Optimisation of nutrients in soil-plant systems: Determining how phosphorus availability is regulated in soils
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Many soils in the UK contain relatively large quantities of phosphorus (P), and phosphates (Po) can account for 20-90% of the total P present, representing a potentially significant reserve. One of the major challenges for research is to better understand the mechanisms and soil management techniques that can make available to plants this potentially large store of soil P. The objectives of the project are therefore to:
1. Determine why the critical level of available P differs between soils.
2. Investigate how the P in soil/organic residues can be exploited to reduce the need for fertiliser P.
3. Determine whether there are key microbial groups associated with making P available to crops.
To achieve this we will:
1. Use experiments at Rothamsted and the Farm Platform at North Wyke that differ in their P status and in native and applied organic matter to investigate the chemical speciation of P using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectrometry (e.g. XANES) for solid phase speciation and 31P-NMR for solution phase speciation in soil extracts.
2. Measure the dynamics of C and organic and inorganic N and P, using 13C and P18O4 tracers, the direct mobilisation of 33P or 15N, and identify processes which increase the microbial pool (P and N) which can subsequently be released, using lab and field experiments. This capability will complement standard laboratory analyses and enzyme hydrolysis methods.
3. Analysis of soil microbial community metagenomes to identify which pathways are active in different conditions. Sequence analyses will allow identification of the microbial group(s) responsible, aiding management of soil to optimise their abundance and activity.
4. Work with colleagues to model how long-term treatments and different plants affect the quantities and forms of inorganic/organic P and the dynamics of how these change with C and N over time, and to use the model to inform land management for optimal use of P resources.
1. Determine why the critical level of available P differs between soils.
2. Investigate how the P in soil/organic residues can be exploited to reduce the need for fertiliser P.
3. Determine whether there are key microbial groups associated with making P available to crops.
To achieve this we will:
1. Use experiments at Rothamsted and the Farm Platform at North Wyke that differ in their P status and in native and applied organic matter to investigate the chemical speciation of P using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectrometry (e.g. XANES) for solid phase speciation and 31P-NMR for solution phase speciation in soil extracts.
2. Measure the dynamics of C and organic and inorganic N and P, using 13C and P18O4 tracers, the direct mobilisation of 33P or 15N, and identify processes which increase the microbial pool (P and N) which can subsequently be released, using lab and field experiments. This capability will complement standard laboratory analyses and enzyme hydrolysis methods.
3. Analysis of soil microbial community metagenomes to identify which pathways are active in different conditions. Sequence analyses will allow identification of the microbial group(s) responsible, aiding management of soil to optimise their abundance and activity.
4. Work with colleagues to model how long-term treatments and different plants affect the quantities and forms of inorganic/organic P and the dynamics of how these change with C and N over time, and to use the model to inform land management for optimal use of P resources.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- Rothamsted Research (Lead Research Organisation)
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Collaboration)
- University of Extremadura (Collaboration)
- LANCASTER UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- James Hutton Institute (Collaboration)
- Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board (Collaboration)
- Smithsonian Institution (Collaboration)
- Canadian Light Source (Collaboration)
Publications
Blackwell M
(2012)
Variations in concentrations of N and P forms in leachates from dried soils rewetted at different rates
in Biology and Fertility of Soils
BLACKWELL M
(2019)
Phosphorus use efficiency and fertilizers: future opportunities for improvements
in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering
Blackwell, M.,
(2019)
Phosphorus use efficiency and fertilizers: future opportunities for improvements
in Front. Agr. Sci. Eng.
Blackwell, MSA
(2014)
Changes in wheat root morphology under different phosphorus fertiliser supply rates
Bowley H
(2017)
Historical trends in iodine and selenium in soil and herbage at the Park Grass Experiment, Rothamsted Research, UK
in Soil Use and Management
Charlton A
(2016)
Long-term Impact of Sewage Sludge Application on biovar : An Evaluation Using Meta-Analysis.
in Journal of environmental quality
Chen Y
(2015)
The role of nodes in arsenic storage and distribution in rice.
in Journal of experimental botany
Crews T
(2014)
Changes in soil phosphorus forms through time in perennial versus annual agroecosystems
in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Darch T
(2015)
Dissolved Phosphorus Retention in Buffer Strips: Influence of Slope and Soil Type.
