Efficiency of Recycled Biogas Digestates as Phosphorus Fertilizers for Maize

Inga-Mareike Bach, Lisa Essich and Torsten Müller
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Inga-Mareike Bach: Department of Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics (340i), Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 20, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Lisa Essich: Department of Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics (340i), Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 20, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Torsten Müller: Department of Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics (340i), Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 20, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: Despite phosphorus resources on Earth being limited, over fertilization in many agricultural situations causes significant resource consumption. Phosphorus-recycling within agricultural production can reduce global dilution into the environment and is thus essential to secure sustainable future supply. This study investigated the fertilization efficacy of phosphorus fertilizers recycled from biogas digestates in maize shoots grown under controlled greenhouse conditions, in two soils, in a pot experiment. Variables investigated were plant-available phosphorus in soil, plant biomass production, and concentration of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium in shoots. Soils were treated with three different fertilizer fractions, separated from biogas digestates, at equivalent phosphorus concentrations, using different combinations and application techniques, isolated or in combination, and compared to triple superphosphate (TSP) as a reference. One of the fractions (P-Salt) had effects on biomass production and plant phosphorus concentration equivalent to TSP in agricultural surface soil. In the second soil (with less active soil life and nutrient content), equivalence to TSP was achieved with combinations of two recycled fractions (P-Salt and dried solids). The enhancement of the phosphorus fertilizing effect by the solids was synergistic, indicating that the solids had a soil conditioning effect. The results show that biogas digestates are a valuable source for phosphorus recycling of fractions that have equivalent or even superior fertilizing properties compared to TSP.

Keywords: biogas digestates; recycled phosphorus fertilizer; phosphorus fertility indicators in soil; maize (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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