"NEO stands for Nitrogen Enriched Organic fertilizer and is produced by a plasma process where nitrogen from the air is transformed into plant-available nitrogen, which thereafter is added to the manure," writes Hesam to inn.no.
This is done using a patented machine that can be installed locally.
"I wanted to see how it affects crop growth, the health of the soil, and the creatures living in it," he says.
Hesam Mousavi has carried out his doctoral research as part of the PhD programme in Applied Ecology and Biotechnology.
His thesis is part of a development effort to fine-tune product development and the process of producing an environmentally friendly product for a global market. The results of this work can be of great importance.
"It turned out that NEO did not harm the soil life and could even make crops grow better than the untreated cattle slurry."
Although NEO did not produce as high a yield as conventional mineral fertilizers, it did surprisingly well in some cases.
"This means we might have a more sustainable way to grow food, which is super important as our world faces challenges like overpopulation and land degradation. So, my work could help us grow food in a way that's kinder to the planet, and that is a big deal for everyone," says Mousavi.
Hesam thesis is titled: "Nitrogen-Enriched Organic fertilizer's (NEO) effects on crop yields, soil functions, and species".
The main findings of the PhD:
- NEO fertilizers had no adverse effects on soil fauna feeding activity in controlled condition.
- The NEO fertilizers did not adversely affect the abundance of earthworms and springtails in field conditions.
- Although NEO initially stimulated nitrification rates in controlled settings, this effect did not persist in real-world agricultural conditions.
- NEO yielded slightly less grass than mineral fertilizers in controlled conditions and a 20% lower grain yield in the field. However, it outperformed initial cattle slurry stock with a 20-30% higher yield.
Here you'll find more information about Hesam Mousavi's public defence on 8 December 2023.
Contact information:
- hesam.mousavi@inn.no