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In the present study, a numerical model was developed to predict the flow pattern inside a broiler building. The model intends to predict the velocities fields inside the domain and ammonia (NH3) emitted or released by litter from poultry housing. The numerical model developed in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) commercial code, intends to represent a commercial broiler building, and intends to simulate the 3D and heat transfer, in steady state flow. The evaporative cooling pads were also included in the model. The validation of the model was based in experimental measurements obtained in previous studies. The simulations were focused on Summer, Winter and also Mid-Season situation. The numerical results of NH3 concentration were compared with the experimental measurements, and a quite good agreement was verified. The numerical results allowed the characterization of: the inside flow pattern developed for the summer and winter situation; the inside NH3 distribution, and the velocity field distribution inside the broiler building. It was found that NH3 concentration increases along the tunnel, especially in low flow rate imposed from the exhaust fan. Also, it was verified that the low velocities inside domain are no sufficient to remove the gaseous pollutants.

Broiler housing is a significant source of airborne pollutants from animal production, which lead to degradation of indoor air quality and outdoor emissions, particularly ammonia, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide, odours and particulate matter. In this chapter, we first analyse the current state of the art on the consequences of these pollutants on broiler farming, farm workers, and the environment. This includes the factors affecting pollutants generation, quantification, and mitigation measures suppressing airborne pollutants. Next, we describe different best available techniques for environmental protection and sustainability of broiler production, namely feeds and feeding management, feed supplements, bedding management and treatment of exhaust air. Thus, broiler farms should select mitigation strategies based on several considerations, such as location, climate conditions, environmental policies and financial resources.

Decomposition of dairy cows' excreta on housing floor leads to ammonia and greenhouse gases production, yet factors affecting total emissions have not been fully disclosed. This work aimed to assess the impact of lactation stage, feeding system and sampling time on gaseous emission potential of cow's faeces and urine in laboratory chambers systems. Individual faeces and urine were collected from two groups of four cows, at peak and post peak lactation, from three commercial farms with distinct feeding systems: total mixed ration (TMR), total mixed ration plus concentrate at robot (TMR + robot), and total mixed ration plus concentrate in automatic feeders (TMR + AF). Samples were collected before a.m. (T8h), at middle day (T12h), and before p.m. (T17h) milking. In a laboratory chambers system, faeces and urine were mixed in a ratio of 1.7:1, and ammonia and greenhouse gases emissions were monitored during 48-h. Cumulative N-N

Background: Cardoon is a multi-purpose crop with a wide spectrum of potential applications. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) application and drip irrigation practices on emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) and morphological characterization and biomass production of cardoon crop. Methods: The experiment was run under field conditions from April to August 2018. The field experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications and four treatments: (i) non-amended soil as control (CONTR); (ii) mineral N fertilizer and non-irrigated (NITRO); (iii) non-fertilized and drip irrigation (IRRIG); and (iv) mineral N fertilizer and drip irrigation by fertigation (FERTI). The fluxes of N2O, CO2 and CH4 were measured by the closed chamber technique and the morphological characteristics and yield of cardoon plants were evaluated per treatment. Results: Results showed that the N2O emissions and global warming potential were not significantly different among the application of mineral N fertilizer itself or by drip fertigation with an emission rate of 0.5% of N applied and -6,8 t CO2-eq. ha-1. The characteristics related to biomass production did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between amended treatments although numerically higher in IRRIG treatment. Conclusion: It was concluded that the application of mineral N fertilizer itself or drip fertigation had no significant effect on N2O emissions and global warming potential. Additionally, the plant growth, including biomass production, increased due to drip irrigation, but not significantly.

Overall rice cultivation in Europe occurs under flooding conditions to control soil temperature, weeds, and pests. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sandy and clay soils on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) emissions from flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. A 2-year rice field experiment was conducted in two different soils (sandy and clay soil) during two consecutive seasons in central Portugal. Soil mineral N dynamics and gas fluxes were followed between rice sowing (May) and harvest (October) dates. The NH3 fluxes were measured by the dynamic chamber technique while the N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes were measured by the closed chamber technique. Ammonia and N2O emissions did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the two soils and were about 10% and 1.5% of the N applied, respectively. In clay soil, CO2 emissions were significantly higher (p 0.05) between the two soils. The yield-scaled NH3 from clay soil was significantly higher (p

