Impact of nutritional disorders of nitrogen and phosphorus in Poaceae and future prospects: a review

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies limit the productivity of crops the most, including of Poaceae, which have a C4 photosynthetic system and a high capacity for biomass accumulation in tropical regions, with a high requirement for these nutrients. The excess P and N (especially in the ammoniacal form) can cause nutritional disorders predominantly in very intensive cultivation systems. However, studies on the subject are scarce. The aim of this review is to address the occurrence and effects of deficiency of and excess N and P in Poaceae and its relationship with soil acidity. The main impacts of these nutritional disorders on the physiology and production of these plants were discussed. Possible alternatives to attenuate the nutritional imbalances of N and P in grasses are presented.