Author : Nelly Sophie Raymonda, Dorette Müller Stövera, Clément Peltrea, Henrik Hauggaard Nielsenb, Lars Stoumann Jensena

Address : ( a Plant and Soil Science Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark b Roskilde University, Department of People, Denmark and Technology, Research Group for Environment, Energy, Transport – Regulation, Innovation and Climate Policy (METRIK), Universitetsvej 1, DK-4000 Roskilde )

Abstract : Use of Penicillium bilaiae to improve phosphorus bioavailability of thermally treated sewage sludge –A potential novel type biofertiliser.

Journal : Process Biochemistry

Volume No. : Vol. 69

Publish Year : 2018

Page No. : 169–177

Main Data : This study explored the potential of different phosphorus (P)-rich sewage sludge biochars and ashes to be colonized and be used as a P sources for the phosphate-solubilising fungus, Penicillium bilaiae. P. bilaiae was inoculated on five different biochars and ashes supplemented with nutrient solution. Fungal colonisation, pH and water-extractable P (WEP) in the materials were determined after incubation. P. bilaiae colonised at similar rates on all materials tested, but colonisation was affected by glucose level, pH and total N content in the material. A pH decline, accompanied by an increase in WEP concentration, was observed in three materials. The amount of soluble P was significantly greater at the high glucose level and showed the largest relative increase in incineration ash (> 100-fold after 10 days). The results show a potential to use P-solubilising microorganisms to solubilise P from thermally converted sewage sludge, but the approach has to be further investigated regarding its effects in a soil/plant system. Keywords: Bioproducts, Penicillium, Biofertiliser, P-solubilisation, Biochar, Colonisation, Sludge.