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SUMMARY Xylan is one of the major hemicelluloses in plant cell walls and its xylosyl backbone is often decorated at O‐2 with glucuronic acid (GlcA) and/or methylglucuronic acid (MeGlcA) residues. The GlcA/MeGlcA side chains may be further substituted with 2‐O‐arabinopyranose (Arap) or 2‐O‐galactopyranose (Gal) residues in some plant species, but the enzymes responsible for these substitutions remain unknown. During our endeavor to investigate the enzymatic activities of Arabidopsis MUR3‐clade members of the GT47 glycosyltransferase family, we found that one of them was able to transfer Arap from UDP‐Arap onto O‐2 of GlcA side chains of xylan, and thus it was named xylan 2‐O‐arabinopyranosyltransferase 1 (AtXAPT1). The function of AtXAPT1 was verified in planta by its T‐DNA knockout mutation showing a loss of the Arap substitution on xylan GlcA side chains. Further biochemical characterization of XAPT close homologs from other plant species demonstrated that while the poplar ones had the same catalytic activity as AtXAPT1, those from Eucalyptus, lemon‐scented gum, sea apple, 'Ohi'a lehua, duckweed and purple yam were capable of catalyzing both 2‐O‐Arap and 2‐O‐Gal substitutions of xylan GlcA side chains albeit with differential activities. Sequential reactions with XAPTs and glucuronoxylan methyltransferase 3 (GXM3) showed that XAPTs acted poorly on MeGlcA side chains, whereas GXM3 could efficiently methylate arabinosylated or galactosylated GlcA side chains of xylan. Furthermore, molecular docking and site‐directed mutagenesis analyses of Eucalyptus XAPT1 revealed critical roles of several amino acid residues at the putative active site in its activity. Together, these findings establish that XAPTs residing in the MUR3 clade of family GT47 are responsible for 2‐O‐arabinopyranosylation and 2‐O‐galactosylation of GlcA side chains of xylan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt powder (BP) is the residue of a plant that crushes basalt stones. This work deals with the effect of waste BP on the properties of cement mortars and the physical properties of hardened mortars. Modified concrete was prepared by partial replacement of BP in amount of 5, 10, 20% by weight of cement. Physico-mechanical properties and corrosion resistance were investigated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to examine the corrosion behavior of cement pastes with a partial addition of basalt powder in aggressive solutions of 5% NaCl and 5% MgCl2 for up to 270 days. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were also performed to investigate the hydration process and microstructure formation of the basalt blended paste. Results indicate that the addition of basalt powder as a partial replacement of cement influences the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), which is denser and stronger than in cement paste without basalt powder. The filler effect of the basalt powder improves the compressive strength of cement paste. Also, comparing BP0 and BP20 in 5% NaCl after 270 days, the partial substitution of cement with BP resulted in a higher compressive strength of 671 and 895 kg/cm2, respectively. The EIS results also showed the highest values of Rp 953 ohms cm2 after 270 days. This high corrosion resistance might indicate the binding by high Al2O3 that reduced the free aggressive chloride ions in the solution. Article Highlights: The addition of basalt powder as a partial replacement of cement, improved the compressive strength of the concrete. The physicochemical and mechanical investigations showed that the basalt addition led to physical densification and more ITZ robust of cement matrix. EIS measurements showed that BP20 sample in 5% NaCl had a high Rp, 953 ohms cm2 after 270 days indicated higher corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for electronics necessitates the development of novel environmentally responsible materials. A potential approach involves incorporating renewable and sustainable materials with mechanical and electrical properties while ensuring environmentally friendly disposal. Herein, this study reports the dielectric properties of chitosan (CS) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CN) extracted from post‐harvest tomato plant residue. The resulting bionanocomposite material demonstrated remarkable characteristics, including dielectricity, transparency, thermal stability, and mechanical robustness. Additionally, the effect of high‐loading fillers (5 and 10 wt %) on the final properties of the material is investigated, as well as the effect of surface functionality of the CNs. The results showed that both the high‐loading fillers and the surface functionality of the CNs had a significant impact on the properties of the nanocomposite material. The bionanocomposite materials produced in this study hold great potential as an eco‐friendly substitute for conventional electronic materials and beyond. Its dielectric, transparent, thermally stable, and mechanically robust properties render it well‐suited for diverse applications. Highlights: The phosphorylated groups insured high Crl (%) and high interface between the filler and matrix.High interface and crystallinity enhanced the mechanical characteristics.Low crystallinity increases the dielectric constant, case of 5% CNS.Filler' type can tailor and optimize the energy dissipation up to tan δ = 0.5 for 5% CNP.Detection of Warburg impedance proves the interface polarization presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant residue on the soil surface increases the sustainability of food and fiber production in agricultural systems. Automated assessments of residue cover based on imagery have the potential to reduce labor and human bias associated with in-field measurements. We evaluate the capacity of a transfer learning strategy to improve the determination of residue level from high-resolution RGB images. The imagery for the study was collected from 88 field locations in 40 row crop fields in five Missouri counties between mid-April and early July in 2018 and 2019. At each field location, 50 contiguous 0.3 m × 0.2 m region of interest (ROI) images (ground sampling distance of 0.014 cm pixel--1) were extracted from imagery, resulting in a dataset of 4,400 ROI images; 3,000 were used for cross-validation and training (data collected in 2018) and 1,400 were used for testing (data collected in 2019). The percentage residue for each ROI image (ground truth) was determined by a bullseye grid method (n = 100). Features were extracted from ROI images using the VGGNet-16 CNN model, a pre-trained convolutional neural network model. We extracted 1,472 features per ROI using a global averaging and pooling strategy. The optimum feature set was identified using recursive feature elimination using a support vector machine (RFE-SVM). To estimate crop residue percentage using selected features, expert two-class SVMs were trained to separate adjacent levels of residue cover, where the rationale of the ensemble was to allow each of the two-class SVMs to find the hyperplanes that maximize the margin between the corresponding two consecutive classes. Based on the distance of the samples to these hyperplanes, probabilistic estimates of the data-point belonging to the class were computed. With the combined knowledge of probabilistic estimates from each expert classifier, the percentage crop residue cover of each ROI image was calculated. We tested our approach with 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-class problems, achieving the best results with the 8-class problem with r2 = 0.93 at the ROI level, r2 = 0.97 at the field-location level, and minimal bias in residue estimates in low residue conditions. These results are superior to other reported estimates of percent residue derived from imagery. This research confirms the utility of high-resolution RGB imagery to quantify residue cover in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants play a crucial role as a removal pathway in constructed wetlands, demonstrating the ability to absorb and tolerate antibiotics from wastewater. However, the specific contribution of plants in this regard has not yet to be sufficiently established. To gain a more comprehensive insight into the associated processes, we selected three common wetland plant species, Canna indica L. (C. indica), Cyperus alternifolius L. (C. alternifolius), and Thalia dealbata Fraser (T. dealbata), to evaluate their capacity for uptake, accumulation, and physiological response in the removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) at varying initial concentrations (10, 30, 100, and 300 µg/L) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that SMX removal was more efficient at lower concentrations (10 and 30 µg/L) than at higher concentrations (100 and 300 µg/L). Moreover, plant systems were found to consistently outperform unplanted systems in SMX removal. Among the assessed species, C. indica was identified as being relatively effective in the removal of SMX, whereas the performance of C. alternifolius was notably less pronounced. