Biosolids nutrients
Our biosolids are typically spread at a rate of 20 to 25 tons per hectare, limited to the nitrogen content remaining within Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations at under 250 kg per hectare.
Biosolids are a sustainable fertiliser acting as a useful source of organic matter and contain a wide range of key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate, magnesium, sulphur and a range of trace elements.
This combination of nutrients can improve your soil health and benefit both your soils, your crops and your farm business.
The specific content of nutrients in biosolids varies depending on the sludge treatment centre and its catchment area.
You should speak to your local Farm Liaison Officer for details of the biosolids produced closet to your farm. However, we’ve listed typical nutrient information in these tables as a guide.
As well as providing key nutrients, biosolids provide a superb source of organic matter to improve soil health and benefit both the environment and agriculture.
| Impact | Changes | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Improved soil structure | Reduces compaction and increases workability Improves root development Increased drainage capability |
Less soil work and energy required Increased crop yields Reduced risk of yield loss |
| Increased water retention capability | Increased drought resistance Reduced risk of erosion and nutrient run-off |
Increased crop yields Maintain soil structure and nutrient composition Reduced risk of diffuse pollution |
| Increased life in soil (from microbes to earthworms) | Improves drainage Improves organic material breakdown and release of nutrients |
Natural provision of nutrients Increased crop yields |
| Increased carbon sequestration | Organic matter locks up carbon in soil | Greenhouse gas reduction |
Biosolids product |
Dry matter (%) |
Total Nitrogen |
Readily Available Nitrogen |
|---|---|---|---|
| (kg/t fresh weight) |
|||
| Digested cake | 25 | 11 | 1.6 (15%) |
| Lime stabilised | 25 | 8.5 | 0.9 (11%) |
| Biosolids product | Dry matter (%) | Total Phosphate |
|---|---|---|
| (kg/t fresh weight) |
||
| Digested cake | 25 | 11 |
| Lime stabilised | 25 | 7.0 |
| Biosolids product | Dry matter (%) | Total Potash | Total Sulphur | Total Magnesium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (kg/t fresh weight) |
||||
| Digested cake | 25 | 0.6 | 8.2 | 1.6 |
| Lime stabilised | 25 | 0.8 | 7.4 | 2.4 |
Contact our biosolids team
Our teams are always on hand to help. Get in touch with our biosolids team and our Farm Liasion Officers.