Biofertilizers are often presented as a more ecological alternative that allows for the utilization of agricultural residues and reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers. This study uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to analyze the environmental implications of producing forage oats on a small scale, considering three fertilization strategies: (1) application of a biofertilizer, (2) application of an inorganic fertilizer, and (3) no fertilization. Two functional units (FUs) were evaluated within a cradle-to-farm-gate system boundary: one ton of oats and one harvested hectare. The results show that while forage oat production using inorganic fertilizers yields a high output (6.20 t/ha of oat dry matter), it also results in the most significant environmental impacts across both FUs (e.g., 262 kg Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq)/ton and 1620 kg CO2 eq/ha). In contrast, using biofertilizers increases the yield to 7.05 t/ha of oat dry matter while decreasing environmental impacts (e.g., 80.1 kg CO2 eq/ton and 564 kg CO2 eq/ha). Finally, when no fertilization is used, the yield decreases significantly (4.92 t/ha of oat dry matter), while the environmental performance varies depending on the FU considered (e.g., 98.1 kg CO2 eq/ton and 482 kg CO2 eq/ha). This study shows that, compared to inorganic fertilization or no fertilization at all, biofertilizers optimize both production and environmental performance. Therefore, biofertilization is a key strategy for managing residues and reducing environmental impacts in this case study.
Secondary and combined papermill biosolids (PB) are a well-known source of nitrogen (N) for crops, but the available information relating efficient N release to potential factors is fragmented. A meta-analysis was carried out, involving 26 independent studies and 121 observations from multiple experiments (92 for PB and 29 for fertilizer N as a reference). Varying factors related to crop practices, soil properties, and PB characteristics were investigated for their effects on crop yield and plant N accumulation in temperate agricultural regions. The results of meta-analysis revealed that the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of PB and material organic C added accounted for the differences in effect sizes for crop yields, particularly in field studies involving crops with a high N requirement. Conversely, effect sizes for plant N accumulation increased with high application PB rates and amount of total N applied. Moreover, both a low C/N (<15) and a high C/N (>25) ratio were found to increase effect sizes for plant N accumulation. No significant effect was detected for soil properties. Globally, 17% of the total N in PB, equivalent to 39% of fertilizer N, was recovered in the crop. The N recovery percentage was higher in crops with high N requirements and a long growing season, indicating that these crops benefitted more from the N released from PB and would be ideal recipients for PB application. Our results confirm the value of PB as N fertilizer and can help producers and agronomists to finetune their fertilization programs.
Bernard Gagnon, N. Ziadi· Canadian Journal of Soil Sci...· 0 citations
The Macunde bean (Vigna unguiculata L.) is a strategic staple food in the diet of the Angolan population, playing a crucial role in food security. This study aimed to demonstrate to producers that, given the scarcity and high cost of mineral fertilizers, satisfactory grain yields can be achieved through the partial replacement of these inputs with locally available organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure, and plant residue). A field experiment was therefore conducted in Camama, Luanda, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications: T1 (plant residue + 100 kg ha⁻¹ NPK); T2 (cattle manure + 100 kg ha⁻¹ NPK); T3 (chicken manure + 100 kg ha⁻¹ NPK); T4 (plant residue only); T5 (cattle manure only); T6 (chicken manure only); T7 (200 kg ha⁻¹ NPK — reference fertilization); and T8 (control, no fertilization). The experiment was conducted on a sandy-textured Arenosol (90% sand, 5% silt, and 5% clay) characterized by low organic matter content (1.54%), a pH in H₂O of 5.52, and a very low available phosphorus content (2.51 mg dm⁻³). The agronomic data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were grouped using the Scott–Knott test at 5% significance. The results showed that treatments combining organic fertilizer with half the NPK dose (T1, T2, and T3) did not differ statistically from the exclusive mineral fertilization reference (T7). This synergistic behavior was evident in grain yield, which exceeded 1.2 t ha⁻¹ in the combinations with cattle and chicken manure, as well as in the other parameters evaluated (plant height, number of pods, and shoot dry matter). It is concluded that integrated organomineral management represents a viable agronomic and economic strategy for Angolan family farmers, reducing production costs without compromising crop productivity.
Santos João da Costa Quizembe, José Paulo Kai, Domingos Bongue et al.· Brazilian Journal of Develop...· 0 citations
The use of biochar derived from agricultural wood waste represents a promising long-term carbon storage strategy, contributing to mitigation of climate change effects while offering agronomic benefits. This residue is considered as an appropriate material since it does not compete directly with the food chain. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a widely recognized methodology to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a product, process or service. In this study, the potential environmental impact of biochar production and its application on soil have been assessed employing a cradle-to-grave approach. The biochar was produced through the pyrogasification of residual lignocellulosic biomass in a pilot-scale plant. The LCA model has been generated employing the GaBi software (LCA for experts 10.7), in accordance with ISO LCA standards and ILCD Handbook, using the experimental results collected during the test carried out in the pilot plant. Two scenarios have been discussed: a basic scenario, involving the biochar production and application on the soil, and an improved scenario, in which by-products from biochar production are used to replace energy in thermal processes. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of biochar production resulted in −5.52 kg CO2 eq./kg of biochar including the sequestered carbon during plant growth and 1.81 kg CO2 eq./kg of biochar stored in soil and the heat recovery resulted in approximately 20 MJ/kg of biochar of avoided consumption of fossil-based fuels. These findings provide additional support to evaluate biochar potential as an environmentally beneficial solution.
