The study, reported by ScienceDaily based on materials from Sultan Qaboos University, describes an improved laboratory method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus, or DNA-P, in soil.
DNA-P is part of the organic phosphorus associated with living microorganisms.
Because soil microbes continually absorb, transform and release nutrients, researchers consider this form of phosphorus a potential indicator of the biologically active part of the soil phosphorus cycle.
The researchers said the improved method could make further investigation of biologically active phosphorus more practical.
Such research may help clarify how microbial communities affect the quantity of phosphorus that ultimately becomes available to plants.
MUSCAT, Oman (MNTV) — Researchers have developed a simpler and less expensive method for measuring a biologically active form of phosphorus in soil, potentially helping scientists understand how microbes recycle nutrients and make phosphorus available to plants.
The study, reported by ScienceDaily based on materials from Sultan Qaboos University, describes an improved laboratory method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus, or DNA-P, in soil.
The international research team included scientists from Sultan Qaboos University, the James Hutton Institute, Oman’s Environment Authority and other institutions.
Phosphorus is essential for plant growth and food production, but natural reserves of the nutrient are finite.
Understanding how phosphorus is stored, transformed and released in soil could help maintain agricultural productivity while reducing inefficient fertilizer use and environmental impacts.
DNA-P is part of the organic phosphorus associated with living microorganisms. Because soil microbes continually absorb, transform and release nutrients, researchers consider this form of phosphorus a potential indicator of the biologically active part of the soil phosphorus cycle.
The researchers modified an existing testing procedure and applied the revised method to 32 soil types collected across the United Kingdom. They found that the streamlined approach remained sufficiently precise and sensitive while being easier and less costly to perform.
A major change involved removing enzyme treatments that had previously been used during the analysis. The researchers found that the treatments were unnecessary, allowing the procedure to be simplified without compromising the measurement.
Ultrafiltration, however, remained essential because it separates DNA-bound phosphorus from other phosphorus-containing compounds. The researchers said removing this step would reduce the accuracy of DNA-P measurements.
Although DNA-P represented only a small portion of the total organic phosphorus in the tested soils, its levels were strongly associated with soil characteristics including pH, microbial biomass phosphorus, organic matter and phosphorus dissolved in soil water.
The findings suggest DNA-P may be more closely connected with living microbial communities than with stable, long-term phosphorus reserves. Measuring it could therefore provide researchers with a clearer view of the active biological processes that influence phosphorus cycling in soil.
The researchers said the improved method could make further investigation of biologically active phosphorus more practical. Such research may help clarify how microbial communities affect the quantity of phosphorus that ultimately becomes available to plants.
The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, could contribute to research on soil fertility, nutrient management and more efficient use of limited phosphorus resources in agriculture.
