Exploiting root exudation of organic acids and phytases to enhance plant utilisation of soil phosphorus
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Lancaster Environment Centre
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a non-renewable resource, essential for crop production. Uncertainties over mineral P supplies coupled with concerns for food security and environmental impact of P on waters all necessitate an improvement in agronomic P efficiencies, based on sound knowledge of the range of P forms in soils. Our research is different to previous approaches to recover P from soils in that it focuses on the organic P (Po) components and uses a novel combination of root exudates from different plants to solubilise organic P and make it bioavailable as inorganic orthophosphate.
The two fundamental problems associated with the use of soil organic P by plants are that much of it is strongly attached to soil particles and therefore inaccessible to plants, and secondly, even when not firmly attached to soil particles, the forms in which it exists are not readily available for plant uptake. Some plants possess traits that can help access organic P in soils; firstly some plants can produce organic acids from their roots, which can release the P attached to soil particles, and secondly some can release phosphatases (e.g. phytase), which can hydrolyse the organic P into forms which plants can take-up. However, crop plants generally do not possess both these traits and so combinations of plants are required, each carrying out a different role. Systems that rely on clover undersown into cereal crops to provide nitrogen (N) to the current crop, act as an overwinter green manure, and to provide N to following crops are fairly common in organic farming enterprises. We have clover lines which can produce phytase required to mineralize organic P, while some strains of barley have been shown to release organic acids, making the organic P available for mineralisation. We will investigate a clover/barley bi-cropping system as an exemplar sustainable alternative to intensive applications of P and N fertilizers, thus potentially making the arable system more efficient both economically and environmentally. Thus we shall test the overarching hypothesis that: Cropping systems with roots exuding both organic acid anions and phytase can facilitate more sustainable agricultural production by accessing soil organic P forms.
Specifically, we propose to investigate and understand the role of organic acids and phosphatases in plant mixtures in accessing the organic P from the inositol phosphate pool. We shall then explore what happens to these organic P forms in the soils and the rhizosphere and examine their potential (or otherwise) for leaching from the soil to surface waters where they may cause eutrophication. A range of experiments will be carried out to identify potentially suitable strains of barley and clover for such a system, followed by experiments incorporating different combinations of these strains, grown in soil, to assess what combinations can most efficiently access different forms of organic P, while minimizing leaching losses. By increasing the amount of P utilized from the P stored in soils we can reduce the reliance on inorganic fertilisers, increasing agricultural sustainability and improving our ability to deliver food security in coming decades.
The two fundamental problems associated with the use of soil organic P by plants are that much of it is strongly attached to soil particles and therefore inaccessible to plants, and secondly, even when not firmly attached to soil particles, the forms in which it exists are not readily available for plant uptake. Some plants possess traits that can help access organic P in soils; firstly some plants can produce organic acids from their roots, which can release the P attached to soil particles, and secondly some can release phosphatases (e.g. phytase), which can hydrolyse the organic P into forms which plants can take-up. However, crop plants generally do not possess both these traits and so combinations of plants are required, each carrying out a different role. Systems that rely on clover undersown into cereal crops to provide nitrogen (N) to the current crop, act as an overwinter green manure, and to provide N to following crops are fairly common in organic farming enterprises. We have clover lines which can produce phytase required to mineralize organic P, while some strains of barley have been shown to release organic acids, making the organic P available for mineralisation. We will investigate a clover/barley bi-cropping system as an exemplar sustainable alternative to intensive applications of P and N fertilizers, thus potentially making the arable system more efficient both economically and environmentally. Thus we shall test the overarching hypothesis that: Cropping systems with roots exuding both organic acid anions and phytase can facilitate more sustainable agricultural production by accessing soil organic P forms.
Specifically, we propose to investigate and understand the role of organic acids and phosphatases in plant mixtures in accessing the organic P from the inositol phosphate pool. We shall then explore what happens to these organic P forms in the soils and the rhizosphere and examine their potential (or otherwise) for leaching from the soil to surface waters where they may cause eutrophication. A range of experiments will be carried out to identify potentially suitable strains of barley and clover for such a system, followed by experiments incorporating different combinations of these strains, grown in soil, to assess what combinations can most efficiently access different forms of organic P, while minimizing leaching losses. By increasing the amount of P utilized from the P stored in soils we can reduce the reliance on inorganic fertilisers, increasing agricultural sustainability and improving our ability to deliver food security in coming decades.
Technical Summary
Organic phosphorus is a common constituent of the P in many soils and comprises mostly of esters of fully oxidised P where P is attached to C through an O atom. Other compounds such as phosphonates and organic polyphosphates occur in lesser amounts. Our appreciation of the extent to which crop plants can utilise organic P pools in soils is limited. The overarching aim of the project is to test the hypothesis that: Cropping systems with roots exuding both organic acid anions and phytase can facilitate more sustainable agricultural production by accessing soil organic P forms.
We will investigate and attempt to understand the role of organic acid anions and phosphatases in exemplar plant mixtures in accessing organic P in soils. We shall then explore what happens to these compounds in the soils and the rhizosphere. A range of experiments will be carried out to identify potentially suitable strains of barley and clover for such a system, followed by experiments incorporating different combinations of these strains, grown in soil, to assess what combinations can most efficiently access different forms of organic P, while minimizing the losses of P via leachate. Experiments and techniques employed will include screening of plant populations for abilities to exude organic acids and phosphatases using anion exchange resins (AERs) and DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films), HPLC, enzyme hydrolysis and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, for identification of organic P compounds and groups in soil extracts and soil water.
We will investigate and attempt to understand the role of organic acid anions and phosphatases in exemplar plant mixtures in accessing organic P in soils. We shall then explore what happens to these compounds in the soils and the rhizosphere. A range of experiments will be carried out to identify potentially suitable strains of barley and clover for such a system, followed by experiments incorporating different combinations of these strains, grown in soil, to assess what combinations can most efficiently access different forms of organic P, while minimizing the losses of P via leachate. Experiments and techniques employed will include screening of plant populations for abilities to exude organic acids and phosphatases using anion exchange resins (AERs) and DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films), HPLC, enzyme hydrolysis and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, for identification of organic P compounds and groups in soil extracts and soil water.
Planned Impact
The subject of this proposal is highly relevant to current policy in the UK, with innovation and efficiency of nutrient use being highlighted as one of the key factors in developing both national and global sustainable food security. This was the subject of a recent Foresight Workshop on 'Stimulating Innovation and Efficiency in Fertiliser Production and Use' (20th September 2012), convened by the UK Government Office for Science and attended by two of the proposing group. At the workshop the Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir John Beddington, highlighted the urgent need to address food production issues of which sustainable nutrient use is a vital component, but stated that governments have been slow to realise this urgency and to acknowledge the indisputable role fertiliser use will play. One of the conclusions from the workshop, attended by leading UK and international academic researchers and fertiliser industry specialists, was that improved phosphorus acquisition traits in crops and cropping systems will play an important role in achieving these goals.
