Abstract

MORALES-MORALES, Edgar Javier et al. Phosphites and their applications in agriculture. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2022, vol.13, n.2, pp.345-354.  Epub Aug 01, 2022. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v13i2.2906.

Phosphites are compounds derived from phosphorous acid that regularly combine with ions such as potassium, sodium, calcium or ammonium. The chemical difference between phosphates and phosphites lies in an oxygen atom, which is replaced by a hydrogen atom. Due to their structural similarity, phosphites are considered to be analogs of phosphates. Although the use of phosphites is currently accepted for their plant biostimulant action, as well as for their auxiliary action in the control of phytoparasites such as oomycetes, protozoa, fungi, bacteria and nematodes, their use as a source of phosphorus for plant nutrition is still debated. Both phosphites and phosphates can be taken up by plants through leaves or roots; however, phosphites cannot be reduced within the plant cell to a lower oxidation state. Nevertheless, phosphites can be oxidized to phosphates if applied directly to the soil. The ability of soil microorganisms to be able to oxidize phosphites to phosphates opens up a possibility that phosphites can be applied as a complementary source of nutrition to phosphate fertilizers. The document prepared is a review of studies that addresses the role that phosphites play in agriculture nowadays, their uses as biostimulators, fungicides and their possibility of use as phosphate fertilizer, as well as a compilation of the most relevant studies on these uses and the results.

Keywords : biostimulator; fertilizer; fungicide; phosphorous acid.

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