Effects of the application of porous glass material treated with phosphate on the growth of tomato plants and the phyto-available phosphate in soil

Abstract

We have previously reported the ability of porous glass material (PGM) to adsorb phosphate and that calcium contributed to this process. In the present investigation, the possible use of PGM to improve water quality (wastewater in particular) and the subsequent use of phosphate-adsorbed PGM as fertilizer were examined. We confirmed the phyto-availability of phosphate adsorbed onto PGM using tomato cultivation and an assay of truog-phosphate levels. Adsorption and release of phosphate in PGM was controlled by particle size. The findings suggest the possibility of using PGM of different particle sizes for efficient phosphate recycling in soil-water/plant systems.