What is meant by a phosphorus-based (P-based) nutrient management plan?
Phosphorus is one of the essential chemical elements of both plant and animal nutrition. However, enriched phosphorus levels in surface water systems can accelerate the growth of algae and other plants that impair the suitability of the water for municipal, recreational, and even fish and wildlife use. Controlling land application of nutrients, especially from animal manure, has become a focal point in agricultural conservation plans. The intent is to prevent nitrogen and phosphorus pollution as called for in Clean Water Act regulations and goals of the U.S. Department of Agricultures conservation programs. More restrictive nutrient management planning will likely become a standard conservation aspect of farming operations, especially concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which must dispose of huge volumes of manure. A nutrient management plan that restricts the level of phosphorus that can be land-applied in some specific time interval is called a P-based nutrient management
