Electrochemically recovered struvite matches conventional fertilizers in soil nutrient supply

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for agriculture, yet global reliance on finite phosphorite reserves raises concerns about long‐term food and nutrient security. Struvite (MgNH 4 PO 4 ·6H 2 O), a mineral recovered from municipal wastewater, represents a sustainable and circular source of P, but uncertainty remains regarding its nutrient availability relative to conventional fertilizers. This study evaluated the fertilizer value and environmental safety of electrochemically recovered struvite (RecoP) in comparison with diammonium phosphate (DAP), triple superphosphate (TSP), and rock phosphate (RockP). Nutrient availability, potential contaminant concentrations, and soil P and nitrogen (N) dynamics were assessed using standardized chemical analyses and an 8‐week incubation experiment across three soils with contrasting soil types. RecoP contained 14.7% citrate‐soluble P, significantly greater than RockP and comparable to DAP and TSP. Across all soils, RecoP increased both readily available and moderately labile P pools ( p < 0.01), matching the performance of conventional fast‐release fertilizers. Despite containing approximately half the total of DAP, RecoP stimulated nitrification rates that were 2.2 times greater than the control and exceeded those of TSP, suggesting that fertilizer‐derived N bioavailability, rather than total N loading, governed microbial N transformation responses. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements in RecoP were consistently well below US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory limits thresholds. Collectively, these results indicate that RecoP functions as a readily available source of both P and N, comparable to widely used conventional fertilizers, while meeting environmental safety standards. RecoP therefore represents a viable component of sustainable nutrient management strategies that support P recycling and agricultural productivity.