Investigation of phosphorus dynamics and microbial linkages for managed soil development

Low P-availability in soils, soil degradation, over-application of P fertiliser and gradual depletion of P-resources are a threat for the sustainability of future agricultural production.

Within soils, microorganisms play an active role in the cycling of P by: 1) storing P within their biomass, 2) mineralising non-plant available organic P, and 3) solubilising inorganic P forms .

They are thus a key driver in the cycling of P in soil, both in shortterm (e.g. over a growing season), and in longer term, governing changes in soil P pools as soils develop.

Greater insights in soil microorganisms’ role in cycling P in soil as a function of soil age, properties and management would create new opportunities for developing more sustainableagricultural systems that make better use of P, whilst simultaneously preventing losses to the environment.

In this project I will investigate the interactions between soil P, soil microorganisms, and soil characteristics that promote microbial P cycling and P availability to plants along a managed soil chronosequence (Industrial partner: Inden mine, RWE Power AG, Germany (RWE)).

The site represents a unique opportunity to study P dynamics under the effect of management practices and microbial processes over time.

I will use state-of-the-art methods (e.g. isotopic and spectromicroscopic techniques) to deliver a better understanding of how soil microorganisms can regulate P availability in soil.

I will address the following scientific question: How do soil properties, management and time affect P dynamics driven by soil microorganisms?

I will carry out the research at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), under the guidance of Assoc. Prof.

Carsten Müller; and I will undertake a secondment to with the group of Plant Nutrition at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) under the supervision of Dr. Federica Tamburini.