Cardoon could be cropped for agro-environmental, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of biochar on emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4), and productivity of cardoon crop. A pot experiment was run outdoors from April to August 2018, with a cardoon plant per pot. The following four treatments, with four replicates each, were applied: control, soil only; mineral, soil amended with mineral fertilizer (2.5 g N m−2); biochar, soil amended with biochar (1 kg m−2); and mineral+biochar, soil amended with mineral fertilizer (2.5 g N m−2) and biochar (1 kg m−2). The morphological characteristics and biomass production of cardoon plants were evaluated, and the fluxes of N2O, CO2 and CH4 were measured by using the closed chamber technique. The application of biochar combined with mineral reduced N2O emissions by 36% and global warming potential (GWP) by 26% relative to mineral. However, the cumulative CO2 and CH4 emissions as well as yield-scaled GWP were not significantly different among amended soil treatments. Furthermore, the biomass production was increased by 50% by the application of biochar combined with mineral fertilizer relative to mineral. It was concluded that biochar combined with mineral fertilizer is recommended as a pathway mitigation for agro-environmental purposes, because it reduces the global warming potential and could increase the biomass production of cardoon plants. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and the limited efficacy of current available antibiotics cause every year approximately 700 000 deaths per year. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect and antibacterial potential of the ibuprofen derivative Methyl 2-(-4-isobutylphenyl)propanoate (MET-IBU). The molecular structure of MET-IBU was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Our in vivo study using adult zebrafish model demonstrated that the ibuprofen derivative MET-IBU also possesses anti-inflammatory effect, and in vitro antibacterial activity assays showed that in the association of ampicillin, norfloxacin, and gentamicin with MET-IBU occurred reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for MDR bacterial strains of Escherichia coli 06 and Staphylococcus aureus 10, indicating a potentiating in the growth inhibition of these pathogenic bacteria. Regarding the strain of Staphylococcus aureus K2068 (overexpressing mepA gene), a potentiation of ethidium bromide was found in the association with MET-IBU, indicating the action of this compound on the efflux pump mechanism present in this strains. This result corroborates the molecular docking study that indicated a high affinity of the MET-IBU with the MepA efflux pump. It was also noticed an antibiotic potentiating activity in the association MET-IBU with norfloxacin against strains of Staphylococcus aureus 1199B (overexpressing norA gene) when compared to the norfloxacin control. This enhanced antibiotic effect of MET-IBU is associated with a second resistance mechanism, which is due to the modification in the topoisomerase enzyme. These results bring attention to the ibuprofen derivative MET-IBU as possible candidate for the development of new options for the treatment of bacterial infections with protective anti-inflammatory action.

Poultry production is a significant source of gaseous emissions and will require economical and simple mitigation techniques that can be used by farmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7H2O) addition to broiler litter on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emission rates from housing under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two identical broiler houses located in a Portuguese commercial farm were used for this study: one house was a control and the other was treated with magnesium sulphate as litter additive. Data were collected during two fattening cycles of a whole year; first in the cold season (11.8 ± 1.9 °C) and second in the hot season (20.4 ± 1.0 °C). Results showed that the application of magnesium sulphate was a good mitigation technique to reduce NH3 and N2O emissions from broiler houses. The annual average emission rates of untreated house were reduced (p

The husbandry of chicken for meat generates high levels of gases, being a serious problem for the health of birds and workers as well as for the environment. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite as litter additive on the concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) from a breeding hen house under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two similar breeding hen houses were selected, and one house was assigned as control whereas the other house was treated with clinoptilolite as a litter additive. Data were collected during the winter season, in two occasions, first between 26 November and 18 December 2017 and second from 1 to 20 February 2018. Results showed that the application of clinoptilolite on the litter of a breeding hen house reduces the NH3 and N2O losses in 28 and 34%, respectively, but appears to have no effect on CO2 losses. In addition, the in-house CH4 concentrations were below the detection limits.

The current data article presents a set of fluxes of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) measured from two different soils under a Mediterranean double-cropping system (oat in autumn/winter followed by maize in spring/summer). The two soils were fertilized using four different treatments: (i) Injection of raw cattle slurry (100 mm depth), (ii) application of raw cattle slurry followed by soil incorporation (20 mm depth), (iii) band application of acidified (pH=5.5) cattle slurry followed by soil incorporation (20 mm depth), and (iv) band application of acidified (pH=5.5) cattle slurry without soil incorporation. A non-amended soil was also considered as control treatment. The data presented here were obtained over a three years experiment between 2012 and 2015. Fluxes were measured in a period between slurry applications to soil (before plant seeding) till crop harvest. The data presented here are supporting the research article “Band application of acidified slurry as an alternative to slurry injection in a Mediterranean double-cropping system: Agronomic effect and gaseous emissions” (Fangueiro et al., 2018).

Biofilters are an effective air pollution control technology to break down gaseous contaminants and produce innocuous end products. This laboratory study aimed to evaluate a biofilter media, mainly composed by tomato waste, as packing material to reduce NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 losses from stored pig slurry. Three mixtures of packing materials, with and without oxalic acid, were arranged in treatments, namely: mixture of tomato waste, pine bark and agricultural compost; mixture of tomato waste and rice husk; tomato waste only. A control treatment (no biofilter) was also included. The experiments were conducted using a system of laboratory scale biofilters connected to jars filled with pig slurry and under a constant airflow rate. The gas concentrations were measured for 14 days and the physicochemical of the packing materials were assessed. Results showed that biofilter media mixtures had a potential for NH3 retention ranging from 51 to 77% and the addition of oxalic acid to these biofilters increased NH3 retention to 72–79%. Additionally, the biofilter media mixtures with and without oxalic acid showed a potential retention for CH4 (29–69%) but not for N2O, yet with no impact on the global warming potential. It can be concluded that tomato based biofilters had the potential to reduce gaseous emissions from slurry.

