Fertilizers play an important role in food security and the provision of plant biomass for numerous purposes and applications. The use of natural phosphate (NP) is a strategy to supplement phosphorus fertilization for healthy plant growth and biomass production for the implementation of a successful bioeconomy. However, these NP sources are not readily available to plants.

P solubility is closely related to particle size and can be significantly increased by a suitable nanonization process. The properties of nanoparticles therefore suggest a potential application for increasing the solubility of NP. However, their tendency to agglomerate is a potential obstacle. Elemental sulfur (S0) could serve as a dispersion matrix for phosphate nanoparticles, forming a multinutrient fertilizer that can be easily produced by extrusion at low temperatures. In addition to the effect of dispersion on solubility, the acidity produced by the oxidation of S0 to sulfate (SO42-) may also contribute to the solubility of NP nanoparticles. The introduction of S-oxidizing microorganisms, e.g. Aspergillus niger (fungus) and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (bacterium), can influence and improve the oxidation of S0 in soils. Therefore, the main objective of SuPPrISe is to develop a novel fertilizer based on the dispersion of natural phosphate nanoparticles in a matrix of elemental sulfur in different proportions, where the inoculation of A. niger or A. thiooxidans optimizes S0 oxidation. Subsequently, the effects on plant nutrition and plant biomass of the crops under investigation, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.), will be evaluated. The targeted fertilization of plants while avoiding nutrient losses increases the sustainability of food production systems.

Contacts IBG-2

Dr. Nicolai David Jablonowski