Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 39555

Special Issue Editors

GIAAMA, Department of Agrochemistry and Environment, Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Orihuela, Spain
Interests: organic waste management; compost; organic fertilization; co-composting; soil quality; sustainable agriculture; climate change mitigation; soil organic matter; soilless growing media
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
GIAAMA, Department of Agrochemistry and Environment, Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Orihuela, Spain
Interests: organic waste management; compost; climate change mitigation; greenhouse gas emissions; organic fertilization; co-composting; soil quality; sustainable agriculture; soil organic matter; soilless growing media
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, agriculture faces the challenge of securing the production for an increasing human population, but also including environmental and sustainability aspects, reducing the use of non-renewable resources and energy and favoring climate change mitigation. The strategies that mainly contribute to a sustainable agricultural development are those based on the optimized management of the available resources, especially of the organic wastes generated and of the soil, to assure its conservation and protection and to maintain its fertility. Composting cannot be considered a new technology; however, this method supposes the management of organic wastes, the optimization of the resources contained in them, especially organic matter and nutrients, and a brake reduction to the greenhouse effect, with a notable potential of C sequestration, also associated to soil organic matter.

This Special Issue aims to study the strategies based on the use of compost in different agricultural scenarios (organic and conventional agriculture, soilless crop production, etc.) to achieve sustainable crop production and to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural systems.  Original research, reviews, or opinions on the role of compost for sustainable agriculture, with special interest in the effects on C sequestration, soil quality and conservation and climate change mitigation in different environments are welcome.

Dr. Maria Angeles Bustamante Muñoz
Dr. Raul Moral Herrero
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • compost
  • organic waste management
  • soil fertility
  • soil quality
  • C sequestration
  • organic fertilization
  • soilless substrates
  • agricultural soils
  • nutrient recovery
  • climate change mitigation

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 985 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Agro-Livestock Wastes for Composting in Rural Zones in Ecuador: The Case of the Parish of San Andrés
by Víctor Valverde-Orozco, Irene Gavilanes-Terán, Julio Idrovo-Novillo, Lourdes Carrera-Beltrán, Sofía Buri-Tanguila, Kimberly Salazar-García and Concepción Paredes
Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2538; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12102538 - 17 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1235
Abstract
In Ecuador, the agriculture and livestock sectors are very important within the economy of rural areas. These activities generate a large amount of waste whose management is not optimized. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize different agro-livestock wastes generated in [...] Read more.
In Ecuador, the agriculture and livestock sectors are very important within the economy of rural areas. These activities generate a large amount of waste whose management is not optimized. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize different agro-livestock wastes generated in a rural area, the parish of San Andrés (Chimborazo-Ecuador), in order to know their composition to design suitable composting processes for their treatment. To this end, different physicochemical and chemical parameters were determined in 24 crop residue samples and 18 manure samples, and two piles were elaborated with the same proportion of wastes (51% vegetable residue + 35% cow manure + 14% sawdust) and composted by turning or passive aeration. Throughout the composting process, the temperature and oxygen concentration were recorded and the evolution of different physicochemical, chemical, and biological parameters and the quality of the final composts were studied. The results indicated that the agro-livestock residues presented notable macro and micronutrient and organic matter contents and low levels of heavy metals, these properties being positive for their subsequent treatment in a co-composting experiment. This experiment demonstrated that the composting processes are a feasible strategy for the treatment of these residues and yield compost with an adequate agricultural quality (notable nitrogen content, low heavy metal and soluble mineral salt contents and 92–94% in germination index). Moreover, the passive aeration system can be recommended because this aeration method reduced composting times and the work associated with the process. However, more studies are required on this composting system and other agro-livestock wastes to establish a management protocol for all the waste generated, which will contribute to the sustainability of the agro-livestock sector in the area studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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12 pages, 622 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of Alternative Palm-Derived Substrates for Seedling Production
by María Pilar Gomis, María Dolores Pérez-Murcia, Xavier Barber, Encarnación Martínez-Sabater, Raúl Moral and María Ángeles Bustamante
Agronomy 2022, 12(6), 1377; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12061377 - 08 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
The constraints associated with peat use in horticulture has led to a search for alternative materials for their use as growing media. The organic materials derived from palm trees (composted or not) can constitute an alternative due to their ligneous and fibrous character, [...] Read more.
