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Future global energy demand may be met through increased extraction of fossil fuels and production of renewable energy such as biofuels. Renewable energy from biofuels is often proposed as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels; however, impacts of renewable energy sources on wildlife populations have rarely been evaluated in working landscapes. We used North American Breeding Bird Survey data (1998 to 2021) to assess whether the joint effects of oil and gas and biofuel crop production explained grassland bird population declines. We modeled location‐specific effects of land use on grassland bird habitat use for four grassland bird species (bobolink [Dolichonyx oryzivorus], grasshopper sparrow [Ammodramus savannarum], Savannah sparrow [Passerculus sandwichensis], and western meadowlark [Sturnella neglecta]) in North Dakota, a state experiencing rapid growth in both energy sectors. Our analysis showed that grassland birds responded more negatively to biofuel feedstocks (i.e., corn and soybeans) on the landscape compared with oil and gas development. Furthermore, we found that the effect of feedstocks was not generalizable to other forms of agricultural land use. When combined, these land use changes resulted in distributional shifts of grassland birds, with use by birds being lower in regions dominated by biofuel production, which appears partially responsible for observed abundance trends at the state level. Our results indicate that expansion of oil and gas development has negatively affected habitat use by some grassland birds, but this impact was more localized when compared to biofuel crops. Conservation practitioners may need to adapt their conservation strategies to account for widespread and rapid land use change driven by United States energy policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a commensal bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry; however, some strains are pathogenic and can cause a wide range of diseases. In addition, some strains of pathogenic E. coli can survive in the litter between flocks, making litter management critical for reducing E. coli-associated infections. Biochar (BC) is a porous, carbonaceous material that may be a beneficial litter amendment to reduce moisture and microbial loads. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of pine BC, miscanthus BC, and Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT) on E. coli, total aerobic bacteria populations, and bacterial communities when added to used broiler litter. Pine and miscanthus BC were mixed into poultry litter at inclusion rates of 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 30% w/w. PLT was surface applied at a rate of 0.73 kg/m2. Baseline E. coli and aerobics were measured after a 48-hr litter incubation period and just prior to adding litter treatments. Escherichia coli and aerobics were enumerated 2 and 7 days after adding treatments. Overall, pine BC at 30% had the lowest E. coli and aerobic counts (5.98 and 6.44 log 10 colony-forming units [CFU]/g, respectively); however, they were not significantly different from the control (P ≤ 0.05). At day 2, 30% pine BC inclusion rate treatment resulted in a significant reduction in E. coli and aerobic bacteria counts compared to the control. Miscanthus BC application did not result in significant reductions in E. coli or aerobic bacteria at days 2 or 7. PLT had the highest E. coli (7.07 log 10 CFU/g) and aerobic counts (7.21 log 10 CFU/g) overall. Bacterial community analysis revealed that the alpha and beta diversity between pine BC- and PLT-treated litter were significantly different. However, neither BC type significantly impacted bacterial diversity when compared to the control. Differences in E. coli and aerobic counts between BC types may be attributed to variations in feedstock physiochemical properties. Evaluación de los efectos del biocarbón de pino y de miscanto sobre Escherichia coli, bacterias aerobias totales y comunidades bacterianas en la cama comercial de pollos de engorde. Escherichia coli (E. coli) es una bacteria comensal que se encuentra en el tracto gastrointestinal de las aves comerciales; sin embargo, algunas cepas son patógenas y pueden causar una amplia variedad de enfermedades. Además, algunas cepas de E. coli patógena pueden sobrevivir en la cama entre parvadas, lo que hace que el manejo de la cama sea fundamental para reducir las infecciones asociadas con E. coli. El biocarbón (BC) es un material carbonoso poroso que puede ser un aditivo beneficioso en la cama para reducir la humedad y las cargas microbianas. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar los efectos del biocarbón de pino, de miscanthus y de un producto comercial para el tratamiento de la cama en avicultura (PLT) sobre E. coli, sobre poblaciones de bacterias aeróbicas totales y comunidades bacterianas cuando se agregan a la cama de pollos de engorde usada. Se mezclaron biocarbón de pino y miscanthus en la cama de aves de corral con tasas de inclusión por peso del 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, 25 % y 30 %. Se aplicó el producto PLT en la superficie a razón de 0.73 kg/m2. La E. coli y los aeróbicos de referencia se midieron después de un período de incubación de la cama de 48 horas y justo antes de agregar los tratamientos de la cama. Se enumeraron Escherichia coli y bacterias aeróbicas 2 y 7 días después de agregar los tratamientos. En general, el biocarbón de pino al 30 % tuvo los recuentos más bajos de E. coli y aeróbicos (5.98 y 6.44 log10 unidades formadoras de colonias [UFC]/g, respectivamente); sin embargo, no fueron significativamente diferentes del control (P ≤ 0.05). En el día 2, el tratamiento con una tasa de inclusión de biocarbón de pino al 30 % dio como resultado una reducción significativa en los recuentos de bacterias aeróbicas y E. coli en comparación con el control. La aplicación de biocarbón de miscanto no resultó en reducciones significativas de E. coli o bacterias aeróbicas en los días 2 o 7. El producto PLT tuvo los recuentos más altos de E. coli (7.07 log10 CFU/g) y aeróbicos en general (7.21 log10 CFU/g). El análisis de la comunidad bacteriana reveló que la diversidad alfa y beta entre la cama tratada con biocarbón de pino y producto PLT era significativamente diferente. Sin embargo, ninguno de los tipos de biocarbón afectó significativamente la diversidad bacteriana en comparación con el control. Las diferencias en los recuentos de E. coli y de bacterias aeróbicas entre los tipos de biocarbón pueden atribuirse a variaciones en las propiedades fisicoquímicas de la materia prima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of farmland initiatives aim to aid biodiversity conservation through alternative farming practices such as nature-inclusive farming. However, these approaches frequently lead to trade-offs between biodiversity conservation and crop yield. For example, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a melliferous crop that flowers for a long period in the summer when nectar in agricultural areas is generally scarce, and buckwheat cultivation could therefore contribute to wild pollinator conservation. However, honeybees (Apis mellifera) are placed to ensure sufficient crop pollination, which potentially increases resource competition with wild pollinators in and around the crop. Here, we have studied this trade-off by surveying pollinators in and around 16 small-scale (∼1 ha) flowering buckwheat fields and we determined the contribution of pollinator density to crop yield in a nature-inclusive farming project. We found that the buckwheat pollinator community was diverse, albeit dominated by honeybees. We found no clear indications of resource competition between honeybees and wild pollinators within the buckwheat fields. Honeybee density in the surroundings was generally low, and increased minimally during honeybee-hive placement. While densities of honeybees decreased non-linearly over the day in buckwheat fields, they did not (temporarily) move into the surroundings of the field, suggesting limited competition for resources with wild pollinators. Crop yield was largely dependent on crop pollinator density, notably of honeybees, and to a lesser extent crop biomass (as a proxy for agricultural management). Our results show that buckwheat cultivation fits well within nature-inclusive farming if some simple precautionary measures are being taken, such as limiting the honeybee-hive densities and placing hives only during the main flowering period. The introduction of buckwheat cultivation into crop rotation could then contribute to fill an important nectar gap in the summer, which potentially boosts wild pollinator populations in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a commensal bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry; however, some strains are pathogenic and can cause a wide range of diseases. In addition, some strains of pathogenic E. coli can survive in the litter between flocks, making litter management critical for reducing E. coli-associated infections. Biochar (BC) is a porous, carbonaceous material that may be a beneficial litter amendment to reduce moisture and microbial loads. