Global hunt for phosphates is on

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 04 Jul 2011, 16:28

I always do wonder how the magical soil you lot seem to live on works.

If you plant one wheat seed, a 13th century farm should get 7 wheat seeds back, a 21st century farm should get 200.

Unless wheat operates some sort of fusion/matter creation system to turn energy from photosynthesised sunlight into matter, the matter for the extra 199 wheat seeds has to come from somewhere.

Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen they get from the atmosphere and nitrogen is replaced in the soil, by bacteria, but there still dozens of other little bits and pieces which need to be replaced eventualy.

frank_begbie · Post by **frank_begbie** » 04 Jul 2011, 16:36

As we all know the problem is over population and not enough land to be able to go back to crop rotation.

Killing off masses of people would solve a hell of a lot of problems

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 04 Jul 2011, 17:34

Not sure about the biofuels argument in this context. If ash is returned to farms you've a pretty closed phosphate loop.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 04 Jul 2011, 17:37

DominicJ wrote:I always do wonder how the magical soil you lot seem to live on works.

If you plant one wheat seed, a 13th century farm should get 7 wheat seeds back, a 21st century farm should get 200.

Er, no. It's nothing approaching 200!

And the answer to all the other nutrients lies in the soil. Rocks dissolve.

Edit: just checked the field next door, it's barley not wheat but seems to be giving about 100 seeds per plant. Not a bad return on investment!

Mark · Post by **Mark** » 01 Apr 2015, 10:41

Fertiliser project could bring down phosphorus levels:
http://wwtonline.edie.net/news/fertilis ... Ru7-PzF91Y

A new sustainable fertiliser product being developed by scientists could improve catchment management of phosphorus and help water companies meet EU environmental legislation.

Scientists at environmental consultancy Aqua Enviro are now working together with Lancaster University on a three year £850k Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) project to develop sustainable fertiliser products to help reduce phosphorus levels. The products being developed have the potential to provide a high quality, slow phosphorus release bio-fertiliser, reducing phosphorus run-off associated with farm yard manures and chemical-based fertiliser. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Stopford Energy and the James Hutton Institute. The UK Water Industry currently faces tougher regulations on discharge consents for phosphorus to meet the Water Framework Directive (WFD) standards for water quality.

When they find their way into rivers and watercourses, phosphates coming from wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks and fertiliser run-off can cause algal blooms that affect water supply and smother plant and animal life. Under the European Union Water Framework Directive, by the end of 2015 all rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater must achieve 'good ecological status'. In the UK, phosphorus pollution is the main barrier to meeting this target. Previous United Kingdom Water Industry Research (UKWIR) projects have shown that whilst improved catchment management may take a number of years to take effect, it is an effective and essential part of the approach required to meet the WFD standards. The project will use calcium-rich wastes derived from renewable energy generation to supplement organic material currently going to agricultural land. Combining these materials aims to enhance the nutrient balance, provide additional vital micro-nutrients and improve nutrient release properties. The project will focus on food waste digestates but following successful results could be extended to encompass sewage sludges and farm yard manures.

Continues....

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 02 Apr 2015, 12:52

From the above article:

The project will use calcium-rich wastes derived from renewable energy generation to supplement organic material currently going to agricultural land.

Other then wood ashes I can't think of any other Calcium rich waste from renewable energy generation. Nothing new about applying wood ashes as a fertilizer.