• Soft Rock Phosphate is less expensive than conventional inorganic phosphate fertilisers e.g. DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), MAP (Monoammonium Phosphate) and TSP (Triple superphosphate).
• Soft Rock Phosphate is a beneficial source of carbon for improved plant energy and beneficial bacterial and microbial populations.
• Soft Rock Phosphate is beneficial for acid soils because of its high calcium content that aids in neutralizing acidic soils. Phosphate rock has approximately one fifth the neutralizing power of lime.

Soft rock provides benefits to crops by encouraging growth of soil bacteria and earthworms and unlike many other nutrients it remaining in the soil until used by the plants without leaching. It also contains calcium, iron, boron and a good supplier of silicon. It is good to add to the compost heap and a great addition, along with other soluble nutrients, as a liquid fertiliser.

Like hard rock phosphate soft rock is not a complete fertiliser and is usually used along with other nutrient sources to create a custom fertiliser, the use of soft rock phosphate with GrowGreen’s other microbial fertilisers is ideal.

GrowGreen’s Soft Rock Phosphate is a clean source of phosphate from Australia with low levels of impurities and contaminants that can be used with confidence. GrowGreen’s SRP is a fine odourless, powder with a small particle size (over 80% of particles <250 microns) providing great solubility. The product is safe and easy to use on its own or with all other GrowGreen microbial fertiliser products.

Like any natural substance soft rock phosphate contains a range of elements, some beneficial, others potentially harmful to plants. Applications of phosphate fertiliser can contribute to the build-up potentially hazardous trace elements such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead in croplands, therefore it is essential to look at the exact source of any phosphate fertiliser used and the micronutrients and other elements present.

Range in concentration of potentially useful elements in phosphate rock

Range in concentration of potentially harmful elements in phosphate rock

Fertilisers can be adulterated products containing raw material sometimes from unknown and/or questionable sources. Besides the certified nutritional ingredients for plants, they may contain, most notably, trace elements contaminants that can be inadvertently introduced into soils. E.g. cadmium is a toxic element often present in rock phosphate and some sources have been banned for high levels of cadmium and other toxics. Cadmium is the most toxic of all the heavy metals. It has a tendency to accumulate in both leaf and root vegetables and can contribute to serious health problems for livestock and humans.

The potential risk from cadmium in organic fertilisers is a growing concern in many countries, for example from 2022 the EU will introduce a new limit on the content of cadmium in phosphorus fertilisers which will be set and implemented at 60 mg/kg and further reductions of the cadmium content may be introduced through a review clause in the regulation text (Organic Market Info, 2019).

A musical analogy is useful here. Soft rock music is gentle and appealing to many but the heavy metal, head banging alternative is counter-productive for both health and well-being.

GrowGreen’s SRP contains minimal levels of cadmium making it a soft rock phosphate source that can be used with absolute confidence.

When choosing a soft rock phosphate you need to ensure that you choose a clean source, small particle size and high in soluble phosphate and low in toxic elements such as cadmium. Analysis has shown that GrowGreen’s Rock Phosphate is a clean phosphate source with low levels of heavy metals (e.g. minimal levels of Cadmium) and other contaminants (See Table below).

Laboratory Analysis By Southern Cross University and SWEP Analytical Laboratories

The phosphorus content of GrowGreen’s SRP is 16% which means a P2O5 (phosphorous pentoxide) content of 36.7% (the phosphorus content of P2O5 is 43.642% , = (16 x 1/43.642) x 100 = 36.7%). Citrate soluble phosphorous makes up 4.02% of the total content of providing an available phosphate content of 9.2% (4.0% x 1/43.642) x 100 = 9.2%). We recommend 250 kg rock/ha providing 23 kg of P2O5 /ha.

GrowGreen’s SRP is more than just a clean phosphate source. In addition to phosphorous GrowGreen’s SRP contains a number of other beneficial micronutrients. This includes a high level (+30%) of calcium which works as a soil amendment loosening tight soils and improving soil tilth. Calcium also helps to build strong cell walls for sturdier plants, and increases plant vitality.

GrowGreen’s SRP contains also contains high levels of silica which helps to maintain phosphorous in plant available form; reduces the lockup of phosphorous by aluminium, iron and calcium and reduces potassium leaching. There is also growing evidence that silica is especially beneficial to plants growing under stressful conditions (Luyckx, et al., 2017). Silica is known to alleviate the toxic effects caused by abiotic stresses, e.g., salt stress, drought, heavy metals etc. and ameliorates the vigour of plants and improves their resistance to exogenous stresses.

Not all phosphate is immediately available. A number of different factors impact on the solubility of rock phosphate and its availability to plants – this includes the chemical properties of the rock phosphate itself; as well as soil and management factors.

The solubility of rock phosphate increases with decreasing particle size. The finer the particle size, the greater the degree of contact between rock phosphate and soil, and therefore, greater the rate of dissolution. Phosphate solubility is not related to the total P2O5 content but to the CO3:PO4 ratio of apatite. It has been well established that increasing substitution of CO32- for PO43- in the lattice structure increases the solubility of carbonate apatites (Kumari & Phogat, 2008).

Phosphate availability is also a function of acid soil conditions and/or active soil biology, i.e. soft rock phosphate becomes available rapidly in acidic soils. In alkaline soils, it should be combined with compost, humates, compost tea or microbial products such as GrowGreen’s Digesters. Examples of common PSM (Phosphate Solubilizing Micro-organisms) include bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium, and Enterobacter. While among the fungal group Aspergilli and Penicillum are well known.

Rock phosphates are applied as a fine powder that is thoroughly mixed through the soil prior to planting. Broadcast and incorporate it into the soil. This enhances the continued dissolution of the rock phosphate. Plant roots are more likely to intercept the phosphorus dissolved from rock phosphate particles that are dispersed widely through the soil so increasing the proportion of the dissolved water soluble phosphorus taken up by plants than is adsorbed by soil. A rate of 250kg/ha is recommended but a soil test showing the current levels of P and Ca are recommended in order to obtain an accurate treatment.

The time required for the dissolution of phosphate rock necessitates it is applied in advance of plant demand. Phosphate rock reaches maximum solubility 4 to 8 weeks after application. However, depending on soil conditions phosphate rock applications can last up to 5 years.

Microorganisms directly affect the ability of plants to acquire phosphate from soil through a number of structural or process-mediated mechanisms. GrowGreens’s SRP is microbe-friendly which is imperative for a healthy soil regeneration program producing the ideal nutrient-dense products. There are real benefits to using rock phosphate alongside other products to encourage beneficial soil micro-organisms.

Rock phosphate requires acid soil conditions to effectively nourish crops. Low calcium and high organic matter in the soil tend to speed rock phosphate dissolution. Use GrowGreen’s SRP to build phosphate fertility where levels are low and/or to increase rooting activity in transplants and sprouting seeds.

GrowGreen’s SRP is best used on long term or perennial crops due to the time taken for dissolution in the soil. Suitable crops include tree crops, pastures, vineyards and horticultural crops it has also been found to be effective for canola. Legumes acidify the soil around their roots which assists them in the absorption of P even if soil pH is at the higher end of the recommended level.

GrowGreen’s SRP is a clean sustainable source of phosphate which can be used in all crop production systems. Mined and produced in Australia it is high in phosphorous, soluble phosphorous and calcium and low in heavy metal contaminants. It is easy to use alongside other GrowGreen microbial products which encourage beneficial soil microbes which can help to release phosphate locked up in the soil, and maximise the benefits of SRP