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of pine BC, miscanthus BC, and Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT) on E. coli, total aerobic bacteria populations, and bacterial communities when added to used broiler litter. Pine and miscanthus BC were mixed into poultry litter at inclusion rates of 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 30% w/w. PLT was surface applied at a rate of 0.73 kg/m2. Baseline E. coli and aerobics were measured after a 48-hr litter incubation period and just prior to adding litter treatments. Escherichia coli and aerobics were enumerated 2 and 7 days after adding treatments. Overall, pine BC at 30% had the lowest E. coli and aerobic counts (5.98 and 6.44 log 10 colony-forming units [CFU]/g, respectively); however, they were not significantly different from the control (P ≤ 0.05). At day 2, 30% pine BC inclusion rate treatment resulted in a significant reduction in E. coli and aerobic bacteria counts compared to the control. Miscanthus BC application did not result in significant reductions in E. coli or aerobic bacteria at days 2 or 7. PLT had the highest E. coli (7.07 log 10 CFU/g) and aerobic counts (7.21 log 10 CFU/g) overall. Bacterial community analysis revealed that the alpha and beta diversity between pine BC- and PLT-treated litter were significantly different. However, neither BC type significantly impacted bacterial diversity when compared to the control. Differences in E. coli and aerobic counts between BC types may be attributed to variations in feedstock physiochemical properties. Evaluación de los efectos del biocarbón de pino y de miscanto sobre Escherichia coli, bacterias aerobias totales y comunidades bacterianas en la cama comercial de pollos de engorde. Escherichia coli (E. coli) es una bacteria comensal que se encuentra en el tracto gastrointestinal de las aves comerciales; sin embargo, algunas cepas son patógenas y pueden causar una amplia variedad de enfermedades. Además, algunas cepas de E. coli patógena pueden sobrevivir en la cama entre parvadas, lo que hace que el manejo de la cama sea fundamental para reducir las infecciones asociadas con E. coli. El biocarbón (BC) es un material carbonoso poroso que puede ser un aditivo beneficioso en la cama para reducir la humedad y las cargas microbianas. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar los efectos del biocarbón de pino, de miscanthus y de un producto comercial para el tratamiento de la cama en avicultura (PLT) sobre E. coli, sobre poblaciones de bacterias aeróbicas totales y comunidades bacterianas cuando se agregan a la cama de pollos de engorde usada. Se mezclaron biocarbón de pino y miscanthus en la cama de aves de corral con tasas de inclusión por peso del 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, 25 % y 30 %. Se aplicó el producto PLT en la superficie a razón de 0.73 kg/m2. La E. coli y los aeróbicos de referencia se midieron después de un período de incubación de la cama de 48 horas y justo antes de agregar los tratamientos de la cama. Se enumeraron Escherichia coli y bacterias aeróbicas 2 y 7 días después de agregar los tratamientos. En general, el biocarbón de pino al 30 % tuvo los recuentos más bajos de E. coli y aeróbicos (5.98 y 6.44 log10 unidades formadoras de colonias [UFC]/g, respectivamente); sin embargo, no fueron significativamente diferentes del control (P ≤ 0.05). En el día 2, el tratamiento con una tasa de inclusión de biocarbón de pino al 30 % dio como resultado una reducción significativa en los recuentos de bacterias aeróbicas y E. coli en comparación con el control. La aplicación de biocarbón de miscanto no resultó en reducciones significativas de E. coli o bacterias aeróbicas en los días 2 o 7. El producto PLT tuvo los recuentos más altos de E. coli (7.07 log10 CFU/g) y aeróbicos en general (7.21 log10 CFU/g). El análisis de la comunidad bacteriana reveló que la diversidad alfa y beta entre la cama tratada con biocarbón de pino y producto PLT era significativamente diferente. Sin embargo, ninguno de los tipos de biocarbón afectó significativamente la diversidad bacteriana en comparación con el control. Las diferencias en los recuentos de E. coli y de bacterias aeróbicas entre los tipos de biocarbón pueden atribuirse a variaciones en las propiedades fisicoquímicas de la materia prima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops can perform multiple ecosystem functions, including weed control, soil quality enhancement and support to pollinators. While the contribution of individual cover crop species or mixtures to each of these functions has been extensively investigated, experiments testing all these ecosystem functions simultaneously to select the best species or mixture overall are rare. In this study, we evaluated the performance of six summer cover crop species in terms of biomass production, weed suppression, soil fertility enhancement potential and support to wild and managed pollinators. Tested species included buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), blue tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.). Field work was carried out in four fields in Northern Italy during the summer months of 2020 and 2021. Buckwheat was identified as the overall best-performing species, by virtue of its high biomass production, ability to control weed growth, and abundant and long-lasting flowering that could support honeybees and hoverflies during a low-resource period without promoting competition. Buckwheat was, however, less promising regarding soil enhancement potential and support to wild bees, highlighting the need to continue searching for complementary cover crop species to be used alongside it in a mixture. Our results could improve cover crop selection schemes, suggesting the necessity for a comprehensive approach aimed at enhancing multiple ecosystem functions in agroecosystems. • Buckwheat was the best cover crop in terms of biomass production and weed control. • Buckwheat can support honeybees and hoverflies without promoting competition. • Buckwheat is lacking in terms of soil quality enhancement and support to wild bees. • Other cover crop species complementary to buckwheat should be considered. • An evaluation approach based on multiple functions might improve crop selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing vegetation diversity within crop fields through cover cropping has been advocated as an additional tool for managing weeds. As such, field experiments were conducted over two field seasons to compare the influence of four cover cropping/tillage tactics on weeds, time spent manually removing weeds and marketable yields in organic bell peppers (Capsicum annuum). The four treatments included: (1) conventional till (CT), (2) no-till (NT), (3) strip till after roller-crimping (ST-RC), and (4) strip till with a living mulch between crop rows (ST-LM). Impacts of cover crop on the number of weeds encountered during the study differed according to how cover crops were managed, row region (intra- and inter-row) and weed characteristic (life cycle, type) and was not always consistent. The ST-LM treatment generally had the least amount of weed establishment and ground coverage in the inter-row crop area. The CT treatment contained more weeds than all treatments in intra- and inter-row areas in year 1. Perennial weeds were generally found in greatest biomass in the inter-row area of the NT treatment. Weeding times varied among years and were similar among treatments in season 1. However, in year 2, less time was required for hand weeding