In a recent study published in the journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, Hanbing Li, Yiwen Wang, et al. investigated the use of struvite-loaded magnesium-modified biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More beads (Ca/MgBC+NP) as a slow-release fertilizer and soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More. The research explored its effectiveness in promoting crop growth, improving soil properties, and remediating heavy metal contamination across different soil types.  

The study revealed that Ca/MgBC+NP exhibits favorable swelling, water retention, and slow-release properties in various soils. In sandy soil, the fertilizer significantly enhanced the growth of Brassica chinensis L. and Spinacia oleracea L., with shoot and root lengths, as well as fresh and dry weights, 1.25 to 2.84 times higher than those treated with commercially available slow-release fertilizers (SRF). The cation exchange capacity and organic carbon content of sandy soil also showed substantial improvement.  

Furthermore, the research demonstrated that Ca/MgBC+NP effectively immobilizes heavy metals, particularly chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg), with immobilization rates exceeding 80%. This highlights the potential of Ca/MgBC+NP as a sustainable and low-cost fertilizer that not only boosts crop growth and soil health but also offers a promising solution for heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.  

SOURCE: Li, H., Wang, Y., Zhao, Y., Qi, M., Wang, L., Feng, J., & Li, B. (2025). Struvite-loaded biochar beads fertilizer for different soils: nutrient slow release, soil properties improvement and heavy metal remediation. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 19(6), 73.