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Ann: GENERAL: CRP: CRP trials show Chatham rock phosphate highly...

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    • Release Date: 15/12/14 11:55
    • Summary: GENERAL: CRP: CRP trials show Chatham rock phosphate highly effective
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    					CRP
    15/12/2014 11:55
    GENERAL
    PRICE SENSITIVE
    REL: 1155 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
    
    GENERAL: CRP: CRP trials show Chatham rock phosphate highly effective
    
    Media Release
    15 December 2014
    
    CRP trials show Chatham rock phosphate highly effective fertiliser
    
    New glasshouse trials show the performance of direct application Chatham Rise
    rock phosphate compares favourably with superphosphate fertiliser.
    Chatham Rock Phosphate (CRP) commissioned Lincoln University and AgResearch
    to undertake trials in a glasshouse over a period of four months to assess
    the effectiveness on plant productivity of rock phosphate from the Chatham
    Rise, east of New Zealand. The trials also tested rock phosphate sourced from
    a Mexican marine phosphate deposit.
    The trial found the Chatham phosphate delivered on average 85% of the
    productivity of low-sulphur triple superphosphate.
    The tests used clover grown on five contrasting pasture soils - one from
    Chatham Island, two from the South Island and two from the North Island.  The
    fertilisers were added at three phosphorus application rates and three
    harvests were taken over the four month period, with plant yield and
    phosphorus uptake in the clover used to measure performance.
    The findings of the study achieved comparable results to extensive field
    trials conducted during the 1980s which also found Chatham Rise rock
    phosphate to be an effective pastoral fertiliser.
    Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in the Chatham phosphate rock the
    standard citric acid solubility test used to assess the chemical reactivity
    of a phosphate rocks grossly underestimates the potential of Chatham
    phosphate rock as a direct application fertiliser. For example although the
    citric acid solubility of the Chatham phosphate rock was only half that of
    the Mexican phosphate rock, its average relative agronomic performance across
    all five soils and three rates of application in the glasshouse study
    exceeded that of the Mexican phosphate rock (85% compared with 81%).  These
    findings highlight that chemical solubility alone is an inadequate measure of
    short-term agronomic performance of sparingly soluble phosphate rock
    fertilisers in low pH and low phosphate fertility soils under ideal growing
    conditions.
    Chatham rock phosphate offers a number of environmental benefits including a
    lower phosphate loss risk in surface run-off from soils into waterways and
    extremely low levels of the heavy metal cadmium.  Located within New
    Zealand's exclusive economic zone, it offers a reduced carbon footprint,
    given its location relative to current phosphate sources, mostly in Africa
    and the Middle East. It is also of strategic importance, offering security of
    supply, given it is New Zealand's only phosphate resource.
    CRP is planning to undertake field trials beginning in 2015, having just
    qualified for a Callaghan Innovation growth grant to support spending on
    research and development.  The field trials will extend the evaluation of the
    just completed glasshouse trials.
    They will be conducted in a range of environments and pastoral systems across
    the country to update and confirm the applicability of the product to modern
    farming practices. The field programme is also designed to look more closely
    at phosphorus use efficiency, as well as providing contemporary confirmation
    of the agronomic findings of field trials conducted in the 1980s.  The
    emphasis will be on New Zealand farming conditions but the results are
    expected to be applicable to global markets.
    
    Contact Chris Castle on +64 21 55 81 85 or [email protected]
    End CA:00258904 For:CRP    Type:GENERAL    Time:2014-12-15 11:55:47
    				
 
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