Controlled release and soil phosphorus distribution of calcium phosphate nanofertilizers in a calcareous soil: a column study
5 affiliations
- 1High Throughput Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (HTMR), College of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (CCSE), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco
- 2Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco
- 3Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- 4School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- 5AgroBioSciences Plant Stress Physiology Laboratory (AgBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco
Abstract
The use of calcium phosphate (Ca-P)-based nanofertilizers is a promising approach to improve phosphorus (P) use efficiency under calcareous soil conditions where P fixation and losses limit its availability. This study investigated the controlled release and leaching behavior of hydroxyapatite (HA), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), and polyphosphate-modified DCPD (DCPD-PolyP) using soil columns, compared with soluble triple superphosphate (TSP). Cumulative P and Ca leaching were monitored over 30 days and fitted to kinetic models. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model best described cumulative P leaching (R2 > 0.96), consistent with predominantly diffusion-controlled behavior and slower apparent leaching from DCPD-PolyP nanomaterials than from TSP. DCPD-PolyP also showed the most balanced P dynamics, combining low P mobility with higher Olsen-P availability than HA. Principal component and correlation analyses revealed that P leaching was governed by Ca-P phase solubility and soil physico-chemical properties interactions. Overall, Ca-P nanofertilizers tended to reduce P mobility relative to TSP, with 26% of the applied P remaining Olsen-extractable and concentrated in the surface layer after leaching, while sustaining gradual nutrient supply under the conditions evaluated. These results highlight the potential of DCPD-PolyP as a controlled-release P source for alkaline soils and provide a basis for designing nanofertilizers optimized for carbonate-rich environments.
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BibTeX
@article{mansouri2026controlled,
title = {{Controlled release and soil phosphorus distribution of calcium phosphate nanofertilizers in a calcareous soil: a column study}},
author = {Houssameddine Mansouri and Hamid Ait Said and Hassan Noukrati and François Perreault and François Perreault and Abdallah Oukarroum and Abdallah Oukarroum and Hicham Ben Youcef},
journal = {Frontiers in Soil Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsoil.2026.1949827},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2026.1949827},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Controlled release and soil phosphorus distribution of calcium phosphate nanofertilizers in a calcareous soil: a column study
AU - Houssameddine Mansouri
AU - Hamid Ait Said
AU - Hassan Noukrati
AU - François Perreault
AU - François Perreault
AU - Abdallah Oukarroum
AU - Abdallah Oukarroum
AU - Hicham Ben Youcef
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Soil Science
DO - 10.3389/fsoil.2026.1949827
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2026.1949827
AB - The use of calcium phosphate (Ca-P)-based nanofertilizers is a promising approach to improve phosphorus (P) use efficiency under calcareous soil conditions where P fixation and losses limit its availability. This study investigated the controlled release and leaching behavior of hydroxyapatite (HA), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), and polyphosphate-modified DCPD (DCPD-PolyP) using soil columns, compared with soluble triple superphosphate (TSP). Cumulative P and Ca leaching were monitored over 30 days and fitted to kinetic models. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model best described cumulative P leaching (R2 > 0.96), consistent with predominantly diffusion-controlled behavior and slower apparent leaching from DCPD-PolyP nanomaterials than from TSP. DCPD-PolyP also showed the most balanced P dynamics, combining low P mobility with higher Olsen-P availability than HA. Principal component and correlation analyses revealed that P leaching was governed by Ca-P phase solubility and soil physico-chemical properties interactions. Overall, Ca-P nanofertilizers tended to reduce P mobility relative to TSP, with 26% of the applied P remaining Olsen-extractable and concentrated in the surface layer after leaching, while sustaining gradual nutrient supply under the conditions evaluated. These results highlight the potential of DCPD-PolyP as a controlled-release P source for alkaline soils and provide a basis for designing nanofertilizers optimized for carbonate-rich environments.
SN - 2673-8619
ER -