Sustainable management of soil phosphorus in a changing world

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an important nutrient for flora and fauna, and is an essential element during energy transformation processes of the living world. Phosphate rock, which is the most common source of phosphorus, is globally used in various forms, in order to boost agricultural productivity and cover contemporary food demand. Its low price in combination with its abundance on several areas on our planet led to overexploitation phenomena and unsustainable phosphorus management, resulting in important environmental and socio-economic problems. Eutrophication, soil over-accumulation, nutrient depletion due to soil erosion processes, contamination of the extraction sites, reduction of global available resources, massive price fluctuations and food crisis are some of these phosphorus- related problems with a global impact. The uncertainties and the underlying risks prevailing due to improper use of phosphate resources denote that sustainable soil phosphorus management should be set amongst the top priorities in global level. The local adaptation of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship approach can be proved a very promising tool in order to develop a sound soil phosphorus management program. In Europe, despite the multi-dimensional problems caused by unsustainable phosphorus use of the previous decades, significant steps are taken to restore the problems and establish a framework focusing on natural resources and socio-economic system protection.