in CT than NT and ST-RC. The CT treatment contained the highest marketable fruit yield during year 1. However, in year 2 fruit yields were similar among treatments. Red clover can be used as a living mulch to effectively reduce weed pressure in vegetable crops, however competition between the clover and cash crop must be minimized, and additional intra-row weed management may be necessary. • Red clover (Trifolium pratense) controls weeds as well as or better than killed annual cover crops. • Weed control from red clover living mulch reduced the amount of time required to remove weeds by hand in year 2. • Annual cover crop biomass reduced efficacy of killed annual mulches, but not living mulch. • Pepper (Capsicum annuum) yield was lower in reduced tillage treatments compared to conventional tillage control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial lighting systems have tremendously aided the provision of efficient energy for photosynthesis in crop plants but these are seldom fine-tuned to optimally regulate plant growth. Plants are endowed with photoreceptors that enable them to utilise light of different wavelengths as cues for growth and development. These photoreceptors initiate downstream signalling pathways that modulate gene expression which regulates growth and development in the plant. Numerous studies have described these photoreceptors as biochemical switches that can be selectively regulated to control plant growth and development. The rapid advances in our understanding of plant photo-sensory processes, have propelled efforts to extend these findings to the design of plant growth strategies aimed at enhancing plant traits of agronomic importance in crops by manipulating the light environment. Here, we provide an overview of the different known plant photoreceptors and how the quality, quantity or duration of light can affect plant traits such as yield, quality/nutrition, disease/pathogen resistance and flowering; that can enhance the agricultural and/or horticultural value of crops. The objective of the review is to highlight the potential of (and need for) transfer of information gained from laboratory experiments, for optimising photoreceptor activity towards improving specific plant traits, thereby facilitating sustainable and market-oriented crop production in agricultural and horticultural crops along with enhancement in yield and nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed BECCS deployment criteria are based on socio-enviro-economic objectives. • Life cycle emissions and carbon abatement costs are calculated. • Some of the BECCS pathways are less likely to achieve net negative emissions. • Balancing between socioeconomic aspects such as local job creation opportunities, cost, feedstock supply chain disruptions, and emission reduction targets is discussed. Countries are considering different options to achieve net zero emissions including Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which is the process of capturing and storing CO 2 from processes that use bioenergy to produce heat, electricity, or biofuels. However, this technology faces sustainability concerns and possesses complex value chains of its emissions. Adding further to this complexity, the literature indicates two opposing views with respect to the potential of BECCS in terms of being able (or unable) to achieve negative emissions. Hence, this paper analyzes in detail a wide range of BECCS pathways in terms of their ability to achieve negative emissions along with their associated costs. Out of seven assessed pathways, our analysis shows that corn to ethanol and biomethane production from maize BECCS pathway in the USA, biomethane production from wet manure in Europe, and baling of straw pellets with trans-Atlantic shipment can achieve negative emissions at a cost of 50, 108, 159, and 232 dollars per ton of CO 2 ($/tCO 2) respectively. Other technologies like poplar pellets, forest residue, and agricultural residue with trans-Atlantic shipment are not able to achieve negative emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide an analysis of the impacts of the promotion policy of palm oil-based biofuel utilization in the Thai transport sector for the period 2020-2037. For this purpose, three scenarios are developed to represent different proportions of palm oil-based biofuel blending implemented in Thailand and their impacts are analyzed through the application of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model. The analysis reveals that an increase in the proportion of palm oil-based biofuel in a diesel mix would provide several noticeable benefits, for example, help reducing diesel consumption, decreasing crude oil requirement, and mitigating emissions of CO2 and PM2.5 - a major source of current environmental health problems. In addition, increased proportion of palm oil-based biofuel in the diesel mix would contribute to a growing demand for oil palm production and a plantation area to meet an increase in palm oil-based biofuel production. A high demand for oil palm production and plantation land requirement could, however, be emerging challenges. In order to address these challenges, the effective strategies could include a plan for agricultural crop zoning, crop breeding, the efficiency enhancement of biofuel conversion technology, the reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the support from the government for research and development of second-generation biofuels. The analysis will be useful for Thai planners and policy makers to design policies to overcome the issues of energy and food security as well as climate change problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant–soil feedback (PSF) can be a major driver of plant performance in communities, and this concept can be used in selecting crop rotation sequences to maximize agricultural yields. Potential benefits of using PSF in this context include nutrient use optimization, pathogen reduction, and enhancement of mutualisms between crops and microbes. Yet the contributions of these combined mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we investigated the relative contributions of these mechanisms using five major crops commonly cultivated in rotation (alfalfa, canola, maize, soybean, and wheat) under controlled conditions. We trained soil by growing each of the five crops in a "training phase," and then reciprocally planted the five crops in the trained soils in a "feedback phase." To tease out soil biota from nutrient effects, we established three treatments: "control" (trained unsterilized soil used in the feedback phases), "biota" (sterilized soil in the feedback phase inoculated with soil biota from the control treatment after the training phase), and "nutrient" (sterilized soils in both phases). Plant–soil feedback for each crop was calculated by comparing the total biomass of each crop grown in soils trained by each of the four other crops (i.e., in rotation) against total biomass in self‐trained soil (i.e., monocropping). We found that PSF values varied among crop combinations in all the treatments, but such variation was the greatest in the nutrient treatment. Overall, soil biota feedback tended to be lower, whereas nutrient feedback tended to be greater compared to the unsterilized control soil, suggesting that effects of antagonistic biota outweighed those of beneficial microbes in the biota treatment, and that plants optimized nutrient uptake when the soil microbiome was absent in the nutrient treatment. Furthermore, soils in the nutrient treatment trained by the legume crops (alfalfa and soybean) tended to provide the greatest positive feedback, emphasizing the important legacy of N2 fixers in crop rotation. Taken together, our data demonstrate how nutrients and soil biota can be integral to PSFs among crops, and that assessing PSFs under controlled conditions can serve as a basis to determine the most productive crop rotation sequences prior to field testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The interplay of space, time and money is crucial for understanding conflict of energy transitions. • Wind energy has a spatial advantage of social co-existence. • Diverting chronoscapes, energy governance and financial marginalisation work against this advantage and impede transitions. The transition to renewable energy generates significant conflicts over time when