Iron oxides act as natural catalysts to unlock phosphorus to fuel plant growth

Plants and microbes are known to secrete enzymes to transform organic phosphorus into bioavailable inorganic phosphorus. Now, researchers report iron oxides can drive the same conversion at comparable rates as enzymes. The study adds yet another missing piece to nature's mysterious phosphorus cycle that can be used to fuel plant growth.

Iron oxides act as natural catalysts to unlock phosphorus to fuel plant growth
Plants and microbes are known to secrete enzymes to transform organic phosphorus into bioavailable inorganic phosphorus. Now, researchers report iron oxides can drive the same conversion at comparable rates as enzymes. The study adds yet another missing piece to nature's mysterious phosphorus cycle that can be used to fuel plant growth.