Fertilizer Performance of a Digestate from Swine Wastewater as Synthetic Nitrogen Substitute in Maize Cultivation: Physiological Growth and Yield Responses

Nitrogen (N) is the primary nutrient required for plant growth. During last few decades, there has been extensive use of synthetic N-containing fertilizers in agriculture, resulting increased environmental pollution. In this study, feasibility replacing N with biofertilizer maize cultivation was investigated. A liquid (digestate obtained from anaerobic digestion swine wastewater) and applied to large plots as a total (100%) or partial (50%) substitute fertilizer. Moreover, most efficient fertilization mode, i.e., basal versus foliar application, studied. Physiological growth indices, leaf nutritional status, grain yield were assessed each biofertilization treatment compared conventional minerals. Compared treatment, substitution by (basal application) did not affect parameters maize; other treatments usually resulted lower rates yields, although statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). No difference observed among contents N, P, K, Mg leaves. Generally, highest means Fe, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn leaves after in-row broadcast application digestate effect Fe < The mode have any on either nutrients. data show that under specific conditions mineral best strategy minimizing chemicals without penalties.