Benefits of biobased fertilizers as substitutes for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers: Field assessment combining minirhizotron and UAV-based spectrum sensing technologies

Abstract

Recovery of biobased fertilizers derived from manure to replace synthetic fertilizers is considered a key strategy to close the nutrients loop for a more sustainable agricultural system. This study evaluated the nitrogen (N) fertilizer value of five biobased fertilizers [i.e., raw pig manure (PM), digestate (DIG), the liquid fraction of digestate (LFD), evaporator concentrate (EVA) and ammonia water (AW)] recovered from an integrated anaerobic digestion–centrifugation–evaporation process. The shoot and root growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under biobased fertilization was compared with the application of synthetic mineral N fertilizer, i.e., calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The non-invasive technologies, i.e., minirhizotron and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based spectrum sensing, were integrated with the classic plant and soil sampling to enhance the in-season monitoring of the crop and soil status. Results showed no significant difference in the canopy status, biomass yield or crop N uptake under biobased fertilization as compared to CAN, except a lower crop N uptake in DIG treatment. The total root length detected by minirhizotron revealed a higher early-stage N availability at the rooting zone under biobased fertilization as compared to CAN, probably due to the liquid form of N supplied by biobased fertilizers showing higher mobility in soil under dry conditions than the solid form of CAN. Given a high soil N supply (averagely 70–232 kg ha−1) in the latter growing season of this study, the higher N availability in the early growing season seemed to promote a luxury N uptake in maize plants, resulting in significantly (p < 0.05) higher N concentrations in the harvested biomass of PM, LFD and AW than that in the no-N fertilized control. Therefore, the biobased fertilizers, i.e., PM, LFD, EVA and AW have a high potential as substitutes for synthetic mineral N fertilizers, with additional value in providing easier accessible N for crops during dry seasons, especially under global warming which is supposed to cause more frequent drought all over the world.