The constraints associated with peat use in horticulture has led to a search for alternative materials for their use as growing media. The organic materials derived from palm trees (composted or not) can constitute an alternative due to their ligneous and fibrous character, similar to coir fiber. This work studies the feasibility of using several palm-tree-derived (Phoenix dactylifera L.) organic materials as growing media ingredients for the transplant production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Senna). For this, the following substrates were studied: five mixtures for each palm-derived material (palm trunks and leaves and composts derived from palm trunk and leaves), in the proportions of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by volume, mixed with coir fiber. Coir fiber at the proportion 100% was used as the control treatment. Physical, physico-chemical, and chemical analyses were conducted on the substrates, and the germination and morphological parameters of the seedlings were examined. Chemometric tools, such as random forest (RF) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were also used to evaluate the data obtained. The type and proportion of material used in the growing media principally affected the parameters studied in the lettuce seedlings. The substrates with a percentage of compost lower than 60% showed behavior closer to that observed in the growing media with 100% coir fiber and with the mixture of coir fiber and palm leaves or trunks at all proportions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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15 pages, 10980 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Release Dynamics in Argentinean Pampean Soils Amended with Composts under Laboratory Conditions
by Luciano Orden, Gastón A. Iocoli, María Ángeles Bustamante, Raúl Moral and Roberto A. Rodríguez
Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 795; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12040795 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1748
Abstract
Composted manure is the greatest nitrogen (N) source in organic agriculture, where the use of chemical fertilizers, except the use of rock phosphate as P source, is not allowed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the soil type [...] Read more.
Composted manure is the greatest nitrogen (N) source in organic agriculture, where the use of chemical fertilizers, except the use of rock phosphate as P source, is not allowed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the soil type and compost characteristics on the potential rates of mineralization and on the kinetics of the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) release patterns. For this, an aerobic incubation study was conducted over the course of 119 days at 25 °C using two different composts as amendments: a compost from biosolids and wood shavings (CRUB), and a compost from poultry manure with wheat straw (CSP). The composts were incorporated into two different soils of contrasting texture, sandy loam (S1) and silty clay loam (S2), at the dose of 160 kg N ha−1. Samples were collected eight times during the incubation period. The N and C dynamics were studied separately according to the different soil type. In both soils, a predominance of the nitrification process immediately after compost application was observed, showing a higher mineralization in the sandy loam soil, this trend being followed by a decrease and even an immobilization process, associated with stable organic materials such as compost. Moreover, both composts presented high contents of available P, but without exceeding 50 mg P kg−1, due to the slow release from the stable organic P fractions present in compost. The results obtained showed that despite the initial mineralization, both composts showed a significant period of N immobilization after their application into the pampean soils, which makes it necessary to anticipate their incorporation to avoid this lack period for crops. Furthermore, the application of these composts to the pampean soils implied an incorporation of available P, but with a slow release that avoided overfertilization, but also reducing N:P ratio and producing a relative deficit of N. Therefore, the results obtained suggested that it is necessary to study nutrient mineralization processes of the amendments prior to their use, according to the edaphoclimatic condition of each crop, in order to predict the release dynamics on soils and the fertilization potential to minimize potential environmental impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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12 pages, 740 KiB  
Article
Use of Agro-Waste as a Source of Crop Nutrients in Intensive Horticulture System
by Isidoro Carricondo-Martínez, Domenico Falcone, Francesca Berti, Francesco Orsini and María del Carmen Salas-Sanjuan
Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 447; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020447 - 10 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
The inadequate management of agro-waste in intensive agriculture has a severe negative impact on the environment. The valorization of crop residue as a source of crop nutrients is a valid alternative to close the nutrient cycle and reduce the use of external input. [...] Read more.
The inadequate management of agro-waste in intensive agriculture has a severe negative impact on the environment. The valorization of crop residue as a source of crop nutrients is a valid alternative to close the nutrient cycle and reduce the use of external input. In this study, plant material was incorporated into the soil as fresh crop residue, after either composting and vermicomposting processes, to evaluate their effects on tomato yield and nutritional status (petiole sap analysis: NO3 and K+ concentration) over three crop cycles. A control treatment with mineral fertigation and an organic control treatment with goat manure were also included. Enzymatic activity and microbial population in the soil were evaluated. Although no differences between treatments were observed in the first cycle, in the second and third cycles, the yield obtained with the application of organic amendments derived from agro-waste was comparable to the yield obtained with mineral fertilizers. Overall, the sap analysis did not reveal a clear relationship with yield performances. The compost treatment resulted in higher microorganism presence in the soil. Soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA), acid phosphatase activity (ACP), and β-glucosidase activity (β-GLU) were generally more stimulated when organic amendments were used. The study confirms the applicability of soil fertilizers derived from agro-waste as a good alternative to mineral fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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15 pages, 2248 KiB  
Article
Azolla Compost as an Approach for Enhancing Growth, Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of Oryza sativa L.
by Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Omnia M. Elshayb, Abdelwahed M. Nada, Sara A. El-leithy, Lina Baz, Bushra A. Alhammad and Ayman H. A. Mahdi
Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 416; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020416 - 07 Feb 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6928
Abstract
The excessive application of synthetic fertilizers can result in severe environmental risks, while composting green and fresh feedstocks can provide slow-release nutrients. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to study the effects of eight individual and combination treatments of azolla compost [...] Read more.
The excessive application of synthetic fertilizers can result in severe environmental risks, while composting green and fresh feedstocks can provide slow-release nutrients. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to study the effects of eight individual and combination treatments of azolla compost and NPK synthetic fertilizers (control = no fertilizer and compost; 100% NPK = full recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers as follows: 165 kg N ha−1, 37 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 50 kg K2O ha−1; 70% NPK; 40% NPK; 100% azolla compost (5 t DM ha−1); 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost; 70% NPK + 30% azolla compost and 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost) on rice growth, productivity and nutrient uptake in semi-arid agro-ecosystems. The results indicated that the combination of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost or 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost resulted in the most optimal growth and the highest yield components. In addition, the application of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost exhibited similar rice grain yields (10.76 t ha−1) as well as N, P, and K content and uptake compared with the full recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (100% NPK). This study declared that the utilization of azolla compost as an individual or combination application can reduce usage of synthetic fertilizers by up to 60% without significant reduction in the growth and grain productivity of rice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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14 pages, 5078 KiB  
Article
Different Organic Fertilisation Systems Modify Tomato Quality: An Opportunity for Circular Fertilisation in Intensive Horticulture
by Isidoro Carricondo-Martínez, Francesca Berti and Maria del Carmen Salas-Sanjuán
Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12010174 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2170
Abstract
The valorisation of vegetal waste as a source of crop nutrients constitutes a circular strategy to improve the sustainability of intensive horticultural production systems. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments derived from vegetal residues on [...] Read more.
The valorisation of vegetal waste as a source of crop nutrients constitutes a circular strategy to improve the sustainability of intensive horticultural production systems. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments derived from vegetal residues on the yield and quality of tomato. The following fertilisation treatments were carried out: fresh vegetal residues (4 kg m−1), compost (3 kg m−1), and vermicompost at two different doses (3 and 9 kg m−1), all derived from previous tomato crop vegetal residues, an organic treatment with goat manure (3 kg m−1), and a control mineral fertigation treatment. The highest yield was obtained with conventional mineral fertigation management, followed by vermicompost treatments at two different doses (3 and 9 kg m−1), with no statistical differences. The organic treatments with fresh crop residues, compost and goat manure resulted in lower yield. Regarding quality parameters, the lycopene content was higher in the mineral fertilisation and vermicompost at 3 kg m−1 treatment, while the other antioxidants measured were more concentrated in tomatoes fertilised with vermicompost treatment at 9 kg m−1 and goat manure. The plant nutrient management with vermicompost is the best circular solution, as it allows to reintegrate the residues generated in previous crop cycles into the soil, obtaining a yield equal to chemical input management and tomatoes with high nutritional quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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22 pages, 2685 KiB  
Article
Reduction of Ammonia Emissions from Laying Hen Manure in a Closed Composting Process Using Gas-Permeable Membrane Technology
by María Soto-Herranz, Mercedes Sánchez-Báscones, Juan Manuel Antolín-Rodríguez and Pablo Martín-Ramos
Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2384; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11122384 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2336
Abstract
Nitrogen losses during composting processes lead to emissions problems and reduce the compost fertilizer value. Gas-permeable membranes (GPM) are a promising approach to address the challenge of reducing nitrogen losses in composting processes. This study investigated the applicability of two GPM membrane systems [...] Read more.
