scholarly journals Agricultural Waste-Based Biochar for Agronomic Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 8914
Author(s):  
Ghizlane Enaime ◽  
Manfred Lübken
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Soil Microbiology ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Applications

Agricultural activities face several challenges due to the intensive increase in population growth and environmental issues. It has been established that biochar can be assigned a useful role in agriculture. Its agronomic application has therefore received increasing attention recently. The literature shows different applications, e.g., biochar serves as a soil ameliorant to optimize soil structure and composition, and it increases the availability of nutrients and the water retention capacity in the soil. If the biochar is buried in the soil, it decomposes very slowly and thus serves as a long-term store of carbon. Limiting the availability of pesticides and heavy metals increases soil health. Biochar addition also affects soil microbiology and enzyme activity and contributes to the improvement of plant growth and crop production. Biochar can be used as a compost additive and animal feed and simultaneously provides a contribution to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Several parameters, including biochar origin, pyrolysis temperature, soil type when biochar is used as soil amendment, and application rate, control biochar’s efficiency in different agricultural applications. Thus, special care should be given when using a specific biochar for a specific application to prevent any negative effects on the agricultural environment.

scholarly journals PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOCHAR FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOIL HEALTH

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rekha A. ◽  
Vidhya A.
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristic ◽  
High Water ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Bet Analysis ◽  
Thermochemical Processes

Recent research suggests that biochar is a promising approach to minimize soil contamination caused by heavy metals and organic pollutants. It is also involved in the amendment of soil by altering the nutrients, pH and other factors. Through intensive literature review, this paper was aimed to better understand the selection of feedstock processes, preparation, and characterization of biochar. Wide variety of feedstock used for the biochar production based on the cost effectiveness, ease availability and they are ecofriendly to the environment. Among the thermochemical processes, pyrolysis is the promising techniques followed for the production of BC. The stabilization efficacy was mainly determined by cation exchange capacity, pH, and ash content of the biochar. The physicochemical characteristic of the biochar is analyzed using various methods such as SEM, FTIR, TGA and BET analysis. The surface area plays a major role in the metal sorption. The quality characteristics of biochar as a soil amendment varied greatly with the feedstock materials and the pyrolysis conditions. Biochar plays a great role in increasing the pH which helps the acidic soil region and its high-water retention capacity enhance the moisture level in the soil which enhances the microbial communities and its activity. Biochar becomes stabilized in the soil by interacting with soil particles. The inherent characteristics of the biochar as dictated by feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, interact with climatic conditions such as precipitation and temperature to influence how long biochar carbon remains stored in the soil. Due to its carbon sequestration in the soil, it helps in increasing the fertility of the soil and also enhances the crop yield.

Availability and utilisation pattern of agricultural waste at household level in selected areas of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110644
Author(s):  
MA Monayem Miah ◽  
Md Enamul Haque ◽  
Richard W Bell ◽  
Md Wakilur Rahman ◽  
Sohela Akhter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Novel Approach

The use of organic fertilisers and soil amendments are almost universally recommended for improving the organic matter levels and maintaining soil health, but few studies documenting the actual availability and quality of such materials on smallholder farms are available. We selected a case study of 300 households from northern and southern Bangladesh to assess the types of waste materials available for recycling and their usage patterns at household level and we applied a novel approach to empirically identify household waste as input inefficiency in a production context. Northern districts have highly intensive farming systems whereas southern districts have low intensity farming. The total amount of agricultural waste produced at household level was estimated at 822 kg per month. Cow dung contributed about 65% of the total waste followed by animal feed refusal waste (11%), garbage (7%) and kitchen waste (6%). Most of the farmers utilised cow dung and wastes as organic fertiliser and lesser amounts as cooking fuel. Econometric analysis shows that the number of cattle and small ruminant per holding, total area of cultivated land and family size were significant factors that influence the amount of waste production at household level. Each household can reduce the chemical fertiliser cost by Tk. 1463 (US$ 17.84) per month by using compost prepared from household waste. There were ample opportunities for compost/vermicomposting and potential markets. The Department of Agricultural Extension from the public sector and private sector agents might motivate farmers to harvest the potential benefits of agricultural waste through effective management and utilisation.

