Code
01CD0721
Duration
01 August 2021 → 31 January 2022
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Promotor
Research disciplines
-
Natural sciences
- Environmental rehabilitation
- Land capability and soil degradation
-
Engineering and technology
- Environmental technologies
- Sustainable development
Keywords
Phytoremediation
Cu/Zn feed additives
Cu/Zn biofortification
Biomass recycle
Project description
Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients widely added to animal feed to promote growth and eliminate diseases. However, a significant part of Cu/Zn is excreted and transported to the soil with manure applications, causing Cu and Zn accumulation in soils. Phytoextraction was proposed to be considered as a potential technology to produce Cu/Zn-biofortified alfalfa from Cu/Zn-enriched soils as an alternative for Cu/Zn supplementation. Thus, the integrated technology allowed to recycle Cu/Zn into biomass that can, to an extent, substitute Cu/Zn feed additives, beneficially reducing the abuse of Cu/Zn feed additives and preventing Cu/Zn deficiency.