This proposed project will explore technologies to improve crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency by enhancing the availability to plants of organic P in soils (which is relatively unavailable, but plentiful), whilst also minimising any potential negative environmental consequences. It therefore has implications to help agricultural producers and scientists, fertiliser suppliers, crop breeders, land and catchment managers through to policy makers. Knowledge of organic P species in soils is fundamental to the development of new plant varieties able to hydrolyse the organic P resources which may occur in different soil types and therefore this project is of particular interest to plant breeders. Additionally, it will assist with development of cropping techniques such as bi-cropping for maximizing the benefits of different plant traits.
Ultimately this work could potentially inform policy through providing information on how to maximize crop yields while minimizing fertiliser inputs. Results could influence the way in which cropping systems are considered in the future both nationally and internationally, providing some fundamental science supporting their development, based on more than just yield/productivity, but also on the specific soil/plant processes involved. In the long term this work could contribute to the nation's wealth by providing guidance on more nutrient efficient cropping techniques and indicating which traits in plants should be developed, and how they may work in tandem to maximize productivity while minimizing fertiliser usage. It may also mean that the nation becomes less reliant on the increasingly scarce global mineral P resources, which are not only becoming more expensive, but also in a time of political instability, could potentially become inaccessible. Internationally, the approaches developed here could mean increases in crop yields in under-developed regions where fertilisers are unavailable. The basic principle behind the science proposed here is relatively simple to convey, and in combination with its strategic importance to BBSRC with regard to Food Security, makes it an ideal topic to showcase to the public. This will be done at all the participating Institutes' Open days/School Science Week events, meaning it would not only have benefits to the current scientific community, but may also stimulate a new generation of scientists into this field of research. This project addresses the BBSRC strategic research priority areas of crop science (food security) and global security.
This proposed project will explore technologies to improve crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency by enhancing the availability to plants of organic P in soils (which is relatively unavailable, but plentiful), whilst also minimising any potential negative environmental consequences. It therefore has implications to help agricultural producers and scientists, fertiliser suppliers, crop breeders, land and catchment managers through to policy makers. Knowledge of organic P species in soils is fundamental to the development of new plant varieties able to hydrolyse the organic P resources which may occur in different soil types and therefore this project is of particular interest to plant breeders. Additionally, it will assist with development of cropping techniques such as bi-cropping for maximizing the benefits of different plant traits.
Ultimately this work could potentially inform policy through providing information on how to maximize crop yields while minimizing fertiliser inputs. Results could influence the way in which cropping systems are considered in the future both nationally and internationally, providing some fundamental science supporting their development, based on more than just yield/productivity, but also on the specific soil/plant processes involved. In the long term this work could contribute to the nation's wealth by providing guidance on more nutrient efficient cropping techniques and indicating which traits in plants should be developed, and how they may work in tandem to maximize productivity while minimizing fertiliser usage. It may also mean that the nation becomes less reliant on the increasingly scarce global mineral P resources, which are not only becoming more expensive, but also in a time of political instability, could potentially become inaccessible. Internationally, the approaches developed here could mean increases in crop yields in under-developed regions where fertilisers are unavailable. The basic principle behind the science proposed here is relatively simple to convey, and in combination with its strategic importance to BBSRC with regard to Food Security, makes it an ideal topic to showcase to the public. This will be done at all the participating Institutes' Open days/School Science Week events, meaning it would not only have benefits to the current scientific community, but may also stimulate a new generation of scientists into this field of research. This project addresses the BBSRC strategic research priority areas of crop science (food security) and global security.
Organisations
- Lancaster University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Sao Paulo State University (Collaboration)
- James Hutton Institute (Collaboration)
- Lancaster University (Collaboration)
- Smithsonian Institution (Collaboration)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich (Collaboration)
- Institute of Agribusiness (Collaboration)
- China Agricultural University (CAU) (Collaboration)
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Collaboration)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Collaboration)
Publications
Soltangheisi A
(2021)
Long term sugarcane straw removal affects soil phosphorus dynamics
in Soil and Tillage Research
Abbruzzese V
(2021)
Effects of substrate quality on carbon partitioning and microbial community composition in soil from an agricultural grassland
in Applied Soil Ecology
Tweedie A
(2021)
Soil phosphorus over a period of agricultural change in Scotland
in European Journal of Soil Science
Van Soest MAJ
(2022)
Grazing and topography control nutrient pools in low Arctic soils of Southwest Greenland.
in European journal of soil science
Janes-Bassett V
(2022)
A meta-analysis of phosphatase activity in agricultural settings in response to phosphorus deficiency
in Soil Biology and Biochemistry
McDowell R
(2023)
A Global Database of Soil Plant Available Phosphorus
in Scientific Data
Lumsdon, D.G.
The relationship between water extractable phosphorus and modified Morgan's P: results based on data and chemical modelling
in Soil Use and Management
Menezes-Blackburn, D.
