Circular fertilisers combining dehydrated human urine and organic wastes can fulfil the macronutrient demand of 15 major crops.

This study evaluated the potential for combining dehydrated human urine with one other form of organic waste to create circular fertilisers tailored to meet the macronutrient demand of 15 major crops cultivated globally. Through a reverse blending modelling approach, data on 359 different organic wastes were used to identify 38 fertiliser blends. Materials found to be particularly suitable as blending materials were various biochars and ashes, due to their low nitrogen and high phosphorus and/or potassium content, and byproduct concentrates, due to their high phosphorus content, since the nitrogen content of human urine is disproportionately higher than its phosphorus content. Several organic wastes were suitable for fertilising more than one crop. The macronutrient content of the simulated fertiliser blends was comparable to that of blended inorganic fertilisers, but only a few blends precisely matched the macronutrient demand of crops. Fertilising crops with some simulated fertilisers would potentially result in excess application of one or more macronutrients, and thus overfertilisation. For organic wastes with data available on their content of six or more heavy metals, it was found that the simulated fertilisers generally met European Union regulations on use of fertilisers of organic origin in agriculture. Overall, these findings suggest that fertiliser blends combining dehydrated human urine and organic wastes, both of which are widely available globally, could replace inorganic blended fertilisers in agriculture. Such recycling would help the global food system and water sector transition to circularity and promote better management of plant-essential nutrients in society.

Preparation and evaluation of a liquid fertilizer from lactic fermentation of weeds / Preparo e avaliação de um fertilizante líquido a partir da fermentaçãolática de plantas daninhas

A total of twentymixtures of weed, B-Lac and molasses were prepared in orderto evaluate an accelerated liquid fertilizer (ALF) based on these plants. A mixture of 85% weed: water (1:1), 10% molasses and 5% B-Lac showed the best characteristics and was reproduced at a pilot scale. ALF was applied to lettuce using the following treatments: one foliar application per week of 10 mL L-1 (FA1), two foliar applications per week of 10 mL L-1 (FA2), one drench application of 50 mL L-1 every week (DA1), a drench application of 50 mL L-1 every two weeks (DA2) and a control without application (CWA). The variables evaluated were total yield, commercial yield, fresh weight, height, head diameter, percentage of dry matter and the concentration of foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.The mixtures in the laboratoryand pilot phase were evaluated in a completely randomized design. The field phase was assessed in a completely randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. No significant differences were found between the treatments, except in the percentage of dry matter and potassium content, where FA2 showed the best results (2.35% and 541 mg plant-1, respectively). The highest total yield (26.4 t ha-1) and commercial (24.11 t ha-1) were achieved with DA2; however, the nutritional content was lower than that in the other treatments. Using homolactic fermentation it was possible to recycle weeds and produce ALF, which has potential as a biofertilizer according to its chemical characterization and effects shown on lettuce cultivation.(AU)

Foram preparadas vinte misturas de ervas daninhas, B-Lac e melaço para avaliar um fertilizante líquido acelerado (ALF) baseado nessas plantas. Uma misturade 85% erva:água (1:1), 10% melaço e 5% B-Lac apresentou as melhores características e foi reproduzida em escala piloto. A ALF foi aplicada à alface utilizando os seguintes tratamentos: uma aplicação foliar por semana de 10 mL L-1(AF1), duas aplicações foliares por semana de 10 mL L-1(AF2), uma aplicação via drench de 50 mL L-1a cada semana (AD1), uma aplicação via drench de 50 mL L-1a cada duas semanas (AD2) e um controle sem aplicação (CSA). As variáveis avaliadas foram produtividade total, produtividade comercial, massa fresca, altura, diâmetro da cabeça, porcentagem de matéria seca e concentração foliar de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio. As misturas na fase de laboratório e piloto foram avaliadas em delineamentos inteiramente casualizados. A fase decampo foi avaliada em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos, exceto no percentual de matéria seca e no teor de potássio, onde o AF2 apresentou os melhores resultados (2,35% e 541 mg planta-1, respectivamente). As maiores produtividades total (26,4 t ha-1) e comercial (24,11 t ha-1) foram obtidas com AD2; no entanto, o teor nutricional foi inferior aos demais tratamentos. Utilizando a fermentação homolática foi possível reciclar as ervas daninhas e produzir FLA, que tem potencial como biofertilizante de acordo com sua caracterização química e efeitos demonstrados no cultivo de alface.(AU)

Could more efficient utilization of ecosystem services improve soil quality indicators to allow sustainable intensification of Amazonian family farming?

