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Winter wheat is an important global cereal crop. However, conventional farming practices, characterised by intensive tillage and high fertilizer inputs, pose significant threats to the environment. In response, more conservative management practices are being applied aiming to maintain wheat production while promoting a beneficial microbiome. Here, we evaluated the suitability of three different wheat varieties for less intensive agricultural systems, focusing on reduced tillage and fertilizer intensity. The study was conducted over two consecutive years in a Swiss long-term field experiment comparing conventional versus reduced tillage and full fertilization versus half fertilization. In addition, we investigated the composition of plant-associated microbial communities using amplicon sequencing of phylogenetic marker genes, specifically targeting bacteria and fungi in rhizosphere samples and fungi in root samples. Our results revealed that in our study wheat variety most strongly predicted grain yield and quality, independent of tillage and fertilization intensity. Specifically, wheat varieties demonstrated higher yields and N uptake in plots subjected to conventional ploughing and full fertilization compared to those under reduced tillage and half fertilization. We found no significant effect of wheat variety on the composition of microbial communities. However, tillage emerged as the primary factor influencing microbial community composition in the rhizosphere, while fertilization intensity significantly impacted fungal communities in the root system. These findings underscore the complex interplay between agronomic practices, plant genetics, and microbial dynamics in agroecosystems, emphasizing the need for holistic and adaptive approaches and their further development to ensure sustainable crop production.

This item is a status report concerning an unfinished deliverable in the ECONCILE project. The document presents the background and aim of work, a short description of the methods used, example data, a status of the plannned work, and the expected timeplan for finalizing the work.

The present report describes two experiments conducted within the project «Sustainable utilization of MARIne resources to foster GREEN plant production in Europe» (MariGreen,2021-2024). The aim was to improve the currently poor utilisation of some marine materials from blue value chains such as captured fish, blue mussel, and macroalgae, for application as fertiliser and biostimulant in organic growing. Composting of substrates from seaweed, captured fish and blue mussel has been a central project activity, and the testing of biostimulant effects was conducted with compost tea from marine composts. Compost tea is a water extract from compost prepared over several days at room temperature, where biological activity leads to a fermentation process. We conducted one experiment with lettuce seedlings grown at sub-optimal and optimal temperatures, to study if amendment with compost tea could give a relatively better growth at the sub-optimal temperature. A relatively smaller difference in growth at the sub-optimal and optimal temperatures with compost tea compared to the mineral fertiliser control could indicate a biostimulant effect of the tea, showing that the tea could support plants to overcome cold stress. The next experiment was conducted with cuttings of blackcurrant. We hypothesized that compost tea could support the development of roots. Root development is another process than plant growth driven by photosynthesis and uptake of nutrients. Whereas residual materials from both macroalgae, blue mussel, and captured fish have demonstrated positive effects on the growth of crop plants in pot and field trials, we did not find any biostimulant-effect of the amendment of lettuce seedings or blackcurrant cuttings with fermented teas from composts made with marine materials, or from teas made with these materials. The best results were achieved with a windrow compost where residues of macroalgae and captured fish were mixed with woodchips and bedding material from cattle

In den letzten Jahren kommen verstärkt Produkte auf den Markt, die als Zusätze bzw. Additive bei der Herstellung von Biogas eingesetzt werden. Die Verordnung (EU) 2021/1165 führt Gärprodukte unter […fermentiertes Gemisch aus pflanzlichem Material (Einschränkung: Erzeugnis aus gemischtem pflanzlichem Material, gewonnen durch […] anaerobe Gärung bei der Erzeugung von Biogas), sowie Biogasgärreste, die tierische Nebenprodukte erhalten, vergärt mit Material pflanzlichen oder tierischen Ursprungs, […] unter Anhang II »Zugelassene Düngemittel, Bodenverbesserer und Nährstoffe» als zulässige Erzeugnisse für den Einsatz im ökologischen Landbau auf. Es gibt jedoch keine gesetzlichen Vorgaben für die Verwendung von Biogaszusätzen. In der Praxis herrscht daher Unsicherheit, welche Biogaszusätze nach den Grundsätzen des ökologischen Landbaus zulässig sind und ob Gärreste, die unter Einsatz von Biogaszusätzen produziert wurden, in Ökobetrieben verwendet werden dürfen. Ziel dieses Kataloges ist, Akteuren der Branche eine Orientierung zu geben und Empfehlungen auszusprechen, welche Einsatzstoffe für Biogaszusätze als zulässig bzw. unzulässig im ökologischen Landbau zu bewerten sind. Somit soll dieser Katalog zur einheitlichen Beurteilung von Biogaszusätzen im ökologischen Landbau beitragen.

Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) are an increasingly important source of nutrients in agriculture, promoted by the new EU fertilizer regulation aiming to enable a circular bioeconomy. Predicting the mineralization-dependent nutrient release of BBFs is critical for their appropriate use and to minimize environmental losses. We assessed mineralizable nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) of a representative selection of 32 BBFs and evaluated a set of chemical extraction methods to predict their N mineralization dynamics. In 84-day aerobic incubations, cumulative mineral N release varied between 13 and 100 % of amended N. Mineralized C ranged from 10 % to 117 % of amended C. Based on the dynamics of N and C mineralization, BBFs were classified into five significantly different groups. Among the tested chemical indicators of N mineralization from BBFs, cold and hot water presented the lowest extraction intensities, followed by hot potassium chloride and hot sulfuric acid extractions, while C:N ratio is based on total contents. Mineral N released almost immediately was best predicted by cold water extractable N, while hot sulfuric acid extractable N and C:N ratio predicted N released after the first two weeks and after 84 days, respectively. The combination of these three indicators was able to discriminate BBFs into four out of five mineralization classes. Such a cost-effective yet accurate estimation of N mineralization dynamics from BBFs can therefore be used as a basis to inform farmers on suitable timing and amount of BBF application, improving the synchrony between N release from BBFs and crop N demand.

Soil microbial biomass elements and mineralization processes are essential in replenishing soil nutrients. Yet, the effect of fertilization on the microbes is still not well-defined. This study aimed to determine the effect of integrated soil fertility inputs (inorganic and organic) on microbial biomass, carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP), nitrogen (N) mineralization, and N use efficiency in a field experiment. The treatments were: control (no fertility input), sole inorganic fertilizer, and different combinations of inorganic and organic inputs in a randomized block design. The results showed that Conventional tillage + maize residue + goat manure + Dolichos lablab intercrop (CT4); minimum tillage + maize residue + Tithonia diversifolia + goat manure (MT5); and minimum tillage + maize residue + goat manure + Dolichos lablab (MT4) intercrop increased microbial C, N, and P by 78 %, 48 %, and 41 %, respectively compared to control (CT0). Compared to CT0, N mineralization significantly varied (p < 0.0001) among the treatments at planting and on the 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th days after planting during the 2020 short rains season. It also differed significantly (p = 0.0018, 0.0028, < 0.0001, and 0.0028,) on the 45th, 60th, 75th, 90th, and 105th days, respectively, relative to CT0 after planting during the 2021 long rains season. The CT4 had 5.11 and 52.80 kg N ha−1 higher apparent nitrogen recovery and partial factor productivity N, respectively. Similarly, MT4 greatly enhanced N apparent recovery efficiency by 57.5 % relative to CT0. Integrating fertility inputs improved soil biological fertility and mineralized N. Therefore, technologies that integrate organic inputs, either solely or with inorganic fertilizers, should be harnessed and promoted as medium and long-term technologies to advance soil biological fertility, and mineral N and N use efficiency in smallholder farmers.

Cover crops are grown between two main crops to reduce periods of bare fallow. In highly diverse crop rotations, the lengths of break periods between two main crops vary highly over time and consequently the cover cropping management differs from year to year. Long-term field trials are thus of limited use because the same cover cropping approach only appears once in several years. This increases the need to better determine the immediate effects of different cover cropping strategies on soil properties. This study evaluated two cover cropping strategies and monitored the temporal development of several soil properties on six fields in Eastern Switzerland in the 9 months period between harvest of winter wheat and sowing of spring crops. The two tested strategies were (a) double cover cropping (DCC) where two cover crops mixtures were grown subsequently and shallowly (3 cm) incorporated into the topsoil and (b) permanent soil cover (PSC) with one grass-clover mixture, which was harvested and thus not incorporated into the soil. Soil samples at three different soil depths (0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) were sampled four times in high spatial resolution and analysed using a combined approach of visible near infrared spectroscopy and conventional lab methods. Differences between the sampling times and field sites were stronger than effects of different treatments. For soil organic carbon (SOC), no significant difference was measured between treatments in 0–20 cm soil depth. Only when analysed per depth segment, the PSC treatment showed significantly higher SOC increase in 5–10 cm soil depth than the DCC treatment. This could be due to the longer soil cover and thereby associated longer root growth period in the PSC treatment, leading to higher below ground C inputs than in the DCC treatment. On the other hand, the DCC treatment showed generally higher increases in permanganate oxidizable carbon stocks (0–5 cm), microbial C (0–10 cm), microbial N (0–10 cm) and mineral N (0–10

