Now Reading: Morocco’s syenite rock may offer cheaper potassium fertiliser for Africa
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Morocco’s syenite rock may offer cheaper potassium fertiliser for Africa
Morocco’s syenite rock may offer cheaper potassium fertiliser for Africa
Researchers have developed a method to extract usable potassium from syenite rock found in Morocco, potentially giving African farmers a local alternative to imported potash. The study, published in ScienceDirect, found that…
The Story in Brief
Researchers have developed a method to extract usable potassium from syenite rock found in Morocco, potentially giving African farmers a local alternative to imported potash. The study, published in ScienceDirect, found that crushing the rock, treating it with acidic or alkaline agents and heating it to just under 200°C made its potassium more accessible.
Nearly 40 per cent of the potassium converted into usable silicate and carbonate forms under the best conditions. Laboratory tests found that corn and soya absorbed nutrients from treated syenite as well as from standard potash fertiliser. The material also released potassium gradually, along with silicon and magnesium. Larger field trials are planned to test costs and performance at scale.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that this discovery will quickly solve Africa’s fertiliser problem would be premature. The laboratory results are encouraging, but processing costs, transport, soil conditions and farmer access will decide whether syenite can compete with imported potash. Nor does a local source automatically make production affordable or environmentally safe. The clearest test will be whether larger field trials match the laboratory results without pushing the final price beyond farmers’ reach.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
