Characterization of Biochars From Tropical Biomass

Azomite is a mined, commercially available, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosiliclate soil amendment reported to act as a source of mineral elements. To determine its effect on plant growth, Dendranthema `Connie' rooted cuttings, Malus seedlings, and Citrus seedlings were grown in containers in one of two growing media: ProMix BX or ProMix BX with Azomite (1:1, v:v). Plant height was monitored weekly and after 6 weeks of growth, fresh and dry plant weights of roots and shoots were determined. There was no difference in any of the parameters measured as a result of the addition of Azomite. Any nutritional influence of the Azomite may only be evident in different conditions, e.g., field soil, or over an extended period of time. The Azomite altered the medium's physical properties and therefore bulk density and water-holding capacity of the Azomite were determined for consideration.

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Impacts of Controlled Forest Fires on Soil Properties in Gadchiroli Forest Circle, Central India

Sustainability Agri Food and Environmental Research ◽

10.7770/safer-v9n2-art2253 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Rahul Kamble

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Forest Fire ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Central India ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Water Holding

Forest is an important ecosystem service to human beings. In recent decades the forest is facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities. One of the activities is the burning of forest floor for easy collection of non-timber forest produce. As a result of this number of incidences of forest fires has increased in the tribal-dominated area of the world. These forest fires have adverse impacts on soil properties which will ultimately in the long term have impacts on the forest ecosystem. Taking into consideration this fact this study was attempted to assess the impacts of controlled forest fires on the physicochemical properties of forest soil in the Gadchiroli forest circle of Central India. To assess the impacts six sampling sites from the forest where identified from the study area where no previous forest fire history was recorded in that season. Initial soil sampling before controlled forest fire was carried out in summer 2019 by quartering method in the topsoil layer (1-5 cm). A controlled forest fire was carried out in the same area. The soil was prepared for soil analysis and analysed by adopting standard methods for bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter. Results revealed that forest fires increase the bulk density of soil, at 50% (n = 3) sampling locations water holding capacity got reduced down; whereas, at other half increased in capacity was observed. In the case of soil pH 66% (n = 4) sample reported increased in soil pH and at other reduction in soil pH was recorded. Except at one sampling location electrical conductivity was reduced. A similar trend was also noticed for organic carbon and organic matter. Bulk density and water holding capacity will have long term impacts; whereas, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and organic matter will have short term impacts. Furthermore, in those sampling locations where forest fire does not occur in the last 2-3 years organic carbon and organic matter content of the soil is high. Thus, measures to be taken to reduce forest fires activities by incorporating an effective forest fire management system at a place by incorporating fire load management subsystem and fire suppression subsystem.

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Physical Properties of Processed Poultry Feather Fiber-containing Greenhouse Root Substrates

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.17.3.301 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 301-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael R. Evans ◽

Leisha Vance

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Pore Space ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Sphagnum Peat ◽

The Difference ◽

Poultry Feather ◽

Feather Fiber ◽

Water Holding

A series of soilless root substrates was formulated to contain either 20% composted pine bark or perlite and 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% feather fiber, with the remainder being sphagnum peat. The substrates containing bark or perlite with 0% feather fiber served as the controls for the bark- and perlite-containing substrates respectively. For root substrates containing perlite, the inclusion of feather fiber increased the total pore space compared with the control substrate. For substrates containing bark, the inclusion of 10% or 20% feather fiber increased total pore space, but the inclusion of 30% feather fiber reduced total pore space. For substrates containing perlite, the inclusion of feather fiber increased the air-filled pore space compared with the control, and as the percentage feather fiber increased, air-filled pore space increased. For substrates containing bark, the inclusion of 10% or 20% feather fiber increased air-filled pore space, but air-filled pore space of the substrate containing 30% feather fiber was not different from the control. For all substrates, the inclusion of feather fiber reduced the water-holding capacity, but water-holding capacities for all substrates remained within recommended ranges. The bulk density of feather fiber-containing substrates was not different from the control except for the substrate containing 30% feather fiber with bark, which had a higher bulk density than its control without feather fiber. The difference in physical properties of the 30% feather fiber substrate with bark from its control substrate was attributed to the aggregation of the feather fiber when formulated with composted bark. Aggregation of feather fiber when blended into substrates at levels of 30% or higher would create difficulties in achieving uniform substrates.

