Phosphate & Plant Life

Natural Phosphate

• Phosphorus in the form of phosphate is a natural ingredient in the existing soil, although the concentration varies within different landscapes. Phosphorus enters the soil as decomposing crop residue and animal excrement enter the soil. This organic phosphate goes through a process known as mineralization. This occurs as microorganisms break down organic compounds into a useable form of phosphorus that helps feed area plant life.

Fertilizers

• Fertilizers and plant foods contain varying amounts of readily available phosphorus. These products generally use mined forms of mineral phosphate that include an acid to make it highly soluble. The addition of water helps activate the phosphorus and makes it dissolve into the soil where it combines with other minerals. Soil that is highly acidic or excessively alkaline can affect the availability of phosphorus. Soil pH levels between 6 and 7 provide the most effective environment for phosphate absorption into the roots of plants.

Plant Health

• Phosphorus encourages plant health and vitality in several ways. It helps plants process sunlight into energy, a process known as photosynthesis. It encourages blossom formation and optimal root growth. The availability of phosphorus affects a plant's ability to form starches, sugars and oils. Phosphorus also controls the process of plant maturation and enables plants to withstand stressful conditions.

Considerations

• Soil tests are important and effective tools in determining the most effective types of fertilizers to amend existing soils for specific varieties of plant life. As part of a regular fertilization program, feeding blossoming and fruiting plants with high-phosphorus plant foods, such as 15-30-15, helps boost flower production, while high-nitrogen fertilizers, such as 25-6-4, increases foliage formation.