Compost fauna act by releasing various enzymes that break down organic matter into a stable, agriculturally useful products. Mesofauna are the least studied compared to micro- and macrofauna, with the existing studies relying on classical methods such as morphological identification, essentially leaving out cryptic taxa. We sought to evaluate the ecological response of the mesofauna community to different composting materials and durations. Total mesofauna community 18S rRNA was purified in triplicate from lantana-based, tithonia-based, grass-based, and mixed (lantana + tithonia + grass)-based compost heaps after 21, 42, 63, and 84 days of composting and sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform. Before performing statistical data analysis, we used the Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm version 2 workflow for bioinformatic analyses. The composting duration, but not the composting materials, significantly influenced the total population and composition of the mesofauna communities. The composting materials and duration significantly affected the dispersion and uniqueness of the compost mesofauna communities. Canonical correspondence analysis of the compost’s physical–chemical and biological states showed a significant influence of the materials on the mesofauna community colonization capacity. The mesofauna communities had a significant response to the composting duration. This, therefore, presents them as valuable tools for understanding the temporal evolution of compost.

Anaerobic digestion is a widely used method for treating liquid manure (slurry) and other biomasses, producing biogas as a renewable energy source for heating and electricity generation. The digestate from the biogas plant can be further processed to produce alternative organic fertilizers and enhance nutrient recycling, but the impact of digestate post-treatment on the environment needs to be further investigated. In this study, using a life cycle assessment approach, we explored how fertilizers derived from cattle slurry and grass-clover co-digestion treatment (digestate, solid and liquid fractions from digestate separation, and an enriched liquid nitrogen-sulfur product derived from post-processing of biogas and drying of the solid fraction) may influence the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance compared to the baseline scenario with untreated cattle slurry. To perform this analysis, results from experiments were used together with data from existing literature and databases. The chosen functional units were I) 100 kg of total nitrogen in the final organic fertilizer and II) 1 ton of spring barley dry matter (DM). The respective system boundaries were cradle-to-processing gate and cradle-to-field application, respectively. The global warming potential (GWP) of production and storage of the alternative organic fertilizers were 13 to 25% of the baseline scenario. When considering the second functional unit, the carbon footprint were 25 to 140% of the baseline scenario. The main hotspots in the carbon footprint of the fertilizers were GHG emissions from storage and field application of the organic fertilizers, and production of the grass-clover, whereas the biogas produced by anaerobic digestion greatly reduced the GWP. The present study shows that there is significant potential for climate impact mitigation in the replacement of untreated slurry with alternative fertilizers derived from anaerobic digestion, mainly due to reduced emissions during storage, and the production

Recycling phosphorus (P) from waste streams like sewage sludge, animal manures or food industry by-products is required to sustain soil fertility without depleting non-renewable P resources. Several technologies are available for P recovery, leading to fertilizers differing in P solubility and bioavailability. In this study, thirty fertilizers obtained through different technologies were tested to assess if their fertilization efficiency was equivalent to mineral soluble fertilizer applied as triple superphosphate (TSP). The main selection criteria were (1) ensuring a wide chemical diversity, and (2) choosing products already on the market or at a late stage of development, to encompass a representative selection of current and future recycled fertilizers. The products were classified according to their organic carbon content and neutral ammonium citrate (NAC), and the main P species of each fertilizer was determined through K-edge and L2,3-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). Three pot experiments with wheat, barley and ryegrass were conducted in three growing substrates with contrasting properties, all within a pH range of 5.8–6.9. Fertilizers containing ammonium magnesium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, and dicalcium phosphate type species as dominant P species showed a similar fertilization efficiency to TSP, while fertilizers with hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, phytic acid or iron phosphates as their main P species had lower fertilization efficiencies. We conclude that while the trend towards high-efficiency, refined inorganic recycled P fertilizers is positive, lower-performing, mostly unrefined fertilizers must be assessed in light of their long-term P supply potential and additional benefits to soil health owing to their content of organic matter and other nutrients.

In dem Faktenblatt «Bioanbau im Vergleich» werden die wichtigsten Ergebnisse aus 45 Jahren DOK-Versuch leicht verständlich dargestellt und interpretiert.

Das Merkblatt bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Ziele des Zwischenfruchtanbaus und liefert wertvolle Tipps zur Nutzung geeigneter Arten und Mischungen.

Il dossier riassume in modo conciso e chiaro i risultati di 45 anni di ricerca nell’ambito dei sistemi di coltivazione agricola.. Si rivolge ad esperti nel campo della pratica agricola, ai servizi di consulenza e alla scienza. Nella sperimentazione DOK, i sistemi di coltivazione agricola biodinamica, biologica e convenzionale vengono messi a confronto. Il dossier presenta i risultati relativi alla resa, alla qualità del suolo, al bilancio di sostanze nutritive, alla biodiversità e al clima.