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of SMX in the plant tissues and that in the external aqueous medium. However, plant tissue residues contributed only a minor fraction to the overall removal of SMX. Wetland plants absorb SMX through their roots, and we accordingly detected significantly higher concentrations in submerged plant tissues. Furthermore, we also detected reductions in net photosynthetic rates indicative of potential phytotoxicity, which is associated with the accumulation of antibiotic in the shoot tissues. Accumulation of SMX in the roots and rhizomes was also found to be associated with the development of shorter roots, with this effect becoming more pronounced with an increase in the concentration of exogenous SMX. However, despite these adverse effects, plants can detoxify antibiotics via the glutathione pathway. Of the assessed plant species, C. indica was identified as the most SMX tolerant, as indicated by Km and Vmax values, with C. alternifolius being the least tolerant. Our findings in this study reveal the potential value of wetland plants in the sequestration of antibiotics and provide evidence for the underlying mechanisms of action. These findings could make an important contribution to the implementation of phytoremediation in antibiotic-contaminated water. Three wetland plants with fibrous root systems, namely Canna indica, Cyperus alterniflius, and Thalia dealbata, were selected to investigate the removal efficiencies of sulfamethoxazole in the hydroponic system by different emergent plants, quantify the contribution of uptake and accumulation for sulfamethoxazole in plant tissues, and assess the physiological responses of plants and their effect on the removal of sulfamethoxazole. The knowledge obtained from this study shows the potential use of wetland plants for removing antibiotics and the inherent mechanisms, which will be useful for the application of phytoremediation in antibiotic contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the extensive exposure to imidacloprid residues in food plants, there has been little research on imidacloprid residues in amaranth. The dissipation trend and residue behavior of imidacloprid were evaluated to provide guidelines for imidacloprid application on amaranth under open field and greenhouse. The dissipation rate of imidacloprid in amaranth conformed to the first-order kinetic equation, and the half-lives of imidacloprid in amaranth ranged from 0.29 days in open field to 1.29 days in the greenhouse. After 7 and 14 days from the application of imidacloprid (pesticide dosage, 45 or 67.5 g a.i./ha), the amaranth under the open field and greenhouse growth could be consumed safely with average residues of 0.19 and 0.38 mg/kg, respectively. This result demonstrated that the cultivation has the dominant influence on imidacloprid residue, and the residue of imidacloprid in amaranth planting on open field was much lower than that in the greenhouse, indicating a significant difference in the pesticide residues between the two cultivations with a p-value less than 0.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is regarded amongst the most dominant horticultural crops globally. Yet, due to its elevated water and fertilization needs, its environmental footprint is significantly high. The recent efforts to reduce the footprint of agriculture have rekindled the search for optimized fertilization regimes in tomato. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different urea fertilizers and tomato pomace-based composts on the performance and quality traits of processing tomato. A two-year field experiment was conducted in the Larissa region, Central Greece, during 2018–2019. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with five treatments: control, urea (Urea), urea with nitrification and urease inhibitors (Urea + NI + UI), processing tomato pomace with farmyard manure (TP + FM), and processing tomato pomace with compost from plant residues (TP + CM). Measurements included soil total nitrogen (STN), soil organic matter (SOM), root length density (RLD), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) colonization, dry weight per plant, fruit yield (number per plant, total yield, weight, diameter), fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), lycopene content and yield, and fruit surface color (L*, a*, b*, CI). Overall, the best results in soil properties and quality traits were reported in the organic fertilization treatments (STN, SOM, AMF, TSS, TA, lycopene content, L*, a*, b*) and the differences among TP + FM and TP + CM were insignificant in their majority. On the contrary, fruit yield and its components were significantly improved in Urea + NI + UI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showcases a promising approach to sustainably unlocking plant biomass residues by combining biodegradation with artificial intelligence to optimize the process. Specifically, we utilized the definitive screening design (DSD) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to optimize the degradation of common bean biomass by the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21. The optimized process yielded a fungal hydrolysate rich in 12 essential and non-essential amino acids, totaling 18,298.14 μg/g biomass. GC-MS analysis revealed four potential novel components not previously reported in microbial filtrates or plants and seven components exclusive to plant sources but not reported in microbial filtrates. The hydrolysate contained phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy depicted structures resembling amino acid micelles and potential protein aggregates. The hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and innovatively induced apoptotic modulation in the MCF7 cancer cell line. These findings underscore the potential of ANN-optimized fermentation for various applications, particularly in anticancer medicine due to its unique composition and bioactivities. The integration of the DSD and ANNs presents a novel technique for biomass biodegradation, warranting the valorization of plant biomass and suggesting a further exploration of the new components in the fungal hydrolysate. This approach represents the basic concept for exploring other biomass sources and in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity and drought are major environmental challenges that significantly affect soil functioning and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition. Despite their importance, the combined effects of drought and salinity on residue decomposition are not well understood. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the decomposition of maize residue under salinity and drought stresses over a 75-day incubation period at 20 °C under controlled conditions. The experiment included two moisture levels: optimum moisture at 80% water-holding capacity (WHC) and drought conditions at 30% WHC, in both normal (ECe = 1.48 dS m−1) and saline (ECe = 8 dS m−1) soils, with 5 g DM kg−1 soil maize residues mixed in. A control treatment without maize residue addition was also included. The results indicated that salinity stress reduced maize residue decomposition, as evidenced by lower soil respiration, decay constant, metabolic quotient (qCO2), and soil extracellular enzyme activities. While drought did not affect total soil respiration in the presence of maize residue, it significantly decreased soil extracellular enzyme activities and decay constant rates. Combined drought and salinity stress further diminished maize residue decomposition, marked by reduced soil respiration, decay constant, microbial biomass carbon, and soil extracellular enzyme activities, while dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and qCO2 increased significantly. Similarly, extracellular enzyme activities were significantly reduced under abiotic stresses and further diminished under combined stress conditions. In conclusion, the simultaneous occurrence of drought and salinity can have compounded detrimental effects on microbial functioning, particularly in the presence of fresh plant residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Germany, warm water Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are generally integrated with biogas plants. The process sludge produced in aquaculture could be utilized to generate energy. This study investigates the potential of process sludge from commercial African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) warm water RAS, alongside associated plant production residues (whole plants and pruning residues) for energy generation through anaerobic digestion. Biogas tests, including batch, semi-Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), and Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) were conducted. In batch, methane yields were 229 L(N) / kg VS from the sludge and 173-184 L(N) / kg VS from the various plant substrates (cucumber, paprika, and tomato plants). During CSTR operation, mono-fermentation of sludge produced a methane yield of 265 L(N) / kg VS. Co-fermentation with 25% cucumber residues, based on VS, increased this value to 381 L(N) / kg VS. Mono-fermentation of sludge in the UASB reactor yielded a maximum of 329 L(N)/kg VS. The relatively low TS content and unfavorable C/N ratio in C. gariepinus sludge, along with the low energy density and occasional high sulfur content in the investigated plant substrates, present challenges for CSTR biogas production. These challenges can be partially mitigated through substrate combination. For mono-fermentation of African catfish RAS sludge, the UASB reactor is recommended. Improved solids separation, extraction, and