Digestate Application Methods and Rates with Regard to Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Crop Conditions

Abstract

Digestate is commonly used as a liquid organic fertilizer, as it contains nutrients that are important for plant growth and thus help reduce usage of mineral fertilizers. Since the digestate application leads to the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, it is necessary to find a suitable application method and fertilizer rate with minimal gas emissions while providing sufficient nutrients to crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected GHGs and ammonia (NH3) release into the atmosphere and different rates of digestate applied, i.e., 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m3 ha−1. Two digestate incorporation methods were used, i.e., a disc application unit (D) and strip-till (S). The fluxes, i.e., methane (CH4), ammonia, and carbon dioxide (CO2), were monitored using the wind tunnel method. Crop growth and potential nutrient utilization by silage maize were assessed through stand condition monitoring by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) using remote sensing. Under the given conditions, the digestate rates and the compared application methods had significant effects on the level of fluxes. The rate of digestate was confirmed to affect the yield of silage maize. The yield increased by more than 8% when using the disc applicator. Based on our results, it is advisable to apply digestate by strip-till technology at rates of approximately 20 m3 ha−1.