scholarly journals Characterization of pyrolysis products derived from three biological wastes and their effect on plant growth and soil water retention

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 02004
Author(s):  
Laila Bouqbis ◽  
Hans Werner Koyro ◽  
Claudia Kammann ◽  
Lalla Fatima Zohra Ainlhout ◽  
Laila Boukhalef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Wood Chip ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Over two-thirds of Morocco can be classified as semiarid, arid and desert with low and variable rainfalls. While the country is subject to frequent drought, groundwater resources are predominantly consume by irrigated agriculture leading to the depletion of water resources and degradation of soil quality. Application of bio-resources wastes to soils after pyrolysis process is well documented to help retain water and nutrients in soils. In this study, three bio-resources wastes derived from argan shells, wood chip, a blend of paper sludge and wheat husks are characterized for physical and chemical properties. To determine the potential impact of salt stress and toxic substances the second part of this study focused on the effect these bio-resources wastes have on germination of salad and barley respectively. The three bio-resources obtained from different biomass showed some unique properties compared to the soil, such as high electrical conductivity (EC), high content of K, Na and Mg, low content of heavy metals. Moreover, the water holding capacities increased with increasing application of bio-resources wastes. Concerning the phytotoxic tests, no negative effect was observed neither for salad (Lactuca sativa L.) nor for barley (Hordeum vulgare) indicating that the three bio-resources could be safely used for agriculture. Collectively, the use of these bio-resources wastes as a soil amendment is anticipated to increase both water and nutrient and could provide the potential for a better plant growth mainly in semiarid, arid and desert climatic conditions like the case of Morocco in which the agricultural practices reserve a majority of the water resources to be used for irrigation.

scholarly journals The water crisis and its implications in Brazilian agribusiness: A bibliographic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
O. S. Fagundes ◽  
L. C. A. Oliveira ◽  
O. M. Yamashita ◽  
I. V. Silva ◽  
M. A. C. Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Water Crisis ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Basic Sanitation ◽  
Environmental Good

Water scarcity has become one of the main global problems, since of all the water of the terrestrial surface, only 2.5% represents fresh water, and of this, only 0.3% corresponds to the water of the rivers and lakes that are available to supply the demand for food production and other uses. The present work consisted in surveying the scenario related to the global water crisis and presenting evidence that even Brazil being abundant in the amount of water available, tends to face serious problems because of its scarcity, affecting two of the main economic pillars, agribusiness and industry. It was observed that the main negative effects on water resources occur due to urban occupation and agricultural practices in a disorderly way, causing destruction of natural resources through the discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and agrochemicals. In general, the lack of control of the use of the water directed to the productive processes is one of the major generators of the water shortage, since 69% of the water derived from rivers, lakes and aquifers underground is turned to irrigated agriculture, using 70 times more water than for domestic purposes. Thus, it is necessary to adopt policies aimed at the conservation and efficient use of water resources, to value water as a social, social and environmental good, since their scarcity can generate instability in economic sectors such as agriculture, generating production insecurity in industry, as well as affecting the supply of drinking water, basic sanitation and public health.

scholarly journals Trend Analysis of Meteorological Variables: Rainfall and Temperature

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 1868-1879
Author(s):  
Jada El Kasri ◽  
Abdelaziz Lahmili ◽  
Halima Soussi ◽  
Imane Jaouda ◽  
Maha Bentaher
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Monotonic Trend ◽  
Increasing Trend

The Souss-Massa region in southwestern Morocco is characterized by a semi-arid climate with high variability in rainfall. Frequent droughts and flash flood events combined with overexploitation of water resources in recent decades have had a significant impact on the human security and the economy which is mainly based on agriculture, tourism and fishery. For better management of extreme events and water resources under changing climatic conditions, a study was carried out to quantify the seasonal and annual variability and trends in rainfall and temperature over the past three decades with data from three stations. Climatological representative of the Souss-Massa region. The Mann-Kendall (MK) non-parametric test and the Sen’s slope are used to estimate the monotonic trend and magnitude of the trend of the variables, respectively. Statistical analysis of the rainfall series data set highlights that the occurrence of rainfall is unpredictable and irregular and the both the seasonal and annual rainfall trend appears negative (downward) for all the three climatological stations. The minimum temperature shows a remarkable increasing trend both on annual and seasonal scale while the maximum temperature registers a slightly increasing trend. The study presents some new insights on rainfall and temperature trends that will have significant impacts on the surface and groundwater resources of the region under changing climatic conditions. The results can help to prioritize new strategies to mitigate the risk of droughts, of floods and to manage water resources to sustain the dependence of agriculture tourism and fishery sectors in the region. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091765 Full Text: PDF

