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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #399376
Research Project: Developing Resilient Irrigated Cropping Systems in Concentrated Dairy Production Areas of the Semi-arid West

Location: Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research

Title: Safe and sustainable use of bio-based fertilizers in agricultural production systems

Author
item Leytem, April
item Dungan, Robert - Rob
item Miller, Daniel
item Spiehs, Mindy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2023
Publication Date: 1/8/2024
Citation: Leytem, A.B., Dungan, R.S., Miller, D.N., Spiehs, M.J. 2024. Safe and sustainable use of bio-based fertilizers in agricultural production systems. Book Chapter. Developing circular agricultural production systems. Cambridge:Burleigh Dodds Publishing. 179-214. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2023.0120.16.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2023.0120.16

Interpretive Summary: Recycling and/or upcycling of agricultural byproducts containing valuable nutrients back into agricultural systems as bio-based fertilizers can improve the circularity and sustainability of food production. However, in some instances, there may be negative environmental consequences or safety concerns that need to be carefully considered. One of the most common issues regarding the use of bio-based fertilizers, in particular livestock manure, is the over concentration of nutrients in regions with intensive production leading to losses of reactive nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment. This can have negative impacts on air and water quality as well as contribute to climate change. In addition, some bio-based fertilizers may contain heavy metals, pathogens, antibiotics, and other contaminants that can pose a health risk to humans, animals, crops and the ecosystem. Recognizing and managing these risks is necessary to fully integrate these products back into production systems, thereby enhancing the circularity of agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Recycling and/or upcycling of agricultural byproducts containing valuable nutrients back into agricultural systems as bio-based fertilizers can improve the circularity and sustainability of food production. However, in some instances, there may be negative environmental consequences or safety concerns that need to be carefully considered. One of the most common issues regarding the use of bio-based fertilizers, in particular livestock manure, is the over concentration of nutrients in regions with intensive production leading to losses of reactive nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment. This can have negative impacts on air and water quality as well as contribute to climate change. In addition, some bio-based fertilizers may contain heavy metals, pathogens, antibiotics, and other contaminants that can pose a health risk to humans, animals, crops and the ecosystem. Recognizing and managing these risks is necessary to fully integrate these products back into production systems, thereby enhancing the circularity of agriculture.