Recrystallization of Triple Superphosphate Produced From Oyster Shell Waste for Agronomic Performance and Environmental Issue

Calcium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate [Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O] (a fertilizer) was successfully synthesized by the recrystallization process by using a prepared triple superphosphate (TSP) that derived from oyster shell waste as starting material. This bio-green, eco-friendly process to produce an important fertilizer can promote a sustainable society. The shell-waste-derived TSP was dissolved in distilled water and kept at 30, 50, and 80 °C. Non-soluble powder and TSP solution were obtained. The TSP solution fraction were then dried and the recrystallized products (RCP30, RCP50, and RCP80) were obtained and confirmed as Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O. Whereas the non-soluble products (NSP30, NSP50, and NSP80) were observed as calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O). The recrystallized yields of RCP30, RCP50, and RCP80 were found to be 51.0%, 49.6%, and 46.3%, whereas the soluble percentages were 98.72%, 99.16%, and 96.63%, respectively. RCP30 shows different morphological plate sizes, while RCP50 and RCP80 present the coagulate crystal plates. X-ray diffractograms confirm the formation of both the NSP and RCP. The infrared adsorption spectra confirmed the vibrational characteristics of HPO42‒, H2PO4‒ and H2O existed in CaHPO4·2H2O and Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O. Three thermal dehydration steps of Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O (physisorbed water, polycondensation, and re-polycondensation) were observed. Ca(H2PO4)2 and CaH2P2O7 are the thermodecomposed products from the first and second steps, whereas the final product is CaP2O6.

The Effect of Nutrients Mixture on The Biomass and Lipid Production from Microalgae Botryococcus braunii Mutated by UV-C Rays

Nutrient is one of the most important factors in the growth of microalgae. This research was conducted to study the effect of nutrient mixture on the biomass and lipid production of Botryococcus braunii. Microalgae B. braunii was cultivated in the commercial nutrient medium of agricultural fertilizer combinations of ammonium sulphate (ZA), urea, and triple superphosphate (TSP). Before the cultivation process, B. braunii was exposed to UV-C rays (254 nm) for 3 minutes. The concentration and type of fertilizer as a nitrogen source divided into four types of mixtures, namely FM-1, FM-2, FM-3, and FM-4 were compared with Walne nutrients to study their effects on microalgae growth and lipids. FM-1 consisting of 150 mg/L of ZA, 7.5 mg/L of urea, and 25 mg/L of TSP led to the best growth for native and mutated microalgae strains compared to Walne nutrients and other nutrient mixtures. The mutated microalgae showed less growth than the native microalgae strains. However, the mutation process significantly increased the lipid content in the microalgae. In native microalgae strains, FM-4 consisting of 136.3 mg/L of urea and 50 mg/L of TSP produced the lowest lipid at 8.96%. After being exposed to UV-C rays, the lipids in FM-4 medium increased to 55.11%. The results show that the use of commercial fertilizers and exposure to UV-C rays on microalgae have high potential in preparing lipids as raw material for biodiesel which can be effectively applied in large-scale microalgae cultivation.

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

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.

Evaluation of soils with average potassium content summation for implantation of Musa sp in the municipality of Teotônio Vilela, Alagoas

Soil fertility is one of the crucial factors for agriculture, whose main objective is to increase production. Therefore it is extremely important to know the nutritional requirement of cultivars. Fertility-focused studies are essential for fertilization recommendations in all regions, especially in banana cultivation which is a very demanding plant in fertility. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate soil fertility, emphasizing the quantification of nutrients necessary to ensure the agricultural productivity of musa sp. The research was developed at laudelino farm, municipality of Teotônio Vilela/Alagoas, between 2019 and 2020, where soil amotragens were performed, randomly collected in the 0-20 cm depth layer, removing 1 kg of soil and sent to the soil laboratory of the Campus of Engineering and Agrarian Sciences (CECA) of the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) located in the municipality of Rio Largo-AL, for chemical analysis. The hydrogenic potential (pH), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K+) accessible were analyzed; calcium (Ca+2) and tradable magnesium (Mg+2); saturation by exchangeable aluminum (m%), cation exchange capacity CTC at pH 7.0 (T); base saturation (V%) and; organic matter (OM). As a result of the analysis, the following results were obtained: pH content (5.6); OM (14.1 g/kg) P (5.0 mg/dm³) K (110 mg/dm³), Ca2+ (3.42 cmolc/dm³), Mg2+ (2.53 cmolc/dm³); Al3+ (0.00 cmolc/dm³), H (4.41 cmolc/dm³), and CTC (T) (10.73 cmolc/dm³); m (0.0 %) and V (59 %). Based on the above results, it is suggested the application of 1,103 kg of limestone in order to increase the base saturation to 70%, in addition to the addition of 50 kg/ha of N and 343.5 kg/ha of P2O5 and 96.7 kg/ha of K2O. It is worth mentioning that their applications in the soil must be carried out through sources of 837.8 kg/ha of triple superphosphate; 161.2 kg/ha of potassium chloride and 111 kg/ha of urea. It is also essential to add 30 to 50 t/ha of organic matter, such as bovine manure to the soil, aiming at better utilization of the material by crops.

