Artificial humic substances as sustainable carriers for manganese: Development of a novel bio-based microfertilizer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam Science Park, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.

2 Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bio-economy e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth- Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.

Abstract

 
This study presents a new strategy for the production of sustainable manganese fertilizer based on artificial humic substances (AHS). AHS with different manganese concentrations (0‒20%) were synthesized from poplar bark under alkaline conditions via hydrothermal treatment. For the 20% manganese formulation, the interaction of manganese with AHS resulted in reduced solubility (from 25.2% to 12.3% organic carbon) and average molecular weight of humic acids (from 11.6 to 3.9 KDa), indicating preferential binding of the high-molecular-weight fraction. The formulation with 5% of manganese achieved optimal manganese loading without compromising the AHS solubility (19.4%). Structural analyses showed only minor changes in AHS in the presence of manganese, indicating that the main structural fragments of the AHS were preserved. Structural, morphological, and spectroscopic characterizations confirmed the formation of amorphous manganese complexes within the AHS matrix, primarily in the plant-available Mn(II) oxidation state. Plant bioassays showed increased manganese uptake with the application of AHS containing 5% Mn compared to MnCl2 alone (64 mg/kg vs. 40 mg/kg in dry cucumber biomass). Interestingly, unmodified AHS at higher concentrations (50 mg/L) further enhanced manganese (67 mg/kg) and iron (up to 209 mg/kg) uptake, highlighting the potential role of AHS in facilitating metal transport.

Graphical Abstract

Artificial humic substances as sustainable carriers for manganese: Development of a novel bio-based microfertilizer

Highlights

  • Sustainable manganese fertilizer with artificial humic substances (AHS) was produced.
  • Manganese could bind to a high-molecular-weight fraction of AHS.
  • The addition of manganese minimally could alter the structure of AHS.
  • Manganese in AHS was predominantly in amorphous Mn(II) bioavailable form.
  • Manganese-rich AHS increased manganese uptake by up to 64 mg/kg in dry cucumber biomass.

Keywords

References

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