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Project

Effect of applying vivianite and P-containing Fe(III)oxides on P bioavailability and dynamics in different agricultural soil types

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for plant growth. In soils with strong P retention or in soils with low P status, P willnot be directly available for plant use. Under such condition, P needs to be added as fertilizers, currently sourced from the non-renewable phosphate rock. Continuous application of P fertilizers, often more than what the crops utilize, can on the long-term exceed the natural capacity of soils to retain P. This leads to P leaching and runoff which disrupts aquatic ecosystems as a result of eutrophication. One solution to both problems lies in capturing P lost from agricultural areas in Fe(II) and Fe(III) phosphates, before it reaches surface waters and recycle this trapped P as fertilizer materials. This research is dedicated in determining the agricultural potential of these recycled materials in different soil types, to investigate whether capturing P from agricultural runoff can close the agronomic P cycle. This will be done by comparing P response of these Fe-based P fertilizers with commercial, readily available P fertilizers in short and long-term plant experiments. Biogeochemical and spectroscopic analyses will be carried out to explain the P availability of the materials in the soils tested.  

Date:6 Nov 2019 →  6 Nov 2023
Keywords:Phosphorus fertilizers
Disciplines:Soil chemistry
Project type:PhD project