in Journal of environmental quality
| Description | We showed that the critical concentrations of Olsen P that result in 98% of maximum yield responses of wheat and grass vary according to soil type and chemical properties. This implies that different soils require different P fertiliser strategies in order to optimise yields and optimise use of this non-renewable resource. This is an important finding, as current recommendations consider all soils in the same way. We developed new techniques including XANES, d18O-PO4 and 31P-NMR to improve tracing of P and to assess the chemical forms of P present in soils and plants. We established which groups of microorganisms are most actively involved in different steps in the N-cycle will improve our ability to manage soil fertilization to minimize N losses. |
| Exploitation Route | Improvements in computing infrastructure at Rothamsted have increased the capacity and speed for analysis of our soil metagenomic/transcriptomic datasets. This has allowed validation of an analytical pipeline to provide data on the relative abundance, expression and phylogenetic origin of genes for N- and P-cycling functions. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Environment Government Democracy and Justice Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
| Description | More options for farmer to enhance productivity, efficiency and resilience by informing new integrative approaches to managing the whole-farm-system including: improved soil macronutrition management by linking soil type to P availability and microbial community structure to N and C dynamics. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT-Summary of the responses to the Consultative Communication on the Sustainable Use of Phosphorus [COM(2013) 517] |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | EU-COST FA0905 Mineral improved crop production for healthy food and feed |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/fa/Actions/FA0905manual |
| Description | FOOD-CT-2006-016253 EU project on Public Health impact of long-term low-level mixed element exposure in susceptible population strata |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | http://phime.oikon.hr/Portals/0/documents/PHIME_Final_Report.pdf |
| URL | http://phime.oikon.hr/Portals/0/documents/PHIME_Final_Report.pdf |
| Description | Houses of Parliment POSTNOTE 477: Phosphate Resources |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | BBSRC Grant: Exploiting root exudation of organic acids and phytases to enhance plant utilisation of soil phosphorus |
| Amount | £296,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/K018795/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2013 |
| End | 04/2014 |
| Description | BBSRC Partnering Award - Building Phosphorus Research Potential: Developing existing methods and exploring the potential of emerging techniques. |
| Amount | £29,300 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/l026309/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2014 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| 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 | 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 | 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. |
| Impact | none as yet |
| 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 | 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. |
| Impact | none as yet |
| 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 | 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. |
| Impact | none as yet |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | DGT-P studies in soils |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Soils have been sampled from: a) the Exhaustion Land experiment after harvest in 2013 and b) six farmers? experiment sites outside Rothamsted that have different soil types and increasing P treatments applied over 2008-2012, for Olsen and DGT analysis. This work is on-going, including a test of storage time on the apparent DGT results (using the Exhaustion Land experiment), which is essential if we are to use unique RRES archive samples in future DGT work. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Lessons from Rothamsted Research |
| Organisation | Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Discussion meeting on: 1. Grain-P thresholds for winter wheat/cereals, 2. Possible development of RB209 using Rothamsted Research results on grain-P analysis, 3. Soil carbon index, lessons from Rothamsted Research. 3/03/2020 at Rres. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sajjad Awan and James Holmes of AHDB. |
| Impact | Possible development of RB209 using Rothamsted Research results on grain-P analysis and Soil carbon index. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Selenium speciation in biofortified crops under semiarid conditions |
| Organisation | University of Extremadura |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Use of our labs, equipment and our expertise |
| Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of ideas and methods |
| Impact | Poblaciones, M.J., Rodrigo S., Santamaría, O., McGrath S.P. (2014) Selenium speciation in biofortified crops under semiarid conditions. COST Action FA905 conference on "Agronomic, Molecular Genetics and Human Nutrition Approaches for Improving the Nutritional Quality and Safety of Food Crops", 17-19 March 2014, Antalya, Turkey. McGrath S.P., Poblaciones M.J. and Rodrigo S.M. (2014) Biofortification of field crops with selenium in Mediterranean conditions. In: Selenium in the Environment and Human Health - Bañuelos, Lin & Yin (Eds), pp. 115-117. Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-1-138-00017-9. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Soil chemical properties affecting selenium retention in soil and uptake in wheat grain |
| Organisation | Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We provided the samples from the Sample Archive |
| Collaborator Contribution | They analysed the samples |
| Impact | Papers will be written |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | XANES |
| Organisation | Canadian Light Source |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Using L-edge for identification of P species in Broadbalk drainage samples. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | ESPP brings together partners in industry, knowledge institutes and public establishments to promote and implement phosphorus sustainability in Europe Unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| URL | http://www.phosphorusplatform.eu/ |
| Description | HGCA Annual Agronomists Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk on micronutrient uptake by crops no actual impacts realised to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE). ETH Zurich, Switzerland, July 16-20. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of paper: Sidra U. Khan, Peter S. Hooda, Martin S.A. Blackwell and Rosa Busquets (2017). Impact of soil drying-rewetting on leaching of nutrients and trace elements |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | International Year of Soils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Received lots of positive feedback from the public unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Safer Phosphate: Campaign film |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | to increase awareness of the need to limit the levels of pollutants in phosphate fertilisers. to limit the level of dangerous elements entering the food chain and damaging human health. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/embed/h2_iuszwrsg?rel=0 |
| Description | Stakeholder meeting on the Sustainable Use of Phosphorus Resources in Agriculture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 25 participants from various backgrounds- industry , policy makers and research attended a round table meeting including research presentations from Scientists and feedback what the challenges of Phosphorus in agriculture are from industry perception. Discussion included: Industry Challenges Prediction of long-term availability of phosphorus (P) to crops under prevailing and future P supply Science to guide best management practices for recycling P Research required to improve fertiliser recommendations for more efficient use of P Meeting help to highlight where possible research should follow next |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | The need for sulphur fertiliser for arable crops in the UK. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |