scholarly journals Growth Response, Mineral Nutrition, and Water Utilization of Container-grown Woody Ornamentals Grown in Biochar-amended Pine Bark

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Basiri Jahromi ◽  
Forbes Walker ◽  
Amy Fulcher ◽  
James Altland ◽  
Wesley C. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Buxus Sempervirens ◽  
Water Holding

Container-grown nursery crops generally require daily irrigation applications and potentially more frequent applications during the hottest part of the growing season. Developing management practices that make more efficient use of irrigation water is important for improving the sustainability of nursery crop production. Biochar, a byproduct of pyrolysis, can potentially increase the water-holding capacity and reduce water and nutrient leaching. In addition, the development of sensor-based irrigation technologies has made monitoring substrate moisture a practical tool for irrigation management in the nursery industry. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of switchgrass biochar on water and nutrient-holding capacity and release in container substrates of Buxus sempervirens L. × Buxus microphylla (‘Green Velvet’ boxwood) and Hydrangea paniculata (Pinky Winky® hardy hydrangea). Containers were filled with pine bark and amended with 0%, 10%, or 25% volume of biochar. Plants were irrigated when the volumetric water content (VWC) reached the water-buffering capacity set point of 0.25 cm3·cm−3. The sensor-based irrigation in combination with the low cost biochar substrate amendment increased substrate water-holding capacity and reduced irrigation requirements for the production of hydrangea, a high water use plant. Biochar application rate influenced irrigation frequency, which likely affected plant biomass for hydrangea, but boxwood dry weight was unaffected by biochar rate. Total irrigation applied was decreased by 32% in 10% biochar treatment without reducing hydrangea dry weight. However, in the 25% biochar treatment, total irrigation applied was reduced by 72%, whereas dry weight decreased by 50%. Biochar application reduced leaching volume and leaching fraction in both plants. Leachate analysis over the course of the 8-week experiment showed that the average mass of phosphate (PO4), potassium (K), and total carbon was greater in the leachate from containers that received 25% biochar compared with those receiving 0% or 10% biochar for both plant species. For hydrangea, mass of total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate (NO3) in leachate was not significantly affected by increasing the biochar rate. However, for boxwood, the mass of NO3 and TN was greater in the 25% biochar treatment leachate, whereas the mass of ammonium (NH4) was unaffected. In hydrangea, total nutrients lost from the containers was lower in biochar-amended containers (both 10% and 25% biochar) because of receiving a lower total volume of water. Amendment with biochar also affected concentration of phosphorus (P) and K, with the highest concentration in both leaf tissue and substrate from the 25% biochar application rate.

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

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.

Improved Agronomic Practices and Input Use Efficiency for Potato Production under Changing Climate

2017 ◽  
pp. 105-132
Author(s):  
Dhiman Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Agricultural Commodity ◽  
Climate Change Issue ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Combat Climate Change

In the emerging global economic order in which agricultural crop production is witnessing a rapid transition to agricultural commodity production, potato is appearing as an important crop, poised to sustain and diversify food production in this new millennium. Temperature and unpredictable drought are two most important factor affecting world food securities and the catalyst of the great famines of the past. Decreased precipitation could cause reduction of irrigation water availability and increase in evapo-transpiration, leading to severe crop water-stress conditions. Increasing crop productivity in unfavourable environments will require advanced technologies to complement traditional methods which are often unable to prevent yield losses due to environmental stresses. Various crop management practices such as improved nutrient application rate, mulching, raised beds and other improved technology help to raise the productivity. Conservation farming practices play important role to restore soil and enhancing soil health and play important role to combat climate change issue.

Sludge characterization at Kadahokwa water treatment plant, Rwanda

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 848-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Uwimana ◽  
I. Nhapi ◽  
U. G. Wali ◽  
Z. Hoko ◽  
J. Kashaigili
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Dried Sludge

A study was carried out to characterize the sludge produced at Kadahokwa Water Treatment Plant (KWTP) in Butare to assess the effectiveness of the sludge treatment and potential impacts of sludge disposal on the environment. Parameters analyzed were chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, aluminium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results showed that 450±244.5 tons (dry weight) of sludge are produced annually. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sludge were below the standard limits for land application set by different countries. The high concentrations of nickel (42.3±2.5 ppm), chromium (29.9±6.2 ppm), cadmium (1.1±0.3 ppm) and lead (31.6±3.7 ppm) in the dried sludge posed a pollution risk for the wetland. The CEC was 28.4–33.3 cmol (+)/kg and pH was 6.50–7.45. It was concluded that the KWTP sludge is a poor source of total carbon, a moderate source of nutrients (NPK), and an important source of micronutrients, making it generally suitable for reuse for crop production. The CEC showed that the sludge could improve soil nutrient and water holding capacity. The higher concentration of aluminium (280 ppm) in the sludge creates an opportunity for recycling.

scholarly journals Biomechanics of Atlas Cedar Roots in response to the Medium Hydromechanical Characteristics

