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Iron ore tailings (IOT) are industrial solid wastes that pose environmental threats. This study prepared IOT-biochar composite materials as multifunctional soil conditioners through an in-situ growth method. Biochar served as a carrier to improve the dispersity and reactivity of IOT in soil. The IOT-biochar composite (FeOT-BC) showed balanced impacts on soil properties, increasing pH, organic matter and available nutrients compared to IOT alone. This was due to the buffering effects of biochar. In pot experiments, FeOT-BC significantly promoted rice plant growth compared to IOT alone. The improvements were attributed to the improved soil fertility and increased microbial activities induced by biochar. The results suggest that integrating IOT with biochar can mitigate the negative effects of tailings and convert them into a value-added product. The biochar component can optimize the performance of IOT by moderating soil acidification, enhancing nutrient release from iron minerals, and stimulating microbial activities. The IOT-biochar composite materials integrate the functionalities of both components for optimized soil conditioning effects, providing a promising strategy for comprehensive tailings utilization.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the application of different organic matter, UGmax soil conditioner and simplifications in potato cultivation on the content of dry matter, starch and sugars in tubers of the medium-early edible cultivar 'Satina' after harvest and after long-term storage. The highest dry matter (173.4 g kg−1) and starch (124.6 g kg−1 f. m.) content was obtained with the simultaneous application of a manure with soil conditioner at 100% mineral fertilization. In the case of sugars, the withdrawal of the soil conditioner from the crop proved most beneficial, for total sugars on the stubble intercrop (5.06 g kg−1 f. m.) and for reducing sugars (1.99 g kg−1 f. m.) in the case of straw treatment. Each protection reduction applied resulted in a significant reduction in starch content. In this regard, the withdrawal of herbicides with the simultaneous application of manure and UGmax proved most beneficial. Long-term storage of tubers caused a significant reduction in their quality in terms of dry matter and starch content (average by −3.6 and −2.3%, respectively) and an increase in total and reducing sugars (average by 11.8 and 9.6%, respectively). The decrease in dry matter and starch content was significantly influenced by the 50% reduction in NPK fertilization applied during the growing season, while the application of soil conditioner with full protection contributed to the increase in reducing sugars after storage at 28.9 pts%. Our research is in line with current trends of used potato cultivation technologies focused mainly on environmental protection, so the results of this study can provide a basis for validation for researchers currently engaged in such evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an essay in the field of metallurgical engineering. Calcium chloride was used as chlorination agent to conduct the heavy metals removal experiments for coal fly ash, investigating the effects of calcination temperature, calcination time and amount of CaCl2 on the removal rate of heavy metals. The results of calcination experiments and thermodynamic calculation demonstrate the mechanism of heavy metals removal in fly ash by using chlorinating volatilization method; further, the kinetic model of chlorinating process was discussed. Moreover, the coal fly ash, as raw material, was used to produce soil conditioner which was studied to discover its fertilizing effect by pot experiments. Studies found that the remaining contents of Pb and Cd in mixture were 10.22 g/t and 0.54 g/t, respectively, which meant 89.26% of Pb and 76.88% of Cd were decreased after addition of CaCl2 at high calcination temperature for 40 min. The mineral of mullite, quartz, alumina and disodium oxide in fly ash contributed to the decomposition of CaCl2. PbO and CdO mainly reacted with HCl formed by the decomposition of CaCl2 to form volatile chloride, meaning the oxides do not directly react with CaCl2. thermodynamic models fitting implied that the chlorination of Pb and Cd were controlled by the chemical reaction, and the apparent activation energy of reactions was 84.54 and 44.96 kJ/mol, respectively. Further, the pot experiments showed that the synthesized soil conditioner can improve the condition of the soil, promote nutrient absorption of chives, and improve the quality of chives. The effective calcium content of soil conditional product was increased after the reduction of heavy metals by adding CaCl2. This research provides a method for comprehensive utilization of fly ash.

