WP 4-1 to 4-5 Central P-Analysis, quality management and coordination
University of Rostock (PI: Peter Leinweber, responsible processor: Anika Zacher)

Some highly sophisticated P-analytical methods such as P XANES, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance[NMR] spectroscopy will be used for analysis of P in selected samples from all pot and field experiments to provide a deeper understanding of P speciation at the atomic and molecular level and of their alterations by soil management (WP4-1). Because various groups/laboratories in the consortium sometimes use the same and sometimes different methods for P analyses, the quality management is of crucial importance to ensure the validity of data/data sets that are delivered to the BonaRes Center. Therefore analytical techniques will be compared and harmonized between project partners and inter-lab-comparison will be organized (WP 4-2). A detailed molecular-chemical characterization of original and surface-modified bone chars and their reactions in the soil matrix and with P-compounds will be done by constructing and installing rhizotrone-like experimental devices that allow to manipulate the root-growth close to single bone-char particles, a spatially-resolved sampling and following P speciations by wet-chemical extractions (sequential Pfractionations), modern spectroscopic methods (e. g. pyrolysis mass spectrometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy [XANES]) and other surface-sensitive detection and visualization techniques (WP 4-3). Central data storage, data harmonization and aggregation will be organized as prerequisite for data/knowledge transfer to the BonaRes Centre. In this way work of all partners will be linked with the BonaRes-Center and the ScienceCampus “PhosphorusResearch Rostock”, an initiative between the University of Rostock and the nearby Leibniz-Institutes (WP 4-4). The coordinator group develops close contacts to relevant industries, farmers and other stakeholders to ensure the transfer of technology and application of new knowledge (WP 4-5).
WP 4-6 Identification farm fertilization patterns, evaluation of economic efficiency of factor input allocation
University of Bonn (PI: Silke Hüttel) and University of Rostock (Bärbel Gerowitt, responsible processor: Paul Winklhofer)

The rationale for WP 4-6  is the need to understand farm-fertilization behaviour from a production economics perspective including intensity, mix, technology and sources
of nutrients. The objective is to identify potential relationships of overall farm and field intensity,
farm-specific fertilization patterns, and the (P-) fertilization reduction potential.

To find useful approaches for avoiding luxurious P-fertilization, we will develop a deeper insight into
the complex process of decision-making of P fertilization in the farms’ production process. We collect
and analyse data on use of p-fertilizers on-farms. We will clarify how fertilizers are applied according
to on-farm characteristics (e.g., fertilization-technology, quantity, sources, time, managerial ability),
how policy affects (P-) fertilization (e.g., the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, the German Fertilizer
Ordinance), what role the prices play, how P-fertilization is related to other traits of specific farm
(e.g., type, legal form) or field intensity (e.g., other nutrients, chemical pesticide use). We thereby
refer to the level/mix of inputs but also the expected environmental effects, and the use of techno-
logical innovations. Closing this knowledge gap by analysing a detailed, unique and newly available
data set with innovative methods will stimulate the interdisciplinary governance research with focus
on P and soil and the delivery of proposals for an improved P governance.
WP 4-7 Ethical and socio-economic aspects of P fertility
Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Policy (PI: Felix Ekardt, responsible processors: Beatrice Garske, Jessica Stubenrauch, Anika Zorn)

Based on the findings of the first funding phase WP 4-7 will further develop governance options for tackling sustainable P use in agriculture in line with scientific natural science findings from the first and second funding phase. Thereby national, European and international agricultural legislation that includes fertilizer, soil, water, waste and resource law is under permanent review and further development (e.g. WTO law, EU Common Agricultural Policy 2020 and amended German fertilizer law). The WP uses a holistic approach that takes into account the interlinkages between various environmental problems. A focus lies on linkages between P-N-C-Cycle respectively soil and climate.

Since economic instruments have the potential to overcome structural deficits of command-and-control-law such as rebound and shifting effects, one continuing focus of the WP will be to develop a system of quantity governance to decrease P overuse, trigger P cycles and combat related environmental problems.

The WP uses methods of legal interpretation as well as qualitative governance analysis, taking into account the ethical basis of law in the normative theory of liberal democracy and human rights. Motivational factors of stakeholders for P use serve as basis for governance recommendations.