Nitrogen losses during composting processes lead to emissions problems and reduce the compost fertilizer value. Gas-permeable membranes (GPM) are a promising approach to address the challenge of reducing nitrogen losses in composting processes. This study investigated the applicability of two GPM membrane systems to recover N released during the closed composting process of laying hen manure. The ammonia (NH3) capture process was performed using two different systems over a period of 44 days: the first system (S1) consisted of 120 m of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane installed inside a 3.7 m3 portable, closed aerobic composter with forced ventilation; the second system (S2) consisted of 474 m of an ePTFE membrane placed inside as an external module designed for NH3 capture, connected to a closed aerobic composter through a pipe. In both cases, a 1 N H2SO4 acidic NH3 capture solution was circulated inside the membranes at a flow rate of 2.1 L·h−1. The amount of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) recovered was similar in the two systems (0.61 kg in S1 and 0.65 kg in S2) due to the chosen membrane surface areas, but the TAN recovery rate was six times higher in system S1 (6.9 g TAN·m−2·day−1) than in system S2 (1.9 g TAN·m−2·day−1) due to the presence of a higher NH3 concentration in the air in contact with the membrane. Given that the NH3 concentration in the atmosphere of the membrane compartment directly influences the NH3 capture, better performance of the GPM recovery system may be attained by installing it directly inside the closed aerobic composters. Regardless of the chosen configuration, this technology allows N recovery as a stable and concentrated 1.4% N ammonium salt solution, which can be used for fertigation. The presented GPM systems may be used in community composting systems with low volumes of waste to be treated or in livestock facilities that have implemented best available techniques such as solid–liquid separation or anaerobic digestion, provided that the use of GPM technology in combination with these techniques also contributes to odor mitigation and improves biogas yields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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9 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Management of Green Waste Streams from Different Origins: Assessment of Different Composting Scenarios
by Francisco J. Guilabert, Xavier Barber, María Dolores Pérez-Murcia, Enrique Agulló, Francisco Javier Andreu-Rodríguez, Raúl Moral and María Ángeles Bustamante
Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1870; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11091870 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
The organic wastes of plant origin and, in particular, those coming from sources related to tourism activities, such as those generated from golf courses and touristic coasts, constitute an increasing concern due to the rise in their production and their unsuitable management. Thus, [...] Read more.
The organic wastes of plant origin and, in particular, those coming from sources related to tourism activities, such as those generated from golf courses and touristic coasts, constitute an increasing concern due to the rise in their production and their unsuitable management. Thus, this work aimed to assess the use of different composting strategies to manage these specific green wastes, such as grass clippings and pruning waste from a golf course and marine plant debris, mainly from posidonia (Posidonia oceanica L.). To this end, two composting scenarios were established: the first only considered green wastes in the composition of the composting mixtures, and the second used sewage sludge as a co-composting agent. The temperature of the piles was monitored, and physicochemical and chemical parameters were also studied throughout the process. The results obtained showed that composting is a feasible method to manage and recycle this type of green waste, obtaining end products with suitable physicochemical and chemical characteristics. However, proportions of sea plant wastes in the composting mixture higher than 30% can compromise the fertilizing value of the final compost. Moreover, the use of an additional co-composting agent (sewage sludge) improved the characteristics of the end products obtained, provided that this co-composting agent had suitable initial characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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20 pages, 3049 KiB  
Article
Effect of Organic Amendment Addition on Soil Properties, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Grape Yield in Semi-Arid Vineyard Agroecosystems
by Antonio Marín-Martínez, Alberto Sanz-Cobeña, Mª Angeles Bustamante, Enrique Agulló and Concepción Paredes
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1477; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11081477 - 25 Jul 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2175
Abstract
In semi-arid vineyard agroecosystems, highly vulnerable in the context of climate change, the soil organic matter (OM) content is crucial to the improvement of soil fertility and grape productivity. The impact of OM, from compost and animal manure, on soil properties (e.g., pH, [...] Read more.
