Mapping the fertosphere’s phosphorus availability distribution in a field trial using a novel diffusive gradients in thin-films (fDGT) technique

Abstract. Phosphorus (P) is limiting to crop growth worldwide and optimising P fertiliser use is essential for maintaining crop productivity and avoiding negative environmental impacts. To achieve this, a thorough understanding of the chemistry and potential plant availability of P fertilisers in soil is required, particularly the chemistry in the region of soil surrounding the fertiliser granules i.e. the fertosphere. The diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique is commonly used to estimate potentially bioavailable nutrient concentrations and the distribution of nutrients in the environment, including for P. This method correlates strongly to plant available nutrients because it mimics plant nutrient uptake by acting as an infinite sink. The technique has been used to obtain two-dimensional (2D) images of labile P concentrations or P fluxes in soil using X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and laser ablation (LA) ICP-MS in laboratory settings. Conventional DGTs are tedious to prepare and difficult to deploy at a scale (10s of cm²) relevant to field scale observations. We recently developed a DGT with a gel-free binding layer that addresses these limitations. This innovative design is robust and simplifies preparation and analysis, making it ideal for field deployment. Here, we describe the details of the design of this novel field DGT (fDGT) device and evaluate its effectiveness in assessing the spatial availability of P from different fertilizer sources in a barley field trial in calcareous soil. Using X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) analysis of DGT binding layers, we demonstrate that there are distinct reaction zones along the P fertiliser band in the field, and that differences between P treatments can be visualised and quantified using this novel fDGT. This approach provides a foundation for expanded use of field-deployable DGTs in studying macronutrient dynamics and supports the development of more efficient, site-specific fertiliser strategies to improve P use efficiency in agricultural systems. As the next step, we propose to further develop and refine this fDGT device and to make it applicable for other macro and/or nutrients. This will ultimately support research that aims to assist farmers by enhancing fertiliser use efficiency.