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Global warming poses an unprecedented threat to agroecosystems. Although temperature increases are more pronounced during winter than in other seasons, the impact of winter warming on crop biomass carbon has not been elucidated. Here we integrate global observational data with a decade-long field experiment to uncover a significant negative correlation between winter soil temperature and crop biomass carbon. For every degree Celsius increase in winter soil temperature, straw and grain biomass carbon decreased by 6.6 (± 1.7) g kg-1 and 10.2 (± 2.3) g kg-1, respectively. This decline is primarily attributed to the loss of soil organic matter and micronutrients induced by warming. Ignoring the adverse effects of winter warming on crop biomass carbon could result in an overestimation of total food production by 4% to 19% under future warming scenarios. Our research highlights the critical need to incorporate winter warming into agricultural productivity models for more effective climate adaptation strategies. This study reveals that winter soil warming causes significant crop biomass carbon loss due to soil organic matter degradation. Ignoring this effect could lead to a 4-19% overestimation of future food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caloric value is an important indicator of grassland ecosystem function, but the response of caloric value to nitrogen (N) addition and mowing is still unclear. We explored the adaptive changes of plant caloric value and energy standing crop along a N addition gradient after six-year NH4NO3 addition and mowing treatments in an Inner Mongolian temperate meadow steppe in northern China. Results: We found that the response of plant caloric value to N addition at different organizational levels was diverse. The caloric value of legumes increased linearly with N addition rates. The caloric value of grasses exhibited a non-linear response trend, initially increasing followed by saturation or decrease, with a N response threshold present. Due to the dominance of grass species, the caloric value at the community level followed a similar pattern to that of the grasses along the N addition gradient. Under mowing, the caloric value of plants at each organizational level increased and usually mowing enhanced the N response threshold. Amongst these, the N response threshold of Leymus chinensis increased from 3.302 to 5.443 g N m−2 yr−1, grasses increased from 4.414 to 5.746 g N m−2 yr−1, and community increased from 5.373 to 9.216 g N m−2 yr−1. Under non-mowing treatment, the N response thresholds of the most dominant species, Leymus chinensis, and community energy standing crop were 10.001 and 15.119 g N m−2 yr−1, respectively. Under mowing, the energy standing crops showed a linear increasing trend. Conclusions: N response thresholds of plant caloric value and energy standing crop vary at different organizational levels (community > functional group > species). The results reveal varying regulatory capabilities of plants on the ecological environment at different organizational levels. These findings enhance our understanding of plant-environment interactions in grassland ecosystems under N deposition from an energy perspective, which is of great significance to clarify the response mechanism of grassland ecosystem structure and function to N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cover crop services depend on biomass production and species composition of the cover crop stand. In this study, we investigated the interactions in shoot biomass of dual cover crop mixtures and their competitiveness to suppress weeds before winter under different growing conditions. Methods: A field experiment was performed on sandy loam soil in Triesdorf, Germany, for two consecutive years. The cover crop species white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), oil radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis L.), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia J.), Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), field pea (Pisumsativum L.), and field bean (Vicia faba L.) were grown in pure stands or dual mixtures. Cover crops were sown in August, and shoot biomass was harvested at the end of the vegetation period. Cover crop shoot biomass was dried, and the share of each species and the sown test weed (Brassica napus L.) were determined. Results: The share of shoot biomass of a cover crop species in dual-species mixtures was closely related to its shoot biomass in its pure stand. In both years, mustard and phacelia showed similar interactions in shoot biomass production when growing with a second species. Regarding competitiveness against weeds, cruciferous species outperformed other cover crop species and could suppress weeds even if they were mixed with a less competitive partner. Weed suppression of mixtures with phacelia depended on the second component in the mixture and was more effective in a dry season. Legume species, especially Egyptian clover and common vetch could not suppress weeds in a pure stand. Discussion: Our results show that species with high weed suppression potential as single stands retain this ability in dual cover crop mixtures, regardless of the suppression potential of the second species that completes the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephant grass (EG), or Pennisetum purpureum, is gaining attention as a robust renewable biomass source for energy production amidst growing global energy demands and the push for alternatives to fossil fuels. This review paper explores the status of EG as a sustainable bioenergy resource, integrating various studies to present a comprehensive analysis of its potential in renewable energy markets. Methods employed include assessing the efficiency and yield of biomass conversion methods such as pretreatment for bioethanol production, biomethane yields, direct combustion, and pyrolysis. The analysis also encompasses a technoeconomic evaluation of the economic viability and scalability of using EG for energy production, along with an examination of its environmental impacts, focusing on its water and carbon footprint. Results demonstrate that EG has considerable potential for sustainable energy practices due to its high biomass production and ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration. Despite challenges in cost competitiveness with traditional energy sources, specific applications like small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) systems and charcoal production show economic promise. Conclusively, EG presents a viable option for biomass energy, potentially playing a pivotal role in the biomass sector as the energy landscape shifts towards more sustainable solutions; although, technological and economic barriers need further addressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural production of maize (Zea mays L.) increases the risk of water erosion. Perennial crops like cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) offer a sustainable alternative to produce biomass for biogas plants. The assessment of soil conservation measures requires calibrated soil erosion models that spatially identify soil erosion processes. These support decision-making by farmers and policymakers. Input parameters for the physically based soil erosion model EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation were established in a field study. Rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to determine the model input parameter's skinfactor and surface roughness. The results showed a reduction of soil erosion and higher infiltration rates for cup plant resulting in higher skinfactors of 11.5 in June and 0.75 post-harvest (cup plant) compared to 1.2 in June and 0.21 post-harvest (maize). With the extended parameter catalogue of EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation model simulations were conducted for a rainfall event in June (64 mm). The sediment budget would have been reduced by 92.6% through the growth of cup plant in comparison to conventionally grown maize. Perennial cup plant can, therefore, contribute to achieving the targets outlined in the European Green Deal by reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus (giganteus) is a relatively new energy crop. Its mechanical properties are important for the design and modification of harvesting and processing machines or equipment. The cutting strength is critical to improve the field performance of mowing and other cutting mechanisms. The effects of the cutting blade type, sample supporting method, and sample locations (upper or lower) where it was taken from a single plant stem on