concentration techniques at aquaculture operations are essential for the efficient utilization of aquaculture sludge, especially from African catfish, in biogas plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize cobs are valuable plant residues that can be used for many different purposes, including as a renewable energy source. Despite their value, maize cobs are still underutilized, mainly because people are not aware of their potential and harvesting techniques for their collection are still being developed. Therefore, this research focused on finding the most suitable energy- and time-efficient method for mechanical collection of maize cobs. Upgrading the combine harvester with an additional hopper proved to be the most promising solution, as it allows harvesting and storage of maize grain and maize cobs in one pass, while the harvesting time remains almost the same and the maize cobs are of good quality, as they do not fall on the field. A prototype with enlarged openings in the straw walkers, an additional grab container for maize cobs, a transport auger, a transport cleaning fan with built-in knives, a transport tube and some other assemblies was fabricated and used in practice. The first test results are very encouraging (94.4%-96.0% purity of maize cobs) and the system has been patented as a promising solution, especially in times when the environmental sustainability of the planet and energy independence are becoming increasingly important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides play a crucial role in agricultural production by preventing diseases and pests and ensuring food yield. However, the irrational use of pesticides can lead to numerous issues that compromise crop quality and counteract the original intentions of their application. Therefore, it is necessary to identify more effective methods to counteract pesticide stress. Here we review the impacts of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides on plants and the measures taken to reduce pesticide residues on plants. We have found that despite the substantial differences in the mechanisms of action of the aforementioned three types of pesticides, the adverse effects they inflict on plants are similar, and at certain dosages, they can severely constrain plant growth and disrupt physiological functions. Also, most current research on using exogenous growth regulators to alleviate pesticide stress still focuses on photosynthesis, the antioxidant system, three-stage detoxification, and secondary metabolites, neglecting the search for genes that respond to pesticide stress. We believe that by combining biological protection with post-harvest treatment techniques and exploring potential genes that are responsive to pesticide stress, a better strategy for dealing with pesticide stress can be found, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residues mapping can provide essential information about soil chemical elements' behaviors and contribute to possible interferences in coffee tree development. Thus, the research objective was to monitor plant residue burning effects by analyzing the chemical elements in ash, using soil analysis, and applying vegetative indices obtained by RPA images. The samples were submitted for conventional soil analysis and atomic emission spectrometry (pure ash). The RPA multispectral images were used to form thirty-one vegetative indices. Thus, at the soil and ash collection points, the index performance was evaluated for six months and divided into three collection times. Then, the data were statistically analyzed to evaluate which index best separated the plants in regions with ash and ash-free soil. The pure ash deposits revealed expressive presences of K, Ca, Mg, and Al in addition to pH elevation. In areas with ash, the high temperature at the burning time may have caused elemental chemical transformations in the Al composition, making this element unavailable in soil analysis. The vegetative indices showed a significant difference only in coffee four months after planting. Among the thirty-one evaluated indices, only twenty were satisfactory for ash analysis. The burning of plant residues promoted the neutralization of Al. In addition, ash deposits in the soil added some essential elements for plant development. Negatively, they raised the PH and made micronutrients unavailable. The best vegetative indices for ash monitoring were the Normalized Near Infrared Index (NNIRI) and Normalized Green Index (NGI). Prior ash mapping can contribute to localized application in macro, such as K and limestone, reusing the number of elements already deposited by burning vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals exist in the ecosystem both naturally and due to anthropogenic activities and as recalcitrant pollutants; they are non-biodegradable and cause acute and chronic diseases to human beings and many lifeforms. A statistical experimental approach was applied in this current study to optimize the detoxification of mercury [Hg(II)] from mono-component biosorption system by a novel hybrid granular activated carbon (biosorbent) prepared from maize plant residues. The analysis of variance by the application of central composite design shows that all the studied independent factors greatly influence Hg(II) removal efficiency and uptake capacity. The optimum experimental condition of 30 min contact time, 0.5 g/L biosorbent dosage, and 15 mg/L initial Hg(II) concentration were achieved after seeking 20 optimization solutions at 0.903 desirability. The optimum percentage removal and uptake capacity of Hg(II) at the optimal experimental setup was 96.7% and 10.8 mg/g, respectively. To confirm the quadratic models developed for the prediction of the responses as a function of the independent factors, confirmatory laboratory experiments were performed at the optimum condition. The results show that at the established best experimental condition, the optimum Hg(II) removal efficiency of 98.3% and uptake capacity of 11.2 mg/g were attained, which were within the prediction intervals indicating the suitability of the quadratic models in predicting future cases. The TEM and XRD analyses show that the Hg(II) ions were adsorbed by the biosorbent successfully and this suggests the potential and applicability of this novel biosorbent in treating water contaminants, especially heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Education & Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Copyright of Journal of Education & Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Anthropogenic disturbances associated with land use and land cover changes negatively influence soil organic C, reducing ecosystem functionality. These adverse effects may be even more pronounced in Brazilian subtropical riparian zones due to recent changes in environmental legislation that reduced the size of these protected areas in small scale farms. This study evaluated how different land uses in riparian zones influence ecosystem services related to soil, litter, and roots C and N stocks. The field experiment was carried out in a drainage area with four land uses and cover: forest fragment (FF), plantation forest (PF), pasture (PA), and agriculture (AG). Soil, root, and litter C and N stocks were analyzed. Monocultures (PF, PA, and AG) had lower soil C and N stocks than FF. The FF and PF did not differ in litter and root C content, but FF had higher N values. Differences in the quality of plant residues were associated with a lower soil C: N ratio in FF. The lowest soil C and N stocks were observed in AG sites, and the conversion from AG to PF and PA seems to increase soil C and N stocks. Our findings indicate that, even in small forest patches, the higher quality of organic residues drives soil C and N storage, highlighting the negative effects of vegetation replacement to monocultures in riparian zones. Hence, the maintenance of riparian forests is essential for providing ecosystem services related to soil C and N cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) techniques have garnered significant attention as green and sustainable methods for obtaining biologically active substances from a diverse array of plant byproducts. This paper comprehensively reviews the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in obtaining bioactive compounds from various plant residues, including pomace, seeds, skins, and other agricultural byproducts. The main purpose of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is the selective isolation and recovery of compounds, such as polyphenols, essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants, that have significant health-promoting properties. Using supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) not only eliminates the need for hazardous organic solvents, e.g., ethanol, and methanol, but also protects heat-sensitive bioactive compounds. Moreover, this green extraction technique contributes to waste valorisation by converting plant byproducts into value-added extracts with potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This review highlights the advantages of SFE, including its efficiency, eco-friendliness, and production of residue-free extracts, while discussing potential challenges and future prospects for the utilisation of SFE in obtaining biologically active substances from plant byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has