technical innovations allowing larger wind turbine construction coincides with spatial regimentation as energy governance. The interplay of space, time and money, we argue, is crucial for understanding these conflicts. Wind energy's spatial advantage of potential social co-existence of energy generation and farming gets eaten up by differently constituted chronoscapes and regional planning, resulting in local perception of renewable energy as a threat and encroachment and experts working against a renewable energy transition. Drawing on the example of Brandenburg in East Germany, we demonstrate that financial means is next to space and time the third utmost relevant factor for local attitudes towards renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is pivotal for South Africa to fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement and contribute to limiting global warming. However, South Africa faces several challenges due to its heavy reliance on carbon-intensive sectors. This study adopts the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM-South Africa), an integrated assessment model, to evaluate potential strategies and implications for South Africa to attain net zero carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions by 2050. We also evaluate the role of novel negative emission technologies (NETs), such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS), as well as fossil CCS in meeting the net zero target. The results indicate that significant transformations, such as the extensive expansion of renewable energy, increased electrification, and gradual phasing out of coal, are necessary across South Africa's energy system to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. With the full deployment of NETs and fossil CCS, coal power generation is projected to decline by 85 % versus 99 % without implementation. The availability of NETs and fossil CCS also alleviates the pressure on the pace of renewable energy deployment and electrification. While BECCS has a higher potential to deliver negative emissions, relying solely on its extensive deployment presents trade-offs. Specifically, scenarios involving BECCS could decrease cropland and pasture by 59 % and 69 %, respectively, by 2050. Water consumption for bioenergy crop cultivation and bioelectricity with CCS is also expected to account for 2 % of total water use in 2050. Overall, this study emphasizes the need for South Africa to complement aggressive emissions cuts with NET and fossil CCS scaling while considering their implications for energy, land, and water. We offer valuable insights to inform strategic decision-making concerning mitigation technologies, sectoral transitions, and managing trade-offs on the pathway to a net-zero future for South Africa. • Study employs GCAM to model South Africa's net-zero ambitions. • The role of NETs on the country's energy-land-water resources is quantified. • Coal power generation declines by 85–99 % by 2050 under such ambitions. • Scenarios with BECCS could decrease cropland and pasture by 59–69 % by 2050. • 0.02–0.1 km3 of water demand by 2050 for energy generation and negative emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holistic methodology of the article consists of linking spatially differentiated cumulative causality processes and related structural issues in the 'vicious circle' of the underutilization of the renewable energy potential of agricultural biomass, with the 'Gordian knots' of omissions and errors in public policies. A Gordian knot is a metaphor for a cluster of interdependent, multidimensional, and excessively complicated problems that cannot be solved in a conventional way that can only be 'disentangled' by an 'Alexandrian cut,' or a bold action that severs it decisively. The conceptual framework matrix integrates the turning points approach and applies it to the interrelationship between internally breaking down the underutilization of the renewable energy potential of agricultural biomass and Alexandrian cuts that create the conditions for a bottom-up uptake of energy crops and renewable energy derived from agricultural biomass in peripheral rural areas. This study relies on a survey conducted on a sample of 2,191 farmers as well as secondary data to contextualize the survey data. We indicate that an interaction of cumulative causality processes and related structural issues 'tighten' the vicious circle , making reciprocally Gordian knots 'impossible to untangle'. • A holistic methodology of research on peripheral rural areas. • 'Vicious circle' of underutilization of the renewable energy of agricultural biomass. • Propensity to grow energy crops and use agricultural biomass as renewable energy. • 'Gordian knots' of omissions and public policies errors. •'Alexandrian cut,' or a bold action that severs the 'Gordian knots' decisively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human demand for food, fiber, and space is accelerating the rate of change of land cover and land use. Much of the world now consists of a matrix of natural forests, managed forests, agricultural cropland, and urbanized plots. Expansion of domestic energy production efforts in the United States is one driver predicted to influence future land‐use and land management practices across large spatial scales. Favorable growing conditions make the southeastern United States an ideal location for producing a large portion of the country's renewable bioenergy. We investigated patterns of bat occurrence in two bioenergy feedstocks commonly grown in this region (corn, Zea mays, and pine, Pinus taeda and P. elliottii). We also evaluated potential impacts of the three major pathways of woody biomass extraction (residue removal following clearcut harvest, short‐rotation energy plantations, and mid‐rotation forest thinning) to bat occurrence through a priori land‐use contrasts. We acoustically sampled bat vocalizations at 84 sites in the Southeastern Plains and Southern Coastal Plains of the southeastern United States across three years. We found that mid‐rotation thinning resulted in positive effects on bat occurrence, and potential conversion of unmanaged (reference) forest to managed forest for timber and/or bioenergy harvest resulted in negative effects on bat occurrence when effects were averaged across all species. The effects of short‐rotation energy plantations, removal of logging residues from plantation clearcuts, and corn were equivocal for all bat species examined. Our results suggest that accelerated production of biomass for energy production through either corn or intensively managed pine forests is not likely to have an adverse effect on bat communities, so long as existing older unmanaged forests are not converted to managed bioenergy or timber plantations. Beyond bioenergy crop production, mid‐rotation thinning of even‐aged pine stands intended for timber production, increases to the duration of plantation rotations to promote older forest stands, arranging forest stands and crop fields to maximize edge habitat, and maintaining unmanaged forests could benefit bat communities by augmenting roosting and foraging opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the feasibility of co-burning biomass in an energy boiler operating on coal, without modifying the boiler, under the conditions of establishing an energy biomass crop. The use of biomass in an energy boiler aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the costs of purchasing CO2 certificates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Progress in Plant Protection is the property of Institute of Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial subsurface drainage is necessary to maintain agricultural production in the soils and climate of north‐central Iowa. However, it can result in adverse environmental impacts, because it intercepts and diverts some water and soluble NO3–N directly to streams. We investigated the impact of no‐till and a winter rye cover crop (Secale cereale L.) on seasonal and annual NO3–N concentration and loading in leachate from a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation. The eight treatments are chisel plow (CT), chisel plow with winter cereal rye (CTr), no‐till (NT), and no‐till with winter cereal rye (NTr), with "‐C" indicating corn and "‐S" indicating soybeans. Plots with artificial subsurface drainage were monitored for water quality from 