Phosphorus uptake from struvite is modulated by the nitrogen form applied

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Ana A. Robles-Aguilar
  • Silvia D. Schrey
  • Johannes A. Postma
  • Vicky M. Temperton
  • Nicolai D. Jablonowski

Next to nitrogen, phosphorus (P) is the most limiting nutrient for plant production worldwide. To secure food production, new nutrient management strategies using alternative P sources instead of mined P fertilizers need to be implemented. Struvite (MgNH4PO4 · 6 H2O) is a promising example of a recycled mineral P fertilizer. Besides positive agronomic results regarding crop yields, further investigations are required to improve the use efficiency of the product and thereby increase its value. Using an automated plant phenotyping platform, we investigated the dynamic response to struvite by two plant species (lupine and maize) with diverse P acquisition strategies in an acidic sandy substrate. Although at three weeks after germination both maize and lupine had reduced leaf area in the struvite treatments compared to the commercial triple superphosphate (TSP), from week four onwards struvite plants grew larger than the TSP-treated plants, indicating a slow release fertilizing effect. Greater P uptake efficiency (g / root length), but reduced root length were observed in the combined treatment of struvite and ammonium, in comparison to struvite and nitrate. We propose that rhizosphere acidification in response to ammonium uptake may enhance P recovery from struvite. A possible additional acidification effect by lupine root exudation might explain the higher P uptake efficiency in this species compared to maize. We conclude that struvite combined with ammonium can be used as a sustainable slow-release P fertilizer on acidic sandy soils.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science
Volume183
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)80-90
Number of pages11
ISSN1436-8730
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.02.2020

    Research areas

  • ammonium, nitrate, recycled phosphorus, root morphology modification, slow-release fertilizer, struvite
  • Ecosystems Research

DOI

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