Development of biohcar-based NPK organomineral fertilizer

• Grant number: 18/17194-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: October 01, 2019
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Braulio Garcia Pereira Neto
• Grantee: Braulio Garcia Pereira Neto
• CNAE: Atividades de apoio à agricultura ; Fabricação de adubos e fertilizantes
• Associated researchers: Aline Peregrina Puga ; Cristiano Alberto de Andrade
• Associated research grant: 16/08114-3 - Fertilizer production organomineral nitrogen a fine from charcoal, AP.PIPE

Abstract

The use of carbonized material in agriculture has become promising for improving fertility of agricultural soils and for being associated with relevant issues such as carbon sequestration and improving soil water, as well as waste recycling. The development of processes to convert agricultural residues into compounds with characteristics appropriate for use as soil conditioner and fertilizers is highly desirable. Poultry litter and filter cake in composition of organomineral fertilizer, for example, represents innovation and technological solution of fertilizers from the economic and environmental side. In this context, the aim of that project is to develop NPK organomineral fertilizers, obtained from pyrolysis feedstock from agricultural sector, in mixture with mineral sources containing N and K. The research will be developed in stages, starting from optimization process of fertilizer production, chemical characterization and evaluation of nutrient release and agronomic efficiency of fertilizers. Fertilizer production will be carried out by pelleting and the efficiency from that processand physical characteristics of pellets will be evaluated. Fertilizers will be characterized chemically by parameters required by Ministry of Agriculture (moisture, pH, organic C, macronutrients content, CEC). Three experiments will be carried out in order to evaluate the fertilizers: 1) In the first experiment the P availability from feedstocks will be evaluated in order to determine the need for supplementation with mineral source (triple superphosphate); 2) In the second experiment the speed and percentage of N and K availability from six fertilizers in soil leaching columns will be determined. The fertilizers will have different compositions varying: feedstock (poultry litter or filter cake), biochar concentration (50 or 61%) and mineral sources (KCl and triple superphosphate); and 3) The third experiment will be installed in a greenhouse in which six organomineral fertilizers from previous stage, mineral source of P (triple superphosphate) and control (without P) will be evaluated to obtain the total amount of nutrients extracted and obtain agronomic efficiency index based on absorbed P, besides residual effect of fertilizers in relation to conventional NPK sources. Fertilizer production and physical evaluation of pellets will be carried out in the laboratories of Carbosolo, while the agronomic evaluation of fertilizers will be conducted by Embrapa Environment team. It is expected to obtain fertilizers based on biochar as source of P in NPK formulations with increased efficiency, with low cost, high added value and compatible with technologies application of conventional fertilizers. (AU)