gained significant interest in the agroforestry sector, mainly because of its ability to improve soil quality and sequester carbon in the atmosphere. Among the feedstocks of possible use for biochar production is biomass, understood as products and residues of plant origin from agriculture and forestry. The quality of the biomass used for biochar production is important because the physicochemical characteristics of the final product depend on it. This review examines the use of biochar produced from forest wastes and its impact on agriculture, forest ecosystems and the environment in general. This work demonstrates that the use of biochar not only improves agricultural productivity and production, but also that the sustainable management of the environment and forests and contributes to forest fire risk mitigation. The authors, examining the physico-chemical properties of biochar produced by forest waste, noted that the most critical variable is the process (pyrolysis temperature, residence time and heating rate), but the type of biomass used as a raw material and the forest species used also have a significant impact in determining the characteristics of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing invasion of Rugulopteryx okamurae algae along the coast of southeastern Spain has prompted efforts to explore its potential as a resource. Consequently, composting this alga is considered a viable solution for agricultural applications. This study investigates the composting process of mixtures of R. okamurae seaweed with plant residues and characterizes the final compost for its use as a substrate and/or source of nutrients to determine the most effective composition of the mixture. The composting process was conducted using varying proportions of seaweed (100%, 30–35%, and 15%) combined with plant residues (from vegetable plants, fruits, and gardens) and included both washed and unwashed seaweed. The first trials revealed challenges associated with Rugulopteryx okamurae, such as a low C/N ratio and algae washing. Consequently, a second trial was conducted to optimize the mixtures, aiming for a C/N ratio close to 30. Additionally, it was decided not to wash the algae to reduce the electrical conductivity (EC) in the mixtures. The findings indicate that the composting process remains unaffected by high electrical conductivity when algae are unwashed. However, washing the algae before composting did affect the compost quality, as the composts with washed algae with garden waste (SwP 34.0 dS m−1) had a lower electrical conductivity (EC) than did the unwashed composts with garden waste (SP 51.6 dS m−1 and SFP 64.9 dS m−1). On the other hand, the compost-only horticultural and garden waste (FHP 43.7 dS m−1) had a high EC; therefore, the EC was not increased with low proportions of unwashed algae, as was seen with the compost with 15% unwashed algae (SFHP 47.6 dS m−1). The other quality parameters were not affected by the absence of algae washing at the beginning of the composting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the warehouse of the Department of Biology / College of Education for Pure Sciences for the 2023-2024 season to study the effect of adding levels of hydrogel (0, 2, 4) gm/kg of soil and residues of the vegetative part of soybeans at levels (0, 4, 8) gm/kg soil in the mineral content of yellow corn plants soaked with concentrations of (0,100, 200 ppm) of ascorbic acid. The results were analyzed using a completely randomized design and a factorial experiment with three replications. The results confirmed the existence of a discrepancy in the effect of soybean residues on mineral elements, as they ranged between inhibition and stimulation, as the residues had a stimulating effect on the calcium and nitrogen elements, While its effect was inhibitory to the element sodium and magnesium, and the addition of hydrogel showed a stimulating effect in all the nutritional elements mentioned above. On the other hand, there was a significant superiority in the content of the elements with an increase in the concentration of ascorbic acid compared to the control treatment without addition. The interactions showed a stimulating effect, especially the interaction of hydrogel levels with ascorbic acid concentrations in the studied characteristics

The decline in crop yields is attributed to uneven chemical fertilization practices and poor soil fertility. From a sustainability perspective, the application of beneficial microorganisms alongside a blend of inorganic and organic fertilizers significantly influences crop productivity and food security. Concerns within the scientific community arise from the haphazard and negligent use of fertilizers. Farming communities predominantly reliant on chemical fertilizers often overlook the application of organic alternatives, leading to a gradual decline in soil organic matter and native nutrient levels, ultimately resulting in decreased crop yields. In diverse cropping systems, the amalgamation of chemical, biological, and organic sources sustains soil health, replenishes nutrients, and optimizes crop yields. Plant residues enhance soil microbial activity, expedite nutrient cycling and availability, and aid in preserving soil health through carbon sequestration. Regular utilization of plant residues and other organic materials enriches soil organic matter content, enhancing soil health and productivity. Integrating organic and chemical fertilizers presents a potential avenue to enhance maize and soybean yields in maize-wheat cropping systems, subsequently benefiting wheat crop productivity and profitability. The efficacy of specific soil nutrients can be heightened by combining organic sources with various chemical fertilization techniques. Hence, incorporating phosphorus fertilization alongside phosphorus-mobilizing and solubilizing agents (such as Trichoderma & PSB), along with the integrated management of peach waste materials including residues, compost, and biochar, is imperative for promoting crop growth, increasing seed yields, and fostering environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camelina sativa plant residue was used as feedstock for the production of biogasoline (a mixture of paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons) by catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction (cHTL) process. The experiments were conducted at temperature range 200–375°C and pressure range 10–19 MPa. Molecular hydrogen was added for the hydro-deoxygenation processes. Various experiments were performed to understand the contributions of process parameters such as temperature, pressure, hydrogen, and retention time on reaction conversion and products distribution. This was followed by screening of different catalyst supports – γ-Al2O3, HZSM-5, SiO2-Al2O3, SBA-15, and Al2O3-HZSM-5 to understand their impacts as well as catalytic activities. The Al2O3/HZSM-5 exhibited the best properties and was impregnated with a varying range of cobalt metal for the HTL of Camelina sativa. The 5%Co/γ-Al2O3-HZSM-5 catalyst exhibited highest liquefaction conversion (79%) and biogasoline yield (43%) at optimized reaction conditions due to the presence of strong brønsted acidity on the catalyst were that enhanced both the hydrocarbon cracking and hydrogenation leading to the production of low boiling point and low molecular weight hydrocarbon within the boiling point range of fossil gasoline. Across all the data point used in the work, the average deviation was within ± 3%, these are mostly indicated by the error bars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (PBL) are soil insects important for the soil organic carbon cycle, and PBL frass not only contains a large amount of humic acid but also affects the diversity, novelty, and potential functions of actinomycetes. Here, we characterized and assessed the actinomycete. The operational taxonomic unit (OTU) data showed that 90% of the actinomycetes cannot be annotated to species, and pure culture and genome analysis showed that 35% of the strains had the potential to be new species, indicating the novelty of PBL frass actinomycetes. Additionally, genome annotation showed that many gene clusters related to antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal compound synthesis were identified, and confrontation culture confirmed the antifungal activities of the actinomycetes against soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi. The incubation experiment results showed that all isolates were able to thrive on media composed of straw powder and alkaline lignin. These results indicated that PBL hindgut-enriched actinomycetes could survive in soil by using the residual lignocellulose organic matter from plant residues, and the antibiotics produced not only give them a competitive advantage among soil microflora but also have a certain inhibitory effect on plant diseases and pests. This study suggests that the application of PBL frass can not only supplement soil humic acid but also potentially affect the soil microbiota of cultivated land, which is beneficial for the healthy growth of crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expansion of organic agriculture, research is needed to indicate economically and ecologically viable fertilizer options, especially in semiarid regions, with low soil organic matter and nitrogen content. In the Brazilian semiarid region, vermicomposts are widely used by farmers and are scientifically investigated; however, there is no information for millicompost, a new type of organic compound that has shown very promising results in other regions. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the decomposition rate, nutrient release, and microstructure evaluation of vermicomposts from different sources and of millicompost produced from plant residues, with the application of mineral nitrogen-urea and organo-mineral fertilizer in the Brazilian semiarid region. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replicates; four organic composts (millicompost, commercial vermicompost, vermicompost from bovine manure, vermicompost from goat manure); and three types of fertilization (without fertilizer, with mineral-urea and organo-mineral fertilizer). The organic composts were decomposed using litterbags at the soil surface. The variable's decomposition rate and the nutrient release were evaluated at six-time intervals (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days), and microstructure was evaluated at the beginning and the end of the experiment, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest decomposition was verified for commercial vermicompost rich in macro and micronutrients and with lower P contents. The lignin:N ratio and the initial P content were more important in the permanence of the organic compost in the field than the C:N ratio. Regardless of the organic composts, the use of urea as a mineral fertilizer stimulated decomposition more than the organo-mineral fertilizer. The initial composition of the nutrients was decisive in the dynamics of nutrient release, mass loss, and decomposition of C. There was no pattern in the release order of macronutrients. However, for the micronutrients, the release order was Cu > Fe > Mn, in all treatments. Microstructure analysis is a visual analysis where differences are detected through microphotographs and the biggest difference occurred with millicompost, which showed elongated fibers and fiber bundles, forming a relatively open structure characteristic of the presence of fulvic acid. However, the addition of organo-mineral fertilizer formed agglomerates in compacted micro-portions, helping the mineralization of C and N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance gamma‐cyhalothrin. To assess the occurrence of gamma‐cyhalothrin residues in plants, processed commodities, rotational crops and livestock, EFSA considered the conclusions derived in the framework of Commission Regulation (EU) No 188/2011, as well as the European authorisations reported by Member States (including the supporting residues data) in the framework of this review. Based on the assessment of the available data, MRL proposals were derived, and a consumer risk assessment was carried out. Although no risk to consumers was identified, some information required by the regulatory framework was missing. The residue definition for monitoring (lambda‐cyhalothrin (includes gamma‐cyhalothrin) (sum of R, S and S, R isomers)) covers both lambda‐ and gamma‐cyhalothrin. Appropriate enantioselective techniques, which are not commonly used in routine analysis, are required to differentiate gamma‐cyhalothrin residues from lambda‐cyhalothrin. According to the available data, it is expected that the MRLs currently set in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 will cover the uses of gamma‐cyhalothrin assessed in the present review. Therefore, risk managers can consider maintaining the existing EU MRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological degradation of plant residues in the soil or on the soil surface is an integral part of the natural life cycle of annual plants and does not have adverse effects on the environment. Crop straw is characterized by a complex structure and exhibits stability and resistance to rapid microbial decomposition. In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment to investigate the dynamic succession of the soil microbial community and the functional characteristics associated with lignocellulose-degrading pathways. Additionally, we aimed to identify lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms from the straw of three crop species prevalent in Northeast China: soybean (Glycine max Merr.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and maize (Zea mays L.). Our findings revealed that both the type of straw and the degradation time influenced the bacterial and fungal community structure and composition. Metagenome sequencing results demonstrated that during degradation, different straw types assembled carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and KEGG pathways in distinct manners, contributing to lignocellulose and hemicellulose degradation. Furthermore, isolation of lignocellulose-degrading microbes yielded 59 bacterial and 14 fungal strains contributing to straw degradation, with fungi generally exhibiting superior lignocellulose-degrading enzyme production compared to bacteria. Experiments were conducted to assess the potential synergistic effects of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) comprising both fungi and bacteria. These SynComs resulted in a straw weight loss of 42% at 15 days post-inoculation, representing a 22% increase compared to conditions without any SynComs. In summary, our study provides novel ecological insights into crop straw degradation by microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In soil, plant residues have low contrast making them difficult to detect using X‐ray computed tomography. In this work, we tested a convolutional neural network (U‐Net) for its ability to improve the identification of crop residues in soil samples assembled from aggregates of different size fractions (small, large, water‐stable aggregates, and average aggregate composition). Soil CT images were obtained using a 244 μm resolution. About 2500 soil images were annotated to train the neural network, of which only 631 images were selected for the training data set. Intersection over Union (IOU) was used as a measure of success of segmentation by neural network, which takes values from 0 to 1. In the validation data set, IOU of background was 0.93, IOU of solid phase was 0.95, IOU of pore space was 0.77, and IOU of plant residues was 0.40. However, IOU of plant residues in the total data set increased to 0.7. Soil structure influences the quality of multiphase segmentation of soil CT images. The poorest segmentation of plant residues was in the soil samples composed of average aggregate size composition. The quality of pore space segmentation increased with increasing porosity of the soil sample. The model tends to generalize the large areas occupied by plant residues and overlooks the smaller ones. The low values of the IOU metric for plant residues in the training data set can also be related to insufficient quality of annotation of the original images. Core Ideas: U‐Net convolutional neural network segments plant residues in soil.The ability to segment soil into solids, pores, and plant residues by neural networks depends on the soil structure type.In the validation data set, the quality of background segmentation by the Intersection over Union (IOU) measure was 0.93, IOU of the solid phase was 0.95, and IOU of the pore space was 0.77.The quality of segmentation for plant residues by the IOU measure was 0.4 and 0.7 in the validation and total data set, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Green Deal encourages the use of non-productive activities in agriculture. One of the measures is the cultivation of melliferous floral plants at the field margins. Their influence on soil compaction and other deterioration is due to heavy machinery, its inappropriate use and frequent driving on field margins, is little studied. Plants of a high environmental value though rarely grown by farmers were selected for melliferous plant strips: perennial grass swards (PGS), perennial legume swards (PLS), annual floral plats mixture (AEP) and natural grassland swards (NGS). The experiment was installed on a clay loam and loam Cambisol with the aim to determine the effect of different plant composition strips grown at the field edges on the physical and chemical soils parameters of with different granulometric structure. It was found that the highest amounts of roots and plant residues in the soil were left after cultivating sward strips of PGS and NGS compared to the field where cereals had been intensively grown. The amounts of root and plant residues produced by plants, soil rest increase the amount of organic carbon in the soil. During the five-year period, the plants edges strips improved the properties of the field margin top and subsoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum grain yield is constrained commonly by soil nutrient deficiency and water stress in semi-arid areas across Africa. Grain yields ranges from 500 to 650 kg ha−1 in some parts of African and even below 500 kg ha−1 in some countries like Mozambique and Zimbabwe without using any nutrient amendments. The use of mineral fertilizer supply nutrients readily in the soil and increasing their availability to crops and improve crop yields. Farmers in rural communities are resources constraint and not able to buy adequate mineral fertilizers and they need to amend mineral it with manure. Application