In den letzten Jahren kommen verstärkt Produkte auf den Markt, die als Zusätze bzw. Additive bei der Herstellung von Biogas eingesetzt werden. Die Verordnung (EU) 2021/1165 führt Gärprodukte unter […fermentiertes Gemisch aus pflanzlichem Material (Einschränkung: Erzeugnis aus gemischtem pflanzlichem Material, gewonnen durch […] anaerobe Gärung bei der Erzeugung von Biogas), sowie Biogasgärreste, die tierische Nebenprodukte erhalten, vergärt mit Material pflanzlichen oder tierischen Ursprungs, […] unter Anhang II »Zugelassene Düngemittel, Bodenverbesserer und Nährstoffe» als zulässige Erzeugnisse für den Einsatz im ökologischen Landbau auf. Es gibt jedoch keine gesetzlichen Vorgaben für die Verwendung von Biogaszusätzen. In der Praxis herrscht daher Unsicherheit, welche Biogaszusätze nach den Grundsätzen des ökologischen Landbaus zulässig sind und ob Gärreste, die unter Einsatz von Biogaszusätzen produziert wurden, in Ökobetrieben verwendet werden dürfen. Ziel dieses Kataloges ist, Akteuren der Branche eine Orientierung zu geben und Empfehlungen auszusprechen, welche Einsatzstoffe für Biogaszusätze als zulässig bzw. unzulässig im ökologischen Landbau zu bewerten sind. Somit soll dieser Katalog zur einheitlichen Beurteilung von Biogaszusätzen im ökologischen Landbau beitragen.

In Tunisia, date palm cultivation generates huge quantities of waste that can be recycled by composting. Composting is a simple, ecological and inexpensive way of recovering and transforming this waste into an organic amendment in organic oases. Renewable biomass waste reincorporates organic matter into the soil and improves soil fertility, promoting plant growth and increasing crop productivity. In the present study, we investigate the performance of compost on the growth and yield of organic barley in a Tunisian oasis.

In den letzten Jahren kommen verstärkt Produkte auf den Markt, die als Zusätze bzw. Additive bei der Herstellung von Biogas eingesetzt werden. Die Verordnung (EU) 2021/1165 führt Gärprodukte unter […fermentiertes Gemisch aus pflanzlichem Material (Einschränkung: Erzeugnis aus gemischtem pflanzlichem Material, gewonnen durch […] anaerobe Gärung bei der Erzeugung von Biogas), sowie Biogasgärreste, die tierische Nebenprodukte erhalten, vergärt mit Material pflanzlichen oder tierischen Ursprungs, […] unter Anhang II »Zugelassene Düngemittel, Bodenverbesserer und Nährstoffe» als zulässige Erzeugnisse für den Einsatz im ökologischen Landbau auf. Es gibt jedoch keine gesetzlichen Vorgaben für die Verwendung von Biogaszusätzen. In der Praxis herrscht daher Unsicherheit, welche Biogaszusätze nach den Grundsätzen des ökologischen Landbaus zulässig sind und ob Gärreste, die unter Einsatz von Biogaszusätzen produziert wurden, in Ökobetrieben verwendet werden dürfen. Ziel dieses Kataloges ist, Akteuren der Branche eine Orientierung zu geben und Empfehlungen auszusprechen, welche Einsatzstoffe für Biogaszusätze als zulässig bzw. unzulässig im ökologischen Landbau zu bewerten sind. Somit soll dieser Katalog zur einheitlichen Beurteilung von Biogaszusätzen im ökologischen Landbau beitragen.

In den letzten Jahren kommen verstärkt Produkte auf den Markt, die als Zusätze bzw. Additive bei der Herstellung von Biogas eingesetzt werden. Die Verordnung (EU) 2021/1165 führt Gärprodukte unter […fermentiertes Gemisch aus pflanzlichem Material (Einschränkung: Erzeugnis aus gemischtem pflanzlichem Material, gewonnen durch […] anaerobe Gärung bei der Erzeugung von Biogas), sowie Biogasgärreste, die tierische Nebenprodukte erhalten, vergärt mit Material pflanzlichen oder tierischen Ursprungs, […] unter Anhang II »Zugelassene Düngemittel, Bodenverbesserer und Nährstoffe» als zulässige Erzeugnisse für den Einsatz im ökologischen Landbau auf. Es gibt jedoch keine gesetzlichen Vorgaben für die Verwendung von Biogaszusätzen. In der Praxis herrscht daher Unsicherheit, welche Biogaszusätze nach den Grundsätzen des ökologischen Landbaus zulässig sind und ob Gärreste, die unter Einsatz von Biogaszusätzen produziert wurden, in Ökobetrieben verwendet werden dürfen. Ziel dieses Kataloges ist, Akteuren der Branche eine Orientierung zu geben und Empfehlungen auszusprechen, welche Einsatzstoffe für Biogaszusätze als zulässig bzw. unzulässig im ökologischen Landbau zu bewerten sind. Somit soll dieser Katalog zur einheitlichen Beurteilung von Biogaszusätzen im ökologischen Landbau beitragen.

