International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The EU is currently addressing the problem of depletion of phosphate, which is a source of phosphorus. Due to the usage of modern digestate treatment enabling macroelements recycling, the digestate can be a suitable substitute for anorganic fertilizers. This experiment is focused on improving the soil properties due to digestate application in sugar beet growing region. Applicated digestate comes from a biogas plant of agricultural cooperative Velešovice. The obtained results show better physical properties (soil structure, stability of soil aggregates) and differences in pH values, Cox (%) and nutrient content between variants.

Physico-chemical properties of biomass ashes and biochar were significantly different. Strong differences were also caused by the choice of feedstock materials for incineration, which is demonstrated by different composition and solubility of wood and straw ashes. Availability of nutrients was the highest for K among all tested macronutrients. The application of ash did not adversely affect the growth and yield of plants, neither the accumulation of nutrients in plants and soil. The inoculation of soil by bioeffectors did not affect plant yield but positively influenced the solubility of P. Ash and biochar support sorption and immobilization of toxic metals in soils causing either their lower accumulation in biomass or promoting the growth on the extremely contaminated soil. Both applied materials showed their ability to improve soil properties and support plant growth.