Mineral fertiliser equivalence value of dairy processing waste and derived strubias products
Shi, Wenxuan
Shi, Wenxuan
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Publication Date
2023-03-09
Type
Thesis
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Abstract
Globally, agriculture urgently needs alternative sources of phosphorus (P). Presently, global agriculture is over-reliant on inorganic mineral P fertilisers sourced from finite mining sources. This is especially relevant in the European Union (EU), since Europe lacks natural rock phosphate deposits. There are many alternative organic sources of P, which could be used at low cost in agriculture to grow crops. For example, as one of the largest agricultural-food sectors in EU, the dairy processing industry generates large amounts of P-rich dairy processing sludge (DPS), which can be further processed into secondary-raw-material-based fertilising products, referred to as STRUBIAS (STRUvite, BIochar, or incineration AShes). As DPS and DPS-derived STRUBIAS products have the potential to be used as bio-based fertilisers, to encourage farmers to choose such fertiliser alternatives and stimulate their access to the market, the EU has implemented changes to the Fertiliser Regulations. To date, few studies have focused on the potential of these products to be used as agricultural fertilisers, which has hindered their incorporation in agricultural nutrient management planning. This thesis aims to address the knowledge gaps associated with their agronomic performance and potential environmental risks when reused as fertilisers in agriculture. Specifically, the aims of this thesis were to: (1) quantify the nutrient and metal content of a range of DPS and DPS-derived products (2) compile a database and develop a MS ExcelTM calculator programme to provide farmers with a quick and safe way to reuse these products (3) determine the mineral fertiliser equivalent value (MFE) of a range of these products when used to grow ryegrass and spring wheat, and (4) examine how the different application rate (optimal versus high) and calculation methods (with and without chemical fertiliser response curves) affect MFE results, which, in turn, will enable a standard approach to be used in fertilisation.
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Publisher
NUI Galway