Summary
This field trial evaluated the agronomic and quality effects of partially substituting chemical fertiliser with biogas slurry (fermented from duck, pig or cow manure) in winter-solar greenhouse tomato production. Biogas slurry application significantly improved soil fertility, elevated available macro- and micronutrients, increased tomato yield by 55.9–232.8% whilst reducing chemical fertiliser requirement by 18.2–85.0%, and improved fruit quality through higher lycopene and ascorbic acid content and substantially lower nitrite accumulation (35.6–90.3% reduction). The magnitude of benefits depended on biogas slurry source and dilution ratio, with effects becoming more pronounced over time.
Regional applicability
This research was conducted in China and focuses on winter-solar greenhouse systems, which are less common in United Kingdom horticultural practice. However, the principles of biogas slurry application as a partial chemical fertiliser replacement are relevant to UK organic and regenerative horticulture, and findings on soil fertility improvement and nitrate reduction in vegetables may inform UK policy on reducing synthetic nitrogen inputs and nutrient recovery from livestock waste.
Key measures
Soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; soil water-soluble calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc; tomato yield (percentage increase); chemical fertilizer dosage reduction (percentage decrease); fruit lycopene, ascorbic acid, total sugar, acidity, nitrite concentration (NO₂⁻); taste flavour score; sugar-to-acid ratio
Outcomes reported
The study measured soil fertility (available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water-soluble micronutrients), tomato yield, chemical fertilizer reduction, and fruit quality (lycopene, ascorbic acid, total sugar, acidity, nitrite concentration). Biogas slurry partial substitution increased yield by 55.9–232.8%, reduced chemical fertilizer use by 18.2–85.0%, and improved fruit quality metrics including reduced nitrite levels by 35.6–90.3%.
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