Synergistic Influence of Beneficial Microorganisms and Digestate on Strawberry Fruit

Ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching in agricultural soil originate mainly from the use of livestock manure in agriculture. Anaerobic digestion of manure offers an alternative solution to its traditional use, producing by-products (solid and liquid digestate) usable as fertilizers. Moreover, to complement this approach, research suggests the use of rhizobacteria and plant growth-promoting fungi as biofertilizers, offering improvements in fruit growth, resistance, and quality.This project investigated the impact of beneficial microorganisms and digestates from a local plant (Biogas Wipptal Gmbh) on strawberry quality and rhizospheric microbial community. Strawberry plants were grown in the presence of biofertilizers (pure culture of Azospirillum brasilense or a commercial product with Effective Microorganisms, EM) in soil fertilized with liquid or solid digestate. Results suggest using these biofertilizers combined with digestates enhances plant growth, fruit yield, and nutraceutical value without affecting phenolic compound content.The project is important because it explores alternative solutions to the problem of ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching in agriculture, which are often associated with the use of livestock manure. In addition, the project examines whether the inoculated biofertilizers are able to establish and compete with the existing microbial community, or whether they need to be re-inoculated over time in order to provide the desired plant fitness.