Aguia Resources’ phosphate fertiliser excels in wheat crop testing

Agronomic testing of Aguia Resources’ (ASX: AGR) organic phosphate fertiliser Pampafos has exceeded the productivity rates of conventional chemical fertilisers on batch testing of wheat crops in Brazil.

The company confirmed the fertiliser — which is grown at its phosphate project in southern Brazil — was applied to wheat crops on a private property at Tupaciretã, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Testing was conducted in partnership with agronomic consultancy Rural Sul Pesquisa e Consultoria Ltda and overseen by independent company Integrar Gestão e Inovação Agropecuária.

Yield after treatment

Wheat grain yield after treatment with Pampafos (phosphorus pentoxide) was found to be either equal to or more than that of conventional chemical fertiliser Single Superphosphate.

Dosages of 200 kilograms per hectare and 100kg/ha exceeded the productivity of Single Superphosphate in a dosage of 80kg/ha.

In equal testing conditions, Pampafos yielded a productivity that was 18% higher than the conventional fertiliser.

Pampafos has now been tested on soybean, rice, corn (maize), oats, pasture and wheat crops in Brazil, with all tests being effective in providing the macronutrient phosphorus to plants.

Productivity potential

Aguia managing director Dr Fernando Tallarico said testing demonstrated the high productivity potential of Pampafos on some of the world’s most consumed grains.

“We are now entering the fourth year of agronomic testing and the results continue to show that our sustainable and organic fertiliser Pampafos is highly effective,” he said.

“These latest results are of great importance as wheat is one of the most important winter crops in Rio Grande do Sul.”

Dr Tallarico said the use of Pampafos on the nation’s crops could yield significant cost reductions and environmental benefits (including improved soil quality) for growers.

Project resource

Aguia’s phosphate project has a measured and indicated resource of 83.21 million tonnes grading 4.11% phosphorus pentoxide as well as an inferred 21.8Mt at 3.67%.

The company is targeting the production of 300,000t of organic phosphate fertiliser per year over an 18-year mine life and anticipates strong interest from local farmers during the construction period.

The project has an expected annual EBITA (earnings before interest, taxation and amortisation) of $14 million and will be operated at substantially-reduced costs due to the adoption of sustainable practices.

Aguia’s onsite processing plant is in the process of being certified as triple net-zero by global green building certification system EDGE.

In November, the company achieved a “critical milestone” when it was granted a construction licence for the development of the Pampafos project.