Optimizing N and P recycling from organic amendments via agroecological incentives and concepts – scope for further developments

From a global perspective, agricultural ecosystems are challenged by a requirement to produce more outputs with lower inputs, simultaneously to meet the demand for more food and reduce the global environmental impact of agriculture. A key task is to develop and share new ecological concepts of agriculture as a means to improve nutrient recycling, particularly of nitrogen and phosphorus. This paper explores opportunities to achieve this use of new agronomic tools, novel organic fertilizer products and innovative distribution networks. It draws on the results of recent projects in Europe that have developed and tested novel manure processing technologies as well as approaches to integrate nutrient management at local to regional scales.