DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALLY-SOURCED PHOSPHORUS-BASED MINERAL FERTILIZERS ENRICHED WITH PLANT GROWTH STIMULANTS: TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION
Keywords:
phosphorus fertilizers, local raw materials, plant growth stimulants, phosphorite activation, mechanochemical activation, slow-release fertilizers, sustainable agricultureAbstract
Phosphorus is a vital nutrient that regulates multiple physiological processes in plants, including photosynthesis, energy transfer, nucleic acid synthesis, and root development. Conventional phosphorus fertilizers rely heavily on imported raw materials, which increases production costs and creates economic vulnerability in developing agricultural regions. This study explores the development of locally-sourced phosphorus-based fertilizers enriched with plant growth stimulants, such as humic acids and essential microelements (Zn, Fe, B), to improve nutrient uptake efficiency and crop productivity. The raw materials utilized include local phosphorite ores, apatite concentrates, and industrial by-products, particularly phosphogypsum. Activation techniques employed are chemical, mechanochemical, and biological, each aimed at improving phosphorus solubility and bioavailability. Granulated formulations were produced through controlled granulation, drying, and cooling processes, resulting in slow-release fertilizers with optimized physical properties. Greenhouse trials demonstrated enhanced phosphorus uptake, improved root architecture, increased biomass, and higher chlorophyll content. The proposed approach combines cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and high agronomic efficiency, offering a viable strategy for modern, resource-efficient agriculture.
References
1. Chien, S. H., Prochnow, L. I., & Tu, S. (2011). Agronomic and environmental aspects of phosphate fertilizers. Advances in Agronomy, 109, 165–216.
2. Vance, C. P., Uhde-Stone, C., & Allan, D. L. (2003). Phosphorus acquisition and use: Critical adaptations by plants for securing a nonrenewable resource. New Phytologist, 157(3), 423–447.
3. Cordell, D., Drangert, J. O., & White, S. (2009). The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought. Global Environmental Change, 19(2), 292–305.
4. Zhang, F., Shen, J., Zhang, J., et al. (2010). Rational use of fertilizers in agriculture. Journal of Experimental Botany, 61(2), 1–12.
5. Richardson, A. E., Simpson, R. J. (2011). Soil microorganisms mediating phosphorus availability. Plant Physiology, 156(3), 989–996.
