Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients for plant production. In the most recent 2016 USDA report U.S. phosphorus consumption for production agriculture is at an estimated 9.4 billion pounds of phosphorus. However, due to nutrient tie up causing reduced availability only a fraction of that amount is actually in plant usable form. Research looking at the soil factors that affect phosphorus availability indicates only up to 20 percent of phosphate fertilizer is available for plant use under the best soil conditions. Steve Carlsen, the Levesol and Crop Enhancement Manager for West Central Distribution calls phosphorus a key essential nutrient necessary to optimize healthy plant growth and yields:
However, Carlsen says there are ways to help make phosphorus more available in the field:
West Central recently launched a new broadcast fertilizer additive to target nutrient availability, called Trivar. Carlsen says Trivar can be added directly to dry phosphate fertilizer to provide enhanced availability of the nutrients being applied broadcast:
He says Trivar will be available this fall.