Optimizing Liquid Digestate Use in Maize: Three-Year Field Evidence on Yield, Nitrogen Efficiency, Soil Salinity Risk, and Profitability
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s42729-026-03652-4
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Liquid digestate, Maize, Microbial Activity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Soil Salinity, Sustainable Fertilization
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: Liquid digestate (LD), the nitrogen-rich liquid fraction of biogas residue, can contribute to recycled nutrient management in maize production. However, its field use should be evaluated not only through yield response but also through nitrogen efficiency, soil salinity risk, biological response, and economic return. Methods: A three-year maize field experiment was conducted using four LD doses, mineral fertilization, and an unfertilized control. Soil electrical conductivity (EC), pH, inorganic nitrogen dynamics, microbial biomass carbon, CO₂ respiration, soil organic carbon, qCO₂, maize yield, plant nitrogen status, nitrogen use efficiency, and economic performance were evaluated. Results: LD treatments increased maize yield compared with the unfertilized control and, in some years, produced yields comparable to mineral fertilization. However, high LD doses caused stronger temporary increases in soil EC and consistently reduced nitrogen use efficiency. Biological responses were mainly transient, indicating short-term microbial stimulation rather than sustained improvement in soil carbon status. Mineral fertilization produced the highest economic return under the price and cost assumptions used in the analysis. Conclusion: LD can partially substitute mineral fertilizer in maize cultivation, but high-dose application is not necessarily the most balanced option. Dose-controlled LD use at 10–30 t ha⁻¹ appears more appropriate than higher application rates when yield, nitrogen efficiency, soil EC response, microbial response, and profitability are considered together.