Investigating the comparative effects of abattoir waste (Thallo™) organomineral fertilizer and inorganic NPK fertilizer on wheat grain and ryegrass yields and their nutrient uptakes.

Purpose: The study examines the efficacy of using recycled abattoir waste fertilizer as a sustainable nutrient input for crop Production. Method: Two pot experiments were set up in a controlled environment room to examine biomass yields of ryegrass (Lolium perenne AberMagic), grain yields of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum KWS Cochise), and their micro and macronutrient uptakes, respectively, in an abattoir waste organomineral fertilizer amended soil compared to those treated with inorganic NPK fertilizer. Phosphorus was added at rates of 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200 mg P kg^-1 in a low P south-west England soil. Results: Total biomass yields of ryegrass in the NPK treatments were higher at application rates greater than 800 mg P kg^-1 soil compared with their corresponding abattoir waste organomineral fertilizer (Thallo™) treatments. Total wheat dry grain weights increased with P addition rates in both the Thallo™ and NPK amended soils until the application rates exceeded 800 mg P kg^-1 when the dry grain weights started to decline. Micronutrient concentrations in grass produced from Thallo™ fertilizer-amended soils were similar to those from their corresponding NPK fertilizer treatments. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that if the Thallo™ is added at rates not exceeding 200 mg P kg^-1 soil to 300 mg P kg^-1 soil, it can serve as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative P source for ryegrass and wheat grain production. However, its application did not increase the micronutrient density of ryegrass or wheat grain any more than inorganic NPK additions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]