Bio-Intervention of Naturally Occurring Silicate Minerals for Alternative Source of Potassium

Abstract

Soil needs simultaneous replenishment of various nutrients to maintain its inherent fertility status 22 under extensive cropping systems. Replenishing soil nutrients with commercial fertilizer is 23 costly. Among various fertilizers, deposits of potassium (K) ore suitable for the production of 24 commercial K fertilizer (KCl) are distributed in few northern hemisphere countries (Canada, 25 Russia, Belarus and Germany) which control more than 70% of the world's potash market. Naturally occurring minerals, particularly silicate minerals, could be used as a source of K, but not as satisfactorily as commercial K fertilizers. In this context, bio-intervention (in combination with microorganisms and/or composting) of silicate minerals has been found quite promising to improve plant K availability and assimilation. This is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly approach. Here we present a critical review of existing literature on direct application of silicate minerals as a source of K for plant nutrition as well as soil fertility enhancement by underpinning the bio-intervention strategies and related K solubilization mechanisms. An advancement of knowledge in this field will not only contribute to a better understanding of the complex natural processes of soil K fertility, but also help to develop a new approach to utilize natural mineral resources for sustainable and environmental friendly agricultural practices.

Glacially abraded rock flour from Greenland: Potential for macronutrient supply to plants

“…Clay mineral interlayered K is likely not of importance as clay minerals are not found in amounts great enough to be of importance ( Sarkar et al., ). There is an increasing demand for alternative K sources and crushed silicate minerals are a good place to look ( Manning , ; Basak et al., ). K‐bearing minerals include feldspars, micas ( e.g ., muscovite, biotite and phlogopite), zeolite, glauconite, potassium‐taranakite, illite, vermiculite, and chlorite ( Basak et al., ).…”

Impact of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on different forms of soil potassium under wheat cultivation

“…KSBs, which are the bacteria applied in this study, possess K-solubilizing ability and can convert the insoluble or mineral structural K compounds into soluble forms in soil (Lamizadeh et al 2016) and make them available to the plants Increase vermiculite (as K-bearing mineral) dissolution rate and K release by applied bacteria in present study indicated production of organic acid such as oxalic, malic, tartaric and citric acids in laboratory experiments (unpublished data). Productions of organic acids results in acidification of the microbial cell and its surroundings environment can promote the solubilization of mineral K (Shrivastava et al 2016;Sindhu et al 2016;Basak et al 2017).…”

“…However, it comprises only around 1–2% of the total K in soil (Basak et al . ). Moreover, exchangeable K and solution K constitute 98% and 2% of the readily available forms of K in soils respectively.…”

“…The 'readily available forms' of potassium has been defined as the sum of solution K and exchangeable K in soil. However, it comprises only around 1-2% of the total K in soil (Basak et al 2017). Moreover, exchangeable K and solution K constitute 98% and 2% of the readily available forms of K in soils respectively.…”

“…Strains belonged to Enterobacter aerogenes, Pantoea agglomerans, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Microbacterium foliorum, Myroidesod oratimimus and Burkholderia cepacia which has been isolated from tobacco rhizosphere were capable of solubilizing K-feldspar powder in solid and liquid media. The KSB micro-organisms can promote K-solubilization from silicate mineral are very important to enhance the fertility status of soils (Bakhshandeh et al 2017;Basak et al 2017;Nath et al 2017). Inoculation of Mesorhizobium sp., Paenibacillus sp.…”