Phosphorus Densification and Availability from Manure-Derived Biochar
2022
- Soil and Crop Science, UW Platteville
- Biological Systems Engineering, UW Madison
Project Media
Manure nutrients are beneficial when land applied but can contribute to environmental degradation when lost as runoff, emissions, or leachate. Applying manure nutrients to better meet agronomic crop needs has potential to reduce losses but transporting manure nutrients to nutrient deficient fields is commonly cost prohibitive. Densifying manure nutrients into manure based products has the potential to reduce transport costs but current technologies, including solid liquid separation, composting, and pelleting, can remain cost prohibitive in areas of high livestock density. This project aims to assess converting manure solids to biochar and its impact on nutrient densification and availability. Data presented will show impacts on manure phosphorus and nitrogen during biochar production, and availability of phosphorous when manure-derived biochar is applied to a loam and sandy loam soil during a 182-day incubation study.