Evaluating efficacy of organo-mineral fertilisers to improve soil health and grain quality

农业占英国温室气体排放总量的9%，占全球排放量的24%；其中超过50%的排放是由于生产和使用氮肥造成的。矿物肥料的生产是能源密集型的，它的重复使用也导致土壤有机质的下降。一种选择是利用有机废物和少量的矿物肥料，统称为有机矿物肥料（OMF）。有机肥料不仅可以减少对矿物肥料的需求，而且有助于土壤健康。然而，目前尚不清楚的是，当OMF与土壤混合时，其碳质成分的停留时间。由于陆地生态系统的碳含量是大气的两到三倍，因此如何管理土壤碳以确保其被隔离是相关的。拟议的DTP项目将利用Yara确定的田间场地，并将重点放在土壤中的碳储存如何促进养分矿化以鼓励作物吸收以提高粮食质量的机制上。作物吸收的磷以植酸盐的形式储存在谷物中，但与人类健康所需的关键微量元素铁和锌结合强烈，这给确保粮食质量满足人口营养需求带来了挑战。前言：目的：探讨土壤有机质固碳对磷矿化的影响及其对粮食品质的影响。OMF中存在的碳和磷等关键元素将与土壤中的重金属（如Cu和Zn）相互作用，影响其对作物的可利用性2。作物吸收的磷缓释以植酸形式储存，不影响与铁、锌的强结合，影响粮食品质。评价有机肥满足作物养分需求和固碳在土壤中的作用2。阐明土壤有机质中关键元素的矿化模式及其在作物发育早期土壤中的有效性。评价作物关键生育期根系和地上部对土壤碳积累和磷矿化的响应。评价小麦和大麦品种储存植酸盐的适宜性及其对籽粒品质的影响

Agriculture is responsible for 9% of all UK GHG emissions and 24% of global emissions; over 50% of these emissions are due to the manufacture and use of nitrogen (N) based fertilisers. The manufacturing of mineral fertilisers is energy intensive and its repeated use also leads to decline in soil organic matter. One option is to utilise organic waste material and a reduced amount of mineral fertilisers, collectively known as organo-mineral fertilisers (OMF). OMFs can not only reduce the demand for mineral fertilisers but also contribute to soil health. However, what is not known is the residence time of thecarbonaceous component of the OMF when mixed with soil. As the terrestrial ecosystem has two to three times more carbon in it than the atmosphere, how soil carbon is managed to ensure it is sequestered is pertinent.The proposed DTP project will utilise the field sites identified by Yara and focus on the mechanisms of how carbon storage in soil promotes nutrient mineralisation to encourage uptake by crops to improve grain quality. Phosphorus taken up by cropswill be stored in grains as phytate but binds strongly to Fe and Zn which are key micronutrients needed for human health causing a challenge to ensure grain quality meets nutritional needs of population.Aim: To elucidate the role of soil carbon sequestered from OMF in influencing mineralisation of phosphorus to improve grain qualityHypotheses:1. Key elements present in OMF such as carbon and phosphorus will interact with heavy metals such as Cu and Zn in soil influencing its availability to crops2. Slow release of phosphorus uptake by crops will be stored as phytate and not influence strong binding with Fe and Zn affecting grain quality.Objectives:1. To assess efficacy of OMF to meet crop nutrient demand and sequester carbon in soil2. To elucidate mineralisation patterns of key elements present in OMF and its availability when in soil at early stages of crop development3. To evaluate root and shoot response to soil carbon build-up and phosphorus mineralisation during key crop growth stages4. To evaluate suitability of wheat and barley varieties to store phytate and influence grain quality