Dynamics of soil phosphorus mobility as affected by low molecular weight organic acids
Description | The interaction of phytases, Po and and organic acids with the soil solid phase was investigated using a combination of plant cultivation and soil analysis techniques, including Diffusive Gradients Thin Films (DGT), soil phosphatase zymography, and the analysis of P fractions and species using solution 31P NMR spectroscopy, extract, and enzyme-based soil assays. A range of experiments were conducted to identify cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and legume species with complementary root exudation and morphological characteristics for intercropping. Through facilitation and improved cycling of P in soils, the intercropped barley and legume lines are expected to facilitate sustainable agricultural production through improved P use efficiency, possible by acquiring soil organic P. An intercropping experiment was designed based on the results of an initial barley and legume screening study, which recommended that barley cultivars and legume species with the most disparate exudate and morphological root characteristics would experience fewer competitive interactions and may therefore facilitate the acquisition of P from soils. The intercropping study with barley and legumes showed that complementarity occurred in some but not all plant combinations and depended on soil P availability, whereby complementarity was greatest at the sub-critical P requirement for barley. Using model tobacco plant lines with heterologous expression of fungal phytases (Phy) and Arabidopsis citrate transporters (Cit), the beneficial interaction of citrate and phytase exudation was demonstrated in a soil with limited P availability (Podzol). Positive growth effects between intercropped (Int) citrate- and phytase-exuding plant lines coincided with the depletion of organic P in rhizosphere soils when the roots of two plants were intermingled. An experiment was designed to investigate the importance of root intermingling in the development of complementarity between the citrate- and phytase-exuding tobacco plant lines. As observed in the first study with tobacco, positive complementarity occurred in the P limited soil when Cit and Phy plant roots intermingled. However, when plant roots were separated by a permeable mesh barrier, complementarity diminished. Whether complementarity occurred in separated root treatments depended on the source and relative mobility of the phytase being expressed. The Peniophora lycii phyA is expected to be relatively more mobile in soil (pH 5) compared to the Aspergillus niger phyA based on differences in isoelectric point. Only in Cit+Phy plant combinations containing the more mobile phytase was positive complementarity observed in separated root treatments. This study also showed that complementarity between Cit and Phy plants only occurs under conditions of limited soil P availability and scales with the rate of citrate efflux in Cit plants. Importantly, gains in shoot P content due to the interaction of these exudates in a P limited soil (+0.1-0.2% shoot P) would be adequate for many crop species to transition from physiological deficient to sufficient in P. The interaction of citrate and phytase exudates was expected to promote the depletion of organic P forms in the rhizosphere. Specifically, tobacco plants expressing the Phy exudation trait were expected to promote the depletion of soil phytate beyond that of wild-type or vector control plant lines. Analysis of rhizosphere soils with solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the Phy trait did not lead to a greater depletion of soil organic P (in comparison to null vector and wild-type plants) when plants were grown in a soil with adequate P in plant available P (Cambisol). Pleiotropic effects of the vector plant line, including a larger root biomass, and differences in soil pH among plant treatments were likely factors effected this outcome. However, in a limited available P soil, 31P NMR analysis revealed a greater depletion of soil organic P (albeit not phytate specifically) and increase in plant available orthophosphate in soils planted with Cit and Phy tobacco combinations. The intercropped plant combinations also accumulated more shoot P than the other plant treatments, suggesting that organic P converted to orthophosphate in soil was utilised for growth by these plants. Collectively, the experiments conducted with tobacco indicate that the interaction of citrate and phytase exudates promotes the conversion of soil organic P for plant P uptake, but only when soil available P is limited. The development of complementarity in barley-legume intercropping systems also only occurred with limited soil P availability. The development of positive complementarity and gains in shoot P content could be sufficient to improve plant P nutrition in cropping systems but will depend on exudate characteristics (rate of efflux, enzyme mobility) and distribution of exudates in soil. Furthermore, organic anion and phosphatase exudate-based strategies for improving the acquisition of soil P by plants appear to be the most effective in limited available P soils, which are also abundant in organic P. Using the DGT method applied in soils, studies of P bioavailability, mobility and resupply from solid phase were performed in 32 UK soils and a set of controlled experiments using 2 UK soils were conducted to investigate the effect of various organic anions on solid-to-solution phase partitioning of phosphorus. This allowed a better comprehension of the phosphorus chemistry with deep insights on its agronomic use across a wide range of different UK soils and plant exudation conditions |
Exploitation Route | This work has provided a rigourous exploration of the potetial role of organic phosphorus forms in soil as a new way of manageing phosphorus that has otherwise been written off for use in the agricultural and earth system. Thsi work will be helpful in this manner - to highlight the importance of these phosphorus forms as a way forward for food production. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment Other |
Description | Other new papers are emerging in high profile Nature family journals and new funding has been attained. Other talks and engagement activities added Findings are continuing to emerge in publication and presentation and have been made available for the scientific community and general public. Papers and spin off or related findings are still emergin into publication and added this year. A new book raising awareness on the subject "Phosphorus, Past and Future" has been published. In January 2022 the work featured in the Defra at the UK Agriculture Partnership Launch Event: Impacts of agriculture on water quality in the UK - challenges and solutions Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Description | BBSRC PARTNERSHIP AWARD FUNDING |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2014 |
End | 06/2016 |
Description | EdenDTC Funding |
Amount | £320,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 04/2019 |
Description | HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-01 |
Amount | € 8,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 101060124 |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 08/2027 |
Description | Lancaster University MSc Student |
Amount | £6,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Lancaster University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2014 |
End | 10/2014 |
Description | Royal Society International Exchange Programme - China |
Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | STARS PhD studentship |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Lancaster University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 08/2018 |
Title | 31P-NMR |
Description | This method uses 31P-NMR to identify and quantify phosphorus compounds (especially organic phosphorus compounds) in soil extractions and water. We are currently developing this technique further using 2D-NMR to enable better resolution of mono-esters. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This method provides insight into the cycling and availability of phosphorus in soils and waters. |
Title | HPLC speciation of organic phosphorus |
Description | The separation of different organic P compounds is being achieved by anion exchange chromatography. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Cheaper assay for soil organic P forms comparing to the standard 31P-NMR method. |
Title | Soil phosphorus mobility and resupply using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) |
Description | A combination of DGT and DET devices and DIFS model was used to calculate the response time of solution P reequilibration, as well as the distance of depletion of solution and adsorbed P. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | There is ongoing research that is going to be published in scientific per reviewed journals. |
URL | http://www.dgtresearch.com/ |
Title | Using stable isotopes of oxygen in phosphate to trace sources of phosphorus and cycling processes |
