Organic Garden Soil - The Importance Of Phosphorus
by John Yazo
Phosphorous is an essential element classified as a macro-nutrient, and one of the three nutrients normally found in fertilizers. One of the main roles it plays in living organisms is in the transfer of energy. It assists in the conversion of the sun's energy and other chemicals, like nitrogen, into a usable food for plant life. The deficiency of phosphorous in plants will lead to a stunted, sickly plant with a low quality flower or fruit.
Phosphorous is one of the three main nutrients that is required by plants to grow healthy and thrive, phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K). It must be in a solution form, mixed with water, before plants can absorb it through their root systems.
The major functions that phosphorous plays is in the process of energy transfer, nutrient transport, and photosynthesis, along with having effects on the cellular level of plant structure. Plants that receive the proper amount of phosphorous will grow more vigorously and mature earlier than plants that are phosphorous deficient.
Phosphorous deficiency in plants is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as a lack of nitrogen, or just a poor quality soil. Some of the signs that a plant is suffering from phosphorous deficiency are small thin stalks, stunted growth, purple veins on leaves, mature leaves may appear bluish-green, and reduced blooms or fruit productivity. Correcting the deficiency of phosphorous early will resolve these issues and your plants with thrive as they should.
The most overlooked problem and a very important part of an organic garden is soil structure, it can be the cause of phosphorous and other mineral deficiencies in the soil. A good healthy soil structure needs organic matter, and most soil that exists in the home garden is lacking it. Most of the soil commonly found in a yard lack the microorganisms that are key to building, or maintaining a healthy soil structure.
Earthworms alone are a natural aerator that improve the soil structure as they burrow in search of food. They excrete castings, a highly nitrous fertilizer, that contains available nitrogen, exchangeable magnesium, available potash, phosphorous, and calcium, along with other trace minerals that are quickly active and time released for maximum benefits to plant life. Feeding the soil the organic matter it needs to keep the existing live thriving in the soil is all you need to do to keep nature doing the work of improving your garden soil structure.
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