Contents:
Human interference with the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) has resulted in unacceptable global changes. The rate at which we convert N2 from the atmosphere into fertilizer N, and mine finite sources of P for agricultural use, results in severe environmental issues. Hence, we need to develop more circular agricultural systems that reduce external inputs and environmental losses, reuse waste streams, and maximize resource use efficiency.
This course provides insights to assess and improve the circularity of N and P flows in agriculture. Circularity will be approached from a biogeochemical perspective, at field and farm scale, with a focus on the soil-plant continuum. The course includes the following topics:
Brush up on soil nutrient cycles
Latest insights on circularity
Assessing circularity with nutrient flow analysis
Optimizing flows of multiple nutrients
Preventing nutrient loss from agricultural fields
Recycling nutrients by reusing waste products
Designing for circularity
This advanced course is intended for students who are registered as an MSc student in the MEE, MOA or MPS programmes and all those who have passed the course(s) listed under “Mandatory knowledge” successfully. Nutrients in a Circular Agriculture is one of the preparatory courses for an MSc thesis in the Soil Biology group.
Learning outcomes:
After successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
evaluate circularity based on nutrient flow analyses
analyse the use efficiency of multiple nutrients
evaluate management options to reduce nutrient losses
predict the fertilizer value of organic waste products
analyse the potential of waste products as fertilizers
assess options to improve circularity in agriculture
