Biogas digestates are not an effective nutrient solution for hydroponic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) production under a deep water culture system

Abstract

The generation of energy through anaerobic digestion using animal manures is being promoted as an environmentally sustainable method of managing animal wastes. However, sustainability of biogas production is reliant on the sustainable utilization of the digestates that emanate from the process. Our study evaluated the effects of the biogas digestates on crop phytotoxicity and their fertilizer potential as a nutrient solution in hydroponic tomato production. Biogas digestates diluted up to 40% (v/v) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) the lowest relative seed germination (RSG) in all vegetables evaluated in our study. The highest RSG was observed in the 10% biogas digestates, which was higher than the control treatment. For the crop growth study, relative to the control,the treatments with 20%, 40% and 60% mineral fertilizer substitution resulted in 39.4%; 22.8% and 8.7% significantly (P < 0.05) lower chlorophyll content, respectively. On average, the treatments with biogas slurry, though substituted with mineral fertilizers, resulted in a 275% lower fresh fruit yield compared to the control treatment. However, with biogas digestates, the sugar content in the tomato fruits significantly increased, whilst the heavy metal content was below that recommended limit when irrigation water is used. The results of our study demonstrated that cow based digestates are not a suitable nutrient media for hydroponic tomato production. Moreover, even with mineral fertilizer supplementation, only the control treatment containing only mineral hydroponic fertilizer resulted in positive growth and yield in tomatoes.

Physicochemical, microbiological characterization and phytotoxicity of digestates produced on single-stage and two-stage anaerobic digestion of food waste

“…Although this does not prevent the seed from germinating (as evidenced by the RSG values), it can constrain root development as roots may be exposed to stress from organic acid activity [11]. This phenomenon is similar to those results reported by Mupambwa et al [45], who achieved a 47-97% RRE value using different cultures at digestate doses under 10%.…”

Bioponics as a Promising Approach to Sustainable Agriculture: A Review of the Main Methods for Producing Organic Nutrient Solution for Hydroponics

“…(2019) [158] made similar observations using the liquid fraction of cow manure digestate on bioponically grown tomatoes. When used as the sole fertilizer, the digestate solution concentrated at 10%-the dilution ratio established to avoid phytotoxicity-did not contain sufficient N and P macro-nutrients for efficient plant growth.…”

“…In Mupambwa et al's (2019) [158] study, a 10% concentrated digestate solution was found suitable for crop use, but phytotoxic when concentrated at 30 or 40%. In Phibunwatthanawong and Riddech's (2019) [41] study, only a concentration as low as 1% was found suitable.…”

Effectiveness of cattle dung biogas digestate on spinach growth and nutrient uptake

“…In this study, root length increased with BD soil application compared to IF and CO. Similarly, Mupambwa et al. (2019) , obtained elongated root length on tomato plants fertilised with BD.…”