The main objective of the project is to demonstrate the production and use of a fertilizer characterised by reduced salinity. This innovative product based on urban organic waste, bio-char and farm organic residues will allow the substitution of chemical and mineral fertilizers. Following this approach it will be thus possible for farmers and urban waste managers, to reduce costs and to obtain environmental and economical advantages,such as i) recovery of waste material and ii) revenue generated from the selling of the new fertilizer. The environmental impact will be also significantly reduced and the greenhouse emissions from landfills will decrease.
Through the use of the reduced salinity fertilizers it will be possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers thanks to:
• a direct input of nutrients (specifically N and P),
• an indirect action focused on the absorption and availability of several mineral elements
(increased retention of P and others elements, slowing the phosphorus retrograde dynamics etc).
• The demonstration of a consistent improvement of soil health and fertility. An increase of
Organic Matter in the soil can reduce soil tiredness, improves the porosity of the soil,
reduces compaction, improves the drainage and the aeration of the roots and, finally,
strongly contributes to enhance the absorption of mineral elements.
It will be also possible to increased the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus for the plants.
A higher content of organic matter will increase the quantity of humus in the soil and will have positive effects on the development of soil micro-flora, which in turn will make nitrogen and phosphorus more available for the plants.
The use of the new product will also enhance the “suppressive soil potential” against soil pathogens.