In semi-arid vineyard agroecosystems, highly vulnerable in the context of climate change, the soil organic matter (OM) content is crucial to the improvement of soil fertility and grape productivity. The impact of OM, from compost and animal manure, on soil properties (e.g., pH, oxidisable organic C, organic N, NH4+-N and NO3-N), grape yield and direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in vineyards was assessed. For this purpose, two wine grape varieties were chosen and managed differently: with a rain-fed non-trellising vineyard of Monastrell, a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Monastrell and a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon. The studied fertiliser treatments were without organic amendments (C), sheep/goat manure (SGM) and distillery organic waste compost (DC). The SGM and DC treatments were applied at a rate of 4600 kg ha−1 (fresh weight, FW) and 5000 kg ha−1 FW, respectively. The use of organic amendments improved soil fertility and grape yield, especially in the drip-irrigated trellising vineyards. Increased CO2 emissions were coincident with higher grape yields and manure application (maximum CO2 emissions = 1518 mg C-CO2 m−2 d−1). In contrast, N2O emissions, mainly produced through nitrification, were decreased in the plots showing higher grape production (minimum N2O emissions = −0.090 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1). In all plots, the CH4 fluxes were negative during most of the experiment (−1.073−0.403 mg CH4-C m−2 d−1), indicating that these ecosystems can represent a significant sink for atmospheric CH4. According to our results, the optimal vineyard management, considering soil properties, yield and GHG mitigation together, was the use of compost in a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard with the grape variety Monastrell. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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12 pages, 403 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Energy Budgeting and Its Indicator for Sustainable Nutrient and Weed Management in a Rice-Maize-Green Gram Cropping System
by Dibakar Ghosh, Koushik Brahmachari, Anupam Das, Mohamed M. Hassan, Pijush Kanti Mukherjee, Sukamal Sarkar, Nirmal Kumar Dinda, Biswajit Pramanick, Debojyoti Moulick, Sagar Maitra and Akbar Hossain
Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 166; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11010166 - 16 Jan 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3102
Abstract
Sustainability and climate change are the two major challenges to the agricultural production system. The trade-off between them is essential for higher profitability. The energy assessment is essential for judging the sustainability and vulnerability of a production system. Besides, nutrient management and weed [...] Read more.
Sustainability and climate change are the two major challenges to the agricultural production system. The trade-off between them is essential for higher profitability. The energy assessment is essential for judging the sustainability and vulnerability of a production system. Besides, nutrient management and weed management are equally imperative to sustainability. Thus, the present study was executed to assess the energy balance, key energy indicators and profitability of rice–maize–green gram system under different nutrient and weed management practices. Application of Brassicaceous seed meal (BSM) along with mineral fertilizer attributed the highest rice (5.62 t ha−1) and maize (6.48 t ha−1) yield which was 11.6%, 8.3% and 3.7% in maize and 10.0%, 6.2% and 8.7% in rice for the conjoint application with vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM) and neem cake, respectively. Moreover, BSM recorded the highest net energy gain, energy use efficiency and energy efficiency ratio and the lowest specific energy in all the crops. Application of pre-emergence herbicides followed by hoeing was found to be best in all respects including yield, profitability, energy use efficiency, energy effectiveness, etc. The appropriate combination of integrated nutrient management with BSM and pre-emergence herbicide application followed by hoeing provided an additional advantage not only in terms of yield but also an efficient use of energy, profitability and environmental safety. BSM and neem cake could be the alternative organic manure in the integrated nutrient-cum-weed management module and they could be able to compensate the paucity of FYM and vermicompost in the country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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Review

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15 pages, 848 KiB  
Review
Vermicomposting—Facts, Benefits and Knowledge Gaps
by Ana Vuković, Mirna Velki, Sandra Ečimović, Rosemary Vuković, Ivna Štolfa Čamagajevac and Zdenko Lončarić
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1952; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11101952 - 28 Sep 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 13177
Abstract
Industrialization and urbanization have led to an increased accumulation of waste materials that are transformed into a nutrient-rich and high-quality product called vermicompost by the vermicomposting process. Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly and economically favorable biotechnological process that involves the interaction of earthworms and [...] Read more.
Industrialization and urbanization have led to an increased accumulation of waste materials that are transformed into a nutrient-rich and high-quality product called vermicompost by the vermicomposting process. Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly and economically favorable biotechnological process that involves the interaction of earthworms and microorganisms. Due to the importance of this process and its great potential in dealing with the consequences of waste accumulation, this review aims to provide key insights as well as highlight knowledge gaps. It is emphasized that there is a great challenge in understanding and clarifying the mechanisms involved in the vermicomposting process. The optimization of the factors affecting the possible application of vermicompost is crucial for obtaining the final product. Information on the composition of bacterial communities, amount of vermicompost, effect on heavy metal content, plant pathogens, diseases and organic waste selection is here recognized as currently the most important issues to be addressed. By answering these knowledge gaps, it is possible to enable wider utilization of vermicompost products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composting as Key Driver for Sustainable Agricultural Scenarios)
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