Waste‐derived fertilizers can increase phosphorus uptake by sugarcane and availability in a tropical soil^#

Abstract

Background The use of highly water‐soluble phosphorus (P) fertilizers can lead to P fixation in the soil, reducing fertilization efficiency. Waste‐derived, low water‐solubility sources can potentially increase sugarcane's P uptake compared to triple superphosphate by reducing adsorption to the soil. Aims We aimed to test struvite, hazenite, and AshDec® for their agronomic potential as recycled fertilizers for sugarcane production in a typical tropical soil. We hypothesize that these sources can reduce P fixation in the soil, increasing its availability and sugarcane's absorption. Methods In a greenhouse pot experiment, two consecutive sugarcane cycles, 90 days each, were conducted in a Ferralsol. The recovered sources struvite, hazenite, AshDec®, and the conventional triple superphosphate were mixed in the soil in three P doses (30, 60, and 90 mg kg–1), aside a control (nil‐P). At both harvests, sugarcane number of sprouts, plant height, stem diameter, dry mass yield, shoot phosphorus, and soil P fractionation were investigated. Results At 90 days, struvite and hazenite performed better for dry mass yield (70.7 and 68.3 g pot–1, respectively) than AshDec® and triple superphosphate (59.8 and 57.4 g pot–1, respectively) and for shoot P, with 98.1, 91.6, 75.6, and 66.3 mg pot–1, respectively. At 180 days, struvite outperformed all treatments for dry mass yield (95.3 g pot–1) and AshDec® (75.5 mg pot–1) for shoot P. Struvite was 38% and hazenite 21% more efficient than triple superphosphate in P uptake, while AshDec® was 6% less efficient. Soil had higher labile P under struvite, hazenite, and AshDec® than triple superphosphate by the end of the first cycle, while only the later increased nonlabile P by the end of the experiment (180 days). Conclusions Waste‐derived P sources were more efficient in supplying P for sugarcane and delivering labile P in 180 days than triple superphosphate.

Physico-Chemical Properties and Phosphorus Solubilization of Organomineral Fertilizers Derived from Sewage Sludge

“…Their purposes are, respectively, to remove heavy metals by evaporation and to form alkaline phosphate compounds with a higher P bioavailability [22]. Despite its importance for plant nutrition, high Ca concentrations can promote the formation of Ca-P precipitates of lower bioavailability [21,33]. Meanwhile, the high content of Na is worrying, as it can salinize the rhizosphere and inhibit plant root development [34].…”

Precipitation of Potassium as Hazenite from Washing Water of Spent Alkaline Batteries

“…Therefore, hazenite could be a potential phosphorus source for long-term release. Indeed, hazenite increased the biomass of sugarcane by 21% compared to commercial superphosphate in a 180-day growth experiment [6].…”

The Effect of Renewable Phosphorus Biofertilizers on Selected Wheat Grain Quality Parameters

“…Numerous studies prove that recycling-derived P fertilizers match conventional P fertilizers in terms of performance [22][23][24]. However, making these products marketable requires legislative support [25,26]. National policies that optimize P recycling in some European countries (e.g., mandatory P recovery from sewage sludge and slaughterhouse waste [27]), as well as EU regulations [28] and strategies [29], can help recycled nutrient carriers become competitive in the market.…”