Search

Background: The current challenge is to produce food in systems that are resilient to climate change and take care of the environment. Aim. Evaluate organic and mineral biofertilization in the growth and development of Tithonia diversifolia positions during the nursery phase. Materials and methods: Two trials were carried out: E-I at the “Renato Guitar” CPA and E-II: at the Indio Hatuey Pasture and Forage Experimental Station (EEPFIH). For their development, a completely randomized experimental design was used with 15 and 10 replications, experiment I and II respectively. E-I, three treatments were carried out: T-1: 100% unfertilized soil, T-2: 50% soil + 50% biochar, T-3: 50% soil + 25% biochar + 25% cane bagasse ash. The biochar was obtained from marabou (D. cinerea) and was always embedded in efficient IHPLUS®BF microorganisms. Physiological parameters of primary and secondary metabolism were measured at 30 days, and morphological growth indicators at 30 and 60 days. In E-II, 5 treatments were used: T-1: Unfertilized soil, T-2: Combination of 50% soil-50% compost + Rhizobium, T-3: Combination of 50% soil-50% compost + Trichoderma, T-4: Combination of 50% soil-50% compost with micronized dolomite + Rhizobium and T-5: Combination of 50% soil-50% compost with micronized dolomite + Trichoderma. Morphological growth indicators were measured at 60 days and production of dry aerial biomass at the time of transplant. Results: the results show that in Trial-I the best variant was T-3: soil 50%+IHPLUS®BF enriched Biochar 25%+ash 25%. Test-II, all the variants studied were superior to the control. Conclusion: The results confirmed the effectiveness of these alternatives to grow T. diversifolia plants under nursery conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high environmental impact of solid and liquid wastes containing toxic elements and metals is having a negative impact on various ecosystems, this work aims to perform a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of scientific production, hoping to understand the retention and absorption capacity of biochar, analysis Capacity of different biochars for certain pollutants including heavy metals; the bibliometric analysis was performed through a review of web of science (WoS) and Scopus databases. The records obtained are analyzed using graph theory and tools such as bibliometrix, Sci2 Tool, Gephi, are divided into three categories: classical, structural and recent, where three perspectives are obtained: uptake of heavy metals, bioavailability and pollutants; Similarly, it was identified that the field of study is new. The main author is Yang Yi, important authors such as Geng Yong and Liang Dong have a fairly high H-index. Additionally, the countries with the highest production in the subject are: CHINA which ranks first, USA with the second place and KOREA with the third place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC) is presented as an amendment based on biomass pyrolysis residue that promotes an increase in the amount of beneficial bacterial and mycorrhizal communities and the quantity of elemental nutrients for plant fertility; in addition, by its characteristics, it provides recalcitrant carbon, generates physicochemical changes, such as an increase in pH, increase in water retention in soil and cation exchange capacity. Most studies about BC focus on evaluating the results in physicochemical variables into soils, however, few studies show and explain reasons because BC increases beneficial bacterial and mycorrhizal communities to plant growth, for this reason is necessary to selectively analysis to define the mechanisms between BC and microorganisms. This review examines publications of the last 12 years of research on BC in different databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springerlink, SciELO, Google Scholar), focusing on the years (2020-2022), to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that let the interaction between BC-soil microbial communities and its benefits as an agricultural amendment. An accepted hypothesis is the high porosity into BC that serves as a “microhabitat” since it allows ideal conditions of space, temperature, humidity, air, and food growing levels of rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungus involved in the solubilization of nutrients such as N, P and K increasing the exo-enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease between others improving soil fertility and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the change in the product yield and fuel properties of the vineyard pruning waste (BBA) was investigated with the torrefaction process applied in different environments in order to improve the fuel properties of agricultural wastes. BBA was first torrified at 280°C, in inert and oxidizing environments, for a short residence time. In order to determine the change in the fuel properties of the biochar formed as a result of the process, the change in the upper heat value and energy efficiency was determined together with the proximate and elemental analyzes. Torrefied and raw biomass were burned in a fixed bed with natural convection and differences in combustion behavior were evaluated and compared.. The results of study show that the fuel properties of the biochar formed after torrefaction in both environments improved. As a result, it can be said that oxidative atmospheres can also be used for torrefaction at high processing temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using cassava roots waste (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a biochar-type material was synthesized for removal of