In the Amazonian periphery, there are sources of numerous disservices, including deforestation, loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity erosion. However, there are great opportunities to adopt appropriate agricultural management practices to take advantage of the benefits of ecosystem services for sustainable agricultural intensification. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of certain ecosystem services provided by combined use of legumes with residue of low- and high-quality on soil quality indicators, nitrogen use efficiency and sustainability of maize grain yield in infertile tropical soil. The overarching objective is to determine how ecosystem services can contribute to the improvement of land-use policy to ensure the sustainability of cultivated lands, in such a way that forest can be preserved by avoiding deforestation of other new areas through shifting cultivation systems. Four leguminous tree species were used, two with high-quality residues Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) and Gliricidia sepium (gliricidia) and two with low-quality residues Clitoria fairchildiana (clitoria) and Acacia mangium (acacia). Maize grain yield was evaluated between 2011 and 2017 in these treatments. In 2018, to assess how ecosystem services affect crop performance, the treatments were divided into ten treatments with and without urea. We conclude that increased uptake of inorganic and organic N by maize resulting from improvement of the soil quality indicators may allow agricultural intensification. This improvement can help meet the challenges of sustainability and feasibility of agroecosystems of the Amazonian periphery by making the agroecosystem more productive year by year. Therefore, our results confirm that the utilization of an ecosystem services style approach can help meet the challenges of sustainability and feasibility in agrosystems of the Amazonian periphery. In addition, these results can contribute to the development of land-use policy in the Amazonian periphery, aiming for the intensification of agriculture in cropped areas to avoid deforestation of new areas from shifting cultivation systems.

Manejo biológico del tamo de arroz bajo diferentes relaciones C:N empleando consorcios microbianos y promotores de crecimiento vegetal / Bio-based management of rice straw under different C:N ratios using microbial consortia and plant growth promoters

Resumen El tamo de arroz es uno de los residuos agrícolas lignocelulósicos más abundantes en el planeta, luego de los residuos producidos por los cultivos de maíz y trigo, con una producción mundial estimada de 1000 millones de toneladas según estadísticas de la FAO. En el contexto de la agricultura moderna es determinante lograr un manejo ambientalmente sostenible de este recurso mediante su incorporación al suelo, de tal forma que se logre el reciclaje de nutrientes, evitando la incorporación de patógenos al sistema y la inmovilización de elementos como el nitrógeno por la comunidad microbiana. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en la evaluación de un inoculo microbiano mixto a partir de productos comerciales basados en hongos del género Trichoderma y bacterias aerobias formadoras de endosporas, con potencial degradador del tamo de arroz, así como el empleo de bacterias promotoras de crecimiento vegetal al momento de la siembra, que pudieran aprovechar los nutrientes del proceso de descomposición del tamo de arroz, potenciando su actividad biológica. Los tratamientos fueron evaluados bajo diferentes relaciones C:N del tamo de arroz que favorecieran el proceso de degradación, mediante la adición de nitrógeno inorgánico. Los resultados del trabajo permitieron identificar que la aplicación de una enmienda de nitrógeno a una relación C:N 35 más una dosis adicional de urea al momento de la siembra de las semillas de arroz, fue el tratamiento más adecuado para potenciar el efecto de los microorganismos e incrementar las variables agronómicas obtenidas mediante un esquema de fertilización convencional del cultivo.

Abstract Rice straw is one of the most abundant lignocellulosic agricultural residues on the world, after residues produced by maize and wheat crops, with an estimated global production of 1000 million tones according to FAO statistics. In the context of modern agriculture, it is essential to achieve an environmentally sustainable management of this resource, through the incorporation of rice straw into the soil, in order to achieve nutrient recycling avoiding the incorporation of pathogens into the system and the losses of nitrogen due to soil microbial biomass immobilization. In this context, the objective of this work consisted in the evaluation of a mixed microbial inoculum with degrading potential of rice straw from commercial products based on the fungus Trichoderma spp. and aerobic endospore forming bacteria. It was also used a plant growth promoting bacteria at the time of planting, in order to take advantage of nutrients released from RS decomposition and improve its biological activity. These microbial treatments, were evaluated at different concentrations of inorganic nitrogen amendments that allowed different levels of rice straw´s C:N ratio, favoring the degradation process. Overall results allowed to identify that the application of a nitrogen amendment to rice straw up to C:N 35, plus an additional dose of urea at the time of rice seeds planting, was the most adequate treatment to potentiate the effect of the microorganisms and to increase or maintain the agronomic variables obtained through a conventional fertilization management of the crop.

