Phytotoxicity and nutrition behavior of process water obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization of poultry litter and its effect on lettuce germination and growth

Nine hydrothermal carbonization process waters (PWs) of poultry litter were prepared at 180, 220, and 260 °C for 1, 4, and 8 h, respectively. They were characterized with pH, EC (electric conductivity), DOC (dissolved organic carbon), TN (total nitrogen), NH4+-N, NO3--N, etc. After diluted according to TN, the PWs were supplied as liquid nitrogen fertilizers and their phytotoxic and nutrition effects on lettuce germination and growth were studied. The results showed that the PWs from short time (1 h) were with low DOC/TN and DOC/NH4+-N and high NH4+-N/TN. Compared with the PWs from long time 4 and 8 h, they provided more NH4+-N and less DOC and resulted in lettuce with relatively high germination index (GI), dry biomass, and low antioxidant enzyme activities. Especially, the PW from 220 °C and 1 h significantly enhanced the dry weight by 196.3% relative to negative control of nitrogen deficiency. However, all the PWs led lettuce to an unhealthy condition, which decreased GI and the chlorophyll content and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, it was confirmed by linear regression that the ratios of DOC/TN, NH4+-N/TN, and DOC/NH4+-N were the determining indexes for evaluating the phytotoxicity and nutrition behavior of the PWs as liquid nitrogen fertilizers.