the cutting force and energy were studied. A serrated cutting blade and a flat blade were selected to cut Miscanthus samples at the node and internode using a high-speed impact tester. The cutting force, sample diameter, and cutting speed were recorded. The specific cutting force and energy were then calculated based on the cross-sectional area of the stem sample. The average diameter of the Miscanthus samples used for this study was 9.5 mm. The blade cutting speeds for all treatments were ranged from 8.2 ms−1 to 11.3 ms−1. Overall, the maximum specific cutting force and energy of the flat blade were found at the upper portion of a plant stem, which was 441 N cm−2 and 8.3 J cm−2 at the node when one side of the stem sample was fixed, and 469 N cm−2 and 12.1 J cm−2 at the internode if both sides of the sample were fixed. The cutting strengths at the node and internode were significantly different no matter at the upper portion or lower portion of the plant. When using the serrated blade, the maximum specific cutting force was also found at the upper node section with a value of 511 N cm−2 and 437 N cm−2 for one-side fixed and two-side fixed, respectively. Meanwhile, the corresponding maximum specific cutting energies for these two cases were 10.5 J cm−2 and 10.3 J cm−2, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the blade types and stem sample locations significantly affected the specific cutting force and energy with a 95% confidence level. The sample support methods did not make significant differences when comparing the specific cutting force and energy; but the actual cutting force and energy were significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is an important food, feed, and industrial raw material and new energy crop. Its rich nutritional value and health effects are increasingly being recognized by consumers, and the demand is increasing. However, due to the continuous cultivation of sweet potato over many years, the degeneration of seedlings and the accumulation of viral diseases are important factors affecting the yield and quality of sweet potatoes. This article provides an overview and analysis of the types and hazards of sweet potato virus diseases, the advantages of virus-free sweet potatoes, the scale of virus-free sweet potato cultivation, sweet potato stem tip virus-free production technology, its development status, and the existing problems. Combined with the development of the sweet potato industry across China, relevant development suggestions are proposed to provide a reference for promoting the healthy, stable, sustainable, high-quality, and efficient development of the sweet potato industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marginal lands have been proposed to produce non-food crop biomass for energy or green materials. For this purpose, the selection, implementation, and growth optimization of plant species on such lands are key elements to investigate to achieve relevant plant yields. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a herbaceous perennial that grows spontaneously on contaminated lands and was described as suitable to produce fibers for material applications. Two mercury-contaminated soils from industrial wastelands with different properties (grassland soil and sediment landfill) were used in this study to assess the potential growth of stinging nettle in a greenhouse mesocosm experiment. Two organic amendments were studied for their impact on nettle growth. The solid digestate from organic food wastes significantly doubled plant biomass whereas the compost from green wastes had a lower impact. The highest doses of organic amendments significantly increased the number of fibers, which doubled following digestate application, while reducing leaf Hg concentration. Both amendments significantly improved soil respiration and enzymatic activities linked to the microbial biomass in the soil from the sediment landfill by the end of the experiment. In the context of a phytomanagement scenario, solid digestate would be a preferred amendment resource to improve nettle production on industrial wastelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, energy crops that are undemanding to soil fertility are increasingly used for the production of biofuel, electricity, and heat. Favorable climate, large areas of agricultural lands of Ukraine create the necessary conditions for growing the most popular energy crops, which will be able to supply the domestic market, as well as export. The article is aimed at studying the accumulation of chemical elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) in the vegetative mass of Miscanthus, Silphium perfoliatum L. and Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby for their cultivation in the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine on gray forest soils. The article presents the results of own field and laboratory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in bioenergy, in particular the use of biomass, has increased significantly in recent years due to increasing climate and economic concerns. As one of the key renewable energy sources, biomass plays an important role in the new energy framework. The aim of this research was to estimate the mass of woody husks and to check the influence of morphological features of selected hazelnut varieties on the energy parameters of waste biomass in the form of husk. Technical and elemental analyses were carried out on the husks of four varieties: 'Kataloński', 'Olbrzymi z Halle', 'Olga', and 'Webba Cenny', taking into account their weight, moisture content, heat of combustion (HHV and LHV), and pollutant emission factors (CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, Dust). Research has shown significant differences between the varieties in terms of their energy potential and pollutant emissions. The varieties 'Olbrzymi z Halle' and 'Olga' were found to have higher calorific values, making them more energy efficient. On the other hand, the varieties 'Kataloński' and 'Webba Cenny' showed lower dust and NOx emissions, which is beneficial from an environmental point of view. The analysis of the chemical and morphological composition of hazelnut husks allowed for the identification of relationships between morphological features and energy value and emission indicators. The conclusions from the conducted research suggest that hazelnut husks have significant potential as an energy raw material. The selection of an appropriate variety for energy crops should take into account both the calorific value and emission indicators, which will allow for the optimization of production processes and the promotion of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on self-binding hot-pressed fiberboards using agricultural byproducts aim to identify alternatives to scarce wood resources. Particle size and mixture significantly impact strength, although direct comparisons are difficult due to differences in study methods. We evaluated fiberboards made from the two perennial biomass crops Miscanthus and Paulownia and compared them to Picea (spruce), using five distinct particle size blends prepared from milled and sieved particles, respectively. The boards were evaluated for their modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, reaction to fire, water absorption, and thickness swelling. All specimens exhibited normal ignitability, as defined by Euroclass E according to EN13501-1. The results indicate that mechanical performance improves with increasing density, which correlates with higher proportions of finer particles. Notably, the finer Miscanthus blends and all Paulownia samples met the modulus of elasticity requirements of EN 622. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity represents a significant factor affecting agricultural productivity and crop quality. