title: Nitrification of leachates from manure composting under field conditions and their use in horticulture.
abstract: This work aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of nitrification applied to the treatment of leachates formed during composting of cattle and pig manure in order to promote their further use as liquid fertilizer in horticulture. Nitrification trials were successfully conducted in summer and winter seasons under Mediterranean climate conditions. Subsequently, effect of using the nitrified effluents as nutritive solution in the fertigation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was assessed in terms of productivity and nutrient uptake. Similar productivities were obtained when using the nitrified effluents and a standard nutritive solution. However, results also evidenced high nutrient uptake, which indicates that dosage should be adjusted to culture requirements.
authors.affiliation: IRTA, Research and Technology, Food and Agriculture, GIRO Unit, Cra. Cabrils km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rafaela.caceres@irta.cat.
authors.forename: Rafaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cáceres
authors.affiliation: IRSTEA, UR GERE, 17 Avenue de Cucillé, CS 64427, F-35044 Rennes, France. Electronic address: albert.magri@irstea.fr.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magrí
authors.affiliation: IRTA, Research and Technology, Food and Agriculture, GIRO Unit, Cra. Cabrils km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: oriol.marfa@irta.cat.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marfà
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D058465:Nitrification; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Composting leachate; Horticultural value; Lettuce; Nitrate; Nitrification; Nutrient uptake