2011 to 2015. The NT and CTr treatments consistently decreased NO3–N loss on the seasonal and annual scales compared with CT. Compared with NT, NTr did not reduce NO3–N loading nor concentration in leachate, probably because of low NO3 leaching potential from NT combined with low rye cover crop biomass throughout the study with NT. The 5‐yr average annual NO3–N concentrations were: 16.9 mg L−1 with CT‐S, 16.7 mg L−1 with CT‐C, 12.6 mg L−1 with NT‐S, 12.0 mg L−1 with CTr‐S, 11.8 mg L−1 with CTr‐C, 11.4 mg L−1 with NTr‐S and NTr‐C, and 11.1 mg L−1 with NT‐C. Overall, both no‐till and a cover crop showed potential for improving N management for water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops are often recommended as a best management practice to reduce erosion, weed pressure, and nutrient loss. However, cover crops may be sources of phosphorus (P) to runoff water after termination. Two greenhouse trials were conducted to determine the effects of cover crop species, termination method, and time after termination on water‐extractable P (WEP) release from crop biomass. Treatments were structured in a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial and arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replicates. Treatments included three cover crop species (triticale [× Triticosecale; Triticum × Secale 'Trical'], rapeseed [Brassica napus L. 'Winfred'], and crimson clover [Trifolium incarnatum L.]); three termination methods (clipping, freezing, and herbicide); and three WEP extraction times (1, 7, and 14 d after termination). Rapeseed consistently resulted in the least WEP when exposed to the same method of termination and at the same extraction time as the other species. For both trials, terminating crop tissue via freezing increased concentrations of WEP compared with other termination methods. The WEP release from cover crop tissue increased as the time after extraction increased, but the effect was greater for herbicide‐ and freeze‐terminated cover crops and less for clipping‐terminated cover crops. Future studies on WEP release from cover crops should pay close attention to the effects of extraction timing. Producers may be able to reduce P loss from cover crop tissue by selecting cover crop species with low WEP and minimizing the amount of biomass exposed to freezing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited access to energy has led to interest in biofuels in most West African countries where Jatropha curcas (jatropha) has been the most widely studied energy crop. However, due to difficulties in obtaining enough jatropha seed at acceptable costs, Balanites aegyptiaca (B. aegyptiaca) could be an alternative feedstock for biofuel production at lower costs. We report the results of a comparative study of the optimal supply cost and supply network configuration of a cultivated and a wild energy crop. These optimal items were determined using a mixed integer linear programming model designed to help decision making concerning biomass supply chains for biofuel production. The model was applied to a case study on jatropha and B. aegyptiaca seed supply chains in Burkina Faso. By considering different options for location and technologies used for pre-processing as well as different cropping systems for jatropha cultivation, the case study showed that in contexts like those found in Burkina Faso, a wild energy crop like B. aegyptiaca cannot be competitive compared to cultivated energy crops like jatropha because of its costly logistic operations. • Intercropping system generating 800 kg/hectare of Jatropha curcas seed could produce the quantity required for a small biofuel production plant • Cultivated biomass supply cost is mainly affected by cultivation and harvest costs • Wild biomass supply cost is highly affected by logistic operations costs • The total supply cost of Balanites aegyptiaca seed is higher than that of Jatropha curcas • The most upstream facilities having the least expensive pre-processing technology are optimal in oilseed biomass supply chain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid biomass is a promising alternative to traditional energy resources, able to successfully reduce the negative effects of climate change. The structure of energy production from renewable sources shows that solid biofuels have the largest share in Poland and the EU28. Thus, solid biofuels constitute an important and interesting alternative to solid fossil fuels. However, due to its wide variety of origin, logistics and processing technology, the properties and quality of solid biofuels may vary. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of solid biofuels of agricultural and forestry origin compared to solid fossil fuels. The research material were 20 types of solid fuel, including 16 renewable and 4 fossil fuels obtained from plantations of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and from two heat generation and distribution enterprises (Olsztyn and Grudziądz). The experiment confirmed that selected solid biofuels from agriculture and forestry are a good alternative to fossil fuels like coal in terms of some thermophysical properties and elemental compositions. The content of ash in coal fuels was 3- to16-fold higher than in agricultural and forest origin biofuels. Moreover, the content of sulphur in coal fuels was from 5- to 31-fold higher than in agricultural and forest biofuels. Considering the above, the use of solid biofuels for energy generation may create a less negative effect on the environment than coal fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration of degraded lands by adoption of recommended conservation management practices can rehabilitate watersheds and lead to improving soil and water quality. The objective was to evaluate the effects of grass buffers (GBs), biomass crops (BCs), grass waterways (GWWs), agroforestry buffers (ABs), landscape positions, and distance from tree base for AB treatment on soil quality compared with row crop (RC) (corn [Zea mays L.]–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation) on claypan soils. Soil samples were taken from 10‐cm‐depth increments from the soil surface to 30 cm for GB, BC, GWW, and RC with three replicates. Soil samples were collected from summit, backslope, and footslope landscape positions. Samples were taken at 50‐ and 150‐cm distances from the tree base. β‐Glucosidase, β‐glucosaminidase, dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (FDA), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), active carbon (AC), and water‐stable aggregates (WSA) were measured. Results showed that β‐glucosidase, β‐glucosaminidase, dehydrogenase, FDA, AC, WSA, and TN values were significantly greater (P < 0.01) for the GB, BC, GWW, and AB treatments than for the RC treatment. The first depth (0–10 cm) revealed the highest values for all soil quality parameters relative to second and third depths. The footslope landscape had the highest parameter values compared with summit and backslope positions. The 50‐cm distance of AB treatment had higher values than the 150‐cm distance for all measured parameters. Results showed that perennial vegetation practices enhanced soil quality by improving soil microbial activity and SOC. Core Ideas: Permanent vegetative management (trees and grasses) enhanced soil quality.Perennial practices improved microbial activity and increased soil organic carbon.Perennial vegetative practices have agricultural and environmental significance.Establishing perennial practices is an effective approach to enhance soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Growers' carbon emissions were overestimated under the Carbon Neutrality Assumption. • Growers' net carbon sinks become positive rather than negative under a new boundary. • Major grain-producing provinces contribute more due to crop carbon sequestration. • Differentiating these carbon responsibilities and benefits can advance social equity. Current greenhouse gas accounting systems explicitly exclude carbon changes in annual crop biomass. However, neglecting the sequestration and emission of biogenic carbon from annual crops can hide a part of the carbon responsibilities of growers and food consumers, hindering the attainment of social equity. Here, we defined a new system boundary that encompassed crop carbon sequestration, straw consumption, and human metabolism and analyzed the