Distribution pattern of major crops and their cultivation intensity indicated by soil phosphorus concentrations in Europe

The sowing area and yield of crops are primarily determined by climatic suitability and modified by terrain conditions. This study presents the actual sowing area of 10 major crops in Europe and reveals the spatial pattern of available soil phosphorus (P) concentrations between and within the sowing areas of the crops, based on the Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) database. A great variance in cropping pattern over Europe was observed, especially for crops with a broad climatic tolerance. Results show significant differences between soil phosphorus concentrations under different agricultural crops, indicating the differences in management intensities of major crops. A strong relationship between high yields and P-fertilizer use was found, as indicated by soil P concentration. In the context of environmental zones, P-concentration values were higher in northern zones, medium in the zones in central Europe, and lower in the Mediterranean zones. The more suitable the climate is for growing crops, the more it pays to apply P fertilizers. Consequently, soil P-concentration is a good indicator of crop cultivation intensity, land productivity, P-fertilizer use, and the total P demand of plants. Among the most commonly cultivated crops, maize seems to be the most dependent crop for the level of P-concentration of soil or the P inputs. For more sustainable P use in Europe, further research is needed to calculate how the P-requirements of yields compare to the P-fertilizer use in the case of different crop types.