The objective of this research was to study the effect of soil conditioner in different dosage levels enriched by Trichoderma sp. on cocoa seedling growth and biomass. This research was conducted in glass house Kaliwining,Experimental Station of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Jember, East Java, with rainfall type of D (Schmidt & Ferguson) with relatively flat topography at altitude 45 m above sea level. Complete Randomized Design using four treatments, i. e. no application of soil conditioner (control), the application of 200 grams, 400 grams, and 600 grams/polybags of soil conditioner, with 5 replications and 5 subsamples was engaged for this research. Trichoderma sp. as endophytic fungus has been detected highest in the soil conditioner that enriched with Trichoderma sp. The result of the research was the application of soil conditioner alone or combined with Trichoderma sp. could increase plant growth and plant biomass. This research finding was the addition of Trichoderma sp. with soil conditioner increased the plant growth doubled than soil conditioner alone.

[Objective] To study the effects of soil conditioners on the improvement of heavily cadmium contaminated soil and the absorption and accumulation of cadmium by crops. Method] The surface soil of Enshi area rich in selenium and high cadmium was used as the pot experiment soil, and pepper was used as the test crop. Through pot experiment, the effects of nine soil conditioners on the growth, absorption and accumulation of cadmium in pepper, as well as the change of cadmium morphology in soil were studied. (Result] The application of soil conditioners could significantly reduce the content of cadmium in pepper fruits by 76.35%-90.27%, and T4 soil conditioner (12.99% wheat straw biochar +6.49% superphosphate +64.94% attapulgite +2.60% silicon fertilizer +12.99% shell powder) had the best effect overall. Compared with rapeseed dregs, biochar in experimental group had a significant effect on soil pH. The application of soil conditioner could significantly reduce the content of exchangeable and carbonate-bound cadmium, and promote the conversion of cadmium to the unusable iron-manganese binding state and residue state, and increase the photosynthetic rate of plant leaves and promote plant growth. The correlation between the content of cadmium in pepper fruit and cadmium in soil indicated that pepper could absorb both water-soluble cadmium and carbonate-bound cadmium in soil. [Conclusion] The combination of "12.99% wheat straw biochar +6.49% superphosphate +64.94% attapulgite +2,60% silicon fertilizer + 12.99% shell powder" can effectively reduce the uptake of cadmium by crops in selenium-rich and cadmium-high areas of Enshi. The safe planting of crops in high cadmium area should not only reduce the activities of water-soluble and ion-exchange cadmium, which can be directly used by plants, but also reduce the content of carbonate-bound cadmium, which has potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different types of natural cellulose-based fillers on the properties of Xanthan gum (XG) in order to develop novel bio-based soil conditioners (SCs) that could be used in forestry and agricultural applications. Rheological measurements highlighted that SCs with cellulose fillers characterized by a high aspect ratio and low oxide ash content exhibited an average increase of 21% in yield stress compared to neat Xanthan gum. The presence of cellulose fillers in the composites resulted in a slower water release than that of neat XG, limiting the volumetric shrinkage during the drying process. Furthermore, an analysis of the water absorption and water retention capacity of soils treated with the different SCs was carried out, demonstrating that the addition of 1.8 wt.% of SC with optimized composition to the soil led to an increase in water absorption capacity from 34% up to 69%. From the soil water retention curves, it was observed that the addition of SCs significantly increased the amount of water effectively available for plants in the area between field capacity and permanent wilting point (100–1000 kPa). From practical experiments on grass growth, it was observed that these SCs improved the water regulation of the soil, thus increasing the probability of plant survival under drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron ore tailings (IOT) are industrial solid wastes that pose environmental threats. This study prepared IOT-biochar composite materials as multifunctional soil conditioners through an in-situ growth method. Biochar served as a carrier to improve the dispersity and reactivity of IOT in soil. The IOT-biochar composite (FeOT-BC) showed balanced impacts on soil properties, increasing pH, organic matter and available nutrients compared to IOT alone. This was due to the buffering effects of biochar. In pot experiments, FeOT-BC significantly promoted rice plant growth compared to IOT alone. The improvements were attributed to the improved soil fertility and increased microbial activities induced by biochar. The results suggest that integrating IOT with biochar can mitigate the negative effects of tailings and convert them into a value-added product. The biochar component can optimize the performance of IOT by moderating soil acidification, enhancing nutrient release from iron minerals, and stimulating microbial activities. The IOT-biochar composite materials integrate the functionalities of both components for optimized soil conditioning effects, providing a promising strategy for comprehensive tailings utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophilic amendments can enhance soil moisture content, which, in turn, can improve crop health under drought conditions. Understanding how different hydrogels interact with specific crops is necessary for optimal application. The soil conditioning abilities of a trehalose hydrogel and polyacrylate-based hydrogel were evaluated for tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) subjected to drought. Tomato plants were transplanted into individual pots with soil that contained trehalose hydrogel (0.4 wt%), polyacrylate-based hydrogel (0.4 wt%), or no hydrogel and subjected to a well-watered treatment or to pronounced soil drought, with or without rewatering. The health of tomato plants was monitored by measuring leaf total chlorophyll (a + b) concentration, leaf water potential (Ψleaf), stomatal conductance (g s) and relative growth rate (RGR). The polyacrylate-based hydrogel, but not the trehalose hydrogel, improved tomato plant function under drought conditions, as indicated by improved g s and RGR relative to the well-watered control. However, when subjected to a second drought, neither hydrogel was effective, and neither prolonged survival. The more hydrophilic polyacrylate-based hydrogel demonstrated promise in improving the growth of tomato plants under drought when included as a soil amendment at 0.4 wt%. This research is important for understanding the effects of these hydrogels as soil conditioners in drought prone systems.

