Nitrogen use efficiency and soil quality as affected by digestates and biochar in a field experiment over seven years

Summary

Anaerobic digestion of manure and organic wastes contributes to closing nutrient cycles while generating renewable energy. The use of digestates in organic farming can alleviate nutrient deficits, especially of nitrogen (N), if potential trade-offs with respect to N losses are known and managed properly. Biochar has been advocated as a mean to decrease N losses from agroecosystems and improve soil quality. The aim of this study was to understand the benefits and trade-offs of using digestates and biochar amendments compared to undigested liquid manure or mineral N, in particular with respect to N losses, N use efficiency and soil quality.