phosphorus effect and Application on plants

Phosphate in its phosphorus form is responsible for energy transfer and carbohydrate metabolism. Phosphorus is important for root development and growth, stem growth, flower and fruit production, seed production and maturation. Deficiencies in phosphate often show up as purplish leaves and stems on trees. In fruit production, increased phosphate increases flower then fruit yield. There are products called super- or triple-phosphates. They are useful in increasing industrial crop yield but are dangerous in home production. The amount of phosphate is triple the other numbers, and unless a soil test says the earth is lacking phosphorus, the use of such products actually poisons the soil.



Phosphorus doesn't move through soil easily. The best time to introduce phosphate to a flowering tree is at planting time, when the root is exposed. An organic source of phosphate, such as bone meal, can be worked into the soil in the planting hole and well-watered. This gives instant life to the plant. Phosphate and most fertilizer should be slow release or introduced when the tree is dormant, to avoid burning the roots. Uptake of phosphates occurs at the root tip, so it is important to water fertilizer in well enough so that it leaches down to roots or digs in to the root area.