Field evaluation of liquid fraction of digestates from different feedstocks on soil properties, water productivity, maize yield and economic performance.

Summary

This field trial evaluated three digestate products from different livestock and plant residue combinations applied at four rates to maize during 2022–2023. Liquid digestate application significantly increased grain yield, kernel nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, B), soil biological activity (microbial biomass carbon, respiration, enzyme activity), and available macro- and micronutrients, whilst water productivity showed numerical but not significant variation with digestate type.

Regional applicability

This Turkish field study addresses circular bioeconomy principles relevant to United Kingdom farming policy, though climate, soil type and irrigation practice differences limit direct applicability. The approach of recycling livestock and plant residues through anaerobic digestion and soil application is relevant to UK sustainability objectives, but performance would require validation under UK pedoclimatic and management conditions.

Key measures

Maize grain yield, thousand kernel weight, cob weight, kernel yield per cob, soil electrical conductivity, available P₂O₅, K₂O, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon, microbial respiration, urease activity, phosphatase activity, kernel N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, B content, water productivity (WP), irrigation water productivity (IWP)

Outcomes reported

The study measured effects of liquid fraction digestates from three feedstock types applied at four rates on maize grain yield, yield components, kernel nutrient composition, soil chemical and biological properties, water productivity, and economic performance during a 2022–2023 growing season under field conditions.

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