Nitrogen fertilizer equivalency of heat-dried municipal biosolids for soft white winter wheat

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Sullivan, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR USA Dan.

1 Nitrogen fertilizer equivalency of heat-dried municipal biosolids for soft white winter wheat Dan M. Sullivan, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR USA 25 th Biofest Conference, Cle Elum, WA. 29 Aug 2012.

2 Objectives Evaluate the nitrogen fertilizer equivalence (NFE) or of heat-dried biosolids in western Oregon Compare fall (preplant) vs. spring biosolids application

3 Heat dried biosolids Produced in rotating drum Andritz dryer Inlet = 455 to 480 o C Outlet = 100 o C Pelleted

carryover of biosolids N from year to year) Four

4 Oregon State University Hyslop Agronomy Farm, Corvallis, OR Experimental Design New field site each year (so zero carryover of biosolids N from year to year) Four replications Soil test values for other nutrients not limiting for winter wheat

5 Fall pre-plant biosolids application increased vegetative growth Early spring (tillering; Feb) OSU Hyslop Agronomy Farm, Feb 18, 2010.

6 Biosolids pellets remain intact for weeks on soil surface April 2011 (20 days after biosolids application) Jointing (stem elongation)

7 Three-year summary NFE% based on relative grain N uptake vs. urea Fall SGro heat-dried biosolids Spring SGro heat-dried biosolids N Fert Equivalent (% of total N) Avg

8 Future for heat-dried biosolids products? Wastewater treatment facilities large and small are installing biosolids dryers to produce Class A product In 2012, we are evaluating heat-dried biosolids produced by different facilities Andritz dryer (Soundgro; this study) Fenton dryer (LaCenter and Sumner, WA) Thermaflite dryer (WA)

9 New Ph.D. student, John Yeo

10 New project: Biosolids based potting Ph.D. student, John Yeo media Project integrates soil science, horticulture and plant pathology A biosolids compost (Tagro Potting Soil) is being evaluated along with other locally-available composts (dairy solids compost and yard debris compost) Projected outcome: value-added utilization of biosolids compost to improve plant health via disease suppression

% Aerial mass reduction % Root mass reduction Root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi decreases plant growth 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% R² = 0.

11 % Aerial mass reduction % Root mass reduction Root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi decreases plant growth 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% R² = % 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% % Root Infection Root growth reduction with increasing root infection 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% R² = % 0% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% % Root Infection Aerial growth reduction with increasing root infection

12 Phosphonate soil drench control Greenhouse Experiment Factorial including: Three composts: Tagro Potting Soil Dairy Solids Yard Debris Gypsum (calcium sulfate) vs. No Gypsum Soil inoculated with Phytophthora vs. not incolated

13 Results: Greenhouse Expt. 1 Relative to no-compost control: Compost improved plant growth, but it did not protect plants from root rot infection No difference among composts (dairy, yard debris, Tagro potting soil) Gypsum improved plant growth and it reduced root rot infection of roots Neither compost nor gypsum were able to protect plants adequately when disease inoculum was high

14 Future Compost x gypsum greenhouse trial being repeated this fall Gypsum has shown efficacy in reducing root rot infection in a companion field experiment Possible Outcome: recommend addition of gypsum to compost-amended media to improve plant health (reduce root rot).

15 Biosolids compost improves landscape plant establishment in compacted soil D. M. Sullivan, N. Bell, J. Kowalski, J. McQueen and J. Owen Jr.. Oregon State University N. Willamette Experiment Station, Aurora, OR Northwest Biosolids Management Association Oregon Association Clean Water Agencies

16 Objective Evaluate best methods for establishing landscape plants in compacted, non-irrigated soil: Plant varieties? Apply compost? Tillage after compost application?

17 Compost effect on plant growth? Both composts increased growth of standard plants and drought tolerant plants Groundcovers grew more with biosolids compost than with yard debris compost

18 Plant growth 2011

19 Conclusions Plant varieties: Without compost or fertilization or summer irrigation, standard plants survived, but did not grow a lot Both standard and drought tolerant landscape plants benefitted from compost application. Faster coverage of soil with drought tolerant plants Best coverage of soil, resistance to weed invasion: drought tolerant plants in compostamended soil

20 Conclusions Method of compost application Similar above-ground plant growth when compost was preplant incorporated via roto-tilling or left on soil surface Shallow rooting observed (in compost layer) with surface application. Sunburned plants in July, 2009 when temps > 100 F. Weed control probably more difficult with surface compost application (but did not evaluate weeds in this study)

21 Conclusions Biosolids compost vs yard debris compost: Both composts increased soil OM after 3 yr. (long term benefit). Slightly higher soil OM with preplant tillage. Nutrients: Biosolids compost supplied more N and less K than yard debris compost. Biosolids compost acidified soil (half ph unit decrease, from 6.2 to 5.7). Yard debris compost slightly increased soil ph (from 6.2 to 6.5). Ericaceous plant (Pieris) and groundcover plants grew best in biosolids compost.

22 Future NBMA funding ended this year Collecting additional soil and plant data in 2012 Plot area loved by Experiment Station Superintendent, may survive for quite awhile.

Composting for Blueberry Production Progress Report 2009/2010 Blueberry Field Day - July 14th, 2010 Author:

Composting for Blueberry Production Progress Report 2009/2010 Blueberry Field Day - July 14 th, 2010 Author: Ryan Costello, graduate student in Crop and Soil Sciences and Horticulture, OSU, Corvallis,