Rock Phospate

Phosphorus is a major nutrient that is essential, especially in the spring, where plants can consume up to 605 of their annual intake in the first few weeks of life. Most of this phosphorus goes to developing root growth in a plant and for nitrogen processing by legumes such as soy and alfalfa. Its availability in the soil is dependant on the ph of the soil- at a ph of 6 or below, the uptake of phosphorus is pretty good. Colloidal phosphate, or soft rock phosphate, comes from a clay that settled out into the bottom of basins that were used in the processing and mining of hard rock phosphate. As such, it is a limited material, however it provides a very good phosphate source. As it is clay based, it does not leach away from the soil due to water. Consequently, it stays in place in the soils where it has been introduced and is long lasting. A good soft rock phosphate such as our Tennessee SRP also brings a respectable amount of calcium to the table as well.