Abstract:

With the development of animal husbandry, higher requirements are raised for the cultivation and production of alfalfa. The effective utilization of phosphate fertilizer is one of the key factors affecting alfalfa productivity. This paper outlined the main symptoms of alfalfa suffering phosphorus deficiency, the effects of phosphorus application levels and methods in different areas on alfalfa productivity, the ways to increase alfalfa productivity by phosphorus application, the mechanism of phosphorus absorption and the interaction effects among phosphorus and other nutrients, as well as water, on alfalfa production. It is suggested to measure soil for fertilization according to local soil physical and chemical properties, especially the available phosphorus content, to establish the climate-soil-fertilization model based on the results, and to study the physiological and molecular mechanisms of phosphorus promoting alfalfa growth. This paper could provide certain information for the development of alfalfa industry.

Key words: phosphate fertilizer, alfalfa, productivity, photosynthesis, root system growth, symptom of phosphorus deficiency, combined application of N,P,K