Articles
Composting as a nature-based solution for coping with circularity challenges in horticulture: the use of nitrified compost in sustainable horticulture
Article number
1355_19
Pages
149 – 156
Language
English
Abstract
Catalonia is one of the NUTS 2 regions within the EU with the highest livestock density, very close to Nord-Brabant (the Netherlands), West-Vlaanderen (Belgium), Bretagne (France) or Lombardy (Italy). The livestock sector is mainly oriented to pork production, although dairy, cattle and poultry farms are also important.
Therefore, the appropriate management of manure, especially liquid manure, has become a challenge for sustainable farming.
To solve part of that issue, the treatment of manure is being developed and implemented, and solid-liquid separation is widely used because of its simplicity and the good results obtained.
The liquid fraction can be applied in fields near the farms, while the solid fraction can be transformed into a stable product and then transported to other areas with high compost demand like horticulture fields.
In the framework of the LIFE AGRICLOSE project, a pilot and on farm scale trials have been conducted by composting the solid fraction of pig slurry with locally available bulking agents.
Both types of experiments obtained similar results.
Nitrification of the ammonia-N occurred during the curing phase of the composting, and as a consequence of this natural process, slight acidification has also been measured.
Part of the produced compost has been applied to check its effect in one rotation of horticultural crops (spinach, onion and cauliflower) planted outdoors in the ground.
Compost application (without fertigation) had satisfactory effects on spinach, onion, and cauliflower crops compared to the other treatments.
No significant differences were found between compost and non-compost treatments when mineral N fertigation was applied, in most of the cases.
The use of compost increased the soil nitrate-N content after two crop rotations but decreased after the cauliflower crop.
This study highlights the need for linking composting and agronomy studies to promote local circular horticulture in the transition of conventional to organic agriculture.
Therefore, the appropriate management of manure, especially liquid manure, has become a challenge for sustainable farming.
To solve part of that issue, the treatment of manure is being developed and implemented, and solid-liquid separation is widely used because of its simplicity and the good results obtained.
The liquid fraction can be applied in fields near the farms, while the solid fraction can be transformed into a stable product and then transported to other areas with high compost demand like horticulture fields.
In the framework of the LIFE AGRICLOSE project, a pilot and on farm scale trials have been conducted by composting the solid fraction of pig slurry with locally available bulking agents.
Both types of experiments obtained similar results.
Nitrification of the ammonia-N occurred during the curing phase of the composting, and as a consequence of this natural process, slight acidification has also been measured.
Part of the produced compost has been applied to check its effect in one rotation of horticultural crops (spinach, onion and cauliflower) planted outdoors in the ground.
Compost application (without fertigation) had satisfactory effects on spinach, onion, and cauliflower crops compared to the other treatments.
No significant differences were found between compost and non-compost treatments when mineral N fertigation was applied, in most of the cases.
The use of compost increased the soil nitrate-N content after two crop rotations but decreased after the cauliflower crop.
This study highlights the need for linking composting and agronomy studies to promote local circular horticulture in the transition of conventional to organic agriculture.
Authors
R. Cáceres, C. Biel, C. Ortiz
Keywords
circularity, nitrification, horticulture
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