dyes. Work was carried out with cassava flour summited to 673 K and 80 mbar. The material was characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (PDRX). These analyses showed that the obtained material was thermally stable with sphere aggregates (10 µm diameter), amorphous structure of lignocellulose and type A starch crystalline structure. Synthesized biochar adsorbed methyl orange (116,4 ± 0,2 mg/g and methyl green (94,2 ± 0,2 mg/g) at 308 K. the foregoing demonstrates the ability of this material to remedy contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar generated from the pyrolysis of organic materials reduces GHG emissions and impacts the soil's many other physical, chemical, and biological properties. This paper aims to show a systematic review of online databases about the progress and trends of knowledge in biochar, an important topic that contributes to the updating, synthesis, and dissemination of knowledge and allows classifying the growing flow of information and identifying accredited aspects from 2011 to 2022. From 2011 to 2022, 253 scientific articles were collected and 119 were selected. Cooccurrence networks were worked on, and the information was represented through graphs to visualize the total number of connections between entities, grouping (subdomains), and locating synonyms, among others. One of the selection criteria was the type of publication and the synopsis of the study of the effect of biochar on soil, environmental importance, and use in the agricultural sector, as well as the methodological approaches of the research process and implementation feasibility. The results showed a notable increase in research on the subject in recent years, with reports of effectiveness, as a soil conditioner and remediator, GHG mitigation, and a trend for water and soil decontamination with positive progress of new research. However, it is necessary to monitor the effects of the application of biochar in the medium and long term to originate cleaner production processes in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive. Determine the most appropriate substrate from mulberry biochar fertilizers for the germination and initial development of Crotalaria juncea L. Materials and methods. Six combinations were compared that were composed of: Treatment 1: 100% red ferralitic soil, Treatment 2: 50% soil and 50% biochar, Treatment 3: 50% soil and 50% compost, Treatment 4: 50% soil and 50% humus. worm, Treatment 5: 50% soil, 25% biochar, and 25% compost, and Treatment 6: 50% soil, 25% biochar, and 25% worm humus. Previously, biochar evaluations were carried out comparing its way of elaboration, and its origin of enrichment. Variables to measure: emergence (%), stem length (mm), stem thickness (mm), main root length (mm), leaves (number), and secondary roots (number). Results. The best results at 15 days were obtained with the substrate composed of 50% soil, 25% biochar, and 25% earthworm humus (treatment 6) with values of stem length (95.70 mm), stem diameter (1.10 mm), number of leaves (5.13), length of the main root (45.50 mm) and number of secondary roots (13.74) that give rise to a good development of the plant, favoring the best consistency of the root ball. Conclusions. It can be seen that the combined substrate of biochar, earthworm humus, and soil presents the potential for the development and germination of crotalaria in root ball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the effect of biochar enriched with IHPLUS® BF bioproduct, on soil physicochemical and morphophysiological indicators of mulberry (Morus alba) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Materials and methods. Substrates based on soil mixed with: mulberry biochar, marabou (Dicrostachys cinerea) or sugarcane bagasse (Sacharum officinarum), soaked in water or in IHPLUS® BF versus soil without biochar as negative control, were eva luated; in addition to its effect on the mulberry and sorghum nursery. The experimental design was totally randomized. Results. pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential and soluble solids content in the biochars varied when they were enriched with IHPLUS® BF; there was a higher incidence in bagasse (6.09; 363.67 µS/m; 341.90 mV; 0.37 °brix, respectively). In the bagasse biochar substrate with IHPLUS® BF, storage and moisture retention improved (= 0.7g/g; 0.5g = X = 0.6 g/g, respectively), followed by water-embedded mulberry biochar (= 0.6 g/g, storage). In the sorghum crop there were significant effects of bagasse biochar with IHPLUS® BF and mulberry soaked in water. There was a high correlation between aerial biomass and chlorophyll (0.84), NBI in leaves (0.83) and substrate pH (-0.84). In the mulberry crop, bagasse biochar with water and mulberry biochar with IHPLUS® BF were better. The height of the plants was more correlated with the aerial biomass (0.86), the flavonols (0.85), the anthocyanin in the leaves (-0.82) and the pH of the substrate (-0.80). Conclusions. The use of sugarcane bagasse biochar enriched with IHPLUS®BF and mulberry biochar improved the pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, storage and retention of water in the soil; as well as the morphophysiological response of sorghum and mulberry grown in nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the emergence of Moringa oleifera seeds coated with mud, and biochar, and enriched with different nutrients. Materials and methods. Two M. oleifera seeds per ball were used. The biochar (B) came from prunings of Mexican lemon (Citrus aurantifolia). A completely randomized design with seven treatments was used: T1 direct seeding (DS), the rest contained