Plants are supplied with adequate amount of phosphorus

Phosphorus has also been associated with early maturity of crops particularly the cereals. Its shortage is accompanied by a marked reduction in plant growth. Fodder crops grown on phosphorus deficient soils contain reduced amount of this element and thus are of inferior value when fed to livestock. Leguminous crops grown under phosphate deficiency conditions may suffer from nitrogen deficiency as well, since the nodule bacteria function normally only when plants are supplied with adequate amount of phosphorus.