Use of organic compost produced from slaughterhouse waste as fertilizer in soybean and corn crops

Slaughterhouses generate large amounts of rumen content and its use as a fertilizer may offer an environmentally friendly strategy for its management. The effect of an organic fertilizer produced from slaughterhouse waste on the fertility of sandy and clayey soils as well as soybean yield (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) crops was evaluated. Field experiments were set up and five rates up to 16 t ha1 of organic fertilizer (293 kg ha1 N, 334 kg ha1 P and 27 kg ha1 K) were applied annually, before sowing in spring/summer, as well as a mineral fertilization of 300 kg ha1 in the formulation 2-20-20 for soybean and 300 kg ha1 of 12-15-15 for corn. The organic fertilizer changed soil fertility in the field experiments by increasing pH, Ca, Mg, K, P-Mehlich and P-resin. Such effects were more evident in the sandy than in the clayey soil, and the most superficial layer was affected more. The organic fertilizer rate needed to achieve maximum yield decreased for corn in both soils and for soybean in the sandy soil, although the amounts required may still be regarded as high.(AU)

Use of organic compost produced from slaughterhouse waste as fertilizer in soybean and corn crops

Slaughterhouses generate large amounts of rumen content and its use as a fertilizer may offer an environmentally friendly strategy for its management. The effect of an organic fertilizer produced from slaughterhouse waste on the fertility of sandy and clayey soils as well as soybean yield (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) crops was evaluated. Field experiments were set up and five rates up to 16 t ha1 of organic fertilizer (293 kg ha1 N, 334 kg ha1 P and 27 kg ha1 K) were applied annually, before sowing in spring/summer, as well as a mineral fertilization of 300 kg ha1 in the formulation 2-20-20 for soybean and 300 kg ha1 of 12-15-15 for corn. The organic fertilizer changed soil fertility in the field experiments by increasing pH, Ca, Mg, K, P-Mehlich and P-resin. Such effects were more evident in the sandy than in the clayey soil, and the most superficial layer was affected more. The organic fertilizer rate needed to achieve maximum yield decreased for corn in both soils and for soybean in the sandy soil, although the amounts required may still be regarded as high.

Chemical absorption and CO2 biofixation via the cultivation of Spirulina in semicontinuous mode with nutrient recycle.

The chemical absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a technique used for the mitigation of the greenhouse effect. However, this process consumes high amounts of energy to regenerate the absorbent and to separate the CO2. CO2 removal by microalgae can be obtained via the photosynthesis process. The objective of this study was to investigate the cultivation and the macromolecules production by Spirulina sp. LEB 18 with the addition of monoethanolamine (MEA) and CO2. In the cultivation with MEA, were obtained higher results of specific growth rate, biomass productivity, CO2 biofixation, CO2 use efficiency, and lower generation time. Besides this, the carbohydrate concentration obtained at the end of this assay was approximately 96.0% higher than the control assay. Therefore, Spirulina can be produced using medium recycle and the addition of MEA, thereby promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions and showing potential for areas that require higher concentrations of carbohydrates, such as in bioethanol production.

Biologic dinitrogen fixation and nutrient cycling in cover crops and their effect on organic Conilon coffee / Fixação biológica de nitrogênio e ciclagem de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura e seus efeitos sobre café Conilon orgânico

Notwithstanding its relevance, studies regarding nutrient cycling and biological dinitrogen fixation in Conilon coffee (Coffee canephora cv. Conilon) associated with cover plants are very scarce. Aiming to evaluate the contribution of cover crops for organic conilon production, a field experiment was carried out consisting of Pennisetum glaucum, and legume species Canavalia ensiformis, Mucuna deeringiana and Cajanus cajan (inoculated and non inoculated) cultivated between coffee trees, and spontaneous vegetation as cover crops. The experiment was carried out in Espírito Santo State- Brazil, in a 6.5 years old coffee crop production system. Chemical analyses of soil and vegetative parts of spontaneous and cover crops, as well as coffee leaf nutrients concentration were performed. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) was determined by the natural abundance method. BNF contributed with about 80% of the nitrogen accumulated by the leguminous plants, corresponding to 27 - 35 kg of N ha-1. Concentration and accumulation of nutrients varied among cover crops. Rhizobium inoculation did not influence nutrient cycling or BNF. Legume plants partially supplied the nitrogen requirements of Conilon coffee. No significant effect of the treatments was observed on the nutrient concentration of Conilon coffee or on plant growth.