Scientifica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Belkacem EL Amrani ◽  
Mohammed Bendriss Amraoui
Keyword(s):  
Root Architecture ◽  
Aerial Part ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Main Root ◽  
Short Root ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Stimulation Of

The biomechanical root flexibility in response to hydromechanical soil heterogeneity is the most determining factor of the root architecture which plays a paramount role in mycorrhizal infection and allows the seedlings to adapt to the environmental constraint. We examined the impact of five different hydromechanical medium properties (hydroponics, vermiculite, vermiculite-gravel, sawdust, and sand) on the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of Cedrus atlantica seedlings at a controlled growth chamber. The growth of the seedling is strongly stimulated by the hydroponic medium through the stimulation of the aerial part dry weight and the main root length. However, the sand medium increases the main root dry weight by the radial expanse stimulation at the level of the epidermis, vascular cylinder, and cortex and compensates the less root architecture by the stimulation of the xylem and phloem areas. In contrast to sand and hydroponic media, the sawdust medium stimulates the phloem/xylem ratio, the root architecture, and the short roots. The Pearson bilateral correlation shows that the aerial part dry weight is positively correlated with the permeability, porosity, and water-holding capacity and negatively with the bulk density and density at saturation, whereas the short root production is negatively correlated with the permeability and water-holding capacity. Hence, the hydromechanical characteristics of the soils must be taken into account in the reforestation and mycorrhization attempts.

Using a Crop Simulation Model to Understand the Impact of Risk Aversion on Optimal Irrigation Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rulianda P. Wibowo ◽  
Nathan P. Hendricks ◽  
Isaya Kisekka ◽  
Alemie Araya
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Irrigated Area ◽  
Irrigation Depth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Seasonal Irrigation

Abstract. We studied optimal irrigation management by risk-averse farmers with different soil types under limited well capacity. Our modeling framework allowed us to assess the optimal adjustment along the intensive margins (i.e., changes in seasonal irrigation depth) and along the extensive margins (i.e., changes in irrigated area). Our empirical application uses AquaCrop to simulate corn yields with historical weather in southwest Kansas under a large number of potential irrigation strategies. We show that risk aversion significantly increases total water use, especially for low and medium well capacities. While farmers decreased irrigated area due to risk aversion, the increase in water use occurred because it was optimal to increase the seasonal irrigation depth to reduce production risk. The increase in seasonal irrigation depth arises mostly from reduced management allowable depletion (MAD) levels in the initial crop growth stages of corn. Counterintuitively, risk aversion had a smaller impact on water use for a soil with a smaller soil water holding capacity. This result arises because optimal irrigation under risk neutrality is larger for soils with a smaller water holding capacity. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for risk aversion when estimating the optimal irrigation management strategy and show that the impact of risk aversion differs significantly by well capacity and soil type. Keywords: AquaCrop, Irrigation, Risk, Well capacity.

scholarly journals The effects of ispaghula on rat caecal fermentation and stool output

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Edwards ◽  
Jacqueline Bowen ◽  
W. Gordon Brydon ◽  
Martin A. Eastwood
Keyword(s):  
Basal Diet ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Diaminopimelic Acid ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Caecal Fermentation ◽  
Water Holding

The colonic fermentation of ispaghula, a mucilage fromPlantago ovatacomposed mainly of arabinoxylans, and its effects on stool output and caecal metabolism were investigated. Four groups of eight rats were fed on a basal diet (45 g non-starch polysaccharides/kg) for 28 d. The diet was then supplemented with ispaghula (g/kg; 0, 5, 15 or 50) for 28 d. Ispaghula increased stool dry weight and apparent wet weight but faecal water-holding capacity (amount of water held per g dry faecal material at 0.2 mPa) was unchanged. The extent of faecal drying in the metabolism cages was measured for rats fed on the basal diet and 50 g ispaghula/kg diet. At the faecal output levels encountered, only an 8% loss of wet weight would be predicted over 24 h and this was independent of diet. Faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration did not change but SCFA output increased. The molar proportion of SCFA as propionic acid increased and faecal pH was reduced. Values from pooled faecal samples suggested that approximately 50% of the ingested ispaghula was excreted by the 50 g ispaghula/kg diet group. Diaminopimelic acid (a constituent of bacterial cells) concentrations fell but output was unchanged indicating no change in bacterial mass. Similar changes were seen in the caecal contents but caecal pH and SCFA were unaffected. Ispaghula increased both caecal and colonic tissue wet weight and colonic length. Our results suggest that ispaghula is partly fermented in the rat caecum and colon, and loses its water-holding capacity. However, it is still an effective stool bulker and acts mainly by increasing faecal water by some unknown mechanism

scholarly journals Growth of Two Subtropical Ornamentals Using Coir (Coconut Mesocarp Pith) as a Peat Substitute

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1484-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. Meerow
Keyword(s):  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Coir Dust ◽  
Top Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Ixora Coccinea ◽  
Coconut Mesocarp ◽  
Over Time

