Phosphorus deficiency is the major factor that limits the grow and productivity of the crops. The use of phosphate fertilizers is a common practice to repair the phosphorus deficiency in soils. However, the mismanagement of this fertilizers results in inefficient use by the crops, reduction on producer profits and potential damage to environment. Fertilizers of controlled release may avoid the excessive application of phosphate and the harm consequences. In this work, layered double hydroxide (LDH), also known as “anionic clays” with large anionic exchange capacity was used as matrix for phosphate interaction. The hydrotalcite ([Mg-Al]-LDH)- the most common LDH kind- was thermal treated and high phosphate content was incorporated to search this material as phosphate fertilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed intercalation of phosphate between the layers of LDH. Phosphate analysis revealed a phosphorus content of 42.4 mg.g-1 LDH. The assay about phosphate release in water, demonstrate that [Mg-Al-PO4]-LDH has release rate 10 times slowly than KH2PO4, exhibiting the potential of [Mg-Al-PO4]-LDH as source of controlled release of phosphate. Assays with wheat crops (Triticum aestivum) indicated that [Mg-Al-PO4]-LDH was efficient in provide the same phosphate nutrition as MAP and KH2PO4 in a short time. However, the phosphate content available in soil, after cultivation, for LDH was higher than the other sources. Therefore, this material can provide phosphate for further harvests, which may avoid repetitive fertilizer applications. Besides that, [Mg-Al-PO4]-LDH increase soil pH, making phosphate more available to the crops.