Technological value of raw materials from sugar beet growing area fertilized with digestate from sugar beet pulp biogas plant

Abstract

The purpose of the work was to study the suitability of residue obtained during the methane fermentation process of sugar beet pulp for agricultural use in sugar beet plantations. Studies were performed with the sugar beet pulp fermentation residue and sugar beets (Beta vulgaris cv. Fighter) harvested from experimental plots. It was found that the by-product of sugar beet pulp digestion may be utilized in agriculture taking into account its chemical and microbiological standards. The nutrients in digestion residue were as assimilable for sugar beet plants as the nutrients in mineral fertilizers. The evaluation of technological parameters of sugar beet harvested from experimental plots based on standard technological criteria showed that irrespective of fertilization treatment, the raw material obtained met most of the requirements and can be used as a stock material for sugar production.