Biological phosphate fertilizer

A mineral granule that supplies plant-available phosphate to soils for fertilization, minimizing leaching into surface water. It breaks down through natural microbial action, rather than being water-soluble.

specimen of phosphorite rock phosphate mineral used in fertilizer production and agricultural industry

Readiness Level

Priorities for scaling

catalysing researchcatalysing developmentmoving the innovation from private to public hands

This innovative biological phosphate fertilizer provides plant-available phosphate to soils for fertilization without leaching into surface water. It can consist of a blend of phosphate rock, sulfur, and amorphous silicon, and at times phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, producing a homogeneous mineral granule. Instead of being water-soluble, it breaks down through natural microbial action – the microbial reaction creates a ‘calcium sink’ in the soil, enabling natural liberation of the unavailable P from the rock phosphate, making it almost entirely plant-available. It hereby circumvents having to process phosphate rock for fertilization, which comes with significant environmental consequences. Applied to phosphorus deficient soils, it has proven to be competitive in both performance and economics with synthetic phosphate fertilizers. Currently, it’s estimated to have 1/5th the carbon footprint of conventional phosphate fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP). Essentially, it provides a competitive, sustainable and environmentally safe method of liberating rock phosphate for agricultural production.

Food System Area

agricultural inputs & primary production practiceswaste

Biological phosphate fertilizer addresses several significant environmental problems associated with the production and use of synthetic phosphate fertilizers. Traditional synthetic fertilizers, e.g. MAP/DAP, are highly water-soluble, leading to leaching and runoff that pollutes surface waters. This runoff contributes to eutrophication, causing excessive growth of algae, depleting oxygen in water bodies, and damaging aquatic ecosystems.

When processing phosphate rock to produce traditional fertilizer, the waste left behind is called phosphogypsum and emits radon, a radioactive gas. Phosphogypsum is stored in large stacks and can, through water runoff, pollute local ecosystems and groundwater with heavy metals and such radioactive substances. Moreover, the production of synthetic phosphate fertilizers goes through various energy-intensive production steps, resulting in a high carbon footprint at around 1.7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of phosphate-based fertilizer production.

In contrast, biological phosphate fertilizer is non-water-soluble and relies on natural microbial action to break down and release plant-available phosphate, avoiding the environmental consequences of the intensive production process and phosphogypsum stacks while promoting healthy soils.

Problem area

reducing agricultural footprintincreasing climate resilience

What impact could it have?

Human health impact

medium

Biological phosphate fertilizer avoids the emission of radioactive and heavy metal pollution associated with phosphogypsum stacks, posing significant benefits to human health. Reduced water pollution from phosphate fertilizer runoff also helps to maintain cleaner water sources, reducing risks of drink-water contamination and waterborne diseases.

Environmental impact

high

This innovation delivers large environmental benefits by providing a sustainable and environmentally safe method of liberating rock phosphate for agricultural production. This avoids various forms of pollution threatening terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems associated with traditional phosphate fertilizer production. Biological phosphate fertilizer is also beneficial to soils, working with biological systems in the soil microbiome to unlock plant-available phosphorus while improving soil health. It also significantly cuts the carbon footprint of traditional phosphate fertilizer production, by up to 80%.

Livelihood impact

low - medium

The uptake of this innovation may have low-to-moderate effects on livelihoods. It promotes more equitable access to sustainable farming practices, especially for farmers working with phosphate-deficient soils. Improved soil health and productivity can lead to higher crop yields, enhancing food security for communities. The innovation can improve farmers’ access to P-fertilizers, which currently maintain a certain degree of centralization and reliance on transportation within the supply chain.

Socio-cultural impact

medium

If more decentralized production models were adopted with biological phosphate fertilizers, they could improve access for a broader range of farmers, particularly those currently underserved by conventional mineral fertilizer distribution systems. However, initial adoption may be hindered by social acceptance challenges, including limited awareness of the product and skepticism regarding its effectiveness compared to traditional fertilizers.

Equity impact

medium

Depending on innovation development and market conditions, smallholder and marginalized farmers, who often lack access to high-cost synthetic fertilizers, may find this biological alternative more accessible and affordable, leveling the playing field and promoting greater equity in agricultural practices. Concurrently, resource-poor farmers suffering from deficient soils may improve local food security through this soil-health forward approach.

