Activities

The process that LIFE Smart Fertigation project is testing to produce fertilisers from manure digestate consists of a coarse and a fine filtration to separate the solid from the liquid fraction of the digestate. The solid fraction is then dried using the extra heat of the digestation process so that it can be used as fertiliser. The resulting liquid phase can be directly injected in fertigation systems, since all the solids have been removed to avoid clogging. In addition, the project has tested a phytase enzyme to be added to pig feed so as to reduce phosphorous content of the manure pigs produce, thus reducing pollution problems.

Additional comments

The project has proven the following benefits:

- The fertiliser produced saves 50% of liquid fertiliser expenses and 70% of inorganic fertiliser expenses in the plots where it has been tested.

- Fertilisation with the produced fertiliser saves 3600 t of CO2 in comparison with inorganic fertilisers.

- 20% increase of nutrient uptake by the plants fertilised with the produced manure in comparison with inorganic fertiliser.

- 30% reduction of phosphorous content in the tested pig slurries.

- Reduction of nutrient contents in the wastewater produced by pig slurries and thus reduced wastewater treatment needs.

The solutions that were tested save energy and wastewater treatment costs, increasing farm profitability. In addition, the fertiliser produced generates new sources of income for farmers.