Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is essential for all known forms of life because it is an essential element in many physiological and biochemical processes. The phosphorus component of each cell in all organisms cannot be dispensed and replaced by any other element. Phosphorus found in complex DNA and RNA structures that carry and interpret genetic information and thus control all living processes in plants, animals and humans. It is an essential component of the energy transfer system in all cells. Phosphorus compounds in the soil are two groups: inorganic phosphorus (mineral) compounds, organic phosphorus compounds. Phosphorus fractions in the soil classified as available phosphate (NaHCO₃-P), aluminum phosphates (Al-P), calcium phosphate (Ca-P) and phosphorus residual (Res-P). Phosphorus fractions in the soil are the sources of phosphorus supply for agricultural crops. Only 10-20% of phosphorus taken with fertilizer by plants when phosphate fertilizers added to the soil, because the majority of phosphorus is quickly fixation or precipitation in nonabsorbable forms by the plant. The phosphorus availability of plants depends on soil properties, pH of the soil, soluble iron, aluminum and manganese,calcium minerals, organic matter, activities of microorganisms. The availability of phosphorus varies depending on soil type. The results obtained showed that 69.3 ppm of the extracted phosphorus at equilibrium (Ce = 0.2 ppm P) achieves optimum conditions for feeding most field crops. Ultimately, the absorption of phosphorus affects the growth and production of plants.