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Efficiency of Utilisation of Nitrogen in Sludges and Slurries

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Processing and Use of Organic Sludge and Liquid Agricultural Wastes

Summary

The importance of utilising sludges and farm slurries on agricultural land with maximum benefit to the farmer and at minimal risk to the environment is now widely recognised. This paper is concerned with the efficienct use of the nitrogen contained in these manures concentrating on possible methods of improving the efficiency of the nitrogen. Rate, timing and method of application are of prime importance and such manures need to be applied according to their NH4-N content and the N requirements of the crop. On arable land, the efficiency of the total N in sludges or slurries relative to that of fertiliser -N appears to be between 50–70% when applied in spring and worked into the soil. Autumn or early winter applications can reduce the efficiency to 20–30%. On grassland, the average nitrogen efficiency is about 50% when surface applied in spring and can be as low as 30% from autumn application. Efficiency can be enhanced by soil injection in spring and on grassland, the method reduces odours, prevents smothering of grass making it more acceptable and hygienic for grazing stock. Methods of treatment to improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation such as anaerobic digestion, addition of chemical additives to inhibit nitrification to reduce nitrate leaching and ammonia losses are discussed for arable and grassland in relation to greater flexibility of time of application without detriment to the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries and Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK

    J. H. Williams

  2. Water Research Centre, Medmenham, Bucks, UK

    J. E. Hall

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  1. Commision of European Communities, Directorate-General Science, Research and Development, Brussels, Belgium

    P. L’Hermite

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Williams, J.H., Hall, J.E. (1986). Efficiency of Utilisation of Nitrogen in Sludges and Slurries. In: L’Hermite, P. (eds) Processing and Use of Organic Sludge and Liquid Agricultural Wastes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4756-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4756-6_18

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