Purpose: Poor management of chicken litter by the poultry industry has caused many environmental issues. Biochar’s unique characteristics make poultry litter-to-biochar conversion an intriguing management option thus, could be utilized as an organic fertilizer for plant nutrients. In this research, poultry litter was converted into biochar, which offers a range of possible applications, including analyzing key nutrients, improving air and water quality, conditioning soil, and neutralizing acidic soils.Method: Fresh poultry litter was pyrolyzed for 20 minutes at a temperature of 500 oC in an oxygen-restricted muffle furnace to produce biochar. The biochar was examined chemically and physically using a variety of techniques. These included microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES), the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG).Results: The pyrolysis output was 56.38%, 32.20% ash, 2.00% moisture, 0.60 kg/m3 bulk density, pH 9.65, and 0.00314 dS/m EC. The mineral elemental analysis gave 621.73 mg/kg calcium, 63.65 mg/kg potassium, 48.94 mg/kg magnesium, 13.14 mg/kg sodium, and 11.85 mg/kg phosphorus. FTIR showed the presence of functional groups which could act as cation adsorbents. SEM pictures showed the sample’s amorphous, non-uniform surface. TGA and DTG curves showed mass loss and sample breakdown as the temperature climbed.Conclusion: Poultry litter converted to biochar can act as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner to address mineral deficits in fruits and vegetables grown in acidic soils. This is a good way to recycle agricultural trash.

The addition of silicon (Si) and organic fertilizers to soil conditioners can inhibit the transfer of heavy metal ions from soil to crops. However, it is not clear how Si and organic fertilizers affect soil properties and the micro-ecological environment and thereby reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice. In this study, the effects of L-type soil conditioners containing Si and organic fertilizers on bacterial and fungal community diversity, soil pH, organic matter, and available Si were analyzed with field experiments at two sites in Liuzhou City and Hezhou City, respectively, in Guangxi, China. With the increase of Si and organic fertilizer content in soil conditioner, rice yield respectively increased by 16.8–25.8 and 6.8–13.1%, and rice Cd content decreased significantly by 8.2–21.1 and 10.8–40.6%, respectively, at the two experimental sites. Soil microbiome analysis showed that the increase in abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota bacteria associated with Cd adsorption and sequestration, and Basidiomycota fungal populations associated with degradation of macromolecules favored the inhibition of soil Cd activity (soil exchangeable Cd decreased by 14.4–14.8 and 18.1–20.6%). This was associated with an increase in organic matter and Si content caused by applying soil conditioners. In conclusion, L-type soil conditioners, rich in Si and organic fertilizer, can reduce soil Cd bioavailability by regulating the dominant Cd passivating flora in the soil and ultimately reduce Cd accumulation in rice.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the application of different organic matter, UGmax soil conditioner and simplifications in potato cultivation on the content of dry matter, starch and sugars in tubers of the medium-early edible cultivar ‘Satina’ after harvest and after long-term storage. The highest dry matter (173.4 g kg−1) and starch (124.6 g kg−1 f. m.) content was obtained with the simultaneous application of a manure with soil conditioner at 100% mineral fertilization. In the case of sugars, the withdrawal of the soil conditioner from the crop proved most beneficial, for total sugars on the stubble intercrop (5.06 g kg−1 f. m.) and for reducing sugars (1.99 g kg−1 f. m.) in the case of straw treatment. Each protection reduction applied resulted in a significant reduction in starch content. In this regard, the withdrawal of herbicides with the simultaneous application of manure and UGmax proved most beneficial. Long-term storage of tubers caused a significant reduction in their quality in terms of dry matter and starch content (average by −3.6 and −2.3%, respectively) and an increase in total and reducing sugars (average by 11.8 and 9.6%, respectively). The decrease in dry matter and starch content was significantly influenced by the 50% reduction in NPK fertilization applied during the growing season, while the application of soil conditioner with full protection contributed to the increase in reducing sugars after storage at 28.9 pts%. Our research is in line with current trends of used potato cultivation technologies focused mainly on environmental protection, so the results of this study can provide a basis for validation for researchers currently engaged in such evaluation.

