A study done by Embrapa Solos researchers shows that almost half of the phosphorus (P) applied in agriculture in the form of inorganic fertilizer in the last 50 years remains on the ground.
Research shows that 45.7 million tonnes of phosphorus has been applied in Brazil since 1960, when the regular use of this input began. Today, it is estimated that 22.8 Tg of this amount will remain fixed in the soil.
This legacy of phosphorus on land, which is now valued at more than $ 40 billion, can help Brazil to guard against a possible future nutrient shortage or variations in input prices. In 2008, for example, the price of phosphate rock increased by 800% over a period of 18 months.
In 2050, it will be 105 million tons
To evaluate this resource, phosphorus dynamics were examined in six long-term experiments (14-38 years) in Cerrado soils, where it is believed that most of the expansion and intensification of agriculture should occur. The estimate is that the phosphorus residue in Brazilian soil can reach 105 Tg by 2050.