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

Climate effects of recycled fertilizers and biochar: emissions of nitrous oxide, methane and ammonia in a field experiment

Background Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are essential for crop production. Farmyard manure and slurry traditionally constitute about half of the total N inputs into crop production in Switzerland. Recycled fertilizers such as biogas slurry, liquid digestates and compost enable simultaneous energy production and closing of nutrient cycles. There is evidence that recycled fertilizers can help to increase N use efficiencies and to improve N supply in organic farming. Biochar amendment has shown a potential to mitigate soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in particular nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Here, we combine one of the liquid recycled fertilizer treatments with biochar. In a 2.5-years on-farm experiment, we quantify GHG emissions and further gaseous N-losses via ammonia (NH3) emissions

A soil carbon sequestration bible. Review of “Understanding and fostering soil carbon sequestration” edited by Cornelia Rumpel, Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science, 2023

The potential contribution of soils to climate mitigation is a topic of great importance. Hence the new volume in the Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Sciences entitled Understanding and fostering soil carbon sequestration” and edited by Cornelia Rumpel is of interest not only to the Agricultural Science community, but to scientists in general as well as to policy makers. The book is divided into four parts, from understanding via measuring to fostering carbon sequestration in soils, and a final part on socioeconomic, legal and policy issues. With its 887 pages, it is a rather heavy (nearly 1.5 kg) and pricy (£170) volume, but of course each of the 29 chapters can be obtained and read individually

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

Rezyklierte Phosphordünger - was die Branche davon hält

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

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

Valeur de référence pourl'humus des terres assolées - Etablissement d’une valeur de référence applicable à la teneur en matière organique des sols minéraux agricole

La présente brochure s’adresseaux organes exécutifs de protection des sols et aux professionnels avertis. Elle présente les possibilités d’établir une valeur de référence applicable à la teneur en matière organique des sols minéraux agricoles. Elle intègre la réglementation suisse ainsi que les acquiset les avis d'un atelier réunissant des acteurs de l'agriculture, de la protection de l'environnement et de l’exécution cantonale, qui s'est tenu le 16novembre 201

Tracing the fate of 15N-labelled animal manure in the environment

Background • Nitrate leaching threatens both the environment and drinking water quality • Switzerland ca. 380,000 ha with > 25 mg nitrate/L in groundwater (quality criteria for drinking water) [1]; the Gäu region (Canton Solothurn) is especially vulnerable • Organic fertilizers (slurry, farmyard manure, etc.) might entail considerably increased leaching risks due to variable nitrogen (N) content and availability • Aim: increase N use efficiency, simultaneously reduce leachin

Cancer incidence and risk of multiple cancers after environmental asbestos exposure in childhood—a long-term register-based cohort study

Objectives: To examine the asbestos-associated cancer incidence and the risk of multiple cancers in former school children exposed to environmental asbestos in childhood. Methods: A cohort of 12,111 former school children, born 1940–1970, was established using 7th grade school records from four schools located at a distance of 100–750 m in the prevailing wind direction from a large asbestos-cement plant that operated from 1928 to 1984 in Aalborg, Denmark. Using the unique Danish personal identification number, we linked information on employments, relatives’ employments, date of cancer diagnosis, and type of cancer and vital status to data on cohortees extracted from the Supplementary Pension Fund Register (employment history), the Danish Cancer Registry, and the Danish Civil Registration System. We calculated standardized incidence rates (SIRs) for asbestos-associated cancers, all cancers, and multiple cancers using rates for a gender and five-year frequency-matched reference cohort. Results: The overall incidence of cancer was modestly increased for the school cohort (SIR 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.12) compared with the reference cohort. This excess was driven primarily by a significantly increased SIR for malignant mesothelioma (SIR 8.77, 95% CI 6.38–12.05). Former school children who had combined childhood environmental and subsequent occupational exposure to asbestos had a significantly increased risk of lung cancer. Within this group, those with additional household exposure by a relative had a significantly increased SIR for cancer of the pharynx (SIR 4.24, 95% CI 1.59–11.29). We found no significant difference in the number of subjects diagnosed with multiple cancers between the two cohorts. Conclusions: Our study confirms the strong association between environmental asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma and suggests that environmental asbestos exposure in childhood may increase the overall cancer risk later in life