CCFB News» By Phyllis Coulter, Farmweek

As a researcher, Andrew Margenot is naturally skeptical of anything that seems “too good to be true.” But he told those attending the Nutrient Stewardship Field Day in Cook County that struvite, an alternative to phosphorus fertilizer, may be both good and true.

Struvite could be beneficial on several fronts including for water quality by reducing phosphorus runoff and providing a phosphorus source for crops as an alternative to more commonly used monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizers.

With more research evidence, struvite could eventually be considered a best management practice and be eligible for cost-sharing or nutrient control credits. As a bonus, it can be reclaimed from point sources including Chicago wastewater today and, in the future, other smaller municipalities.