Organo-Mineral Fertilization Based on Olive Waste Sludge Compost and Various Phosphate Sources Improves Phosphorus Agronomic Efficiency, Zea mays Agro-Physiological Traits, and Water Availability

Abstract

In the context of intensive and sustainable agriculture, limiting soil degradation and the loss of organic matter has become an obligation to maintain food security. The use of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) products is an innovative technology that may solve the different challenges raised. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) formulations on Zea mays agro-physiological traits, phosphorus (P)-related parameters, and water conservation during a 90-day pot experiment. The OMF formulations consisted of blending several doses of a stable OMWS compost (10 t /ha(OMF1), 50 t/ha (OMF2), or 100 t/ha (OMF3)) with different sources of mineral P, namely diammonium phosphate (DAP), rock phosphate (RP), or phosphate washing sludge (PWS), compared with separate applications. The results indicated that the effect of an OMF on the soil and plants was strongly dependent on the source of P used and the dose of OMWS compost. The best agronomic performance was attributed to OMF1-based DAP, which resulted in a significant improvement in the shoot and root biomass dry weight by more than 260% and 40%, respectively. However, using an OMF2 formulation was more optimal when using RP and PWS as mineral P sources. Independently of the type of P fertilizer, the addition of stable OM systematically improved multiple soil properties, including water availability, and the nutrient concentrations, such as the available P, exchangeable potassium, and magnesium. Furthermore, the plant’s respiration, photosynthetic activity, and nutrient assimilations were positively affected by the OMF formulations. Overall, our results demonstrate that organo-mineral fertilization is a promising solution for increasing the efficiency of low-P and high-P mineral fertilizers in alkaline soils through direct and indirect mechanisms involving improved soil properties and higher P solubilization.

Management of industrial wine residues: physicochemical, bacterial and fungal dynamics during composting processes

“…This difference can be explained by the alkaline pH of the sludge and the nitrate content, which induced higher production of ammonia during the thermophilic phase, accelerating the increase in pH and the stability of the compost [24,25,51]. Bouhia [56] studied the composting process of olive mill waste sludge and green waste and reported similar changes in pH, with values that started at 5.5 and finally reached 7.9 after 120 days. It has been shown that changes in temperature and pH significantly affect decreases in ARG abundance and pathogen-host interactions (PHIs) in compost with chicken manure, indicating the vital role of these variables in the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms [57].…”

Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils

“…VC is a kind of natural eco-manure, which is the product of organic matter degradation through the interaction between earthworms and microorganisms (10)(11)(12). As a result, VC is regarded a nutrient-dense biofertilizer with a diversi ed microbial community (13)(14). VC contains nutrients that are readily taken up by the plants, such as, available-P, K, Ca and Mg. VC is an excellent soil amendment or conditioner because of high porosity, aeration, drainage, waterholding capacity and microbial activity [15].…”

Effects of Fertilization Types and Base Saturation on the Growth and Water Productivity in Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri

“…These fertilizers provide effective nutrients to plants and contribute to soil fertility and water retention [11]. The combination of organic and mineral materials allows for a gradual release of nutrients, promoting plant growth in terms of height, tiller number, and leaf area, resulting in high productivity performance [12].…”