Phosphogypsum Organic, a Byproduct from Rare-Earth Metals Processing, Improves Plant and Soil

Abstract

Phosphogypsum organic (PG organic) is a soil conditioner, derived from residues, water leach purification (WLP) and neutralisation underflow (NUF) from rare-earth metals processing in combination with composted organic material. There was no report available with regards to the effectiveness of this byproduct for crops improvement in a sandy soil texture. Therefore, a field trial involving a multi-crop was conducted by the addition of PG organic on a sandy texture soil for 23-month period. Guinea grass or guinea grass intercropping with teak wood trees, corn and kenaf showed an improvement in cumulative fresh yield in plot treated with PG organic either with a half- or full-fertilizer recommended rate for the respective crop as compared to control. The same trend was also observed in teak wood trees in hole planting systems and pandan coconut seedlings in the polybags. Application of PG organic in each season showed a consistently higher cumulative fresh yield or yield for certain crop types due to soil ability to maintain the soil pH buffering capacity (pH 5.8–6.0). Therefore, the application of PG organic as soil conditioner promotes plant growth and development due to the improvement of soil condition by creating suitable ecosystem for nutrients absorption by roots.

Amendments of Severe Saline-Sodic Paddy Land: Optimal Combination of Phosphogypsum, Farmyard Fertilizer, and Wood Peat

“…The patterns that characterize rice growth in saline-alkali soil impact the yield; specifically, saline-alkaline stress reduces plant height and tillering [41][42][43][44][45]. The results of this study show that the combined application of P, F, and W significantly facilitated the optimal development of rice across its growth period.…”

Production Waste Management: Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics and the Calculation of the Hazard Class of Phosphogypsum

“…Phosphogypsum contains calcium and sulfur, as well as phosphorus, silicon, and various trace elements, including zinc, which is necessary for plant nutrition. According to [32,33], most of the components of organic phosphogypsum are gypsum (CaSO 4 •2H 2 O). This organic phosphogypsum does not contain significant amounts of radionuclides other than naturally occurring radionuclides and is not a radioactive material.…”