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Background: Environmental factors, such as weather extremes, have the potential to cause adverse effects on plant biomass quality and quantity. Beyond adversely affecting feedstock yield and composition, which have been extensively studied, environmental factors can have detrimental effects on saccharification and fermentation processes in biofuel production. Only a few studies have evaluated the effect of these factors on biomass deconstruction into biofuel and resulting fuel yields. This field-to-fuel evaluation of various feedstocks requires rigorous coordination of pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation experiments. A large number of biomass samples, often in limited quantity, are needed to thoroughly understand the effect of environmental conditions on biofuel production. This requires greater processing and analytical throughput of industrially relevant, high solids loading hydrolysates for fermentation, and led to the need for a laboratory-scale high solids experimentation platform., Results: A field-to-fuel platform was developed to provide sufficient volumes of high solids loading enzymatic hydrolysate for fermentation. AFEX pretreatment was conducted in custom pretreatment reactors, followed by high solids enzymatic hydrolysis. To accommodate enzymatic hydrolysis of multiple samples, roller bottles were used to overcome the bottlenecks of mixing and reduced sugar yields at high solids loading, while allowing greater sample throughput than possible in bioreactors. The roller bottle method provided 42-47% greater liquefaction compared to the batch shake flask method for the same solids loading. In fermentation experiments, hydrolysates from roller bottles were fermented more rapidly, with greater xylose consumption, but lower final ethanol yields and CO 2 production than hydrolysates generated with shake flasks. The entire platform was tested and was able to replicate patterns of fermentation inhibition previously observed for experiments conducted in larger-scale reactors and bioreactors, showing divergent fermentation patterns for drought and normal year switchgrass hydrolysates., Conclusion: A pipeline of small-scale AFEX pretreatment and roller bottle enzymatic hydrolysis was able to provide adequate quantities of hydrolysate for respirometer fermentation experiments and was able to overcome hydrolysis bottlenecks at high solids loading by obtaining greater liquefaction compared to batch shake flask hydrolysis. Thus, the roller bottle method can be effectively utilized to compare divergent feedstocks and diverse process conditions., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Achievement of the 1.5 °C limit for global temperature increase relies on the large-scale deployment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. In this article, we explore two CDR technologies: soil carbon sequestration (SCS), and carbon capture and storage (CCS) integrated with cellulosic biofuel production. These CDR technologies are applied as part of decentralized biorefinery systems processing corn stover and unfertilized switchgrass grown in riparian zones in the Midwestern United States. Cover crops grown on corn-producing lands are chosen from the SCS approach, and biogenic CO 2 in biorefineries is captured, transported by pipeline, and injected into saline aquifers. The decentralized biorefinery system using SCS, CCS, or both can produce carbon-negative cellulosic biofuels (≤-22.2 gCO 2 MJ -1 ). Meanwhile, biofuel selling prices increase by 15-45% due to CDR costs. Economic incentives (e.g., cover crop incentives and/or a CO 2 tax credit) can mitigate price increases caused by CDR technologies. A combination of different CDR technologies in decentralized biorefinery systems is the most efficient method for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, and its total GHG mitigation potential in the Midwest is 0.16 GtCO 2 year -1 .

Climate mitigation scenarios limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 °C rely on decarbonizing vehicle transport with bioenergy production plus carbon capture and storage (BECCS), but climate impacts for producing different bioenergy feedstocks have not been directly compared experimentally or for ethanol vs electric light-duty vehicles. A field experiment at two Midwest U.S. sites on contrasting soils revealed that feedstock yields of seven potential bioenergy cropping systems varied substantially within sites but little between. Bioenergy produced per hectare reflected yields: miscanthus > poplar > switchgrass > native grasses ≈ maize stover (residue) > restored prairie ≈ early successional. Greenhouse gas emission intensities for ethanol vehicles ranged from 20 to -179 g CO 2 e MJ -1 : maize stover ≫ miscanthus ≈ switchgrass ≈ native grasses ≈ poplar > early successional ≥ restored prairie; direct climate benefits ranged from ∼80% (stover) to 290% (restored prairie) reductions in CO 2 e compared to petroleum and were similar for electric vehicles. With carbon capture and storage (CCS), reductions in emission intensities ranged from 204% (stover) to 416% (restored prairie) for ethanol vehicles and from 329 to 558% for electric vehicles, declining 27 and 15%, respectively, once soil carbon equilibrates within several decades of establishment. Extrapolation based on expected U.S. transportation energy use suggests that, once CCS potential is maximized with CO 2 pipeline infrastructure, negative emissions from bioenergy with CCS for light-duty electric vehicles could capture >900 Tg CO 2 e year -1 in the U.S. In the future, as other renewable electricity sources become more important, electricity production from biomass would offset less fossil fuel electricity, and the advantage of electric over ethanol vehicles would decrease proportionately.

Background: Isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, are produced in soybean seed [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and may be associated with health benefits in the human diet. More research is required to determine the effect of agronomic soybean treatments on isoflavone concentration. In this study from 2012 to 2014 at Michigan State University and Breckenridge locations, we have evaluated agronomic input management systems which are marketed to increase or protect potential soybean grain yield, including: nitrogen fertilization, herbicide-defoliant, foliar applied fertilizer, a biological-based foliar application, foliar applied fungicide, foliar applied insecticide, a seed applied fungicide, and a maximized seed treatment that included fungicide and insecticide as well as an inoculant and lipo-chitooligosaccharide nodulation promoter, for their effect on soybean seed genistein and daidzein concentrations., Results: Paired comparisons were made between treatments receiving a designated management input and those without the input. Year and location had a significant effect on isoflavone concentrations. Agronomic management inputs impacted soybean seed daidzein concentrations in 15 of 48 field observations and genistein concentrations in 11 of 48 observations., Conclusion: The research supports findings that soybean seed isoflavone levels exhibit a location specific response, and the temporal variability experienced between years appears to influence changes in soybean isoflavone levels more than location. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Cellulosic crops are projected to provide a large fraction of transportation energy needs by mid-century. However, the anticipated land requirements are substantial, which creates a potential for environmental harm if trade-offs are not sufficiently well understood to create appropriately prescriptive policy. Recent empirical findings show that cellulosic bioenergy concerns related to climate mitigation, biodiversity, reactive nitrogen loss, and crop water use can be addressed with appropriate crop, placement, and management choices. In particular, growing native perennial species on marginal lands not currently farmed provides substantial potential for climate mitigation and other benefits., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are starchy tuberous crops that represent the world's fourth most important crop. According to the "Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations," 376 million metric tonnes of potatoes were produced globally in 2021. It is anticipated that around 8000 kilotons of potato peel waste might be generated in 2030, with related greenhouse gas emissions of 5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Waste generated throughout the food supply chain, from potato farms to forks, contributes considerably to global warming. Apart from animal feed, technical processes in the potato processing industry generate waste organic residues with high amounts of bioactive compounds and carbohydrates, and thus extraction and bioconversion processes can produce high-value products. These include the isolation of functional ingredients for the formulation of nutraceuticals and pharma products, bioenergy-related products, enzymes, and fertilizers for the market, hence contributing to a more responsible production and consumption and, overall, circular economy. This review focuses on studies involving potato waste from industries such as pulp, processed water, peels, and mash showing the great prospects of the by-products from this crop for value-added supply chains and the reduction of undesired environmental effects. This work attempts to adhere upon several Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goals 7, 12, and 13, while also contributing to long-term growth targets and reducing negative environmental consequences produced by the food sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corn grain is an important renewable source for bioethanol production in the USA. Corn ethanol is currently produced by steam liquefaction of starch-rich grains followed by enzymatic saccharification and fermentation. Corn stover (the non-grain parts of the plant) is a potential feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol in second-generation biorefineries. At present, corn grain is harvested by removing the grain from the living plant while leaving the stover behind on the field. Alternatively, whole corn plants can be