of manure improves soil physiochemical properties and nutrient availability which play an important for plant growth and increasing yields. However, cattle manure commonly used by smallholder farmers is rich in plant residues and require decomposers to use a lot of mineral nitrogen as sources of energy for decomposition hence nitrogen becomes unavailable to plants. Combining mineral fertilizer and manure has a potential of improving yields from 500 to 5000 kg ha−1 depending on soil type and rainfall received in the area. However, semi-arid regions are associated with low and erratic rainfall which causes soil water stress and reduce yields. There is need to combine water management with mineral fertilizer, and organic manure to create a sustainable sorghum production in marginalized areas. This paper reviews the effects of mineral and organic fertilizer in improving sorghum production in semi-arid region and come up with way forward to meet food demand in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grainsize is an important indicator in paleoenvironmental research. Over the past few decades, different pretreatment methods have been proposed for grainsize determination of peat sediments. Assessing the reliability of the grainsize measurements is critical to ensure the paleoenvironmental significance represented by different grainsize components. In this study, using peat sediments from the Yueliangwan peatland in northeast Asia, the effects of two pretreatment methods on grainsize measurement were compared. It was found that these two pretreatment methods on peat sediments produced grainsize features with totally different parameters and distribution characteristics. Grainsize method 1, which used a hydrogen peroxide water bath treatment, did not reflect accurate results for grainsize in peat sediments. Grainsize method 2, which used muffle furnace combustion, does reflect the true results because the organic matter, such as plant residues, spores and pollen, is totally removed. The presence of this stubborn organic matter in peat samples greatly disturbs the accuracy of grainsize measurements, and the reliability of grainsize measurements can be affected by the presence of stubborn organic matter. Based on the grainsize grade-standard deviation analysis using method 2, the East Asian Winter Monsoon evolutionary history in northeast Asia during the Little Ice Age (1300–1750 CE) was reconstructed and divided into three stages: the strengthening stage (1346–1425 CE), the strongest stage (1425–1525 CE) and the weakening stage (1525–1725 CE). Comparisons and assessments are presented for two different pretreatment methods for grainsize measurement of peat deposits. The grainsize features of peat deposits obtained through the combustion method are more accurate. The grainsize features of peat deposits obtained through the H2O2 method do not eliminate the influence of stubborn organic matter. The East Asian Winter Monsoon variations in northeast Asia were driven by Siberian High and Arctic sea ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly larvae ( Hermetia illucens L.) is a kind of scavenging insect, which can convert organic waste such as animal feces, kitchen waste, and plant residues into its own nutrition, so as to achieve green and efficient transformation of resources. Larvae, especially defatted meal, is a good source of dietary protein. At present, most of the studies on forage fertilization of black soldier fly larvae are focused on protein nutrition, but there are few studies on black soldier fly larvae oil. The paper describes the main components of black soldier fly larvae oil, analyzes its nutritional value as feed, summarizes the main factors affecting the quality of black soldier fly larvae oil, reviews the research progress of using black soldier fly larvae oil instead of traditional feed in livestock, aquatic products, and other animal breeding at home and abroad, and puts forward some shortcomings and improvement methods of black soldier fly larvae oil as feed, to provide a reference for fully exploiting the application potential of the black soldier fly larvae oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands store large amounts of C; however, the underlying mechanisms of soil C sequestration after grazing exclusion are not well known. This study aimed to elucidate the drivers of soil organic C (SOC) sequestration from plant and microbial residues in temperate grasslands after long-term (~ 40 years) grazing exclusion. We conducted in situ 13C-CO2 labelling experiments in the field and traced 13C in plant-soil systems paired with biomarkers to assess the C input from plants into soils. Long-term grazing exclusion increased all plant and soil pools including shoots, roots, microbial biomass and necromass. 13C allocation in these pools also increased, whereas 13C was lost via respiration as CO2 from soils decreased. 13C incorporation into the soil and microbial biomass increased with 13C allocation into the roots. Grazing exclusion for over 40 years increased the total SOC content by 190%, largely due to increases in fungal necromass C, and there was a minor contribution of lignin phenols to SOC accrual (0.8%). Consequently, grazing exclusion boosts not only aboveground biomass, but also larger roots and rhizodeposition, leading to microbial biomass and necromass formation. Microbial necromass and lignin phenols contribute to SOC accrual under grazing exclusion, and microbial necromass, especially fungal necromass, makes a larger contribution than lignin phenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aspect of the sustainable development of agrocenoses, the proper management of plant residues remaining after harvesting, the appropriate selection of tillage and maintaining high microbiological activity of soil are particularly important. Therefore, a four-year two-factor experiment with winter wheat monoculture was conducted. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 18 cultivation technologies variants on weed infestation and yield structure of winter wheat grown in a 4-year monoculture. Six methods of tillage and management of residues after harvesting forecrops (first factor) and the use of microbiological preparations (second factor) were tested. The experiment showed that simplified tillage (elimination of plowing) had an adverse effect on the weed infestation of the field and most of the tested plant characteristics, including the yield. In terms of yield, the best solution was to leave the forecrop straw mulch on the field surface until plowing was carried out before sowing, regardless of the use of microbiological preparations. The application of preparations containing effective microorganisms brought beneficial effects only when the shredded straw of the forecrop was mixed with the soil using a grubber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive farming has caused soil degradation, including the loss of humus, soil structure breakdown, compaction, and a decrease in both potential and effective fertility. Therefore, research into farming systems is highly relevant. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to scientifically substantiate, develop, and implement an ecologically friendly modern farming system under Ukrainian conditions. The primary methods used to determine the effectiveness of various farming systems and ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental data were field, laboratory, and statistical methods. The study substantiated that an industrial farming system with the input of approximately 12.0 tonnes per hectare of crop rotation area of organic matter (8.0 tonnes per hectare of manure and 4.0 tonnes per hectare of plant residues) produces about 0.81 tonnes per hectare of humus, although 1.33 tonnes per hectare of it is mineralised, leading to a negative humus balance in the soil. The output of grain units in this system is 8.21 tonnes per hectare, feed units - 9.63, and digestible protein - 0.86 tonnes per hectare, with stability at 91.2% and profitability at 88.0%. The organic farming system, which includes the use of 24 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers and biological products to control weeds, diseases, and pests in agrocenoses, does not ensure a positive humus balance in the soil (-0.14 tonnes per hectare) and has significantly lower productivity. The no-till system, which involves the application of 12 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers in the form of root and stubble residues, by-products of crop production, and mineral fertilisers during sowing and foliar feeding, ensures a positive humus balance (+0.12 tonnes per hectare) but has productivity levels comparable to the organic system. The ecological system provides stable, economically viable, and resource-adequate productivity of arable land, enhances the quality indicators of products, and preserves and restores soil fertility. It increased the output of grain units by 8.9%, feed units by 7.2%, and digestible protein by 8.1%, ensuring high stability at 94.1% and an increase in production profitability by 8.5% compared to the control. The materials in this study are of practical value for agricultural enterprises of various ownership forms and will serve as technological guidelines for the implementation of modern, ecologically safe, economically and energetically justified agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture 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.)

