Wastewater-Derived Struvite has the Potential to Substitute for Soluble Phosphorus Fertiliser for Growth of Chickpea and Wheat

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) recycling from wastewater can reduce the reliance on the primary source for P fertilisers―rock phosphate reserves. In light of this, we compared the effects of struvite (ST), a sparingly soluble P product derived from wastewater, and readily soluble KH2PO4 (KP) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and P acquisition. Plants were grown in a temperature-controlled glasshouse in plastic pots containing a soil mixture with low P availability, with ST or KP applied at five P rates (7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 µg P g− 1 dry soil). Plants were harvested 56 days after sowing when there were visible differences in above-ground growth. Chickpea and wheat growth positively responded to increasing P rates of KP and ST. At low and medium P rates (7, 14, 28 and 56 µg P g− 1 dry soil) of KP and ST, the plants acquired similar amounts of P, while at a higher P rate (112 µg P g− 1 dry soil), plants supplied with ST, accumulated 1.2- to ~ 2.0- fold higher P than KP. Rhizosheath soil pH increased by ~ 0.1–0.7 units under ST than KP for both species. Wheat produced greater total root length but lower amount of rhizosheath carboxylates than chickpea under KP and ST, and wheat accumulated more P than chickpea under KP and ST. Chickpea and wheat can well access P from ST, indicating the great potential of ST as an alternative P fertiliser.