harvested to cohydrolyze both starch and cellulose after a suitable thermochemical pretreatment to produce fermentable monomeric sugars. In this study, we used physiologically immature corn silage (CS) and matured whole corn plants (WCP) as feedstocks to produce ethanol using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis (at low enzyme loadings) and cofermentation (for both glucose and xylose) using a cellulase-amylase-based cocktail and a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae 424A (LNH-ST) strain, respectively. The effect on hydrolysis yields of AFEX pretreatment conditions and a starch/cellulose-degrading enzyme addition sequence for both substrates was also studied., Results: AFEX-pretreated starch-rich substrates (for example, corn grain, soluble starch) had a 1.5-3-fold higher enzymatic hydrolysis yield compared with the untreated substrates. Sequential addition of cellulases after hydrolysis of starch within WCP resulted in 15-20% higher hydrolysis yield compared with simultaneous addition of hydrolytic enzymes. AFEX-pretreated CS gave 70% glucan conversion after 72 h of hydrolysis for 6% glucan loading (at 8 mg total enzyme loading per gram glucan). Microbial inoculation of CS before ensilation yielded a 10-15% lower glucose hydrolysis yield for the pretreated substrate, due to loss in starch content. Ethanol fermentation of AFEX-treated (at 6% w/w glucan loading) CS hydrolyzate (resulting in 28 g/L ethanol at 93% metabolic yield) and WCP (resulting in 30 g/L ethanol at 89% metabolic yield) is reported in this work., Conclusions: The current results indicate the feasibility of co-utilization of whole plants (that is, starchy grains plus cellulosic residues) using an ammonia-based (AFEX) pretreatment to increase bioethanol yield and reduce overall production cost.

Sensed and soil sample data are used in two approaches for mapping soil properties in precision agriculture: management zone (MZs) and contour maps. This is the second paper in a two-part series that focuses on contour maps. Detailed and accurate contour maps of soil properties for precision agriculture are often costly to produce because of the large sampling effort required. Such maps or those of sensed ancillary data are often simplified to represent MZs. This research investigated the accuracy of detailed maps of soil properties produced inexpensively from sensed data by transforming them to z-scores. The z-scores of ancillary values are then transformed to values of soil variables using the mean and standard deviation of a small soil data set. The errors from this mapping approach are examined with historic soil data from three field sites with different scales of spatial variation in the United Kingdom. Errors from the conversion of z-scores of sensed data to soil variable ranges are compared with those from MZ averages (Paper I in this series). For soil properties with a moderate relation to ancillary data, the errors related to the z-score conversion were small irrespective of sample size. The root mean squared errors associated with the MZ mean rather than values from the digital map were generally smaller except when sample size was very small. The results suggest that when the scale of variation is small and more samples are required to define MZs, calibrating z-scores of sensed ancillary data may provide better MZ averages than sampling on a grid; it also provides a detailed map of spatial variation within the field. The z-score conversion approach is less sensitive to sample size and captures small features of the variation compared to the standard 100 m grid sampling to determine MZ averages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Biofertilizers play major role in sustainable agriculture and are inoculants containing useful microorganisms which are used as solid, liquid and/or encapsulated formulations. Different materials can be used as liquid carriers. Increasing inoculant longevity by using different materials is the main purpose in production of liquid inocula. These additives are carbon-based materials and could reduce environmental stresses. In this study the effectiveness of liquid inocula of Enterobacter cloacae S16-3 on oil content, fatty acids composition and nutrient uptake of rapeseed in a sterile sandy loam soil were evaluated. Nine liquid inocula of S16-3 (F1-F9) were prepared using different amounts of materials including glycerol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), trehalose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Arabic gum (AG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), glucose and starch, in different combinations. Then, the effect of liquid inocula on growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivar Hyola 308 was investigated. Methodology The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions based on completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The treatments were 9 liquid inocula (F1-F9). In all treatments, 70% of NPK was added to the soil in each pot, since we assumed that S16-3 is able to supply only 30% of these elements, one control treatment without adding any bacteria and fertilizer (negative control), and two positive controls (using NPK equal to 70% and 100% of fertilizer recommendation). Germinated seedlings of rapeseed were planted and inoculated with inocula in each pot. Except for NPK elements, micronutrients were provided based on soil test; however, in the case of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that were the main objective of this experiment, no chemical fertilizer or bacteria were used in negative control treatment. In positive control (100NPK), based on the soil test and previous experiments, 100% of the recommended amount of fertilizer, equivalent (56.5 mg N/kg soil, from Urea), (13 mg P/kg soil, from triple superphosphate) and (31.3 mg K/kg soil, from potassium sulfate) were used, moreover, for other positive control treatment (70NPK), 70% of the above values were added to the pots. During the growth period, irrigation was performed with sterile water and the moisture content of the pots was maintained by weighing in a moisture range 0.7 - 0.8 FC. At harvest, characteristics such as dry weight of roots, shoots and seed, seed oil percentage and fatty acids composition, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese and calcium by root and shoot were measured. Findings The results showed that the dry weight of root, shoot and seed, seed oil percentage and fatty acids, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese and calcium by root and shoot of rapeseed were significantly influenced by the presence of E. cloacae bacteria (in the form of nine inocula) and 100NPK and 70NPK treatments. The highest percentage of seed oil (47.02%) and the highest amount of oleic acid (53.1%) was obtained by F9 (glycerol, glucose, AG, PEG) treatment, and oil quality was affected by bacterial inoculation. The highest amount of saturated fatty acids, such as stearic acid (4.5%) and palmitic acid (5.6%) was recorded in negative control. Element analysis in dry tissue of plant showed that 100NPK treatment had the highest N, K, Fe, Zn and Ca uptake, and among liquid inocula treatments (F1-F9), the highest uptake of these elements belonged to the F5 (AG, starch, PEG). The highest amount of total P in F1 treatment (glycerol, trehalose, CMC) and F4 (trehalose, AG, PEG) and highest Mn uptake by plant were obtained in F5 treatment. Conclusion In most measured indices, the effects of liquid inocula had higher performance than without inoculation treatment (negative control). From the nutritional point of view, F5 (AG+ starch+ PEG) liquid inoculant was better than the other inocula. F9 treatment had a significant effect on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rapeseed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have concentrated on the energy capacity of biodiesel to reduce CO2 emissions at the aggregate level and not much at the sectoral level. This study addresses this gap and attempts to estimate the impact of the use of palm biodiesel on the transport CO2 emissions in Malaysia during 1990–2019. It also predicts the impact of implementing the B10 blending program (10% biodiesel in diesel fuel) on CO2 emissions from transport in this country. For this purpose, this study uses the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Kernel-based regularized least squares. This model can plot and estimate the possible actual changes in biodiesel consumption to predict its impacts on transport CO2 emissions. The results suggest that a one-way Granger causality exists GDP from transport, diesel consumption and motor petrol consumption to palm biodiesel consumption. An increase of 1% in the use of biodiesel reduces carbon emissions from road transport by 0.004% in the long run, while, in the short run, it is associated with a 0.001% increase in transport CO2 emissions. The simulated results from the dynamic ARDL model suggest that a 10% increase in the share of biodiesel consumption in fuel transport by 2030 would reduce the rate of the increase in road transport carbon emissions. The improvement and management of new technologies in oil palm plantation and harvesting can help increase palm oil production for biofuels and edible oil and to reduce forest replacement and therefore biodiversity and food security. Highlights: • Results show that GDP and diesel energy consumption stimulate palm biodiesel. • Motor petrol use increases road transport CO2 emissions in the short- and long-run. • Palm biodiesel use decreases road transport CO2 emissions in the long-run. • Continuing current conditions in Malaysia will not reduce CO2 emissions in the future. • The relationship between biofuel consumption and transport CO2 emissions is not clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying at the economic optimal nitrogen rate (EONR) has the potential to increase nitrogen (N) fertilization efficiency and profits while reducing negative environmental impacts. On-farm precision experimentation (OFPE) provides the opportunity to collect large amounts of data to estimate the EONR. Machine learning (ML) methods such as generalized additive models (GAM) and random forest (RF) are promising methods for estimating yields and EONR. Twenty OFPE N trials in wheat and barley were conducted and analyzed