scholarly journals Efficiency of Wheat Straw Biochar in Combination with Compost and Biogas Slurry for Enhancing Nutritional Status and Productivity of Soil and Plant

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1516
Author(s):  
Aown Abbas ◽  
Muhammad Naveed ◽  
Muhammad Azeem ◽  
Muhammad Yaseen ◽  
Rehmat Ullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biogas Slurry ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
The Impact

In the present study, we investigated the impact of different combinations of wheat straw biochar, compost and biogas slurry on maize growth, physiology, and nutritional status in less productive soils. The experiment was performed as a completely randomized block design in a greenhouse pot experiment. The compost and biogas slurry were applied with and without biochar. The results revealed that a combination of biochar, compost, and biogas slurry enhanced the cation exchange capacity (31%), carbon (83%), phosphorus (67%) and potassium (81%) contents in the soil. Likewise, a significant increase in soil microbial biomass carbon (15%) and nitrogen (37%) was noticed with the combined use of all organic amendments. Moreover, the combined application of biochar, compost and biogas slurry enhanced soil urease and β-glucosidase activity up to 96% and 67% over control respectively. In addition, plant height, chlorophyll content, water use efficiency and 1000-grain weight were also enhanced up to 54%, 90%, 53% and 21% respectively, with the combined use of all amendments. Here, biochar addition helped to reduce the nutrient losses of compost and biogas slurry as well. It is concluded that biochar application in combination with compost and biogas slurry could be a more sustainable, environment-friendly and cost-effective approach, particularly for less fertile soils.

Impacts of Elevated Ozone and Ozone protectanton Plant Growth, Nutrients, Biochemical and Yield properties of Turnip (Brassica rapa)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boomiraj Kovilpillai ◽  
Sethupathi Nedumaran ◽  
Sudhakaran Mani ◽  
Jayabalakrishnan Raja Mani ◽  
Sritharan Natarajan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Ozone Exposure ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Elevated Ozone ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Size Tuber ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Total Potassium

Abstract An experiment was conducted at woodhouse farm, Horticultural Research Station, Ooty, in the period of October 2017 to March 2018, to quantify the impact of elevated ozone and ozone protectants spray on plant growth, nutrients, biochemical and yield properties of turnip crop in a factorial completely randomized block design replicated thrice. The elevated ozone exposure significantly reduces the plant height, tuber size, tuber weight, Chlorophyll ‘a’, Chlorophyll ‘b’, Total chlorophyll, total nitrogen, total potassium, total Manganese, Iron, Zinc, Copper inturnip. Meanwhile, the elevated ozone exposure significantly increased the total phosphorous, catalase and peroxide activity inturnip. However, ozone protectants played a major role to nullify the tropospheric ozoneeffect on growth, physiology, development and yield of turnip and among them panchagavya performed well followed by neem oil and ascorbicacid.

scholarly journals Assessing the potential of biochar aged by humic substances to enhance plant growth and soil biological activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Hammerschmiedt ◽  
Jiri Holatko ◽  
Vaclav Pecina ◽  
Dalibor Huska ◽  
Oldrich Latal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Respiration Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Activated Biochar ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Soil carbon-rich organic amendments (biochar, humic substances) may improve the quality and fertility of arable soil. Their co-application can additively enhance the beneficial effect on soil. Hypothetically, the pre-treatment of biochar, by aging via soaking in a solution of commercially available humic substances, could result in synergism, which may exceed the benefit from simple co-application of both amendments to the soil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of biochar, humic substances, the combination of both, and the impact of biochar aged by humic substances solution on soil microbial activities and plant growth in a short-term pot experiment with lettuce. Results The aging of biochar decreased the C:N ratio as compared to non-activated biochar. The co-application of biochar and humic substances into the soil resulted in the highest microbial biomass carbon and respiration activity. The majority of enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, phosphatase) were the highest in humic substances-amended soil. The application of humic substances and biochar with humic substances seemed to stimulate microbial growth and activity followed by the competition of microflora for nutrients with plants, whereas the aged biochar behaved differently. The plants treated by aged biochar achieved the highest values of dry aboveground and root biomass of all variants. However, the assumed rapid uptake of nutrients by plants resulted in lower nutrient availability for microflora, and a decline in microbial viability. Conclusions Based on this study, the positive effect of co-applied humic substances and biochar on soil fertility, quality, and health can be concluded. The usability of biochar aging by humic solution requires further study. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Effect of multi-micronutrient-fortified rice on cognitive performance depends on premix composition and cognitive function tested: results of an effectiveness study in Cambodian schoolchildren