Growth of Pentas lanecolata (Forssk.) Deflers `Starburst Pink' and Ixora coccinea L. `Maui' was compared in container media using sphagnum peat, sedge peat, or coir dust as their peat components. Growth index and top and root dry weights of both crops were significantly better in coir-based medium than sedge peat-based medium. Pentas grew equally well in coir- and sphagnum peat-based medium. Growth index and top dry weight of Ixora were significantly lower in the coir-based than the sphagnum peat-based medium, although root dry weights were equal. This difference was not apparent and may have been caused by N drawdown in the coir-based mix. The sedge peat-based medium had the highest air porosity and the lowest water-holding capacity of the three media at the initiation of the trials, but at the termination of the study, it showed a reversal of these characteristics. The coir-based medium showed the least change in these attributes over time. Coir dust seems to be an acceptable substitute for sphagnum or sedge peat in soilless container media, although nutritional regimes may need to be adjusted on a crop-by-crop basis.

scholarly journals GROWTH OF BEDDING PLANTS IN MINERAL WOOL AND MINERAL WOOL/PEAT MIXES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 686b-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Contrisciano ◽  
E. Jay Holcomb
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Mineral Wool ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
High Ph ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Water Holding

The objective of this research was to develop a mineral wool based growing medium for the horticultural industry. Two types of hydrophilic mineral wool, clean wool (CW) and unclean wool (UC) were used unamended, as well as both types in combinations with 25, 50, and 75 percent peat moss (PM). A control of 100 percent (PM) was also used. Unamended CW had a low bulk density, excellent water holding capacity, good aeration, but high pH. Once PM was added to CW, bulk density still remained low, water holding capacity and aeration remained good, and the pH dropped to a more suitable level. Unamended UW had a high bulk density, good water holding capacity, poor aeration, and high pH. Once PM was added to UW, bulk density decreased, water holding capacity remained good, aeration increased, and pH decreased to a more optimal level. Impatiens `Violet' and Begonia `Whiskey' were grown in the nine treatments for six and nine weeks respectively. At harvest, plant growth was evaluated by height, diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, and tissue analysis. Plant growth response showed plants grown in unamended CW, UW, and PM were smaller in size and lighter in fresh and dry weights than those in 50 percent wool/50 percent PM. The plants grown in 25 and 75 percent PM were similar to the 50 percent wool/50 percent PM in size and weight.

scholarly journals Effects of water deficit on the growth and yield formation of maize (Zea mays L.)

2017 ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Mahama Salifu
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
The World ◽  
Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important consuming cereal crop in the world after rice and wheat. This requires an understanding of various management practices as well as conditions that affect maize crop performance. Water deficit stress during crop production is one of the most serious threats to crop production in most parts of the world and drought stress or water deficit is an inevitable and recurring feature of global agriculture and it is against this background that field study of crops response to water deficit is very important to crop producer and researchers to maximize yield and improve crop production in this era of unpredicted climatic changes the world over.A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effects of water deficit on growth and yield formation of maize. Two maize cultivars were used Xundan20 and Zhongdan5485. Three levels of soil water content were used in two stages of water control levels at two stages of the maize plant development1. The JOINTING STAGE: A. CONTROL (CK) soil water content: from 70% to 80% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 55% to 65% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 40% to 50% of the Soil water holding capacity at the field.2. The BIG FLARE PERIOD: A. CONTROL (CK) soil water content: from 75% to 85% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 58% to 68% of soil water holding capacity at the field, soil water content: from 45% to 55% of the soil water holding capacity at the field.This research mainly studied the effects of water deficit on physiological, morphology and the agronomical characteristics of the maize plant at the different water stress levels.The importance of these results in this experiment will enable plant producers to focus and have a fair idea as to which stage of the maize plant’s development that much attention must be given to in terms of water supply.

scholarly journals Beet production using vermiculite incorporated with Dystrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol)

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e26810111157
Author(s):  
Ariel Santivañez Aguilar ◽  
Henrique Vasque ◽  
Antonio Ismael Inácio Cardoso ◽  
Estefânia Martins Bardiviesso ◽  
Raíra Andrade Pelvine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beta Vulgaris ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Cercospora Beticola ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Leaf Weight ◽  
Linear Decrease ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Red Latosol ◽  
Water Holding

Vermiculite is an expansive material that can be used for crop production. However, information about the use of vermiculite in vegetable production is scarce. Thus, this study's objective was to evaluate the effects of vermiculite levels incorporated into the soil (Red Latosol Dystrophic) for beet (Beta vulgaris L.) crop production. The experiment was performed during spring using the beet cultivar 'Early Wonder Tall Top' and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 t∙ha-1 of vermiculite incorporated into the soil before seedling planting. The increase of the vermiculite doses caused a linear decrease of the fresh root and leaf weight. The yield reductions were due to the great water holding capacity of the vermiculite and the consequent high incidence of cercosporiosis (Cercospora beticola Saac).

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