The storage of animal manure is a major source of gaseous emissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of biochar and clinoptilolite on the composition and gaseous emissions during the storage of separated liquid fraction of pig slurry. The experiment was carried out using containers with 6 L of pig slurry each. The additives biochar and clinoptilolite were added alone and mixed to the pig slurry at a rate of 2.5% each, in a total of four treatments with three replicates including the control. Gaseous emissions were monitored by a photoacoustic multigas monitor, and slurry samples were collected at 0 and 85 days and their composition assessed. Results showed that the addition of biochar could modify the physicochemical properties of the slurry. The addition of biochar did not reduce the E. coli during the experiment while clinoptilolite decreased its prevalence. The addition of biochar or clinoptilolite reduced significantly the NH3 emission during the storage of slurry, but no advantages were gained with their combination. The addition of biochar significantly reduced the CO2 and CH4 emissions relative to clinoptilolite, however N2O emissions and global warming potential did not differ among the additives. We conclude that the biochar and clinoptilolite are recommended as a mitigation measure to reduce gaseous emissions and preserve the fertiliser value at slurry storage.

Injection is the recommended technique for slurry application to soil in most European countries but its utilization at the farm scale is quite limited, namely in countries from southern Europe, due to the strong investment needed in machinery and problematic utilization in stony and/or heavy soils. Acidification of animal slurry has proved to be efficient at minimising NH3 emissions but little is known about its impact on other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or agronomic effect, particularly in Mediterranean conditions. In the present study, we evaluate the potential of band application of acidified slurry as an alternative to raw slurry injection, in terms of agronomic effects and NH3 and GHG emissions, for two different Mediterranean soils (a sandy and a sandy-loam soil) where a double-cropping system (oat during winter and maize during spring/summer) was run over 3-years. Five treatments were tested in 1 m2 field plots: 1) control (non amended soil); 2) injected slurry (IS); 3) band application of raw slurry followed by soil incorporation (SS); 4) band application of acidified slurry followed by soil incorporation (AS); 5) band application of acidified slurry with no soil incorporation (ASS). An amount of slurry equivalent to ∼90 and 170 kg N ha−1 was applied before oat and maize sowing, respectively. The dry matter yields obtained with the AS treatment, in both the maize and oat crops, were mostly similar to or higher than those of IS, while ASS led - on some occasions - to small decreases in dry matter yield relative to IS, namely in the sandy soil. Treatment AS led also to apparent N and P recovery values (ANR and APR, respectively) similar to or higher than those of IS, except in the sandy soil during oat growth. After six consecutive slurry applications, a significant decrease of pH and an increase of the extractable S content were observed in soil receiving acidified slurry, relative to soil amended with non-acidified slurry. Significant NH3 emissions were observed only in SS treatment during all the experiment. Of the total N applied, the amount lost as N2O did not differ significantly among the amendment treatments during the oat growth. However, the cumulative N2O emissions from IS were significantly higher, relative to SS, AS and ASS, during maize growth. Higher cumulative CH4 emissions were observed during maize growth relative to oat growth, namely from IS compared to all other treatments. Band application of acidified slurry without soil incorporation reduced the N2O and CH4 emissions by 65% and 40%, respectively, relative to IS. The soil characteristics had no significant effect on the gaseous emissions for the acidified slurry treatments. It can be concluded that band application of acidified slurry followed by soil incorporation is an efficient solution to provide nutrients to plants while minimising NH3 and GHG emissions and can thus be proposed as an alternative to injection. Nevertheless, the impact of acidified slurry application on soil properties needs to be monitored in the long term.

Native species seedling growth may be affected by allelopathic substances released by invasive forage species, mainly in natural regrowth areas. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the growth characteristics of pequi trees influenced by concentrations of plant residues of different forage species (Urochloa decumbens, Melinis minutiflora and Paspalum notatum). A randomized block experimental design was arranged in a factorial 3 x 4 + 1, with four replications. Treatments consisted of incorporating plant shoot residues of three forage species to pequi seedling substrate (soil + fertilizer) at four concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% mass/mass), plus pequi seedlings grown in a residue-free substrate (control). Pequi plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number were evaluated at fortnightly intervals. Leaf area, root/shoot ratio, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, and leaf mass ratio were determined 100 days after transplanting. Forage residues added to substrate inhibited pequi growth, and with increasing residue concentration, this inhibition was intensified. Pequi leaf characteristics proved to be more sensitive to allelopathic effect, especially from U. decumbens residues. RESUMO: O crescimento de mudas de espécies nativas pode ser afetado por substâncias alelopáticas liberadas por espécies forrageiras invasivas principalmente em áreas de recomposição natural. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar as características de crescimento do pequizeiro influenciadas por concentrações de resíduos vegetais das espécies forrageiras Urochloa decumbens, Melinis minutiflora e Paspalum notatum. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3 x 4 + 1, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela adição de resíduos vegetais da parte aérea das três espécies forrageiras misturados ao substrato (solo + fertilizante) em quatro concentrações (1%, 2%, 3% e 4% massa/massa), mais o cultivo da muda de pequi na ausência de resíduos vegetais no solo. Em intervalos quinzenais, foram avaliados a altura de plantas, o diâmetro do caule e o número de folhas. Aos 100 dias após o transplantio, determinou-se a área foliar, relação raiz/parte aérea, razão de área foliar, área foliar específica e razão de massa foliar. Os resíduos vegetais das gramíneas forrageiras adicionadas ao substrato inibem o crescimento das plantas de pequi e, com o aumento da concentração destes resíduos, verifica-se a intensificação dessa inibição. As características foliares das plantas de pequi comprovam serem mais sensíveis à atividade alelopática, principalmente à ação dos resíduos de U. decumbens.

