article · Sustainability
Sandy calcareous soils in arid regions suffer from low phosphorus (P) availability due to high fixation rates, limiting crop productivity. This study investigates a novel hybrid smart fertilizer (BN) composed of olive pomace biochar (BC) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP). BN was synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Its P release kinetics were modeled, and its agronomic performance was assessed on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in a pot experiment under sandy soil conditions with and without wood vinegar (WV). The 1:1 BC:nHAP formulation showed a two-stage release profile: a rapid initial burst (Higuchi model, R2 = 0.86) followed by sustained zero-order release (R2 = 0.80). In the pot experiment, BN combined with WV significantly increased plant height by 36%, shoot fresh weight by 232%, and available soil P by 39% compared to conventional SSP (p < 0.05). This synergistic treatment also improved root nodulation and nutrient (N, P, K) uptake. The BC-nHAP hybrid coupled with WV acts as an efficient P delivery system, improving soil fertility in arid environments based on circular economy principles, aligning with SDGs 2, 12, and 15.
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DOI: 10.3390/su18094247
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