scholarly journals Valorization of Cotton Gin Trash through Thermal and Biological Conversion for Soil Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13842
Author(s):  
Qurat-ul-Ain ◽  
Aisha Nazir ◽  
Sergio C. Capareda ◽  
Muhammad Shafiq ◽  
Firdaus-e-Bareen

Cotton gin trash, the by-product of the cotton ginning industry which is produced in large quantities every year, can be utilized as feedstock for deriving high quality organic materials such as biochar, compost and co-composted derivates for improvement of soils’ key physical, chemical and biological properties. This is the first report in which cotton gin trash was both thermally and biologically converted at the same time into biochar (BC), compost (C) and co-compost (Coc), and their effects on soil properties and on plant performance were examined. In order to find the optimum rate, the products were used as soil amendments in a greenhouse experiment at 2.5 t ha−1, 5 t ha−1and 10 t ha−1 rates. All of the amendments contributed in improving the soil properties and provided agronomic benefits to plants, however plants (radish var. Cherry belle) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better growth attributes and almost a 315% increase in biomass yield observed when co-composted biochar (10 t ha−1) was applied to the soil, thus suggesting its role in compensating fertilizer application. Amendments (2.5 and 5.0 t ha−1) considerably increased plant growth parameters; however, differences between 5 and 10 t ha−1 amendments were not so significant. As a result, replenishing soil with Coc (5 t ha−1) on a regular basis can promote plant growth and improve soil qualities over time.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhua Shan ◽  
Min Lv ◽  
Wengang Zuo ◽  
Zehui Tang ◽  
Cheng Ding ◽  
...  

AbstractThe most important measures for salt-affected mudflat soil reclamation are to reduce salinity and to increase soil organic carbon (OC) content and thus soil fertility. Salinity reduction is often accomplished through costly freshwater irrigation by special engineering measures. Whether fertility enhancement only through one-off application of a great amount of OC can improve soil properties and promote plant growth in salt-affected mudflat soil remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of our indoor pot experiment was to study the effects of OC amendment at 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.5%, calculated from carbon content, by one-off application of sewage sludge on soil properties, rice yield, and root growth in salt-affected mudflat soil under waterlogged conditions. The results showed that the application of sewage sludge promoted soil fertility by reducing soil pH and increasing content of OC, nitrogen and phosphorus in salt-affected mudflat soil, while soil electric conductivity (EC) increased with increasing sewage sludge (SS) application rates under waterlogged conditions. In this study, the rice growth was not inhibited by the highest EC of 4.43 dS m−1 even at high doses of SS application. The SS application increased yield of rice, promoted root growth, enhanced root activity and root flux activity, and increased the soluble sugar and amino acid content in the bleeding sap of rice plants at the tillering, jointing, and maturity stages. In conclusion, fertility enhancement through organic carbon amendment can “offset” the adverse effects of increased salinity and promote plant growth in salt-affected mudflat soil under waterlogged conditions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 92-105
Author(s):  
Xinguang Yang ◽  
Xilai Li ◽  
Mingming Shi ◽  
Liqun Jin ◽  
Huafang Sun

Replacement of topsoil to an appropriate depth is one of the key methods for ecological restoration. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of topsoil replacement depth on vegetation and soil properties, and to identify the optimum soil depth for reclamation of coal mine spoils in a cold alpine mining area. We sowed 3 herbaceous species after coal mine spoil heaps were treated with topsoil to 3 depths (0, 20‒25, 40‒45 cm). The variations in vegetation community structure, plant growth, soil properties were measured at different replaced topsoil depths. The correlations between plant and soil properties were analyzed statistically. The results showed species richness, diversity and evenness were not significantly different among different depths of topsoil (P > 0.05). Vegetation coverage, density, height and aboveground biomass increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing topsoil depth. Soil properties did not change significantly with increasing topsoil depth (P > 0.05), but soil organic matter was significantly higher at 40‒45 cm topsoil depth than at other two depths (P < 0.05). All soil properties, with the exception of total potassium, were positively correlated with the plant growth parameters. The 40‒45 cm topsoil depth of replacement should be considered as effective method in reclaiming coal mine spoils. The use of both topsoil replacement to a depth of 40‒45 cm and sowing of suitable herbaceous seeds is found to be an effective restoration strategy. Additionally, fertilization might be used as a substitute for artificial topsoil replacement to improve soil quality and speed up revegetation process by the positive plant-soil interactions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13726
Author(s):  
Jackson Nkoh Nkoh ◽  
M. Abdulaha-Al Baquy ◽  
Shamim Mia ◽  
Renyong Shi ◽  
Muhammad Aqeel Kamran ◽  
...  

