Abstract
Core Ideas Agronomic efficiency of organomineral fertilizers higher than biosolids granules. Organomineral fertilizers reduces the risk of soil P build‐up compared with biosolids. Conversion of sewage sludge into organomineral fertilizers improves the fertilizer value of biosolids. Field‐scale experiments in four crop seasons established the agronomic performance of biosolids‐derived organomineral fertilizers (OMF) for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in England. Two OMF formulations (OMF10 10:4:4 and OMF15 15:4:4) were compared with urea and biosolids granules (≈5:6:0.2) to determine crop responses and fertilizer effects on soil chemical properties. Fertilizers were applied at N rates between 0 and 250 kg ha−1 at regular increments of 50 kg ha−1 N. Average grain yields with OMF10 and OMF15 were higher than with biosolids granules, but lower than with urea (P < 0.05). The optimum N application rates, and corresponding grain yields, were 245 and 7900 kg ha−1 for biosolids, 257 and 9100 kg ha−1 for OMF10, 249 and 9500 kg ha−1 for OMF15, and 225 and 10350 kg ha−1 for urea, respectively. Differences in grain yield between fertilizer treatments were explained by differences in yield components, particularly number of grains and thousand‐grain‐weight. Grain‐N recoveries were 31% for biosolids, ≈40% for OMF, and 52% for urea. Organomineral fertilizers‐induced changes in soil extractable P and soil P Index were not significant. Thus, application of OMF replenished P offtake by the crop and therefore supported the choice of the proposed OMF formulations. By contrast, extractable P increased in biosolids and decreased in urea‐treated soils, respectively. Heavy metals in soil were unaffected by fertilizer treatment and lower than permissible limit values. The use of OMF for winter wheat production appears to be a sustainable approach to recycling biosolids to land.
Highlights
Total aboveground biomass at maturity and thousand grain weight (TGW) within this study showed differences between fertilizer treatments, which explain differences in grain yield
The main conclusions derived from this research are: 1. Average grain yields of winter wheat treated with organomineral fertilizers (OMF) were up to 25% higher than with biosolids granules, but 20% lower than with urea
Differences in grain yield and yield-to-N responses between treatments were due to relative patterns of N release from fertilizer applied to soil influencing N uptake, biomass accumulation, and partitioning
Summary
The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate grain yield, yield components, and yield-to-fertilizer response relationships of winter wheat as affected by soil application of biosolids-derived OMF, urea, and biosolids granules, (ii) derive the optimum N application rate for OMF and urea based on the above yield-to-N responses, (iii) investigate the effects of OMF on N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in winter wheat crops, and (iv) investigate changes in soil fertility properties and selected heavy metals in soil as affected by OMF application. It was hypothesized that: (i) the agronomic performance of crops fertilized with OMF would be significantly higher than that of biosolids granules but lower than urea, and (ii) soil application of OMF would not induce significant changes in soil chemistry, soil extractable P and K. The results of this 4-yr study were used to produce practical recommendations for winter-sown cereals in England
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
