Impact of Single and Cumulative Applications of Biogas Liquid Digestate on Soil and Plant | ||
| Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology | ||
| Article 7, Volume 27, Issue 5, July and August 2025, Pages 1061-1077 PDF (8.45 M) | ||
| DOI: 10.48311/jast.2025.24124 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Volkan Atav* 1; Orhan Yuksel2; Ayten Namli3 | ||
| 1Department of Plant Nutrition and Soil, Atatürk Soil Water and Agricultural Meteorology Research Institute Kırklareli, Turkey. | ||
| 2Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Tekirdag Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey. | ||
| 3Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The surge in biogas energy production has resulted in an accumulation of Liquid Digestate (LD), a byproduct with possible agricultural utility. To discern its benefits and shortcomings, a field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different doses of LD on maize yield, soil salinity, leaf and grain Nitrogen (N) content. The study included both single-year and consecutive two-year applications of LD at doses of 10, 30, 50, and 70 t ha-1. Based on maize N requirements, any N deficit was supplemented with chemical fertilizers. For the one-year experiment, the highest grain yield was obtained from the chemical fertilization treatment and 70 t ha-1 dose of LD. In the two consecutive years, 70 t.ha-1 dose gave the highest grain yield. LD provided N to the soil as effectively as chemical fertilization and stabilized the soil pH within approximately 1 month. However, high doses of digestate resulted in increased soil salinity and decreased N Use Efficiency (NUE). Consecutive two-year application increased Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH stabilization in the soil to a greater extent than single-year applications. However, there was no difference in the N content of the plant between single-year and two consecutive applications. In summary, LD provides significant agricultural benefits such as pH stabilization and increased inorganic N levels. However, our findings indicate that overuse can lead to soil salinity and N losses, underscoring the importance of balanced application to maximize its benefits while minimizing potential drawbacks. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Maize; Nitrogen fertilizer; Soil electrical conductivity; Soil pH | ||
| References | ||
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