Phosphorus requirements for sugarcane crops growing in alkaline soils is poorly understood and will be investigated using a combination of pot and field experiments, soil and crop sampling and novel soil testing methods. This will improve the understanding of soil assays providing the best measure of plant available phosphorus, amount of fertiliser phosphorus recovered by the crop and phosphorus fertiliser application rates for alkaline soils.

Addressing this fundamental research gap will deliver new scientific knowledge critical for the development of best practice, soil specific phosphorus management for sustainable sugarcane production while minimising offsite environmental impacts.