KEY PRACTICE: Struvite shows promise as a phosphorus-fertilizer source. This study shows that struvite recovered from hog manure can match yields compared to monoammonium phosphate and provides higher seed-placed safety.

PROJECT TITLE, LEAD RESEARCHER: “Can slow-release monoammonium phosphate and struvite improve phosphorus use efficiency and reduce seedling toxicity in canola?” Francis Zvomuya, University of Manitoba

GROWER ORGANIZATION FUNDER: Alberta Canola, MCGA, SaskCanola

Struvite, a highly concentrated source of phosphorus removed from hog manure, can be used as a fertilizer to provide a slow-release source of phosphate that increases crop uptake compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP). The slow release can allow for higher rates of seed-placed phosphate.

This study used greenhouse pot experiments to evaluate the effect of struvite on dry matter yield (which correlates to grain yield) and growth room experiments to assess canola seedling toxicity from seed-placed struvite. Experiments were repeated on a Dark Grey sand soil and a Black clay-loam soil. Struvite was compared to MAP and a polymer-coated slowrelease MAP at two rates corresponding to 25 and 50 kg/ha of phosphate.

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Tags: phosphorous, stand establishment