Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: F012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.F012
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, F012 (2025)
Impact of digestate fertilization on corn quality
Małgorzata Szwed1*
1 Department of Machine Exploitation and Production Process Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: malgorzata.szwed@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to the exploration of alternative fertilization methods. Digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion in biogas plants, is a nutrient-rich material that can potentially improve soil fertility and crop quality. This study investigates the impact of digestate fertilization on the quality of corn grown under different application methods. The experiment was conducted on corn fields treated with digestate applied using two different techniques: surface application and sub-surface injection. The applied doses of digestate were 20,000 l/ha, 37,500 l/ha, and 50,000 l/ha. The evaluation included physical properties (hardness, bulk density, and angle of repose) as well as chemical composition (protein, starch, and moisture content). The results indicate that digestate fertilization significantly influences corn quality, with notable improvements in grain hardness and nutrient composition at optimized application levels. However, excessive digestate doses may lead to imbalances affecting crop development. The study highlights the potential of digestate as a sustainable fertilization alternative while emphasizing the importance of optimal application methods to maximize benefits. Digestate can be effectively used as an alternative fertilizer to enhance corn quality. However, application methods and dosage levels must be carefully adjusted to avoid potential negative effects. Further research is needed to determine long-term impacts on soil health and crop productivity.
Keywords: digestate, fertilization, corn quality, sustainable agriculture
How to cite
M. Szwed, 2025. Impact of digestate fertilization on corn quality. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.F012