Europe green deal: more organic fertilizers and fewer chemical fertilizers

Within this trend organic fertilizers and organic soil improvers are set to increase, while chemical fertilizers will be on a decreasing trend, also because – Italy ahead of all other countries – organic agriculture is becoming more and more implemented by farmers: Italy has 22% of the farming land classified ‘organic=bio’ end of year 2024, top in Europe.

Simultaneously to the transformation of Europe into a net-zero area, the climate is changing, and the South of Europe is under a dramatic process of pre-desertification: lower average rain, long period of drought, salinification of underground water, etc. Farmers are changing cultivations: from typical Mediterranean plants (such as tomatoes and pepperoni) to more tropical plants (such as avocado and kiwi).

The pre-desertification of the soil is reducing its fertility while reducing the organic matter and increasing the pH of the soil. In order to reverse both these two aspects, SBS Steel Belt Systems SRL in Venegono Inf. (Varese) – Italy has patented a new soil-improver based on sulfur and orange-skin powder, which is produced with a patented continuous process on specialised machinery engineered and manufactured by SBS in-house in Varese.

With the long-term cooperation between the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria Agrarian Institute full professor Adele Muscolo, SBS has developed and successfully implemented the LIFE Project RecOrgFert PLUS where the two goals were reached:

• Testing the organic soil-improver in the fields: on durum wheat and vegetables.
• Engineer and manufacture an industrial production plant for producing the soil-improver: built in Villafranca Tirrena (Messina-Italy).

A newly developed sustainable soil-improver was created by blending organic and mineral components using agricultural waste (orange-skin powder) and sulfur, bound together with bentonite. It was extensively tested on 3 distinct soils with different chemical and biological properties (Calabria, Puglia, Greece-Saloniki), comparing its effectiveness to traditional chemical (NPK) and organic (horse manure [HM]) fertilizers, with unfertilised soil as a control (CTR). The introduction of this new soil-improver did not alter soil texture but significantly impacted soil chemistry and biology. It positively influenced the fraction of soil organic matter, resulting in a 15% increase in soil microbial biomass, total phenolic content, cations, bacterial colonies, and enzyme activities, with varying effects depending on soil characteristics. The soil improver demonstrated a beneficial effect on all soil types reducing the pH, highlighting the importance of soil characteristics in fertilizer effectiveness.

The global increase in population has led to a surge in worldwide food demand, significantly impacting soil due to intensive tillage and excessive chemical fertilization practices. These practices, often irreversible, disrupt the delicate ecological balance of soil by affecting nutrient cycles, nutrient availability, and soil chemical properties. In addition to the pressing need to boost crop productivity, there is an equally urgent requirement to enhance the sustainability of the agricultural supply chain by reducing the reliance on agrochemicals fertilizers, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal programme. Notably, this includes compliance with the Farm to Fork Strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, both of which revolve around critical issues related to climate, the environment, and agriculture. These strategies envisage substantial reductions in pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics, accompanied by a significant upswing in organic farming. The overarching objective is to transition to a food chain grounded in circular bio-economy principles, reducing food waste and losses while embracing organic agriculture.

The utilisation of organic fertilizers and organic soil-improvers to preserve soil fertility has long been a fundamental tenet of sustainable agriculture. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on organic fertilizer production from waste materials, aligning with the European Commission’s goal of achieving a 30% reduction in non-renewable resource usage by recycling them into fertilizers.

This concept of circularity underscores the repurpose of by-products, marking a shift from a fossil-based economy to an organic bioeconomy, with an emphasis on nutrient recovery to mitigate the high energy costs associated with chemical fertilizer production processes. At the same time, the agri-food industry consistently generates organic waste with their quantity expected to reach 3.4 billion t in the near future. If left to languish in landfills, these waste materials can give rise to significant local and global environmental issues. These include the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), soil contamination, pollution of local water sources and the eutrophication of riverbeds and freshwater reserves due to an excess of nitrogen. Incorporating these waste products into agricultural practices can play a pivotal role in recycling vital plant nutrients. However, it is important to note that the impact of these fertilizers on soil properties can vary widely based on the specific soil type, environmental conditions, and the type of fertilizer used, each exerting a different level of effectiveness in enhancing soil productivity.

The use of chemical fertilizers is not advisable, as it can lead to several soil-related issues such as soil degradation. Instead, a general recommendation is to increase the amount of soil organic matter (SOM) as an efficient means to enhance soil quality for sustainable agricultural production. SOM is widely acknowledged for its ability to improve soil quality and boost crop productivity. It achieves this by creating soil aggregates that enhance soil stability and by stimulating the activities of soil microorganisms. SOM also serves as a carbon source, which, through the mineralisation process, results in an increased availability of essential nutrients for plants’ mineral nutrition.

Furthermore, organic fertilizer and organic soil-improver have obtained significant attention because its implementation promotes the biodiversity of soil bacteria. This microbial diversity not only drives secondary metabolic processes but also stimulates primary productivity. The reuse of waste materials for agricultural purposes, specifically orange waste, has the potential to enhance soil quality by enriching soils with beneficial and effective microbes and nutrients.

Microbial biomass plays a pivotal role in breaking down complex biomolecules into simpler forms, facilitating easier uptake by plants. Given the challenges posed by resource scarcity and waste disposal, the principles of the circular economy demand that waste management and the utilisation of waste materials for sustainable raw material use be addressed comprehensively. Additionally, it’s important to note that sulfur, the fourth most critical nutrient after nitrogen, is missing in high-yield, arid, semiarid, and pre-desertification soils.

