In the first reporting period, bacterial strains were applied in phosphate solubilisation experiments carried out using different soils, P sources and plants. Here, several bacteria strains allowed partial substitution of mineral P, for which dry and liquid spore formulations were produced. Combination trials of struvite and bacterial strains showed potential for substituting mineral P and superphosphate. For the production processes and polymerization of lignosulfonates for coatings, efficiency and resource use was improved. Siderophores for field trials with organic fertilisers have been produced in sufficient amounts.
In the second reporting period a number of results were generated. These included the advancements of the bacterial strains including upscaling and formulation and the use of rhodotorulic acid as iron fertiliser in combination with alternative P fertilisers. The most promising strains were formulated as products, but also included in fertiliser formulations for P and iron fertilisation. Further optimization was performed for lignosulfonate fractionation, probiotic and fertiliser coatings. Up-scaling of the siderophore fermentation were conducted. The open field trials were successfully completed. The complete cradle-to-gate LCA model of the lignosulphonates production was finalised. The decision was made by Acies to construct one 5000L fermenter in Slovenia.
In the last two periods focus was made on achieving cost effective enzymatically modified lignin-based coatings for product stabilisation and controlled release. Based on functionalized lignin-based coatings, SUSFERT further developed speciality soil improvers/conditioners as fertiliser for agricultural and turf effectiveness yielding promising results in field trials. Further field trials for vegetables such as potato for crop enhancement were carried out and validated with positive results in terms of crop yield.
Protocols for both liquid and dry spore formulations have been developed for the Bacilli
strains. In advance of more research and field testing, samples of both formulations have been created.
Upon building and successfully commissioning the pilot plant at Acies Bio, Acies were able to perform the first full scale fermentation. Acies successfully scaled up the rhodotorulic acid fermentation to a final volume of 3000L that was used in subsequent formulation and field trials.
In P4, SUSFERT added the Austrian SME Agrobiogel as a new consortium partner.
Agrobiogel produces lignosulfonate-based hydrogels a 100% organic water super-absorber based on lignin. This has high capabilities to store water (1g of hydrogels stores 10g of water) and nutrients. SUSFERT developed several combinations (= hybrid products) of organic carrier hydrogels plus different mineral and organic fertiliser compounds turning them into “nutrigels”, offering famers potentially new highly needed products.
In the previous periods partners generated scoring tables for parameters related to fertiliser formulation. In P4, SUSFERT developed the initial plans further and at the end of the project developed 11 prototypes of sustainable, multifunctional fertilisers solutions including specialised solutions for phosphorus and iron supply. SUSFERT combined bio-based and biodegradable coatings for controlled release, probiotics to increase nutrient availability, the renewable phosphorous source struvite, soil improvers, as well as nutrigels. A number of Key Exploitable Result (KERs) and Key Exploitation Products (KEPs) have been elaborated. Many of these have been made into prototypes termed “SUSKITs”. Details of each KER and KEP have been assessed for post project exploitation in the Post Project Exploitation and Final Business Plans.
SUSFERT finalised the data for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental sustainability analysis for data on the environmental impact as compared to regular fertilisers.
The innovative fertiliser solutions developed in SUSFERT have made significant strides in setting the future for innovative agricultural practices and sustainability. The companies that developed these solutions are in the process of further demonstrating and validating their results towards commercialisation as well as evaluating the registration procedures.
