Valorization of bones to liquid phosphorus fertilizer by microbial solubilization

Abstract

Problem of decreasing resources of phosphate rock for phosphorus fertilizers production, can be mitigated by biological degradation of low quality substrates, performed by bacterial species able to produce mineral and low molecular organic acids. It was found that Bacillus megaterium was able to solubilize phosphorus incorporated with organic matter-biogenic apatite-bones. Using the microbial treatment (by acids produced by microorganisms) it was possible to produce liquid phosphorus fertilizers. At the same time the problem with utilization of noxious wastes can be solved. Two materials were used: bones and phosphorite. Two times higher solubilization factor for bones were achieved when compare to phosphorite. It was possible to obtain the organic liquid fertilizer with the content of P2O5 0.09 % (m/m). It is necessary to evaluate the utilitarian properties of obtained fertilizer in the germination test. © The Author(s) 2013.