Effects of Two Varieties and Fertilization Regimes on Growth, Fruit, and Silymarin Yield of Milk Thistle Crop

Milk thistle is an alternative crop to winter cereals for southern Europe as this species is drought tolerant and its fruits contain silymarin. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of two varieties and fertilization regimes (sheep manure and inorganic fertilizer) on crop productivity. A two-factor experiment was conducted in a randomized split-plot design with three replicates. The varieties were Palaionterveno and Spata, while the fertilization treatments were control, sheep manure, and calcium ammonium nitrate applied at 75 and 125 kg N ha−1. Variety and fertilization significantly affected plants development and productivity, as well as oil and silymarin yield. The use of manure and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer increased rosette diameter, oil and silymarin yield, above-ground biomass, and fruit yield. The influence of inorganic fertilization, regardless of the application dose, was more apparent than organic fertilization. Moreover, variety significantly affected plants growth and silymarin content, as well as silymarin composition. The variety Spata had the greatest silymarin content, reaching 4.40%, and a high silybin B concentration. In conclusion, the selection of a suitable variety is important for achieving high fruit and silymarin yields, while inorganic nitrogen fertilization can maximize the productivity of the milk thistle crop.

The effect of nitrogen source and quantity on disease expression of Neonectria ditissima in apple

The effects of nitrogen on the interaction between apple trees and European canker caused by Neonectria ditissima are not well understood. Previous field and laboratory studies have shown that nitrogen affects N. ditissima disease development, germination and germ-tube growth in vitro but the type of nitrogen source has not been examined in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of root-applied nitrogen from different sources on the development of European canker on inoculated potted trees. One-year-old ‘Royal Gala’ trees were planted in a low-nitrogen growth substrate and treated with a range of concentrations of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) or other nitrogen sources (Ca(NO3)2, KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, urea, YaraMila™) at equivalent molar rates of nitrogen as the highest CAN treatment. Treatments were applied during the growing season (Nov to May). The control treatment received no applied nitrogen. Bud and leaf scar wounds were inoculated at leaf fall with N. ditissima conidia. Tree growth and health, disease progression and leaf nitrogen content were monitored. The rate of nitrogen application affected tree diameter and leaf nitrogen content while the nitrogen source mainly affected tree survival, powdery mildew incidence, leaf weights, leaf nitrogen and European canker symptom expression. Trees treated with (NH4)2SO4 had the lowest survival rates and highest leaf nitrogen content. Disease expression was highest with NH4NO3 and lowest with KNO3 applications. The control plants (which received no additional nitrogen), showed the least amount of both growth and disease expression. Applications of CAN, even at the lowest rate (20 g), increased disease susceptibility. Increasing rates of CAN applications did not significantly increase disease incidence. Nitrogen concentration is an important factor in the disease development of European canker of apple. Field evaluation is recommended to further validate these results.

Technology for production of granular calcium-ammonium nitrate

The article presents the technology for production of granular calcium-ammonium nitrate, which is suitable for implementation into the existing production of complex mineral fertilizers. The paper considers the physicochemical foundations of manufacturing calcium-ammonium nitrate and provides the calculations of the equilibrium constants of the reactions occurring at the temperatures of 25–1700С. A new process flow diagram was proposed. It was shown that the production of calcium ammonium nitrate as a valuable agrochemical fertilizer is possible by mixing of 82–84% ammonium nitrate solution with solid carbonate raw materials with further granulation and drying in a drum granulator and dryer. The work determines the conditions for the interaction of reagents making it possible to reduce the losses of nitrogen. The density of aqueous suspensions of chalk and the rate of its precipitation are established. The obtained results allow improving an industrial plant based on the existing equipment for the production of complex mineral fertilizers. The technological parameters for the preparation of the product are optimized to meet the requirements of technical conditions. During commissioning and stabilization of the technological regime, a product was obtained containing 25.9–27.8% of total nitrogen, 15.6–16.8% of CaCO3, 0.01–0.64% of Ca(NO3)2, and 0.32–0.75% of H2O with the following particle size distribution: 95.3–96.3% of 1–5 mm particle size, and 3.7–4.8% of particle size of less than 1 mm with a granule hardness of 30 N per granule.

