Erbil, Janin, Rebecca and Giorgos

BISC-E Challenge 2018

Innovation

Azolla, a novel sustainable crop which can be grown

independent of Haber-Bosch fertilizer

PhD Thesis Paul Brouwer, 2017

Haber-Bosch Reaction

Erisman et al., 2018

Global Problems

• 80% of nitrogen in our body is Haber-Bosch nitrogen

• 2% of the world’s total energy production

• Environmental problems and threat to water life biodiversity

Dreschel, 2017

Bio-Utilization of Symbiont

Nostoc azollae fixes atmospheric nitrogen into organic nitrogen

Azolla pinnata

600 – 1000 kg nitrogen ha-1 y-1

Glycine max

60 – 200 kg nitrogen ha-1 y-1

Hamdi, 1982; Ayanaba and Dart, 1977

Enormous Growth

⅔ of pool harvested every week

Azolla filiculoides

30 – 45 tonnes DW ha-1 y-1

Glycine max

2-5 tonnes DW ha-1 y-1

Brouwer et al., 2018

PhD Thesis Paul Brouwer, 2017

Technical Feasibility

Growth on 2.5% ADSW

Azolla takes up all nitrogen and phosphorus

1.2 million pigs in The Netherlands

12.4 million tonnes swine manure

40 tonnes Azolla DW ha-1 y-1

6 tonnes manure ha-1 y-1

10 tonnes protein ha-1 y-1

Muradov et al., 2014; Wageningen UR Livestock Research

Summary

Reduce:

• Global problems caused by the Haber-Bosch reaction

• The manure problem in The Netherlands

• CO2-emission caused by large distribution routes

Increase local production of goods such as:

• Bio-fertilizer, animal feed and protein

• Residual plant matter (bio-plastics and peat substitution)

Questions