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil conditioner (SC) comprising halotolerant microorganisms on the soil fertility, yield, rice quality, and the physicochemical and structural properties of starch in hybrid rice under saline conditions. The experimental treatments were composed of two high-quality hybrid rice varieties, i.e., 'Y Liangyou 957' (YLY957) and Jing Liangyou 534 (JLY534), and two soil amendment treatments, i.e., the application of SC at control levels and 2250 kg hm−2, or 'CK and SC', respectively. The crop was subjected to a mixture of fresh and sea water (EC 11 dS/m). The results demonstrated that the application of SC significantly enhanced the rice yield under salt stress conditions owing to an increase in the number of grains per panicle. Furthermore, SC was found to be effective in improving the organic matter and soil nutrient content. Furthermore, the application of SC resulted in an improvement in antioxidant defense, higher leaf SPAD values, and greater crop biomass, as well as the translocation of photo-assimilates at the heading stage. The application of SC not only improved the milling and appearance quality but also enhanced the taste value of rice by increasing the amylose and reducing the protein content. Furthermore, the application of SC also decreased the indentations on the surfaces of starch granules and cracks on the edges of the granules. The rice varieties subjected to SC exhibited excellent pasting properties, characterized by reduced proportions of amylopectin short chains and a lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy of gelatinization. Overall, these findings serve to reinforce the efficacy of soil conditioner as a valuable tool to improve rice productivity and sustainability with improved rice grain quality under saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy and sustainability are pivotal concepts in the discourse on the synergies between economic growth and environmental impact. As resource scarcity and environmental degradation intensify, advancements in energy conversion technologies become crucial for a sustainable economic model. Currently dependent on fossil fuels, the global economy must shift to a sustainable framework focused on bioenergy. Biomass, a renewable energy source, offers a promising solution by converting waste into valuable resources, reducing waste and environmental impact, and creating economic opportunities. Biofuels and bioproducts can meet energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing global warming. Recent advances in biofuels, supported by initiatives and policies, promote more sustainable energy production. This paper aims to highlight the potential of biomass in meeting contemporary energy demand and provides an overview of biofuels and their production as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. It also explores the future of agriculture and energy sectors, emphasizing global energy and environmental challenges and the competition between food and fuel feedstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture integrates multiple sensors and data types to support farmers with informed decision-making tools throughout crop cycles. This study evaluated Aboveground Biomass (AGB) estimates of Rye using attributes derived from PlanetScope (PS) optical, Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and hybrid (optical plus SAR) datasets. Optical attributes encompassed surface reflectance from PS's blue, green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) bands, alongside the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Sentinel-1 SAR attributes included the C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar Ground Range Detected, VV and HH polarizations, and both Ratio and Polarization (Pol) indices. Ground reference AGB data for Rye (Secale cereal L.) were collected from 50 samples and four dates at a farm located in southern Brazil, aligning with image acquisition dates. Multiple linear regression models were trained and validated. AGB was estimated based on individual (optical PS or Sentinel-1 SAR) and combined datasets (optical plus SAR). This process was repeated 100 times, and variable importance was extracted. Results revealed improved Rye AGB estimates with integrated optical and SAR data. Optical vegetation indices displayed higher correlation coefficients (r) for AGB estimation (r = +0.67 for both EVI and NDVI) compared to SAR attributes like VV, Ratio, and polarization (r ranging from −0.52 to −0.58). However, the hybrid regression model enhanced AGB estimation (R2 = 0.62, p < 0.01), reducing RMSE to 579 kg·ha−1. Using only optical or SAR data yielded R2 values of 0.51 and 0.42, respectively (p < 0.01). In the hybrid model, the most important predictors were VV, NIR, blue, and EVI. Spatial distribution analysis of predicted Rye AGB unveiled agricultural zones associated with varying biomass throughout the cover crop development. Our findings underscored the complementarity of optical with SAR data to enhance AGB estimates of cover crops, offering valuable insights for agricultural zoning to support soil and cash crop management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field dodder (Cuscuta campestris yuncker) is an important parasitic weed that has negative impacts on the growth and yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Effective control of field dodder in alfalfa crops is necessary to reduce yield losses. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various herbicides on field dodder in a new-seeded alfalfa crop at three locations (Karaj, Jiroft, and Urmia) in Iran during 2020–2021. The herbicides evaluated were imazethapyr (100 g a.i. ha−1), glyphosate (six doses ranging from 143 to 348 g a.i. ha−1 + ammonium sulfate at 8 kg ha−1), and propyzamide (1250, 1500, and 1750 g a.i. ha−1). The results demonstrated that propyzamide at 1750 g a.i. ha−1 provided complete control of field dodder in terms of percentage change in biomass at first (100%) and second (99%) cuttings of alfalfa in Urmia. The imazethapyr at 100 g a.i. ha−1 provided 96 and 87% control at the first and second cuttings, respectively, whereas propyzamide at 1750 g a.i. ha−1 showed the best efficacy in increasing alfalfa biomass at the first (up to 82%) and the second cuttings (up to 81%), depending on the location. Glyphosate provided reasonable control of the field dodder at the first (73%) and the second cutting (82%). However, at higher rates (307 and 348 g a.i. ha−1), it caused significant reductions in alfalfa biomass due to crop injury, especially at the first cutting. The use of propyzamide at 1750 g a.i. ha−1 is recommended for highly effective control of field dodder in alfalfa crops without compromising the crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK sixth carbon budget has recommended domestic biomass supply should increase to meet growing demand, planting a minimum of 30,000 hectares of perennial energy crops a year by 2035, with a view to establishing 700,000 hectares by 2050 to meet the requirements of the balanced net zero pathway. Miscanthus is a key biomass crop to scale up domestic biomass production in the United Kingdom. A cohesive land management strategy, based on robust evidence, will be required to ensure upscaling of miscanthus cultivation maximizes the environmental and economic benefits and minimizes undesirable consequences. This review examines research into available land areas, environmental impacts, barriers to uptake, and the challenges, benefits, and trade‐offs required to upscale miscanthus production on arable land and grassland in the United Kingdom. Expansion of perennial biomass crops has been considered best restricted to marginal land, less suited to food production. The review identifies a trade‐off between avoiding competition with food production and a risk of encroaching on areas containing high‐biodiversity or high‐carbon stocks, such as semi‐natural grasslands. If areas of land suitable for food production are needed to produce the biomass required for emission reduction, the review indicates there are multiple strategies for miscanthus to complement long‐term food security rather than compete with it. On arable land, a miscanthus rotation with a cycle length of 10–20 years can be employed as fallow period for fields experiencing yield decline, soil fatigue, or persistent weed problems. On improved grassland areas, miscanthus presents an option for diversification, flood mitigation, and water quality improvement. Strategies need to be developed to integrate miscanthus into farming systems in a way that is profitable, sensitive to local demand, climate, and geography, and complements rather than competes with food production by increasing overall farm profitability and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a heterotrimeric complex composed of three unique subunits: NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC. This transcription factor complex binds to the CCAAT box of eukaryotic promoters, playing a crucial role in various biological processes in plants. Despite its importance, the NF-Y gene family has not been reported in the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) genome, an important food and energy crop. Understanding the role and function of NF-Y in sweet potatoes could provide valuable insights for genetic improvement and yield enhancement. To address this gap, our research aimed to comprehensively catalog and characterize the NF-Y genes in sweet potatoes, which