Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Bio-Based Fertilizers：Bioavailability and Fractionation

• Published in: Pedosphere 2016-06, Vol.26 (3), p.310-325
• Main Authors: VANEECKHAUTE, Céline, JANDA, Joery, VANROLLEGHEM, Peter A., TACK, Filip M.G., MEERS, Erik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chemical soil analysis; digestate; nutrient recovery; Rhizon samplers; struvite; 动物粪便; 土壤有效磷; 应用程序; 物理化学特性; 生物利用度; 生物肥料; 磷利用效率; 重过磷酸钙
• ISSN: 1002-0160; 2210-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/S1002-0160(15)60045-5

Although to date some technologies producing bio-based phosphorus（P） fertilizers have been proposed and implemented, the efficient use of the recovered products is still limited due to legislative constraints and lack of insights in the P release with time and in the corresponding mechanisms. The aim of this work was to evaluate the fertilizer performance in terms of P release and use efficiency of recovered struvite, FePO_4-sludge, digestate, and animal manure as compared to fossil reserve-based mineral triple superphosphate（TSP）. First, product physicochemical characteristics and P fractions in the context of European fertilizer legislation were assessed. Next, a controlled greenhouse experiment was set up to evaluate plant reactions as well as changes of P availability in a sandy soil with high P status and a Rheinsand soil with low P status. Soil P fractions were determined in the extracts with water, ammonium lactate and CaCl_2, and in soil solution sampled with Rhizon soil moisture samplers. Based on all results, it is worth conducting long-term field trials to evaluate the P release effect of struvite and digestate as compared to animal manure and TSP on different soil types with varying P status. These products showed promise as sustainable substitutes for conventional P fertilizers and could contribute to a more efficient use of P in agriculture. A refined classification of P application standards/recommendations in terms of soil P status, soil texture, and fertilizer characteristics, next to the crop P demand, is recommended. Moreover, the additional use of Rhizon samplers for determination of direct available P, including dissolved organic P, is proposed for better understanding and categorization of different P fertilizers in environmental and fertilizer legislations.