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Impacts of Controlled Forest Fires on Soil Properties in Gadchiroli Forest Circle, Central India

Sustainability Agri Food and Environmental Research ◽

10.7770/safer-v0n0-art2253 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rahul Kamble

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Forest Fire ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Central India ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Water Holding

Forest is an important ecosystem service to human beings. In recent decades the forest is facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities. One of the activities is the burning of forest floor for easy collection of non-timber forest produce. As a result of this number of incidences of forest fires has increased in the tribal-dominated area of the world. These forest fires have adverse impacts on soil properties which will ultimately in the long term have impacts on the forest ecosystem. Taking into consideration this fact this study was attempted to assess the impacts of controlled forest fires on the physicochemical properties of forest soil in the Gadchiroli forest circle of Central India. To assess the impacts six sampling sites from the forest where identified from the study area where no previous forest fire history was recorded in that season. Initial soil sampling before controlled forest fire was carried out in summer 2019 by quartering method in the topsoil layer (1-5 cm). A controlled forest fire was carried out in the same area. The soil was prepared for soil analysis and analysed by adopting standard methods for bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter. Results revealed that forest fires increase the bulk density of soil, at 50% (n = 3) sampling locations water holding capacity got reduced down; whereas, at other half increased in capacity was observed. In the case of soil pH 66% (n = 4) sample reported increased in soil pH and at other reduction in soil pH was recorded. Except at one sampling location electrical conductivity was reduced. A similar trend was also noticed for organic carbon and organic matter. Bulk density and water holding capacity will have long term impacts; whereas, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and organic matter will have short term impacts. Furthermore, in those sampling locations where forest fire does not occur in the last 2-3 years organic carbon and organic matter content of the soil is high. Thus, measures to be taken to reduce forest fires activities by incorporating an effective forest fire management system at a place by incorporating fire load management subsystem and fire suppression subsystem.

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(160) Are All Vermicomposts Created Equal?

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.4.1006a ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1006A-1006

Author(s):

Gray R. Bachman

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Organic Wastes ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Volume Percent ◽

Air Volume ◽

Water Holding ◽

Different Sources

The horticulture industry continues to show interest in using stabilized organic wastes as a component of container media. Vermicompost, also known as worm-worked waste or worm castings, is one of these materials of interest and can be produced from a number of organic wastes, including manure wastes. One issue that has not been addressed is the uniformity of vermicomposts produced from wastes of different sources. Are all vermicomposts created equal? The uniformity of vermicompost is important for growers to consider when using as a medium amendment. This research project investigated the physical properties of vermicompost 1) from different sources of wastes and 2) from a single waste source sequentially sampled over time. The first stage determined the physical properties of vermicompost from beef manure, hog manure, and peat-based media used by two earthworm growers. There were significant differences between the four vermicomposts in bulk density, air volume, percent air volume, percent volumetric moisture, total porosity, and water holding capacity. The second stage involved determining the physical characteristics of vermicompost produced from beef manure collected at the Illinois State University Research Farm from cattle receiving a consistent diet through the year. Manure was collected bimonthly. There was no difference in vermicompost bulk density among the samples. There were significant differences in air volume, percent air volume, percent volumetric moisture, total porosity, and water holding capacity. These changes in vermicompost physical characteristics must be quantified for growers to accurately predict performance as a growth medium amendment.