we refer to as 'IbNF-Y', where 'Ib' denotes Ipomoea batatas. A total of 37 NF-Ys were identified, including 11 NF-YA, 21 NF-YB, and 5 NF-YC members, and their phylogeny, gene structure, chromosomal distribution, and conserved motifs were analyzed. Additionally, we assessed their expression patterns under salt stress in both light and dark conditions using transcriptome sequencing. Notably, we discovered that certain IbNF-Y genes showed significant changes in expression under salt stress, suggesting their potential roles in sweet potato's adaptation to saline environments. Furthermore, our work enriches the genomics and genetic research on sweet potatoes and contributes valuable knowledge to the broader scientific community of the Convolvulaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Saccharum is relatively new to 33° N latitude. S. spontaneum readily hybridizes with commercial sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and lends cold tolerance and greater yield to the hybrid progeny, called energycane. Since 2007, there have been numerous new hybrid and backcross energycane genotypes developed but there is a paucity of information about them. Twenty energycane genotypes were tested in the first season of growth from cane propagules (plant cane; PC) against Ho 02-113 (a control) for two site-years in northcentral Mississippi. Grand (exponential) growth continued into October. The prevailing paradigm is that tonnage is what matters. Except for percentage cellulose, all factors tested (dry matter yield, extractable juice volume, °Brix, theoretical ethanol from fermentation, theoretical ethanol from cellulose, and total theoretical ethanol) were greater from the second site-location compared to the first. Dry matter yield (DMY) and total theoretical ethanol yield (TTEY) were moderately correlated. Over the two years of this test only Ho 14-9213 exceeded in mean DMY of Ho 02-113. Sixteen of the 19 test genotypes in this test equaled or exceeded the mean TTEY of Ho 02-113. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicropping can solve energy use and GHG balance problems, but the emergence, development, and productivity of such mixed crops are at risk due to the uneven distribution of precipitation. For this reason, investigations were performed at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania. Single maize crops were compared with Crimson/red clover, Persian clover, and alfalfa intercropped maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the main energy indices and GHG balance of legume intercropped maize cultivated in humid and arid vegetative conditions. The results showed that, under arid conditions, the quantity of intercrop biomass was about four times lower than that under humid conditions. Humid conditions were less suitable for maize and resulted in about 3–5 t ha−1 less dried biomass from intercrops and about 6 t ha−1 less biomass in single crops than in arid conditions. Due to the higher yield of maize biomass in the arid season, better energy indicators of crops were obtained in arid than humid conditions. The difference between net energy was about 122–123 MJ ha−1 in all treatments, except for the maize crop with intercropped alfalfa, where the difference was 62 MJ ha−1. All tested technologies were environmentally friendly; the CO2 equivalent varied between treatments from 804 to 884 kg ha−1. The uneven distribution of precipitation during the vegetative season provides insight into the improvement of intercropping technologies. Sowing intercrops at the same time as maize could improve their germination but increase the problem of weed spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephant grass (EG), or Pennisetum purpureum, is gaining attention as a robust renewable biomass source for energy production amidst growing global energy demands and the push for alternatives to fossil fuels. This review paper explores the status of EG as a sustainable bioenergy resource, integrating various studies to present a comprehensive analysis of its potential in renewable energy markets. Methods employed include assessing the efficiency and yield of biomass conversion methods such as pretreatment for bioethanol production, biomethane yields, direct combustion, and pyrolysis. The analysis also encompasses a technoeconomic evaluation of the economic viability and scalability of using EG for energy production, along with an examination of its environmental impacts, focusing on its water and carbon footprint. Results demonstrate that EG has considerable potential for sustainable energy practices due to its high biomass production and ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration. Despite challenges in cost competitiveness with traditional energy sources, specific applications like small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) systems and charcoal production show economic promise. Conclusively, EG presents a viable option for biomass energy, potentially playing a pivotal role in the biomass sector as the energy landscape shifts towards more sustainable solutions; although, technological and economic barriers need further addressing.

Maximizing the development of renewable energy plays a critical role in mitigating the climate crisis. Marginal land provides space for the development of biomass energy; however, it remains unclear how the amount and spatial distribution of marginal land that is suitable for energy crop development will change in the future. Here, we project energy marginal land changes in China following the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) and/or representative concentration path (RCP). We provide datasets of marginal land, agriculturally suitable land, and potentially suitable for energy crops under historical scenarios and six future scenarios (i.e. SSP1–1.9, SSP1–2.6, SSP4–3.4, SSP2–4.5, SSP4–6.0, and SSP3–7.0) for the period 2020–2100, with a spatial resolution of 5 km. Under the six scenarios, from 2020–2100, the area of suitable marginal land ranged from 1.90–16.28 (Jatropha curcas L.) to 37.37–73.97 (Panicum virgatum L.) (×104 km2), depending on the choice of energy crops and climate scenario. Based on the growing suitability of eight important bioenergy crops—Ricinus communis L., Saccharum officinarum L., Pistacia chinensis Bunge, Panicum virgatum L., Jatropha curcas L., Miscanthus giganteus J., Manihot esculenta Crantz, and Sorghum bicolor Moench—our dataset can be used to identify suitable locations for specific energy crops. This new synthetic dataset could support the development of multiscenario-based solutions related to carbon neutrality, ecosystem services, and energy transition.

Abstract Estimates of the energy potential of the different energy sources are essential for modelling energy systems. However, the potential of biomass is debatable due to the numerous dimensions and assumptions embedded. It is thus important to investigate further the final potential to understand their implications. Therefore, this study analyses European studies assessing biomass potential and proposes a critical discussion on the different results to converge to a realistic range of potentials for 2030. Biomass is divided into four categories: forestry products, agricultural residues, energy crops and other waste, each with sub-categories. Belgium is used as a case study to highlight the convergences and divergences of the studies. Having a national case study allows for more precise analyses through in-depth comparisons with national data and reports. The potential estimates are compared with the current production for each category in order to have a better view of the gap to be bridged. From these national perspectives, the European potential can be better apprehended. The results show that the realistic potentials for 2030 for Belgium and Europe are somewhat in the lower range of the estimates of the different studies: from 30 to 41 TWh and from 2000 to 2500 TWh, respectively. The forestry biomass is already well exploited with a slight potential increase, while the agricultural residues present the most significant potential increase. The realistic potential for energy crops in Belgium turned out to be close to the minimum estimates. Indeed, the implications of those crops are considerable regarding the agricultural structure and logistics. This article emphasises that no energy potential is neutral, as it involves a specific system in terms of agriculture, forestry or waste management, with broader social, economic or environmental implications. Consequently, using one estimate rather than another is not a trivial matter; it has an impact on the system being modelled from the outset.