N. Cerone, L. Contuzzi, Giuseppe Domenico Zito et al.· Processes· 0 citations
Fermented fish residue (FFR) is a byproduct generated from the fermented fish industry and presents a significant opportunity for waste valorization into liquid organic fertilizer (OF). This study aimed to determine the chemical properties of FFR and its derived OF, along with the effects of OF application on soil chemical properties, nutrient use efficiency, and leafy vegetable growth. A field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with five treatments, including the application of inorganic fertilizer (IF) as the control and four OF to water dilution ratios (1:100, 1:200, 1:500, and 1:1000). Both FFR and OF were acidic with elevated amounts of nitrogen (N), electrical conductivity, and sodium (Na), but low levels of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and toxic elements. Compared with the IF treatment, the OF application increases available iron (36–62 mg kg−1) and the exchangeable sodium percentage to 3.2% in the 1:100 treatment, while lowering soil pH (5.8–5.9), exchangeable calcium (1.1–1.9 cmol kg−1), and magnesium (0.28–0.39 cmol kg−1). Plant Na concentration also increased from 4159 to 17,666 mg kg−1 under OF treatments, with the highest concentration in the 1:100 treatment. The OF applied at higher dilution ratios (>500) significantly improved the partial fertilizer productivity (PFP) of N (7.2 t ka−1), P (18.6 t kg−1), and K (2.4 t kg−1). Fresh biomass was approximately 88% lower under OF treatments than under IF. This indicates an enhanced nutrient use efficiency under lower nutrient input conditions. This improvement in nutrient use efficiency is accompanied by reduced fresh biomass and increased Na accumulation in plants, together with changes in soil Na-related properties, highlighting a trade-off between nutrient supply and potential salinity risk. These findings, therefore, suggest that FFR-derived OF when applied at 1:500 or greater has potential as a low-input fertilizer option.
Commercial chemical fertilizers are heavily relied upon to boost crop yields, but their rising costs and negative environmental impacts—such as soil degradation and water contamination—highlight the critical need for sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a liquid natural fertilizer formulated from organic household wastes, including banana peels, orange peels, eggshells, onion peels, rice wash water, and molasses, on the growth performance of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. Utilizing an experimental research design, chili seedlings were divided into four groups to compare the organic formulation (at 5 mL and 10 mL concentrations) against a commercial synthetic fertilizer and a water-only control group. The plants were monitored over an eight-day treatment period using two primary metrics: plant height and leaf count. The results demonstrated that the organic formulation is highly effective in promoting key growth parameters. In terms of plant height, the water-only control group achieved the highest average height of 8.6 inches, followed closely by the 10 mL organic fertilizer group at 8.1 inches, while both the chemical fertilizer and 5 mL organic treatments recorded the shortest height at 7.7 inches. Conversely, in the metric of leaf production, the 10 mL organic fertilizer concentration demonstrated the strongest performance, yielding the highest average of 10.6 leaves. The water-only and 5 mL organic groups resulted in 8.4 leaves, whereas the chemical fertilizer group performed the worst, recording the lowest average of 4.2 leaves. These findings confirm that the homemade organic fertilizer can rival and surpass commercial options, particularly in supporting leaf growth. The study concludes that recycling household kitchen waste into a liquid biofertilizer provides a practical, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for sustainable urban agriculture.
Ruby Angeline C. Paredes, J. P. Caronan, Benidick M. Pelitina et al.· International Journal of Sma...· 0 citations
Low soil fertility and restricted nutrient bioavailability are critical limiting factors for sustainable vegetable production, particularly in marginal sandy soils. This study addressed these challenges by investigating the efficacy of a novel sugarcane-derived molasses treated (SOFA) as a soil conditioner and nutrient source for eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a crop for which comprehensive studies on such integrated approaches in these soil types are limited. Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive growing seasons to evaluate the impact of SOFA, applied either independently or in combination with mineral nitrogen (N), on soil physicochemical properties and crop performance.The study results demonstrated that integrated fertilization significantly improved soil physicochemical properties and crop performance. The treatment T3 (50% mineral N + 50% SOFA) achieved the highest total fruit yield (8.84 kg plant−1), representing a 111% increase compared to the control (4.18 kg plant−1). Similarly, T2 (75% N + 25% SOFA) significantly enhanced vegetative growth, chlorophyll content, and fruit nutritional quality. Soil organic matter increased by up to 56%, while available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased by up to 240%, 209%, and 67%, respectively, compared to the control. Moreover, SOFA application contributed to moderating soil alkalinity and improving nutrient availability, despite slight increases in electrical conductivity at higher application rates. Eggplant fruit quality traits were also significantly improved, with total soluble solids (TSS) increasing by 42% and anthocyanin content by 49% under optimized treatments. Economic analysis revealed that T2 and T3 achieved the highest profitability, with investment factors approaching 5.0, indicating superior economic efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of treated molasses-based amendments (SOFA) as a sustainable strategy for restoring marginal sandy soils and optimizing the productivity and nutritional quality of S. melongena.
Abdel-Haleem A. H. El-Shaieny, Ahmed N. Gad El Rab, H. Farrag et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