A Comparison of IPCC Guidelines and Allocation Methods to Estimate the Environmental Impact of Barley Production in the Basque Country through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

This study aimed to estimate the environmental impact of barley production in the Basque Country, Northern Spain, using cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, as well as to assess how methodological choices (i.e., the use of IPCC 2019 Guidelines versus allocation methods) can influence such estimation. The production of mineral fertiliser and the direct emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) resulting from the application of nitrogen (N) fertiliser were identified as the two main contributors (40% and 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions, respectively) to the environmental impact of barley production. Pertaining to GHG emissions themselves, the use of calcium ammonium nitrate fertiliser was found to be the main contributor. Therefore, the optimization of N fertiliser application was established as a key process to reduce the environmental impact of barley production. The fertiliser-related release of N and phosphorous (P) to the environment was the main contributor to particulate matter formation, terrestrial acidification, and terrestrial and marine eutrophication. The incorporation of environmental data on NH3, NOx, NO3−, and PO43− to the LCA led to a more accurate estimation of barley production impact. A sensitivity analysis showed that the use of economic allocation, compared to mass allocation, increased the estimation of climate change-related impact by 80%. In turn, the application of the IPCC 2019 Refinement Guidelines increased this estimation by a factor of 1.12 and 0.86 in wet regions and decreased in dry regions, respectively. Our results emphasise the importance of the choice of methodology, adapted to the specific case under study, when estimating the environmental impact of food production systems.

Potato Yield Response and Seasonal Nitrate Leaching as Influenced by Nitrogen Management

Nitrate leaching is of great environmental concern, particularly with potatoes grown on sandy soils. This 3-year study evaluated the effect of three N rates (100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) of single applications of polymer-coated urea (PCU) and a 75% PCU + 25% urea mixture, plus a conventional split application of 200 kg N ha−1 of a 50% ammonium sulfate + 50% calcium ammonium nitrate mixture (CONV) on NO3−-N leaching, potato yield, and N uptake under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on a sandy soil in Quebec (Canada). Fertilizer N application increased growing season NO3−-N leaching only under irrigation. On average, irrigation increased seasonal NO3−-N leaching by 52%. Under irrigated conditions, PCU reduced NO3−-N leaching compared to PCU + urea. However, both PCU and PCU + urea significantly increased NO3−-N leaching compared to the CONV at the equivalent N rate of 200 kg N ha−1. This was attributed to the timing of soil N availability and deep-water percolation. Total (TY) and marketable (MY) yields in the CONV were similar to those in the PCU applied at the equivalent N rate of 200 kg N ha−1. Despite lower plant N uptake, PCU resulted in greater TY and MY compared to PCU + urea. Residual soil inorganic N was greater for PCU and PCU + urea compared to the CONV, providing evidence that PCU products have the potential to increase NO3−-N leaching after the growing season. In this study, PCU was an agronomically and environmentally better choice than PCU + urea. The results also showed that the efficiency of PCU to reduce seasonal NO3−-N leaching may vary according to the timing of precipitation and irrigation.

PSIX-9 Effect of calcium nitrate fed to dairy cows on nitrate residues, fatty acids profile, and antioxidant capacity in milk

Six lactating cows (106.3 ± 14.8 DIM; 550.7 ± 21.8 kg BW) were enrolled in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square to evaluate the supplementation of double salt of calcium ammonium nitrate decahydrate (CAN), composed by 16.5% N, 76.5% of nitrate (NO3 -), and 85.0% DM, on NO3 - and nitrite (NO2 -) residues, fatty acids (FA) proportion, and antioxidant capacity in milk. Each period lasted 21 d, with 14 d for adaptation and 7 d for sampling. Treatments were URE (11.9 g/DM of urea as a control), CAN15: 15 g of CAN (11.5 g of NO3 - on DM), and CAN30: 30 g of CAN (23 g of NO3 - on DM). Milk samples were collected on d 15–16 of each period, frozen at –20°C, and after analyzed for NO3 - and NO2 - residues, fatty acids, and antioxidant capacity. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Supplemental CAN increased by 26% NO3 - residue in milk (P = 0.02), whereas did not affect (P < 0.05) NO2 - concentration (average of 0.042 mg/L). Total CLA and short-chain FA were not affected (P > 0.05) by CAN. Medium-chain FA decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while long-chain FA (P = 0.06) and monounsaturated FA (P = 0.08) tended to increase linearly. Saturated FA reduced (P < 0.05) linearly; however, the total of polyunsaturated FA was not affected (P > 0.05). There were no effects of CAN (P > 0.05) on n-3, n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratio. Milk reducing power and TBARS concentration were not affected (P > 0.05) by CAN, whereas conjugated dienes increased (P = 0.02) linearly (URE= 47.6 vs. CAN15= 52.7 vs. CAN30= 63.4 mmol/kg of fat). Supplementing CAN at 30 g/DM reduced total saturated FA and increased conjugated dienes, caused possibly by lower rumen biohydrogenation, which might increase lipid oxidation in milk.

