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

This study explored the potential of different phosphorus (P)-rich sewage sludge biochars and ashes to be colonised 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.