Struvite and Biodiversity to Improve Phosphorus Use in Agricultural Fields

Summary

Future agricultural systems need to be redesigned so that they (i) reduce the current leakiness of the P and N cycles that is associated to environmental issues and climate change; and (ii) reduce our dependency on phosphate rocks. Through my research, I conclude that increased biodiversity can indeed help to further close the agricultural P cycle at the field scale, although this was clearer for grass species diversity than for earthworm diversity. The impact of plant and soil biota is especially important in conditions where P is not readily available such as those encountered with struvite fertilisation. Struvite, a slow-release fertiliser, triggers plant nutrient acquisition strategies. Overall, this could lead to less nutrients escaping from the agricultural systems to the environment, especially so in terms of nitrous oxide. Because of its slow dissolution, struvite will not be efficient in all conditions, but in some, it can be an efficient fertiliser for plants that are flexible in the timing of their P uptake.