Description | Stable isotopes are often used to help understand cycling of nutrients (e.g. N and C) but phosphorus has only one stable isotope meaning this technique is not possible. However, phosphorus is nearly always associated with oxygen (phosphate) in the natural environment and oxygen does have different stable isotopes. Therefore we can use these isotopes to both trace phosphate in different systems and identify types and rates of processes occurring in soils, plants and water. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The method is still very much under development, but we have used it to trace sources of phosphate in surface waters and secure funding from Natural England and the Westcountry Rivers Trust. |
Title | Rhizosphere processes for barley and legumes |
Description | A dataset that contains data on root and rhizosphere traits for barley and legume species grown in soils and hydroponics with P deficiency stress. Dataset includes data on root traits traits, exudation of enzymes and organic acids, mycorrhizal symbiosis, rhizosphere microbiome and rhizosphere P dynamics. Methods used to capture data include zymography, 31-P NMR, RNAseq, GCMS, DGT and standard soil science techniques. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Demonstration of variation in barley genotypes and legume species in the ability to exude organic acids and phytase to the rhizosphere and utilise organic P as a P source. |
Title | Rhizosphere processes for transgenic tobacco that exudes phytase and citrate |
Description | A dataset that contains data on root and rhizosphere traits for transgenic phytase and citrate exuding tobacco plants grown in soils and hydroponics with P deficiency stress. Dataset includes data on root traits traits, exudation of enzymes and organic acids, mycorrhizal symbiosis, rhizosphere microbiome and rhizosphere P dynamics. Methods used to capture data include zymography, 31-P NMR, RNAseq, GCMS, DGT and standard soil science techniques. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Clear demonstration that citrate and phytase compliment each other in the plants ability to utilise organic P from soil, with the citrate making organic P available to phytase to mineralise it into a utilisable form. |
Description | Analysis of plant root exudates for the identification of co-cropping species with the potential to exploit residual soil phosphorus |
Organisation | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Growth and analysis of root exudates collected from tobacco and legume varieties. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners provided the seed-lines of interest for the characterisation of root exudates and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication. |
Impact | 1. Manuscripts prepared and/or submitted to peer-reviewed journals: CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in review). Does the combination of citrate and phytase exudation in Nicotiana tabacum promote the acquisition of endogenous soil organic phosphorus? Plant and Soil. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Depletion of soil phosphorus forms in the rhizosphere of Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing a fungal phytase: A solution 31P NMR spectroscopy study. Environ Sci Technol. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Response-based selection of barley cultivars and legume species for intercropping: An assessment of root morphology and exudation in relation to phosphorus supply and nitrogen source. Plant Physiol. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Complementarity and soil phosphorus acquisition by barley and legume varieties with variable root biochemical and physiological responses to phosphorus deficiency. New Phytol. 2. Presentations related to the above studies: Interactions of Soil Microorganisms and Organic Matter (ISMOM), Soil Interfaces for Sustainable Development Meeting. McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 2015 July 5 - 10. Poster presentation: 'Phosphorus transformations and mobility in the rhizosphere of phytase-exuding plants'. 9th International Symposium of the International Society of Root Research. Canberra, Australia. 2015 October 6 - 9. (1) Oral presentation: 'Complementarity and soil phosphorus acquisition by barley and legume varieties with variable root biochemical and physiological responses to phosphorus deficiency'. (2) Poster presentation: 'Complementarity in the acquisition of phosphorus among citrate and phytase exuding tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants'. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Analysis of plant root exudates for the identification of co-cropping species with the potential to exploit residual soil phosphorus |
Organisation | Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Growth and analysis of root exudates collected from tobacco and legume varieties. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners provided the seed-lines of interest for the characterisation of root exudates and contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication. |
Impact | 1. Manuscripts prepared and/or submitted to peer-reviewed journals: CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in review). Does the combination of citrate and phytase exudation in Nicotiana tabacum promote the acquisition of endogenous soil organic phosphorus? Plant and Soil. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Depletion of soil phosphorus forms in the rhizosphere of Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing a fungal phytase: A solution 31P NMR spectroscopy study. Environ Sci Technol. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Response-based selection of barley cultivars and legume species for intercropping: An assessment of root morphology and exudation in relation to phosphorus supply and nitrogen source. Plant Physiol. CD Giles, TS George, LK Brown et al. (in preparation). Complementarity and soil phosphorus acquisition by barley and legume varieties with variable root biochemical and physiological responses to phosphorus deficiency. New Phytol. 2. Presentations related to the above studies: Interactions of Soil Microorganisms and Organic Matter (ISMOM), Soil Interfaces for Sustainable Development Meeting. McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 2015 July 5 - 10. Poster presentation: 'Phosphorus transformations and mobility in the rhizosphere of phytase-exuding plants'. 9th International Symposium of the International Society of Root Research. Canberra, Australia. 2015 October 6 - 9. (1) Oral presentation: 'Complementarity and soil phosphorus acquisition by barley and legume varieties with variable root biochemical and physiological responses to phosphorus deficiency'. (2) Poster presentation: 'Complementarity in the acquisition of phosphorus among citrate and phytase exuding tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants'. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | BBSRC PARTNERSHIP AWARD FUNDING |
Organisation | Smithsonian Institution |
Department | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute |
Country | Panama |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr Martin Blackwell and Professor Philip Haygarth from this project have successfully led and been awarded a spin off BBSRC Phosphorus Partnership Award Grant with Dr Ben Turner from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Ben Turner and his team first visited us in October 2014 and further collaborations, papers, grant funding and technician swapping and visits are planned for 2015 and beyond. |
Impact | The funding is worth £20k and will result in exchange of information, publications and possible grant applications, It is in an early phase. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | BBSRC Partnering Award - Building Phosphorus Research Potential: Developing existing methods and exploring the potential of emerging techniques. |
Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Host a workshop and stakeholder meeting at Rothamsted comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security. To develop and carry out together a preliminary program of work on two BBSRC National Capabilities, namely the Rothamsted Long Term Experiments (LTEs) and the North Wyke Farm Platform (NWFP). This will pump-prime BBSRC responsive mode grant proposals into phosphorus acquisition by arable crops and in grassland systems respectively. |
Collaborator Contribution | Host a workshop at Smithonian Research Centre comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security |
Impact | Workshop held at Rothamsted in October 2014 Stakeholder meeting held at Rothamsted October 2014 Disciplines involved are STRI - Dr Ben Turner is Director of the Soils Department at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. He is widely acknowledged as being one of the leading world experts in the field of soil and water phosphorus cycling, with particular expertise in organic phosphorus and its measurement. He has expertise in the measurement of organic phosphorus in waters and soil extracts using 31P-NMR and enzyme hydrolysis techniques, and has been fundamental in the development of these methods over the past 10 years. Ms Dayana Agudo is the laboratory superintendent of the STRI soils laboratory, and an expert in a wide range of techniques in phosphorus analysis, including enzyme hydrolysis and 31P-NMR sample preparation. Ms Alex Bielnicka is a research chemist with expertise in all aspects of phosphorus analysis. Rothamsted Research - Dr Martin Blackwell is PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) with Lancaster University, and is leading studies within Rothamsted which are utilising 31P-NMR and d18O-PO4 stable isotope techniques. Prof Steve McGrath is a PI on Rothamsted's Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) on Delivering Sustainable Systems, and leads the workpackage on "Optimisation of nutrients in soil-plant systems - Determining how phosphorus availability is regulated in soils" (BBS/E/C/00005197), which involves all the Rothamsted staff mentioned in this proposal. Dr Steve Granger is an early career scientist with expertise in the use and application of the d18O-PO4 stable isotope technique for the tracing of phosphate sources and is currently developing this methodology as a tool for indicating enzymatic processes in plants. Dr Jane Hawkins has expertise in the use of HPLC techniques for the analysis of organic compounds, and will work with Prof Haygarth and the postdoc appointed on the new BBSRC project at Lancaster University on the development of this method for measuring organic phosphorus compounds in solution. Lancaster University - Prof Phil Haygarth is an expert on soils and their interactions with connected water-bodies, from catchment to coast and plant to planet. He is lead PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) and currently the President of the British Society of Soil Science. Prof Hao Zhang has expertise in advanced environmental analytical techniques, and developed the DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) method for measuring elements and compounds in soils. Dr Ben Surridge has expertise in the use of d18O-PO4 isotope tracers to investigate biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus cycling within freshwater. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | BBSRC Partnering Award - Building Phosphorus Research Potential: Developing existing methods and exploring the potential of emerging techniques. |
Organisation | Lancaster University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Host a workshop and stakeholder meeting at Rothamsted comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security. To develop and carry out together a preliminary program of work on two BBSRC National Capabilities, namely the Rothamsted Long Term Experiments (LTEs) and the North Wyke Farm Platform (NWFP). This will pump-prime BBSRC responsive mode grant proposals into phosphorus acquisition by arable crops and in grassland systems respectively. |
Collaborator Contribution | Host a workshop at Smithonian Research Centre comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security |
Impact | Workshop held at Rothamsted in October 2014 Stakeholder meeting held at Rothamsted October 2014 Disciplines involved are STRI - Dr Ben Turner is Director of the Soils Department at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. He is widely acknowledged as being one of the leading world experts in the field of soil and water phosphorus cycling, with particular expertise in organic phosphorus and its measurement. He has expertise in the measurement of organic phosphorus in waters and soil extracts using 31P-NMR and enzyme hydrolysis techniques, and has been fundamental in the development of these methods over the past 10 years. Ms Dayana Agudo is the laboratory superintendent of the STRI soils laboratory, and an expert in a wide range of techniques in phosphorus analysis, including enzyme hydrolysis and 31P-NMR sample preparation. Ms Alex Bielnicka is a research chemist with expertise in all aspects of phosphorus analysis. Rothamsted Research - Dr Martin Blackwell is PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) with Lancaster University, and is leading studies within Rothamsted which are utilising 31P-NMR and d18O-PO4 stable isotope techniques. Prof Steve McGrath is a PI on Rothamsted's Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) on Delivering Sustainable Systems, and leads the workpackage on "Optimisation of nutrients in soil-plant systems - Determining how phosphorus availability is regulated in soils" (BBS/E/C/00005197), which involves all the Rothamsted staff mentioned in this proposal. Dr Steve Granger is an early career scientist with expertise in the use and application of the d18O-PO4 stable isotope technique for the tracing of phosphate sources and is currently developing this methodology as a tool for indicating enzymatic processes in plants. Dr Jane Hawkins has expertise in the use of HPLC techniques for the analysis of organic compounds, and will work with Prof Haygarth and the postdoc appointed on the new BBSRC project at Lancaster University on the development of this method for measuring organic phosphorus compounds in solution. Lancaster University - Prof Phil Haygarth is an expert on soils and their interactions with connected water-bodies, from catchment to coast and plant to planet. He is lead PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) and currently the President of the British Society of Soil Science. Prof Hao Zhang has expertise in advanced environmental analytical techniques, and developed the DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) method for measuring elements and compounds in soils. Dr Ben Surridge has expertise in the use of d18O-PO4 isotope tracers to investigate biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus cycling within freshwater. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | BBSRC Partnering Award - Building Phosphorus Research Potential: Developing existing methods and exploring the potential of emerging techniques. |
Organisation | Smithsonian Institution |
Department | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute |
Country | Panama |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Host a workshop and stakeholder meeting at Rothamsted comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security. To develop and carry out together a preliminary program of work on two BBSRC National Capabilities, namely the Rothamsted Long Term Experiments (LTEs) and the North Wyke Farm Platform (NWFP). This will pump-prime BBSRC responsive mode grant proposals into phosphorus acquisition by arable crops and in grassland systems respectively. |
Collaborator Contribution | Host a workshop at Smithonian Research Centre comprising delegates from all three institutes to exchange knowledge, ideas and develop programs of work and future proposals focussing on phosphorus cycling in agricultural systems to support the BBSRC priority area of Food Security |
Impact | Workshop held at Rothamsted in October 2014 Stakeholder meeting held at Rothamsted October 2014 Disciplines involved are STRI - Dr Ben Turner is Director of the Soils Department at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. He is widely acknowledged as being one of the leading world experts in the field of soil and water phosphorus cycling, with particular expertise in organic phosphorus and its measurement. He has expertise in the measurement of organic phosphorus in waters and soil extracts using 31P-NMR and enzyme hydrolysis techniques, and has been fundamental in the development of these methods over the past 10 years. Ms Dayana Agudo is the laboratory superintendent of the STRI soils laboratory, and an expert in a wide range of techniques in phosphorus analysis, including enzyme hydrolysis and 31P-NMR sample preparation. Ms Alex Bielnicka is a research chemist with expertise in all aspects of phosphorus analysis. Rothamsted Research - Dr Martin Blackwell is PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) with Lancaster University, and is leading studies within Rothamsted which are utilising 31P-NMR and d18O-PO4 stable isotope techniques. Prof Steve McGrath is a PI on Rothamsted's Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) on Delivering Sustainable Systems, and leads the workpackage on "Optimisation of nutrients in soil-plant systems - Determining how phosphorus availability is regulated in soils" (BBS/E/C/00005197), which involves all the Rothamsted staff mentioned in this proposal. Dr Steve Granger is an early career scientist with expertise in the use and application of the d18O-PO4 stable isotope technique for the tracing of phosphate sources and is currently developing this methodology as a tool for indicating enzymatic processes in plants. Dr Jane Hawkins has expertise in the use of HPLC techniques for the analysis of organic compounds, and will work with Prof Haygarth and the postdoc appointed on the new BBSRC project at Lancaster University on the development of this method for measuring organic phosphorus compounds in solution. Lancaster University - Prof Phil Haygarth is an expert on soils and their interactions with connected water-bodies, from catchment to coast and plant to planet. He is lead PI on the BBSRC organic phosphorus project (BB/K018795/1) and currently the President of the British Society of Soil Science. Prof Hao Zhang has expertise in advanced environmental analytical techniques, and developed the DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) method for measuring elements and compounds in soils. Dr Ben Surridge has expertise in the use of d18O-PO4 isotope tracers to investigate biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus cycling within freshwater. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Contribution of Root Hairs, Mycorrhizae and Bacteria to Organic P Use by Crops |
