Phosphogypsum as Fertilizer: Impacts on Soil Fertility, Barely Yield Components, and Heavy Metals Contents

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Fertilization is a critical input factor in crop production and food security achievement. However, there is room for improvement in the application of fertilizers in certain regions. Thus, using low-cost fertilizers, such as phosphogypsum (PG), could enhance farmers' access to these essential inputs. A two-years field experiment was conducted using two Moroccan PG products applied at four rates (0, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 t/ha). The aim was to assess the impact of PG source and rate on barley crop, including yield component, nutrients uptake, and heavy metals content. The study's findings revealed that as the rate of PG application increased, there were significant enhancements in the number of spikes, tillers, grains, total biomass, grain yield, and thousand grains weight. In fact, when compared to the control, the application of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 t/ha of PG led to a remarkable increase in grain yield by 21%, 34%, and 39%, respectively. Furthermore, the uptake of nutrients by the shoots and grains was significantly influenced by the PG application rates, with higher rates resulting in greater nutrient uptake. Notably, the application of PG had no impact on the heavy metal content in shoots, grains, or soil.