Efficacy of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles as Phosphorus Fertilizer in Andisols and Oxisols. Issue 2 (3rd February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montalvo, Daniela; McLaughlin, Mike J.; Degryse, Fien
• Is Part Of: Soil Science Society of America Journal. Volume 79:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 551
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2015-02-03
• Subjects: Soils -- United States -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 631.4973
• DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2014.09.0373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-5995

Abstract

Abstract : Improving phosphorus (P) fertilizer efficiency is a challenge in acidic and strongly P sorbing soils. Nanotechnology may have potential to create more efficient fertilizers. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n‐HAP) were evaluated as a potential fertilizer to improve P efficiency based on the hypothesis that nano‐sized particles can potentially move in the soil and reach the plant roots through the mass flow of soil water to roots created by transpiration. The transport of nano‐sized and bulk‐sized HAP was evaluated in saturated soil column experiments. Availability of P from n‐HAP, bulk‐HAP, and triple superphosphate (TSP) to wheat ( Triticum aestivum) was evaluated by a 33 P isotopic dilution technique in a glasshouse study with two Andisols from Chile and New Zealand and two Oxisols from Australia. Transport experiment showed that 5% of the applied n‐HAP leached in the Andisol and <1% in the Oxisol. Bulk‐HAP did not move in either of the soils. Across all soils, the P uptake and the percentage of P in the plant that was derived from the fertilizer followed the order: TSP > n‐HAP > bulk‐HAP. Although n‐HAP performed better than bulk‐HAP, most likely because of faster dissolution, TSP was still a more efficient P fertilizer.