Organisation | China Agricultural University (CAU) |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provide plant genetic materials and experimental know-how developed in existing projects |
Collaborator Contribution | The CAU partners bring expertise in stable-isotope probing methods to isolate the impact of root exudates on specific rhizosphere microbes. |
Impact | Three papers published and several in development. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Effect of low molecular weight organic acids on soil P mobility and resupply from solid phase. |
Organisation | Institute of Agribusiness |
Country | Chile |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil organic P. Events, talks and student training. |
Collaborator Contribution | Soil analysis during a PhD student internship for 3 months in LEC, Lancaster University. |
Impact | A manuscript was published on Environmental Science & Technology journal with the main findings of the research performed. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Effect of soybean/brachiaria grass rotation on soil P mobility, availability and speciation. |
Organisation | Sao Paulo State University |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil organic P, and student training. The PhD student Danilo Almeida is currently visiting our labs (one year stay ending on July 2017) funded bu Sao Paulo State Research Council (FAPESP- BRAZIL). |
Collaborator Contribution | Soil analysis performed by PhD students during internship. |
Impact | One publication submitted to Plant and Soil Journal. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Phosphorus nano-particle analysis |
Organisation | Julich Research Centre |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil organic P. Events and talks. |
Collaborator Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil P. Postdoc scientific stay. |
Impact | No output yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Role of rhizosphere processes in the use of organic P |
Organisation | China Agricultural University (CAU) |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of expertise in rhizosphere processes, provision of plant material with known phenotypes and hosting of visiting researchers. |
Collaborator Contribution | Experimental protocols and expertise, students to perform research and hosting of visits of UK researchers. |
Impact | Many papers have been published. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Rothamsted Research-CSIRO Linkage - Opportunities for improving nutrient use efficiency in grazed systems; from the rhizosphere to the farm scale |
Organisation | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The main activity by Rothamsted Researchers (Dr Tegan darch) is to visit CSIRO in Canberra and co-develop and carry-out experiments on mixed swards and other pasture treatments. A reciprocal visit will take place in summer 2020 when Rebecca Stutz will visit Rothamsted Research's North Wyke Farm Platform. Dr Darch will be exposed to the broad range of activities in the pastures, cropping and soils groups while also undertaking specific experimental work to transfer skills and methodologies for assessing nutrient-use efficiency in mixed pasture swards. Specifically: • Visits to key experiment field sites that showcase CSIRO's forage research (including forage options to fill summer feed gaps, novel legumes with reduced reliance on P fertiliser, understanding the scope of soil S deficiency on pasture productivity). • Visit to the new Boorowa Agricultural Research Station and discussions regarding whole-farm mapping and digital integration. • Discussions with CSIRO scientists on the topics of pasture, cropping systems, and soils, and on current research work and emerging challenges. Discussions with CSIRO collaborators, particularly scientists in the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Farmer Groups, with whom CSIRO conducts much of its applied research on farms. • Controlled-environment experimentation to assess how root and shoot competition in pasture swards affects P acquisition efficiency. Transfer of skills in root assessment . • Review areas for potential future collaboration/ joint projects. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Rebecca Stutz will be hosted by Dr Tegan Darch and Dr Martin Blackwell at Rothamsted Research, North Wyke in summer 2020. Activities will allow Dr Stutz to gain an understanding of the facilities and current research activity at North Wyke and in the wider UK climate, while undertaking experimental work to gain skills in measuring micro-nutrients in forages. • Experience the North Wyke Farm Platform to see management, instrumentation, and data analysis from the Farm Platform. Dr Stutz will meet other researchers involved with the Farm Platform, including those doing life-cycle and economic modelling of the systems and will bring learnings knowledge back to inform CSIRO's development of the Boorowa Digitally-Integrated Farm Management System. • Visit field experiments/ controlled environment experiments. For example, a plot-scale experiment looking at different sward establishment methods, species richness, and seeding rate of multispecies swards; a pot trial looking at micronutrient uptake of monoculture and mixed sward pasture species; and field trials investigating 'controlled rotational grazing' relative to less intensive grazing. There will also be the opportunity to visit other facilities on site, such as the new Small Ruminant Facility, which will house highly-controlled and monitored sheep trials, and can be used, for example, for feeding trials of different herbage mixtures and where all excreta can be collected and analysed for nutrient content. • Experimentation to quantify the spatial variability of soil macro- and micro-nutrients, and the variability of herbage concentrations of those nutrients in the overlying herbage. • Review areas for potential future collaboration/ joint projects. • Rebecca will be invited to give a presentation to SAS-NW, maximising the benefit of the exchange and future collaborative opportunities, by ensure that the group are fully aware of the skills and research interests of CSIROs Productive forages team. |
Impact | Experiments are still ongoing. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Soil organic P speciation |
Organisation | Smithsonian Institution |
Department | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute |
Country | Panama |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil organic P. Events, talks and student training. The OPUS postdoc spent a month on STRI - Panama performing organic P analysis in cooperation with Dr. Benjamin Turner. |
Collaborator Contribution | Soil analysis and knowledge in soil organic P. Events, talks and student training. |
Impact | Joint publications and student exchange for training and performing experiments. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | A microcosm that enriches for organic phosphorus degraders present in soil. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a poster presentation at the International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), University of Copenhagen, 21-24 August 2017. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Agricultural diversification in the Highlands of Borneo |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I presented work on roots for sustainability at the workshop in Sarawak |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Audience with George Eustice MP, Secretary of State, Defra at the UK Agriculture Partnership Launch Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Prof Phil Haygarth was an invited speaker and panellist with George Eustice MP, Secretary of State, Defra at the UK Agriculture Partnership Launch Event: Impacts of agriculture on water quality in the UK - challenges and solutions Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester 27 January 2022. The feedback received was: "Thank you again for taking part in yesterday's launch and such an excellent panel. I've already heard a lot of praise for panel 1. We've had a huge amount of positive feedback for the event so far - stakeholders who attended are extremely enthused. Also, numerous requests to join the next event. It has sparked a lot of discussion and thinking - and I have been told our Secretary of State and Ministers 'could not have been more' complimentary/ excited by the presentations, having come away full of ideas and wanting to hear more." - Valentina Hargrave | Devolution and International Team Lead | Future Farming and Countryside Programme | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | 2 Marsham Street, 28th Jan 2022 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://youtu.be/hvbGMDfwm5g |