Existing studies indicate that future global carbon dioxide (CO2) removal (CDR) efforts could largely be concentrated in Asia. However, there is limited understanding of how individual Asian countries and regions will respond to varying and uncertain scales of future CDR concerning their energy-land-water system. We address this gap by modeling various levels of CDR-reliant pathways under climate change ambitions in Asia. We find that high CDR reliance leads to residual fossil fuel and industry emissions of about 8 Gigatonnes CO2yr−1 (GtCO2yr−1) by 2050, compared to less than 1 GtCO2yr−1 under moderate-to-low CDR reliance. Moreover, expectations of multi-gigatonne CDR could delay the achievement of domestic net zero CO2 emissions for several Asian countries and regions, and lead to higher land allocation and fertilizer demand for bioenergy crop cultivation. Here, we show that Asian countries and regions should prioritize emission reduction strategies while capitalizing on the advantages of carbon removal when it is most viable. Global future carbon removal efforts could largely be concentrated in Asia. Here, this study shows that multi-gigatonnes expectation of carbon removal could have adverse impact on the energy-land-water system of countries and regions within the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While intensive control of weed populations plays a central role in current agriculture, numerous studies highlight the multifaceted contribution of weeds to the functionality and resilience of agroecosystems. Recent research indicates that increased evenness within weed communities may mitigate yield losses in contrast to communities characterized by lower diversity, since weed species that strongly affect crop yields, also dominate weed communities, with a concurrent reduction of evenness. If confirmed, this observation would suggest a paradigm shift in weed management towards promoting higher community diversity. To validate whether the evenness of weed communities is indeed linked to higher crop productivity, we conducted two field experiments: one analyzing the effects of a natural weed community in an intercrop of faba bean and oat, and the other analyzing the effects of artificially created weed communities, together with the individual sown weed species, in faba bean, oats and an intercrop of both crops. The evenness of the weed communities ranged from 0.2 to 0.9 in the natural weed community, from 0.2 to 0.7 in faba bean, from 0 to 0.8 in the intercrop and from 0.3 to 0.9 in oats. Neither the natural nor the artificial weed community showed significant effects of evenness on crop grain yield or crop biomass. The results of this study do not validate a positive relationship of crop productivity and weed evenness, possibly due to low weed pressure and the absence of competitive effects but suggest that also less diverse weed communities may be maintained without suffering yield losses. This is expected to have far reaching implications, since not only diverse weed communities, but also higher abundances of few weed species may contribute to ecosystem functions and may support faunal diversity associated with weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy, but it also generates many residues and waste that are only partially used (as, for example, feed, litter, and fertilizer). The resulting residues and waste can be valuable components for other sectors of the economy (e.g., energy), contributing to the implementation of a circular economy. The main aim of the research is to assess the diversity of the biomass potential from agricultural residues in the context of the level of organization of agricultural production and circular agriculture in Poland at the local level (314 counties). The level of organization of agricultural production was determined using the synthetic measure based on four variables (average farm size, number of tractors per farm, share of farms producing for the market, and the number of AWU per 100 ha of UAA). The potential of agricultural biomass was estimated on the basis of existing surpluses of straw, hay, energy crops grown on marginal lands, and residues from orchard maintenance. The data came from the General Agricultural Census conducted by the Polish Statistical Office in 2020. The conducted research showed that over 75% of counties are characterized by a high and medium level of organization of agricultural production. However, unused biomass resources from agricultural production residues are common (2/3 of counties are characterized by high and medium potential). There is a positive relationship between the level of biomass potential from agricultural residues and the level of organization of agricultural production at the local level in Poland, but the strength of this relationship is weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate information about the amount of standing biomass is important in pasture management for monitoring forage growth patterns, minimizing the risk of overgrazing, and ensuring the necessary feed requirements of livestock. The morphological features of plants, like crop height and density, have been proven to be prominent predictors of crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of stereovision-based crop height and vegetation coverage measurements in predicting the aboveground biomass yield of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) in a pasture. Data were collected from 136 experimental plots within a 0.81 ha bermudagrass pasture using an RGB-depth camera mounted on a ground rover. The crop height was determined based on the disparity between images captured by two stereo cameras of the depth camera. The vegetation coverage was extracted from the RGB images using a machine learning algorithm by segmenting vegetative and non-vegetative pixels. After camera measurements, the plots were harvested and sub-sampled to measure the wet and dry biomass yields for each plot. The wet biomass yield prediction function based on crop height and vegetation coverage was generated using a linear regression analysis. The results indicated that the combination of crop height and vegetation coverage showed a promising correlation with aboveground wet biomass yield. However, the prediction function based only on the crop height showed less residuals at the extremes compared to the combined prediction function (crop height and vegetation coverage) and was thus declared the recommended approach (R2 = 0.91; SeY= 1824 kg-wet/ha). The crop height-based prediction function was used to estimate the dry biomass yield using the mean dry matter fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant reed (Arundo donax) is widely distributed across the globe and is considered an important energy crop. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome of giant reed, revealing detailed characteristics of this species' chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genome has a total length of 137,153 bp, containing 84 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, with a GC content of 39%. Functional analysis indicates that a total of 45 photosynthesis-related genes and 78 self-replication-related genes were identified, which may be closely associated with its adaptability and growth characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Arundo donax cv. Lvzhou No.1 belongs to the Arundionideae clade and occupies a distinct evolutionary position compared to other Arundo species. The findings of this study not only enhance our understanding of the giant reed genome but also provide valuable genetic resources for its application in biotechnology, bioenergy crop development, and ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the potential of 23 plant species, comprising 10 legumes, 9 grasses, and 4 forbs, as cover crops to enhance carbon (C) sequestration and soil nitrogen (N) in vineyards. After a 120-day evaluation period, cover crop biomass was incorporated into the soil, and grapevine seedlings were planted in its place. Among the established cover crops, the C input potential ranged from 0.267 to 1.69 Mg ha−1, and the N input potential ranged from 12.3 to 114 kg ha−1. Legume species exhibited up to threefold greater shoot dry weight (SDW) compared to grass species. Ladino white clover, Dutch white clover, and Clover blend were superior in SDW, total dry weight (TDW), total C content, and total N content. Legumes exhibited slightly higher root dry weight (RDW) than grasses, with the exception of Fall rye leading at 15 g pot−1, followed by Ladino white clover and Dutch white clover at an average of 12 g pot−1. Legumes, particularly clover blend and Alsike clover, displayed high shoot N concentration at an