scholarly journals REPRESENTATIVENESS OF EUROPEAN BIOCHAR RESEARCH: PART I – FIELD EXPERIMENTS

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank G. A. VERHEIJEN ◽  
Utra MANKASINGH ◽  
Vit PENIZEK ◽  
Pietro PANZACCHI ◽  
Bruno GLASER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Forest Plantation ◽  
Arable Soils ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Inorganic Fertiliser

A representativeness survey of existing European Biochar field experiments within the Biochar COST Action TD1107 was conducted to gather key information for setting up future experiments and collaborations, and to minimise duplication of efforts amongst European researchers. Woody feedstock biochar, applied without organic or inorganic fertiliser appears over-represented compared to other categories, especially considering the availability of crop residues, manures, and other organic waste streams and the efforts towards achieving a zero waste economy. Fertile arable soils were also over-represented while shallow unfertile soils were under-represented. Many of the latter are likely in agroforestry or forest plantation land use. The most studied theme was crop production. However, other themes that can provide evidence of mechanisms, as well as potential undesired side-effects, were relatively well represented. Biochar use for soil contamination remediation was the least represented theme; further work is needed to identify which specific contaminants, or mixtures of contaminants, have the potential for remediation by different biochars.

scholarly journals Peat decomposability in managed organic soils in relation to land use, organic matter composition and temperature

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 703-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cédric Bader ◽  
Moritz Müller ◽  
Rainer Schulin ◽  
Jens Leifeld
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
C Cycle

Abstract. Organic soils comprise a large yet fragile carbon (C) store in the global C cycle. Drainage, necessary for agriculture and forestry, triggers rapid decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), typically increasing in the order forest < grassland < cropland. However, there is also large variation in decomposition due to differences in hydrological conditions, climate and specific management. Here we studied the role of SOM composition on peat decomposability in a variety of differently managed drained organic soils. We collected a total of 560 samples from 21 organic cropland, grassland and forest soils in Switzerland, monitored their CO2 emission rates in lab incubation experiments over 6 months at two temperatures (10 and 20 °C) and related them to various soil characteristics, including bulk density, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and elemental ratios (C / N, H / C and O / C). CO2 release ranged from 6 to 195 mg CO2-C g−1 SOC at 10 °C and from 12 to 423 mg g−1 at 20 °C. This variation occurring under controlled conditions suggests that besides soil water regime, weather and management, SOM composition may be an underestimated factor that determines CO2 fluxes measured in field experiments. However, correlations between the investigated chemical SOM characteristics and CO2 emissions were weak. The latter also did not show a dependence on land-use type, although peat under forest was decomposed the least. High CO2 emissions in some topsoils were probably related to the accrual of labile crop residues. A comparison with published CO2 rates from incubated mineral soils indicated no difference in SOM decomposability between these soil classes, suggesting that accumulation of recent, labile plant materials that presumably account for most of the evolved CO2 is not systematically different between mineral and organic soils. In our data set, temperature sensitivity of decomposition (Q10 on average 2.57 ± 0.05) was the same for all land uses but lowest below 60 cm in croplands and grasslands. This, in turn, indicates a relative accumulation of recalcitrant peat in topsoils.

scholarly journals Effects of organic fertilizers via quick artificial decomposition on crop growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemiao Ma ◽  
Haixiao Li ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Cunshou Liu
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Matters ◽  
Crop Development ◽  
Biological Wastes

AbstractApplying organic matters into the soil would help to improve soil quality and sustain crop production. In addition, the small molecular organic matters could be active in influencing soil nutrient cycling and crop development. Thus, this study has firstly induced a new technology of quick artificial decomposition to produce fertilizers containing small molecular organic compounds from crop residues and other biological wastes. The fertilizers were produced via the quick artificial decomposition from biological wastes. The small organic species in the fertilizers were identified by the LC–MS. Field experiments of kiwifruit were conducted to test the effects of fertilizers. In total, 341 species of small organic matters have been determined in the produced fertilizers. The results showed that the organic fertilizers could significantly increase the yields of kiwifruit by 15.2% in contrast with mineral fertilizer treatments. Whereas, the organic fertilizers could enhance the contents of nutritive components in kiwifruits. These results proved that the organic fertilizers containing more small organic matter could be more efficient in promoting crop production.

scholarly journals Induced Land Use Emissions due to First and Second Generation Biofuels and Uncertainty in Land Use Emission Factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Taheripour ◽  
Wallace E. Tyner
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Second Generation Biofuels ◽  
Dedicated Energy Crops ◽  
First And Second Generation

