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An Appraisal of Urine Derivatives Integrated in the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Inputs of a Lettuce Soilless Cultivation System

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  • Christophe El-Nakhel

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
    Horticell Lab, Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Danny Geelen

    (Horticell Lab, Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Jolien De Paepe

    (Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Peter Clauwaert

    (Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Stefania De Pascale

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

  • Youssef Rouphael

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy)

Abstract

Reinforcing and optimizing sustainable food production is an urgent contemporary issue. The depletion of natural mineral resources is a key problem that is addressed by recycling mined potassium and phosphorus, and nitrogen, whose production depends on very high energy input. A closed-loop approach of fertilizer use asserts the necessity for efficient management and practices of organic waste rich in minerals. Human-derived urine is an underutilized yet excellent source for nitrogen fertilizer, and, in this study, processed urine fertilizer was applied to greenhouse soilless cultivation of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Grand Rapids. Biomass increase, biometric parameters, soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index, minerals, and organic acids content of lettuce were analyzed. From eight different urine fertilizer products generated, K-struvite, urine precipitate-CaO, and the liquid electrodialysis (ED) concentrate supported the growth of lettuce similar to that of commercial mineral fertilizer. ED concentrate application led to the accumulation of potassium (+17.2%), calcium (+82.9%), malate (+185.3%), citrate (+114.4%), and isocitrate (+185.7%); K-struvite augmented the accumulation of magnesium (+44.9%); and urine precipitate-CaO induced the highest accumulation of calcium (+100.5%) when compared to the control, which is an added value when supplemented in daily diet. The results underlined the potential of nitrogen- and phosphate-rich human urine as a sustainable source for the fertilization of lettuce in soilless systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Christophe El-Nakhel & Danny Geelen & Jolien De Paepe & Peter Clauwaert & Stefania De Pascale & Youssef Rouphael, 2021. "An Appraisal of Urine Derivatives Integrated in the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Inputs of a Lettuce Soilless Cultivation System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4218-:d:533652
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandra Jurgilevich & Traci Birge & Johanna Kentala-Lehtonen & Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki & Janna Pietikäinen & Laura Saikku & Hanna Schösler, 2016. "Transition towards Circular Economy in the Food System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Stefano Freguia & Maddalena E. Logrieco & Juliette Monetti & Pablo Ledezma & Bernardino Virdis & Seiya Tsujimura, 2019. "Self-Powered Bioelectrochemical Nutrient Recovery for Fertilizer Generation from Human Urine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-10, October.
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    1. Grace L. Douglas & Raymond M. Wheeler & Ralph F. Fritsche, 2021. "Sustaining Astronauts: Resource Limitations, Technology Needs, and Parallels between Spaceflight Food Systems and those on Earth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Işık Kabdaşlı & Alessio Siciliano & Carlo Limonti & Olcay Tünay, 2022. "Is K-Struvite Precipitation a Plausible Nutrient Recovery Method from Potassium-Containing Wastes?—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-35, September.
    3. Mareike Mauerer & Thorsten Rocksch & Dennis Dannehl & Ingo Schuch & Inga Mewis & Nadja Förster & Christian Ulrichs & Uwe Schmidt, 2023. "Replacing Mineral Fertilizer with Nitrified Human Urine in Hydroponic Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-13, July.

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