Rates of Nitrogen Mineralization of Meat and Bone Meals in Mediterranean Soils

Abstract

Animal by-products such as meat and bone meals are now certified as free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and their use as organic fertilizers is considered safe again. Given that knowing the rates at which their nutrients are released is key to efficient use, nitrogen (N) mineralization in Mediterranean soils fertilized with meat and bone meals (MBMs) has been studied by means of 12 incubation experiments using three soils of different textures and organic-matter contents and five MBMs of varied origin and characteristics. After the application of the organic products, the amounts of mineral N released after 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 35 weeks of aerobic incubation at 25 • C were measured and the data were adjusted to first-order reaction kinetics. In all cases, the results were consistent with the assumption of N mineralization being a first-order reaction with k constants ranging from 0.177 week −1 to 1.603 week −1 . Mineralization was fast, with most of the N release taking place during the first 5-10 weeks of the incubations. Despite the different origin and characteristics of the MBMs compared in the experiment, soil type was the most influential factor in the mineralization process. The N mineralization rates were greater in the loam soil, suggesting a relevant role of enzymes immobilized in inorganic colloids such as clay.

Rate and Timing of Meat and Bone Meal Applications Influence Growth, Yield, and Soil Water Nitrate Concentrations in Sweet Corn Production

“…Measurements of leaf chlorophyll content at both locations revealed that the corn plants subjected to rates of 224 kg N ha −1 and below did not reach their full yield potential as compared to the well-fertilized rates. This validated the previous work on MBM mineralization that showed ~75% of N was released within 90 days [18,19] where 75% of the amount of N applied from MBM will be mineralized and available for plant uptake. Application rates lower than 224 kg N ha −1 did not supply the sweet corn with sufficient N for optimum growth and yield.…”

“…For MBM mineralization, Ahmad et al [18] found the N release to be 20% in the first 14 days and up to 75% within 90 days, in a leachate column with two Hawai'ian soils. Similarly, Chaves et al [19] reported 18% to 37% of the N was released in the first 14 days after soil application in Spain.…”

Meat Processing Waste as a Source of Nutrients and Its Effect on the Physicochemical Properties of Soil

“…In the current study, HLA soil was characterized by a higher content of C organic and N total as well as lower specific density and bulk density, which could have contributed to higher maize grain yields than in HLL soil. According to Chaves et al [78], the rate of MBM mineralization is determined mainly by soil type. Meat and bone meal is mineralized more rapidly in loamy soil, which can be attributed not only to the physical but also to the biological and chemical properties of soil.…”

Use of Meat Industry Waste in the Form of Meat-and-Bone Meal in Fertilising Maize (Zea mays L.) for Grain

“…The provision of optimum conditions for nitrogen nutrition using exclusively organic fertilisers is complex because mineralisation enhanced the yield of grain as compared with the 1.0 t ha −1 MBM, and no fertilisation treatments coincide with the dynamics of nitrogen uptake by crops [32]. Therefore, when considering fertilisation with organic fertilisers, including MBM, not only the direct effect but also the consequent effect needs to be taken into account [4,8,[33][34][35][36].…”