Co-fertilization of sulfur and struvite-phosphorus in a slow-release fertilizer improves soybean cultivation

30 November 2021, Version 1
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

In face of the alarming world population growth predictions and its threat to food security, the development of sustainable fertilizer alternatives is urgent. Moreover, fertilizer performance should be assessed not only in terms of yield but also root system development, as it impacts soil fertility and crop productivity. Fertilizers containing a polysulfide matrix (PS) with dispersed struvite (St) were studied for S and P nutrition due to their controlled-release behavior. Soybean cultivation with St/PS composites provided superior biomass compared to a reference of triple superphosphate (TSP) with ammonium sulfate (AS), with up to 3 and 10 times higher mass of shoots and roots, respectively. Additionally, St/PS achieved a 22% sulfur use efficiency against only 8% from TSP/AS. Root system architectural changes may explain these results, with higher proliferation of second order lateral roots in response to struvite ongoing P delivery. Overall, the composites showed great potential as efficient controlled-release fertilizers for enhanced soybean productivity.

Keywords

Struvite
Sulfur
Polysulfide
Soybean
Root
Fertilizer

Supplementary materials

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Description
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Title
Supplementary Information
Description
Fertilizers contents, substrate characterization, rhizotron images over time, and data from root and substrate measurements in layers
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