ComFerm's Christian Ejlersgaard won the Rising Star price at the Food and Biocluster event 'Food, Trends and Sustainability 2024' for the composting machine

Reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung wird oft als Klimaschutzmassnahme angeführt. Der Langzeitversuch «Bodenbearbeitung Schlatthof» zeigt jedoch, dass die Treibhausgasemissionen weniger von der Bodenbearbeitung sondern eher von der Art der Düngung abhängen.

Le travail réduit du sol est souvent mentionné comme mesure de protection du climat. L’essai de longue durée «Bodenbearbeitung Schlatthof» (travail du sol au Schlatthof) montre cependant que les émissions de gaz à effet de serre dépendent moins des méthodes de travail du sol que du genre de fumure.

The study examines the performance of different organic phosphate and nitrogen fertilisation methods in organic farming.

Referansegårdsprosjektet har prøvd ut og tilpasset et regenererende dyrkingssystem til norske forhold med mål om å fremme jordfruktbarheten og øke moldinnholdet. Prosjektet har omfattet seks korngårder på Østlandet, fire økologiske og to konvensjonelle. Følgende metoder har blitt brukt: 1) Gjødsling som fremmer jordlivet – utbalansering av næringsstoffene, 2) permanent grønt plantedekke med en allsidighet av arter, 3) skånsom jordarbeiding, bl.a. flatekompostering, 4) urteferment for å styre de mikrobielle prosessene og unngå forråtnelse (grønnmasse og husdyrgjødsel), 5) plantevitalisering og bladgjødsling for å øke fotosynteseraten, 6) dybdeløsning og 7) observasjoner av endringene i jorda, kulturen og ugraset (spadeprøve, microBIOMETER m.m.). Målinger viser mer jordliv (bakterier, sopp), bedre jordstruktur og vanninfiltrasjon, signifikant mindre fritt nitrogen (nitrat og ammonium), signifikant økning i jordkarbon (74 kg C per dekar per år i snitt) og reduksjon i frøugras m.m. Praksis viser at med flatekompostering kan et grønt plantedekke avsluttes uten glyfosat eller plog. Plantene blir i større grad ernært av jordlivet, og behovet for innkjøpt gjødsel er redusert (økologisk og konvensjonelt). Problemjord (stiv leire) er tatt inn i produksjon igjen gjennom mineralsk utbalansering. Dekningsbidraget, uten regionalt miljøprogram (RMP), er 5-33 % høyere for økologisk regenerativ korndyrking enn for konvensjonell. Avlingsnivået er 52-67 % av konvensjonelt korn. Prosjektbøndene er mer fornøyde enn før, men det kreves godt bondehåndverk for å lykkes, og bønder som er endringsvillige og proaktive. Prosjektbøndene har i praksis på totalt 90 enkeltskifter demonstrert at en ny agronomi er mulig, som bevisst fremmer de levende prosessene i jorda, tar bedre var på miljøet og gir god avling av god kvalitet.

Effluent water and mechanically filtered sludge from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) contain significant concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and may be applied directly as fertiliser, e.g. in hydroponic systems. However, where this is not possible the nutrients must be removed and should ideally be applied as fertiliser elsewhere, but this often involves costly transportation. To increase the amount of nutrients per kg of material to be transported, e.g. to agricultural fields, the sludge may be filtered using various methods. Chemical coagulants and flocculants are commonly applied to aid particle and nutrient removal. This report describes initial trials with fish sludge amended with the natural polymers lignocellulose and purified cellulose as filter materials, conducted at Denmark Technical University (DTU) Hirtshals, and further testing of the filer cakes as substrates for composting conducted at NORSØK, Tingvoll. The optimal composition of lignocellulose and cellulose to be used for filtration of fish sludge was determined by filtering 1 L of sludge at 4.85 g TCOD/L (total chemical oxygen demand) with combinations of lignocellulose (20, 25, 30, 35 g/L) and cellulose (0.5, 0.75, 1, 2 g/L). A minimum ratio of 0.75 g of cellulose to 35 g of lignocellulose per L of sludge was required for filtration. This combination could produce a filter cake with a dry matter content of 24 - 29%, containing most of the nutrients (N, P). The weight of material containing N and P was reduced by more than 80% by the filtration. Two types of filter cake were produced at DTU Hirtshals with these natural polymers, with and without aluminium coagulant. The cakes were frozen and transported to the Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture, Tingvoll where they were amended with fish meal to make batches with a C/N ratio of 55, 30, and 20. The thermophilic decomposition and CO2 respiration of these batches were studied in Dewar flasks. The mixtures without chemical c

Anne-Kristin Løes forsker på hvordan marint restråstoff kan utnyttes i landbruket. Mulighetene er mange, men veien til et kommersielt produkt ser foreløpig ut til å være lang. Fiskebein inneholder mye fosfor, som er en begrenset ressurs. Dessuten inneholder de mye nitrogen. Mye beinrikt restråstoff fra fisk som torsk, sei og hyse går tapt når det ikke lenger er etterspørsel etter pelsdyrfôr.