Apesar de sua relevância, estudos sobre a ciclagem de nutrientes e fixação biológica do nitrogênio (FBN) em café Conilon (Coffea canephora cv. Conilon), associadas com plantas de cobertura, são escassos. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho avaliar a ciclagem de nutrientes, a FBN e o efeito que plantas de cobertura podem causar em lavoura de C. canephora cv. Conilon, sob manejo orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido no Estado do Espírito Santo - Brasil, em uma lavoura de café sob manejo orgânico, com 6,5 anos. Os tratamentos consistiram de testemunha (ausência de plantas de cobertura), Pennisetum glaucum e as leguminosas Canavalia ensiformis, Mucuna deeringiana e Cajanus cajan, com e sem inoculação de rizóbio específico. Efetuaram-se análises químicas de solo e da parte aérea das plantas espontâneas e de cobertura, bem como as concentrações foliares de nutrientes do cafeeiro. A contribuição da FBN foi determinada pela técnica da abundância natural. A FBN contribuiu com cerca de 80% do N acumulado pelas leguminosas, correspondendo a 27 - 35 kg N ha-1. A concentração e acúmulo de nutrientes variaram entre as plantas de cobertura. A inoculação com rizóbio não influenciou ciclagem de nutrientes e a FBN. As leguminosas forneceram parte do N necessário para o cafeeiro. Não houve efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre a concentração de nutrientes e o crescimento do cafeeiro.

Chemical composition and decomposition rate of plants used as green manure

Productive systems in which green manure is the source of nutrients must develop more efficient ways to improve soil nutrient dynamics. A well-synchronized balance must be established between specific crop demands and supply of nutrients from decomposition. However, scientific data and information to help improve green manure management in Brazil is still insufficient. For that reason, a number of arboreal species was first chemically characterized and then subjected to decomposition analysis in order to establish a correlation between some parameters. Species were grouped together based on the similarity of chemical composition and decomposition rate. The lignin:N and (lignin+polyphenol):N ratios were found to have the greatest correlation coefficient with the dry matter decomposition rate and nitrogen release.

Sistemas produtivos que utilizam a adubação verde prezam por uma dinâmica mais eficiente de nutrientes no solo. Nesse sentido, é importante buscar a sincronia entre a demanda nutricional da cultura e a disponibilidade de nutrientes provenientes da decomposição. Esse estudo objetivou estabelecer uma correlação entre a composição química e a velocidade de decomposição de espécies em um sistema agroflorestal. Para tanto, realizou-se a caracterização química de espécies arbóreas, seguida de estudos de decomposição e busca de correlação entre os parâmetros analisados. De posse dos resultados, foi possível agrupar espécies com composição química e taxas de decomposição semelhantes. As relações lignina:N e (lignina+polifenol):N apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de correlação com a velocidade de decomposição de massa seca e liberação de nitrogênio.

Chemical composition and decomposition rate of plants used as green manure

Productive systems in which green manure is the source of nutrients must develop more efficient ways to improve soil nutrient dynamics. A well-synchronized balance must be established between specific crop demands and supply of nutrients from decomposition. However, scientific data and information to help improve green manure management in Brazil is still insufficient. For that reason, a number of arboreal species was first chemically characterized and then subjected to decomposition analysis in order to establish a correlation between some parameters. Species were grouped together based on the similarity of chemical composition and decomposition rate. The lignin:N and (lignin+polyphenol):N ratios were found to have the greatest correlation coefficient with the dry matter decomposition rate and nitrogen release.

Sistemas produtivos que utilizam a adubação verde prezam por uma dinâmica mais eficiente de nutrientes no solo. Nesse sentido, é importante buscar a sincronia entre a demanda nutricional da cultura e a disponibilidade de nutrientes provenientes da decomposição. Esse estudo objetivou estabelecer uma correlação entre a composição química e a velocidade de decomposição de espécies em um sistema agroflorestal. Para tanto, realizou-se a caracterização química de espécies arbóreas, seguida de estudos de decomposição e busca de correlação entre os parâmetros analisados. De posse dos resultados, foi possível agrupar espécies com composição química e taxas de decomposição semelhantes. As relações lignina:N e (lignina+polifenol):N apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de correlação com a velocidade de decomposição de massa seca e liberação de nitrogênio.