In the agriculture industry, phosphate is one of the most important elements. Phosphate is essential to healthy root development and crop maturity. Keep reading to learn more about bulk organic phosphate from the experts at Mineral Development Fertilizer.
Phosphorus--number 13 on the periodic table--was referred to as the “Devil’s element” in ancient times. It was the 13th element to be discovered. Hennig Brand, a German alchemist, is credited for the discovery of phosphorus in 1669. Hennig distilled over 5,000 liters of human urine. As a result of his experiment, 120 grams of a yellow-green substance was produced. Hennig named the substance after the ancient Greek word that means “light-bearing,” no doubt because the element glows in the dark. Hennig was actually trying to create the legendary philosopher's stone in his original experiment which involved the distillation of salts from urine through the process of evaporation. The irony behind the discovery of phosphorus lies in the fact that the element has a profound impact on plant development.
Since its discovery, phosphorus has been used to promote early root formation in the world of agriculture. It also helps improve stalk and stem strength as well as uniform crop maturity. In the process of photosynthesis, phosphate helps capture the sun’s rays and convert it to energy or ATP. It also helps promote flower formation, seed promotion, and disease resistance. However, phosphorus is immobile in the soil and relies heavily on Mycorrhizal fungi to aid developing roots in the search for essential nutrients.
Phosphorus is essential to plant and crop development, however, several factors can impede its absorption and stunt plant growth. Since phosphate is immobile, soil compaction will hinder absorption rates. Loose soil allows nutrients and carrier fungi to flow more freely. The pH of the soils also affects the absorption of phosphate. Phosphorus is more effective in soils with a pH between 6.4 and 6.8. Extremely high and low levels of moisture will also impede phosphorus uptake because of the availability of oxygen. To determine the right amount of sustainable organic phosphate for your soil, contact the experts at Mineral Development Fertilizer.