mud associated with T2 Vermicompost Vc, T3 Mulch (M), T4 Biochar manual milling [Bmam] + native microorganisms [MO] (BmamMO), T5 Bmam + earthworm leachates [L] (BmamL), T6 Biochar mechanical milling (Bmem) + native microorganisms (BmemMO) and T7 Bmem + earthworm leachates (BmemL) in bags as pots with 15 replicates per treatment. Results. The BmamMO treatment showed the fastest seeding emergence with 46.7% at 3 days, while no emergence in the rest of the treatments, and by the fifth day of this treatment had 93.3% of seedlings emerged, statistically superior to the rest, except with BmmaL. Direct seeding and mulch emerged for up to 6 days at 26.7 and 13.3%, respectively. The highest emergence was achieved in vermicompost with 83.5% and the lowest with BmmeL with 36.5% at 15 days, the rest shared statistical similarity. Conclusion. The use of biochar with manual grinding enriched with native microorganisms potentiates the emergence through Moringa oleifera seed balls and biochar with mechanical grinding negatively affects this process. Vermicompost pellets are also a recommended option due to their high emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Fuentes, El Reventón Energético is the property of Universidad Industrial de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gestión y Ambiente is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pyrolytic cracking of forest residues is a complex process that determines the characteristics of the biochar obtained. The objective is to specify through experimental design, the experimental variables that influence the pyrolysis of sawdust from Ecuadorian Teak, Fernán Sánchez and Guachapelí woods and their most favorable values to achieve higher yields in this process, so that it allows elucidating a Experimental procedure for obtaining biochars, as well as their characterization. The applied experiment design showed that temperature is the only parameter that significantly affects pyrolysis and allows us to propose an experimental procedure to obtain biochar. The SEM and the FT-IR of the biochars demonstrate the effectiveness of the process and the EDX of the biochars obtained show a stoichiometric ratio of C/O 5:1 enriched in charcoal, as well as the elemental composition of its ashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the events and achievements of the Animal Production and Agrodevelopment Convention 2022 in Cuba. The event had the participation of 550 attendees from scientific institutions, students, organizations, and national and international farmers. 440 studies were presented through conferences, round tables, and oral and poster presentations. In addition, bilateral meetings were held and agreements were signed to increase scientific collaboration and technology transfer in tropical animal production. Topics such as open science, rabbit production and marketing, and the use of alternative feed were also discussed. The role of youth in agricultural research and food security was also highlighted. The article discusses the topics discussed in different workshops related to climate-smart livestock farming, the contribution of animal science in the Latin American region, strengthening research systems, technology transfer and innovation, national and regional integration and collaboration, improving livestock production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feed, the sustainability of beekeeping and aquaculture, the development of additives and nutritional supplements, the importance of statistical models in livestock systems, bioenergy and biochar, and the production of grass and forage in the context of climate change, among other topics. The importance of linking science with social practice is also highlighted, and participation in the convention is appreciated. [Extracted from the article]

The use of organic amendments improves the quality and increases the fertility of the soils due to their adsorption properties, stimulates nutrient cycling and can be used to reduce the availability of heavy metals. The main objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of biochar (BC) derived from pig manure on the availability of Pb in a contaminated and limed agricultural soil. A randomized experimental design was applied, the pig manure was dried at room temperature (23 °C) and pyrolyzed at 500 °C for 2 h. Doses of 5%, 10% and 20% of BC were applied to the Pb soils contaminated (165.7 mg/kg), that were arranged in 2 kg pots except for the control sample, and Lactuca sativa was subsequently grown cultivated to evaluate the Pb availability. The results indicated an improvement in soil quality at higher BC dose, increase of 0.34 pH units, decrease of Pb extracted by EDTA (27% to 62% of decrease), and non-significant Pb content in leachates (< 1 mg Pb/L) and no detection in plant roots (< 0.01 mg/kg), except for the control plant (0.7 mg Pb/kg) in the original soil. A logarithmic relational model between BC dose and Pb adsorbed in the soil was obtained (R² = 0.9938, p < 0.05) showing that the decrease of Pb availability in the soil increased for higher BC doses, which represents an eco-friendly remediation alternative. It is recommended to investigate the interaction relationships between the soil quality parameters and to establish functional models of bioaccumulation and extractable metal of the amended soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, the intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers in annual and perennial crops has increased in Peru. These fertilizers are quickly available to plants by converting to nitrates, increasing crop yields. However, nitrogen fertilizers are very volatile and are also lost easily by leaching. This lost nitrogen (N) implies economic costs and leads to environmental problems such as eutrophication. Biochar, a new soil amendment, has been suggested as a solution to these problems; however, there has been little research on the subject in Peru. