Phosphorus can form complexes with iron, aluminum and calcium in the soil, which locks up the phosphorus and prevents plants from accessing this crucial nutrient. New research shows that certain microbes can make that trapped phosphorus more available to plants, according to the University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Globally, millions of tons of phosphorus fertilizer are used every year. But only a fraction of the added phosphorus ends up being available to crops. New research explores soil, fungi and phosphorus dynamics.