Phytic acid-assisted amorphization of bone mineral for improved phosphorus fertilizer efficiency

Abstract

Phosphorus plays an indispensable role in the food chain, yet phosphorus mineral resources are finite, underscoring the urgency for developing a closed-loop phosphorus economy. Although there have been advances in phosphorus recovery from various waste materials, modern agriculture still depends on adequate phosphorus supply to support plant growth. In this study, we explored the amorphization of Ox bone using phytic acid (Ox-PA), and investigated how varying treatment durations influence the resulting structure. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis was employed to quantify phosphate solubilization. Additionally, pot experiments were conducted to assess the phosphate efficiency of Ox-PA in comparison to untreated Ox bone and control group. The results showed that Ox-PA exhibited significantly higher phosphate solubilization (2973 ppm) than untreated counterpart (13 ppm). When used as a fertilizer, Ox-PA markedly enhanced both aboveground and belowground biomass and root development in maize plants. Moreover, it facilitated increased phosphorus uptake by the plants during their early growth stages. These findings indicate that Ox-PA not only holds significant potential for promoting agronomic sustainability but also contributes meaningfully to the establishment of a circular phosphorus economy.