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar application on corn yield and nitrogen balance in soils (Entisols with alluvial deposition) in San Ramon (Peru). Biochar was produced from green waste and pig manure. The research design considered five treatments: Control (T1), 7 t·ha-1 of pig manure (T2), 17.5 t·ha-1 of biochar (T3), 23 t·ha-1 of biochar with pH adjustment (T4), and 17.5 t·ha-1 of biochar with pH and C/N ratio adjustment (T5). The results showed that treatments T1 and T2 obtained the lowest corn yields, with an average production of 0.41 t·ha-1 and 2.45 t·ha-1, respectively. Treatment T5 produced the highest corn yield, reaching a production of 5.71 t·ha-1. A significant difference was only found in the yield of treatments T1 and T5 (p = 0.011). Nitrogen use efficiency percentages (NUE), defined as the percentage of applied N that was available to be absorbed by the crop or retained in the soil, were higher for treatments T3, T4, and T5 with 28, 28, and 56% efficiency, respectively, in comparison to treatments T1 and T2. Likewise, biochar treatments T3, T4, and T5 produced lower nitrogen losses compared to treatments T1 and T2. This research concluded that biochar-based amendments have positive effects on corn crop yield while limiting nitrogen loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Avances: Investigación en Ingeniería is the property of Universidad Libre, Facultad de Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Estudiantil AGRO - VET is the property of Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Facultad de Agronomia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas is the property of Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gestión y Ambiente is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biochar is the product from the decomposition of biomass, whose physicochemical characteristics are associated with its origin and the combustion method used. Among these properties, the surface area, the formation of macro and micropores, and the presence of functional groups are highlighted. Due to these characteristics, biochar becomes an alternative material with a high adsorption capacity for toxic compounds contained in polluted wastewater. This work provides information on the biochar generation mechanisms and how they interfere with its physicochemical characteristics. Likewise, the parameters involved in the pollutant removal processes are described, and the treatments under which the biochar can be subjected for its adsorption capacity to be improved are mentioned. Finally, the possible uses or the suitable final disposition that the biochar must have in order to contribute to the circular economy strategy are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a review of the use of organic amendments in the immobility of cadmium in contaminated agricultural soils. Cadmium (Cd) has become a global problem since industrialization began and since the implementation of intensive agricultural practices. Cadmium remains as an omnipresent environmental problem since it is a highly toxic metal that persists in the soil for long periods due to its minimal microbial and chemical loss. Currently, there is public awareness about the implications of agricultural soils contaminated with cadmium. Therefore, there is increased interest in developing and applying cost-effective, friendly, and environmentally friendly techniques such as in situ immobilization using organic amendments. It is concluded that organic amendments have the potential value to reduce Cd uptake by plants and improve immobilization by adsorption, ion exchange, complexation and precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Biológico Agropecuaria Tuxpan is the property of Revista Biologico Agropecuaria Tuxpan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biochar is aromatic carbon rich-C used to improve soil fertility. This product is proposed as an alternative to face the climate change due to its ability to sequester atmospheric carbon. Its physical-chemical characteristics are influenced by the type of biomass and the conditions in which pyrolysis is developed. It has been demonstrated that this material can have high contents of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ca, Cu, Zn, Co, Si, Mo, Cr, Ni, and other trace elements. Soil biochar application can induce morphophysiological and metabolic changes in plants and improve their interactions established with soil microorganisms, including mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria and antagonistic fungi such as Trichoderma. Biochar can be enriched or combined with compost, fertilizers and beneficial microorganisms promoting growth and defense of plants against different pests. The interactive effect of biochar with earthworms is soil-specific, because it depends on the quality of the soil in which they come into contact. In addition, biochar is capable of suppressing different soil pests and inducing systemic resistance against foliar pathogens in some plants. The aim of this work was to analyze and summarize aspects related to biochar and plant nutrition, plant growth promotion, biochar and other soil organisms favoring the growth and development of plants, relationship of this product with the decrease/suppression of pests and the defense of plants, as well as some