Description | BBSRC International Partnering Award Workshop with INIA, Uruguay. 2-4th December 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | This was a workshop to share research ideas and develop collaborations between INIA and Rothamsted Research as part of the BBSRC Partnering Award between the two Institutes. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Biology Experience Day for local schools at Lancaster University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 80 pupils (year 12 Biology Students) came to LEC and each group of approximately 10 students received a 10 minute 'hands-on' demonstration on our research on ' Diffuse Pollution in Agriculture' and one on 'Nutrient Cycling in ecosystems'. Feedback from students and teachers was very positive, showing that the year 12 Biology Students were deeply inspired by the research activities developed in LEC. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-us/supporting-schools-and-community/biology-experience-days/ |
Description | Can traditional barley varieties offer an agricultural adaptation to cope with climate change and phosphorus depletion? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A poster presentation was made a Westminster to UK government politicians and civil servants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Catchment Stakeholder Event on Demonstration Test Catchments |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | 45 Farmers Scientists and Policy makers came together to discuss managing catchments for water quality in the UK in the future, with particular regard to nutrients in soil and water quality |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | China - Sino-German P workshop, 11th-17th November, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This was a workshop marking the initiation of a Sino-German Programme of work between China Agricultural University and Hohenheim University, Germany. I was invited to give a keynote address on the work on phosphorus related topics in which I am involved. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Co-Convener of EGU session BG1.7/SSS5.16 Interdisciplinary session on the global Phosphorus cycle (Vienna, Austria). |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for life on Earth and is tightly cycled within the biosphere. Throughout geological history, P availability has regulated biological productivity with impacts on the global carbon cycle. Today, human activities are significantly changing the natural cycling of P. Phosphate mining has depleted geological P reserves, while increased inputs of P to terrestrial ecosystems have enhanced fluxes of P to lakes and the oceans. Direct anthropogenic perturbations of the P cycle, coupled with other human-induced stresses, have impacted numerous environments. Forest ecosystems may be losing their ability to recycle P efficiently, due to excessive N input, extensive biomass removal, and climatic stress. Soils, which serve as the biogeochemical fulcrum of the terrestrial P cycle, have been greatly altered by fertilizer use in recent decades. Changes in the P cycle on land impact on the magnitude and timing of P fluxes into aquatic ecosystems, influencing their trophic state. Burial in sediments returns P to the geological sink, eventually forming economically viable P deposits. Throughout the P cycle, redox conditions play a key role in transformations and mobility of P. This interdisciplinary session invites contributions to the study of P from across the geosciences, and aims to foster links between researchers working on different aspects of the P cycle. We target a balanced session giving equal weight across the continuum of environments in the P cycle, from forests, soils and groundwater, through lakes, rivers and estuaries, to oceans, marine sediments and geological P deposits. We welcome studies of both past and present P cycling, with a focus on novel techniques and approaches. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/session/21891 |
Description | Co-Convener of EGU session BG1.9/SSS13.11 - Interdisciplinary session on the global Phosphorus cycle (Vienna, Austria) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | BG1.9/SSS13.11 Interdisciplinary session on the global Phosphorus cycle (co-organized)PICO session Convener: Tom Jilbert Co-Conveners: Phil Haygarth , Daniel Blackburn , Ben Surridge , Federica Tamburini , Christian März , Tobias Goldhammer , Friederike Lang , Jaane Krüger PICO / Fri, 28 Apr, 08:30-10:00 / PICO spot 5a Add Session to your Personal Programme Add this session to your Personal programme Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for life on Earth and is tightly cycled within the biosphere. Throughout geological history, P availability has regulated biological productivity with impacts on the global carbon cycle. Today, human activities are significantly changing the natural cycling of P. Phosphate mining has depleted geological P reserves, while increased inputs of P to terrestrial ecosystems have enhanced fluxes of P to lakes and the oceans. Direct anthropogenic perturbations of the P cycle, coupled with other human-induced stresses, have impacted numerous environments. Forest ecosystems may be losing their ability to recycle P efficiently, due to excessive N input, extensive biomass removal, and climatic stress. Soils, which serve as the biogeochemical fulcrum of the terrestrial P cycle, have been greatly altered by fertilizer use in recent decades. Changes in the P cycle on land impact on the magnitude and timing of P fluxes into aquatic ecosystems, influencing their trophic state. Burial in sediments returns P to the geological sink, eventually forming economically viable P deposits. Throughout the P cycle, redox conditions play a key role in transformations and mobility of P. This interdisciplinary session invites contributions to the study of P from across the geosciences, and aims to foster links between researchers working on different aspects of the P cycle. We target a balanced session giving equal weight across the continuum of environments in the P cycle, from forests, soils and groundwater, through lakes, rivers and estuaries, to oceans, marine sediments and geological P deposits. We welcome studies of both past and present P cycling, with a focus on novel techniques and approaches. Keynote: Sonya Dyhrman, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2017/session/24918 |
Description | Co-Convener of EGU session SSS4.20/IG25 Insights into phosphorus biogeochemistry through soil systems (Vienna, Austria) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for all life and, under ambient conditions, is tightly cycled within the biosphere. However, human action has significantly altered the natural P cycle. Phosphate mining has depleted geological P reserves, while increased inputs of P to terrestrial ecosystems have enhanced fluxes of P to lakes and the oceans. On land, the soil system is a biogeochemical fulcrum, responding to the perturbed P cycle and ultimately determining the magnitude and timing of inorganic and organic P fluxes between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile in freshwater and marine aquatic environments, P inputs determine the trophic state of the ecosystem, while burial in sediments returns P to the geological sink. Throughout the P cycle, redox conditions play a key role in transformations and mobility of P. This session investigates the P cycle in soil and aquatic systems across a range of scales. Contributions include: • studies of soils and sediments on the pore and ped scales, including the application of novel techniques to study P • investigations of the redox chemistry of P in natural systems • meta-analyses of input-cycling-export of P from soils at multiple scales • phosphorus cycling in coastal seas, including its role in coastal eutrophication and burial in marine sediments • global P cycling on geological timescales |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2015/session/17461 |
Description | Ecosystems and Land Use Stakeholders Engagement Group Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A stakeholder event for Scottish Government Policy Makers was held in Edinburgh to brief on the latest advances in root biology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Enhancing food productivity in a changing climate? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | In November 2018 I had the pleasure to be invited to talk at the 2018 Amarican Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America joint meeting in Baltimore, USA. The session was entitled a Megaposium on 'Cross Cutting Issues on Environmental Policy' organized by Jeppe H. Kjaersgaard and my close colleague Doug Smith. When preparing the talk I was excited to have to think about integreated response of phosphorus and (less common for me....) nitrogen too. It was a useful experience and my conclusions were: Huge reductions in phosphorus inputs are required to maintain water quality - what does this mean for production? Nitrogen emissions contribute to climate change in the short and medium term, plus N emissions in turn respond to climate (it's complicated!) Phosphorus emissions are mostly a responder to changes in rainfall (climate effect is more long term?) We need to determine the interactions. Enhancing productivity and environmental quality in a changing climate is going to be a massive challenge in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://landwaterblog.blogspot.com/2018/11/enhancing-productivity-in-changing.html |