To enhance soil biodiversity and functionality through proper fertilization, the incorporation of sulfur into organic fertilizers and improvers derived from agricultural waste presents an avenue to bolster the soil’s nutrient reservoirs, while aligning with the principles of the circular economy, especially when utilising reclaimed sulfur.

Given its compatibility with other fertilizers and its suitability for early-stage and intensive plant growth, sulfur supplementation keeps promise. Building upon these insights, the primary objective of the implemented Life Project is to assess the impact of the novel soil-improver composed of sulfur-bentonite and orange residue in open field conditions on different soils characterised by varying chemical and biochemical properties. This investigation encompassed varying concentrations of the fertilizer, with comparative evaluations against chemical fertilizer (NPKs) and HM. As a control, unfertilized soil (CTR) was also included.

The central focus of this study revolved around the influence of soil characteristics on fertilizer effectiveness. Recognising the important role soil attributes play in nutrient availability, pH balance, nutrient uptake, water retention, environmental consequences, and overall plant vitality, it is imperative to consider these factors when selecting a fertilizer.

Neglecting soil characteristics during fertilizer selection can result in suboptimal nutrient utilisation, impaired plant growth, and potential harm to the environment. Therefore, the investigation delved into the following aspects:

• The fertilizer’s impact on soil chemical properties.
• The extent to which the new fertilizer affected soil quality, encompassing nutrients, soil enzymes, fungi, bacteria, and actinomyces.
• The influence of specific soil characteristics on the fertilizer’s efficacy, all with the aim of elucidating changes in the quality and functionality of the two soils.

The Life Project’s field tests were implemented on 26 hectares, of which 12 in Puglia with durum wheat; 12 in Greece in Saloniki with durum wheat; 2 hectares in Calabria with vegetables.

The Life Recorgfert Plus Project implemented a novel approach within the circular economy by reusing agricultural waste, particularly orange waste and recovered sulfur, to produce innovative fertilizers and soil-improvers. This project demonstrates that combining organic and mineral components into a single fertilizer can effectively sustain crop yield while providing a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers.

The Life Project pursued the following key objectives that have been reached:

Transforming orange waste and sulfur into fertilizer

The project aimed to convert orange waste and recovered sulfur into high-quality organic soil-improver. This objective addressed both the rising global food demand and the growing issue of waste accumulation while contributing to the rehabilitation of degraded environments.

Developing an innovative pilot production process

The project established and optimised a pilot production line for the new organic soil-improver, ensuring proper scalability and efficiency.

Testing on various crops

The project aimed to assess the effectiveness of the organic soil-improver over a two-year period across different crops, including durum wheat and vegetables, in various geographical locations such as Southern and Central Italy and Saloniki, Central Macedonia (Greece).

Reducing GHG emissions and improving soil health

By replacing chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives, the project aimed to reduce GHG emissions by 20% and increase organic soil matter by 70%, promoting both environmental sustainability and soil health.

Assessing environmental impact

Through a life-cycle approach, the project aimed to verify the low environmental impact of the new organic soil-improver suitable for organic farming.

Promoting economic and social development

The project with the expansion of the pilot production line aimed to offer potential economic and social benefits, particularly in Sicily and other Southern European regions with job creation and opportunities.

Demonstrating business model viability

The project aimed to showcase the profitability and scalability of this sustainable business model, targeting a 2% annual reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers, which will lead to long-term benefits for soil, crops, and human health. Given that agriculture accounts for 14% of global GHG emissions, substituting chemical fertilizers with organic-mineral ones could reduce emissions by 20%.

Additionally, the project highlighted the potential of converting the 140 billion t of organic waste generated annually from agriculture (according to EU data) into valuable resources, contributing to pollution reduction and sustainable agricultural practices.

In summary, Life Recorgfert Plus promoted a circular economy by turning waste into resources, reducing environmental impact, and fostering social and economic growth. The application of RecOrgFert enhanced key soil properties both in climatic chamber at the University and in open field, across various experimental locations. The improvements in organic matter and water content are particularly important for mitigating the effects of desertification. Below summarises the effects of Recorgfert on soil quality after two experimental cycles, with data showing the percentage increase in soil properties averaged across all trials.

• pH: -2.6% (decrease in pH).
• Electric conductivity: +41.8%.
• Organic carbon: +121.6%.
• Organic matter: +119.2%.
• Cation exchange capacity: +18.7%.
• Total nitrogen: +52.3%.
• C/N ratio: +43.8%.

The product demonstrated resilience-enhancing benefits, even under the severe drought conditions of 2024. Given these findings, RegOrgFert is strongly recommended for use in areas undergoing desertification to improve soil health and crop productivity sustainably.

However, it’s worth noting that the impact of the new soil-improver on the soil ecosystem, although varying in magnitude, consistently yielded positive outcomes in all soil types. In essence, this Life Project underscores the potential benefits of transforming industrial and agricultural waste into fertilizers, offering both economic and environmental advantages by reducing waste disposal costs and lessening the reliance on chemical fertilizers in line with circular economy policies and strategies. The results demonstrate an enhancement in soil quality, overtaking the efficacy of commonly used chemical and natural fertilizers. This holds particular significance in contemporary agriculture, especially within organic farming, where continued dependence on traditional chemical fertilizers is discouraged.

Written by Antonio Scialletti, SBS - Steel Belt Systems Srl.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/environment/23052025/europe-green-deal-more-organic-fertilizers-and-fewer-chemical-fertilizers/