Novel value-added phosphorus-potassium-activator fertilizers improve phosphorus use efficiency and crop yields

Abstract

It is thus essential and critical to enhance phosphorus (P) fertilizer use efficiency of crops to improve agricultural and environmental sustainability. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the impact of different kinds of value-added P-potassium (K)-activator fertilizers (VPAFs) on soil nutrient bioavailability, growth and yield of wheat-maize crops. Compared with that of the control (NPK) treatment, the wheat yields of VPAF treatments increased from 6.59% to 18.61%, and the maize yields increased from −0.22% to 15.58%. In addition, the P fertilizer utilization rate of VPAF treatments increased by an average of 10.87% and 5.75% for wheat and maize, respectively. Therefore, VPAF application in agriculture can introduce multiple benefits including increasing crop yield, improving fertilizer utilization efficiency, enhancing nutrient bioavailability, and reducing pollution.