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Fiorentino ◽  
Marlène Perignon ◽  
Khuov Kuong ◽  
Richard de Groot ◽  
Megan Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
School Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Picture Completion ◽  
Parasite Infestation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveEven though current policy is strongly focused on the crucial first ‘1000 days’, it might be still possible to enhance cognitive function during the pre-adolescent and adolescent years by improving micronutrient status. In Cambodia, nutritional status is poor. Provision of rice fortified with micronutrients through a school meal programme (SMP) could be a cost-effective strategy to help improve health and school performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different micronutrient-fortified rice formulations on cognitive function in Cambodian children.SettingSixteen Cambodian schools receiving SMP.DesignThe FORISCA-UltraRice®+NutriRice®study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Four groups of four schools were randomly allocated to receive normal rice, UltraRice®Original, UltraRice®New or NutriRice®. Within each school, 132 children were randomly selected. Data on cognitive performance (picture completion, block design and Raven’s coloured progressive matrices (RCPM)), anthropometry, parasite infestation and micronutrient status were collected before the intervention and after 6 months.SubjectsCognitive data were available for 1796 children aged 6–16 years.ResultsAll cognitive scores improved after 6 months (P<0·001). Block design score improvement was significantly higher in children consuming UltraRice®Original (P=0·03) compared with the other fortified rice groups and placebo. No difference among groups was found on RCPM or picture completion scores. Stunting, parasite infestation and inflammation negatively affected the impact of the intervention.ConclusionsCombined with other interventions, using SMP to distribute fortified rice to schoolchildren may be a cost-effective way to increase cognitive performance and thereby improve school performance and educational achievements.

scholarly journals Variations in Soil Properties and Okra Yield as Influenced by Different Types and Forms of Organic Amendments

2020 ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
B. O. Adebo ◽  
A. O. Aweto ◽  
K. Ogedengbe
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Organic Wastes ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
The Cost

The overexploitation of agricultural lands have necessitated the use of fertilizers to enhance food production. However, due to the cost and environmental impacts of mineral fertilizers, the utilization of readily available organic wastes as soil amendments have become necessary. The effect of the sole or combined application of yam, cassava and plantain peels on soil properties was evaluated in an on-farm study conducted at Akufo farm settlement, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with fifteen treatments which consisted of seven amendments (peels of yam (Y), plantain (P), cassava (C), Y+P, Y+C, C+P, Y+C+P) applied in two forms (ground and unground) at a uniform rate of 4 t ha-1 and a control (without amendment). After 3 months of application, the soils were analyzed to determine the effect of the applied treatments on soil properties, after which they were sown to okra. All the amended soils had relatively higher organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and exchangeable bases than the control, but ground treatments performed relatively better than unground ones. Also, irrespective of treatment and form of application, okra yield was considerably improved by the utilized amendments, with ground Y+C recording the highest (14.33 t ha-1). This study showed that the sole or combined use of yam, plantain and cassava peels, either ground as powder or used as mulch, has the potential to improve soil fertility and crop yield and may provide an effective and simple means to utilize organic wastes as soil amendments, especially among poor farmers who cannot afford composting technology.

scholarly journals Heavy metal accumulation in various tissues of radish (Raphanus sativus) grown under different ratios of organic amendments

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201
Author(s):  
Anastasia A. Papadaki ◽  
Kalliopi Ladomenou
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Raphanus Sativus ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Heavy Metal Accumulation ◽  
The Impact

Root vegetables have greater risk of metal contamination from compost application to soil than other horticultural crops. Moreover, soil organic amendments pose potential environmental hazards. The objective of the present study was to examine the heavy metal uptake in different tissues (petiole, blade, skin, pulp) of Raphanus sativus exposed to organic amendments doses. The impact of the above materials on heavy metal concentration of the soil and plant development parameters were also evaluated. A pot experiment was established with eight treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design and four replicates. Co-compost of sewage sludge and olive wastes at 100, 200, 300 m3 ha–1, composted olive leaves, olive tree pruning wastes, olive mill pomace and poultry manure at 100, 200 m3 ha–1, commercial liquid organic fertilizer at 50 Kg ha–1 with or without inorganic NPK fertilization and a no fertilizing control, were applied to plants. The results showed that sewage sludge application strongly increased the yield and improved radish size cultivated in silt loam soil. The edible radish part had the lowest Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cr content, whereas the highest Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr was found in the blade and increased Fe, Ni, Pb were recorded in the skin. Organic treatments gave higher Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn amount in both aerial plant tissues compared to the control soil, while Ni, Pb, Cr of all the radish parts were not affected by treatments. This study suggested that organic amendments application gave low permissible levels of all metal content in radish tissues and increased radish productivity. Therefore, organic materials used herein can be applied for normal plant growth without metal contamination of the plant and the soil.