Sustainable cropping systems can enhance the development of young coffee plants under drought conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of coffee plants grown under different cover crops, soil conditioners, and fertilizers to reduce the effects of water scarcity. The treatments were the association of soil cover management (Urochloa decumbens, polyethylene film, and bare soil), fertilizers (conventional and controlled release), and soil conditioners (coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, water-retaining polymer, organic compost, and control). The assessments carried out were the growth, physiology, and anatomy of coffee plants and soil moisture and resistance to penetration. A multivariate analysis of the results was performed. The coffee plants grown with soil cover (Urochloa decumbens) and organic conditioners (coffee husk and organic compost) had better agronomic performance and higher soil moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable management of coffee plants can enhance crop growth and yield, improving the plant environment due to the increase in soil's water storage, leading to a healthier and more productive crop. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of soil coverings, soil conditioners, and controlled-release fertilizer on the growth and yield of coffee plants in the first productive biennium. The factors under study were arranged in a 3 × 2 × 5 split plot-factorial experiment, totaling 30 treatments, in a randomized block design with three replications. In the plots, three soil managements were randomized (soil cover in the rows with polyethylene film, soil cover with the ecological management of Urochloa decumbens, and conventional management of spontaneous vegetation). In the subplots, two types of fertilizers used in the fertilization of coffee plants (conventional and controlled-release fertilizer) were tested. In the main plot were tried four soil conditioners (coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, water-retaining polymer, organic compound) and the control without conditioner. Using Urochloa decumbens + coffee husk/organic compound + controlled-release fertilizers resulted in higher growth and yield of the coffee plants. So, sustainable techniques resulted in better plant nutrition and ensured increasing yields, without the effect of bienniality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Erosion and tillage changes negatively the soil physical structure, which directly impacts agricultural systems and consequently food security. To mitigate these adverse modifications, different polymeric materials from synthetic and natural sources, have been used as soil conditioners to improve the hydro-mechanical behavior of affected soils. One of the most interesting and used natural polymers is the alginate hydrogel. Although commercially available alginate hydrogels are primarily sourced from algal, they can also be sourced from bacteria. The gelation capacity of these hydrogels is determined by their molecular properties, which, in turn, are influenced by the production conditions. Bacterial alginate hydrogel production offers the advantage of precise control over environmental conditions during cultivation and extraction, thereby maintaining and enhancing their molecular properties. This, in turn, results in higher molecular weight and improved gelation capacity. In this study, we compared the effects of bacterial alginate (BH) and algal alginate (AH) hydrogels over the mechanical, hydraulic, and structural behavior of coarse quartz sand as a model soil. Mechanically, it was observed that the treatment with the lowest concentration of bacteria alginate hydrogel (BH1) reached higher values of yield strength, Young's modulus (E), shear modulus (G) and strain energy (U) than those treatments with algal alginate hydrogel (AH). Furthermore, the increase in the aggregate stability could be associated with the improvement of mechanical parameters. On the other hand, a greater water retention capacity was observed in the BH treatments, as well as a greater decrease in hydraulic conductivity with respect to the AH and control treatments. All these changes could be explained by the formation of bridge-like structures between the sand particles and the hydrogel, and this alteration may result in a shift in the mechanical and wettability characteristics of the treated soils. Finally, our findings emphasize the superior impact of bacterial alginate hydrogel on enhancing the mechanical and hydraulic properties of coarse quartz sand compared to traditional algal alginate. Besides, the use of bacterial alginate hydrogel could be useful to counteract erosion and water scarcity scenarios in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Salinity is one of the major obstacles to agriculture in semi-arid regions, as it affects the physiological processes, growth, and yield of numerous crops. Hence, the application of salt stress attenuators is of paramount importance, as it enables the use of saline water for agricultural purposes. Among these, humic acid promotes the growth as well as water and nutrient uptake of plants. To this end, the present study evaluated the effects of humic acid on the growth and physiology of Carica papaya seedlings irrigated with saline water. The experiment followed the randomized block design with five levels of electrical conductivity (0.5, 1.15, 2.75, 4.35, and 5.0 dS m-1) and five concentrations of humic acid (0.5, 0.94, 2.0, 3.06, and 3.5 mL L-1). Growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were evaluated. Irrigation with 4.9 dS m-1 water and application of 3.05 mL L-1 humic acid promoted the growth of papaya seedlings. Irrigation with high-salinity water (4.96 and 3.09 dS m-1) coupled with the application of 3.05 and 2.21 mL L-1 humic acid increased internal CO2 concentration, transpiration, instantaneous water use efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, and chlorophyll b content. Overall, humic acid (3.5 mL L-1) attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress, promoting the growth and improving the performance of papaya seedlings under moderate salinity (4 dS m-1).

