Fertilizer Strategies for Sustainable Durum Wheat Production #AcademicAchievements

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 In this two-year field experiment conducted in Greece and southern Italy, the researchers compared the effects of conventional mineral NPK fertilizer (15-15-15), horse manure (HM), and a novel waste-derived fertilizer (RecOrgFert) on durum wheat yield, grain quality, and soil health. The aim was to evaluate whether agro-food waste–derived fertilizers can match or exceed the benefits of synthetic fertilizers while enhancing soil function under Mediterranean conditions. The trials were run in Central Macedonia (Greece) and Apulia (Italy) using randomized block designs over 2023–2024, with treatments including a control (no fertilizer), NPK, manure, and RecOrgFert (a blend of sulfur, bentonite, and orange processing residues). The researchers measured a suite of soil chemical, biological, and enzymatic parameters, as well as agronomic traits, grain yield, and grain quality (protein, antioxidants, phenolics, etc.). MDPI+2Preprints+2

Soil Chemical and Biological Impacts

Across both years and trial sites, all fertilization treatments induced notable changes in soil properties compared to the unfertilized control. In both Greece and Italy, RecOrgFert and manure improved organic carbon, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC), while also enhancing enzymatic activities and microbial indicators of soil health. In some instances, RecOrgFert led to soil organic matter increases of 22–30 % over baseline levels. Preprints+2Preprints+2 Soil pH showed slight declines under the treatments, particularly under RecOrgFert, likely because of sulfur inputs. Meanwhile, electrical conductivity (EC) and soluble salt content did rise under fertilized plots, reflecting changes in soluble nutrient pools. Preprints+2MDPI+2

Interestingly, RecOrgFert seemed particularly effective in stimulating soil enzyme activity, microbial function, and improving overall soil fertility indicators beyond what was achieved by manure or even conventional NPK. This suggests that the inclusion of organic residues plus sulfur in the RecOrgFert formula synergistically supports microbial activity and nutrient cycling in the rhizosphere. Preprints+2MDPI+2

Yield and Agronomic Performance

In terms of wheat productivity, all fertilized treatments produced higher yields compared to the control. RecOrgFert consistently produced yields comparable to those achieved with NPK, and often better than the manure treatment, demonstrating its potential as a viable alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Preprints+2MDPI+2 The consistency of RecOrgFert performance across varied seasonal and environmental conditions in both sites is notable. Preprints+1

In addition to yield, many agronomic traits (such as biomass, spike number, grain count) also improved under fertilizer treatments. The fact that RecOrgFert matched or approached the performance of NPK while adding soil health benefits makes it a promising candidate for sustainable fertilization regimes in Mediterranean cereal systems.

Grain Quality, Antioxidants & Bioactive Compounds

One of the standout findings was the enhanced grain quality under RecOrgFert. Grains harvested from RecOrgFert plots tended to have higher protein content (with values reaching ~15.2 %), increased antioxidant activity (measured via DPPH, ABTS+ assays), and elevated levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds compared to NPK and manure treatments. MDPI+3Sciety+3Preprints+3 The researchers attributed this to the sulfur and citrus-residue components of RecOrgFert, which may favor nutrient assimilation, secondary metabolite synthesis, and plant stress resilience. MDPI+2Preprints+2

Moreover, Pearson correlation analyses between soil properties and grain traits revealed that RecOrgFert promoted more stable, favorable interrelationships (e.g. between Ξ²-carotene, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and nutrient uptake) than did the other treatments. These coordinated responses hint at a more optimized rhizosphere environment under RecOrgFert, which likely supports enhanced metabolic efficiency and grain nutritional value. Preprints+1

Temporal Dynamics & Site Variation

Because the experiment spanned two seasons and two geographically distinct locations, the authors could assess how stable these effects were over time and across contrasting environments. They observed that the beneficial effects of RecOrgFert, especially on soil properties, often increased over time—i.e. gains became more pronounced in the second year. This suggests a cumulative or “build-up” effect on soil structure and microbial communities. Preprints+1

Between the two sites, some differences emerged — for example, soil textures, climate variation, and baseline soil properties influenced the magnitude of responses. Nevertheless, the trends (benefits to soil health, grain quality, and yields) held in both Greece and Italy, which strengthens the generalizability of the findings for Mediterranean wheat systems. Preprints+1

Sustainability Implications & Circular Economy

The study frames RecOrgFert as aligning well with the goals of the European Green Deal, the circular economy, and sustainable intensification of agriculture. By upcycling agro-industrial waste (orange residues, sulfur by-products) into a functional fertilizer, it promotes resource efficiency, waste minimization, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs. Sciety+3MDPI+3Preprints+3 The fact that RecOrgFert can maintain yields while improving soil health and grain nutritional quality makes it a promising tool for the agroecological transition in semi-arid and Mediterranean cropping environments.

However, the authors caution that performance of waste-derived fertilizers can vary depending on feedstock composition, soil type, climatic conditions, and treatment methods — so context-specific trials are crucial. MDPI+1 They also note that long-term monitoring is needed to assess potential trade-offs (e.g. salinity, nutrient leaching, accumulation of undesirable compounds) and to scale adoption.

Conclusion & Takeaway

Overall, this two-year, multisite field study demonstrates that a fertilizer derived from agro-food wastes (RecOrgFert) can provide a balanced and sustainable alternative to conventional mineral fertilizers. It effectively supports yields, improves grain quality (protein, antioxidants, phenolics), and enhances soil health through positive chemical and biological shifts. The cumulative benefits over time and across varied environments bolster confidence in its potential. While further long-term and broader-scale studies are warranted, RecOrgFert embodies the kind of circular and climate-smart fertilization strategy needed for the future of Mediterranean cereal systems.

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