{"id":7752,"date":"2026-05-12T08:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lacsrl.it\/digestate-and-nitrogen-in-lombardy-why-analysis-is-the-starting-point-for-agronomic-management\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T10:22:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T10:22:55","slug":"digestate-and-nitrogen-in-lombardy-why-analysis-is-the-starting-point-for-agronomic-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lacsrl.it\/en\/digestate-and-nitrogen-in-lombardy-why-analysis-is-the-starting-point-for-agronomic-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Digestate and nitrogen in Lombardy: why analysis is the starting point for agronomic management"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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It matters not only how much digestate is distributed, but what nitrogen it contains and how it is managed<\/h3>

\"Soil<\/h3>

With the approval of the Nitrate Action Program 2024-2027<\/strong>, the Lombardy Region updated the framework for the protection of water from pollution caused by nitrates of agricultural origin. The program, approved by DGR No. XII\/3634 of Dec. 16, 2024<\/strong>, and subsequently updated by DGR No. XII\/4284 of April 30, 2025<\/strong>, regulates the use of livestock manure, digestates, fertilizers and other nitrogen-containing matrices. <\/p>

The central point is clear: nutrients in these matrices must be used in a manner consistent with crop needs, while protecting soil, surface and groundwater bodies, and air quality.<\/p>

In this scenario, digestate<\/strong> takes on a particularly relevant role. It is no longer sufficient to consider it as the output material from an anaerobic digestion plant: from a technical and management point of view, it is an agricultural matrix containing nutrients, with specific agronomic behavior and with potential environmental impacts if not properly characterized. <\/p>

Why the issue is so important in Lombardy<\/h3>

Lombardy represents one of Italy’s most significant areas for agricultural biogas and biomethane production. The presence of numerous plants, combined with high livestock density and the spread of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones<\/strong>, makes nitrogen management a major environmental and agronomic issue. <\/p>

In such an area, digestate is not a marginal matrix. It is an integral part of the agricultural and energy production cycle. On the one hand, it allows the valorization of livestock manure, by-products and biomass; on the other hand, it generates a significant amount of nitrogen that must be distributed in compliance with regulatory limits and the actual needs of crops. <\/p>

The question, then, is not just “how much digestate is produced,” but how much nitrogen it contains, in what chemical form, and with what agronomic availability<\/strong>.<\/p>

Digestate is not a standard matrix<\/h3>

One of the most common mistakes in digestate management is to treat it as if it has a constant composition. In reality, its characteristics can vary significantly depending on several factors: input matrices, ratio of effluent to biomass, efficiency of the anaerobic process, retention time, possible solid\/liquid separation, storage mode and time. <\/p>

For this reason, two digestates from seemingly similar plants may have different values of total nitrogen<\/strong>, ammonia nitrogen<\/strong>, dry matter<\/strong>, organic matter<\/strong>, pH and conductivity.<\/p>

This variability has important practical consequences. A digestate with a high proportion of ammonia nitrogen will have a faster fertilizing effect, but will also be more susceptible to volatilization and environmental losses. A separated solid fraction, on the other hand, may have a higher dry matter and organic matter content, with different behavior in the soil. <\/p>

Total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen: why to distinguish them<\/h3>

In the characterization of digestate, the determination oftotal nitrogen<\/strong> is crucial to the farm agronomic balance. However, by itself it is not enough. <\/p>

The parameter that provides a better understanding of the agronomic behavior of the matrix isammonia nitrogen<\/strong>. During anaerobic digestion, in fact, some of the organic nitrogen is transformed into ammoniacal form. This makes digestate a matrix with a share of nitrogen readily available to crops. <\/p>

From an agronomic point of view, this is an advantage: digestate can contribute effectively to nitrogen nutrition, reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. But from an environmental point of view it requires attention, because ammonia nitrogen is also the fraction most exposed to losses through volatilization, especially if distribution is not done with proper techniques, timing and conditions. <\/p>

That is why the analytical data is crucial. It is not enough to know the volume distributed: we need to know how many kilograms of nitrogen are actually contributed to the soil<\/strong> and what proportion is immediately available. <\/p>

Agronomic planning: analytical data as a technical basis<\/h3>

The Nitrate Action Program recalls the need to use nitrogen-containing matrices in accordance with the quantitative and temporal needs of the crops. This means that distribution must be planned taking into account both regulatory limits and the actual ability of the crop to use the nitrogen contributed. <\/p>

In this context, digestate analysis becomes the starting point for proper management. It makes it possible to build a more accurate nitrogen balance, avoid overdoses, reduce the risk of nitrate leaching, and enhance the matrix as a fertilizer resource. <\/p>

A distribution plan based on estimated values may be unrepresentative of business reality. In contrast, an up-to-date analytical characterization allows one to work on real data and thus make more sound decisions. <\/p>

Digestate, water quality and air quality.<\/h3>

The topic of nitrates is often associated exclusively with water protection. In reality, the new regional framework also calls for soil protection and air quality protection. <\/p>

This is important because nitrogen management is not only about the risk of groundwater contamination. A proportion of ammonia nitrogen may be lost to the atmosphere in the form of ammonia, especially in the case of surface distribution, high temperatures, wind, or long times before burial. <\/p>

Thus, proper knowledge of the composition of digestate allows for a better assessment of not only the agronomic input, but also the potential environmental impact of distribution.<\/p>

The role of the laboratory<\/h3>

For L.A.C., a laboratory working in the areas of environmental analysis, organic matrices, waste, sludge, biogas and biomethane, the topic of digestate represents a meeting point between agronomy, analytical chemistry and environmental management.<\/p>

\"L.A.C.<\/p>

Analysis is not an ancillary step. It is the tool for transforming a complex matrix into usable information: nutrient concentration, chemical and physical characteristics, composition of the solid or liquid fraction, and parameters useful for agronomic and management evaluation. <\/p>

In the case of digestate, this means supporting farms<\/strong>, plant operators and technicians in reading the matrix correctly and preparing choices consistent with regulations and operational needs.<\/p>

From by-product to matrix for valorization<\/h3>

Digestate is now at the center of a cultural and technical transition. It cannot be seen only as a material to be managed, but neither can it be exploited without control. Its agronomic potential depends on timely knowledge of its composition. <\/p>

In Lombardy, where biogas and biomethane production is highly integrated with the agricultural and livestock systems, this awareness is even more important. The sustainability of the supply chain is measured not only in the production of renewable energy, but also in the ability to properly manage output matrices, reduce nitrogen losses and protect environmental resources. <\/p>

The Nitrate Action Program 2024-2027 thus confirms a clear direction: nitrogen management must be increasingly documented, measurable, and verifiable.<\/p>

This is why analytical digestate characterization is not just a technical requirement or planning support-it is an essential tool<\/strong> for more efficient agriculture, a more sustainable biogas supply chain, and truly controlled environmental management.<\/p>

L.A.C. S.r.l.<\/strong> supports companies, technicians and plant operators in the analytical characterization of digestates, sludge, waste and organic matrices, providing useful data for technical, agronomic and environmental evaluation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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