Composting is recognised a promising technology for recycling and adding value to agro-food wastes. There are, however, potential environmental risks associated with composting, such as the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The aim of this study was to quantify the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide and ammonia during composting of five agro-food wastes originated from the broccoli, chestnut, olive and grape industries, and to study the relationship between the emissions and the lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and phenolic contents of the wastes. According to physicochemical indicators monitored during the process, all agro-food residues tested were suitable for composting, with chestnut in the top and broccoli in the bottom of the range. Composting of chestnut and olive led to higher carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions, whereas lower emissions were observed with white grape. A positive correlation was found between phenolics and nitric oxide (r = 0.63; p < 0.01), but not with the other gases. Lignocellulose showed a positive correlation with nitrous oxide (r = 0.51; p < 0.05), but not with carbon dioxide and methane. The accumulation of lignin was highest in the chestnut compost, which was associated with lower nitric oxide and ammonia emissions relative to the other waste materials. The results show that wastes with high lignocellulose can be managed using composting with additional benefits on the environment in relation to mitigating nitrogen losses. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Scarce studies have been published reporting field measurements of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from vineyards, particularly for European conditions. The aim this study was to assess the effect of conventional tillage and no-tillage cover crops on direct N2O emission factor from vineyards (Vitis vinifera L.) in Portugal. A two-year field study was carried out in central Portugal (Nelas, Portugal). The experiment was established in a mature non-irrigated vineyard. The following four treatments with three replications were considered: soil tillage of the inter-row (Till), treatment Till followed by application of mineral fertiliser (50 kg N ha−1) (Till + N), permanent resident vegetation in the inter-row (NoTill), and treatment No-Till followed by application of mineral fertiliser (50 kg N ha−1) (NoTill + N). The carbon dioxide (CO2) and N2O fluxes were measured by the closed chamber technique and analyzed by gas chromatography during two consecutive growing seasons (March-September of 2015 and 2016) of the grapevine crop. The results showed that the average direct N2O EF for vineyards managed with conventional soil tillage in the inter-row was 0.57 ± 0.12% of N input and cover cropping by permanent resident vegetation in the inter-row reduces N2O emission in 60% (0.23 ± 0.29% of N input). Thus, the vineyard cover cropping was recommended as mitigation measure in order to reduce N2O emissions. The defaults direct N2O EF currently recommended by IPCC was not appropriated for vineyards and N2O emissions are currently potentially overestimated in the Portuguese inventory. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Current environmental concerns, the rising economic and environmental costs of mineral fertilizers and the need to respond to the limitations of N fertilization in organic farming motivate the search for alternative sources of N in maize cropping. Forage legumes used as winter cover crops may improve soil N fertility and offer benefits to the environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects, in a factorial field experiment, of two sowing dates (SD) and nine different cover crop treatments (balansa clover, crimson clover, gland clover, arrowleaf clover, French serradella, yellow lupin, Italian ryegrass, a cover mixture and a weedy fallow) as a potential alternative N source in an organically managed maize crop. The experiment was conducted at Viseu (Portugal) for three years (2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2011/12), in the same field. Results showed that maize grain yield was not influenced by cover crop species but was affected by SD and the higher dry matter (DM) aboveground biomass production was observed in early SD (6.1 t ha−1). The cover crops revealed their importance in maize N uptake: yellow lupin of earlier SD had the highest N uptake (83.6 kg N ha−1), but this was not significantly different from balansa clover (83.2 kg N ha−1). Ryegrass was the most efficient in depleting soil mineral N but values were just significantly lower than yellow lupin. Lupin was the least efficient, leaving more mineral N in the soil than the others cover crops, immediately before the period when the risk of leaching is high. It was concluded that, under the edaphoclimatic conditions tested, most of the tested cover crops were efficient in supplying N to maize, and balansa clover had the best performance.