Improved Agronomic Practices and Input Use Efficiency for Potato Production under Changing Climate

2017 ◽  
pp. 105-132
Author(s):  
Dhiman Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Agricultural Commodity ◽  
Climate Change Issue ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Combat Climate Change

In the emerging global economic order in which agricultural crop production is witnessing a rapid transition to agricultural commodity production, potato is appearing as an important crop, poised to sustain and diversify food production in this new millennium. Temperature and unpredictable drought are two most important factor affecting world food securities and the catalyst of the great famines of the past. Decreased precipitation could cause reduction of irrigation water availability and increase in evapo-transpiration, leading to severe crop water-stress conditions. Increasing crop productivity in unfavourable environments will require advanced technologies to complement traditional methods which are often unable to prevent yield losses due to environmental stresses. Various crop management practices such as improved nutrient application rate, mulching, raised beds and other improved technology help to raise the productivity. Conservation farming practices play important role to restore soil and enhancing soil health and play important role to combat climate change issue.

scholarly journals A Mini-Review on Chitosan-Based Hydrogels with Potential for Sustainable Agricultural Applications

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Michalik ◽  
Ilona Wandzik
Keyword(s):  
Sustained Release ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Synthetic Polymers ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Chemical Crosslinking ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Applications ◽  
Natural Components

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy, but this industry consumes significant amounts of water, which is a precious and limited natural resource. Irrigation techniques and efforts to mitigate water usage influence the growth, survival, and yield of crops. However, superabsorbent polymers in combination with fertilizers can be employed to obtain sustained release of nutrients and improved water retention capacity of the soil. Despite significant recent progress in this area involving synthetic polyacrylate hydrogels, there are no industrially applicable solutions exhibiting similar performance using natural biopolymers or synthetic polymers enriched with natural components. This review focuses on biodegradable chitosan-based hydrogels (both natural and semi-synthetic), and discusses their potential agricultural and horticultural applications. The methods for synthesizing hydrogels via physical or chemical crosslinking, and the resulting functional properties of recently reported hydrogels, such as water retention and release of active ingredients, are presented herein.

scholarly journals 818 PB 237 USE OF BIOSOLIDS FOR SOD PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 550e-550
Author(s):  
Mouna Benmbarek ◽  
Y. Desiardins ◽  
R.R. Simard
Keyword(s):  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Municipal Solid Wastes ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Sod Production

Landfiling and incineration constitute the most commonly used methods of biosolid disposal. To minimize the environmental risk, their chemical and biological characteristics have been the subject of several investigations. The present research was undertaken to evaluate the agronomic value of municipal solid wastes (MSW) and composted de-inked sludge (CDS) in a field experiment for sod production. Four variables in a split factorial design, were investigated at two sod farms: compost (MSW and CDS), soil (sandy loam and clay loam), application method (surface applied 6cm and incorporated 20cm), and the application rate (50-100 and 150t/ha). Controls consisted of unfertilized and unamended but fertilized plots. Both experimental sites were seeded with kentucky bluegrass. Preliminary data indicate that the two biosolids promoted the sod growth at the rates applied. However, a better plot cover was observed if composts were rototilled at a depth of 6cm as compared to the conventional treated plots. Measurements of root and foliar weights revealed that the turf growth was enhanced with increasing rates, which is probably caused by additional soil macronutrients showed by the analysis. Seed germination and seedling emergence were not delayed as indicated by the observed increase in the water retention capacity of the soil especially at higher compost rates.

Distribution of Pest Wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) Species in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (Canada)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem G van Herk ◽  
Robert S Vernon ◽  
Ted J Labun ◽  
Mika H Sevcik ◽  
Timothy D Schwinghamer
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Canadian Prairie ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Path Analysis Approach

Abstract We present findings of a general survey of pest wireworms in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba conducted from 2004 to 2019; the first such survey of the Canadian Prairie provinces since that published by Glen et al. (1943). Samples were collected from 571 farmland locations where crop damage from wireworms was observed or suspected, and a total of 5,704 specimens (3,548 larvae, 2,156 beetles) were identified. Most specimens (96.9%) were identified as Hypnoidus bicolor (3,278), Selatosomus aeripennis destructor (1,280), Limonius californicus (842), and Aeolus mellillus (125). This suggests that H. bicolor has replaced S. a. destructor as the predominant species and that the relative importance of L. californicus as a pest species has increased since earlier reports. Despite the relatively small number of specimens collected per location (approx. 10), H. bicolor and S. a. destructor, and S. a. destructor and L. californicus were frequently collected at or near the same location (within 1 km). We provide species records and incidence of co-occurrence at different spatial scales, discuss potential reasons for and implications of shifts in species composition, implications of species co-occurrence for managing wireworm pests in crop production, and outline pertinent research needs. A path analysis approach used to correlate incidence of the main species with various soil characteristics indicated that organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and water retention capacity all had a significant species-specific influence on wireworm presence.

scholarly journals Assessment of soil physical health and productivity of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (Haryana), India

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Pramila Aggarwal ◽  
Ravendra Singh ◽  
Debashis Chakraborty ◽  
Ranjan Bhattacharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Subsurface Layer ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Subsurface Soil ◽  
Aeration Capacity