Biochar research has experienced a significant increase in the recent two decades. It is growing quickly, with hundreds of reviews, including meta-analyses, that have been published reporting diverse effects of biochar on soil properties and plant performance. However, an in-depth synthesis of biochar–soil interactions at the molecular level is not available. For instance, in many meta-analyses, the effects of biochar on soil properties and functions were summarized without focusing on the specificity of the biochar and soil properties. When applied to soils, biochar interacts with different soil components including minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and nutrients, while it also changes soil microbial community structure and their occurrence. These different interactions modify soil physicochemical properties with consequences for dynamic changes in nutrient availability and, thus, plant performance. This review systematically analyzed biochar effects on soil properties and functions: (a) soil physical properties; (b) chemical properties; (c) biological properties; and (d) functions (plant performance, nutrient cycling, etc.). Our synthesis revealed that the surface properties of biochar (specific surface area and charge) and its associated nutrient content determine its role in the soil. At the same time, the extent of changes depends on soil properties, suggesting that both biochar and soil properties need to be considered for harvesting benefits of biochar application. Altogether, we believe our synthesis will provide a guide for researchers and practitioners for future research as well as large-scale field applications.


Author(s):  
Zhao L ◽  
◽  
Zhao W ◽  
Deng H ◽  
◽  
...  

Some fungi may promote plant growth by production of siderophores, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and phosphorus dissolving capability. In this study, eight fungi were isolated from the mushroom substrate, and their siderophores production, IAA production and phosphorus dissolving traits were determined. Although there was no significant difference in IAA production among the eight fungi, but the strain M13026-2 was a fungus with strong growth promoting traits compared with other seven fungi. In order to study the correlation between the growth promoting effect of cucumber pot culture and the above three traits, five fungi with different strength of traits were tested in pot. As a result, M13026- 2 which was identified as Talaromyces purpureogenus could significantly improve the growth parameters of cucumber seedlings, and could colonize in the rhizosphere soil and the tissue of cucumber stably. All the results suggested that the most relevant to their ability to promote plant growth is the trait of phosphorus dissolving, followed by siderophores production. The results of this study will provide scientific basis for the efficient selection and identification of a large number of fungi resources with the function of promoting plant growth, and reveal the good application potential of T. purpureogenus in agriculture fields.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asim Shahzad ◽  
Mingzhou Qin ◽  
Mudassar Nazir ◽  
Abdul Shakoor ◽  
Motsim Billah ◽  
...  

Anthropogenic activities have added a large amount of heavy metals to the environment. Heavy metal contaminants affect the physiological and biological properties of soil and plant health. Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient and it promotes plant growth and development but a higher concentration of the metal causes reduction in plant growth. The present study was aimed to evaluate the response of Bacillus cereus on maize plants at different concentrations of ZnSO4 (20, 40 and 60 mg kg–1) amended in the soil under pot experiment conditions. The experiment was conducted by using complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Higher doses of ZnSO4 inhibited maize growth and nutrient uptake. However, inoculation of maize seeds with Bacillus cereus at 20 mg kg–1 concentration of ZnSO4 increased seed germination about 39% and plant height by 15%. Moreover, 17% increase in leaf length and a 7% increase in leaf number were observed as compared to control at 20 mg kg–1 concentrations of ZnSO4. Reductions in all growth parameters were observed with 60 mg kg–1 concentration of ZnSO4. The Zn uptake was 75% higher in treatment T8 (uninoculated seeds with 60 mg kg–1 concentration of ZnSO4) as compared to treatments which were inoculated and grown under different zinc concentrations. The results suggest that Bacillus cereus has good potential to remediate Zn from soil as well as to reduce the phyto-availibility and phytotoxicity of zinc.


2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 173-178
Author(s):  
H. Ghazalibiglar ◽  
J.G. Hampton ◽  
E. van_Zijll De_Jong ◽  
A. Holyoake

Paenibacillus spp are rhizobacteria that can promote plant growth through a range of mechanisms A New Zealand isolate of Paenibacillus P16 has reduced the incidence of black rot caused by Xanthamonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) in brassicas To investigate if this response was provided through plant growth promotion isolate P16 was coapplied with Xcc as a seed treatment In the presence of Xcc P16treated seedlings had significantly greater root length leaf area and root and shoot dry weight compared to the positive control (Xcc alone) There were no significant differences in plant growth parameters between P16treated seedlings in the absence of the pathogen and the negative control (seeds without Xcc or P16) Isolate P16 enabled plants to survive and grow normally by preventing disease development; the mechanism of disease suppression requires further investigation


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Moncada ◽  
Filippo Vetrano ◽  
Alessandro Esposito ◽  
Alessandro Miceli