Corn and forage intercropping system has been commonly used for pasture establishment or renewal. In addition, the use of reduced doses of herbicides selective to corn has facilitated coexistence by reducing competitiveness against forage species. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mesotrione underdoses in a corn and Urochloa brizantha intercropping on weed population dynamics, corn yield, and forage performance and nutritional quality. For this purpose, five mesotrione doses were tested (0.0, 9.6, 19.2, 38.4, and 57.6 g ha-1) in corn and forage intercropping and monocultures. Individual density and weed dry matter were influenced by mesotrione doses, intercropping, and precipitation distribution over the evaluated period in the intercropping and pasture. In intercropping, Alternanthera tenella and Commelina benghalensis were the most important species because they could not be controlled by the herbicide. After intercropping, A. tenella and C. benghalensis presented higher relative importance (RI) in the formed pasture during the rainy season, while Conyza bonariensis and A. tenella presented the highest RI during the dry season. Corn grain yield was not affected by the presence of grass, but forage yield was affected by the competition with corn. Mesotrione doses did not affect the yield and nutritional quality of the forage. The effects on mineral matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber in the forage were due to the coexistence with corn when compared to the control grown in monoculture. RESUMO: Consórcios entre a cultura do milho e espécies forrageiras são comumente utilizados para a implantação ou renovação de pastagens. O uso de doses reduzidas de herbicidas seletivos ao milho tem facilitado a convivência pela redução da competitividade das espécies forrageiras. Objetivou-se avaliar nesta pesquisa os efeitos de subdoses de mesotrione no consórcio entre milho e U. brizantha sobre a dinâmica populacional de plantas daninhas, rendimento do milho e desempenho e qualidade nutricional da forrageira. Utilizaram-se cinco doses de mesotrione (0; 9,6; 19,2; 38,4; e 57,6 g ha-1), mais o milho e a forrageira cultivados solteiros. A densidade de indivíduos e a massa seca de plantas daninhas foram influenciadas pelas doses de mesotrione, pelo cultivo consorciado e pela distribuição de chuvas ao longo do período avaliado no consórcio e na pastagem formada. Em consórcio, Alternanthera tenella e Commelina benghalensis foram as espécies de maior importância relativa, por não terem sido controladas pelo herbicida. Após o consórcio, na pastagem formada, A. tenella e C. benghalensis apresentaram maior importância relativa (IR) no período chuvoso, e Conyza bonariensis e A. tenella, maior IR no período seco. O rendimento de grãos de milho não foi afetado pela presença do capim, porém o rendimento forrageiro do capim foi afetado pela competição com o milho. As doses de mesotrione não afetaram o rendimento e a qualidade nutricional da forrageira. Os efeitos nos teores de material mineral, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente ácido na forragem foram provenientes da convivência promovida com o milho, quando comparado à testemunha cultivada solteira.

Limited data are available on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions from poultry housing in Mediterranean countries. The aim of the present study was to assess the NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 emission rates from commercial breeding hen and broiler houses under Mediterranean climate conditions. Research was conducted at one commercial breeding hen house and in two commercial broiler houses located in central Portugal. The environmental conditions, gas concentrations and ventilation rates were measured in the cold (8.0 ± 2.1 °C) and hot (20.7 ± 1.9 °C) season for the breeding hen house, whereas for the two broiler houses, measurements were made during one fattening cycle in the fall (17.3 ± 1.7 °C) season. Results showed that the annual average emission rates for breeding hen and broiler houses were 0.52 ± 0.27 and 0.06 ± 0.01 for NH3, 0.030 ± 0.042 and 0.006 ± 0.001 for N2O, 169.6 ± 56.2 and 58.0 ± 15.1 for CO2 and 0.092 ± 0.131 and 0.0113 ± 0.0002 g day−1 bird−1 for CH4, respectively. The N2O emission rates observed in breeding hen houses may have been overestimated, being higher than previously reported for Mediterranean countries.

Intensive cattle production has a severe environmental impact due, partly, to ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from handling of the large amounts of slurry (liquid manure) produced. The present study aimed to compare, in terms of NH3, N2O, CH4 and CO2 emissions and crop yield, slurry injection in soil (reference technique) and a combined approach of slurry (S) treatment (by separation and/or acidification) followed by surface application. A pot experiment was performed over 67 days with an oat forage crop amended with S or the separated liquid fraction (LF), with and without acidification to pH 5.5. Injection of S was compared with surface application of treated S followed or not by soil incorporation. Soil injection reduced NH3 emissions to insignificant levels and did not increase N2O emissions, while maintaining oat yields similar to those for the surface application of S. Surface application of acidified S or acidified LF led to NH3 emissions < 7% of applied NH4+-N, with no increase of N2O emissions relative to surface application of S. Furthermore, a stronger decrease of N losses can be achieved by surface application of acidified S followed by soil incorporation. However, surface application of LF without incorporation led to significant NH3 emissions and therefore is not recommended. Significantly lower (p < 0.05) CH4 emissions were observed with application of acidified slurry and LF, relative to the respective non-acidified treatments. These results show that surface application of acidified slurry is a good alternative to slurry injection when the latter technique cannot be used. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The soil incorporation of green manures is a practice that can be used in sustainable agriculture and in organic farming, where nitrogen (N) sources are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum Savi), yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as potential alternative N sources. A total of nine treatments were considered in this study: control, aerial of balansa clover, roots of balansa clover, aerial of yellow lupine, roots of yellow lupine, aerial of ryegrass, roots of ryegrass, mixture aerial + roots of yellow lupine and mixture aerial + roots of ryegrass. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted under controlled conditions during 196 days and carbon and N mineralisation were followed. Results showed that green manures are appropriate N sources for Mediterranean farming. No significant differences in terms of N mineralisation were observed between aerial or roots biomass of the green manures. Besides, 37–55% of total N applied was mineralised in treatments amended with balansa clover or yellow lupine, whereas 13–21% of total N applied was mineralised in ryegrass. It can be concluded that the most efficient green manure for supplying mineral N to the succeeding crop was yellow lupine. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Broiler husbandry is a significant source of ammonia (NH 3 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) emissions but scarce studies have been made under Mediterranean conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the NH 3 , N 2 O, CO 2 and CH 4 emissions on commercial broiler houses under Portuguese winter conditions. The study was made on a commercial broiler farm located in central Portugal. Three tunnel ventilated broiler houses with similar equipment and production practices were selected. The outdoor and indoor environmental conditions, gas concentrations and ventilation rates of each broiler house were measured during 42 days of growing cycle. Results showed that the maximum concentrations of NH 3 , N 2 O, CO 2 and CH 4 did not exceed the threshold values recommended to maintain indoor air quality on broiler houses. The average emission rates from broiler houses under winter conditions were 0.13 ± 0.04, 0.041 ± 0.002, 96.2 ± 8.8 and 0.226 ± 0.013 g day −1 bird −1 (22.0 ± 7.3, 6.7 ± 0.3, 16,028 ± 1465 and 37.7 ± 2.1 g day −1 LU −1 ) for NH 3 , N 2 O, CO 2 and CH 4 , respectively. Furthermore, NH 3 and N 2 O emission rates of this study are in the same range than measurements from most European countries, but CH 4 emission rate seems higher to those reported for Mediterranean countries.

