scholarly journals Identification of Arable Marginal Lands under Rainfed Conditions for Bioenergy Purposes in Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Ciria ◽  
Marina Sanz ◽  
Juan Carrasco ◽  
Pilar Ciria

The cultivation of bioenergy crops could be considered as sustainable; however, its use in fertile lands could conflict with food production. The general purpose of this study is to identify areas where traditional food crops are not economically sustainable, but where they could be substituted by energy crops without changing the land use in Spain. We studied the profit margin of the main crops of the country, which are wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), the spatial location of the growing areas, and the biophysical constraints. Spain has an extended area of 9.93 million hectares, with biophysical and/or economic constraints in rainfed arable areas. Grain yields ≤1.5 Mg ha−1 are not profitable; low organic matter content is the principal biophysical constraint. The average results showed a potential of 83.33 GJ ha−1 using triticale (x Triticosecale) and 174.85 GJ ha−1 using cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) in arable marginal lands. The production of biomass in this area would serve to cover between 3%–5% of primary energy needs in Spain for triticale or cardoon. In this respect, establishing energy crops in marginal lands could be an instrument to enhance rural development, boost the bio-economy, and reach environmental targets.

2019 ◽  
pp. 5-20
Author(s):  
Viktor Mazur ◽  
Halyna Kravchuk ◽  
Hryhorii Honcharuk

The cultivation of bioenergetic crops is one of the priority directions of work of the educational-scientific and production complex Ukrainian Scientific and Educational Consortium. The ecological and balanced use of marginal lands for growing energy crops is regarded. The limitation of land resources creates significant difficulties and sets priorities for the use of marginal lands. However, there are still large uncertainties in determining the categories and areas of marginal lands for the cultivation of biomass that require further research, definitions and discussions. The further development of the biomass utilization should take place with proper consideration of the environmental impact and the observance of the criteria for sustainable development. The domestic experience and experience of foreign countries are analyzed. The ecological expediency of cultivating energy crops on marginal lands is highlighted. There are 8136.08 hectares of eroded and less productive lands in the region. Besides, 737,300 hectares of degraded lands require the preservation. The radioactively contaminated soils can become a special fund for marginal lands in the Vinnytsia region. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the area in the Vinnytsia region with the radiation pollution density of 1-5 Ci/km2 is 1,944 km2, while it is 38 km2 with the density of 5-10 Ci/km2. These areas can be used for such forest energy crops as Salix viminalis, Populus berolinensis, Robinia pseudoacacia, because they have the smallest deposit of radionuclides. It is extremely important to achieve an environmental balance for the use of marginal lands, when bioenergy crops will produce biomass and compensate the lost properties of low-quality soils. The characteristics of new energy crops grown at the Yaltushkiv experimental and selection station of the Institute of Bioenergetic Crops and Sugar Beets of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, the founder of the ESPC Ukrainian Scientific-Educational Consortium are also regarded.


Author(s):  
I. I. Boiko ◽  
V. O. Hryshchenko ◽  
T. P. Novikova ◽  
O. P. Shevchenko

Purpose. Determine the content of dry mass and ash in the leaves and stems of bioenergy crops (miscanthus, switchgrass, willow). Methods. Samples were taken at the end of the growing season (October). The dry matter content was determined by thermogravimetric method, ash content by burning in a muffle furnace. Results. The dry matter content of the leaves varied depending on the year of research and crop. Thus, on average over the years of research, this figure was highest in switchgrass and willow, 65.8–66.0% with an ash content of 4.3–4.5%. The content of dry mass in miscanthus leaves was 9–10% lower compared to other energy crops. The ash content was at the level of 2.8% or 1.5–1.6 times. Physico-chemical parameters of the leaves of energy crops have changed since one year of the study. In miscanthus leaves it varied from 59.9 to 60.2%, switchgrass from 54.5 to 76.9%, and willow from 60.7 to 72.2%. The ash content varied in a smaller range of all energy crops. In the stems of miscanthus, the dry matter content was in the range from 57.5% to 58.9%, in switchgrass it was the largest, from 54.9 to 65.3%, and in the stems of willow from 51.3 to 57.1% over the years of research. The stems of all energy crops had a lower ash content compared to the leaves. Thus, this indicator in miscanthus leaves was at the level of 1.5–1.6%, switchgrass 1.3–2.2%, willow 2.0–2.5% (1.5–3.0 times). Conclusions. The content of dry mass and ash in the leaves and stems varies depending on the type of energy crop. The highest content of dry mass is formed in the leaves of switchgrass (54.5–76.9%) and willow 60.7–72.2%. The ash content is 4.1–4.9% and 4.0–4.5%, respectively. The content of dry mass in miscanthus stems is 57.5–58.9%, switchgrass 54.9–65.3%, willow 51.3–57.1%. The content of ash in the stems of miscanthus is 1.5–1.6%, switchgrass 1.3–2.2, willow 2.0–2.5% or 1.5–3.0 times.


Author(s):  
O. A. Lipatnikova

The study of heavy metal speciation in bottom sediments of the Vyshnevolotsky water reservoir is presented in this paper. Sequential selective procedure was used to determine the heavy metal speciation in bottom sediments and thermodynamic calculation — to determine ones in interstitial water. It has been shown that Mn are mainly presented in exchangeable and carbonate forms; for Fe, Zn, Pb и Co the forms are related to iron and manganese hydroxides is played an important role; and Cu and Ni are mainly associated with organic matter. In interstitial waters the main forms of heavy metal speciation are free ions for Zn, Ni, Co and Cd, carbonate complexes for Pb, fulvate complexes for Cu. Effects of particle size and organic matter content in sediments on distribution of mobile and potentially mobile forms of toxic elements have been revealed.


