Carbonated drink with a fertilizer component (9)

I believe the answer is:

phosphate

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'carbonated drink' is the definition.
'phosphate' can be an answer for 'drink' (phosphate is a kind of drink). I'm not certain of the 'carbonated' bit.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for phosphate that I've seen before include "Acid salt used, eg, as a fertiliser" , "Hope paths lead to artificial fertiliser" , "Salt used in fertilizers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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