Optimization of culture media to produce Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 in a handcrafted bioreactor

Objective. To optimize a nutrient medium based on fertilizers for the cultivation of Bacillus subtilis in an Airlift-type handcrafted bioreactor. Design/Methodology/Approach. Twenty-seven nutrient media, fixed by combining five factors with three levels, including sucrose, ammonium sulfate, triple superphosphate, UltraK® formula, and B. subtilis inoculum (Serenade® Max) were tested in a 50L handcrafted by the authors. The variables monitored in the media were absorbance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. The first was the one that was considered for optimization as it is the indirect indicator of bacterial growth. On the statistical analysis, the option "Larger is better" was chosen for Signal/Noise for the ANOVA of the main effects according to the Taguchi method. Results. The highest level of sucrose, together with the lowest level of triple superphosphate were determinants for maximum growth of Bacillus in the time studied. On the other hand, the components such as ammonium sulfate, UltraK® formula, or the amount of inoculum were not significant, which means that they can be added from the mid to low levels. Study limitations/Implications. This new information can be scaled to bioreactors of 2500 L for B. subtilis that we have previously developed. Finding/Conclusions. Maximum bacterial growth depends on a good supply of sucrose, limiting triple superphosphate. Additionally, it is prudent to decrease additions of ammonium sulfate because it reduces dissolved oxygen in the nutrient medium.

Impact of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Biochar Enriched with Chicken Manure Extract on Phosphorus Retention in Sandy Soil

A 45-day incubation and leaching experiments was conducted to determine the effect of different rates (0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 t ha−1) of enriched empty fruit bunches biochar (EEFB) and inorganic fertilizer (91 kg ha−1 triple superphosphate—TSP) on the availability and leaching losses of phosphorus from sandy soil (tin tailing soil). The treatments rates for the study were designated as T1—without fertilizer (control), T2—inorganic fertilizer treatment using TSP and T3, T4, T5, and T6, which refers to EEFB rate of 1, 2, 3, and 5 t ha−1, respectively. The enriched biochar was prepared by shaking biochar with chicken manure extract for 24 h. The addition of EEFB to the soils was found to increase pH of the soil compared to control and inorganic fertilizer treatment. After 45 days of incubation, the percentage increase in available P recorded in EEFB treatments were 1.6, 2.9, 2.8, and 4.1%, whereas for control treatment and inorganic fertilizer treatment, the available phosphorus was found to reduce by 10% and 83%, respectively. Loss of phosphorus via leaching in the soil was higher in EEFB treatments compared to control. However, the highest phosphorus leaching among all treatments in this study was recorded in inorganic fertilizer treatments. From the study, it was observed that biochar can be used to recapture phosphorus from chicken manure extract for transport to the soil, thereby reducing problems associated with chicken manure application.

Phosphorus Dynamics in Sugarcane Fertilized With Filter Cake and Mineral Phosphate Sources

Organic residual material such as filter cake, combined with mineral phosphate fertilizers, may alter the soil phosphorus (P) bioavailability for sugarcane as a consequence of the competing effect in adsorption sites. This study aimed to quantify the changes in both the inorganic and organic soil P fractions as amended by phosphate fertilizer sources and filter cake and to link the P fractions to sugarcane response. An experiment was conducted in an Oxisol, in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement of 4 × 2, and three replications. Three P fertilizer sources (triple superphosphate, Araxá rock phosphate, and Bayóvar® reactive phosphate) plus a control (no P) were evaluated under both the presence and absence of filter cake. At the end of the second crop cycle, the following were measured: the cane yield, the tissue P content, and soil P fractions. All fertilizer sources were efficient in supplying P to sugarcane. Araxá rock phosphate generated a higher accumulation in moderately labile P, whereas the soluble triple superphosphate resulted in higher labile P. The filter cake, as a source of nutrients and organic matter, has an important contribution to maintain more available P for sugarcane absorption, especially when associated with triple superphosphate. The amount of P absorbed by sugarcane was correlated with the soil labile P (r = 0.58) and also with the inorganic P moderately labile (r = 0.42). Both fractions must be taken into account for a short- to medium-term availability of P for sugarcane in Oxisols.

Nutrient Dynamics in Sandy Soil and Leaf Lettuce following the Application of Urea and Urea-Hydrogen Peroxide Impregnated Co-Pyrolyzed Animal Manure and Bone Meal

There is a paucity of data regarding the effect of nutrient-enriched biochar amendments on nutrient dynamics in both soil and crops. This is important because unlike pristine biochar, nutrient-enriched biochar is applied to the soil in minute quantities as large amounts may led to over application of the nutrients loaded in it. The current study examined the effects of both phosphorus- and nitrogen-enriched biochars on the dynamics of both macro and micronutrients in the sandy soil and leaf lettuce grown thereon. The phosphorus enrichment followed co-pyrolysis of animal manure (cow dung) with 25% and 50% bone meal (w/w), while the nitrogen enrichment was achieved by soaking the co-pyrolyzed biochar into urea and urea-hydrogen peroxide. The performances of the nutrient-enriched biochar were compared with the conventional amendment of urea and triple superphosphate (TSP) in the production of leaf lettuce over a period of two seasons in a pot experiment. The nutrient-enriched biochar amendments resulted into higher microbial biomass carbon and carbon to nitrogen ratios than the conventional amendment. The conventional amendment caused more phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium accumulations in the leaf lettuce than the nutrient-enriched biochar amendments. The nutrient-enriched biochar amendments led to more accumulations of nitrogen, calcium, and micronutrient elements in the leaf lettuce and availabilities of all the nutrient elements in the soil and thus, nutrient-enriched biochar acted as a reservoir that could provide nutrients to the growing lettuce beyond a single growing season.