The Future Of Phosphorus: Fertilizer Innovations That Support Resilience

Karl Wyant, Ph.D.

Karl Wyant, Ph.D.

Nutrien

Director of Agronomy

Dr. Karl Wyant currently serves as the Director of Agronomy at Nutrien. In this position, Dr. Wyant contributes proven agronomic leadership in growing the Nutrien commodity and premium fertilizer product lines and promotes advanced sustainability initiatives.  Before working at Nutrien, Dr. Wyant served as the Vice President of Ag Science for Heliae Agriculture (2019-2022) and as an agronomist for Helena Agri-Enterprises in California and Arizona (2014-2019). Dr. Wyant earned his advanced degrees at Arizona State University (PhD – 2014) and Colorado State University (MS – 2008).  Dr. Wyant is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) and has his CA and AZ Pest Control Advisor licenses. He is chair of the WRCCA Executive Committee for 2022 and 2023. He has received an industry mark of distinction as one of Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Forty Under Forty.

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Phosphorus is one of the three macronutrients essential to plant growth, supporting energy transfer, root development, photosynthesis, flowering, water uptake, nutrient availability, and overall yield. As a result, phosphorus-based fertilizers have become an essential on-farm input with decades of innovation playing a key role in their efficiency in the field.  

But the raw phosphorus ore we mine for fertilizer is concentrated in just a few countries around the world, leading to concerns about long-term availability and supply chain resilience. This has led to a new focus on innovation and how we can more efficiently manage this critical nutrient in the fields. 

In an article from the September/October issue of Fertilizer International, Nutrien Director of Agronomy, Dr. Karl Wyant, explores the vital role these products play, the innovations that have led us to where we are today, and the future developments that are essential to ensuring this vital nutrient remains available in the fields. 

Learn more about the rapid transformation that the phosphorus fertilizer industry has undergone and explore the future of phosphorus innovation when you login to Fertilizer International and read the full article. 

Explore the following eKonomics resources to learn more about the importance of phosphorus: 

A Primer For Phosphorus 

Phosphorus: Because It’s Worth It 

The Dirt Season 4, Episode 9: The Role Of Phosphorus In Plants With Dr. Cristie Preston 

The Importance Of Early Season Phosphorus Nutrition