Advances in the Technology of Organic Fertilizers from Agricultural Waste

Dear Colleagues,

The current geopolitical situation is leading to an increase in the price of N and P mineral fertilizer, which will have a direct impact on the use of fertilizers in agriculture in the EU. This has in turn driven interest towards the production of biobased fertilizers to secure a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. Circular agriculture focuses on using minimal amounts of external inputs, closing nutrient loops, regenerating soils, and minimizing impacts on the environment, thus aiding the transition towards sustainable and resilient energy and farming systems. Using livestock manure and agricultural waste as a source of macro- and micronutrients potentially enables crop and livestock production that does not deplete non-renewable sources or harm the environment, since this would reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers. In Europe, it is estimated that a circular approach to food systems could reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by 80%. However, if not managed properly, manure and by-product application to soil can lead to detrimental environmental effects from ammonia emissions and the pollution of surface water by run-off and groundwater via nitrate leaching. Consequently, this approach is strictly regulated in the EU (limited to a maximum of 170 kg of N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in Nitrate-Vulnerable Zones) due to the environmental risks associated with nitrate pollution. To overcome all these limitations, the European Parliament and the EU Council approved the new Fertilizing Product Regulation 1009/2019 (effective as of 16 July 2022), which facilitated access to the EU Single Market for biobased fertilizers.

This Special Issue focuses on innovative technologies for nutrient recovery to valorize manure and agricultural waste into biofertilizer products. The issue aims to include studies with a marked circular and bioeconomic approach and is expected to cover the legal framework of final biobased products as well. Original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Víctor Riau
Dr. Miriam Cerrillo
Dr. Ana Robles Aguilar
Guest Editors

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• biobased fertilizer
• nutrient recovery
• agricultural waste
• livestock manure
• bioeconomy
• circularity