There is a need to find novel sources of fertilizers to meet the increasing food demands of a growing human population and alternatives to mined and synthetic fertilizers for the certified organic sector. Marine residues contain all (micro-)macro-nutrients that plants need. Composting is a common method for processing organic residues for use in horticulture. To that end, a small-scale composting experiment was conducted in Dewar flasks with five marine residues mixed in six combinations: dried and ground rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), algae fiber from chemically processed rockweed, ground fish bones and fishmeal from cod (Gadus morhua), and ground blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Physicochemical analyses were run on the residues and their mixtures before and after composting, with the temperature monitored over 92 days. The goal was to assess whether these residues were suitable for aerobic composting, based on tem-perature profiles and changes in physiochemical parameters, and to evaluate the final composts as potential fertilizers. The combination of algae fiber and fishmeal generated the highest heat and exhibited the greatest reduction in volume. None of the finished composts, however, were sufficiently balanced for use as fertilizers alone, but they could provide valuable organic matter and nutrients in combination with other nutrient sources.

Les champs cultivés en biodynamie sont plus vivants, ont plus d’humus et produisent moins de gaz à effet de serre.

La fiche technique explique les bases de la gestion de l'humus, présente les principales mesures et donne des indications pour la planification d'une stratégie spécifique à l'exploitation.

Teneurs en potassium en baisse et pertes de matière organique: Des essais du FiBL étudient les conséquences de différentes intensités de brassage du compost de fumier.

The EU aims to expand organic farming to 25%, yet the sector faces constraints in nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. Societal waste, such as household compost and sewage sludge, contains valuable nutrients for organic farming but requires assessment for nitrogen availability, carbon storage, and contamination risks (e.g., heavy metals). Existing field trials often lack organic management practices, hindering accurate evaluation. To address this gap, a 100-year scenario analysis using the DAISY soil-plant-atmosphere model assessed four crop rotations with varying reliance on legumes, applying different nitrogen rates from various waste sources (household waste compost, sewage sludge, stored human urine) and controls (cattle manure, slurry, deep litter, and mineral fertilization). The model was validated using results from the CRUCIAL trial (Magid et al., 2006). Short term nitrogen recovery rates ranged from 50-60%, increasing to 60-70% in the long term. Deep litter, cattle manure, and compost had the lowest values followed by sewage sludge, human urine, cattle slurry, and mineral fertilization. Nitrogen losses accounted for 34-40% of applied nitrogen, following the same pattern. The opposite trend was seen for the carbon sequestration factor (compost=0.39, manure and deep litter=0.12, sewage sludge=0.09, slurry=0.02). Compost and sewage sludge resulted in surplus Cd and Cu, while Zn levels also increased for the animal manures. Yet, levels remained below EU thresholds after 100 years of continuous application. The study underscores the suitability of societal waste for organic farming, emphasizing the trade-off between nitrogen fertilizer value and carbon storage.

Anaerobic digestion of animal manures reduces methane emissions during storage while generating energy, benefiting the greenhouse gas footprint. This study presents an innovative digestate treatment approach to enhance the overall nitrogen fertilizer value, increase biomass quantity, and diversify digestate-derived fertilizers for different purposes. Cattle manure was co-digested with grass clover silage to augment total biomass volume, nitrogen availability on farm, and biogas yield. The digestates were separated via a screw press, the solid fraction underwent drying for storage stability and ammonia was stripped. A newly designed desulfurizing bio-filter based on liquid digestate input to remove sulphur from biogas, creating in an acidic liquid rich in sulphur. This liquid was enriched with ammonia from simulated stripping resulting in a sulphur-nitrogen-rich fertilizer product (LiqNS). The fertilizer value of resulting digestate products and untreated cattle slurry were evaluated in two-year field trials by injection to spring barley. Cattle slurry, anaerobic digestates, liquid digestate, and LiqNS exhibited high nitrogen fertilizer replacement values (NFRV) of 80-90% relative to mineral nitrogen, with no significant difference amongst them. Liquid digestates showed consistent performance over the years and a higher N/P ratio. Conversely, the dried fibre fraction (DF) demonstrated negative NFRV due to nitrogen immobilization. However, as a soil amendment in a nitrogen-independent crop like faba bean, DF balanced P and K uptake without yield reduction. Overall, this novel approach increased fertilizer quantity while maintaining NFRV through co-digestion, offering diverse fertilizer products to meet various agricultural needs. LiqNS emerged as a promising additional fertilizer from biogas production.

