Plasma technology for more efficient fertilization
The agricultural sector is looking for more sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, with less reliance on fossil resources and lower emissions. N2 Applied tested the use of NEO, a nitrogen-enriched fertilizer produced through plasma technology, to evaluate its effectiveness in grassland fertilization. This research focuses on nutrient utilization and emission reduction as part of more sustainable food production.
Innovation package, use case, and type of test
Open Field Cultivation
Plasma4Agrifood
Status: Evaluation report
Technical functionality
Broad knowledge question
Comparison of four fertilization strategies
On a grassland field, four different fertilization strategies were tested, including:
An initial cattle manure application with various follow-up fertilizations.
One treatment with NEO as a replacement for synthetic fertilizers.
After fertilization, the grass was harvested and analyzed for feed value, comparing protein and energy levels between the treatments.
Approach
Measurements at a pig barn in Liessel
The test took place at a pig barn in Liessel, Brabant, where emission reduction was measured at the inlet and outlet of an air scrubber with PAW. The chemical analyses were carried out in a laboratory at Wageningen Research according to a standardized protocol.
Goal
Evaluating NEO within conventional fertilization strategies
The goal of this research was to get an initial indication of whether NEO could be an alternative to synthetic fertilizers on grassland. The involved parties collaborated to assess feasibility and gather insights for future larger-scale studies.
Results and reflection
Promising initial insights, but further validation is needed
The initial results show that NEO provided higher protein and energy values in later grass cuts compared to some other treatments.
Successful:
NEO showed potential as an alternative nitrogen source with positive effects on feed value.
The research provided valuable insights for further optimization of fertilization.
Lessons learned:
The study lacked repetitions and statistical support, making scientific conclusions not yet possible.
A follow-up trial with more replications is needed to more reliably determine the actual added value of NEO.