considerations about this product application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of organic fertilization on morphological and agronomic indicators of two varieties of Manihot esculenta Crantz. Materials and Methods: In 2019 a trial was conducted during nine months with two varieties of M. esculenta (INI-VIT Y93-4 and Señorita). A randomized block experimental design was applied, with four treatments and three replicas: T1 control-mineral fertilization, T2-fertilization with 700 g/plant of enriched biochar, T3-fertilization with 700 g/plant of compost and T4-fertilization with 350 g of enriched biochar + 350 g of compost/plant. Morphological and agricultural yield variables were measured. Variance analysis and mean comparison through Duncan's test (p ≤ 0,05) were carried out. Results: During the 150 days of study, the morphological variables height and stem diameter, associated to the growth ofM. esculenta in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, did not show significant differences with regards to the control due to the effect of fertilization. The utilization of biochar, enriched or combined with compost, guaranteed between 3 and 4 kg/m2 ofM. esculenta yield in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, without significant differences compared with the chemical fertilization. Conclusions: The alternatives of organic fertilization stimulated plant growth during their vegetative phase and guaranteed M. esculenta yields, comparable with chemical fertilization in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Biológico Agropecuaria Tuxpan is the property of Revista Biologico Agropecuaria Tuxpan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of different rates of poultry biochar on soil chemical and microbiological properties under a land-use intensity gradient. Three sites were selected: a pristine forest soil (SP), an agricultural soil under sustainable management (MS), and an agricultural soil under conventional tillage (LI). The biochar was applied at four different rates: without biochar (control 0%) and biochar at 1%, 3% y 10%. Poultry biochar increased pH, electrical conductivity (CE), total organic C (COT), and C/N ratio. In general, biochar applied at the highest rates increased the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate, suggesting an increase of total microbial activity. However, biochar applied at the highest rates significantly decreased dehydrogenase activity, mainly under MS and LI. Furthermore, an increase of actinobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi were observed in soils treated with the highest rate of biochar. In general, biochar tended to increase Gram-negative bacteria compared to control. Our study also showed an increase of total phospholipids fatty acids (PLFAs) in SP and LI, indicating that biochar can increase total microbial biomass. For this reason, the application of biochar could be of greater utility in the remediation of soils with a high level of edaphic degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Sociedad Química del Perú is the property of Sociedad Quimica del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this work is to determine the influence of the type of biomass and the heating rate (β) on the pyrolytic decomposition kinetics of Teca and Guachapelí. Experimentally, chemical and energetic biomass were characterized using elemental and immediate analysis and the sample was pyrolyzed using two thermal analysis equipment, one conventional (ATG) and one of simultaneous analysis (ATG, TGD, CDB). The chemical characterization demonstrated the potentialities of biomass as energy sources. The kinetic study carried out identified kinetic models and activation energy values for the devolatilization of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin for both woods, demonstrating that the F1 model should not be chosen a priori, as the determinant. The influence of the heating rate and the type of biomass on the obtained kinetic results is demonstrated, therefore, results of low to high heating rates should not be extrapolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important questions in ecology is: which are the environmental factors that explain the high plant diversity of tropical forests? We studied the floristic composition of palm communities and their relationship to soil nutrients in two localities of the Chocó region to understand (1) how soil nutrients vary between the two localities; (2) what is the relationship between soil nutrients and palm floristic composition; (3) what are the most important nutrients that explain the variation in floristic composition of palm communities; and (4) how does the abundance of the most exuberant understory and canopy palm species vary along the concentration gradient of the most important nutrients? We established 20 transects (5 x 500 m) and identified all palm individuals of all growth stages. Soil samples were taken at each transect at the beginning, middle, and end. Macronutrients (Al, Ca, Mg, K, P) were extracted with the Mehlich-III technique and their concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). We used Mantel test, partial Mantel tests, linear regressions, and non-metric multidimensional scaling to determine if the concentration of nutrients was related to the floristic composition. We found a total of 9 158 individuals and 33 species of palms in the 5 ha covered by our transects. Floristic composition had a positive and significant correlation with soil nutrients (rM = 0.63-0.69) and with geographical distance between transects (rM= 0.71-0.75), whereas the soil nutrients were highly