TY - JOUR

T1 - Ammonia volatilization and yield response of energy crops after fertilization with biogas residues in a coastal marsh of Northern Germany

AU - Quakernack, R.

AU - Pacholski, A.

AU - Techow, A.

AU - Herrmann, A.

AU - Taube, F.

AU - Kage, H.

PY - 2012/10/1

Y1 - 2012/10/1

N2 - Anaerobic co-fermentation of animal slurries and crop silages leads to new types of biogas residues with an uncertain fertilizer value. Ammonia volatilization losses and crop productivity after supplying co-fermented biogas residues were investigated at a marshland site in Northern Germany. Due to the ecological risks of monocultures, maize (Zea mays) in monoculture as the dominant biogas crop in the marsh was tested against a crop rotation (maize, wheat (Triticum aestivum), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Biogas residues, applied by trail hoses, and CAN (mineral fertilizer) were used as nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonia losses at all application dates were investigated by an approach including passive flux samplers and a calibrated dynamic chamber method. Simultaneously a micrometeorological technique was used as a reference. A comparison of methods showed a close correlation (r 2=0.92) between micromet and passive flux sampler techniques. Ammonia volatilization losses (on average 15% NH 4 +-N applied) occurred mainly within the first 10h. Concomitant with high ammonia losses, a significant yield depression of 5tDMha -1 for ryegrass fertilized by biogas residues compared to CAN was observed. Little or no affect of biogas was observed for maize and wheat. The crop rotation had yields (34tDMha -12year -1) that were comparable with the maize monoculture (31tDMha -12year -1).

AB - Anaerobic co-fermentation of animal slurries and crop silages leads to new types of biogas residues with an uncertain fertilizer value. Ammonia volatilization losses and crop productivity after supplying co-fermented biogas residues were investigated at a marshland site in Northern Germany. Due to the ecological risks of monocultures, maize (Zea mays) in monoculture as the dominant biogas crop in the marsh was tested against a crop rotation (maize, wheat (Triticum aestivum), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Biogas residues, applied by trail hoses, and CAN (mineral fertilizer) were used as nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonia losses at all application dates were investigated by an approach including passive flux samplers and a calibrated dynamic chamber method. Simultaneously a micrometeorological technique was used as a reference. A comparison of methods showed a close correlation (r 2=0.92) between micromet and passive flux sampler techniques. Ammonia volatilization losses (on average 15% NH 4 +-N applied) occurred mainly within the first 10h. Concomitant with high ammonia losses, a significant yield depression of 5tDMha -1 for ryegrass fertilized by biogas residues compared to CAN was observed. Little or no affect of biogas was observed for maize and wheat. The crop rotation had yields (34tDMha -12year -1) that were comparable with the maize monoculture (31tDMha -12year -1).

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Ecosystems Research

KW - Ammonia

KW - Co-fermentation

KW - Crop rotation

KW - Energy crops

KW - Trail hoses

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859389780&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.agee.2011.05.030

DO - 10.1016/j.agee.2011.05.030

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84859389780

VL - 160

SP - 66

EP - 74

JO - Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

JF - Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

SN - 0167-8809

ER -