Paper details

Title:

Assessing Agronomical Performances of Digested Livestock Manure to Front Nitrate Leaching in Soil

Author(s):

Trinchera, A., Rivera, C.M., Marcucci, A., Rinaldi, S., Sequi, P., Rea, E.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Anaerobic digestion of livestock manure is one of the most promising approach for producing biogas, because of it allows also to reuse the obtained solid fraction of biodigestate in agriculture as soil amendment, being this organic biomass rich in nitrogen. Effectively, the direct application to soil of animal manure can go in conflict with the Directive 91/676/CEE on the “water protection from nitrates”, especially in vulnerable zones, such as those of Northern Italy. The objective of our study was to evaluate the agronomical performances of the solid fraction of pig livestock manure, previously digested under anaerobic conditions or not­digested, as soil amendments, taking into account the influence of biodigestion process onto the organic biomass in relation to nitrogen availability and following plant uptake. The greenhouse experiment was conducted on Lactuca sativa L. The production and the quality of lettuce was evaluated in relation to digested and not­digested pig livestock manure application. Obtained results indicated that the organic matter from digested livestock solid fraction was better stabilized respect to the not­digested one, thus confirming the increased amendment properties of the digested material. A strong effect on yield, mainly due to the soil chemical­physical characteristics and fertility, was noticed. The biomass production and quality parameters related to lettuce showed that the digested livestock manure gave results close to those obtained by applying common urea fertilizer; moreover, when the digested pig manure was used as nitrogen source, a net decrease in nitrate uptake by lettuce leaves was recorded.

Keywords:

biomass, digestate, digestion, manure, organic waste, soil fertility, yield

Topic:

Policies and ensuring sustainability

Subtopic:

Sustainability criteria and certification issues

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP5.2.14

Pages:

2223 - 2227

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP5.2.14

Price:

FREE