In order to assess soil health of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (a part of western Yamuna canal irrigated region), important parameters namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic carbon (OC), available water retension capacity (AWRC) and non capillary pores (NCP) were measured by collecting undisturbed soil samples in nearly 66 villages. Soil physical rating index (PI) method was used to compute PI which was an indicator of soil physical health of thatregion. Results revealed that in Gohana and Kharkhoda blocks, nearly 90% area had pH <8.0 and EC>4 dS m-1, which indicated that soils were saline. Prediction maps of soil BD showed that 75% of the total area in 15-30 cm soil layer had BD above >1.6 mg m-3, which indicated the presence of hard pan in subsurface. HC data of subsurface layer also showed that 60% of the area had values<0.5 cm hr-1 which reconfirmed the presence of hard pan. For both surface as well as subsurface soil layers, mostly AWC was >10% which indicated adequate water retention capacity of these soils. However 85% of subsurface had poor soil aeration capacity as indicated NCP range < 10 %. Prediction map of PI for subsurface layer showed that majority of area had PI<0.4 which indicated that expected yield of the crop cannot be more than 70% of the potential yield even under normal or higher levels of fertilizer and water inputs.

scholarly journals Leg tissue composition and physico-chemical parameters of sheep meat fed annatto coproduct

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 3377
Author(s):  
Dorgival Morais de Lima Júnior ◽  
Francisco Fernando Ramos de Carvalho ◽  
Maria Inês Sucupira Maciel ◽  
Stela Antas Urbano ◽  
Juliana Paula Felipe de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Tissue Composition ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Sheep Meat ◽  
Physico Chemical

Our objective was to evaluate leg tissue composition and physico-chemical quality parameters of sheep meat fed with increasing levels of annatto coproduct. 32 male uncastrated animals without a defined breed were randomized in four treatments (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg-1 of annatto coproduct in the DM diet). After 78 days of confinement, the animals were slaughtered and body components were recorded. Reconstituted leg weight, total muscle weight, biceps weight and semitendinosus weight showed a negative linear behavior (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of the annatto coproduct in the diet. No effects of the inclusion of annatto coproduct (P > 0.05) were found for leg tissue composition (%), muscle:bone ratio, relative fat or leg muscle. Meat physico-chemical parameters (color, shear force, water retention capacity and cooking losses) were not affected by the inclusion of the annatto coproduct in the diet. The annatto coproduct can be included in up to 300 g kg-1 of dietary dry matter without negative effects to the leg tissue composition (%) and physical parameters of confined sheep meat.

scholarly journals Tropical agriculture and global warming: impacts and mitigation options

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo P. Cerri ◽  
Gerd Sparovek ◽  
Martial Bernoux ◽  
Willian E. Easterling ◽  
Jerry M. Melillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Soil Sustainability

The intensive land use invariably has several negative effects on the environment and crop production if conservative practices are not adopted. Reduction in soil organic matter (SOM) quantity means gas emission (mainly CO2, CH4, N2O) to the atmosphere and increased global warming. Soil sustainability is also affected, since remaining SOM quality changes. Alterations can be verified, for example, by soil desegregation and changes in structure. The consequences are erosion, reduction in nutrient availability for the plants and lower water retention capacity. These and other factors reflect negatively on crop productivity and sustainability of the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Conversely, adoption of "best management practices", such as conservation tillage, can partly reverse the process - they are aimed at increasing the input of organic matter to the soil and/or decreasing the rates at which soil organic matter decomposes.

scholarly journals Response of Eragrostis plana and Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P. Beauv. submitted on flooded soil

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e47557
Author(s):  
Bruno Wolffenbüttel Carloto ◽  
Otávio dos Santos Escobar ◽  
Vinicius Severo Trivisiol ◽  
Mariane Peripolli ◽  
Maicon Pivetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Adventitious Roots ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Chlorophyll Pigments ◽  
Hypoxic Environment ◽  
Moisture Conditions

The development of Eragrostis plana and Eragrostis pilosa was evaluated in a greenhouse when submitted to different soil moisture conditions. The design was completely randomized, consisting of a factorial 2x3, with the following factors: Eragrostis accessions and soil moisture levels (50% of water retention capacity (WRC), 100% of WRC and soil with water depth of 10 cm). The morphological-anatomical parameters of the plants were evaluated and the aerenchyma and adventitious roots were quantified. In addition, the photosynthetic pigments and the electron transport capacity of the photosynthetic chain were quantified, with the intention of verifying if the amount of water in the soil interferes with these parameters. Similar responses were observed between the two species when submitted to a water table environment, where there were larger aerenchymal formations in the roots and stems, as well as adventitious roots at the soil surface, inferring adaptations for survival to anaerobic stress. Negative effects on the transport of electrons and the formation of chlorophyll pigments were observed for both species when submitted to the hypoxic environment and, consequently, there was reduction of dry mass of shoot and roots, as well as reduction in the emission of tiller. It is concluded that the irrigation water management and the water blade in the rice crop are important, together with the control of invasive plants, considering the negative effects caused to the growth and development of these plants

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document