with soil, terrain and remote-sensed variables to address the following objectives: (1) to quantify the spatial variability of winter crops yield and the yield response to N using OFPE, (2) to evaluate and compare the performance of GAM and RF models to predict yield and yield response to N and, (3) to quantify the impact of soil, crop and field characteristics on the EONR estimation. Machine learning techniques were able to model wheat and barley yield with an average error of 13.7% (624 kg ha−1). However, similar yield prediction accuracy from RF and GAM resulted in widely different economic optimal nitrogen rates. Across sites, soil available phosphorus and soil organic matter were the most influential variables; however, the magnitude and direction of the effect varied between fields. These indicate that training a model using data coming from different fields may lead to unreliable site-specific EONR when it is applied to another field. Further evaluation of ML methods is needed to ensure a robust automation of N recommendation while producers transition into the digital ag era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of degraded lands has received increased attention in recent years and many commitments have been made as part of global and regional restoration initiatives. Well-informed policy decisions that support land restoration, require spatially explicit information on restoration potentials to guide the design and implementation of restoration interventions in the context of limited resources. This study assessed ecosystems indicators of land degradation using a systematic approach that combines field surveys and remote sensing data into a set of multi-criteria analyses to map restoration potentials in the semi-arid areas. The indicators considered were soil organic carbon, erosion prevalence, enhanced vegetation index, Normalized differences water index and the Net Primary productivity. Three classes of restoration potential were established: (1) areas not in need of immediate restoration due low degradation status, (2) areas with high potential for restoration with moderate efforts required and (3) areas in critical need of restoration and require high level of efforts. Of the total area of the study site estimated at 88,344 km2, 59,146.12 km2, or 66.94% of the theoretically recoverable area, was considered suitable for restoration, of which 38% required moderate efforts while 28% require less efforts. The recoverable areas suitable for restoration could be restored through tree planting, soil and water conservation practices, farmers managed natural regeneration, and integrated soil fertility management. These results can help to spatially identify suitable multifunctional restoration and regeneration hotspots as an efficient way to prioritize restoration interventions in the context of limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study highlighted the effect of seed bio-priming with Trichoderma viride upon degradation of stored foods, total phenol content, and uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in cotyledons of germinating soybean (Glycine max var. JS 95-60) under graded NPK application. The germination was carried out in Petri dish and soil, separately. Observations were monitored for two days (day 3 and day 5). We estimated hydrolysis of starch, lipid, and protein by measuring the activities of α-amylase [EC 3.2.1.1], β-amylase [EC 3.2.1.2], lipase [EC 3.1.1.3], and leucine Aminopeptidase [EC 3.4.11.1], respectively. Total NPK in cotyledons were obtained by acid-digestion. The free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation were performed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, respectively, to perceive anti-oxidant potential of phenol. We found strong influence of bio-priming on the activities of lipase, α-amylase, and β-amylase that degraded stored lipid and transient starch faster than non-primed seeds. Protein hydrolysis was moderately affected by induced leucine aminopeptidase activities and found significantly higher in bio-primed seeds on day 5. Elevated phenols (P < 0.05) in bio-primed cotyledons were able to diminish the lipid peroxidation with higher (P < 0.05) radical scavenging activities. During both days, higher K contents were found in bio-primed cotyledons but the concentrations of N and P were found significantly higher in bio-primed treatments only on day 5. The combined effect from all these has resulted in faster and vigorous germination of Trichoderma viride treated soybean seeds than non-primed ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil spatial variability is a primary contributor to within-field yield variation across farms. Spatio-temporal yield stability and variability can be assessed through multi-year yield monitor data and geostatistical techniques. Our objective was to delineate yield stability zones using multi-year yield data coupled with gross margins to plan precision conservation prescriptions. This study employed corn yield measurements from 2018, 2019, 2020 and farm economics data to compile yield stability and gross margin maps for nine Texas Blackland Prairie corn fields, and identified nonprofitable areas in each field that may be unsuitable for crop production. Yield stability zones were delineated using mean and coefficient of variation of multi-year yield maps (Zone A: high yield, stable; Zone B: high yield, unstable; Zone C: low yield, unstable; and Zone D: low yield, stable). Approximately 57% of the area in the fields was classified as unstable and, nearly 29% of the area yielded consistently below the field mean (Zone D). Gross margin for stability zones ranged from − $693 to $775/ha. Stability zones A and B generally had positive gross margins, whereas zones C and D had negative margins. Based on yield and gross margin assessment, yield stability zone D could be removed from row crop production. As a part of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network Common Cropland Experiment, Zone D was removed from production (fields Y-8 and Y-13) or received reduced inputs (field SW-16 and W-13). Further study is needed to verify the farm-level economic benefits to producers and to evaluate the environmental benefits of precision conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild soybean (Glycine soja), the ancestor of cultivated soybean, has evolved into many ecotypes with different adaptations to adversity under the action of divergent evolution. Barren-tolerant wild soybean has developed adaptation to most nutrient-stress environments, especially with respect to low nitrogen (LN) conditions. This study describes the differences in physiological and metabolomic changes between common wild soybean (GS1) and barren-tolerant wild soybean (GS2) under LN stress. Compared with plants grown under the unstressed control (CK) conditions, the young leaves of barren-tolerant wild soybean under LN conditions maintained relatively stable chlorophyll, concentration and rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as increased carotenoid content, whereas the net photosynthetic rate (PN) of GS1 decreased significantly 0.64-fold (p < 0.05) in the young leaves of GS1. The ratio of internal to atmospheric CO2 concentrations increased significantly 0.07-fold (p < 0.05), 0.09-fold (p < 0.05) in the young leaves of GS1 and GS2, respectively, and increased significantly 0.05-fold (p < 0.05) and 0.07-fold (p < 0.05) in the old leaves of GS1 and GS2, respectively, relative to the CK. The concentration of chlorophylls a and b decreased significantly 0.45-fold (p < 0.05), 0.13-fold (p > 0.05) in the young leaves of GS1 and GS2, respectively, and decreased significantly 0.74-fold (p < 0.01) and 0.60-fold (p < 0.01) in the old leaves of GS1 and GS2, respectively. Under LN stress, nitrate concentration in the young leaves of GS1 and GS2 decreased significantly 0.69- and 0.50-fold (p < 0.01), respectively, relative to CK, and decreased significantly 2.10-fold and 1.77-fold (p < 0.01) in the old leaves of GS1 and GS2, respectively. Barren-tolerant wild soybean increased the concentration of beneficial ion pairs. Under LN stress, Zn2+ significantly increased by 1.06- and 1.35-fold (p < 0.01) in the young and old leaves of GS2 (p < 0.01), but there was no significant change in GS1. The metabolism of amino acids and organic acids was high in GS2 young and old leaves, and the metabolites related to the TCA cycle were significantly increased. The 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concertation decreased significantly 0.70-fold (p < 0.05) in the young leaves of GS1 but increased 0.21-fold (p < 0.05) significantly in GS2. The relative concentration of proline increased significantly 1.21-fold (p < 0.01) and 2.85-fold (p < 0.01) in the young and old leaves of GS2. Under LN stress, GS2 could maintain photosynthesis rate and enhance the reabsorption of nitrate and magnesium in young leaves, compared to GS1. More importantly, GS2 exhibited increased amino acid and TCA cycle metabolism in young and old leaves. Adequate reabsorption of mineral and organic nutrients is an important strategy for barren-tolerant wild soybeans to survive under LN stress. Our research provides a new perspective on the exploitation and utilization of wild soybean resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient termination of cover crops is an important component of cover crop management. Information on termination efficiency can help in devising management plans but estimating herbicide efficacy is a tedious task and potential remote sensing technologies and vegetative indices (VIs) have not been explored for this purpose. This study was designed to evaluate potential herbicide options for the termination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), and rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), and to correlate different VIs with visible termination efficiency. Nine herbicides and one roller-crimping treatment were applied to each cover crop. Among different herbicides used, glyphosate, glyphosate + glufosinate, paraquat, and paraquat + metribuzin provided more than 95% termination for both wheat and cereal rye 28 days after treatment (DAT). For hairy vetch, 2,4-D + glufosinate and glyphosate + glufosinate, resulted in 99 and 98% termination efficiency, respectively, followed