Rothamsted Research improves soil using biodiesel byproduct

In the UK, Rothamsted Research scientists, who receive strategic funding from the BBSRC, have demonstrated that a by-product of the biodiesel industry shows potential to reduce nitrate leaching and so improve agricultural sustainability. The study is published at the journal Water Air and Soil Pollution.

A criticism of biofuel production from oil crops is the inefficiency inherent in growing them.  Much of this inefficiency is related to the production and losses of N fertiliser – a problem affecting all, not just biofuel crops.  A potential way of mitigating against this inefficiency could be the use of the by-product and/or waste from biodiesel production, which has been shown to reduce nitrate leaching.