scholarly journals Effects Of Organic Amendmentson Methane Emission And Yield Of Rice

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-270
Author(s):  
M Jahangir Alam ◽  
MH Kabir Shiragi ◽  
M Aslam Ali ◽  
MA Farukh ◽  
Abdullahil Baque
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Biogas Slurry ◽  
Livestock Manure ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Increasing Trend

The effect of FYM, poultry litter, livestock manure, biogas slurry, vermi-compost and municipal solid waste (MSW) combined with NPK.was assessed on emission of CH4 and yield of rice. The highest amount of CH4 emission (815.04) kg ha-1 season'1 was from MSW followed by (702.96 kg CH4 ha'1 season'1) from livestock manure. The lowest (365.14 kg CH4 ha'1 season'1) was produced in control treatment. The increasing trend of seasonal CH4 emission was 55.20, 48.06, 35.71, 33.88, 21.13 and 17.57% respectively due to organic amenments against the control. The highest number of panicle hill'1 (14.38), grain panicle'1 (160.67), yield of grain (5.47tha'1) and straw weight (4.56 t ha'1) was observed due to application of FYM, vermicompost and poultry litter respectively. The highest percentage of harvest index and ripened grains (55.363 and 93.41) was found in biogas slurry and poultry litter treated plots and the lowest percentage (52.878 and 85.88) was with vermicompost and biogas slurry correspondingly. The highest Eh value (- 252.0 mV) was found in MSW and the lowest value was observed in poultry litter. Result suggests that combined use of inorganic fertilizer and organic amendments caused highest yield of rice with less CH4 emission. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 41(2): 263-270, December 2015

scholarly journals Spatial variability in nutritional status of arabic coffee based on dris index

Revista CERES ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel de Assis Silva ◽  
Julião Soares de Souza Lima ◽  
Daniel Marçal de Queiroz
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nutritional Balance

The combined use of precision agriculture and the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) allows the spatial monitoring of coffee nutrient balance to provide more balanced and cost-effective fertilizer recommendations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the spatial variability in the nutritional status of two coffee varieties using the Mean Nutritional Balance Index (NBIm) and its relationship with their respective yields. The experiment was conducted in eastern Minas Gerais in two areas, one planted with variety Catucaí and another with variety Catuaí. The NBIm of the two varieties and their yields were analyzed through geostatistics and, based on the models and parameters of the variograms, were interpolated to obtain their spatial distribution in the studied areas. Variety Catucai, with grater spatial variability, was more nutritional unbalanced than variety Catuai, and consequently produced lower yields. Excess of Fe and Mn makes these elements limiting yield factors.

scholarly journals Immobilization of Cd, Pb and Zn through Organic Amendments in Wastewater Irrigated Soils

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2392
Author(s):  
Kouser Majeed Malik ◽  
Khalid Saifullah Khan ◽  
Shah Rukh ◽  
Ahmad Khan ◽  
Saba Akbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Toxic Metals ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Wastewater Irrigation ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Irrigated Soils

Due to the scarcity of water, raw sewage effluents are often used to irrigate arable suburban soils in developing countries, which causes soil contamination with toxic metals. Soil microorganisms involved in biochemical transformations are sensitive to heavy metals contamination. The study was designed to investigate the effect of organic amendments on the microbial activity of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) fractions and their bioavailability in soils contaminated with wastewater irrigation. Three metal contaminated soils under wastewater irrigation were collected, ground, sieved and added to incubation jars. Two organic amendments: wheat straw and chickpea straw, were applied (1% w/w) to the soil before incubation for 84 days at 25 °C. The CO2-C evolution after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days was measured and thereafter was also measured weekly. Soil samples collected at 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days after incubation were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Sequential extraction for metal fractionation of samples was carried out collected at 0, 28, 56 and 84 days. Three soils differed significantly in evolved MBC and ∑CO2-C. Chickpea straw addition significantly increased soil MBC as compared to the wheat straw. Organic amendments significantly increased ∑CO2-C evolution from the soils, which was higher from chickpea straw. The addition of crop residues did not affect total Pb, Cd and Zn contents in soils. The concentration of exchangeable, carbonate bound and residual fractions of Pb, Cd and Zn decreased (6–27%), while the organic matter bound fraction increased (4–75%) with straw addition. Overall, the organic amendments improved microbial activity and reduce the bioavailability of toxic metals in wastewater irrigated soils. Furthermore, organic amendments not only reduce economic losses as they are cheap to produce but also minimize human health risks from heavy metals by hindering their entry into the food chain.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Microbial Biomass Carbon (MB-C), Nitrogen (MB-N) and Phosphorus (MB-P) in Soil Spiked with Pesticides (Carbofuran and Paraquat)