【Objective】To explore the effects of continuous application of soil conditioner quicklime and organic fertilizer on the growth, development, and yield components of maize in acidic soil in the southeastern region of Liaoning.【Methods】From 2019 to 2021 field experiments were conducted in Fengcheng City, Liaoning Province. Four treatments were set up including no application of soil conditioner (CK), quicklime (CaO), organic fertilizer (Organic), and organic fertilizer+quicklime (Organic+CaO) . The effects of continuous application of soil conditioner on maize plant traits, dry matter accumulation, yield components, and other indicators were analyzed.【Results】From 2019 to 2021, the maize yield of CaO treatment were all higher than CK. The yield of Organic and Organic+CaO treatments were higher than CK in the first two years and were lower than the CK in the third year of continuous application. The yield increase of CaO treatment were in the range of 2.12% to 19.74%. The yield increase rates of Organic+CaO treatment were 15.74% and 7.89% in the first two years, respectively. But there was no yield increase effect in the third year of application. The year, soil conditioner, and their interaction had extremely significant effect (P<0.01) on maize yield. The yield of CaO and Organic+CaO treatments were significantly higher (P<0.05) than CK and the Organic treatments. The ear number of CaO treatment was significantly higher (P<0.05) than CK. CaO and Organic+CaO treatments had significantly higher (P<0.05) kernel number per ear and kernel number per hectare than that of CK and Organic treatment. 1 000-kernel weight in Organic+CaO treatment was significantly higher (P<0.05) than all other treatments. Yield was significantly positively correlated (P<0.05) with kernel number per ear (R2=0.614) and kernel number per hectare (R2=0.746) . Continuous application of soil conditioner could improve plant height, ear height, and the ratio of ear height to plant height of maize. And the effect on ear height was more than the effect on plant height. Leaf area index (LAI) increased rapidly in early growth stages and decreased slowly in later growth stages. The effects were more obvious for Organic+CaO and Organic treatments. Applying soil conditioner promoted the dry matter accumulation and post floral dry matter accumulation of all the growth stages. The effect of Organic+CaO treatment was better than that of Organic and CaO treatments.【Conclusion】Continuous application of CaO and Organic+CaO on acidic soil promoted the maize growth and development. However, from the yield prospective, when using Organic+CaO as soil conditioner in the southeastern region of Liaoning, continuous application for more than two years should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasonable fertilization management can increase nutrient content and enzyme activity in rhizosphere soil, and even increase soil microbial richness. However, different fertilizers could raise distinct influences on the soil properties, including soil environmental factors (physicochemical properties and enzymatic activities) and microbial community. Here, the effects of two soil amendments (microbial fertilizer and woody peat) on environmental factors and microbial community structure in tobacco rhizosphere soil were evaluated, with the correlations between microbes and environmental factors explored. As the results, microbial fertilizer could effectively alleviate soil acidification, increase available potassium and organic matter contents in soil, and was also beneficial to increase nitrate reductase activity in rhizosphere soil. Fertilizers cause changes in the abundance of certain microbes in the soil. Besides, it was shown that the candidate phyla Gal15, Acidobacterota, Latescibacterota, Mortierellommycota, Basidiomycota, and Rozellomycota in tobacco rhizosphere soil had significant correlation with soil environmental factors. Through the functional analysis of these populations, it can be deduced that the changes in the abundance of certain microorganisms may be an important reason for the differences in environmental factors. All these indicated that the differences of environmental factors in different treatments are closely related to the abundance of some special soil microorganisms. Studying the life activities of these microbes would provide good guidance for exploring the interaction among crops, soil, and microorganisms and improving crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Actual aerobic anaerobic combination treatment is evaluated by life cycle assessment. • Environmental burden is mainly from rice husk addition and reduced by soil conditioner. • Aerobic composting contributes 79% global warming potential impacts of the plant. • Soil conditioner and biogas generation bring both environmental and economic benefits. After the implementation of waste sorting policy in Shanghai, the amount of food