Phosphorus in Low-Input Dryland Agriculture: The Perspective from Syria

Although most of the research on phosphorus (P) in developed countries focuses on the environmental implications of excess P fertilizer use, the opposite occurs in developing countries. The northern Africa–western Asia region has low-input agriculture with limited P fertilizer use, and cropping is constrained by low rainfall. The evolution of P research in Syria is similar to that other countries of the region, but the approach adopted by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas is unique, with the research conducted being relevant to the whole region. This review identifies the various phases in P research in Syria, that is, initial diagnosis of the extent of P deficiency, fertilizer trials on station and in farmers’ fields, influence of rainfall and soil moisture on P behavior, soil studies elucidating the responses of applied P in soils, and laboratory standardization.