We are facing unprecedented phosphorus (P) challenges, namely P scarcity associated with increasing food demand, and an oversupply of P fertilisers, resulting in eutrophication. Although we need a multidisciplinary approach to systematically enhance P-use efficiency, monodisciplinary studies still prevail. Here, we propose to tighten the P cycle by identifying P-efficient crop genotypes, integrating four plant strategies: increasing P-acquisition efficiency, photosynthetic P-use efficiency and P-remobilisation efficiency, and decreasing seed phytate P concentrations. We recommend P-efficient genotypes together with diversified cropping systems involving complementary P-acquisition strategies as well as smart P-fertiliser management to enhance P-use efficiency in agriculture dependent on soil P status. These strategies will reduce P-fertiliser requirements and offsite environmental impacts, while enhancing seed quality for human and livestock nutrition.

我们正面临着前所未有的磷（P）挑战，即与粮食需求增加相关的磷短缺，以及磷肥的过量供应，从而导致富营养化。尽管我们需要一种多学科的方法来系统地提高P的使用效率，但单学科的研究仍然占上风。在这里，我们建议通过识别有效磷基因型作物，整合四种植物策略来加强磷素周期：提高磷素吸收效率，光合磷素利用效率和磷素转运效率，以及降低种子植酸磷浓度。我们建议使用高效磷基因型，以及涉及互补磷获取策略和智能磷肥管理的多样化种植系统，以提高土壤磷素状况下农业对磷的利用效率。