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Physical Properties of Whole Fresh-ground Parboiled Rice Hulls for Use as a Horticultural Root Substrate

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.979b ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 979B-979

Author(s):

Johann S. Buck ◽

Michael R. Evans ◽

Paolo Sambo

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Pore Space ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Rice Hull ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Parboiled Rice ◽

Rice Hulls ◽

Water Holding

Horticultural root substrates are designed to provide the optimal physical properties for plant growth. These properties include bulk density (g·cm-3), air-filled pore space (% v/v), total pore space (% v/v), water-filled pore space (% v/v), water-holding capacity (% v/v and w/w), and wettability. Whole, fresh parboiled rice hulls were ground to produce four grades with varying particle size distributions. Particle sizes for the four grades ranged from <0.25 to >2.80 mm. Additionally, discrete particle sizes of <0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 2.80, and >2.80 mm were produced. For all grade distributions and particle point sizes, physical properties were determined and contrasted against Canadian sphagnum peat. As the proportion of smaller particle sizes in the distributions increased or as the particle point sizes decreased, total pore space (% v/v) and air-filled pore space (% v/v) decreased, while, bulk density (g·cm-3) and water-holding capacity (% v/v and w/w) increased. Additionally, as the proportion of particle sizes from <0.25–0.50 mm increased, the wettabilty of the whole fresh parboiled rice hull material decreased. Particle sizes ranging from 1.00–2.80 mm possessed the physical properties most suitable for plant growth in containerized greenhouse crop production and were most similar to peat.

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Land Use Change Effects on Soil Quality in Prince Edward County, ON

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.9648 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Kelsey Watts

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Prince Edward County ◽

Effects Of Land Use ◽

Water Holding

Soils play a critical role to society as a medium that facilitates crop production and also contributes to the energy and carbon balance of the Earth System. Land-use change and improper land-use is one of the dominant factors affecting soil erosion and nutrient loss in soils. We examined the effects of land-use change on an Elmbrook clay/clay-loam soil on a farm in Ameliasburg on the northern part of Prince Edward County. Three cover types were examined: a sod field (established for over 10 years), a wheat field (part of a wheat/corn/soybean rotation for 30 years) and an undisturbed deciduous forest. Under each land-use type, cores to a depth of 40 cm were collected along three random 30 m transects (at 8, 16 and 24 m), then divided them into 10 cm increments, combining all similar depth increments along one transect. Soil quality was assessed by analyzing various soil physical and chemical properties. Bulk density of the soil was much higher (1.55 vs. 0.95 g/cm3) in both agricultural ecosystems compared to the forest, but only in the 0-10 cm layer. Soil moisture at 60% water holding capacity was much greater for the forest than the sod and wheat soils. Soil pH was slightly lower in the forest compared to the sod and wheat fields. The sod and wheat fields showed losses of ~52% and ~53% organic matter, respectively, in contrast to the forested area. The greatest differences in organic matter and total carbon were found in the top 10 cm, likely due to the greater accumulation of litter at the ground surface in the forest compared to the agricultural sites. It appears that long-term (10 year) agricultural production has led to a decline in some, but not all, soil quality measures, particularly soil organic matter, bulk density and water holding capacity. These findings are consistent with much of the literature concerning the effects of land-use change on soil quality, and highlight the need to develop improved management systems to minimize losses in soil quality that can lead to declines in the productivity potential of soils over time.

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Comparative Evaluation of Functional Properties of Some Commonly Used Cereal and Legume Flours and Their Blends

International Journal of Food and Allied Sciences ◽

10.21620/ijfaas.v1i2.12 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 67

Author(s):

Haq Nawaz ◽

Muhammad Aslam Shad ◽

Rabia Mehmood ◽

Tanzila Rehman ◽

Hira Munir

Keyword(s):

Bulk Density ◽

Functional Properties ◽

Protein Solubility ◽

High Water ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Functional Score ◽

Chickpea Flour ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Swelling Capacity ◽

Water Holding

<p>Functional properties such as protein solubility, swelling capacity, water holding capacity, gelling ability, bulk density and foaming capacity of flours of some commonly used cereals and legume (wheat, refined wheat, maize and chickpea) and their blends were studied. Blends of flours were prepared by mixing equal proportions of selected floors. Statistically significant difference in studied functional properties except bulk density was observed among cereal flours and their blends. Chickpea flour was found to possess comparatively high water holding capacity, protein solubility index and swelling capacity. The functional properties of maize and wheat flours were found to be improved when blended with chickpea. Chickpea flour and its blends with cereal flours were found to possess good functional score and suggested as favorable candidates for use in the preparation of viscous foods and bakery products. The data provide guidelines regarding the improvement in functional properties of economically favorable cereal flours.<strong></strong></p>

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