In the way to more sustainable phosphorus management in European agriculture: changes in fertilization efficiency in the context of the sustainable intensification concept

Background Agriculture is vital for global food security, with advances in techniques and fertilizers boosting productivity and reducing hunger. However, inefficient fertilizer use has led to soil and water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. Over-fertilization wastes resources, strains finances, and disrupts natural nutrient cycles, causing eutrophication and acid rain. The research aimed to explore the relationship between Phosphorus fertilization intensity and utilization efficiency. We assessed sustainable phosphorus management in crops using the new SPMI indicator framework. We hypothesized that higher fertilization intensity is associated with improved phosphorus efficiency. Results A novel sustainable management indicator for P (SPMI) has been proposed to assess the sustainability of agricultural production. Using SPMI underlines efficient phosphorus use (PUE) while maintaining high crop yields. Analyses indicate significant variations in phosphorus fertilization across EU countries, impacting yields. While higher fertilization can increase yields and reduce land use, excessive application harms the environment. From 1990 to 2021, phosphorus use efficiency improved, with low-intensity countries benefiting from moderate intensification and high-intensity countries reducing inputs. Conclusions Analysed trends demonstrate sustainable intensification, balancing productivity and environmental protection, as shown by declines in SPMI indices, confirming increased sustainability. The intensity of agricultural production is a critical issue in addressing environmental challenges and global hunger. Intensive farming affects smaller areas more severely, while extensive farming has a lesser impact but requires larger spaces. Sustainable intensification offers a potential solution by balancing ecological and economic needs to meet societal demands.