Meta-Analysis of Yields of Crops Fertilized with Compost Tea and Anaerobic Digestate

Organic inputs constitute an alternative way to replace or reduce the use of agrochemicals in order increase sustainability and negative impacts agriculture on environment. A consistent determination average yields obtained with organic fertilizers comparison synthetic is necessary assess their potential both commercial agriculture. To achieve this goal, a meta-analysis existing scientific data digestate compost tea fertilization was performed. After systematic bibliographic search publications, 35 final papers remained from >1000 initial results. Data crop yield fertilization, as well control fertilizer treatments, were extracted selected articles used calculate response ratios (ratios means), obtaining 106 observations. The showed that produced 80% higher than control. Yields statistically similar those conventional treatments chemical (only 2% lower average). results for are considered robust significance did not change after conducting publication bias analyses. However, high heterogeneity observed suggests existence explanatory variables accounting part dispersion. Subgroup analyses conducted determine variation across species field greenhouse experiments, while teas present adequate quantity obtain reliable According meta-analysis, anaerobic had acceptable performance several crops at reported application rate ranging 100 480 kg N ha−1. Regarding tea, 92% 10% although more information required draw conclusive result due low number observations fertilizer. Further investigation understand variations under different scenarios study influence secondary propose management measures producers.