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The Role of Phosphorus in Kentucky Agricultural Development: A Story of the Haves and the Have–Nots

The Role of Phosphorus in Kentucky Agricultural Development: A Story of the Haves and the Have–Nots

ID-278
The Role of Phosphorus in Kentucky Agricultural Development: A Story of the Haves and the Have–Nots

Authored by: John Ragland Dennis Egli Katsutoshi Mizuta Stephen Greb Jeffrey Levy

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Abstract

Central Kentucky soils frequently contain hundreds of pounds of plant-available phosphorus per acre, compared to five to seven pounds per acre for the soils of most counties in other parts of the state. This richness of the Central Kentucky soils is due to the unusually high phosphorus content of the parent material, known as the Lexington Limestone. This rock unit forms the bedrock in Central Kentucky above a geologic structure called the Cincinnati Arch, and it has made these Central Kentucky counties the “haves,” in regard to soils inherently rich in plant-available phosphorus.

Core Details

Publication ID

ID-278

Status

New

Publication Date

July 24, 2025

Series

Multi-Part Series

N/A


Categorical Details

Department(s)

Language

English

Peer Reviewed?

Yes


Keywords

Corn, Kentucky, Bluegrass, Phosphorus, Limestone

Contact Information

Tawana Brown
Associate Director, Educational Publications

361 Blazer Dining 343 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. Lexington, KY 40526-0012

+1 (859) 257-7566

tawana.brown@uky.edu