Previous studies have shown that elevated levels of carbon dioxide [CO2] may increase, decrease, or have no effect on the concentrations of phenolic compounds in plants. The underlying causes of these variations in responses remain poorly understood. In the present study, it was hypothesized that different plant responses come mainly from the duration of exposure to the gas, growing conditions, and sampling procedures. A two-year field study was conducted in open-top chambers (375 vs. 550 μmol CO2 mol−1 air) using a japonica rice variety (Oryza sativa L. cv. Ariete) as the test crop, with plants grown under elevated [CO2] during their entire life cycle. Leaf, stem and root samples were collected at five different growth stages, and submitted to a series of physiological and biochemical measurements. The carbon:nitrogen ratio and total non-structural carbohydrates were increased by elevated [CO2] in all plant tissues. Data showed that under elevated [CO2], there was a reduction in the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents measured during the seedling, tillering, elongation, and flowering stages in all plant organs, probably resulting from a relaxation of the antioxidative system during seed germination. By contrast, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents increased under elevated [CO2] at maturity, a change in response which coincided with acclimation of photosynthesis. The same trends were observed for sixteen individual phenolic compounds, including the allelopathic tricin, the phytoalexin sakuranetin and several O-glycosylated flavonoids of ecological importance. Overall, the results indicated that during the early stages of plant development, photosynthates were mainly used to synthesize proteins and meet the growth demand of the plant. Growth reduction at maturity made more resources available for the synthesis of phenolic compounds.

Methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from flooded rice fields have been rarely measured in Europe. A field study was carried out in an intermittent flooded rice field at central Portugal to investigate if global warming under Mediterranean conditions, elevated soil temperature (+2 °C) and atmospheric [CO 2 ] (550 ppm), could lead to significant effects in CH 4 and N 2 O emissions. The experimental design consisted of three treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. To assess the effects of ambient temperature and actual atmospheric [CO 2 ] (375 ppm), plots were laid under open-field rice conditions. Using open-top chambers, two other treatments were established: one to assess the effect of elevated temperature and actual atmospheric [CO 2 ] and a third treatment to evaluate the combined effect of elevated temperature and atmospheric [CO 2 ]. Measurements of CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes were made throughout two consecutive growing seasons in the field using the closed chamber technique. Elevation of temperature with or without elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] increased CH 4 emissions by 50%, but this increase was not significant compared to the open-field condition. As for N 2 O, elevated temperature alone or combined with elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] had no significant effect on emissions relative to the open-field treatment. The estimated seasonal CH 4 EF for the Portuguese flooded rice fields was 10.0 g CH 4 m −2 , while the EF for N 2 O emissions was 1.4% of N input. These results suggested that default seasonal CH 4 and N 2 O EFs currently used by the Portuguese inventory were not appropriated.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of gymnastics training on body composition of sedentary women. We evaluated 18 women (26.44±1.26 years) who participated in 24 training sessions with the frequ ency of three weekly sessions. The training session s lasted about 50 minutes and were all identical from first to last. Each session consisted of 11 exerci ses, each exercise specific for a muscle group. These ex ercises were performed in continuous series, lastin g between three and four minutes each. The duration o f the series was regulated by choreographed music that series. All exercises done during class were p erformed with rhythm control. The evaluated underwent a battery of tests involving weight (Kg), height (c m) and skinfold measurement (cm) to carry out the calculation of BMI, fat percentage and lean body ma ss and fat. These tests were performed before and after the eight weeks of the program implementation . At the end of the study, it was found that there was a statistically significant reduction in the componen ts related to the body fat (initial= 28.98±0.66%; f inal= 28.50±0.63%), with no change in lean body mass, weight and BMI of the evaluated women. The resistance local gymnastics training program employ ed in the present study had positive results in reducing the percentage of fat and maintaining lean body mass of the evaluated women after a training period of eight weeks.