Use of Modeling in Developing Label Restrictions for Agricultural Chemicals

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell L. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Fate ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Chemicals ◽  
State Regulations ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Application Timing

The movement and degradation of agricultural chemicals in soil and groundwater is a complex process, influenced by climatic conditions, site characteristics, chemical properties, and agricultural practices. Because of this complexity, mechanistic models are useful tools in evaluating environmental fate. Although currently available unsaturated zone models often do not provide accurate concentration profiles when compared with field measurements, they can be used to estimate the depth and extent of movement. Another application of modeling is to compare predicted movement under different simulation conditions to determine the significance of the various factors affecting the behavior of agricultural chemicals. When properly designed and interpreted, modeling studies can contribute to the understanding of the environmental fate of agricultural chemicals. When necessary, modeling can also be useful in developing management practices included on the label or in state regulations. Modeling has been a frequently used tool in developing restrictions for minimizing the movement of aldicarb residues into groundwater and preventing residues in drinking water. Examples of model use include optimizing application timing, estimating well setback distances, and identifying vulnerable soils.

scholarly journals The future of oats in the food and health continuum

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (S2) ◽  
pp. S75-S79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Clemens ◽  
B. Jan-Willem van Klinken
Keyword(s):  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
The Impact

A large body of clinical evidence suggests that the consumption of 3 g or more per d of β-glucan from oats or barley, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of CHD. The unique chemical and physical properties of oats and physiological responses to oat consumption contribute to their demonstrated health benefits; other health attributes are still under evaluation. Many of these benefits, such as those associated with a reduced risk of CVD, are codified in health claims by several regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration in the USA and the European Food Safety Authority in Europe. Despite these oat–health relationships, an apparent decline in agricultural production, the presence of an array of plant pathogens, and dynamics of climatic conditions may preclude the availability and subsequent consumption of this commodity worldwide. Therefore, it is incumbent on scientists from multiple disciplines to advance research in a spectrum of arenas, including physico-chemical properties of oats, the impact of oats on an array of non-communicable diseases and human microbiome, agricultural practices and environments, and processing technologies that contribute to global food policies.

scholarly journals Effects of Biochar on Container Substrate Properties and Growth of Plants—A Review

Horticulturae ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Huang ◽  
Mengmeng Gu
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Substrate Properties ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Production Conditions

Biochar refers to a processed, carbon-rich material made from biomass. This article provides a brief summary on the effects of biochar on container substrate properties and plant growth. Biochar could be produced through pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization of various feedstocks. Biochar produced through different production conditions and feedstocks affect its properties and how it performs when incorporated in container substrates. Biochar incorporation affects the physical and chemical properties of container substrates, including bulk density, total porosity, container capacity, nutrient availability, pH, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity. Biochar could also affect microbial activities. The effects of biochar incorporation on plant growth in container substrates depend on biochar properties, plant type, percentage of biochar applied and other container substrates components mixed with biochar. A review of the literature on the impact of biochar on container-grown plants without other factors (such as irrigation or fertilization rates) indicated that 77.3% of the studies found that certain percentages of biochar addition in container substrates promoted plant growth, and 50% of the studies revealed that plant growth decreased due to certain percentages of biochar incorporation. Most of the plants tested in these studies were herbaceous plants. More plant species should be tested for a broader assessment of the use of biochar. Toxic substances (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxin) in biochars used in container substrates has rarely been studied. Caution is needed when selecting feedstocks and setting up biochar production conditions, which might cause toxic contaminants in the biochar products that could have negative effects on plant growth.

Input Use and Productivity across Farm Sizes: A Comparison of the Two Punjabs

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (4II) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eshya Mujahid Mukhtar ◽  
Hanid Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Land Distribution ◽  
Input Use ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
Productivity Gains

Agricultural production depends upon certain crucial inputs e.g., water, fertilizer etc. In the less developed regions of South Asia in general, and the indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, the use of these inputs depends not only upon the financial affordability but also upon the institutional accessibility of farmers to these inputs. Besides high economic costs, bureaucratic controls and corruption regarding the distribution of inputs have created problems of limited accessibility, especially to the small farmers. In the absence of any credit, information and/or input distribution networks, the use of these inputs, and related productivity gains, become confined to that class of farmers which not only has better access to these inputs but is capable of using them in the best possible way e.g. use of water and fertilizer in the appropriate amount and at the appropriate time. This paper attempts to study how input use and input productivity vary across farm sizes, with some reference to the infrastructural and institutional factors, whose development play an important role in improving the distribution and productivity of inputs. For such an analysis, a comparison of the two Punjabs i.e. Pakistani and Indian Punjabs, presents an ideal framework, Separated by a national boundary since 1947, the two Punjabs enjoy a common history and culture, similar agricultural practices and agro-climatic conditions, Government policies in the two Punjabs, however, have not only differed between the two provinces at the same time, but also over time in the same province. It may be noted that due to certain policy measures, land distribution, tenancy conditions, promotion of agricultural co-operatives and provision of infrastructural features, such as roads and electricity, are relatively more improved in Indian than Pakistani Punjab.