waste (FW) separation and treatment demand has increased significantly. It is necessary to establish the life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental impacts of various treatment technologies comprehensively, thus provide support for sorting, recycling, treatment and disposal strategies of FW. In this study, a local FW treatment plant in Shanghai, using typically aerobic anaerobic combination treatment technology was selected to analyze the environmental impacts with LCA. The process mainly included pretreatment, power, aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion, and further process systems. LCA results showed that the environmental impacts mainly came from the power and aerobic composting systems on the fine particulate matter formation and eutrophication, and freshwater ecotoxicity and terrestrial acidification, respectively. Considering the carbon footprint, the aerobic composting system contributed 3.61E + 02 kg CO 2 eq and represented the largest source of carbon emission. The soil conditioner yielded both environmental benefits on eutrophication and terrestrial ecotoxicity, and ecological benefits of 75.33 million CNY per year being the major revenue for the treatment plant. It also suggested that the biogas generation capacity of anaerobic digestion could be increased to achieve electricity self-sufficiency, thus save about 7.12 million CNY per year in electricity costs, and avoid corresponding environmental impacts caused by coal-fired. In summary, the aerobic anaerobic combination treatment could be further optimized and applied in FW treatment to reduce the environmental impacts, and enhance resource recovery and secondary pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The area of Cd-contaminated wheat farmland is large worldwide, to achieve safe wheat production in Cd-contaminated farmland, it is necessary to take cost-effective measures to mitigate the Cd accumulation in wheat plants. A pot experiment was conducted in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of sepiolite and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) as soil amendment, in combination with different leaf barriers, for mitigating Cd translocation and accumulation in wheat plants grown in farmland soil contaminated with Cd. The application of soil amendment either alone or in conjunction with foliage supplementation of Si, Ca or Zn significantly reduced soil DTPA-extractable Cd by 27.97%-34.58% and grain Cd concentration by 18.69%-43.61% respectively. Exogenous Si/Ca/Zn spray had an additive effect in reducing Cd in wheat grain grown on sepiolite + KDP treated soil, with increased dosages of foliar barriers resulting in decreased grain Cd concentrations. The lowest concentration of Cd (0.60 mg·kg-1) in wheat grain was observed with foliar spraying a higher dosage of Si and soil application of sepiolite + KDP treatment (ASi-H). These results suggest that soil application of sepiolite + KDP combined with foliar application of Si/Ca/Zn, especially Si, could be an efficient and low-cost method for remediating Cd-contaminated alkaline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Low organic matter content and alkaline pH of calcareous soils in arid and semi-arid regions are the main reasons for the low nutrient availabilities for plants in these soils. One way to improve the chemical properties and fertility of calcareous soils is the application of organic substances such as biochar produced from pyrolysis of organic wastes. However, biochars have an almost predominant alkaline pH, which exacerbates plant nutrient deficiencies in calcareous soils when used for a long time. Pyrolysis of some organic wastes under controlled temperature conditions can lead to the production of acidic biochar. The effect of acidic biochars on several chemical properties of two calcareous soils in Isfahan province was investigated in the present study. Treatments included two types of biochar (pine cone and rice husk), three levels of biochar addition (one, three, and six percent), two types of soil (a sandy loam (Tiran) and a clay loam (Lavark)), and two incubation periods (one and six months). The results showed that applying biochar could slightly decrease soil pH but raised soil electrical conductivity. In addition, the amount of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available concentration of manganese in all treatments and the concentrations of available phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and copper in the most of treatments showed a significant increase compared to the control. Amending soil with biochar at a 6% rate caused the most significant changes in the measured parameters in both soil types. In general, the results of this study indicated that acidic biochar produced from pine cones and rice husk can be used as a suitable conditioner to improve the chemical properties and fertility of calcareous soils.

