Impact of long-term phosphorus additions on Carbon sequestration and Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural soils (ICONICA)

The project

Across the world P fertilisation recommendations have been optimised for achieving agronomic targets such as maximising crop yield. Under the EU Farm to Fork strategy, fertiliser use will be reduced by 20% in order to reduce nutrient losses to water. The effect of reducing inputs of fertilisers containing P and the consequence of declining soil P fertility on soil C and N cycling and GHG emissions is unknown. The need for a soil specific understanding of the effects and fate of added P fertiliser to agricultural soils is critical for developing sustainable P fertilisation advice that considers both agronomic and environmental outcomes.

ICONICA aims to identify optimal P fertilisation:

  • to underpin sustainable production
  • to enhance nutrient efficiency
  • for profitability
  • for environmental sustainability
  • for marketability of primary production giving farmers, land managers and society the necessary knowledge to manage their soils appropriately.