Adding a phytate enzyme to animal feed helps in digestion of the organic-P compound, making more P available to the animal. Low-phytate corn has shown positive results in the areas of bone strength, average daily gain, and feed efficiency. If producers use low-phytate corn in swine rations, the P lost through excretion and wasted feed can be greatly reduced. Phosphorus uptake by plants Nutrient uptake by crops depends on nutrient supply in the soil, root surface area, and root activity. Roots are able to absorb only the nutrients that come into contact with living and active cells, so P uptake is dependent on the condition of a plant's root system.
Diffusion is the movement of molecules through the soil.
The size of soil particles and moisture level determine how long it takes nutrients to reach the roots. Higher water content and smaller soil particle sizes provide a more direct path to the root surface. The distance P travels by diffusion in soils is extremely small. Therefore, an active and large root system is important. Phosphorus is supplied to roots primarily by diffusion and root interception.