Recapture and Reuse of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Rendered Animal Materials to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency and Produce Quality in Agricultural Crop

Author

Bhupinder JatanaFollow

Date of Award

12-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Plant and Environmental Science

Committee Chair/Advisor

Nishanth Tharayil

Committee Member

Christopher Kitchens

Committee Member

Christopher Ray

Committee Member

Patrick Gerard

Abstract

The current fertilizer regime heavily relies on inorganic fertilizers to meet the crop nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) demand. However, the United States has a limited N production capacity, with 50% N demand met through imports. On the other hand, the nonrenewable natural reserves of P are being depleted at an unprecedented rate and are expected to be exhausted with in next 100 years. Additionally, high solubility/liability of the field applied inorganic fertilizers often results in lower nutrient use efficiency (NUE;

The MBM led to rapid N mineralization, with 35% of the applied N mineralized within the first five days of incubation. Pelletization of non-extracted MBM (size: 4 × 3 mm) decreased the N mineralization (ammonification) rate by 30% compared to non-pelletized MBM. Neem and karanja (natural nitrification inhibitors: NIs) reduced the nitrification rate of MBM by ~40% and increased the retention of NH₄⁺ (~35%) in the soil as compared to MBM alone. The MBM exhibits a slow P mineralization rate (>75% of the total P as calcium bound P), with only 8% of the P in MBM was net mineralized within the first 36 days after incubation. The simultaneous application of both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and P. bilaiae in association with MBM resulted in 2-fold higher P mobilization and P uptake by maize as compared to MBM alone. In addition, P. bilaiae with MBM decreased the calcium bound P content in the soil by 26% than MBM alone. Apart from improving soil nutrient status, application of MBM increased the soil CO2 respiration (7-fold), soil potential enzymatic activity (protease: 4-fold; acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases: 2-fold), and microbial abundance (gram-positive bacteria- 2.5-fold; gram-negative bacteria- 2.5-fold; fungi- 2-fold) as compared to control. The NIs did not negatively affect the microbial growth and functionality except for lower biomass in gram-negative bacteria in MBM + NIs as compared to MBM alone. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation with MBM also increased the plant photosynthesis rate (27%) and root phosphomonoesterase activity (40%), then MBM control.

The standardized MBM formulations were tested in field experiments, as a supplement to inorganic N fertilizer for their effects on crop growth and N recovery. The application of non-extracted MBM (NEMBM) in three splits (25% N through NEMBM) N scheduling resulted in higher grain yield and NUE than that of CaNO₃ (100%) in two splits N scheduling, extracted MBM (EMBM) in 3 splits (25% N through EMBM) N scheduling, and control. A similar grain yield of maize was observed between the integrated application of NEMBM (37.5% N through NEMBM) and CaNO₃ in 2 split N scheduling and recommended CaNO₃ (100%) in 3 split N scheduling. The integrated application of NEMBM (25-37.5% N) resulted in lower NO3- (4-9%) leaching than CaNO3 (100 % N) in 3 and 2 splits N scheduling. The integrated application of EMBM and CaNO₃ in 3 splits N scheduling resulted in higher NO₃^- leaching than the integrated application of NEMBM and CaNO₃ in 3 splits scheduling.

We further investigated the effect of different mineral N forms (CaNO₃: NO₃^-, NH₄SO₄: NH₄⁺, and organic N: meat and bone meal-MBM) on the aroma (volatile profile), primary, and secondary metabolite profile in the fruits of Fragaria vesca (cv. French alpine) using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Fertilization with MBM resulted in higher aroma-related volatile compounds (esters: 2-5 fold, alcohols: 3-6 fold, and fatty acids: 1.5-3 fold) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle organic acids (20-57.4%) in the strawberry fruits than CaNO₃. Whereas higher sugars, sugar alcohols (21.6%), and amino acids (24.5%) content were observed in the CaNO₃ than NH₄SO₄ and MBM. The MBM significantly increased the cellular content of flavonoids (including anthocyanins: 20.8-40.5%), and hydrolyzable tannins (6.4-28.9%; galloyl glucoside, and ellagic acid derivatives) than CaNO₃.

Collectively, our studies demonstrate that MBM blended with NIs, arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi, and P. bilaiae could increase the crop NUE via lowering N losses, improving P mobilization and uptake efficiency from MBM and soil microbiological health. Further, NEMBM can be efficiently used to supplement inorganic N fertilizers to maintain the equivalent grain yield and NUE of maize while reducing the number of N fertilizer split applications and soil N leaching losses. The precise application and management of MBM can be employed to enhance the phytonutrient content (organic acids, flavonoids, and hydrolyzable tannins) and aroma (volatile profile) in the strawberry fruits. Moreover, such a strategy can recycle up to 1.08 million tons and 2 million tons of rendered animal materials in the United States and Europe, respectively, for plant nutrition each year.

Recommended Citation

Jatana, Bhupinder, "Recapture and Reuse of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Rendered Animal Materials to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency and Produce Quality in Agricultural Crop" (2021). All Dissertations. 2955.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/2955