PB1645-Best Management Practices for Phosphorus in the Environment

Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element, essential to life. It is a vital component of the genetic material found in all cells and is involved in energy transfer reactions. In many soils and aquatic systems, phosphorus is the element that limits growth. When phosphorus is supplied, plant growth is stimulated. In most agricultural situations, additional phosphorus will improve productivity. But in rivers, streams and lakes, phosphorus can cause problems by stimulating excess plant growth and reducing the quality of the water. Like many other things, too much of a good thing can be bad.