average of 2.95%. Root N concentration in Legumes (Fabaceae) were significantly higher at 1.82% compared to other plant families at 0.89%, while their root C/N ratio was lower at 18.3, contrasting with others at 27.7, resulting in a faster turnover. Biomass production exhibited a negative relationship (R2 = 0.51) with soil residual NO3−. Fall rye, Winfred brassica, and buckwheat had the highest N utilization efficiency (NUtE) values (ava. 121 g g−1). Alsike clover, Ladino white clover, and clover blend showed the highest N uptake efficiency (NUpE) values (ava. 75%). The Readily Available N (RAN) Reliance Index (RANRI) is introduced as a novel indicator for quantifying the extent to which a plant relies on RAN for its total N requirement. The RANRI value represents the percentage of the plant's total N sourced from RAN, ranging from 11% for legumes to 86% for grasses. This implies a substantial influx of nitrogen through a pathway independent of RAN in legumes. Grape shoot N concentration positively correlated with soil NO3− (R2 = 0.31) and cover crop C/N ratio (R2 = 0.17) but negatively correlated with cover crop TDW (R2 = 0.31). This study highlights legume plants as more effective in C and N assimilation during establishment but cautions about potential soil mineral N depletion before reaching their full biological N fixation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the impact of renewable fuel policies, specifically the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), on the agricultural industry. It focuses on the increased demand for corn and oilseeds, particularly soybeans, due to the production and consumption of biofuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel. This has the potential to affect soybean exports and domestic consumption. However, there are concerns about supply limitations and the volatility of crop prices. The article suggests further research is needed to understand the effects of renewable fuel policies on agricultural credit conditions and the stability of the crop sector. [Extracted from the article]

The treatment of heavy metals in water is of high importance worldwide, and different treatment types have been developed. The use of plant material is becoming more and more important, and oilseed crops biomass have been investigated in terms of phytoremediation and biosorption processes. This article is a review of the literature reporting the applications in 10 different plants and evaluating the removal efficiencies for 12 metals, including the findings of 81 publications. Moringa olifera and Helianthus annuus are the most studied plants, whereas Cu (21.9%), Cd (18.5%), and Pb (19.9%) are the most studied metals. As a result, it was found that more than 90% of Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Sr and Mn showed removals in their experiments. At the same time, the variables most related to the efficiency of metal removal are pH, temperature, and contact time. This article includes a review of the biosorption isotherms used in the different studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continually increasing demand for papermaking materials and simultaneously growing disproportion between the request for fiber and the limited resources of wood have forced scientists and the papermaking industry to search for the new sources of fibrous raw materials. A new promising set of raw materials for papermaking comes from energy crops. This paper presents Sida hermaphrodita Rusby L., as a non-woody raw material for papermaking. From the studies of chemical composition, it follows that cellulose content of more than 40% characterizes phloem of stems and branches, whereas in xylem exhibits more than 32%. The lowest is the concentration of cellulose in leaves and flowers of Sida. The content of lignin is lower than 24% and 16% in stem xylem and phloem, respectively. In Sida, hemicelluloses and mineral substances stand for being not more than 30% and 2%, respectively. The morphology of Sida cells is similar to hardwood, with fiber length of 0.383, 0.470 and 1.025 mm for parenchyma, xylem, and phloem, respectively. The chemical composition of Sida hermaphrodita together with its morphological characteristics make this raw material suitable for a production of papers intended for printing, writing and tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hibiscus cannabinus (kenaf) is an annual fiber crop grown in warm seasons and known for its remarkable productivity; it has been cultivated worldwide for thousands of years as a fiber source. While every part of the plant can be utilized for some purpose, its primary significance lies in the diverse applications of its cellulosic fiber. Kenaf features a blend of long bast and short core fibers, rendering it suitable for various industrial uses. Initially utilized for cordage and livestock feed, kenaf's applications have expanded over the last century to encompass its utilization as paper pulp, biocomposites, textiles, biomass energy, seed oil, filtration aids, industrial absorbents, and even as a component of potting medium or as a potential source of medicine. Although traditionally a niche crop, the discovery of its diverse applications positions kenaf for rapid expansion in production in the upcoming decades. This article aims to explore the manifold applications of kenaf, highlighting those with the greatest future potential and discussing those that hold promise for commercial-level application with additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the global energy crisis and the decline of fossil fuel resources, biofuels are gaining attention as alternative energy sources. China, as a major developing country, has long depended on coal and is now looking to biofuels to diversify its energy structure and ensure sustainable development. However, due to its large population and limited arable land, it cannot widely use corn or sugarcane as raw materials for bioenergy. Instead, the Chinese government encourages the planting of non-food crops on marginal lands to safeguard food security and support the biofuel sector. The Southern China Karst Region, with its typical karst landscape and fragile ecological environment, offers a wealth of potential marginal land resources that are suitable for planting non-food energy crops. This area is also one of the most impoverished rural regions in China, confronting a variety of challenges, such as harsh natural conditions, scarcity of land, and ecological deterioration. Idesia polycarpa, as a fast-growing tree species that is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil, is well adapted to the karst region and has important value for ecological restoration and biodiesel production. By integrating 19 bioclimatic variables and karst landform data, our analysis reveals that the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model surpasses the Random Forest (RF) model in predictive accuracy for Idesia polycarpa's distribution. The karst areas of Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces are identified as highly suitable for the species, aligning with regions of ecological vulnerability and poverty. This research provides critical insights into the strategic cultivation of Idesia polycarpa, contributing to ecological restoration, local economic development, and the advancement of China's biofuel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By improving soil properties, cover crops can reduce wind erosion and sand damage to emerging cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. However, on the Texas High Plains, questions regarding cover crop water use and management factors that affect cotton lint yield are common and limit conservation adoption by regional producers. Studies were conducted near Lamesa, TX, USA, in 2017–2020 to evaluate cover crop species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing on cover crop biomass production and cotton yield in conventional and no-tillage systems. The no-till systems included two cover crop species, rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and were compared to a conventional tillage system. The cover crops were planted at two seeding rates, 34 and 68 kg ha−1, and each plot was split into two termination timings: optimum, six to eight weeks prior to the planting of cotton, and late, which was two weeks after the optimum termination. Herbage mass was greater in the rye than the wheat cover crop in three of the four years tested, while the 68 kg ha−1 seeding rate was greater than the low seeding rate in only one of four years for both rye and wheat. The later termination timing produced more herbage mass than the optimum in all four years. Treatments did not affect cotton