The aims of this study are to determine the effect of Sabah ragi on food waste and dry leaves composting as well as to compare the composting performance from a previous study that had no addition of Sabah ragi. The composting process was conducted using an in-vessel passive aerated bioreactor with turning every 3 days for 40 days. Based on the physiochemical analysis, the stability and maturity of the compost were evaluated. Parameters such as temperature, total organic carbon, moisture content, pH, conductivity, and C/N were monitored. During the composting process, the highest temperature of 54.2 °C and the highest heat generation rate per initial mass of compost dry matter of 4098 kJ kg−1 day−1 was achieved on day 7. Furthermore, when compared to previous studies, this study achieved a faster thermophilic phase (≥45 °C), a longer thermophilic period (4 days), and a higher cumulative temperature. Elementary kinetic analysis was performed based on the TOC profile and evaluated using coefficient correlation (R2). In this study, application of the second-order model resulted in good responses. Low pathogen levels and higher nitrogen content were detected in the final compost, while some of the nutrients were not in the recommended range. An estimated ragi cost of RM 1.22 was required for every 1 kg of compost with a selling price of RM 6.00/kg of compost.

Field studies were conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2020 in the south-central and Coastal Bend regions of Texas to determine the effects of various biostimulants, soil additives, and plant protectants on corn growth and yield. In south-central Texas, the use of pop-up fertilizer (9-30-0 + Zn) either alone or in combination with either 2% N, bifenthrin, or bifenthrin + pyraclostrobin resulted in the greatest corn vigor but a yield response was only noted with pop-up fertilizer alone at 28,062 or 46,771 mL ha−1 in one year. In the Coastal Bend region, leaf tissue analysis showed that only Fe was affected with the use of any soil additive. Bacillus licheniformis + Bacillus megaterium + Bacillus pumilus increased Fe leaf tissue content by 20% over the untreated check. Radicoat seed coating at 438 mL ha−1 reduced corn plant stand by 10%, and Pseudomonas brassicaceanum reduced corn height when compared with the untreated check; however, no differences in test weight or yield from the untreated check were noted with any soil additives. Little if any impacts of the use of biostimulants, soil amendments, or plant protectants were seen in these studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, through field experiments, the effects of different proportions of earthworm fertilizer mixed with soil conditioner SA1(1.50 kg/m² of earthworm fertilizer, 3.00 kg/m² of soil conditioner), SA2(2.25 kg/m² of earthworm fertilizer, 2.25 kg/m² of soil conditioner), SA3(3.00 kg/m² of earthworm fertilizer, 1.50 kg/m² of soil conditioner), and the control on the physical and chemical properties of saline alkali soil and the growth of Leymus chinensis were studied, in order to provide some theoretical support for the improvement of saline alkali land with earthworm fertilizer mixed with soil conditioner. The results show that earthworm fertilizer mixed with soil conditioner could effectively improve the physical properties of saline alkali soil. Compared with the control, the soil moisture content of SA1, SA2, and SA3 significantly increased by 3.32%, 12.96% and 27.68%, respectively, and the bulk density decreased by 4.61%, 3.31%, and 6.62%. Earthworm fertilizer mixed with soil conditioner could effectively improve the chemical properties of saline alkali soil. Compared with the control, the pH of SA1, SA2, and SA3 decreased by 5.18%, 8.15%, and 5.73%. Compared with the control, organic matter and available nutrients were significantly improved. The increase of available phosphorus was the most significant, the value of SA1, SA2, and SA3 increased by 54.67%, 105.95%, and 129.76%. Compared with the control, the plant height, biomass, and leaf area of SA1, SA2, and SA3 significantly increased. The increase of the plant height, biomass, and leaf area of SA3was the most obvious and reached the level of significance, the values increased by 12.36%, 136.34%, and 96.53%, respectively. According to principal component analysis, the comprehensive improvement effect of SA3 was the best, with a score of 2.70. In conclusion, applying earthworm fertilizer mixed with soil conditioner could be an effective measure to improve the physical and chemical properties of saline alkali land and promote the growth of Leymus chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to propagate lipote cuttings through clonal propagation using different growth hormones. The clones were raised in a non-misted closed chamber and transplanted into polyethylene bags for observation of their early growth. The growth performance of the clones was analyzed in terms of height, diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, leaf area, shoot biomass, root biomass, and total biomass. After three months, the study was terminated, and analysis of variance showed significant differences in percent survival, chlorophyll content, shoot biomass, and root biomass. Treatment 2, which used a mixture of garden soil and