Management of phosphorus nutrient amidst climate change for sustainable agriculture.

Nutrients are essential for plant growth and development; they influence the overall agricultural production. Phosphorus (P) is a major nutrient required for many physiological and biochemical functions of the plant. Phosphate rock is the major source of phosphate fertilizer which is becoming increasingly limited in both developing and developed countries. The resources of phosphate rock need to be conserved and import dependency on phosphate fertilizer be minimized; this will help increase the availability of phosphate fertilizer over the next 300 years. Climate change induces new challenges in the management of nutrients including P, affecting the overall production of crops. The availability, acquisition and translocation of P are influenced by the fluctuation of temperatures, pH, drought and elevated carbon-di-oxide (CO2 ). Both lower and higher soil temperatures reduce uptake and translocation of P. High soil pH affects P concentration and decreases the rate of plant P uptake. Low soil pH decreases the activity of soil microorganisms, rate of transpiration, P uptake and utilization. Elevated CO2 decreases P uptake from soil by the plants. Future research is needed on chemical, molecular, microbiological and physiological aspects to improve the understanding on how temperature, pH, drought and elevated CO2 affect the availability, acquisition and transport of P by the plants. Better P management strategies are required to secure P supply to ensure long term protection of soil fertility and to avoid environmental impacts such as eutrophication and water pollution ensuring sustainable food production.