plant populations and had a variable effect on yield. In general, cover crop biomass production did not reduce lint production compared to the conventional system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus × giganteus (miscanthus) is considered a beneficial biomass energy crop because of its carbon (C) sequestration potential and low fertilizer requirements, but few studies in the United States have measured long‐term C sequestration of miscanthus on suboptimal agricultural lands over a decadal scale, and none have been conducted in southeast Ohio. The objective of this study was to measure the soil C sequestration on abandoned agricultural land with a miscanthus crop that is harvested annually, the long‐term changes in plant and soil nitrogen (N), and the photosynthetic capacity in the tenth year of growth. This study was conducted over a 10‐year period from 2013 through 2023. A significant amount of C was accumulated in the soil (p < 0.05) and the mean C sequestration rates were 0.83 and 1.37 Mg C ha−1 year−1 at two different sites. The amount of C accumulated in the miscanthus plots by the tenth year was also greater than soil C in unmanaged grassland soils, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant change in the amount of N found in soil and plants over 10 years (p > 0.05), but the variability in plant N was greater in some years relative to others. Even though miscanthus was grown without N fertilizers in this study, soil N at 0–30 cm depth was not depleted over 10 years of crop management. The photosynthetic capacity of miscanthus measured in this study indicated that the plants were thriving after 10 years, and C assimilation for growth was consistent with the findings of prior work that evaluated the maximum photosynthetic rates of this species. The combination of significant soil C sequestration, sustained soil N, and high photosynthetic rates has important implications for the sustainability of miscanthus as a biomass crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe 'Boldrewood', a new accession of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) that was initially found to be of short stature with high antioxidant capacity (Payne et al. 2015). This was of particular commercial interest because it offered the potential to develop a novel watercress product with fork-friendly size and improved health-benefits. In two commercial trials comparing Boldrewood to a control, we confirmed that Boldrewood exhibits a dwarf phenotype with a significantly shorter stem and consistently produced more leaves per stem area alongside comparable crop biomass. The antioxidant and chemopreventive capacity of Boldrewood were comparable to the commercial crop. For the first time, we observed a novel increase in glucosinolate concentrations and cytotoxicity to cancer cells, characterised as decreased IC50 (half-maximal concentration of an inhibitor), associated with increased crop age at harvest. This suggests that a slower-growing and longer to harvest crop provides a significant improvement in health benefits gained in this leafy crop which is already known to be highly nutrient dense and with considerable chemopreventive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the many inputs, nitrogen fertilizers are the main yield-limiting factor in agriculture. Liquid fractions of digestates can be a most promising substitute to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, using little energy to turn waste into valuable fertilizers. In this study, the efficacy of five digestates from different origin (C, cow slurry; P, pig slurry; PCE, pig slurry, cow slurry, energy crops; SS, sewage sludge; W, organic fraction of municipal waste) were assessed as fertilizers for the cultivation of Lactuca sativa L., compared to traditional mineral fertilization. Digestates showed promising results as fertilizers for Lactuca sativa L., as yield and chemical parameters were overall comparable to the mineral fertilizer. Analysis of nitrogen evolution showed that most digestates showed higher nitrates in the substrates than the mineral fertilizers at earlier stages. Another topic investigated in the study is the effect of the digestates on the bacterial populations of the growth substrate, investigated through quantification and sequencing of 16S gene. These results varied based on the digestate considered, but, in general, an increase in biodiversity could be linked to use of digestates. These results suggest that digestates might become an alternative to mineral fertilizers, contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using contaminated land to grow lignocellulosic crops can deliver biomass and, in the long term, improve soil quality. Biostimulants and microorganisms are nowadays an innovative approach to define appropriate phytomanagement strategies to promote plant growth and metal uptake. This study evaluated biostimulants and mycorrhizae application on biomass production and phytoextraction potential of four lignocellulosic crops grown under two metal-contaminated soils. Two greenhouse pot trials were setup to evaluate two annual species (sorghum, hemp) in Italy and two perennial ones (miscanthus, switchgrass) in China, under mycorrhizae (M), root (B2) and foliar (B1) biostimulants treatments, based on humic substances and protein hydrolysates, respectively, applied both alone and in combination (MB1, MB2). MB2 increased the shoot dry weight (DW) yield in hemp (1.9 times more), sorghum (3.6 times more) and miscanthus (tripled) with additional positive effects on sorghum and miscanthus Zn and Cd accumulation, respectively, but no effects on hemp metal accumulation. No treatment promoted switchgrass shoot DW, but M enhanced Cd and Cr shoot concentrations (+84%, 1.6 times more, respectively) and the phytoextraction efficiency. Root biostimulants and mycorrhizae were demonstrated to be more efficient inputs than foliar biostimulants to enhance plant development and productivity in order to design effective phytomanagement strategies in metal-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the environmental consequences of annual‐dominated cropping systems, there is an increasing need to identify agronomic strategies that incorporate perennial crops. One strategy for increasing perennial cover is through the targeted use of annually harvested perennial food and bioproduct crops in buffer strips, which has the potential to create new revenue streams for farmers and substantially mitigate agricultural nutrient pollution from conventional cropping systems. As buffers are typically installed on marginal land, it is critical to understand how landscape position influences the success of perennial crops. The objectives of this study were to determine the relatively early influence of landscape position on the productivity of a variety of perennial crops and their subsequent soil nutrients and soil water storing capabilities. In this experiment, nine perennial (alfalfa, alsike clover, indiangrass, switchgrass, big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, high‐diversity polyculture, low‐diversity polyculture) and two annual (corn, soybean) crops were planted across two landscape positions (hillslope and deposition). Plant biomass, plant tissue nitrogen, soil moisture, and soil NO3‐N and NH4‐N were measured and compared at two different locations in Minnesota. Overall, the polyculture mixes, and to some extent intermediate wheatgrass, performed the best with respect to biomass production while also providing ecosystem services across most soil by landscape position combinations tested in this study. However, there were some important findings specific to each soil and landscape position combination, mainly oriented toward biomass production. We also observed temporal patterns in soil moisture and depth‐related patterns in soil N reductions. This study presents an opportunity to optimize the use of perennial crops on marginal agricultural lands for improved environmental and economic benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New cropping practices such as single-grain seeding, lower seed densities with stronger cultivars, wide inter-row spacings and camera-guided side-shift control for weed hoeing facilitate mechanical weed control in oilseed rape. In a two-year field study in Southwestern Germany, camera-guided inter-row hoeing was compared to standard herbicide treatments and untreated control. Seeding with 12.5, 25 and 50 cm inter-row spacing was included as a second factor in the experiment. Weed and crop density were measured directly after treatment. Weed and crop biomass, oilseed rape root diameter and nitrogen uptake were assessed before winter. Seed yield was measured at harvest