New tool set to revolutionise phosphorus use efficiency

The tool, named Phosphate Power, has been developed by Unium Bioscience and will be freely available online to British farmers from October.

It aims to assess the biological availability of phosphorus in soils, a critical nutrient during the germination and establishment phases.

Phosphorus availability can often be limited by various soil and environmental factors, but Phosphate Power offers tailored recommendations based on postcode-specific data.

The tool uses the phosphorus index, based on peer-reviewed data, to assess whether the soils are biologically optimised to meet the crop's needs.

John Haywood, from Unium Bioscience, said: "The new service is simple and practical.

"It links environmental conditions such as soil moisture, temperature, soil texture, and location to a forecast for the next seven days to help growers with precise, location-specific information.

The new tool can be accessed via a QR code

"This enables informed decision-making on how best to supply crops with phosphorus at a very critical and sensitive time in the plant’s physiology."

If phosphorus availability is limited, the tool provides advice on appropriate actions, such as the application of seed treatments, foliar phosphorus products, or biostimulants, which encourage root growth to enhance phosphorus absorption from the soil.

Mr Haywood said: "Depending upon your soil P levels, it will help to dictate whether you need to mine reserves - the only way to do this is to push out more roots, more active roots in terms of pushing out more exudates to feed soil biology or by supplying an efficient form of phosphorus - organic or inorganic - based on your soil’s pH, placing it strategically near the root structure, or using effective foliar treatments for optimal uptake."

Phosphorus deficiency wheat

The model helps farmers make informed decisions, question practices or recommendations, and stimulate debate on managing phosphorus uptake better.

The tool's ability to assist farmers during the critical early stages of crop development ensures that their plants have the necessary nutrients for optimal growth.

In trials with Cambridgeshire arable farmer Russ McKenzie, Unium achieved lower costs and increased yields with its nutrient programme.

Mr McKenzie said: "We are excited to be able to bring this tool to help growers optimise their yield potential in the same way."

Farmers can access Phosphate Power by visiting uniumbioscience.com/phosphate-calculator/, where they can quickly input their postcode to receive a detailed analysis of the phosphorus content in their soils.