Author(s):  
Amita M Watkar ◽  

Soil, itself means Soul of Infinite Life. Soil is the naturally occurring unconsolidated or loose covering on the earth’s surface. Physical properties depend upon the amount, size, shape, arrangement, and mineral composition of soil particles. It also depends on the organic matter content and pore spaces. Chemical properties depend on the Inorganic and organic matter present in the soil. Soils are the essential components of the environment and foundation resources for nearly all types of land use, besides being the most important component of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, assessment of soil quality and its direction of change with time is an ideal and primary indicator of sustainable agricultural land management. Soil quality indicators refer to measurable soil attributes that influence the capacity of a soil to function, within the limits imposed by the ecosystem, to preserve biological productivity and environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health. The present study is to assess these soil attributes such as physical and chemical properties season-wise.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Imelda J Lawalatta ◽  
Francina Matulessy ◽  
Meitty L Hehanussa

Chili (Capsicum annum L.) often experience the highest price fluctuations in Indonesia. This is caused by the production that is often disrupted in certain months, especially in the months in the rainy season due to flowers and fruits that fall before the harvest. Since agricultural land has changed its function for infrastructure development, marginal land (Ultisol) is used. The ultisol problem is: high acidity, low organic matter content, nutrient deficiency important for plants (eg N, P, Ca, Mg and Mo) and high solubility of Al, Fe and Mn. The provision of organic materials such as manure and marine mud will overcome the problem of acid-rich mineral soil and play an important role in improving, increased and maintaining sustainable land productivity. Research results for chili flower significantly. the highest number of flowers found in the treatment of L0P3, L1P2, L1P3 and L2P3 that is > 60 flower/plant. There was a single factor effect for the amount of fruit, mostly found in L3 treatment (600 ton/ha marine mud) that is 22.36 fruit/plant. The treatment of manure significantly influenced the formation of the most fruit set in the treatment of P0 and P2 (without manure and manure 20 ton/ha) that is 77.60% and 70.,45%. Keywords: Ultisol, Marine mud, Manure, Flowers and Fruit sets   ABSTRAK Tanaman cabai besar (Capsicum annum L.) sering mengalami fluktuasi harga paling tinggi di Indonesia. Hal tersebut disebabkan oleh produksi yang sering terganggu pada bulan tertentu terutama pada bulan-bulan di musim penghujan dikarenakan bunga dan buah yang rontok sebelum panen. Karena lahan pertanian banyak beralih fungsinya untuk pembangunan infrastuktur, maka digunakan lahan marginal (Ultisol). Masalah ultisol ialah: kemasaman tinggi, kadar bahan organik yang rendah, kekurangan unsur hara penting bagi tanaman (contoh: N, P, Ca, Mg dan Mo) serta tingginya kelarutan Al, Fe dan Mn. Pemberian bahan organik seperti pupuk kandang dan Lumpur laut akan mengatasi persoalan tanah mineral masam berkadar Al tinggi dan berperan penting dalam memperbaiki, meningkatkan serta mempertahankan produktifitas lahan secara berkelanjutan Hasil Penelitian untuk jumlah bunga cabai berpengaruh signifikan. jumlah bunga terbanyak terdapat pada perlakuan L0P3, L1P2, L1P3 dan L2P3 yaitu > 60 bunga/tanaman. Terjadi pengaruh faktor tunggal untuk jumlah buah, terbanyak terdapat pada perlakuan L3 ( 600 ton/ha lumpur laut) yaitu 22,36 buah/tanaman. Perlakuan pupuk kandang berpengaruh signifikan Pembentukan fruit set terbanyak pada perlakuan P0 dan P2 (tanpa pupuk kandang dan pupuk kandang 20 ton/ha) yaitu 77,60% dan 70,45%. Kata kunci: Ultisol, Lumpur Laut, Pupuk Kandang, Bunga dan Fruit set


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-365
Author(s):  
J. Pijlman ◽  
G. Holshof ◽  
W. van den Berg ◽  
G. H. Ros ◽  
J. W. Erisman ◽  
...  

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 696
Author(s):  
Sanku Dattamudi ◽  
Saoli Chanda ◽  
Leonard J. Scinto

Northeast Shark River Slough (NESS), lying at the northeastern perimeter of Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida, USA, has been subjected to years of hydrologic modifications. Construction of the Tamiami Trail (US 41) in 1928 connected the east and west coasts of SE Florida and essentially created a hydrological barrier to southern sheet flow into ENP. Recently, a series of bridges were constructed to elevate a portion of Tamiami Trail, allow more water to flow under the bridges, and attempt to restore the ecological balance in the NESS and ENP. This project was conducted to determine aspects of soil physiochemistry and microbial dynamics in the NESS. We evaluated microbial respiration and enzyme assays as indicators of nutrient dynamics in NESS soils. Soil cores were collected from sites at certain distances from the inflow (near canal, NC (0–150 m); midway, M (150–600 m); and far from canal, FC (600–1200 m)). Soil slurries were incubated and assayed for CO2 emission and β-glucoside (MUFC) or phosphatase (MUFP) activity in concert with physicochemical analysis. Significantly higher TP contents at NC (2.45 times) and M (1.52 times) sites than FC sites indicated an uneven P distribution downstream from the source canal. The highest soil organic matter content (84%) contents were observed at M sites, which was due to higher vegetation biomass observed at those sites. Consequently, CO2 efflux was greater at M sites (average 2.72 µmoles g dw−1 h−1) than the other two sites. We also found that amendments of glucose increased CO2 efflux from all soils, whereas the addition of phosphorus did not. The results indicate that microbial respiration downstream of inflows in the NESS is not limited by P, but more so by the availability of labile C.


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