Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand July/August 2020 | Page 47

Phosphorus is critical for
ORUS
“
stimulating root production
and growth, fruiting and
flowering, seed formation, cell
division and multiplication,
and transporting nutrients.”
For plants, phosphorus is considered the second-most
essential nutrient after nitrogen and is responsible for a
wide variety of biological functions. It plays a crucial role in
helping plants capture and store energy from the sun during
photosynthesis by converting ADP (adenosine diphosphate) into
ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Phosphorus is a vital component of ATP. ATP is a chemical
found in all living things that stores and transfers energy. It is
often referred to as “energy currency” and works like money in
the bank by storing energy for future reactions or withdrawing
energy to pay for reactions required by cells. ATP provides
the energy to drive many different processes and biochemical
reactions from seedling growth to harvest.
Phosphorus is critical for stimulating root production and
growth, fruiting and flowering, seed formation, cell division
and multiplication, and transporting nutrients. It is an
important structural component of DNA and aids in genetic
transfer, improves resistance to drought and cold temperatures,
increases stem and stalk strength, and increases resistance to
plant diseases. Without enough phosphorus, you’ll get a plant
with stunted growth, delayed maturity, and a smaller yield.
Spotting Phosphorus Deficiencies
Phosphorus deficiencies can be tricky to detect. The first
sign of a deficiency is slow growth in the early vegetative
stage. This can present as fewer, smaller leaves that are
thin, curled, and darker in colour than normal.
In some cases, leaves, stems, and branches may have
a purplish or reddish tint, however, leaf discolouration
will usually only appear if there is a severe phosphorus
deficiency in the soil. Keep in mind that discolouration can
be a result of other environmental factors, so you won’t know
if phosphorus deficiency is the cause without a soil test.
Fruit and seeds will also be smaller and take longer to
mature, but by the time you notice this, it will be too late
to do anything about it. Phosphorus is a highly mobile
nutrient, so if there is a deficiency, the plant can take
phosphorus from older growth and translocate it to new
growth, flowers, and fruits.
Phosphorus toxicities are also a possibility and tend to
lock up iron, manganese, and zinc, which can present as
yellowing leaves and slowed growth.
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