Phosphorus and Potassium: How Much Do We Have Left and What Happens When We Run Out?.

Phosphorus and Potassium:  How Much Do We Have Left and What Happens When We Run Out?  Sam Feagley, Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2474

A literature review was conducted to estimate the availability of phosphorus and potassium and future projections.  Some interesting facts were found about the areas where easily mineable phosphorus and potassium are found and the areas where most of the nutrients are used.  The projections for easily mineable phosphorus are about 50 to 100 years and potassium are about 600 years at estimated application rates for food and fiber production.  Suggestion will be made for future sources of phosphorus and potassium and management to increase the projected time.