oxides and amorphous
(FeOOH) surface at pH 4.5. Adapted from Celi et al.
materials. According to Celi et al. [18], phytate can be adsorbed on [18].

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 MCDA.000820. 13(4).2024 1307

In fact, the extent and rate of conversion of organic P into affected by physico-chemical and biological properties of the soils,
soluble or stable inorganic forms strongly depends on the nature active microbes and growing plants, in addition to environmental
of the original organic input, receiving soil (e.g., pH, clay type and parameters, such as temperature and moisture. Organic P pools
content), as well as environmental factors, such as temperature and in soils often vary from 20 to 80% of total soil P and can play an
moisture. Generally, fresh plant residues, such as grass clipping or important role in crop nutrition. By better understanding the
green manure, may quickly release P into the soil solution while processes involved, efficient uses of soil organic P, and P resources
more stable forms of organic inputs, such as aged animal manure or in general, can be realized in successful organic farming.
mature compost, act as slow-release P sources. The conversion rate
from organic to inorganic P would be favorable and relatively fast References
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