by 2,4-D + glyphosate and paraquat with 92% termination efficiency 28 DAT. No herbicide provided more than 90% termination of rapeseed and highest control was provided by paraquat (86%), 2,4-D + glufosinate (85%), and 2,4-D + glyphosate (85%). Roller-crimping (without herbicide application) did not provide effective termination of any cover crop with 41, 61, 49, and 43% termination for wheat, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and rapeseed, respectively. Among the VIs, Green Leaf Index had the highest Pearson correlation coefficient for wheat (r = -0.786, p = <0.0001) and cereal rye (r = -0.804, p = <0.0001) with visible termination efficiency rating. Whereas for rapeseed, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) had the highest correlation coefficient (r = -0.655, p = <0.0001). The study highlighted the need for tankmixing 2,4-D or glufosinate with glyphosate for termination instead of blanket application of glyphosate alone for all crops including rapeseed and other broadleaf cover crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable oils or fats are one of the most important renewable resources and mainly consist of triglyceride esters with different fatty acid chains. These components contain a number of highly functional sites in the form of unsaturated -C = C- bonds, triglyceride ester groups, and allylic reactive positions. Therefore, they present a possibility for multiple ranges of chemical transformations and also produce new and novel bio-based monomers for the synthesis of polymers with considerable bio-degradability. Vegetable oils and the chemicals derived thereof come from non-exhaustible and renewable resource. They are eco-friendly and emerging as sustainable alternates to the chemicals or monomers derived from limitedly available petroleum source, which are also known for their toxicity and environmental pollution. The present review discusses and analyses the possible application areas and summarise the diverse chemical modifications namely, hydrogenation, trans-esterification, epoxidation, along with various polymerization processes that have been reported in the literature. The case of very less explored non-edible oil derived from Cassia fistula (Indian laburnum), as a futuristic precursor especially in the polymer synthesis has been highlighted. We believe that the commercial potential and opportunities for such sustainable materials in general and bio-degradable polymers or plastics in particular will emerge on the global market in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural residues could become feedstocks for biobased products as they are renewable, carbon neutral, and do not compete with food. In India, > 130 MT rice straw is available annually for alternate uses. Exploiting this abundant biomass for biochemical production will pave way for bio-based economy. Rice straw is highly recalcitrant due to lignin-carbohydrate complex and high ash. For production of value added products, the cellulose fraction is very important and also lignin can be used. However, for overall economic efficiency, it is imperative to separate and recover these fractions maximally from biomass and convert them into high value products at high titers and efficiency. Biomass has to be deconstructed to access these fractions. An improvised pretreatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) coupled with acidified water wash enabled high retrieval of cellulose and lignin. More than 80% of cellulose present in raw rice straw was recovered in pretreated solids and lignin (> 65%) recovered from acidification of alkali prehydrolysates/wash waters. Enzymatic hydrolysis of solids with commercial cellulases resulted in 80–100% glucan conversion at 6% and 3% loading respectively yielding ~ 5.5% and 3.3% sugar syrups which can be fermented to value added chemicals. Saccharomyces cerevisiae LN fermented hydrolysates with 77–97% efficiency producing 0.508 gg−1 and 0.403 gg−1ethanol within 24 h consuming all glucose while xylose was unutilized. Material calculations showed that this process converted 63% of cellulose present in rice straw to ethanol potentially yielding 135 L ethanol and ~ 100 Kg lignin per ton of rice straw with limited water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the growth characteristics, forage yield, and feed value of a maize–soybean intercropping system under different fertilizer levels. Maize–soybean intercropping was conducted from 2018 to 2021 in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. The control (210 kg/ha of N:P:K (21:17:17)) was set based on monoculture maize fertilization, and six treatments by increasing or decreasing the N, P, or K levels by 20% (2019) or 50% (2020–2021) were designed. In 2019, there was no significant difference in forage productivity between the maize–soybean intercropping systems and the control. The maize dry matter yield in 2020 in T-1 (50% increase in N) was higher, at 14,125 kg/ha; however, it was not significantly different to the control. The forage productivity of intercropped soybean in treatments with low N fertilization was higher. Therefore, intercropping with soybean can reduce the need for N fertilization as it can fix atmospheric N. There was a significant difference between the maize and soybean feed values. However, the results were not correlated with the fertilization level. In 2021, the forage productivity in treatments with no N fertilization (T-4, T-5, and T-6) was poor. However, treatments (T-1, T-2, and T-3) with 50% N fertilizer application and sufficient P and K produced equal dry matter yields to the control. In conclusion, maize–soybean intercropping achieved excellent forage productivity and feed value, despite a 20–50% reduction in the application of N fertilizer due to the positive effects of intercropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of solar radiation intercepted by the plant canopy drives crop plant photosynthesis and the formation and development of plant organs. Radiation-use efficiency (RUE) is an index used to quantify the relationship between solar radiation and biomass, and crop yield can be increased by increasing RUE. The main goals of this study were to initially investigate the effects of plant densities on the aboveground dry matter of corn, and subsequently examine the effects of plant densities on RUE and leaf area index (LAI), and the effects of LAI on RUE. Finally, we provide a comparative assessment of the approaches used to determine RUE. Analyses were conducted using growth and meteorological data obtained for two field corn varieties (TNG1 and TNG7) grown under four different plant density conditions in central Taiwan in 2017. The RUE values obtained in this study were primarily estimated from the slope of the linear relationship between aboveground dry matter measured at periodic harvests and the corresponding cumulative intercepted photosynthetically active radiation up to the time of harvest. TNG1 and TNG7 with a row spacing of 37.5 cm × 20 cm had the largest amounts of aboveground dry matter and highest RUE values of 4.41 and 4.55 g MJ-1, respectively. We established that the higher the plant density, the higher were the values obtained for RUE and LAI. We also compared the different methods of estimating RUE and make recommendations in this regard. Our findings in this study will enable farmers to gain information on the dynamics of crop yield variation at an early stage of growth, and also provide reference values that can be incorporated in future crop yield models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on global warming are one of the serious challenges of developed and developing countries. Investigating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions of different countries makes it possible to determine the share of countries in the production of greenhouse gases. The purpose of this study is to use DAYCENT and DNDC models to estimate the emission rate of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide greenhouse gases as well as to estimate the global warming potential in Khuzestan agricultural lands in Iran. For this purpose, the gas sampling was done in rice, wheat, and sugarcane fields using a static chamber, and then the concentration of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide was determined by using gas chromatography. In the following, DAYCENT and DNDC models were used to estimate gas emissions and the global warming potential of these gases was estimated. Finally, TOPSIS method was used to prioritize gas emissions. In order to evaluate the modeling accuracy, the statistical indicators of maximum error, root mean square error, determination coefficient, model efficiency, and residual mass coefficient were used. According to the results, the highest measured gas flux was obtained for rice fields at Baghmalek and the lowest for sugarcane in Abadan. The results of DAYCENT model estimation showed that the highest emissions were obtained for methane gas and rice cultivation, and lowest gas emissions were obtained for sugarcane cultivation. The results of DNDC model estimation also showed that the highest flux was determined for nitrous oxide gas in rice cultivation. The results of the estimation of global warming potential also showed that it was the highest in sugarcane cultivation (Shushtar station) and the DAYCENT model, and the lowest was also in wheat cultivation and the DNDC model. The statistical results of the estimation of DAYCENT and DNDC models showed that the DAYCENT model in sugarcane cultivation (Shushtar station) was the most accurate in estimating carbon dioxide gas, and the lowest accuracy was related to the DNDC model and sugarcane cultivation (Shushtar station) in estimating nitrous oxide gas. According to the results of agricultural activities in Khuzestan province, they have made a major contribution to the production of greenhouse gases, which, or the lack of attention to this issue, will have an effect on the future climate of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three scales of a biofuel‐driven biorefinery were evaluated in techno‐economic, environmental and geospatial terms for green diesel production from macauba oil. The results show that the relative capital expenditure on the small scale is four times higher than that on the large scale, being significantly affected by the hydrogen facilities. However, coproducts, tax deductions for family farming and carbon credits can sustain the small‐scale production of green diesel. The carbon footprint of the green diesel is lower than that of commercial biofuels. Finally, the geospatial analysis applied in Brazil reveals that macauba cultivation with low land‐use impact can be implemented near small‐scale biorefineries for local consumer markets. Therefore, the feasibility of the small scale depends on coproducts, public policies, decentralized hydrogen production and catalysts for low‐hydrogen demand routes. This biorefinery concept can decentralize the biofuel sector and make use of several types of biomasses besides macauba, generating socio‐economic and environmental gains. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomic research provides management recommendations based on small-plot trials (SPTs) and on-farm trials (OFTs) with very different characteristics. SPTs are traditionally conducted at agricultural experiment stations by research institutes or universities, while OFTs are conducted under commercial-scale conditions and managed by farmers using their own equipment. Several researchers claimed that discrepancies could occur between these two types of trials, which can make the extrapolation of results from SPTs to the farm level difficult. In our study, we conducted an extensive comparison of small-plot and on-farm trials to analyze the effect of foliar fungicide application on maize and soybean yields. We collected data on maize and soybean from five US states. Analysis of the soybean data showed similar mean yield responses and within-trial standard deviation to fungicide application between 479 OFTs and 83 SPTs. For maize, our comparison of 300 OFTs and 114 SPTs showed similar mean yield response in both. Nevertheless, the within-trial standard deviation was three times smaller in on-farm compared to small-plot trials. On the other hand, the between-trial standard deviation (measuring the variability of the effects of fungicide application across different environments) was almost twice as large in SPTs than in OFTs for both crops. Hence, the differences in the effects of fungicide on yield were similar whether they were estimated using OFTs or SPTs for both crops. This implies that OFTs can potentially detect significant yield differences with fewer replicates and thus reduce the cost of data generation. We argue that SPTs can be seen as a preliminary step before scaling up to OFTs to facilitate technology transfer and extrapolate the results in real farming conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-cropping winter rye cover crops (CC) with soybean in the North Central US could help with the global effort to sustainably intensify agriculture. Studies addressing the management of these systems are limited. Therefore, a field study was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in Central Iowa, US to evaluate winter rye CC biomass production, aboveground N accumulation, estimated economics, estimated within-field energy balance and estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under three N application rates (0, 60, 120 kg N ha−1) and three planting methods (pre- and post-harvest broadcast and post-harvest drilling). Averaged over N rates, all planting methods resulted in >5.0 Mg ha−1 year−1 rye aboveground biomass dry matter. Averaged over the 2-year study and compared with unfertilized treatments, applying 60 kg N ha−1 produced 1.1 Mg ha−1 more aboveground biomass (6.1 vs 5.0 Mg ha−1), accumulated 30 kg ha−1 more N in aboveground biomass (88 vs 58 kg N ha−1), and led to 20 GJ ha−1 more net energy. Biomass production was not significantly higher with 120 kg N ha−1 compared with the 60 kg N ha−1 rate. Even when accounting for an estimated 0.75 Mg ha−1 of above ground rye biomass left in the field after harvesting, more N was removed than applied at the 60 kg N ha−1 rate. The minimum rye prices over the 2-year study needed for double-cropping winter rye CC to be profitable (breakeven prices) averaged $117 and $104 Mg−1 for the 0 and 60 kg N ha−1 rates, which factors in estimated soybean yield reductions in 2019 compared with local averages but not off-site transportation. GHG emissions were estimated to increase approximately threefold between the unfertilized and 60 kg N ha−1 rates without considering bioenergy offsets. While environmental tradeoffs need further study, results suggest harvesting fertilized rye CC biomass before planting soybean is a promising practice for the North Central US to maximize total crop and net energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term observations and experiments in diverse drylands reveal how ecosystems and services are responding to climate change. To develop generalities about climate change impacts at dryland sites, we compared broadscale patterns in climate and synthesized primary production responses among the eight terrestrial, nonforested sites of the United States Long-Term Ecological Research (US LTER) Network located in temperate (Southwest and Midwest) and polar (Arctic and Antarctic) regions. All sites experienced warming in recent decades, whereas drought varied regionally with multidecadal phases. Multiple years of wet or dry conditions had larger effects than single years on primary production. Droughts, floods, and wildfires altered resource availability and restructured plant communities, with greater impacts on primary production than warming alone. During severe regional droughts, air pollution from wildfire and dust events peaked. Studies at US LTER drylands over more than 40 years demonstrate reciprocal links and feedbacks among dryland ecosystems, climate-driven disturbance events, and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: We investigate the genetic basis of panicle architecture in switchgrass in two mapping populations across a latitudinal gradient, and find many stable, repeatable genetic effects and limited genetic interactions with the environment. Grass species exhibit large diversity in panicle architecture influenced by genes, the environment, and their interaction. The genetic study of panicle architecture in perennial grasses is limited. In this study, we evaluate the genetic basis of panicle architecture including panicle length, primary branching number, and secondary branching number in an outcrossed switchgrass QTL population grown across ten field sites in the central USA through multi-environment mixed QTL analysis. We also evaluate genetic effects in a diversity panel of switchgrass grown at three of the ten field sites using genome-wide association (GWAS) and multivariate adaptive shrinkage. Furthermore, we search for candidate genes underlying panicle traits in both of these independent mapping populations. Overall, 18 QTL were detected in the QTL mapping population for the three panicle traits, and 146 unlinked genomic regions in the diversity panel affected one or more panicle trait. Twelve of the QTL exhibited consistent effects (i.e., no QTL by environment interactions or no QTL × E), and most (four of six) of the effects with QTL × E exhibited site-specific effects. Most (59.3%) significant partially linked diversity panel SNPs had significant effects in all panicle traits and all field sites and showed pervasive pleiotropy and limited environment interactions. Panicle QTL co-localized with significant SNPs found using GWAS, providing additional power to distinguish between true and false associations in the diversity panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil carbon (C) is a major driver of soil health, yet little Is known regarding how sensitive measures of soil C shift temporally within a single growing season in response to short- term weather perturbations. Our study aimed to i) Examine how long-term management impacts soil C cycling and stability across a management intensity and plant biodiversity gradient and ii) Assess how sensitive soil health indicators change temporally over the course of a single growing season in response to recent weather patterns. Here we quantify a variety of sensitive soil C measures at four time points across the 2021 growing season at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station's Long Term Ecological Research Trial (LTER) located in southwest Michigan, USA. The eight systems sampled included four annual soybean (Glycine max) systems that ranged in management intensity (conventional, no-till, reduced input, and biologically-based), two perennial biofuel cropping systems (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and hybrid poplars (Populus nigra x P.maximowiczii)), and two unmanaged systems (early successional system and a mown but never tilled grassland). We found that unmanaged systems with increased perenniality enhanced mineralizable C (Min C) and permanganate oxidizable C (POXC) values. Additionally, all soil health indicators were found to be sensitive to changes in short- term weather perturbations over the course of the growing season. The implications of this study are threefold. First, this study assess indicators of labile and stable C pools over the course of the growing season and reflects the stability of soil C in different systems. Second, POXC, Min C, and β-glucosidase (GLU) activity are sensitive soil health indicators that fluctuate temporally, which means that these soil health indicators could help elucidate the impact that weather patterns have on soil C dynamics. Lastly, for effective monitoring of soil C, sampling time and frequency should be considered for a comprehensive understanding of soil C cycling within a system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Message: Identifying QTL associated with soybean seed quality traits from a diverse GWAS panel cultivated in Canadian and Ukrainian mega-environments may facilitate future cultivar development for foreign markets. Understanding the complex genetic basis of seed quality traits for soybean in the mega-environments (MEs) is critical for developing a marker-assisted selection program that will lead to breeding superior cultivars adapted to specific regions. This study aimed to analyze the accumulation of 14 soybean seed quality traits in Canadian ME and two seed quality traits in Ukrainian ME and identify