Plant biostimulants are of interest as they can stimulate plant growth and increase resource utilization. There is still no information on the use of plant growth-promoters under variable nutritional conditions in the nursery and the effects on tomato seedling growth and plant performance after transplant. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of gibberellic acid (GA3) or bacterial biostimulant treatments to enhance the growth and quality of greenhouse-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Marmande’) seedlings, fertigated with increasing nutrient rates and to assess the efficacy of these treatments on the early growth of tomato plants. During autumn 2019, tomato seedlings were inoculated with 1.5 g L−1 of TNC BactorrS13 (a commercial biostimulant containing 1.3 × 108 CFU g−1 of Bacillus spp.) or sprayed with 10−5 M GA3 and fertigated with a nutrient solution containing 0, 1, 2 and 4 g L−1 of NPK fertilizer (20-20-20) when they reached the 11th BBCH growth stage for tomato. Subsequently, the seedlings were evaluated in greenhouse cultivation for 60 days until at least the 61st BBCH growth stage (January 2020). The growth of the tomato seedlings increased curvilinearly in relation to the fertigation rates. The GA3-treated seedlings showed similar or even higher growth parameters than the control seedlings fed with 4 g L−1 of fertilizer but with half of the nutrients. The inoculation of the substrate with Bacillus spp. had negative effects in the absence of fertigation but determined a greater growth at the highest fertigation rate. The bacterial inoculum of seedlings had longer-term effects than the GA3 treatment during the plant growth, but these effects were noticeable mainly when the bacterial biostimulant was associated with the highest fertigation rate.


Plant Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Bao ◽  
Scott Zarecor ◽  
Dylan Shah ◽  
Taylor Tuel ◽  
Darwin A. Campbell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Assessing the impact of the environment on plant performance requires growing plants under controlled environmental conditions. Plant phenotypes are a product of genotype × environment (G × E), and the Enviratron at Iowa State University is a facility for testing under controlled conditions the effects of the environment on plant growth and development. Crop plants (including maize) can be grown to maturity in the Enviratron, and the performance of plants under different environmental conditions can be monitored 24 h per day, 7 days per week throughout the growth cycle. Results The Enviratron is an array of custom-designed plant growth chambers that simulate different environmental conditions coupled with precise sensor-based phenotypic measurements carried out by a robotic rover. The rover has workflow instructions to periodically visit plants growing in the different chambers where it measures various growth and physiological parameters. The rover consists of an unmanned ground vehicle, an industrial robotic arm and an array of sensors including RGB, visible and near infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral, thermal, and time-of-flight (ToF) cameras, laser profilometer and pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. The sensors are autonomously positioned for detecting leaves in the plant canopy, collecting various physiological measurements based on computer vision algorithms and planning motion via “eye-in-hand” movement control of the robotic arm. In particular, the automated leaf probing function that allows the precise placement of sensor probes on leaf surfaces presents a unique advantage of the Enviratron system over other types of plant phenotyping systems. Conclusions The Enviratron offers a new level of control over plant growth parameters and optimizes positioning and timing of sensor-based phenotypic measurements. Plant phenotypes in the Enviratron are measured in situ—in that the rover takes sensors to the plants rather than moving plants to the sensors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Z. Hossain ◽  
P. von Fragstein ◽  
P. von Niemsdorff ◽  
J. Heß

Abstract The use of organic wastes in agriculture plays a great role in recycling essential plant nutrients, sustaining soil security as well as protecting the environment from unwanted hazards. This review article deals with the effect of different kinds of organic wastes on soil properties and plant growth and yield. Municipal solid waste is mainly used as a source of nitrogen and organic matter, improving soil properties and microbial activity that are closely related to soil fertility. Biowaste and food waste increase pH, nitrogen content, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, and microbial biomass in soil. Sewage sludge contains various amounts of organic matter and huge amounts of plant nutrients. Manure is a common waste which improves soil properties by adding nutrients and increases microbial and enzyme activity in soil. It also reduces toxicity of some heavy metals. These organic wastes have a great positive impact on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as well as stimulate plant growth and thus increase the yield of crops.


1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-82
Author(s):  
Douglas F. Welsh ◽  
Jayne M. Zajicek ◽  
Calvin G. Lyons

Abstract Water-use and plant growth of Fraser photinia (Photinia × fraseri Dress) were studied under varying irrigation regimes during 2 different growing seasons, winter and summer. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 7.57 1 (2 gal) plastic containers containing Metro-mix 500 and greenhouse-grown under 2 irrigation frequencies (3.5 or 7-day intervals) and 3 replacement amounts (100%, 75% or 50% replacement of actual water-use). Increased irrigation frequency significantly reduced plant growth parameters of winter-grown plants, including shoot growth, leaf number, leaf area and shot dry weight. Decreased irrigation amount significantly increased root dry weight. Significant differences were not detected in growth measurements of summer-grown plants suggesting differences between experiments are seasonal in nature. Frequent irrigation resulted in poor plant pelformance under winter growing conditions of lower evapotranspiration (ET); however under summer growing conditions, frequent irrigation did not significantly affect plant growth. Decreased irrigation frequency significantly increased total water-use for winter-grown plants due to increased plant performance. No significant differences in water-use due to frequency in summer-grown plants was found.


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