magnitude, structure, and spatiotemporal variation of carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the crop production-consumption system of Chinese growers from 1995 to 2018. We found that the net carbon sink for growers in 2018 was -463 Mt CO 2 e when accounting for crop production emissions and soil carbon sequestration using the old boundary, while under the new boundary it was 1042 Mt CO 2 e. Therefore, it is desirable to strengthen research on the distribution of carbon responsibilities among different groups and regions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The increased bioeconomy targets for the biomass share of renewable energy production across Europe should be met using land unsuitable for food production. Miscanthus breeding programs targeted the production of plants with a diverse range of traits allowing a wider utilization of land resources for biofuel production without competing with arable crops. These traits include increasing tolerances to drought, chilling, and to metal(loid)s excess. Two novel Miscanthus hybrids, GNT41 and GNT34, were compared against Miscanthus x giganteus (M x g) on metal-contaminated arable land in Poland. This study aimed at evaluating their yield, biomass quality and quantifying seasonal differences in photosynthetic and transpiration parameters. A secondary objective was to identify key physiological mechanisms underlying differences in metal accumulation between the investigated plants. The new hybrids produced a similar yield to M x g (13–15 t ha−1 yr−1), had shorter shoots, higher Leaf Area Index and stem number. Based on gas exchange measurements, GNT34 exhibited isohydric (water-conserving) behavior. The stomatal response to light of the new hybrids was at least twice as fast as that of M x g , a trait that is often associated with increased seasonal water use efficiency. This contributed to the almost 40% reduction in shoot Pb and Cd concentrations for the new hybrids as compared to M x g. This suggested that promoting stomatal regulation in conjunction with improved water conservation may be a target for improving plants for wider use on metals contaminated land. High yielding Miscanthus hybrids with combined drought resilience and fast stomatal response produced less contaminated biomass. Image 1 • Miscanthus spp. plantation was established on metal-contaminated arable land. • All investigated plants produce similar yield, ca. 13–15 t ha−1 yr−1. • New, seed-based hybrids, showed more water-conserving behavior than M. x giganteus. • Plants exhibiting more isohydric behavior had lower shoot Pb and Cd concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is considered as one of the most suitable energy crops for Southern Europe. The aim of this work was to outline the effects of organic fertilisers on the productivity and the global warming potential (GWP) on cardoon production. Six fertilisers (N 100 kg ha−1, N 50 kg ha−1, Compost 30 t ha−1, Compost 15 t ha−1 + N 25 kg ha−1, 3 t ha−1 of defatted oilseed meals of sunflower, 3 t ha−1 of defatted oilseed meals of Brassica carinata), and unfertilised control, were evaluated on two cultivars ('Gobbo di Nizza' and 'Altilis 41') in a split-plot experiment. Defatted oilseed meal of sunflower recorded higher total dry weight (+10%), seed yield (+17%), nitrogen use efficiency (+14%) and better GWP (−66%) compared to the other organic fertilisers and performing as well as N 100 kg ha−1. Altilis 41 cultivar showed the highest aboveground total dry weight (10 t ha−1 y−1), seed yield (1.7 t ha−1 y−1), stalk dry weight (7 t ha−1 y−1) and head dry weight (3 t ha−1 y−1). Our results highlighted that by combining suitable cultivar and fertilisation strategies, it could be possible to increase the production sustainability of C. cardunculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of three C4 perennial grasses (Miscanthus x giganteus , Panicum virgatum and Spartina pectinata) for biomass production on arable land unsuitable for food crop cultivation due to Pb, Cd and Zn contamination. We assessed soil properties, biomass yield, metal concentrations, and the photosynthetic performance of each species. Physico-chemical and elemental analyses were performed on soil samples before plantation establishment (2014) and after three years of cultivation (2016), when leaf area index, plant height, yield and heavy metal content of biomass were also determined. Physiological measurements (gas exchange, pigment content, chlorophyll a fluorescence) were recorded monthly between June and September on mature plants in 2016. Cultivation of investigated plants resulted in increased pH, nitrogen, and organic matter (OM) content in soil, although OM increase (13%) was significant only for S. pectinata plots. During the most productive months, maximal quantum yield values of primary photochemistry (F v /F m) and gas exchange parameter values reflected literature data of those plants grown on uncontaminated sites. Biomass yields of M. x giganteus (15.0 ± 0.4 t d.m. ha−1) and S. pectinata (12.6 ± 1.2 t d.m. ha−1) were also equivalent to data published from uncontaminated land. P. virgatum performed poorly (4.1 ± 0.4 t d.m. ha−1), probably due to unfavourable climatic conditions, although metal uptake in this species was the highest (3.6 times that of M. x giganteus for Pb). Yield and physiological measurements indicated that M. x giganteus and S. pectinata were unaffected by the levels of contamination and therefore offer alternatives for areas where food production is prohibited. The broad cultivatable latitudinal range of these species suggests these results are widely relevant for development of the bioeconomy. We recommend multi-location trials under diverse contaminant and environmental regimes to determine the full potential of these species. Image 1 • Miscanthus and cordgrass delivered high yields on heavy metal contaminated land. • Heavy metals did not impair photosynthetic parameters in these perennial energy crops. • Organic matter and nitrogen content increased under energy crop cultivation. • Switchgrass was not well adapted to climatic/environmental conditions in this trial. • Switchgrass accumulated the highest concentrations of heavy metals in the biomass. Miscanthus and cordgrass offer food production alternatives due to high yield potential on heavy metal contaminated arable land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ability of a novel CCU fertiliser product was tested for improvements in soil physical and chemical attributes. • Soil water retention was significantly enhanced. • Soil pH significantly increased. • Soil microbial colonisation and crop biomass significantly increased. • Otherwise lost-to-atmosphere carbon contributes to the mechanism-of-action for soil improvement. With industrial CO 2 -emission reduction the heart of carbon capture enabling technologies, we report on a solution engineered to potentially redress the issues of soil improvement and sustainable use of fresh water for food production. In a laboratory-scale pilot study, we demonstrate the capabilities of an innovative and novel product utilising carbon-capture to restore soil properties critical for crop production. In the first study of its kind, the carbon-initiated mode-of-action resulted in changes to soil physical and chemical properties. Soil water retention in a range of soil types was significantly increased by up to 62%; soil pH increased by 0.7–1.1 units: soil microbial colonisation increased by ˜20% over the short term and crop biomass was enhanced by up to 38%. These results give impetus for developing CCU technologies to address environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a top predator, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) plays an important role in the ecosystem, and is a good indicator of biodiversity and habitat quality. The objective of this paper is to model the spatial distribution of golden eagle in Romania and reveal its habitat preferences, based on the relationships between 12 environmental variables and species occurrence data, in order to contribute to the development of future conservation strategies for this magnificent species. To evaluate the distribution of golden eagle in Romania and identify suitable habitats we used the Maxent - a presence-only modelling approach. Our model showed a high level of predictive performance, based on the mean area