associated ME specific quantitative trait loci (QTLSP) and ME universal QTL (QTLU) for protein and oil using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) panel consisting of 184 soybean genotypes. The panel was planted in three locations in Canada and two locations in Ukraine in 2018 and 2019. Genotype plus genotype-by-environment biplot analysis was conducted to assess the accumulation of individual seed compounds across different locations. The protein accumulation was high in the Canadian ME and low in the Ukrainian ME, whereas the oil concentration showed the opposite trends between the two MEs. No QTLU were identified across the MEs for protein and oil concentrations. In contrast, nine Canadian QTLSP for protein were identified on various chromosomes, which were co-located with QTL controlling other traits identified in the Canadian ME. The lack of common QTLU for protein and oil suggests that it may be necessary to use QTLSP associated with these traits separately for the Canadian and Ukrainian ME. Additional Ukrainian data for seed compounds other than oil and protein are required to identify novel QTLSP and QTLU for such traits for the individual or combined Canadian and Ukrainian MEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrier water quality is an essential consideration for enhancing herbicide performance. Water hardness can negatively affect some herbicides. Two separate dose-response experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of carrier water hardness and ammonium sulfate (AMS) and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) as adjuvants on the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA and mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl. The experimental factors included herbicide rates at five levels (63.3, 126.6, 253.1, 506.3 and 1012.5 g a. i. ha−1 for 2,4-D plus MCPA and 1.125, 2.25, 4.5, 9 and 18 g a. i. ha−1 for mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl), carrier water hardness based on concentrations of CaCO3 at five levels (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L−1), and tank-mix of ammonium sulfate (AMS) and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) as adjuvants at three levels (0, 1%, and 2% [w/v]). The results indicated that increased carrier water hardness up to 500 mg L−1 did not affect the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA for wild mustard control. However, water hardness higher than 500 mg L−1 led to a reduction in the herbicide performance. The application of AMS and UAN was effective on the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA herbicide in controlling wild mustard and overcame the negative effects of carrier water hardness. The performance of mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl herbicide in controlling wild mustard was not affected by carrier water hardness. In the case of herbicides such as mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl, which are not sensitive to carrier water hardness, the use of 2% AMS or UAN may also increase herbicide performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop cultivation provides ecosystem services on increasingly large fields. However, the effects of in-field spatial heterogeneity on crop yields, in particular triticale, have rarely been considered. The study assess the effects of in-field soil heterogeneity and elevation on triticale grown in an intensively cropped hummocky landscape. The field was classified into three soil classes: C1, C2, and C3, based on soil texture and available water capacity (AWC), which had high, moderate, and low yield potential, respectively. Three elevations (downslope (DS), midslope (MS), and upslope (US)) were considered as the second study factor. An unbalanced experimental design was adopted with a factorial analysis of variance for data analysis. Temporal growth analysis showed that soil classes and elevation had significant effects. Generally, better growth was observed in C1 compared to that of C3. DS had a lower yield potential than that of MS and US. In addition, the interactive effect was confirmed, as triticale had poor growth and yield in C3 on the DS, but not on US. Crop physiological parameters also confirmed the differences between soil classes and elevation. Similarly, soil moisture (SM) content in the plow layer measured at different points in time and AWC over the soil profile had a positive association with growth and yield. The results confirmed that spatial differences in AWC and SM can explain spatial variability in growth and yield. The mapping approach combining soil auguring techniques with a digital elevation model could be used to subdivide fields in hummocky landscapes for determining sub-field input intensities to guide precision farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consolidation of cellulosic ethanol on the market is fundamental to mitigate the consumption of fuels from fossil sources and to reduce the impact caused by the large generation of agro-industrial waste. In order to achieve this objective, some challenges of cellulosic ethanol technology must be overcome, including the improvement of the cellulosic ethanol production steps. Several studies propose the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and non-ionic surfactants (such as Tween 80, Tween 20, and Triton X-100) as a way to increase cellulosic ethanol titers. The benefits attributed to the PEG and non-ionic surfactants go beyond the increase of the concentration of free cellulases during enzymatic hydrolysis. Successful cases of pretreatments of lignocellulosic biomasses assisted by PEG and surfactants and the detoxification of inhibitor-rich hydrolysates with PEG reveal the existence of a plethora of positive mechanisms. Therefore, the present review article is focused on the benefits and mechanisms involved in the addition of PEG and non-ionic surfactants in the pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and ethanol fermentation steps. Interactions between additives and lignin as well as schemes based on high PEG concentrations were also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds are a vector of genetic progress and, as such, they play a significant role in the sustainability of the agri-food system. The current global seed market is worth USD 60 billion that is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2025. Seeds are most often treated before their planting with both chemical and biological agents/products to secure good seed quality and high yield by reducing or preventing losses caused by diseases. There is increasing interest in biological seed treatments as alternatives to chemical seed treatments as the latter have several negative human health and environmental impacts. However, no study has yet quantified the effectiveness of biological seed treatments to enhance crop performance and yield. Our meta-analysis encompassing 396 studies worldwide reveals for the first time that biological seed treatments significantly improve seed germination (7±6%), seedling emergence (91±5%), plant biomass (53±5%), disease control (55±1%), and crop yield (21±2%) compared to untreated seeds across contrasted crop groups, target pathogens, climatic regions, and experimental conditions. We conclude that biological seed treatments may represent a sustainable solution to feed the increasing global populations while avoiding negative effects on human health and ensuring environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization has been recognized as one of the major cause of soil degradation in Mediterranean area leading to land desertification. Globally, 25 to 30% of irrigated areas are affected by salinization. In Tunisia, secondary salinization affects more than half of irrigated land. In the current study, soil salinity was estimated and mapped based on an integrated approach that combines the ESAP software and EM38 electromagnetic inductance sensor. The method was tested in the semi-arid Draa-Tammar perimeter irrigated with treated wastewater (240 ha, in Kairouan region, Tunisia) where the soil profile was sampled at 0.2 m depth intervals and EM38 readings were collected in 2014. An appropriate calibration equation between EM38 sensor readings and soil saturated extract conductivity (ln ECe) was obtained based on a depth-specific MLR (multiple linear regression) models with an average R2 of about 0.78 (0.6 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.8) and a root mean square error (RMSE) equal to 0.13 mS m−1 (0.11 mS m−1 < RMSE < 0.18 mS m−1), for cumulative soil depth intervals (0–0.4 m, 0–0.6 m, 0–0.8 m, 0–1.0 m, and 0–1.5 m). Furthermore, soil salinity maps showed that the salinity levels ranged from high to very high for the different cumulative soil depths. In general, soil salinity increased with depth. Inefficient natural soil drainage system is the main reason for soil salinization in the study area. The new method, used in the current study for evaluating salt accumulation, presents a potential easy-to-use tool that can improve salinity management by decision-makers for water and soil protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates how low‐carbon production technologies applicable to ethanol plants may reduce the life‐cycle greenhouse gas emission (GHG) intensities of corn ethanol production in the USA. Results indicate that options focusing on incremental energy efficiency (e.g., combined heat and power) and yield improvements have a limited impact on GHG reductions. To achieve deep decarbonization (>50% GHG reduction compared to current corn ethanol production), a fuel switch from natural gas (NG) to alternative low‐carbon fuels is needed. Replacing 50% of NG demand at ethanol plants with syngas from biomass through gasification or renewable natural gas from animal waste could achieve significant GHG reductions (11.7–23.5 g CO2e/MJ ethanol). Adding multiple technologies, including carbon capture and storage, to existing ethanol plants may further reduce GHG emissions to −18.4 g CO2e MJ−1 ethanol (including land‐use change emissions), which is 120% lower than the carbon intensity of pure gasoline. These results could inform how the ethanol industry could move toward net‐zero ethanol production. © 2022 UChicago Argonne, LLC, Operation of Argonne National Laboratory. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing agricultural production with other ecosystem services is a vexing challenge. The Yahara River watershed in southern Wisconsin is a place where tensions among farmers, policymakers, and citizens at-large run high because nutrient loss from the agricultural practices of a few drive the impairment of surface waters for many. Reducing manure and fertilizer application, as well as increasing perennial grass cover have been proposed as potential solutions. Using the Agro-IBIS agroecosystem model, we examined 48 scenarios of future land management and climate for the Yahara River watershed to the year 2070. Scenarios included combinations of reduced livestock and increased perennial grassland under alternative climate trajectories. Results suggested that business as usual will lead to further environmental degradation with phosphorus-loading to waterways increasing 13, 7, and 23% under baseline, warmer and drier, and warmer and wetter climates, respectively. Watershed-wide phosphorous yield and nitrate leaching could be reduced by 50%, but only when nutrient application was reduced 50% and grassland cover was increased 50%. Furthermore, water quality improvements only materialized 50 years after modified land management practices were implemented under the most likely future climate. Our findings highlight that improving water quality under a changing climate will require long-term investment and transformative changes to current agricultural land use and land cover. Agricultural management solutions exist but are unlikely to be implemented without policies that incentivize transformative agricultural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) framework as a common model and gene expression programming (GEP) model for predicting the irrigated wheat production by using land properties in Khajeh area, Iran. First, 80 representative soil profiles were described in wheat fields. Then, the soil samples were collected from each horizon, and soil properties were determined in the laboratory for obtaining the model input data. After that, wheat production models were developed by FAO and GEP models. Sensitivity analysis indicated that total N, available P, slope, coarse fragment, electrical conductivity, pH, and organic matter are important soil properties for wheat production. Based on the results, the value of predicted wheat production by GEP model (981–5382) is closer to the actual production (1000–5600) compared to the FAO models (1284–6123). The geometric mean error ratio (GMER), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) between predicted and actual production for FAO and GEP models were calculated 1.24, 18.6, and 0.84 and 0.83, 15.4, and 0.91, respectively. The overall agreement was recognized between wheat predicted production by using FAO and GEP and actual production by composite operator. This agreement was 71.5 and 82.2% for FAO and GEP models, respectively. Therefore, gene expression programming model was introduced as an effective model for predicting the wheat production. This more accuracy was obtained due to good choosing and lack of interaction among land properties as input variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interior Southeastern United States could contain novel germplasm for the bioenergy crop switchgrass due to its diverse habitats and geographic location between genetic subpopulations (Atlantic, Midwest, and Gulf). Collections from this region could accelerate breeding progress, contribute to conservation efforts, and improve understanding of isolated grasslands in the region. This study located 22 sites in the Midsouth region and obtained 1,521,210 single nucleotide polymorphism markers of 202 individuals through genotype-by-sequencing. Individuals were evaluated for flowering time, winter survival and tiller number. Comparison to a national diversity panel revealed that branches of two major subpopulations occur in the region with two levels of polyploidy: Atlantic tetraploids and Midwest octoploids. Two locations contained admixed octoploid individuals with Midwest and Gulf genetics. Field performance of the Midwest octoploids conformed with prior reported performance of the Midwest subpopulation, although three sites contained promising late flowering traits. The Atlantic tetraploids had moderate winter survival, short stature, and anomalously early flowering. Atlantic populations mostly occurred in marginal sites and their morphological and flowering time adaptations may be a resource conservation strategy. Demographic inference of historical effective population size variation in a subset of tetraploid locations indicated a widespread recent decline in effective population size. This pattern is consistent with isolation of these switchgrass communities from larger populations and is further supported by evidence of inbreeding within the populations (FI = 0.18). The populations documented in this study contain novel genetic diversity and adaptations to a range of marginal habitats. Therefore, this study provides a new source of germplasm for future breeding and conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds as functional food is increasing worldwide and research on plant traits is important as the crop spreads. The seedling stage has been identified as crucial for establishment, survival, and competition with weeds but information on chia at this stage is scanty, especially regarding root traits. In this study, 8 genotypes of chia: 4 populations (Australia, Mexico, Peru, Basilicata) and 4 breeding lines (G3, G8, G17, WS) were evaluated under controlled conditions at two early stages (six leaves, S-6; ten leaves, S-10) with the aim to assess growth characteristics and variability in root morphological traits. The shoot height and dry matter were measured together with the following root traits: dry matter and architectural parameters characterized through image analysis of root scans: length, surface, average diameter, tips, forks and crossings. Plants showed a greater phenotypic variation at S-6 than at S-10 (average CV = 40% and 22%, respectively). A high variability was recorded for root biomass, root volume, number of forks and crossings (average CV = 54, 40, 44 and 48%, respectively), while root diameter showed lower variability (average CV = 10%). Four principal components explained more than 97% of the total variance and root length, surface area, volume and average diameter contributed mainly to the variability. Cluster analysis showed that genotypes were very different for morphological root traits. Australia and G8 had the most developed root system with longer and coarser roots. Our results could be used in a breeding program for new cultivars with a more vigorous seedling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural conservation systems consist of a myriad of conservation practices. The mix and intensity of conservation practices adopted can benefit farmers and affect the entire production system in addition to soil and water conservation. The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze farmer adoption of and complementarity between conservation practices from a joint and conditional probabilistic perspective using Kansas as a case study. We develop a modeling framework that can analyze and examine farmers' joint and conditional adoption decisions using a multinomial logistic regression model. This framework is used to estimate conditional probabilities of adopting conservation practices given adoption of other practices to better capture the complementarity between different conservation practices. These estimates allow for an assessment of linkages between adoption of different conservation practices and the socioeconomic factors that affect the likelihood of adopting conservation practices given other conservation practices have already been adopted on-farm. The results can help guide policy and outreach efforts to promote further intensification of adoption by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Woody biomass has been considered as a promising feedstock for biofuel production via thermochemical conversion technologies such as fast pyrolysis. Extensive Life Cycle Assessment studies have been completed to evaluate the carbon intensity of woody biomass-derived biofuels via fast pyrolysis. However, most studies assumed that woody biomass such as forest residues is a carbon–neutral feedstock like annual crops, despite a distinctive timeframe it takes to grow woody biomass. Besides, few studies have investigated the impacts of forest dynamics and the temporal effects of carbon on the overall carbon intensity of woody-derived biofuels. This study addressed such gaps by developing a life-cycle carbon analysis framework integrating dynamic modeling for forest and biorefinery systems with a time-based discounted Global Warming Potential (GWP) method developed in this work. The framework analyzed dynamic carbon and energy flows of a supply chain for biofuel production from pine residues via fast pyrolysis. Results: The mean carbon intensity of biofuel given by Monte Carlo simulation across three pine growth cases ranges from 40.8–41.2 g CO2e MJ−1 (static method) to 51.0–65.2 g CO2e MJ−1 (using the time-based discounted GWP method) when combusting biochar for energy recovery. If biochar is utilized as soil amendment, the carbon intensity reduces to 19.0–19.7 g CO2e MJ−1 (static method) and 29.6–43.4 g CO2e MJ−1 in the time-based method. Forest growth and yields (controlled by forest management strategies) show more significant impacts on biofuel carbon intensity when the temporal effect of carbon is taken into consideration. Variation in forest operations and management (e.g., energy consumption of thinning and harvesting), on the other hand, has little impact on the biofuel carbon intensity. Conclusions: The carbon temporal effect, particularly the time lag of carbon sequestration during pine growth, has direct impacts on the carbon intensity of biofuels produced from pine residues from a stand-level pine growth and management point of view. The carbon implications are also significantly impacted by the assumptions of biochar end-of-life cases and forest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kinds of nitrogen dopants were used to prepare different nitrogen doped porous