The importance of phosphorus (P): involved in energy transfers in the plant, being of vital importance for protein synthesis, photosynthesis and sugar transformation.
It is a component of respiration and photosynthesis, as well as the phospholipids that make up plant membranes. It is also a component of nucleotides used in energy metabolism in plants (such as ATP) and in DNA and RNA. It stimulates the growth of the roots, being important for the flowering and development of the fruits.
Phosphorus (P) favors the maturation of bolls, accelerating their opening. Phosphorus (P) deficiency has the most evident effect, the general reduction in plant growth. It causes the reduction of photosynthesis, the accumulation and translocation of carbohydrates to cotton bolls. Plants develop very slowly, the older leaves become reddish and progress to drying; in addition, there may be reddening of the stem. In case of a more severe deficiency, flower buds may drop, apple size reduction and poor retention of the same, impacting in the reduction of productivity.