285 Effects of Encapsulated Calcium-ammonium Nitrate on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Manure of Beef Steers Grazing a Mature Mixed-winter Forage

A 30-d experiment was conducted to evaluate daily and cumulative gas fluxes of N2O, CH4, and CO2 produced by manure from Angus-crossbred steers grazing mature mixed-winter forage pastures [wheat, triticale, and rye (Triticum aestivum, Triticosecale rimpaui, and Secale cereal, respectively) and receiving N supplementation from two different sources. Steers received the following treatments: 1) mature mixed-winter pasture + ground corn (NCTRL), 2) NCTRL + 328 mg/kg of BW encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate (NIT) and 3) NCTRL + 124 mg/kg of BW urea (CTRL). All ground corn was supplemented at 0.3% BW. Treatments NIT and CTRL were isonitrogenous. Feces were collected and composited (1 kg as-is) within treatment, within block (3 blocks; 4 steers/treatment/block; 3 fecal composites/treatment). Gas samples were collected from static chambers previously installed in an area excluded from grazing. After 3 d, composites were deposited on the soil surface inside the chamber. Four subsamples were taken per deployment time per chamber, separated by 10-min intervals (t0, t10, t20 and t30) and injected into an evacuated 125-mL serum vial. Gas samples were collected every other day between 0900 and 1100 h and analyzed using a gas chromatograph. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design, with chamber as the experimental unit, using the MIXED procedure of SAS. No treatment × day interaction (P ≥ 0.145), nor treatment (P ≥ 0.622) effect were observed on daily-flux data for N2O, CH4, and CO2; however, a day effect was observed (P ≤ 0.001) where all gases peaked on d 2 post-manure application on the soil. Cumulative emissions were not different among treatments for N2O, CH4, and CO2 (P ≥ 0.663). Although it was expected for encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate to increase N2O emissions, such effect was not observed. Therefore, it appears that encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate does not affect manure greenhouse gas emissions.

Effects of Bismuth Subsalicylate and Encapsulated Calcium-Ammonium Nitrate on Feedlot Beef Cattle Production

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and calcium-ammonium nitrate (CAN) on in vitro ruminal fermentation, growth, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, liver mineral concentration, and carcass quality of beef cattle. In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally cannulated steers [520 ± 30 kg body weight (BW)] were used as donors to perform a batch culture and an in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) procedure. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with factors being BSS [0 or 0.33% of substrate dry matter (DM)] and CAN (0 or 2.22% of substrate DM). In Exp. 2, 200 Angus-crossbred steers (385 ± 27 kg BW) were blocked by BW and allocated to 50 pens (4 steers/pen) in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included BSS (0 or 0.33% of the diet DM) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source [urea or encapsulated CAN (eCAN) included at 0.68 or 2.0% of the diet, respectively] with 0.28% ruminally available S (RAS). A low S diet was included as a positive control containing urea (0.68% of DM) and 0.14% RAS. For Exp. 1, data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the fixed effects of BSS, CAN, BSS × CAN, and the random effect of donor. For Exp. 2, the MIXED procedure of SAS was used for continuous variables and the GLIMMIX procedure for categorical data. For Exp. 1, no differences (P > 0.230) were observed for IVOMD. There was a tendency (P = 0.055) for an interaction regarding H2S production. Acetate:propionate increased (P = 0.003) with the addition of CAN. In Exp. 2, there was a NPN source effect (P = 0.032) where steers consuming urea had greater carcass-adjusted final shrunk BW than those consuming eCAN. Intake of DM (P < 0.001) and carcass-adjusted average daily gain (P = 0.024) were reduced by eCAN; however, it did not affect (P = 0.650) carcass-adjusted feed efficiency. Steers consuming urea had greater (P = 0.032) hot carcass weight, and a BSS × NPN interaction (P = 0.019) was observed on calculated yield grade. Apparent absorption of S decreased (P < 0.001) with the addition of BSS. Final liver Cu concentration was reduced (P = 0.042) by 58% in cattle fed BSS, indicating that BSS may decrease Cu absorption and storage in the liver. The results observed in this experiment indicate that BSS does not have negative effects on feedlot steer performance whereas CAN may hinder performance of steers fed finishing diets.

Assessing Nitrogen Availability in Biobased Fertilizers: Effect of Vegetation on Mineralization Patterns

Biobased nitrogen (N) fertilizers derived from animal manure can substitute synthetic mineral N fertilizer and contribute to more sustainable agriculture. Practitioners need to obtain a reliable estimation of the biobased fertilizers’ N value. This study compared the estimates for pig slurry (PS) and liquid fraction of digestate (LFD) using laboratory incubation and plant-growing experiments. A no-N treatment was used as control and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) as synthetic mineral fertilizer. After 100 days of incubation, the addition of PS and LFD resulted in a net N mineralization rate of 10.6 ± 0.3% and 20.6 ± 0.4% of the total applied N, respectively. The addition of CAN showed no significant net mineralization or immobilization (net N release 96 ± 6%). In the pot experiment under vegetation, all fertilized treatments caused N immobilization with a negative net N mineralization rate of −51 ± 11%, −9 ± 4%, and −27 ± 10% of the total applied N in CAN, PS, and LFD treatments, respectively. Compared to the pot experiment, the laboratory incubation without vegetation may have overestimated the N value of biobased fertilizers. Vegetation resulted in a lower estimation of available N from fertilizers, probably due to intensified competition with soil microbes or increased N loss via denitrification.