7223: Biogas in organic agriculture: Effects on yields, nutrient uptake and environmental parameters of the cropping system

Möller, Kurt; Stinner, Walter and Leithold, Günter (2006) Biogas in organic agriculture: Effects on yields, nutrient uptake and environmental parameters of the cropping system. Paper presented at Joint Organic Congress, Odense, Denmark, May 30-31, 2006..

Summary

System effects of biogas fermentation in organic cropping systems with and without livestock (dairy farming) were investigated from 2002-2005. In both systems no differences in yields and nutrient uptake were detected in the legume crops. In the livestock-system non legume crops of the slurry system had no higher yields but a higher nitrogen uptake (6 %) than the stable manure system. Slurry-fermentation had no effect on yields and nitrogen uptake. The inclusion of crop residues in the fermentation system increased the nitrogen uptake about by 10 % and reduced the nitrate leaching potential by ca. 10 %. The inclusion of external substrates lead to a further increase in nitrogen yield of 10 %, but to no significant increase in dry matter yields. Fermentation had no effects on P-availability of manures. In the stockless system fermentation of clover grass, straw and catch crops increased yields and nitrogen content of winter wheat by ca. 10 %, combined with a significant decrease in nitrate leaching potential (10 %) and in emissions of nitrous oxide (ca. 40 %).

Archive Staff Only: edit this record