Wastewater-Derived Struvite has the Potential to Substitute for Soluble Phosphorus Fertiliser for Growth of Chickpea and Wheat

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Abstract

Phosphorus (P) recycling from wastewater can reduce the reliance on the primary source for P fertilisers―rock phosphate reserves. In light of this, we compared the effects of struvite (ST), a sparingly soluble P product derived from wastewater, and readily soluble KH2PO4 (KP) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and P acquisition. Plants were grown in a temperature-controlled glasshouse in plastic pots containing a soil mixture with low P availability, with ST or KP applied at five P rates (7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 µg P g− 1 dry soil). Plants were harvested 56 days after sowing when there were visible differences in above-ground growth. Chickpea and wheat growth positively responded to increasing P rates of KP and ST. At low and medium P rates (7, 14, 28 and 56 µg P g− 1 dry soil) of KP and ST, the plants acquired similar amounts of P, while at a higher P rate (112 µg P g− 1 dry soil), plants supplied with ST, accumulated 1.2- to ~ 2.0- fold higher P than KP. Rhizosheath soil pH increased by ~ 0.1–0.7 units under ST than KP for both species. Wheat produced greater total root length but lower amount of rhizosheath carboxylates than chickpea under KP and ST, and wheat accumulated more P than chickpea under KP and ST. Chickpea and wheat can well access P from ST, indicating the great potential of ST as an alternative P fertiliser.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3011-3025
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Apr 2024

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