Is it safe to use biosolids for agricultural purposes?
In a wastewater treatment facility, treated solid, semi-solid, or liquid leftovers from wastewater are known as biosolids. Animal manures, untreated septage, municipal solid wastes, hazardous wastes, and untreated industrial wastes, are not considered to be biosolids.
Biosolids help to increase the fertility and tilth of the soil and the growth of horticultural, silvicultural, and agricultural crops.
Now, you all must be worried with one doubt that is it really safe to use biosolids for agricultural purposes!
Yes, it is safe to use biosolids for agricultural purposes but, only if it used in a particular manner and in a specified content.
Biosolids for agricultural purposes
Numerous micronutrients included in biosolids are crucial for crop growth. These include, among other things, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. However, Indian soils don't usually respond to the addition of any of these micronutrients, with crops that respond to them.
This indicates that the majority of agricultural soils in India have the capacity, to provide crops with the trace nutrients they require. Increased organic matter in agricultural soils has numerous advantages, including:
1) enhanced nutrient retention and gradual nutrient release
2) increased soil fertility and tilth
3) enhanced filtering of water
4) preservation and accessibility
5) increased stability of aggregates and soil structure
6) enhanced ability for cation exchange
7) a rise in microbial diversity and activity
Biosolids benefit farmers economically in addition to improving soil fertility and organic matter. The cost of the limestone and nutrients (N, P, and K) that they have replaced, means that they do not need to be acquired during a production year, which is equal to their short-term economic value.
Nutritional Values of Biosolids
Depending on the processing and handling techniques used, the material's age and moisture level, as well as other factors, biosolids' nutrient content varies greatly. Biosolids need to be examined due to the variability in their nutrient content, and each choice regarding how much of the material should be applied to the soil, should be based on that information.
Large application rate mistakes can occur if the nutrient content of the biosolids is unknown, and too many nutrients may have negative environmental effects.
Methods of Application of biosolids
Surface spreading of liquid biosolids is possible with the use of farm tractors, tank waggons, tank trucks, and movable or stationary irrigation systems, within 24 hours after applying a surface layer, incorporation by ploughing or other tillage techniques.
Ammonia outflow, volatilization, and odour can all be decreased with incorporation. The ideal approach is subsurface injection with injection shanks, since it produces less smell and loses less nitrogen.
Using equipment’s, typically used for spreading animal manures, dewatered biosolids can be applied to cropland for surface spreading. After that, the soil can then be amended by ploughing or disking. To obtain the desired rate, it is crucial to apply biosolids consistently and calibrate the applicator.
Time of Application of biosolids
To reduce nutrient loss, biosolids should be delivered close to the needs of the plant. Nitrogen, in particular, can be lost through erosion, leaching, volatilization, and denitrification. Therefore, for effective nutrient usage and pollution control, the timing of biosolids application is crucial.
In order to avoid the possibility of damaging the seeds, biosolids should be sprayed well enough before the planting dates to allow for soil reaction.
When applied in the spring, biosolids give summer crops the beginning nutrients they need to flourish, and they release nutrients through mineralization over the growing season, of the majority of fall-planted crops. Biosolids may be administered at various periods, depending on the weather and the availability of the field.
What do we offer?
For local authorities and operators, the growing amount of biosolids generated by wastewater treatment, in tandem with population growth and urban sprawl, is a major source of concern. Biosolid treatment is now required in order to recover products and reduce volume.
For further information from Netsol Water team of experts, or to make a product-purchase, please contact us at +91-9650608473 or enquiry@netsolwater.com