Why does phosphorus need to be added to many agricultural soils?

Phosphorus is an essential macroelement required for plant growth, as it is a vital component of DNA, cell membranes, and various metabolic pathways involved in energy transfer.12

In natural ecosystems, phosphorus is often the most limiting element because it is frequently lost to ocean deeps through leaching and sedimentation. Because of this steady diversion of phosphorus away from terrestrial environments, it must be added to agricultural soils in the form of fertilizers to maintain soil fertility and ensure consistent agricultural productivity.1