New soil test could reveal how soil microbes help feed plants

Scientists have streamlined a method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus in soil, making it cheaper and easier while preserving its accuracy. The technique could reveal how soil microbes help recycle phosphorus and ultimately support more sustainable fertilizer and nutrient management. New soil test could reveal how soil microbes help feed plants.

Phosphorus is critical for plant growth and food production, but the world’s natural phosphorus reserves are limited. Learning how the nutrient is stored, transformed, and released in soil is therefore important for maintaining fertile farmland while reducing waste and environmental damage. A Better Way To Measure DNA-Bound Phosphorus In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, an international team that included researchers from Sultan Qaboos University, James Hutton Institute, the Environment Authority of Oman and others refined a laboratory method used to measure DNA-bound phosphorus (DNA-P) in soils.

DNA-P forms part of the organic phosphorus pool connected to living microorganisms. Because microbes continuously take up, transform, and release nutrients, this form of phosphorus can offer insight into the biologically active portion of the soil phosphorus cycle. The researchers tested and modified an existing analytical procedure, then applied the improved version to 32 different soil types from across the United Kingdom.