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
T. L. Ataikiru ◽  
G. S. C. Okpokwasili ◽  
P. O. Okerentugba
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Biomass Carbon ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Treated Soil ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed at determining the impact of Carbofuran and Paraquat use on soil microbial biomass and microbial population as soil health index. Pot experiment, set-up as a randomized block design with replicates was done, with both pesticides applied at recommended rates for eight weeks. Twenty-four (24) soil samples were taken from the pesticides polluted soil as well as the unpolluted soil. These samples were used to assess the effect of pesticides on microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), nitrogen (MB-N) and phosphorus (MB-P). Also, microbial population (determined by aerobic spread plate count) of the pesticide-polluted soils was used as health index. The assessments were done weekly. The microbial biomass values increased from 273.48 µg/g to 293.15 µg/g (MB-C), 17.275 µg/g to 18.52 µg/g (MB-N) and 10.605 µg/g to 11.37 µg/g (MB-P) in carbofuran treated soil while increases from 277.26 µg/g to 288.365 µg/g (MB-C), 17.515 µg/g to 18.22 µg/g (MB-N) and 10.745 µg/g to 11.18 µg/g (MB-P) were observed in paraquat treated soil. The microbial counts in treated soils were within the ranges of 1.95 x 106 cfu/g to 1.03 x 107 cfu/g, 8.83 x 104 to 1.90 x 105 cfu/g, 1.08x 104 to 2.43 x 104, 1.15 x105 to 2.17 x 105 cfu/g, 1.38 x 105 to 2.22 x 105 cfu/g for total heterotrophic bacterial, fungal, actinomycetes, phosphate solubilizers, nitrifiers counts, respectively. The pesticides had no negative effects on the MB-C, MB-N, MB-P and soil microorganisms at recommended field rates, hence their use must be strictly based on these rates. These findings indicate that the relationship between soil nutrients and microbial biomass is significant in facilitating the use of microbial biomass as an important soil quality indicator.

scholarly journals Biochar, Compost, and Biochar–Compost Blend Applications Modulate Growth, Photosynthesis, Osmolytes, and Antioxidant System of Medicinal Plant Alpinia zerumbet

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Zulfiqar ◽  
Jianjun Chen ◽  
Adnan Younis ◽  
Zainul Abideen ◽  
Muhammad Naveed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Sandy Loam Soil ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Alpinia Zerumbet

Alpinia zerumbet (Zingiberaceae) is a unique ornamental and medicinal plant primarily used in food ingredients and traditional medicine. While organic amendments such as biochar (BC) and compost (Co) have been demonstrated to improve plant productivity, no studies have examined their effects on the growth, physiology, and secondary metabolites of A. zerumbet. This study evaluated the impact of the amendment of BC, Co, or a biochar and compost mixture (BC+Co) on modifying and improving the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant status, and secondary metabolism of A. zerumbet grown on sandy loam soil. The morpho-physiological and biochemical investigation revealed variation in the response of A. zerumbet to organic amendments. The amendment of BC and BC+Co significantly increased net photosynthetic rates of plants by more than 28%, chlorophyll a and b contents by 92 and 78%, respectively, and carboxylation efficiency by 50% compared with those grown in the sandy loam soil without amendment. Furthermore, the amendment significantly decreased plant oxidative stress, measured as leaf free proline and glycine betaine. Enzymatic antioxidant activity, total phenols, and flavonoids also varied in their response to the organic amendments. In conclusion, this study shows that BC and/or Co amendments are an efficient and sustainable method for improving the metabolite contents and reducing oxidative stress in A. zerumbet.

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