Reactive phosphate rock fertilisers

The phosphate rock used as a fertiliser in agriculture is known by a number of name, including Reactive Phosphate Rock (RPR), Direct Application Phosphate Rock (DAPR), Mineral Phosphate, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, and other variations.

Can phosphate rock be used as a fertiliser?

The right phosphate rock, used effectively, is an excellent source of long lasting phosphate.

The quality of phosphate rock and its suitability for use as a fertiliser varies depending on the mine or even the pit from which it is mined.

Laboratory analysis or field trials are the most effective way to test the suitability of phosphate rock as a fertiliser.

Is phosphate rock ‘organic’?

Being a natural mineral, phosphate rock is commonly sold and promoted as an organic product. Being organic does not guarantee the effectiveness of phosphate rock as a fertiliser.

Processing BioAgPhos at our Geelong facility.

The availability of phosphorus determines effectiveness

While phosphate rock is commonly defined by the total amount of phosphorus or P, it is the availability of the phosphorus that will determine the product’s effectiveness as a fertiliser. When assessing phosphorus availability, the most important aspect is to ensure you use a laboratory that is capable of analysing phosphate rocks. Soil and mineral laboratories may not use the correct methods.

The most common way to measure P availability is through dilute acid extraction. The more that is extracted the more available the P in the rock.

How is phosphate content in RPR measured?

The common ways to measure phosphate content in phosphate rocks are; Phosphorus (%P) and Phosphate (%P2O5).

What about BioAg’s products?

BioAg’s products are manufactured using high grade, highly reactive Algerian phosphate rock. After adding our proprietary phosphate digester, with its blend of microbes and microbial food, BioAgPhos® composts for between 14 to 20 days before it is ready for sale.

BioAgPhos has been laboratory tested and used in a number of replicated trials to prove its value as a fertiliser.

Want to know if a BioAg program including BioAgPhos will give your crops or pasture the P it craves? Talk to one of our qualified and experienced Area Managers.