Struvite’s potential as an alternative phos-phorus source for organic agriculture

Outcome Depending on the process, normally 12-22% of P present in wastewater is recovered in struvite. The P in struvite is not water-soluble but soluble in weak organic acids, such as those present in root exudates. The quality and purity of the final product depends on the production process, but contaminant levels are generally very low. Practical recommendations • Given the nutrient content of struvite (5% N, 28% phosphate (P2O5), 10% Magnesium (Mg)) we recommend using it to provide P together with limited amounts of N and Mg. • We recommend the use of struvite for crops with continuous need for P. Struvite slowly dissolves in the soil over time, especially when solubilised by root exudates, such as citrate, or under acidic conditions. In contrast to rock phosphate, it becomes available to the plant over time, even in alkaline soils. • The maximum amount to apply corresponds to the expected P removal by the crop. The recommended doses are similar to any other P fertiliser. • Struvite can be used in all crops (arable, horticultural, forage). • The product is formulated in granules of about 1 to 3 mm in diameter, allowing the use of normal farm machinery. • Since struvite releases P rather slowly, application before or at sowing is recommended. Struvite must be incorporated into the soil after broadcast application. Use of struvite in rows is also possible

Engrais phosphatés de recyclage - Ce que le secteur bio en pense

Le phosphore contenu dans les eaux usées devra être récupéré dès 2026. Qu’en pensent agriculteurs et experts

Doppelt! Für einen anderen Eintrag verwenden. Rezyklierte Phosphordünger - was die Branche davon hält

Phosphor in Abwässern muss ab 2026 rückgewonnen werden. Was halten Landwirte und andere Düngeexperten davon

BodenDok – eine modulare App für die digitale Bodenbeurteilung

Die Spatenprobe liefert wertvolle Informationen zum Zustand landwirtschaftlicher Böden. Trotzdem wird sie in der Praxis wenig angewendet. Die BodenDok Mobile-App will dies nun ändern. Die App des Forschungsinstituts für biologischen Landbau FiBL,eine Co-Produktion mit der Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW, unterstützt die Landwirte bei der Spatenprobe und weitergehenden Beobachtungen am Boden. Die App führt die Nutzer Schritt für Schritt durch den Beurteilungsprozess und liefert unter anderem Hinweise zur Bearbeitbarkeit des Bodens. Die App ist modular konzipiert, so dass vertiefende und innovative Untersuchungsmethoden zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt ergänzt werden können

Phosphordünger aus Klärschlamm: Evaluierung von Pyrolysekohle und Alkalipyrolyse

Phosphorus (P) in sewage sludge holds the main proportion of P currently lost in waste streams, and options to recycle it for agriculture are needed. Pyrolysis is a promising local alternative to centralized sewage sludge incineration. Pathogens and organic pollutants are destroyed and a carbon-rich substrate known as biochar is formed. We evaluated pyrolysis of sewage sludge as well as sintering of pyrolysis char with alkali salts. The products were applied in a pot experiment with calcareous and acidic soils to determine P uptake by ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and changes in soil pH, available P and cation exchange capacity. Two products were also tested in a field experiment with maize (Zea mays) on a neutral soil. Cadmium and mercury were partly lost during pyrolysis. The pot experiment revealed interactions between soil pH and P use efficiency of the various products, including reference fertilizers permitted in organic farming. Pyrolysis changed plant P availability only slightly compared to the parent sewage sludge, but sintering with alkali salts increased plant P availability to levels comparable to triple superphosphate. Potential implications for organic agriculture are discussed

Policy brief on the organic approach to inputs – Plant protection products, fertilisers, veterinary drugs and feed additives explained

The plant and animal health care strategy in organic farming strengthensagro-biodiversity, protects the environment as well as animal and human health. In addition to fully exploiting preventive options, the use of external inputs such as plant protection products, fertilisers or veterinarymedicinal productsis allowed to prevent inacceptable losses in productivity or animal suffering. However, external inputs need to comply with organic standardsas well as European legislationand aretherefore carefully evaluated before any decision on acceptance is taken.Organic farming systems should aim at reducing dependency on off-farm fertilisers to the lowest feasable level to ensure closed nutrient cycles and avoid nutrient leakage and contamination. This policy brief explains the underlying principles and the procedures for evaluation of inputs, focusing on plant protection products, fertilisers, feed additives and veterinary medicinal products used in organic farming under European legislation. The case study in Annex I on plant protection products provides a full picture on the processes and criteria for authorisation, the assessment of new inputs accordingtothe suitability in organic farming, the history of utilised substances and possible trade-offs and concerns

Struvite’s potential as an alternative phosphorus source for organic agriculture (RELACS Practice abstract)

Outcome Depending on the process, normally 12-22% of P present in wastewater is recovered in struvite. The P in struvite is not water-soluble but soluble in weak organic acids, such as those present in root exudates. The quality and purity of the final product depends on the production process, but contaminant levels are generally very low. Practical recommendations • Given the nutrient content of struvite (5% N, 28% phosphate (P2O5), 10% Magnesium (Mg)) we recommend using it to provide P together with limited amounts of N and Mg. • We recommend the use of struvite for crops with continuous need for P. Struvite slowly dissolves in the soil over time, especially when solubilised by root exudates, such as citrate, or under acidic conditions. In contrast to rock phosphate, it becomes available to the plant over time, even in alkaline soils. • The maximum amount to apply corresponds to the expected P removal by the crop. The recommended doses are similar to any other P fertiliser. • Struvite can be used in all crops (arable, horticultural, forage). • The product is formulated in granules of about 1 to 3 mm in diameter, allowing the use of normal farm machinery. • Since struvite releases P rather slowly, application before or at sowing is recommended. Struvite must be incorporated into the soil after broadcast application. Use of struvite in rows is also possible

Workshop: Debating the future of nutrient management in organic farming

As a collaboration betweenH2020-projects RELACS and Organic-PLUS, we have applied for a workshop to be included in the program of the Organic World Congress 2020, with the following content: The main aim of this workshop is to discuss the future of nutrient management in organic farming. Are new concepts required to obtain balanced nutrient flows in order to develop organic farming in a sustainable direction? Do we need increased application of recycled fertilisers, e.g. derived from urban waste and human-derived nutrients to support the growth of organic production? Do we need to grow more plants specifically to be made into fertilisers? Are those sources of fertilisers acceptable for organic systems? Are Organic regulations (and specifically the EU regulation) adapted to new concepts and current knowledge? Which changes are needed? Are expanded Annexes of permitted inputs the way to proceed, to include more recycled fertilisers in organic production