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More efficient phosphorus use can avoid cropland expansion.
- Source :
-
Nature food [Nat Food] 2021 Jul; Vol. 2 (7), pp. 509-518. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jul 01. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Global projections indicate that approximately 500 Mha of new arable land will be required to meet crop demand by 2050. Applying a dynamic phosphorus (P) pool simulator under different socioeconomic scenarios, we find that cropland expansion can be avoided with less than 7% additional cumulative P fertilizer over 2006-2050 when comparing with cropland expansion scenarios, mostly targeted at nutrient-depleted soils of sub-Saharan Africa. Additional P fertilizer would replenish P withdrawn from crop production, thereby allowing higher productivity levels. We also show that further agronomic improvements such as those that allow for better (legacy) P use in soils could reduce both P outflows to freshwater and coastal ecosystems and the overall demand for P fertilizer.<br /> (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2662-1355
- Volume :
- 2
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature food
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37117673
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00303-y