Potential for transformative impact

medium

While this innovation does not address the finite nature of phosphate resources for fertilization, still facing the consequences of its mining, it does provide a game-changing way to address the major environmental challenges associated with phosphate processing and application.

What factors influence scaling?

There is high potential for bundling with any innovation that addresses challenges associated with phosphate mining, for producing phosphate rock. Bundling with more sustainable nitrogen and potassium fertilizers could further contribute to a more holistic sustainable approach to ‘green’ fertilization.

This innovation is applicable at global scale, of particular importance to phosphate deficient soils. Important to take into account is that it does require mined phosphorus rock, meaning the supply chain will often involve some sort of transport.

There are no significant barriers to uptake and all scales of food system actors can benefit from this innovation, applicable for both organic and traditional farmers. Costs varying dependent on transportation needs may impact financial accessibility in remote regions.

Low-medium disruption to input suppliers and processors.

PhoSul (EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Award Winner 2024) in collaboration with Montana state university research stations for field trials. Criyagen Bio-Phosphate

Potential unintended consequences of the uptake of the innovative biological phosphate fertilizer include shifts in equity and power relations if production and distribution become concentrated among a few large companies, potentially marginalizing small producers and reducing accessibility for smallholder farmers. This may include power shifts related to phosphate mining. With any new microbial innovation unintended consequences related to long-term ecological impacts may also arise, requiring consistent monitoring to safeguard against undesirable effects.

young green seedling in fertile soil for sustainable agriculture

Where is acceleration most needed?

Accelerator scores reflect the degree of action needed across eight key accelerators of change that can enable an innovation to scale. A higher score signals that greater effort and support are needed in that area to unlock uptake at scale. Click on each accelerator to see what’s been achieved and what still needs attention.

Building Trust

Medium

Building Trust

Trust for adequate ability to provide sufficient phosphate to soils may take some effort. In addition, any microbial product faces skepticism and mistrust regarding unintended consequences on the wider ecosystem.

Transforming Mindsets

Low

Transforming Mindsets

Not a highly technological intervention, other than taking advantage of the biological microbial system which may need some additional acceptance.

Enabling Social License

Low

Enabling Social License

Due to the simple blend of natural mineral products, social license shouldn’t face a large barrier, other than trusting efficacy of this biological product in comparison to synthetic alternatives.

Ensuring Stable Finance

Low

Ensuring Stable Finance

The innovation is relatively developed and market ready, able to benefit off but not rely on encouragement of green and socially responsible public and private financing.

Designing Market Incentives

High

Designing Market Incentives

Market incentives to help scale up and spread the use of this innovation are fundamental to its success and widespread impact, particularly to decrease risks for resource-poor farmers.

Changing Policies and Regulations

Low

Changing Policies and Regulations

No major changes to policies and regulations are standing in the way of the implementation of this innovation.

Safeguarding Against Undesirable Effects

Low

Safeguarding Against Undesirable Effects

While monitoring to safeguard against unintended consequences remains essential for any new technology, this innovation is not highly technical and does not introduce any volatile or new substances into the agricultural system.

Developing Transition Pathways

Medium

Developing Transition Pathways

Developing concrete transition pathways is essential to scale and move this innovation from private to public hands.

Reference

Bio-Phosphate, Criyagen: https://criyagen.com/product/bio-phosphate/

Kelbel, G. (2024, March 4). Understanding fertilizer emissions for carbon regulation. CarbonChain. https://www.carbonchain.com/blog/understand-your-synthetic-fertilizer-emissions#:~:text=Emissions%20of%20different%20types%20of%20fertilizers,-The%20highest%20emitting&text=1.7%20tonnes%20of%20CO2,of%20potassium%2Dbased%20fertilizer%20production

Radioactive Material From Fertilizer Production, United States Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radioactive-material-fertilizer-production

Schipper, L. A., Sparling, G. P., Fisk, L. M., Dodd, M. B., Power, I. L., & Littler, R. A. (2011). Rates of accumulation of cadmium and uranium in a New Zealand hill farm soil as a result of long-term use of phosphate fertilizer. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 144(1), 95-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.08.002

Weiss, C. (2024, November 27). Polson biochemist rocking the fertilizer industry. KPAX. https://www.kpax.com/neighborhood-news/mission-valley/the-polson-biochemist-rocking-the-fertilizer-industry#google_vignette