The current knowledge revised in this article describes a wide range of facilities in common use on dairy cattle farms in warm climates. A dairy cattle farm consists of several facilities, such as housing system, yards, manure pits, milking center, environmental protection structures, forage storage, and several machines for different facilities. Any facility design tends to be a compromise, often between many factors, and no single solution will be optimal for all concerned.

Dairy cattle are usually housed in naturally ventilated houses where removal of excreta is periodically performed. The aim of this controlled study was to compare the effect of two floor designs and three air temperatures (5, 15 and 25 C) on NH3, N2O, CH4 and CO2 emissions arising from cattle excreta deposition to the floor. Two scale models were built to simulate a level solid floor without urine drainage, and a slatted concrete floor. Following application of a mixture of urine and faeces, these two floor type models were subjected to a constant airflow rate (12.5 exchanges h 1 ) and gaseous emissions were measured over a 72-h period. Emissions of NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 increased significantly with air temperature with both floor type models and emissions of NH3, N2O and CO2 were significantly greater from the solid floor relative to the slatted floor at all temperatures considered. The cumulative NH3 (27e66% of total N applied) and CO2 (

Slurry separation using mechanical and chemical methods is one of the options considered to solve problems of slurry management at the farm scale. The fractions obtained with such treatments have distinct compositions, which allow different options for their utilization (composting, direct application, and fertigation). In this study, four fractions of slurry were obtained using a combined treatment system including slurry treatment with a screw press separator (solid and liquid fractions) followed by sedimentation with the addition of Polyacrylamide (PAM) (PAM-Supernatant and PAM-Sediment) to the LF. These fractions were then incorporated into arable soil under controlled laboratory conditions and the organic N degradation from each treatment was followed for 94 days. Total N emissions (N2O + N2) as well as the sources of the N emissions (nitrification or denitrification) were also studied during this period. Results showed that the slurry fractions (SFs) had distinct behavior relative to the whole slurry (WS), namely in terms of N degradation in soil, where N mineralization was observed only in the WS treatment whereas N immobilization occurred in the other treatments. In terms of N2O emissions, higher losses, expressed as a percentage of the total N added, occurred from the LF treatments (liquid, PAM-Supernatant and PAM-Sediment). This work indicates that the slurry treatment by mechanical and chemical separation may be a good option for slurry management at the farm scale since it allows greater utilization of the different fractions with a small effect on N2O emissions after SFs’ application to soil.

Cattle-slurry (liquid manure) application to soil is a common practice to provide nutrients and organic matter for crop growth but it also strongly impacts the environment. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficiency of cattle-slurry treatment by solid-liquid separation and/or acidification on nitrogen dynamics and global warming potential (GWP) following application to an acidic soil. An aerobic laboratory incubation was performed over 92 days with a Dystric Cambisol amended with raw cattle-slurry or separated liquid fraction (LF) treated or not by acidification to pH 5.5 by addition of sulphuric acid. Soil mineral N contents and NH3, N2O, CH4 and CO2 emissions were measured. Results obtained suggest that the acidification of raw cattle-slurry reduced significantly NH3 emissions (-88%) but also the GWP (-28%) while increased the N availability relative to raw cattle-slurry (15% of organic N applied mineralised against negative mineralisation in raw slurry). However, similar NH3 emissions and GWP were observed in acidified LF and non-acidified LF treatments. On the other hand, soil application of acidified cattle-slurry rather than non-acidified LF should be preferred attending the lower costs associated to acidification compared to solid-liquid separation. It can then be concluded that cattle-slurry acidification is a solution to minimise NH3 emissions from amended soil and an efficient strategy to decrease the GWP associated with slurry application to soil. Furthermore, the more intense N mineralisation observed with acidified slurry should lead to a higher amount of plant available N and consequently to higher crop yields.

The present field experiment was conducted during two consecutive cropping seasons in central Portugal to study the effects of simultaneous elevation of carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) (550 lmol mol-1 ) and air temperature (?2–3 C) on japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘‘Ariete’’) yield, crop duration, and SPAD-values across the seasons compared with the open-field condition. Open-top chambers were used in the field to assess the effect of elevated air temperature alone or the combined effect of elevated air temperature and atmospheric [CO2]. Open-field condition was assessed with randomized plots under ambient air temperature and actual atmospheric [CO2] (average 382 lmol mol-1 ). Results obtained showed that the rice ‘‘Ariete’’ had a moderate high yielding under open- field condition, but was susceptible to air temperature rise of ?2–3 C under controlled conditions resulting in reduction of grain yield. The combined increase of atmospheric [CO2] with elevated air temperature compensated for the negative effect of temperature rise alone and crop yield was higher than in the open-field. SPAD-readings at reproductive stage explained by more than 60 % variation the straw dry matter, but this finding requires further studies for consolidation. It can be concluded that potential increase in air temperature may limit rice yield in the near future under Mediterranean areas where climate change scenario poses a serious threat, but long term field experiments are required.

