Researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, explored ways to create more efficient zinc-enriched fertilizers using the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
By utilizing the HXMA beamline at CLS, they examined the molecular interactions of zinc in ammonium phosphate fertilizers and how it affects its solubility in water.
The researchers found that modifying the fertilizer’s pH could improve zinc solubility and its availability to plants. By spraying the fertilizer granules with an acidic solution, they were able to increase zinc solubility, surpassing the effectiveness of current commercial products.