After the launch of its recent Phosphate Stewardship Guice, De Sangosse has expanded its information resource with an online hub.
The company says it offers growers and agronomists a digital, five-stage learning and decision-making journey which will help them diagnose the cause of poor phosphorus uptake before changing their fertiliser strategy.
Many UK soils contain significant phosphorus reserves, yet crops can still exhibit phosphorus limitation.
The ADAS Yield Enhancement Network has shown substantial variation in grain phosphorus concentration and crop phosphorus offtake across similar soil P indices, demonstrating why soil P index alone cannot explain crop phosphorus performance.
The hub groups potential phosphorus limitations into three areas. Access considers whether root development and soil conditions allow crops to physically intercept phosphorus. Availability considers whether phosphorus is in a form available for crop uptake, including the influence of pH, soil chemistry, moisture and other soil factors. Soil reserves considers whether crops are effectively utilising phosphorus already accumulated within the soil.
De Sangosse commercial technical manager Rob Suckling says this diagnostic approach should precede product or input decisions. “Poor phosphorus uptake doesn’t automatically mean phosphorus supply is inadequate.
“We need to understand whether the crop couldn’t access the phosphorus, whether it wasn’t sufficiently available, or whether existing soil reserves aren’t being utilised effectively.”
To identify the likely limitation, the hub encourages growers and agronomists to combine:
- Grain analysis
- Soil analysis
- Root assessments
- Crop establishment
- Soil structure
- Harvest performance
- Field observations
“The aim is to help people connect the evidence,” says Rob. “Instead of looking at soil analysis, grain analysis or rooting in isolation, bring those pieces together and ask what they’re telling you about phosphorus uptake.”
The hub also includes a Phosphate Clinic, a video series featuring ADAS research scientist Dr Christina Baxter. With Rob, the pair discuss the evidence and practical implications at each stage of the journey.
To use the hub, please visit: https://www.desangosse.co.uk/solutions/phosphate-stewardship-hub/
