Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the influence of biofertilizer application resulting from energy production from corn biomass on nutrient uptake by pear plants during the growing cycle, and on fruit quality. The experiment was carried out on a Siltic Haplic Calcisol in the Italian province of Ferrara, in a medium-density Abbé Fétel commercial orchard. Treatments consisted of control (no application) and biofertilizer (30 m3 ha-1 biofertilizer application on the row), with four replicates. The following variables were evaluated: mineral N, microbial biomass and respiration in soil; nutrient content in leaves; and fruit quality. Biofertilizer application increased soil mineral N availability; soil microbial biomass and respiration, but the... |