modified biochar from agricultural waste corn straw. The effects of three kinds of modified corn straw based biochar materials on CO2 removal performance under different conditions were studied, and the interaction mechanism of different nitrogen doped modified corn straw based biochar with CO2 was discussed. The results showed that: under normal temperature and pressure (25 °C and 1 bar), only carbamide (Urea) doping could improve the CO2 adsorption capacity of corn straw based biochar, but not reduce its low pressure (0.15 bar) adsorption capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity. The CO2 absorption of the porous carbon prepared by carboamide is 7.03 mmol/g at 0 °C and 4.97 mmol/g at 25 °C, and it has good recycling performance. The absorption at 25 °C is higher than that of all the porous biomass based carbon materials from lignocellulose biomass, animal manure, polymer, and petroleum coke. This study provides a new research direction for global greenhouse gas emission reduction and rational resource utilization of agricultural waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of three levels of water supply (unlimited (WW); water stress during flowering (RO); rainfed (P)) on radiation properties and yield of two soybean varieties (Sinara, Sin; Sigalia, Sig) were evaluated. Sin is considered to be tolerant to water stress. The effect of leaf area index, year, variety, and meteorological variables on evapotranspiration (ET) was analysed by hierarchical regression. This study attempted to identify how water supply affects the crop–light relationship between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission and radiation use efficiency (RUE), which were involved in qualitative and quantitative traits related to soybean production (biomass and yield attributes: seed yield, 1000-grain weight, oil and protein content). Unstandardized coefficients of air temperature (Ta) showed that a 1 °C increase in daily mean Ta induced a higher ET, on average 0.16 mm day−1. Soil moisture strongly affected sowing time. When averaged across three seasons at flowering, 97.7, 95.1 and 97.3% of incoming PAR were intercepted by the canopies of plants in WW, RO and P, respectively. The average extinction coefficient (k) and RUE pooled across both varieties were 0.42 and 1.32 g MJ PAR−1 for WW, and 0.46 and 0.98 g MJ PAR−1 for RO, respectively, compared with 0.44 and 1.15 g MJ PAR−1 for P. As expected, water treatment significantly affected all yield traits: RO decreased yield whereas WW increased yield compared to P. Practically, both varieties are suitable for cultivation under water stress during flowering but Sin showed greater yield under unlimited watering and rainfed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to valorize the use of digestate, the purposes of this study was to discriminate the fertilizing potential of solid and liquid fractions of digestate using two soils that differed for chemical characteristics, to expand the digestate use reducing its environmental impact. The two fractions did not contain toxic compounds and differed in chemical compositions. The two soils responded differently to the addition of the two-digestate fractions and the benefit depended mainly on soil characteristics rather than on quantity and quality of the organic material applied. In the soil with neutral pH, the highest intrinsic amount of organic matter, microbial biomass (MBC), fungi, bacteria and cation exchange capacity were observed; all these properties increased the most over time, in presence of both solid and liquid fractions. Differently, in the soil with alkaline pH and minor amount of intrinsic organic matter, MBC, fungi and bacteria, only few properties such as oxidative soil activity, bacteria colonies, and organic matter amount were improved by the addition of digestate fractions. The use of both fractions showed more agricultural advantages in respect to the relative risks, and the solid fraction was the most effective. Even if the effects of digestate on soil ecosystem can differ in extent, we can expect economic benefit deriving from the reduction of the costs for its disposal, agricultural benefit for their high supply of nutrients to the soil and environmental advantages for the decrement in the use of manufactured fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the effects of climate change continue to alter crop-growing conditions year-to-year on both prime and marginal agricultural landscapes, we must consider the effects not only on yield but also on quality. This is particularly true for oilseed crops. In this review, we explore the importance of oilseeds in general and the specific uses of major oilseed crops including soybean, sunflower, canola, peanut, and cottonseed. We review the physiology of seed oil production, from the perspective of the plant's adaptation to environmental changes. Of particular importance is the role of temperature and water availability on oil synthesis. We then discuss how this influences genetic variation, phenotype variability due to environment, and the interaction of genetics and environment to affect composition and yield of vegetable oils. The ability to predict these effects using genomics and bioinformatics is an important new frontier for breeders to maximize stability of a desired fatty acid composition for their crop over increasingly extreme agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm production contributes significantly to socio-economic development and food security in the dryland areas of Southern Tunisia. Soil degradation and nutrient depletion have dramatically increased in recent years. This is leading to a decline in date palm yields in these oases-based production systems. Locally derived bentonite clay has been identified as a new soil amendment to improve date morphological characteristics and date production. In this study, a 3-year field experimental study was carried out on 3-year-old Deglet Nour date palms growing in sandy soil of a Tunisian oasis (Fatnassa, Southern Tunisia). The study's aim was to compare the effect of two amendment types: (i) sand (S) mixed with farm manure (M) and bentonite clay (B) (=BSM) and (ii) sand mixed with farm manure (SM) on the soil characteristics and morphological features of date palm. The results indicated that soil macro- and micronutrient contents were enhanced under BSM. Soil water retention in BSM also increased to 290 ± 0.3 mm m−1 compared to 70 ± 0.2 and 50 ± 0.5 mm m−1 for an untreated (no amendment) and SM treatment, respectively. The amelioration of morphological characteristics was observed for the canopy diameter reaching 226 ± 0.6 cm in BSM treatment compared to 172 ± 0.6 cm in untreated palm trees. The height of the palms increased by 69 ± 0.8 cm from 29 ± 0.1cm in the control treatment, and leaf number increased from 40 leaves palm−1 in BS to 60 leaves palm−1 in BSM treatment. The leaf mineral content was significantly been improved in the third year, and the leaf NPK contents were 220 ± 0.6 mg kg−1, 17 ± 0.1 mg kg−1, and 200 ± 0.04 mg kg−1, respectively, in BSM treatments. The effect of the farm manure and bentonite clay was noticeable for the yield production, and the SM and BSM treatments offered yields of 70 ± 0.9 kg palm−1 and 80 ± 0.5 kg palm−1, respectively. It could partly ameliorate the alternate year bearing phenomenon of the Deglet Nour date variety. We conclude that the joint application of farm manure and bentonite clay does represent a viable option to further improve the production and resilience of date palms in dryland areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results from the assessment of physicochemical qualities of groundwater and soils around Afam in Niger Delta done using, statistical model, geo-accumulation indices (I-geo) and water quality indices showed that pH and Cu did not correlate strongly with any of the parameters analyzed in the study area. At 2-tailed of 0.05 levels of significance, moderate correlation exist between dissolved oxygen and Ca > Na, strong to moderate correlation exist between temperature and total dissolved solids (TDS) > E.C > Na and Ca, whereas at 2-tailed level of 0.02, very strong correlation exist between E.C and TDS (0.988), > Na (0.966), > Ca (0.957). TDS in turn is strongly correlated with Na (0.987), > Ca (0.972). Fe, Zn, Pb and Cr, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC), oil and grease (O&G) (< 0.001 mg/l) did not correlate with any of the physicochemical elements in the samples. At 2-tailed levels of 0.02 and 0.05, no significant correlation exists between alkalinity and salinity in groundwater samples and also with any the elements. Groundwater showed excellent water quality except one (62.307). pH, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cu in the soil were unpolluted since I-geo values are less than 1. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) (2.5194) showed low pollution, O&G (3.8886) showed moderate pollution, while total hydrocarbon content (THC) (6.2069), total organic carbon (TOC) (7.4919) and TPHC (9.4851) showed extreme pollution. The control site appeared to be unpolluted except TOC (6.8721). Percentage of clay particles in the soil is higher than in control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylose reductase (XR) is an intermediate inducible enzyme of xylose metabolism responsible for the reduction of xylose into xylitol. It is an intracellular enzyme present in various facultative bacteria, yeasts, molds and algae in their cytoplasm. The active site of enzyme is polar in nature which is responsible for acid–base catalysis. The enzyme is folded into (β/α)8 barrel and its substrate specificity is through C-terminal region. XR is an emerging industrially important food enzyme due to its major application in production of xylitol. Xylitol has shown remarkable applications in other industrial sectors such as food, biofuels, pharmaceutical, medical, odontological, textiles and cosmetics. This enzyme has been purified and characterized to understand its physico-chemical properties and stability. Further, robust microbial strains with tolerance towards high substrate concentration and toxic compounds are required to be developed for successful exploitation of XR at industrial level using agrowaste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]