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Illustration courtesy of the USDA Legacy Phosphorus Project.

Legacy phosphorus: 4R nutrient stewardship, regional conservation, and collaborative, adaptive management

August 22, 2025

This collection of articles address the environmental and water quality impacts of legacy phosphorus and how it impacts crop production, soil tests, and long-term sustainability of fertilizer practices across U.S. cropland. Particular emphasis is given to the 4R nutrient stewardship framework as well as regional conservation strategies, hydrological variability, and collaborative, adaptive management.