Award details

a novel low cost method for reducing nitrate leaching in soil

Reference	BB/J021628/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Keith Goulding
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	119,918
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	05/11/2012
End date	04/11/2013
Duration	12 months

Abstract

unavailable

Summary

Biodiesel co-product (BCP) is a low value material, produced in large quantities when biodiesel is made (constituting about 15% of biodiesel by weight). Incorporation of this material into soil as an aqueous suspension has been found to dramatically lower the fertilizer losses which occur ubiquitously in soils with medium to high rainfall, and/or irrigated soils. This is done through immobilization of the most soluble form of nitrogen (nitrate), and thus embodies a novel application for BCP to maximise nutrient use-efficiency in soils. Until now, proof of concept has been successful at the laboratory scale. However, market research, and meetings with potential investors have conclusively identified a need for evidence at the farm-scale. Rothamsted is in need of research council support to provide the data which is vital for attracting further investment, and establishing a self-supporting enterprise with the potential commercial partners identified herein.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Soil Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Follow-On Fund (FOF) [2004-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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