Summary
This experimental study evaluated mineral fertilisers incorporating nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium recovered from organic wastes (via ash, struvite, and patented chemical processes) as alternatives to conventional mineral sources. Bio-based mineral fertilisers showed initially slower nutrient availability than conventional fertilisers at 60 days after sowing, but achieved comparable or superior maize biomass by 90 days. Both fertiliser types increased soil bacterial diversity and promoted plant-growth-promoting bacteria, without significant differences between conventional and bio-based treatments.
UK applicability
The findings support the feasibility of bio-based mineral fertilisers from waste-recovered nutrients under controlled conditions, relevant to UK circular economy and nutrient recovery policy goals. However, field-scale validation in UK soil and climate conditions would be necessary before informing commercial practice or policy recommendations.
Key measures
Maize biomass production (60 and 90 days after sowing); soil bacterial community Shannon index (diversity), species richness, and taxonomic composition; relative abundance of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPRs)
Outcomes reported
The study compared plant biomass production and soil microbial community composition in maize grown under conventional mineral fertilisers versus bio-based mineral fertilisers (BBMFs) derived from waste-recovered nutrients. Measurements included maize biomass at two timepoints and soil bacterial diversity and composition via metataxonomic analysis.
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