The book “Soils for Nutrition: State of the Art” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), provides a detailed overview of the state of the art of soil science and its relevance for human nutrition. The book covers various topics such as the role of soils in nutrient cycling, the impact of land use and management practices on soil fertility and food security, and the potential of soil management to improve human nutrition.

In the section on phosphates, the book explains that phosphorous is one of the essential elements required for the growth and development of plants, and is an important nutrient for human nutrition, as it is an essential component of DNA, RNA, and ATP. Phosphorus is an essential element for the growth and development of plants, and is an important nutrient for human nutrition, as it is an essential component of DNA, RNA, and ATP.

The book also emphasizes the importance of soil phosphorus availability for plant growth and the impact of land use and management practices on soil phosphorus levels. it explains that human activities such as over-fertilization, over-grazing, and deforestation can lead to a decline in soil phosphorus levels, which in turn can lead to poor plant growth and reduced food security.

To address this, the book suggests the use of biologicals as a strategy to improve soil phosphorus availability. It explains that the use of microorganisms and other biotic agents can be useful in improving soil phosphorus availability. The use of biologicals can help to improve soil phosphorus availability in several ways:

1. Solubilization: Certain types of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, can help to solubilize insoluble forms of phosphorus, such as phosphates, and make them available for plant uptake. This is done by secreting organic acids, such as citrate and malate, which can dissolve the insoluble phosphates, making them more available for plant uptake.
2. Symbiotic relationships: Microorganisms such as rhizobia and mycorrhizae can form symbiotic relationships with plants, which can help to improve soil phosphorus availability. Rhizobia bacteria can fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide it to plants, which can help to improve plant growth and nutrition. Mycorrhizae fungi, on the other hand, can help to increase the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients, including phosphorus, from the soil.

1. Biofertilizer: Using biofertilizer, which contains living microorganisms, can help to improve soil health and fertility, by increasing the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus. Biofertilizers can help to solubilize phosphorus, and can also promote the growth of plants by improving the nutrient status of the soil.
2. Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms: Certain microorganisms such as pseudomonas and bacillus, can solubilize inorganic phosphates by secreting phosphatase enzymes. This can improve the availability of phosphorous to the plants.
3. Phosphorus mobilization: Certain microorganisms, such as actinomycetes, can mobilize phosphorus from the soil by releasing enzymes that can break down organic matter and make phosphorus more available for plant uptake.
4. Phosphorus mineralization: Certain microorganisms, such as actinomycetes and fungi, can mineralize organic phosphorus and make it available for plant uptake. This process involves the conversion of organic phosphorus compounds into inorganic forms that are more readily available for plant uptake.
5. Microbial consortia: Microorganisms can work together in consortia, which can enhance their capacity to improve soil phosphorus availability. The interactions between different microorganisms can lead to a synergistic effect, making more phosphorus available to the plants.
6. Phosphorus uptake by microorganisms: Some microorganisms can take up phosphorus from the soil and store it in their biomass. When these microorganisms die, their biomass can be broken down by other microorganisms, releasing the stored phosphorus back into the soil and making it available for plant uptake.

In conclusion, the book “Soils for Nutrition: State of the Art” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of phosphates for human nutrition, the impact of land use and management practices on soil phosphorus levels, and the potential of soil management strategies. The use of biologicals, such as microorganisms and other biotic agents, can be a useful strategy to improve soil phosphorus availability and plant growth. These microorganisms can solubilize insoluble forms of phosphorus, form symbiotic relationships with plants, release enzymes to break down organic matter, mineralize organic phosphorus, work in consortia and take up and store phosphorus in their biomass.