Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for plant growth and is a vital part of many macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, phospholipids and ATP. Today, P is mainly obtained from mined phosphate rock, which is a non-renewable resource.
Therefore, in this project we focus on how to improve and optimize the fertilization of vegetable crops. This will be done by setting up experiments, where we will test several fertilizers and fertilizing techniques to achieve optimal P uptake and allocation in the plants. We will choose different vegetable species and measure physiological parameters such as photosynthesis, P uptake rates and the plants’ ability to acidify the soil in order to release soil-bound P. Furthermore, application of biostimulants to increase the P uptake can be included.
Other ideas and experiments about vegetables can also be discussed.
The results are aimed for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
