TY - JOUR

T1 - On the history and future of soil organic phosphorus research

T2 - a critique across three generations

AU - Haygarth, Philip Matthew

AU - Harrison, A. F.

AU - Turner, B. L.

N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Haygarth, P. M., Harrison, A. F. and Turner, B. L. (2018), On the history and future of soil organic phosphorus research: a critique across three generations. Eur J Soil Sci, 69: 86–94. doi:10.1111/ejss.12517 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ejss.12517/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.

PY - 2018/1

Y1 - 2018/1

N2 - Soil organic phosphorus has broad agronomic and ecological significance, but remains a neglected topic of research. This opinion paper reflects a collaborative discussion between three generations of scientists who have collectively studied soil organic phosphorus for almost 50 years. We discuss personal reflections on our involvement in the field, opinions about progress and promising opportunities for future research. We debate an apparent overemphasis on analytical methodology at the expense of broader questions, and whether this has stifled progress in recent decades. We reiterate the urgent need to understand organic phosphorus cycling in the environment to address fundamental questions about phosphate supply, crop nutrition, water quality and ecosystem ecology. We also contend that we must encourage and integrate the study of organic phosphorus across all scales, from molecular chemistry to global cycling. Our discussion among three generations of researchers shows the value of a long-term perspective, emphasizes the changing nature of this field of research, and reinforces the importance of continuing to be curious about the dynamics of organic phosphorus in the environment.

AB - Soil organic phosphorus has broad agronomic and ecological significance, but remains a neglected topic of research. This opinion paper reflects a collaborative discussion between three generations of scientists who have collectively studied soil organic phosphorus for almost 50 years. We discuss personal reflections on our involvement in the field, opinions about progress and promising opportunities for future research. We debate an apparent overemphasis on analytical methodology at the expense of broader questions, and whether this has stifled progress in recent decades. We reiterate the urgent need to understand organic phosphorus cycling in the environment to address fundamental questions about phosphate supply, crop nutrition, water quality and ecosystem ecology. We also contend that we must encourage and integrate the study of organic phosphorus across all scales, from molecular chemistry to global cycling. Our discussion among three generations of researchers shows the value of a long-term perspective, emphasizes the changing nature of this field of research, and reinforces the importance of continuing to be curious about the dynamics of organic phosphorus in the environment.

KW - inositol phosphate

KW - phytate

KW - phosphate

KW - ecosystem

KW - history

KW - mircobial

KW - Analytical

M3 - Journal article

VL - 69

SP - 86

EP - 94

JO - European Journal of Soil Science

JF - European Journal of Soil Science

SN - 1351-0754

IS - 1

ER -