Effects of anaerobic digestion on digestate nutrient availability and crop growth: A review

Anaerobic digestion ( AD ) for biogas production leads to several changes in the composition of the resulting digestates compared to the original feedstock (ammonia content, p H , carbon to nitrogen ratio, etc.), which are relevant for the plant availability of macro‐ and micronutrients after field application. Increased NH 4 + ‐ N content in digested slurries compared to undigested slurries does not guarantee improved uptake efficiency of slurry nitrogen and increased savings in fertilizer nitrogen. AD of crop residues and cover crops leads to an increase in the total amounts of mobile organic manures within the farming system, resulting in a higher nitrogen use efficiency and an increased scope for…