Iron Oxides: Unlocking Phosphorus to Support Plant Growth

Challenging Traditional Views  
Northwestern Engineering researchers have overturned the conventional belief that iron oxides are merely phosphorus sinks.Instead, they discovered that iron oxides act as natural catalysts, efficiently converting organic phosphorus into its inorganic form, which plants need for growth.  

Phosphorus: A Critical Nutrient for Life 
Phosphorus is essential for DNA formation and overall plant health. While most phosphorus in soil is organic derived from plant, microbial or animal remains plants require inorganic phosphorus the kind found in fertilizers. Previously scientists believed only enzymes from plants and microbes could facilitate this conversion but Northwestern researchers proved otherwise.  

Iron Oxides as Catalysts
In previous studies, the research team found that iron oxides in soil and sediments could catalyze the transformation of organic phosphorus into its usable form. Their latest study reveals that iron oxides are not only effective but can catalyze this reaction at rates comparable to biological enzymes.  

These findings provide insights into regional phosphorus availability, as hematite is prevalent in the U.S. Midwest while goethite is found in the southern U.S. and South America.  

The Global Impact of Phosphorus Recycling
With phosphorus being a finite resource mined primarily in the U.S., Morocco and China its depletion threatens food security. Finding sustainable ways to recycle phosphorus is crucial to maintaining agricultural productivity and controlling fertilizer costs.  

Future Research and Sustainable Solutions
Next the research team aims to uncover why different iron oxides exhibit varying efficiencies and how to design synthetic catalysts to optimize phosphorus recycling. By leveraging natural processes scientists hope to develop new fertilizer solutions that enhance food security and support global agriculture.  

Our work is laying the foundation for engineered catalysts that could revolutionize phosphorus recycling, said lead researcher Ludmilla Aristilde. This discovery could be a game-changer for sustainable agriculture.

Source: https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2025/03/iron-oxides-act-as-natural-catalysts-to-unlock-phosphorus-to-fuel-plant-growth/