scholarly journals Insights on Molecular Characteristics of Hydrochars by 13C-NMR and Off-Line TMAH-GC/MS and Assessment of Their Potential Use as Plant Growth Promoters

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laís G. Fregolente ◽  
João Vitor dos Santos ◽  
Giovanni Vinci ◽  
Alessandro Piccolo ◽  
Altair B. Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Phosphoric Acid ◽  
13C Nmr ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Potential Use

Hydrochar is a carbon-based material that can be used as soil amendment. Since the physical-chemical properties of hydrochar are mainly assigned to process parameters, we aimed at evaluating the organic fraction of different hydrochars through 13C-NMR and off-line TMAH-GC/MS. Four hydrochars produced with sugarcane bagasse, vinasse and sulfuric or phosphoric acids were analyzed to elucidate the main molecular features. Germination and initial growth of maize seedlings were assessed using hydrochar water-soluble fraction to evaluate their potential use as growth promoters. The hydrochars prepared with phosphoric acid showed larger amounts of bioavailable lignin-derived structures. Although no differences were shown about the percentage of maize seeds germination, the hydrochar produced with phosphoric acid promoted a better seedling growth. For this sample, the greatest relative percentage of benzene derivatives and phenolic compounds were associated to hormone-like effects, responsible for stimulating shoot and root elongation. The reactions parameters proved to be determinant for the organic composition of hydrochar, exerting a strict influence on molecular features and plant growth response.

scholarly journals Protists as main indicators and determinants of plant performance

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Guo ◽  
Wu Xiong ◽  
Xinnan Hang ◽  
Zhilei Gao ◽  
Zixuan Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Organic Fertilization ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Beneficial Microorganisms ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Microbes

Abstract Background Microbiomes play vital roles in plant health and performance, and the development of plant beneficial microbiomes can be steered by organic fertilizer inputs. Especially well-studied are fertilizer-induced changes on bacteria and fungi and how changes in these groups alter plant performance. However, impacts on protist communities, including their trophic interactions within the microbiome and consequences on plant performance remain largely unknown. Here, we tracked the entire microbiome, including bacteria, fungi, and protists, over six growing seasons of cucumber under different fertilization regimes (conventional, organic, and Trichoderma bio-organic fertilization) and linked microbial data to plant yield to identify plant growth-promoting microbes. Results Yields were higher in the (bio-)organic fertilization treatments. Soil abiotic conditions were altered by the fertilization regime, with the prominent effects coming from the (bio-)organic fertilization treatments. Those treatments also led to the pronounced shifts in protistan communities, especially microbivorous cercozoan protists. We found positive correlations of these protists with plant yield and the density of potentially plant-beneficial microorganisms. We further explored the mechanistic ramifications of these relationships via greenhouse experiments, showing that cercozoan protists can positively impact plant growth, potentially via interactions with plant-beneficial microorganisms including Trichoderma, the biological agent delivered by the bio-fertilizer. Conclusions We show that protists may play central roles in stimulating plant performance through microbiome interactions. Future agricultural practices might aim to specifically enhance plant beneficial protists or apply those protists as novel, sustainable biofertilizers.

scholarly journals Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Anderson do Espirito Santo Pereira ◽  
Halley Caixeta Oliveira ◽  
Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto ◽  
Catherine Santaella
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Growth Hormones ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Plant Growth Hormones ◽  
Entire Plant ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Our agriculture is threatened by climate change and the depletion of resources and biodiversity. A new agriculture revolution is needed in order to increase the production of crops and ensure the quality and safety of food, in a sustainable way. Nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture. Seed nano-priming is an efficient process that can change seed metabolism and signaling pathways, affecting not only germination and seedling establishment but also the entire plant lifecycle. Studies have shown various benefits of using seed nano-priming, such as improved plant growth and development, increased productivity, and a better nutritional quality of food. Nano-priming modulates biochemical pathways and the balance between reactive oxygen species and plant growth hormones, resulting in the promotion of stress and diseases resistance outcoming in the reduction of pesticides and fertilizers. The present review provides an overview of advances in the field, showing the challenges and possibilities concerning the use of nanotechnology in seed nano-priming, as a contribution to sustainable agricultural practices.

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