under the curve (AUC) for the training data (0.944, 1SD: 0.045) and test data (0.818, 1SD: 0.002). According to the Maxent model, important habitat characteristics of golden eagles in Romania include slope, elevation, aspect, agriculture and temperature, the species prefers high-elevation areas with steeper slopes, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains. Croplands and June-July and December-January temperatures also have an important role in predicting the golden eagle occurrence in Romania. The Maxent model also revealed that the distribution of golden eagle in Romania was influenced by presence of open habitats such as mosaic vegetation and deciduous forests within their territories, the latter being a wide spread in the Carpathian Mountains. The spatial distribution model developed for golden eagle in the current study could contribute to future management strategies and conservation projects aimed at the protection of this species in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to summarize results on potential phytomanagement of two metal(loid)-polluted military soils using Miscanthus x giganteus. Such an option was tested during 2-year pot experiments with soils taken from former military sites in Sliač, Slovakia and Kamenetz-Podilsky, Ukraine. The following elements were considered: As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn and Zr. M. x giganteus showed good growth at both military soils with slightly higher maximum shoot lengths in the second year of vegetation. Based on Principal Component Analysis similarities of metal(loid) uptake by roots, stems and leaves were summarized. Major part of the elements remained in M. x giganteus roots and rather limited amounts moved to the aerial parts. Levels taken up decreased in the second vegetation year. Dynamics of foliar metal(loid) concentrations divided the elements in two groups: essential elements required for metabolism (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) and non-essential elements without any known metabolic need (As, Sr, Ti, and Zr). Fe, Mn, Ti and Sr showed similar S-shaped uptake curve in terms of foliar concentrations (likely due to dilution in growing biomass), while Cu exhibited a clear peak mid-season. Behavior of Zn was in between. Foliar Zr and As concentrations were below detection limit. The results illustrated a good potential of M. x giganteus for safely growing on metal-polluted soils taken from both military localities. Image 1 • Potential phytomanagement with Miscathus x giganteus was proved while growing at the military soils. • Principal Component Analysis revealed low variability of metal(loid)s behavior in upper parts of the plants. • Dynamics of foliar metal(loid)s during two vegetation season was evaluated. • Profound research is requested for understanding the mechanism of soil characteristic changing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Past studies have thoroughly explored the phytoextraction/phytostabilization potentials of different plant species for particular metals. However, none of the plants was able to tackle the problem of multi-metal in contaminated soils. We report herewith the potential of Conocarpus erectus to extract lead (Pb) while having the capability to stabilize chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) in polluted soil. The C. erectus was subjected to grow for 120 days in a soil spiked with four different levels of each metal i.e. Pb (0, 600, 1200 and 2400 mg kg−1), Ni (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1), Cr (0, 150, 300 and 600 mg kg−1) and Cd (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg−1). Data related to plant growth, physiology, biochemistry and antioxidants activities revealed that forenamed parameters were significantly reduced with increasing spiking levels. Contrarily, metal speciation in plant parts (metal concentrations in shoots and roots, and metal contents in these corresponding plant parts), metal removal per pot, and DTPA-extractable metals from the soil were significantly increased with increasing spiking level upon the termination of the experiment. Curiously, each spiking level demonstrated elevated Pb concentrations in shoots than roots, while the concentrations of other metals (Cr, Ni, and Cd) were found higher in roots than in the shoots. Likewise, at each spiking level, C. erectus showed both bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values greater than 1 for Pb, while these values were ever lower than 1 for Cr, Ni, and Cd. Moreover, the percentages of Pb removal were ever higher than other metals at each spiking level. Outcomes of our experiment suggest that C. erectus has immense potential for the phytoextraction of Pb and phytostabilization of Cr, Ni, and Cd in polluted soil. It is suggested that this plant can be used to tackle the problem of multi-metal pollution in soils. Highlights • Conocarpus erectus was grown on four spiked levels of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in soil. • The BCF and TF values for Cr, Cd, and Ni were <1 at each spiking level. • These values were ever >1 for Pb at each spiking level. • The %ages of Pb removal were ever higher than other metals at each spiking level. • This plant can phytoextract Pb and stabilize Cr, Cd, and Ni in multi-metals issue soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Our model results show freed-up surplus land area at the range of 0–6.5 mil. ha in the EU. • This is smaller than in previous studies, representing ca. 4% of total agricultural land. • Reducing subsidies and trade barriers can increase freed-up land in the EU. • Crop yield improvements and less meat consumption contribute much less to freed-up surplus land. • An increase of food prices reduces freed-up surplus land area. Abstract The production of food is considered to have priority over fuel and fiber. According to this "food first" principle, only agricultural land not used to produce crops or fodder is included in analyses to determine the production potential of perennial biomass crops (PBC) for the bioeconomy. Previous assessments report remarkably high future PBC potentials in the EU from surplus agricultural area (7–48 Mha) that is expected to be released from current agricultural use largely due to agricultural intensification. To better understand the implications of specific land use policies on land availability for PBC cultivation in the EU, we conducted a sensitivity analysis using the agricultural sector model, ESIM (European Simulation Model). Four factors were considered: crop yields, livestock demand, market liberalization, and world food prices. Our results from these scenarios show that freed-up surplus agricultural area for PBC in the EU ranges from 0 to 6.5 Mha (0 to 15.0 Mha, if fallow land is included) until 2050. This figure is much smaller than those reported in previous studies. Freed-up surplus agricultural area is mostly influenced by market liberalization policies and world food prices. Crop yield enhancement and diet change that favors less animal protein have smaller implications because, unless there are incentives for farmers to adopt PBC, a production surplus or deficit is translated into international trade rather than into cultivation areas. Our results imply that differences in assessment models and socio-economic scenarios regarding EU agricultural policy, as well as world food prices, create significant uncertainties regarding the extent of freed-up surplus agricultural area in the EU. If other factors like topography or use restrictions due to nature conservation are taken into account, the potential area will most likely decrease further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the water quality impact of perennial warm‐season grasses (WSGs) when grown in marginal lands as dedicated energy crops is limited. We studied how WSGs affected runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses and related near‐surface soil properties to those of no‐till corn (Zea mays L.) on an eroded soil in southwestern Iowa and a center pivot corner in east‐central Nebraska. The experiment at the eroded soil was established in 2012, and treatments included 'Liberty' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and no‐till continuous corn. The experiment at the pivot corner was established in 2013 with 'Liberty' switchgrass, 'Shawnee' switchgrass, low‐diversity