A novel P nanofertilizer has no impacts on soil microbial communities and soil microbial activity

The aim of this work was to assess the impact of a novel P nanofertilizer (P-NF) on P solubility, microbial toxicity, soil respiration rate, soil enzyme activity and soil microbial community composition of two soils with contrasting properties in a laboratory incubation study. From the comparison with a commercial triple superphosphate (TSP), the P-NF induced lower release of soluble P, did not cause microbial toxicity, nor reduced soil respiration. Among the measured enzyme activities involved in C, N, P and S mineralization, only the protease activity was significantly inhibited by the P-NF in both the studied soils. Analysis of soil microbial communities showed no significant impacts on bacteria, fungi and archaea, after 1 and 7 d of incubation. We concluded that the tested novel P-NF could be safely used in agriculture.