Day TwoThursday, 11 April 2024

The need to improve the Fertilizer efficiency has been increasingly important in the recent years especially the plant nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). It is known that Humic acids (HS) has the potential to increase the plant fertiliser uptake and its assimilation as type of soil conditioner and a plant Biostimulants. During the soil application of nitrogen (N) fertilisers to the Plant one part of Nitrogen nutrients (NO3) would be lose during the leaching to groundwater and contaminate it or lose as Gas form through denitrification to N2, volatilization of NH3 in the atmosphere. The foliar application of Nitrogen is a more direct method of getting nitrogen into the plant which is through the pores in the leaves. The comparation of the applications of granular urea with liquid fertiliser consisting of dissolved urea, bio-stimulants and humic compounds showed that dissolved urea with humic compounds and bio-stimulants produced approximately three times more dry matter per unit of applied nitrogen. In other study the dissolved urea was applied either on its own, or with the addition of humic compounds and bio-stimulants, the dry matter was about 12.5% greater by adding of humic compounds and bio-stimulants in compared to dissolved urea applications

• MKP- trends and market dynamics
• CN – trends and market dynamics
• PN- trends and market dynamics

Sheep are a vital part of agriculture around the world, often grazing in areas unsuitable for other crop systems and are important in regenerative programmes. In addition to providing meat and milk, sheep provide wool, a renewable source of fibre and keratin protein. Wool is sheared from sheep and regrows naturally on a seasonal basis but now faces limited market avenues due to the rise of synthetic alternatives.

Surplus or waste wool can be hydrolysed to produce a liquid formulation rich in peptides and amino acids and applied to crops via existing on farm equipment. Utilising waste wool to extract sources of valuable peptides and amino acids can contribute to the circular economy in agriculture and provide a means of reducing synthetic chemical inputs in crop production.

Our work investigates the use of hydrolysed keratin protein from sheep wool as a biostimulant and the effects it has on yield, crop quality and fruit colouring. Trial data demonstrates that application of hydrolysed sheep wool keratin increases total yield per hectare and enhances colouring in grapes and red pepper. Transcriptomics confirms effects on gene expression and resulting cascades when the formulation is applied as a foliar spray.

As a result, hydrolysed sheep wool is a promising material for integrating into crop production programmes where crop quality and colour is a critical factor.

The EU’s fertilizer and feed industries are highly reliant on imports of phosphate rock. Meanwhile, municipal wastewater contains large quantities of P, that can increase Europe´s self-sufficiency. EasyMining has developed a process for the recovery of clean phosphate from sewage sludge ash (SSA) which is patented and registered under the brand Ash2Phos. This process is based on chemical treatment of sewage sludge ash from mono-incineration or similar wastes. P is recovered in the form of clean precipitated calcium phosphate (RevoCaP). The RevoCaP is of high purity thanks to the detoxification step in the process (low amounts of unwanted substance, Cd <0.1 mg/kg RevoCaP, F 0.014 mg/kg RevoCaP and no organic contaminants or pathogens). The product contains about 17% P and has a low solubility in water. It is fully soluble in citric acid and about 80% soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, fulfilling the requirements of the EU Fertilizing Product Regulation (FPR, Regulation (EU 2019/1009). Results from ryegrass tests show that the RevoCaP works efficiently as a slow-release fertilizer in acid soils. The applications of RevoCaP range from apatite replacement for high quality fertilizers to direct application as slow release fertilizer and even usage as feed phosphate due to its high purity. In a Joint Venture with Gelsenwasser, EasyMining will start production of 15 000 t/a of RevoCaP from 2026 end expand its production to 150 000 t/a by 2032. Additionally, EasyMining is also active in the recovery of clean Ammonium Sulfate and Potassium from wastewater and household waste.

Abiotic stresses, such as heat waves or reduced rainfall, and vineyard management have an important influence on the quality of wine grapes. Difficult and unbalanced maturations are increasingly frequent. This leads winemakers to new challenges and to search some sustainable auxiliary products that assist the resilience of the plant in the phases of its growth and development. This experiment was created to promote a Green Approach through the distribution and application of sustainable products that minimize the negative impact on the environment. Four soil treatments were carried out on a young vineyard: I. (zeolite + irrigation), II. (irrigation), III. (zeolite) and IV. (no treatment). Measurements of net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, and leaf water potential were performed during two seasons (2022-2023). Furthermore, maturity parameters (° brix and anthocyanins content) and biochemical analyses were carried out on leaves and berries. IV. showed more negative water potential, significant proline accumulation in leaves, reduced photosynthesis, and higher leaf temperature. Additionally, it showed higher levels of quercetin and slowed berry development in hotter, drier years. The benefit of the zeolite (biostimulant mineral of volcanic origin) was highlighted by the improvement in water efficiency and the correct and balanced ripening of the grape in both years