with a plot combine harvester. In 2021, hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing achieved equal weed control efficacy as the herbicide treatment (65-75%). In 2022, hoeing did not reduce weed density, probably due to heavy rainfalls during the first and second pass of hoeing. However, herbicide treatments controlled 92% of the weeds. In 2021, hoeing significantly increased oilseed rape shoot biomass and root diameter compared to the herbicide treatment and the untreated control. Hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing resulted in equal yield as the herbicide treatment. In 2022, weed control treatments and inter-row spacing had no effect on oilseed rape biomass, root diameter and yield. This study shows the potential and limitations of weed hoeing in oilseed rape. It also underlines the strong ability of modern oilseed rape cultivars to suppress annual broadleaved weeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To prevent environmental pollution, promote ecological restoration and impart production sustainability in biomass crops, optimization of mineral fertilization regimes is strategically required under changing climatic scenarios. There exist research gaps regarding optimal use of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers for the fertilizer-responsive cultivars of forage legumes like cowpea under decreasing soil fertility in semi-arid regions. Therefore, a multi-year field experiment was executed to study yield attributes, green and dry matter yields along with nutritional quality attributes of forage cowpea. The treatments were comprised of different N-P-K levels viz. F0 = (0-0-0), F1 = (150-0-0 kg·ha-1), F2 = (150-100-0 kg·ha-1) and F3 = (150-100-100 kg·ha-1). The findings revealed that F3 fertilization regime surpassed rest of treatments by recording the maximum plant population, plant height, leaf area index, plants fresh and dry weights, which led to the highest green forage yield (73% and 5.8% higher than control and following treatment of F2, respectively). For dry matter yield, all fertilization regimes performed better than control, however those were statistically at par to each other. Moreover, F3 treatment exhibited 4.4% and 1.6% higher crude protein and ether extractable fat respectively, compared to the following treatment of F2 treatment that remained at par with F3 for total ash content. Contrastingly, the control treatment remained superior by giving the minimum crude fiber content which could be attributed to dwarf plants produced in the absence of fertilizers because stem length tends to contribute the major portion of fiber content in cowpea. Thus, 150-100-100 kg·ha-1 N-P-K might be recommended to cowpea growers for boosting biomass productivity and nutritional quality, however further field investigations need to assess the impact of these fertilization regimes on biological N fixation process and solar radiation capture by cowpea plants under irrigated and dry semi-arid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euphorbia, one of the largest genera of flowering plants, is well-known for containing many biofuel crops. Euphorbia tirucalli, an evergreen succulent mainly native to the Africa continent but cultivated worldwide, is a promising petroleum plant with high tolerance to drought and salt stress. However, the exploration of such an important plant resource is severely hampered by the lack of a reference genome. Here, we present the chromosome-level genome assembly of E. tirucalli using PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C technology. Its genome size was approximately 745.62 Mb, with a contig N50 of 74.16 Mb. A total of 743.63 Mb (99.73%) of the assembled sequences were anchored to 10 chromosomes with a complete BUSCO score of 97.80%. Genome annotation revealed 26,304 protein-coding genes, and 76.37% of the genome was identified as repeat elements. The high-quality genome provides valuable genetic resources that would be useful for unraveling the genetic mechanisms of biofuel synthesis and evolutionary adaptation of E. tirucalli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize can easily adapt to changing weather conditions, has moderate soil requirements, and offers high green mass productivity. The goals of this study were to assess the possibility of using ash from Carpinus betulus aided by soil amendment with compost and HumiAgra in Zea mays cultivation and to determine the energy potential of maize. Wood ash had a relatively minimal effect on the combustion heat and calorific value of maize biomass. It increased the contents of C, H, S, N, O, and ash in the aerial parts of the maize. In addition, it positively affected the contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil pH, sum of exchangeable base cations, total exchangeable capacity of soil, and degree of soil saturation with alkaline cations. In contrast, it strongly decreased the yield of maize, negatively affected the biochemical activity of the soil, and reduced the hydrolytic acidity of the soil. Soil amendment with compost and HumiAgra had positive effects on the heat of combustion; calorific value; the contents of C, H, S, N, O, and ash in the aerial parts of maize; and on the properties of the soil. In addition, they mitigated the adverse effects of wood ash on maize biomass and the enzymatic properties of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review presents a recent study on improving energy crops (ECs) in the EU and discusses the potential use of biostimulants to enhance CO2 sequestration processes in these plants. The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating alternative directions for improving productivity and increasing plant yield without relying on introducing new hybrids (GM) or using advanced agrotechnology. There is a great deal of discussion about using energy crops for direct combustion or biogas production. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the use of biostimulants and their role in increasing the yield of energy crops, particularly in terms of CO2 compensation. In CO2 sequestration, increasing the intensity of the photosynthetic process is considered crucial for the more efficient growth of energy crops. Traditionally, fertilization aimed at improving photosynthesis results in a large amount of alkaline elements, which can cause negative effects in boilers. This paper describes the use of amino acid biostimulants extracted from industrial waste, either chemically or biotechnologically, and their different forms of application. It addresses the current challenges and benefits of using biostimulants in energy crops to increase photosynthesis without the use of genetic engineering tools in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tubulins play crucial roles in numerous fundamental processes of plant development. In flowering plants, tubulins are grouped into α-, β- and γ-subfamilies, while α- and β-tubulins possess a large isotype diversity and gene number variations among different species. This circumstance leads to insufficient recognition of orthologous isotypes and significantly complicates extrapolation of obtained experimental results, and brings difficulties for the identification of particular tubulin isotype function. The aim of this research is to identify and characterize tubulins of an emerging biofuel crop Camelina sativa. Results: We report comprehensive identification and characterization of tubulin gene family in C. sativa, including analyses of exon-intron organization, duplicated genes comparison, proper isotype designation, phylogenetic analysis, and expression patterns in different tissues. 17 α-, 34 β- and 6 γ-tubulin genes were identified and assigned to a particular isotype. Recognition of orthologous tubulin isotypes was cross-referred, involving data of phylogeny, synteny analyses and genes allocation on reconstructed genomic blocks of Ancestral Crucifer Karyotype. An investigation of expression patterns of tubulin homeologs revealed the predominant role of N6 (A) and N7 (B) subgenomes in tubulin expression at various developmental stages, contrarily to general the dominance of transcripts of H7 (C) subgenome. Conclusions: For the first time a complete set of tubulin gene family members was identified and characterized for allohexaploid C. sativa species. The study demonstrates the comprehensive approach of precise inferring gene orthology. The applied technique allowed not only identifying C. sativa tubulin orthologs in model Arabidopsis species and tracking tubulin gene evolution, but also uncovered that A. thaliana is missing orthologs for several particular isotypes of α- and β-tubulins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]