correlated with geographical distance (rM = 0.72). We also found a small, yet significant, relationship between soil fertility and the abundance of understory palms, but no relationship with canopy palms. Our results demonstrate for the first time that soils play an important role in the composition of palm communities at local scales in the Chocó region, and that infertile and phosphorus-rich soils have the highest palm diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Sociedad Química del Perú is the property of Sociedad Quimica del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biochar samples were produced using three types of residual biomass: corncob, coffee husk and shrimp exoskeleton to measure their effect at different doses on germination and growth of seeds of the forest specie Capparis scabrida in vivarium conditions. A comprehensive characterization of produced biochar was carried out including textural, morphological, structural and surface chemical analyzes. Viable seeds of the forestry specie were placed on substrates with doses of 0, 15 and 30% of three types of biochar and placed in 2 kg bags in a vivarium. Finally, the germination and growth ofCapparis scabrida in vivarium conditions were not influenced by the dose and type of biochar used. Germination parameter such as time and % of germination were evaluated; while to evaluated seedling growth, stem and root growth, stem thickening, root mass and aerial part increases and microbial load over the root were assessed. It was determined that the type of biochar had an influence only on the germination time and the biochar dose had an influence on the increase of aerial part mass during the growth of the seedlings. The rest of parameters evaluated not affected either by the type or by the biochar dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermochemical transformation of biomass, i.e., to generate electrical power, produces a solid residue named biochar. Biochar properties allow using it in different applications, including soil amendments. In this work, two specific types of biochar are evaluated as potential substrate substitutes in open small-scale cultures. A crop of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) was used as reference, and the effect on plant development and harvest (number, diameter and weight of fruits) was observed when replacing the commercial substrate by biochar in proportions of 0, 20, 50, 80 and 100%. It was observed that with substitutions of 20% and 50% of substrate by biochar, the plants show a normal development and the tomato production is comparable to the one obtained in the absence of biochar; However, when replacing 80% or 100% of the substrate by biochar, the effect on plant growth is negative, apparently due to the absence of nutrients. From an economic and environmental perspective, these results are quite satisfactory; since using 20% or 50% of biochar can represent significant savings for the farmer (less use of substrates), while also giving utility to agro-industrial waste (biochar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on a Haplic Podzol (PZha) during the period 2012-2014. The aim of this study was to evaluate the grain chemical composition of winter rye grown on a biochar-amended soil. The following grain quality traits were determined: content of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and B, total protein content (TPC), total starch content (TSC), reducing sugar content (RSC), phenolic content (PhC), flavonoid content (FC), chelating power (ChP) and reducing power (RP). Biochar was applied once before sowing winter rye in 2011 at three rates: 10 Mg ha-1 (BC10), 20 Mg ha-1 (BC20) and 30 Mg ha-1 (BC30). The biochar was pyrolyzed from wheat straw at 350-650°C. Rye grain was evaluated each year after harvest, i.e. 12, 24 and 36 months after biochar application to the soil. At all assessment times, the N content in rye grain from the biochar-amended treatments was higher than in the control treatment (BC0). In the first year of the study, the lowest P content (3.40 g kg-1) was determined in grain from the treatment BC30, while in the third year in the treatment BC10 (3.31 g kg-1). At the second and third assessment times, the content of K, Mg and Zn in grain from the biochar-amended treatments decreased with increasing biochar rate, whereas the Mn content increased. In the treatment BC30, at the first assessment time the grain Ca content was found to be lowest (0.147 g kg-1), while after 36 months it was highest (0.302 g kg-1). In the first and third years of the study, the Cu content in the treatment BC30 was higher than in the BC10 (by 31.6% and 57.3%, respectively). At the second and third assessment times 24 and 36 months after biochar application, the Fe and B content in grain obtained from the treatments BC10 and BC20 was higher than in that harvested from the BC30 plots. In grain harvested from the plots where 20 Mg ha-1 biochar had been applied, the total protein content and total starch content were found to be higher than in grain from the plots where 30 Mg ha-1 had been applied (by 10.7% and 17.1%, respectively). The highest reducing sugar content (9.02 mg g-1 dry weight (DW)) and phenolic content (6.8 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g-1 DW) were determined in rye grain from the BC10 plots. Soil amendment at different biochar rates did not have an unambiguous effect on the antioxidant capacity parameters (chelating power and reducing power) of rye grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Agricolas is the property of University of Narino, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)