Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a vital component of DNA, the genetic “memory unit” of all living things.
It is also a component of RNA, the compound that reads the DNA genetic code to build proteins and other compounds essential for plant structure, seed yield and genetic transfer.
| Functions of Phosphorus |
| Stimulates root development |
| Increases stalk and stem strength |
| Improves flower formation and seed production |
| More uniform and earlier crop maturity |
| Increased nitrogen N-fixing capacity of legumes |
| Improvements in crop quality |
| Increased resistance to plant diseases |
| Supports development throughout entire life cycle |
| Phosphorus deficiency in animals | Phosphorus deficiency in plants |
| Poor animal growth and cycling | Poor or stunted growth |
| Downer cows | Dull-green or blue green color |
| Stiff joints, lameness | Possible purple coloration on some part of the plant |
| Low milk | Reduced flowering and seed production |
Optimizing Phosphorus
You can optimize Phosphorus uptake by using cover crops like buckwheat, oats, winter rye.
Stimulate fungal and Phosphorus solubilising activity in the soil also helps the plants to use the Phosphorus in soil.
Phosphorus as a chemical element
Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus and red phosphorus, but because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth.
Elemental phosphorus was first isolated as white phosphorus in 1669. White phosphorus emits a faint glow when exposed to oxygen – hence the name, taken from Greek mythology, Φωσφόρος meaning “light-bearer” (Latin Lucifer), referring to the “Morning Star”, the planet Venus.
