Phosphorus Response Trial

Status: Ongoing, since 2013

Funding sources: UK Government (DEFRA)

Background: This trial is designed to change agronomic practices in the UK to use P more efficiently in crops. There are a range of laboratory experiments as part of the work, focussing on a detailed exploration of rhizosphere processes (plant-microbial-soil interactions), for example looking at root hairs, organic acid release, auxin responses, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, phosphatases, fertiliser coatings, novel fertiliser formulation etc.

Aims:

To characterised the response of wheat in a low P status soil
To parameterise a new mathematical model describing P uptake by crop plants
To quantify root growth and mycorrhizal dynamics in wheat during the growing season
To determine P acquisition by wheat and above-below ground partitioning of P resources
To measure soil water, temperature and physical changes during the growing season
To study fertiliser dissolution rates

Collaborators: Tiina Roose (University of Southampton)

Outputs:

Heydari, M.M.; Brook, R.M.; Jones, D.L. 2019. The role of phosphorus sources on root diameter, root length and root dry matter of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION Volume: ‏ 42, Pages: ‏ 1-15
Jones, D. L.; Magthab, E. A.; Gleeson, D. B.; Murphy, D.V., Chadwick D.R. 2018. Microbial competition for nitrogen and carbon is as intense in the subsoil as in the topsoil. SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY Volume: ‏ 117, Pages: ‏ 72-82.

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