Description | Genotypic variation in the formation of rhizosheath and implications for rhizosphere processes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A lecture to China Agricultural University was given which was webcast to over 2500 viewers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Genotypic variation in the formation of rhizosheath and implications for rhizosphere processes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Seminar given at CAAS Xinxiang, China |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Geography Experience Day for local schools at Lancaster University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | 60 pupils (Year 12) attended for an Experience Day. Groups of 30 attended a 90 minute laboratory workshop investigating runoff, sediment and nutrient loss from soil boxes with different 'land use', with associated examples of ecological diversity from each 'land use' type |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-us/supporting-schools-and-community/ |
Description | IFA Webinar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I gave a webinar for the International Fertiliser Association titled 'Increasing the Use-Efficiency of Fertilisers' to which over 100 participants loggedon. There were two other speakers on related topics and at the end questions were raised by viewers via a moderator. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSNYAR_AWeA |
Description | Implications of interactions between roots and soil for the formation and function of the rhizosphere |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote Lecture at the BonaRes Annual Meeting, Leipzig Germany. BonaRes is a agglomeration of funded projects on soil in Germany funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Improving crop P nutrition - Field based solutions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A lecture was given at Xinjiang Agricultural University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | New crops and cropping systems for a more sustainable future |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I presented a seminar at a workshop on New Crops for Agricultural Sustainability at Crops For the Future in Malaysia |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | OP2016 - Organic Phosphorus Workshop 2016: Organic Phosphorus in the Environment: Solutions for Phosphorus Security |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | OP2016 - Organic Phosphorus Workshop 2016: Organic Phosphorus in the Environment: Solutions for Phosphorus Security #organicP2016 The Organic P Workshop was held in the lake District (UK) from 5 to 9th of September 2016. Please our draft website for a detailed information about the workshop and its outputs (http://op2016.com/). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://op2016.com/ |
Description | On farm nutrient efficiencies invited talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A talk given to the UK Nutrient Platform Biorefine meeting at Royal Society of Edinburgh, Sept 2015. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://link2energy.co.uk/uk-nutrient-platform-september-2015 |
Description | Organic Phosphorus Workshop 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an international conference on organic phosphorus with ca. 120 delegates. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://op2016.com/ |
Description | Organization of Organic Phosphorus Workshop Lake District, England 5th - 9th September 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Following on from the successful meeting held in Panama in 2013, we are delighted to announce a follow-on workshop for soil, water, plant and environmental scientists to come together to study and share ideas and innovation on the subject of "Organic Phosphorus in the Environment: Solutions for Phosphorus Security". All academics and students involved in organic phosphorus research are welcome to join us on this constructive workshop, aimed at integrating, learning and planning collaborative frontier science that will help address the main challenges in this field. Understanding and quantifying the relative importance of organic phosphorus in the global phosphorus cycle requires exploration on multiple research fronts. Aspects such as speciation methods, ecological stoichiometry, bioavailability, abiotic stabilization, transfers from terrestrial into aquatic ecosystems, chemical lability and mobility, trophic interactions, microbial ecology and biochemistry of the degradation of specific compounds are some of the areas covered in this event. This 'Monday lunch - Friday lunch' event will be arranged as a workshop, with everyone working together in teams towards a common goal and consensus. During the conference all delegates will be challenged to come up with new questions and needs for organic phosphorus research, which will ultimately be published in: (1) a single, multi authored consensus paper on the state of the art in a high profile journal, and; (2) the opportunity for offered refereed papers to be published in Plant and Soil special issue. In addition to these collaborative activities and the inspiration from the beautiful landscape of the Lake District, the Workshop will also involve keynote addresses, oral and poster presentations and break-out group discussions. Exciting opportunities for social and outside activities will also be available. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
URL | http://op2016.com/ |
Description | Past Present and Future Phosphorus Cycling: From the Mine to the Deep Sea |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | On 10-18th June 2018 I was invited to attend and talk at the 2018 ASLO (Association of Limnology and Oceanography) summer meeting in Victoria, Canada, called "Water Connects!". Specifically, I was asked to give a tutorial in a session Called "Past Present and Future Phosphorus Cycling: From the Mine to the Deep Sea" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://landwaterblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/invited-phosphorus-tutorial-at-aslo.html |
Description | Phosphorus future? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of vision for the future of phosphorus, soil and water quality in a changing climate, joint with Prof Jim Elser of the University of Montana. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://twitter.com/merrinm/status/1082409234644357120 |
Description | Roots and Rhizospheres for Global Sustainability |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote Lecture at the German Plant Nutrition Society Annual Meeting, Berlin, Germany |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Soil Phosphorus Forum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Soil phosphorus forum is an open space of scientific discussion about soil phosphorus research. This site has had over 200 posts published and 4.3k visits in 2016, over 3k visits on 2015 and 1k visits in 2014 when it was launched. . |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://soilpforum.com/ |
Description | Soil Phosphorus talks at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Jülich, Germany) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Working group on establishing a collaboration for future projects and student and postdocs scientific stay. Talks given on soil phosphorus transfer and soil phosphorus mobility and bioavalability. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Talk given to Danish Agronomists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk on managing nutrients in catchments was given to a group of visiting Danish agronomists in Dundee, Oct 2015 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Techniques for measuring soil P dynamics in the rhizosphere |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Lecture given to Xinjiang Agricultural University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | US EPA Invited Webinair on Nutrients and Future Catchment Management |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Live web webinair broadcast to US Policy Makers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://landwaterblog.blogspot.com/2018/08/us-environmental-protection-agency.html |
Description | USA Phosphorus Research Cordination Meeting Attendance and Conribution |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The first part of the week was a scientist meeting in Washington DC, followed by a platform presentatin by the greoup to stakeholders invited from Washington DC |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://phosphorusalliance.org/files/2017/05/NSF_Report_Weintraub.pdf |
Description | Understanding the complementarity between citrate and phytase exudation on the acquisition of phosphorus by plants |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a presentation at the International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, Copenhagen, Denmark, 20-24 August 2017. it was to an audience of approximately 500 plant scientists. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | YouTube Channel OP2016 - Organic Phosphorus Workshop - 5th - 9th September 2016, Lake District, England Organic Phosphorus in the Environment: Solutions for Phosphorus Security https://op2016.com/ |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | 20 videos uploaded from talks held on the OP2016 - Organic Phosphorus Workshop, over 1500 views (>80h watch time). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGI3eUZscCgByewafsQKdw/videos?sort=dd&shelf_id=0&view=0 |