This study aimed to extract lead from a zinc production plant residue containing 3.67% PbO, 2.79% ZnO, 8.75% SiO2, 24.8% SO2, 2.38% Fe2O3, and 4.46% Al2O3. In this regard, response surface modeling based on the central composite design was utilized to scrutinize and optimize the operating parameters such as NaCl concentration, HCl concentration, pulp mixing rate, solid percentage, and leaching time on the leaching efficiency of lead. Our findings demonstrated that NaCl concentration and solid percentage were the most effective parameters on the leaching of lead, in which higher concentrations of chloride and lower solid contents led to an enhancement in lead recovery. To attain the maximum recovery of lead (75.72%) at room temperature, the optimum conditions were found to be 2 mol/L HCl, 350 g/L NaCl, solid percent 10%, stirring rate 300 rpm, and leaching time 90 min. The leaching kinetics was also examined based on the shrinking core models to realize the process mechanism and develop a new kinetic model. The results exhibited that the kinetics control mechanism was the product layer diffusion model with an activation energy of 16.69 kJ/mol. Finally, a kinetic model is developed based on the diffusion model and effective parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

Seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an economically important early-season pest of corn and soybean in the United States. Adult seedcorn maggot is attracted to decomposing plant residues for oviposition, creating potential management issues where growers typically use tillage to incorporate fertility amendments and to create a seedbed. The use of growing degree-day models to time planting dates is an important tool for effectively managing this pest, but their use has not been examined in organic crop production. Here, we report the results of experiments to determine the effects of cover crops, tillage, and relative planting date on seedcorn maggot in corn and soybean in 2 experiments: The first during the transition to organic from conventional management and the second during the 3 yr following organic certification in central Pennsylvania, United States. Overall, delaying the planting date by 1–2 wk reduced fly emergence in corn, but not in soybean in both experiments. Seedcorn maggot emergence was also consistently greater in corn than in soybean, with 6 times more flies in corn than in soy. About 15 times more seedcorn maggot flies emerged from corn in treatments in which cover crops were managed with tillage compared to treatments in which cover crops were terminated with a roller-crimper followed by no-till planting of corn. Fly emergence was negatively related to the proportion of legumes in the cover crop mixture preceding corn. These results can help inform soil, cover crop, and crop decisions for organic growers in the Mid-Atlantic United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE MINISTRY of Agriculture and Soil Reclamation (MASR) in Egypt is actively pursuing the sustainable expansion of oil crops, particularly through the cultivation of canola to shrank gap and decrease the import gap for various oil products and edible oils. Therefore, a field trials were executed to assess the potential impact of different soil additions, including a control group without soil additions (T1 ), magnesium sulphate at a rate of 30 Kg Mg fed-1 (T2 ), plant residues compost (rice straw + soybean stover) at a rate of 7.0 tons fed-1 (T3 ), and a combined treatment of compost at a rate of 3.0 tons fed-1 plus magnesium sulphate at a rate of 15 Kg Mg fed-1 (T4 ) as the main plots on canola plants. Subplots were also designated for foliar applications of beneficial elements, comprising four groups: F1 (control), F2 (Magnesium sulphate), F3 (Zn-EDTA), and F4 (Fe-EDTA) at a rate of 500 g per feddan for each beneficial element. Various parameters such as plant height (cm) No. of branches plant-1 , chlorophyll (SPAD reading), seed yield (ton ha-1 ), straw yield (ton ha-1 ), oil (%), oil yield (ton ha-1 ), protein (%) and carbohydrates (%) were recorded during the trials. The combined treatment (T4 ) emerged as the most effective soil addition, demonstrating optimal performance. Following closely in effectiveness was the use of compost alone (T3 ), with magnesium sulphate (T2 ) ranking third. In contrast, the control group, which did not receive compost and magnesium sulphate, exhibited the lowest performance among the treatments. As for foliar application treatments, the descending ranking order were: F2 (Mg element) < F3 (Zn element)< F4 (Fe element), 1 (without beneficial elements). Briefly, the combined treatment of T4 x F2 emerged as the most superior among the various interactions studied. These findings underscore the importance of tailored soil amendments and foliar applications to maximize canola crop yields, providing valuable insights for the Ministry's strategic planning. Recommendations include widespread adoption of the T4 x F2 combination, further research on optimal dosage and application methods, and ongoing support for farmers in implementing these practices to bolster Egypt's self-sufficiency in oil production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EFFICIENTLY optimizing strategic crop production in Egypt's degraded soils is imperative to address the nutritional gap and ensure food security. Consequently, a field trial was conducted over two consecutive summer seasons (2022 and 2023) to evaluate the potential impact of various organic fertilization sources as the main plots on soybean plant cultivated in soil with an EC value of 6.45 dsm-1. The organic treatments included a control group without organic fertilizers (I0 ), farmyard manure (FYM) compost (I1 ), plant residues (PR) compost (I2 ) and chicken manure (ChM) compost (I3). Additionally, the subplots were designated for foliar applications of proline amino acid, with three groups: F0 (without foliar application, serving as the control), F1 (proline at a rate of 60 mg L-1 ), and F2 (proline at a rate of 100 mg L-1 ). The study assessed various parameters at two stages: 80 days from sowing, focusing on growth indicators such as plant height, foliage fresh and dry leaf weights, and chlorophyll content and antioxidant indicators. At the harvest stage, yield-related parameters and quality aspects like the number of pods per plant, seed yield, oil, protein, carbohydrates, along with the analysis of soil nutrient availability. The results obtained illustrated that ChM compost (I3 ) proved to be the most effective organic source in promoting optimal performance under salinity conditions, as evidenced by superior growth indicators, yield-related parameters, and quality. Following closely was PR compost (I2 ), with FYM compost (I1 ) ranking third, while the control group (without organic fertilizers) exhibited the lowest performance. In addition, the findings highlight the positive impact of proline amino acid on enhancing plant tolerance to salinity stress, with performance improvements correlating with increased proline levels. The sequence of proline treatments, ranked from most effective to least, was F2, followed by F1 , then F0 (without proline). Analyzing soil fertility at the harvest stage, all organic sources positively influenced the availability of N, P, and K, with ChM compost (I3 ) demonstrating superior effects. The influence of proline was nearly negligible in this aspect. Overall, the combined treatment of I3 x F2 emerged as the most distinguished among the various interactions studied. Therefore, integrated approaches that combine optimal organic fertilization practices with proline applications, such as the studied combination of ChM compost and proline, should be promoted for enhanced soybean production. Ongoing research is essential to refine and expand these recommended practices for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to soybean cultivation in challenging soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An initial investigation into the utilization of recycled plant and animal residues as soil amendments (SAs), including compost, biochar, and soil conditioner, was conducted using alfalfa crops. This study evaluated the impact of SAs on alfalfa seed germination, resulting in an 87% germination rate for biochar, 82% for soil conditioner, and 82% for compost. In comparison, untreated seeds displayed a 78% germination rate. After successful germination, the SAs were employed to enhance soil health, with a focus on water conservation and increased forage yield. The study used sandy-textured soil with moderate alkalinity, very slight salinity, slight calcareousness, and high permeability. The germination trial confirmed that SAs usage did not hinder seed germination, even for salt-sensitive crops like alfalfa. Two field experiments were carried out in Al-Wafra, using different application rates of compost, biochar, and soil conditioner at 5, 7.5, and 10 tons per hectare. The results highlighted the positive impact of SAs application on increasing forage production, with varying degrees of enhancement, and confirmed a 40% reduction in water usage compared to treatment without SAs but under 100% irrigation (100% ETc). In conclusion, SAs show promising potential for local forages intensification and water conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to treat phosphorus-containing wastewater and realize the resource utilization of wetland plant residues, biochar was prepared by the pyrolysis of canna aquatic plant waste at 700 °C, and the adsorption characteristics of phosphorus by MgO-modified biochar (MBC) were explored. The main results are as follows: the adsorption capacity of the MBC was eight times that of unmodified biochar (BC), and the adsorption capacity was up to 244 mg/g. The isothermal adsorption data were consistent with the Langmuir equation, which indicates monolayer adsorption. The functional groups changed little before and after the modification, but a new diffraction peak appeared after the modification. Compared with the standard card, it was suggested that there were MgO crystals with a higher purity. SEM images showed that the BC had a smooth surface, an obvious pore structure, and a thin pore wall, while the MBC had a rough surface and a layered structure, which can provide more adsorption sites for phosphate adsorption. In addition, an XPS analysis showed that Mg3(PO4)2 crystals appeared on the surface of the MBC after adsorption. The mechanism analysis showed that MgO is an important substance for MBC to adsorb phosphorus, and electrostatic adsorption and complex precipitation play key roles. In the test to verify the removal of actual phosphorus-containing wastewater by MBC, it was found that the removal rates for wastewater with 2.06 mg/L and 199.8 mg/L of phosphorus by MBC were as high as 93.4–93.9% and 99.2–99.3%, respectively. MBC can be used as an efficient adsorbent for phosphorus removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peat deposits of the Bol'sheberezovskoe and Podkos'movo floodplain mires formed during the Atlantic–Subboreal periods of the Holocene in the Nepryadva River valley in the northeastern part of the Central Russian Upland have been studied. Data on the botanical composition of peat indicate that the genesis of these mires was associated with eutrophic paleocenoses, which accumulated carbon at a rate of 21.8–95 g/m2 per year. The formed eutrophic peat was characterized by a high degree of decomposition (45–55%) and by a low rate of vertical growth (on average, 0.3–0.6 mm/year), which was due to the seasonal dynamics of the level of mire waters. The carbon content of peat is 14% for the Podkos'movo mire and 31% for the Bol'sheberezovskoe mire. The differences are due to the specific water–mineral nutrition of the mires: the high carbonate and ash contents of the Podkos'movo mire. Carbon stocks in peat soils of floodplain mires vary from 51.5 up to 125 kg/m2 for 10-cm-thick horizons. This parameter is determined by the degree of decomposition of plant residues, which depends on the composition and structure of microbial complexes. The microbial complex of Bol'sheberezovskoe and Podkos'movo mires is dominated by the fungal and bacterial components, respectively. This is the reason for the differences in the microbial biomass of the mires: 222 g/m2 for the Podkos'movo mire and 898 g/m2 for the Bol'sheberezovskoe mire. The differences between the two floodplain mires are related to the degree of variation in the level of mire waters during the growing season, which is more considerable at the Bol'sheberezovskoe mire because of its artificial drainage. Floodplain mires are important depots of atmospheric carbon, and the intensity of its accumulation is determined by a combination of factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the quantities and ratios of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DN) generated by different chemical quality classes of organic residues on soil microbial processes in the decomposition process is not well understood. If the DOC-to-DN ratio (hereafter, ratio) of the substrate is close to that of the microbial C-to-N ratio, then the DOC-and-DN stoichiometry of the substrate is balanced, resulting in enhanced microbial processing, i.e., carbon use efficiency (CUE). Uncertainty exists about the influence of DN and the DOC-to-DN ratio on CUE, particularly in high-quality class (high nitrogen) residue-treated soils. A long-term field experiment was used to explore the effect of the annual application of residues of different quality classes on decomposition processes, focusing on the effects of DOC, DN, and the ratio on the microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), which is the inverse of CUE. DOC and DN were extracted from soils during the 13th year of the experiment. Soils treated with high-quality class groundnut residue (high-nitrogen) had higher DN (5.4 ± 2.6 mg N kg−1) and a lower ratio (6.8 ± 2.6) than those treated with medium-quality (medium-nitrogen) tamarind (3.0 ± 0.6 and 10.7 ± 2.2, respectively). The positive influence of DN on qCO2 (R2 = 0.49 *) in groundnut-treated soil suggested that the high bioavailability of DN reduced CUE due to imbalanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry. This contradicted earlier published findings on high-nitrogen residues which had balanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry. The positive influence of the ratio on qCO2 under the tamarind-treated soil (R2 = 0.60 *) indicated that its balanced DOC-and-DN stoichiometry enhanced CUE. High-quality class organic residues can result in either higher or lower CUE than their lower-quality class counterparts depending on whether the resulting DOC-and-DN stoichiometry is balanced or imbalanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Solvent recirculation is a feasible strategy to valorize the HTC aqueous waste. • HTC moderate temperatures favor additional hydrochar formation during recirculation. • HTC of blended biomasses enhances hydrochar recovery at 180 °C. • Process water recirculation promotes dehydration and decarboxylation reactions. • A significantly higher energy recovery is achieved by process water recirculation. This study aims at valorizing the residual aqueous phase from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of Sicilian agro-wastes in order to enhance the hydrochar recovery, positively affecting the process energy balance. Process waters (PW) obtained from HTC and co-HTC using orange peel waste and fennel plant residues were used as recycled solvent in experiments carried out at the temperatures of 180 and 230 °C. The results showed that an additional hydrochar formation was promoted during recirculation of solvent, leading to average increments of solid mass yield of 10.5 wt% for tests conducted at 180 °C and 3.9 wt% for 230 °C. After five consecutive recirculation phases in co-HTC runs, the hydrochar yield increased up to 18.2 wt%. The low H/C and O/C atomic ratios values, found after recirculation, indicate that organic acids, accumulated in the PW, may catalyze the process and promote the biomass deoxygenation by boosting dehydration and decarboxylation. The recovered PWs from conversion steps with deionized water were also carbonized in absence of the solid feedstock in order to quantify their contribution in hydrochar formation during recirculation and thus the synergistic interactions. After recirculation, energy recovery averagely augmented by more than threefold, showing that the proposed strategy could significantly improve the sustainability of HTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Raffia and mulching film hamper the direct reuse or plant residues in horticulture. • As a result, contaminated plant residues are often landfilled or incinerated. • We assess the use of biodegradable and compostable alternatives. • These alternatives are more expensive than conventional options. • They have a lower carbon footprint when conventional plastic waste is incinerated. Plastics and other materials commonly used in horticulture for plant support (e.g. raffia) and soil protection (e.g. mulching film) pose a challenge to achieving a circular economy. These materials contaminate plant residues, hampering their direct reuse due to the need for separation and cleaning. As a result, contaminated plant residues is often landfilled or incinerated. This study investigates the replacement of conventional plastic raffia and mulching film with biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Polypropylene raffia is compared with a biodegradable viscose polymer and compostable jute fibre, while polyethylene mulching film is compared with a biodegradable polylactic acid film. Conventional and novel alternatives are compared economically using Life-Cycle Costing and environmentally using Life-Cycle Assessment. The economic assessment is based on case studies with two horticultural companies in Almeria (south-eastern Spain), while the environmental analysis uses data from the Ecoinvent database. The use of biodegradable and compostable alternatives for raffia and mulching film proved to be 49% more expensive than conventional options. However, when conventional plastic waste is incinerated rather than landfilled, biodegradable and compostable alternatives have a lower carbon footprint. Although biodegradable and compostable options can be more expensive and have higher impacts in certain situations, proper waste management can lead to environmental benefits. With optimisation and incentives, these alternative options support the transition of horticulture to a sustainable circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]