La production de plantons est devenue une activité rare. L’abandon de la tourbe est un grand défi pour beaucoup.

Organic and conventional cropping systems differ in type and amount of nitrogen (N) inputs. In organic cropping only organic fertilizers are permitted, while both organic and mineral fertilizers are used in conventional cropping. Fertilizer type and amount can affect N use efficiency of a cropping system, but contributions via symbiotic N fixation and changes in soil N stocks are rarely quantified based on field data when computing nutrient budgets. We calculated an N budget that accounts for these contributions based on annual data records for a period of 35 years at the Swiss DOK (bio-Dynamic, bio-Organic, Konventionell) field experiment. Here, different organic and conventional cropping systems have been maintained at two fertilization levels: typical for the respective system, and half these doses (low). Controls comprise a conventional treatment receiving solely mineral fertilizers and an unfertilized treatment. At the typical level, average fertilizer N inputs were 93 (bio-dynamic), 96 (bio-organic), and 171 (conventional system) kg N ha−1 yr−1. Nitrogen output via harvested products regularly exceeded N input with fertilizers in all treatments. In each of the 7-year crop rotation periods, legumes (grass-clover ley, intercrops, soybean) were grown in three years. Their symbiotic N fixation was quantified based on 15N studies and legume N yield data. It ranged from 75 to 122 kg N ha−1 per year of the DOK experiment, was slightly reduced under low fertilization and was the main N input for most treatments. Soil surface budgets (sum of N inputs from fertilization, symbiotic fixation, seeds, and deposition minus N outputs via crop harvests) yielded balances from −31 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (in non-fertilized control) to +46 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (conventional system with typical fertilization level). Nitrogen use efficiencies (NUE; N output with harvests as % of sum of N inputs) reached values >100 % in treatments with negative balances while NUE ranged from 85 % to 99 % in treat

The fertiliser value of cattle slurry and digested slurry was compared by injection before and after ploughing. In most cases a higher fertiliser value and higher barley yield was obtained by injection after ploughing, probably due to a placement effect.

The worldwide fish consumption has more than doubled between 1961 (9 kg per capita) and 2019 (20.5 kg) (FAO, 2022) The production in the EU amounted to 5.7 million tonnes of products from catches and aquaculture in 2018 (European Commission, 2020). Of this amount, approximately 25% – 35% is discarded as waste with variable nutrient composition and water content without further valorisation (Villamil et al., 2017). To evaluate the feasibility of producing bio-based fertilizers from the macro nutrients contained in these wastes, the Horizon2020 project Sea2Land piloted different technologies. Their environmental performance was analysed with a cradle to factory gate life cycle assessment (LCA) at two stages of production: pilot stage and industrial stage. The sidestreams were assumed to be burden-free. First results identify the main environmental hotspots, at both stages, to be the implemented concentration and drying processes such as membrane filtration or spray drying, the transport of the raw materials and the packaging of the final product. On the other hand, machines do generally not contribute much to environmental impacts and factory buildings’ contribution is mainly at pilot level and with regard to mineral resources use. To lower the environmental impacts of bio-based fertilisers from fish waste, the concentration of sidestreams should be improved by using of more efficient technologies (e.g. with heat recovery) or alternative energy sources. Secondly, the production needs to be in close geographic distance of the source of the fish waste generation and the amount of packaging materials should be minimized.

À partir de 2025, la teneur en tourbe des jeunes plants de légumes et d'herbes aromatiques cultivés en mottes pressées sera limitée à 60% dans l'agriculture biologique. La tourbe a certes d'excellentes propriétés en tant que composant de substrat, l'extraction et l'assèchement des tourbières sont très nocifs pour l'environnement. Le secteur des légumes et des herbes aromatiques s'active et réduit volontairement la teneur en tourbe.

Ab 2025 gilt im biologischen Anbau die Obergrenze von 60 Prozent Torfgehalt bei Gemüse- und Kräuterjungpflanzen in Erdpresstöpfen. Zwar besitzt Torf als Substratkomponente hervorragende Eigenschaften, jedoch sind der Abbau und die Trockenlegung von Torfmooren sehr umweltschädlich. Die Gemüse- und Kräuterbranche wird aktiv und reduziert den Torfgehalt freiwillig.

This paper describes results obtained in several projects at NORSØK to study the effect of residuals of captured fish (cod, saithe etc.) and seaweed residuals for fertilisation of crop plants. Whereas fish residues have a very rapid growth efffect, seaweed residues have demonstrated an interesting residual effect over several years in local field trials.

