bioRxiv · 2026-05-23
Researchers created a slow-release phosphorus fertilizer by coating wood-derived charcoal with a mineral compound that holds and gradually releases phosphorus. Bush beans grown with this material outperformed those given conventional fertilizers in yield, biomass, and nutrient uptake.
Bush beans fertilized with P-Mg/Fe-LDH biochar produced 31.7 g fresh bean weight and 6.3 g dry plant biomass, outperforming both unfertilized controls and conventional phosphorus fertilizers.
Plants reached 32.8 cm in height and achieved phosphorus uptake of 1.88 mg P per gram of plant tissue at an application rate of 100.88 kg P₂O₅ per hectare.
The biochar composite reduced phosphorus leaching losses by providing a buffered, controlled-release mechanism confirmed via surface area analysis and elemental characterization.