Data on the movements of available N and non-exchangeable NH4+ in the soil are of crucial importance in designing an efficient plant N nutrition management scheme in paddy rice fields. To investigate the processes affecting the dynamics of N and pH under Mediterranean conditions, rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Ariete) was cultivated in 2011 and 2012 in Salvaterra de Magos (central Portugal) under the following climate scenarios: (i) ambient temperature and ambient [CO2] in the open-field, (ii) elevated temperature (+3 °C) and ambient [CO2] in open-top chambers, and (iii) elevated temperature (+3 °C) and elevated [CO2] (+175 μmol mol−1) in open-top chambers. Plants were grown under an intermittent flooding regime. Soil and water samples were taken at eight different stages of plant growth, including before and after N basal and topdressing. Our study indicated that the processes underlying N changes in response to the timing of N fertilization were different depending on the N form. After basal dressing under aerobic conditions, both available and non-exchangeable NH4+ contents were increased. Following the topdressing under flooded conditions, the available content of soil N increased, whereas the non-exchangeable NH4+ content decreased. A negative relationship was found between soil pH and NH4+ “fixation” when roots were active, and vice-versa. Elevated temperature alone or in combination with elevated [CO2] had no effect on the total available N content in the soil and floodwater. Under elevated temperature, however, the non-exchangeable NH4+ content was significantly reduced (11%), with the same magnitude of change (10%) observed under co-elevation of temperature and [CO2]. These results suggested that non-exchangeable NH4+ in paddy fields might be insensitive to [CO2] elevation under Mediterranean conditions, while reductions observed under co-elevation of [CO2] and temperature might be associated with temperature alone. This information could be used to alter rice management practices and to adjust N application under climate change.

Efetuou-se um estudo sobre os processos associados à emissão de NH3 em instalações naturalmente ventiladas para bovinos de leite, tendo sido descritos os fatores que regulam a emissão de NH3, assim como metodologias de medição destas emissões nestas instalações. Foram, também, identificadas técnicas adequadas de mitigação da emissão de NH3 em instalações localizadas em regiões com climas quentes. As técnicas de mitigação mais eficazes e de implementação simples incluem estratégias associadas: (i) ao projeto das instalações e pavimentos que conduzam a emissões reduzidas; (ii) à pré-excreção das dejeções, nomeadamente a utilização de dietas com teor otimizado de proteína bruta e o aumento da produção de leite ao nível da exploração; e (iii) à pósexcreção das dejeções, sobretudo pela alteração das condições de controlo ambiental no interior das instalações, introdução de práticas ou aplicação de aditivos no manejo das dejeções depositadas sobre os pavimentos. We conducted a study of the processes associated to NH3 emission in naturally ventilated dairy cattle facilities, having described factors that regulate NH3 emission, as well as methodologies for measuring these emissions at these facilities. Appropriate techniques to mitigate NH3 emission in facilities located in regions with warm climates were also identified. The most effective mitigation techniques with simple implementation include strategies associated to: (i) installation design and flooring, which lead to reduced emissions, (ii) excreta pre-excretion, namely the use of diets with optimized crude protein content and increased milk production at farm level; and (iii) excreta post-excretion, particularly by changing the conditions of environmental monitoring within the premises, practice introduction or additive application in the management of excreta deposited on floors.

Water scarcity motivates the use/recycling of nonconventional water resources, mainly saline and drainage waters, treated wastewater, and desalinated water for agriculture. The characteristics of those waters point out the need to control the impacts on the environment and the soil, to manage crops in agreement with the characteristics of the used water, mainly for wastewater, and the need to avoid health consequences for workers and consumers of the produces. This article aims to review the main benefits, constraints, technologies, and strategies of recycling saline waters, wastewater, and desalinated water in irrigation.

Addition to soil of separated cattle-urine obtained from housing with urine-faeces segregation systems is an important source of gaseous nitrogen (N) emissions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding different concentrations of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and aluminium chloride (AlCl 3 ), alone or combined with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), on gaseous N losses and N transformations in soil amended with cattle-urine. Using laboratory incubations soil was amended with cattle-urine (200 kg total N ha −1 ) containing NBPT (0.1 or 1.0%) or AlCl 3 (0.5 or 1.0%) either as a single additive or combined with 0.5% DMPP. Three additional treatments were included: soil only (Control), soil amended only with cattle-urine and soil amended with cattle-urine and DMPP. The addition of NBPT at 1% significantly delayed urea hydrolysis during the first 4-d after urine application comparatively to treatments receiving AlCl 3 . Nitrification was inhibited by addition of DMPP, with no further effect ( P > 0.05) when DMPP was combined with NBPT or AlCl 3 . The AlCl 3 treatment had no effect on urea hydrolysis or nitrification. The combination of DMPP with NBPT or AlCl 3 increased ( P 3 emissions and reduced ( P 2 O emissions compared with urine alone. It was concluded that NBPT was more effective at reducing gaseous N emissions from cattle-urine applications than AlCl 3 , and that NBPT alone was more effective than NBPT combined with DMPP. No advantages were gained from the combination of one of these additives with DMPP on total gaseous N emissions.

In this work, we have calculated ab initio the equation of state, the principal phonon modes, the effective charges and the temperature dependence of the specific heat for the III-Nitrides, by using the density-functional theory within the local density approximation, plane wave expansions and the pseudopotential method. A good agreement with the experiment and other calculations is obtained, whenever a comparison is possible. From our results, we speculate whether these systems undergo, by a second-order phase transition, from the wurtzite structure to the zincblende one.