Biodynamisch gepflegte Äcker sind belebter, haben mehr Humus und produzieren weniger Treibhausgase.

This paper gives an overview of studies conducted at NORSØK, Tingvoll, Norway in the SeaSoil project (2022-2025), especially a trial where high amounts of various seaweeds were applied. The maximum application per unit area over time is regulated by the content of cadmium, which may be significant in brown seaweeds. Soil data indicates that arsenic may still be present in the soil 3 years after application. Potentially toxic elements (heavy metals) are studied in SeaSoil and further results will be published.

Langzeitversuche sind ideal, um die langfristigen Auswirkungen verschiedener Bewirtschaftungssysteme auf den Boden zu erfassen. Meike Grosse und ihre Kolleg*innen haben die ersten Jahre eines solchen Versuchs zur reduzierten Bodenbearbeitung auf einer Biofläche ausgewertet.

Mikrobielle und pflanzliche Biostimulanzien zur Verbesserung der Pflanzenernährung gewinnen zunehmend an Bedeutung. Eine aktuelle FiBLStudie hat die Wirksamkeit von fünf Präparaten untersucht.

Die Jungpflanzenproduktion ist ein seltenes Gewerbe geworden. Der Torfausstieg fordert viele heraus.

Brown algae and fish waste contain high-value compounds with potentially beneficial effects on plant growth. Several commercial fertilizer products are currently available, but the characteristics of the materials are usually not well-described. Fish and seaweed residues originating from the Norwegian coast are available, after industrial processing, which may be combined into complete fertilizers exerting additional effects on crop plants (biostimulants). In this study, raw samples of fish and seaweed residues were investigated using ecofriendly technologies (drying, leaching), targeting search and isolation of potential biostimulants, followed by physicochemical characterization (elemental analysis, UV–visible, FT-IR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, electrical conductivity, pH, etc.). Organic solvent extractions were employed to determine the available mineral content, micro- and macro-nutrients, antioxidant compounds, and amino acid content by chemical hydrolysis. The in vitro biotoxicity profile (cell viability, morphology, migration) of the generated extracts was also perused, employing Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) along with sensitive neuronal eukaryotic cell lines N2a58 and SH-SY5Y, to assess their time- and concentration-dependent efficacy as antimicrobials and agents counteracting oxidative stress. The analytical composition of all raw materials showed that they contain important nutrients (K, P, Ca, N) as well as organic compounds and amino acids (Gly, Asp, Glu, Leu, Phe) capable of acting as plant biostimulants. Concurrently, the inherently high conductivity values and salt content necessitated leaching processes, which result in Na+ and K+ decreasing by more than ~60% and justifying further their use in soil treatment formulations. The aforementioned results and assertions, combined with physical measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, etc.) on naturally occurring and dried samples as well as green solvent extra

Fremvisning af forskningsforsøg med kompost i semi-field forsøg i væksthus fra Comcrop og Soilcom projekterne d. 24. april 2023 hos Institut for Fødevarer AU - Invitation til særligt inviterede

Création, caractéristiques du blé dur et fertilisation azotée

Documentation of stakeholder event - showing the Comcrop pot trial to special invites 24. April 2023 AU FOOD

Introduction One main obstacle to sustainable nutrient management in organic farming is the scarcity of nutrients. Further, commonly used nutrient sources in organic farming like composts or straw-rich animal manure show low nitrogen (N) fertilizer value. Anaerobic co-digestion of animal manures with biomass from green manures could increase the N fertilizer value of the animal manures while the addition of green manure would result in a higher quantity of fertilizers available in organic farming. Yet, studies investigating N fertilizer values under organic management are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the N fertilizer value of different products from anaerobic digestion (digestates, separated liquid fraction of digestates) as well as cattle manure and mineral fertilization under organic management. In addition, the difference in fertilizer value due to application timing (before vs. after ploughing) and crop management (organic vs. conventional) was tested. Methodology Two field studies were performed on loamy sand soil at the research station Foulumgaard (56o49’N, 09o58’E). Study 1 compared the effect of digestates (co-digestion of cattle slurry and clover grass silage), and liquid fraction from separated digestates with the effect of an unfertilized control, cattle slurry, and mineral fertilization on spring barley yield in two consecutive years under organic management. Study 2 investigated the differences in the fertilizer value of digestates (2on cattle slurry), and cattle slurry due to application timing (before vs. after ploughing), N dose (100 vs. 200 kg N ha-1), and management (organic vs. conventional) in spring barley. The fertilizer value was calculated as N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) for grain N and total N yield. NFRV is estimated as shown in the equations belowfrom the N use efficiency (NUE) of manures relative to NUE of mineral fertilizer N (determined as the slope of the mineral N response curve). (1) NUE=(Nuptake fertili