Much research has estimated induced land use changes (ILUCs) and emissions for first generation biofuels. Relatively little has provided estimates for the second generation biofuels. This paper estimates ILUC emissions for the first and second generation biofuels. Estimated ILUC emissions are uncertain not only because their associated land use changes are uncertain, but also because of uncertainty in the land use emission factors (EFs). This paper also examines uncertainties related to these factors. The results suggest that converting crop residues to biofuel has no significant ILUC emissions, but that is not the case for dedicated energy crops. Use of dedicated energy crops transfers managed natural land and marginal land (cropland-pasture) to crop production. Producing biogasoline from miscanthus generates the lowest land requirement among alterative pathways. The largest land requirement is associated with switchgrass. The difference is due largely to the assumed yields of switchgrass and miscanthus. The three major conclusions from uncertainty in emissions analyses are (1) inclusion or exclusion of cropland-pasture makes a huge difference; (2) changes in soil carbon sequestration due to changes in land cover vegetation play an important role; and (3) there is wide divergence among the emission factor sources, especially for dedicated crop conversion to ethanol.

scholarly journals The life-time concept as a tool for erosion tolerance definition

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (spe) ◽  
pp. 130-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sparovek ◽  
M.M. Weill ◽  
S.B.L. Ranieiri ◽  
E. Schnug ◽  
E.F. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Erosion Rates

By definition, erosion tolerance should consider the conservation of the soil as a natural resource essential for crop production. Erosion rates greater than soil renewal will cause soil depth loss. A minimum soil depth was defined as the depth in which the inputs (fertilizers, crop residues) and management technology (irrigation, improved genetic crop quality) were insufficient to prevent economic productivity loss. Thus, erosion rates greater than soil formation are acceptable only during the time in which the soil does not reach the minimum depth. We have defined this time period as life-time. The life-time concept was applied to the Ceveiro watershed (1,945 ha) located in a sugarcane growing region in the Southeast of Brazil Erosion rates were estimated with the Universal Soil Loss Equation and soil depths were measured by field surveys. Depth change and life-time calculations, considering a soil formation rate of 0.2 mm y-1, and assuming the present scenario of land use and a minimum soil depth of 1.0 m were made using the Geographic Information System. Land use represented 1,319 ha (68%) of sugarcane, 346 ha (18%) of forests and 278 ha (14%) of pasture. The area in which soil erosion was less than soil formation (not associated to long term impacts) represented 475 ha (24%), which included the total forest areas and 48% of pastures. The total sugarcane area had erosion rates greater than soil formation. The area with erosion rates greater than soil formation rates and soil depth less than 1.0 m, which resulted in a life-time equal to zero (soil erosion impacts are presently irreversible) was 832 ha (42%). This area was composed of 702 ha of sugarcane and 130 ha of pastures. The remaining area (erosion greater than formation and soil depth > 1.0 m) represented 638 ha (32%), which was composed of 620 ha of sugarcane and 18 ha of pasture. The half-lifetime for the watershed was estimated as 350 yr. The life-time concept was effective to evaluate the extreme soil degradation risk of the Ceveiro watershed in an integral and reliable form.

The questions of methodology of field experiments in agriculture and crop production

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (94) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
А.M. Malienkо ◽  
N.E. Borуs ◽  
N.G. Buslaeva
Keyword(s):  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Experimental Plot ◽  
Increase Labor Productivity ◽  
Biometric Parameters ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
High Condition

In the article, the results of research on the methodology for conducting studies with corn culture under various methods of sowing and weather conditions. The aim of the research was to establish and evaluate the reliability and high accuracy of the experiment, with a decrease in the area's acreage and taking one plant per repetition. Based on the results of the analysis of biometric parameters and yields, the possibility of sampling from 5 to 108 plants was established statistically and mathematically to establish the accuracy of the experiment. The established parameters of sites in experiments with maize indicate the possibility of obtaining much more information from a smaller unit of area, that is, to increase labor productivity not only with tilled crops. This is the goal of further scientific research with other field crops taking 1 plant of repetitions, observing the conditions of leveling the experimental plot according to the fertility of the soil and sowing seeds with high condition. The data obtained give grounds for continuing research on the minimum space required and the sample in the experiments.

The main directions of scientific support for the implementation of the system of organic farming in Ukraine

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (90) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Author(s):  
V.F. Kaminskyi ◽  
S.G. Korsun
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Scientific Support ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Organic Crop Production ◽  
Advanced Production ◽  
And Training ◽  
Organizational Issue

The aim of this work was to study the basic directions of scientific support introduction of organic farming in Ukraine. The study used methods of comparison, synthesis, analysis, induction and deduction. The article indicated on the main areas that need special attention from researchers and suggests one possible mechanism to remove the remaining obstacles to organizational issue introduction of scientific developments in the production of organic and training areas. This can speed up the creation of new and manage existing land ownership and land use organic farming with the introduction of advanced production technology of organic crop production.

