Summary
This study demonstrates that portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry can provide rapid, cost-effective quality control for fertilisers by accurately measuring both essential nutrients and potentially harmful trace element contaminants. Using empirical calibrations developed on unamended and intentionally amended fertilisers, the authors achieved high predictive accuracy (R² ≥0.97) for major and most micronutrients, and acceptable accuracy (R² ≥0.80) for several toxic trace elements, offering a field-deployable alternative to conventional laboratory methods for fertiliser characterisation.
UK applicability
The methodology could support UK fertiliser quality assurance and regulatory compliance, particularly as local blending practices increase. However, application would require calibration validation on fertilisers commonly used or produced in the UK context, and integration with existing quality standards and enforcement mechanisms.
Key measures
R² values for calibration and validation models; regression coefficients; detection accuracy for macro nutrients (Mg, P, S, K, Ca), micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, Mo), and trace elements (Co, Ni, As, Se, Cd, Pb, Cr); concentration ranges tested (0–1000 mg kg⁻¹)
Outcomes reported
The study developed and validated empirical calibrations for portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry to measure macro- and micronutrients in fertilisers, as well as detect trace element contaminants. Calibration models for major nutrients (P, Ca, Mg, K, S) and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, Mo) achieved R² ≥0.97, whilst models for trace contaminants (Co, Ni, As, Se, Cd, Pb) achieved R² ≥0.80 on validation.
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