Global analysis of phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency in cereal crops

Abstract

Due to limits in global phosphate rock reserves for fertilizer use, it is vital to increase phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency (PFUE) to maintain agricultural productivity and food security. With 865 observations from 82 papers we investigated how PFUE in cereal crops was affected by climate (mean annual temperature), soil (pH, texture, available P), and management factors (crop type, fertilizer type and amount). We found that P content in aboveground biomass increased by 12.4% (95% confidence intervals 11.5–13.4%) of the P fertilizer applied across all observations. This PFUE was lower in maize than in rice and wheat, and was lowest in soil with near neutral pH. Our results indicate that there is much opportunity for improving PFUE in cereal crops.