Deferring Crisis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Stewart Mauldin
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Shifting Cultivation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Antebellum South ◽  
Westward Expansion ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Land Use Practices ◽  
Ecological Regime

This chapter explores the ecological regime of slavery and the land-use practices employed by farmers across the antebellum South. Despite the diverse ecologies and crop regimes of the region, most southern farmers employed a set of extensive agricultural techniques that kept the cost of farming down and helped circumvent natural limits on crop production and stock-raising. The use of shifting cultivation, free-range animal husbandry, and slaves to perform erosion control masked the environmental impacts of farmers’ actions, at least temporarily. Debates over westward expansion during the sectional crisis of the 1850s were not just about the extension of slavery, they also reflected practical concerns regarding access to new lands and fresh soil. Both were necessary for the continued profitability of farming in the South.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Approaches to Regional Land-Use Capability Analysis for Agricultural Land-Planning

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Tara A. Ippolito ◽  
Jeffrey E. Herrick ◽  
Ekwe L. Dossa ◽  
Maman Garba ◽  
Mamadou Ouattara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Agricultural Potential ◽  
Fertility Data ◽  
Using Data

Smallholder agriculture is a major source of income and food for developing nations. With more frequent drought and increasing scarcity of arable land, more accurate land-use planning tools are needed to allocate land resources to support regional agricultural activity. To address this need, we created Land Capability Classification (LCC) system maps using data from two digital soil maps, which were compared with measurements from 1305 field sites in the Dosso region of Niger. Based on these, we developed 250 m gridded maps of LCC values across the region. Across the region, land is severely limited for agricultural use because of low available water-holding capacity (AWC) that limits dry season agricultural potential, especially without irrigation, and requires more frequent irrigation where supplemental water is available. If the AWC limitation is removed in the LCC algorithm (i.e., simulating the use of sufficient irrigation or a much higher and more evenly distributed rainfall), the dominant limitations become less severe and more spatially varied. Finally, we used additional soil fertility data from the field samples to illustrate the value of collecting contemporary data for dynamic soil properties that are critical for crop production, including soil organic carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen.

A comprehensive overview and recent advances on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production using various organic waste streams

2021 ◽  
Vol 325 ◽  
pp. 124685
Author(s):  
Rijuta Ganesh Saratale ◽  
Si-Kyung Cho ◽  
Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale ◽  
Avinash A. Kadam ◽  
Gajanan S. Ghodake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Pha Production

scholarly journals Crop Response to Leaf and Seed Applications of the Biostimulant ComCat® under Stress Conditions

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161
Author(s):  
Roland Gerhards ◽  
Fructueuse N. Ouidoh ◽  
André Adjogboto ◽  
Vodéa Armand Pascal Avohou ◽  
Berteulot Latus Sètondji Dossounon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Treatment ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Winter Barley ◽  
Block Designs ◽  
Crop Response ◽  
Yield Data

Although clear evidence for benefits in crop production is partly missing, several natural compounds and microorganisms have been introduced to the market as biostimulants. They are supposed to enhance nutrient efficiency and availability in the rhizosphere, reduce abiotic stress, and improve crop quality parameters. Biostimulants often derive from natural compounds, such as microorganisms, algae, and plant extracts. In this study, the commercial plant extract-based biostimulant ComCat® was tested in two field experiments with maize in the communities of Banikoara and Matéri in Northern Benin and six pot experiments (four with maize and two with winter barley) at the University of Hohenheim in Germany. Maize was grown under nutrient deficiency, drought, and weed competition, and winter barley was stressed by the herbicide Luximo (cinmethylin). ComCat® was applied at half, full, and double the recommended field rate (50, 100, and 200 g ha−1) on the stressed and unstressed control plants as leaf or seed treatment. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block designs with four replications. The above-ground biomass and yield data of one experiment in Benin were collected. The biostimulant did not promote maize and winter barley biomass production of the unstressed plants. When exposed to stress, ComCat@ resulted only in one out of eight experiments in higher barley biomass compared to the stressed treatment without ComCat® application. There was a reduced phytotoxic effect of cinmethylin after seed treatment with ComCat®. Crop response to ComCat® was independent of the application rate. Basic and applied studies are needed to investigate the response of crops to biostimulants and their mechanisms of action in the plants before they should be used in practical farming.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document