Orthophosphate

What Does Orthophosphate Mean?

In gardening, orthophosphate is an essential nutrient used in most brands of fertilizers. This nutrient has been shown to both capture and convert sunlight into compounds. Plant roots can only absorb orthophosphate dissolved in solution. Also known as reactive phosphorus, orthophosphate is particularly beneficial to plants such as squash and tomatoes.

Maximum Yield Explains Orthophosphate

Orthophosphate aids in root development and strengthens both stems and stalks. As a result, fertilizers rich in orthophosphate improve the formation of seeds and flowers. Growers often use this nutrient to trigger an earlier and more uniform crop maturity while improving the crop’s yield and quality. In some cases, orthophosphate increases a plant’s resistance to certain diseases.

While a deficiency in orthophosphate may not produce visible symptoms at first, some crops have a higher change of experiencing stunted growth. For example, an orthophosphate deficiency in corn can turn the stems and leaves purple.