grass mixture, and corn. We simulated rainfall at 63.5 ± 2.8 mm h−1 for 1 h to portray 5‐yr return periods and measured water erosion in spring 2017. Time to runoff start and runoff depth did not differ between WSGs and corn. On the eroded soil, sediment and nutrient losses did not differ between treatments. At the pivot corner, sediment (0.71 vs. 0.15 Mg ha−1) and PO4–P (0.037 vs. 0.006 kg ha−1) losses were five times higher in corn than in WSGs. Near‐surface soil properties did not differ on the eroded soil, but at the pivot corner, wet aggregate stability was four times higher and residue cover was 34% higher in WSGs than in corn. Water‐stable aggregates were negatively correlated with NO3–N and PO4–P losses. Overall, WSGs can improve water quality in marginally productive croplands, but their effectiveness appears to be site specific. Core Ideas: Warm‐season grasses did not reduce runoff depth compared with corn.Warm‐season grasses on a center pivot corner reduced sediment and nutrient loss compared with corn.Sediment loss between corn and switchgrass grown in an eroded soil did not differ.Warm‐season grass effectiveness to reduce water erosion can be site specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Fruit And Vegetable Energy (FAVE) model was developed to quantify the energy budget and fossil CO 2 emissions in this paper. The energy terms considered were fieldwork, irrigation, on-farm cooling, farm building maintenance, off-farm transport, and N fertilizer supply, with an estimate of farm machinery supply energy integrated with the farm fieldwork energy CO 2 emission intensity estimates. The 31 vegetable crops and 18 fruit crops identified in the socio-economic Canadian data base (CANSIM) were divided into six vegetable groups and five fruit groups, along with potatoes. The data provided by the 1996 Farm Energy Use Survey (FEUS) and the guidance provided by two grower focus groups were essential to the development of this model. Total energy use in Canada between 2007 and 2016 was 2.3 PJ by the vegetable industry and 2.32 PJ by the fruit industry. These included 0.77 PJ for fieldwork, 1.05 PJ for irrigation, 0.36 PJ for on-farm coolers, 0.67 PJ for farm building maintenance, 0.70 PJ for off-farm transport and 1.07 PJ for fertilizer supply. The FAVE model was used to determine the fossil CO 2 emission intensities of 12 individual crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a gas signal molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) can participate in many physiological and biochemical processes such as seed germination and photosynthesis regulation. In order to explore the regulatory effect of H 2 S on the growth of Miscanthus sacchariflorus under Cd stress and to provide sufficient theoretical basis for the complex action of H 2 S and energy plants to remediate soil pollution. In this experiment, the effects of different concentrations of H 2 S (10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 400, 500 μmol·L−1 (μM)) pretreatment on the growth index, lipid peroxidation degree, chlorophyll (Chl) content, osmoregulation substance content, antioxidant enzyme activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant content of M. sacchariflorus under Cd stress (50 μM) were studied. The results showed that under Cd stress, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the body of M. sacchariflorus was unbalanced, and the growth were severely inhibited, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly decreased, and the content of osmoregulation substance, ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) significantly increased. With the increase of H 2 S concentration, its effect on resisting Cd stress can be shown as "low concentration promotes, high concentration inhibits". When the concentration of H 2 S ≤ 300 μM, although there was no significant difference in Cd content compared with Cd treatment alone, it can regulate the activities of peroxidase (POD), SOD, glutathione reductase (GR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), increase the content of osmoregulation substances, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and the transformation rate of AsA and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) to reduce the oxidative damage and improve the growth and photosynthetic indicators of plants; when the concentration of H 2 S ≥ 400 μM, Cd content in the ground and root decreased significantly, but the transport factor increased significantly, the growth status of M. sacchariflorus were more severely inhibited by the combined stress of H 2 S and Cd. In this experiment, it was found that the concentration of H 2 S pretreatment ≤ 300 μM could regulate the growth of M. sacchariflorus under Cd stress to normal level, and when the treatment concentration was 50 μM, the effect was the best. It will provide a new idea for the treatment of contaminated soil by energy plants. • Cd stress increased oxidative damage and inhibited growth of M. sacchariflorus. • H 2 S alleviated Cd stress by regulating the AsA-GSH system. • High concentration of H 2 S can reduce Cd accumulation in roots and increase TF. • 50 μmol·L−1 H 2 S can best alleviate the Cd stress in M. sacchariflorus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination of As is a big issue in many areas around the globe. Therefore, cheap and efficient techniques are essential facing traditional treatment methods. Then, biochars (BC) emerged recently as material that can be used for As removal. However, research about efficiency of BC produced from local feedstock is still needed. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of BC produced from sugarcane bagasse (SB) together with corncob husk (CH) with and without Fe(III) (BC Fe ) modification to be used for removal of As(III) from waters. The BC and BC Fe produced at different pyrolysis temperatures were characterised using FTIR and SEM/EDS. Adsorption capacities of BC and BC Fe were evaluated via batch adsorption, desorption and column tests and their performance was compared with adsorption using activated carbon. The results showed that Fe modification improve substantially the As(III) adsorption in a way that both BC Fe-SB and BC Fe-CH removed from 85% to 99.9% from 1000 µg/L As(III) solutions. Both materials fitted well in Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity was 20 mg/g for BC Fe-SB and 50 mg/g for BC Fe-CH . The adsorption kinetics of BC Fe was fast (≤ 30 min) and it had a better performance than activated carbon. The column tests showed that the process is efficient even at high As(III) concentrations. The fast removal process and good removal results make the BC Fe-SB and BC Fe-CH attractive for in situ and commercial (filters) use, since time and efficiency are required in new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolving bioenergy markets requires consideration of marginal lands for woody biomass production worldwide. Growing short rotation woody crops for bioenergy (SRWCs) on marginal land minimizes concerns about using croplands for agricultural production and reinforces sustainability of wood supply. Evaluation of the profitability of marginal land that may have SRWCs potential as sources of biomass for energy production has been rarely reported. This study attempts to account for investments uncertainties on SRWCs production considering Eucalyptus globulus managed under contrasting silvicultural intensities on marginal land by comparing four environments and four levels of initial planting density. Our study consider biomass yields over this gradient of productivity and biomass market prices and costs from local contractors. We estimated mean annual aboveground dry biomass increments (MAIs) and evaluated the economic feasibility of various cycles of harvest (2–6 years) using Monte Carlo simulation to examine how uncertainty over the input variables affects NPV of SRWCs. MAIs that ranged 3.91–18.07 Mg ha −1  yr −1 increased with stand density and harvesting age. Rotation length affected economic outcomes although the returns were poor due to high establishment and maintenance costs, low productivities and low biomass prices. Under an average scenario, current market price of biomass, absence of subsidies and current costs, SRWC are not profitable when productivities are lower than 351 m 3  ha −1 of green biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]