vermicompost at a 1:1 ratio, produced the best results in different growth parameters measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gypsum has been used in tropical and subtropical clayey soils under no-till to manage subsurface acidity, but its interaction with nitrogen (N) fertilization in maize (Zea mays L.) is still underexplored. The objectives of this study were to evaluate topdressing N rates (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha−1 named N0, N100, and N200, respectively) applied to maize over the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 crop seasons in a gypsum experiment (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 Mg ha−1) that started in 2009. Soil chemical attributes, forage yield at the milky grain stage, forage bromatological quality, nutrient content, apparent N recovery efficiency (RE), and grain yield were evaluated. Residual effects of gypsum were found through higher Ca2+ and S-SO42− levels and lower Mg2+ levels in deeper soil layers. Topdressing N increased the mineral N levels at depth. Forage biomass increased by 18% and 32% on average with N100 and N200, respectively. N rates increased the forage nutrient content of all evaluated elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S). Forage digestibility and protein content were improved by N rates. The rate of N100 presented higher RE, whereas forage and grain yield with N100 were equivalent to those with N200. Grain yield increased with the residual effect of gypsum in the absence of N fertilization in one growing season. The residual effect of gypsum associated with N fertilization on maize presented no synergistic effect on forage or grain yield, while topdressing N rates improved maize attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different types of natural cellulose-based fillers on the properties of Xanthan gum (XG) in order to develop novel bio-based soil conditioners (SCs) that could be used in forestry and agricultural applications. Rheological measurements highlighted that SCs with cellulose fillers characterized by a high aspect ratio and low oxide ash content exhibited an average increase of 21% in yield stress compared to neat Xanthan gum. The presence of cellulose fillers in the composites resulted in a slower water release than that of neat XG, limiting the volumetric shrinkage during the drying process. Furthermore, an analysis of the water absorption and water retention capacity of soils treated with the different SCs was carried out, demonstrating that the addition of 1.8 wt.% of SC with optimized composition to the soil led to an increase in water absorption capacity from 34% up to 69%. From the soil water retention curves, it was observed that the addition of SCs significantly increased the amount of water effectively available for plants in the area between field capacity and permanent wilting point (100–1000 kPa). From practical experiments on grass growth, it was observed that these SCs improved the water regulation of the soil, thus increasing the probability of plant survival under drought conditions.

Planting and harvesting coffee produces large amounts of waste biomass. This waste biomass has great economic and ecological potential. The presented information of the O2HC procedure (organic to hydrogen and carbon) shows possibilities for using these materials with influences on climate targets, soil improvement, CO2-reduction and economic benefit. The lecture is oriented more towards the possibilities of structural improvements and practical experiences for the farmers.

Charcoal is a carbon-rich organic matter, which serves as a soil conditioner when applied to agricultural fields. When used in combination with nitrogen fertilizers, it has a synergistic effect that boosts plant growth. However, charcoal application alone or in combination with nitrogen fertilizer on vegetable crops is not fully understood. Therefore, a pots experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of charcoal and nitrogen levels on the growth and yield of broccoli. The variety of broccoli used was Centauro. The experiment was laid out in a two-factor Completely Randomized Design with five replications during the winter season of 2019–2020 at Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal. Treatments consisted of four levels of charcoal (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% per weight of soil) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 187.5 and 375 kg N ha–1). Results revealed that increasing nitrogen levels from 0 to 375 kg N ha–1 significantly increased the number of leaves, leaf area, head diameter, head weight and aboveground biomass. The maximum head weight per plant (258.77 g) was found by applying a nitrogen level of 375 kg N ha–1 and the lowest value at 0 kg N ha–1. The application of increasing levels of charcoal significantly improved root length, leaf area and head diameter. It was concluded from the results that the optimum nitrogen level for broccoli production could be 375 kg N ha–1.

Copyright of Journal of Guangxi Normal University - Natural Science Edition is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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

Rhizosphere bacteria can have wide-ranging effects on their host plants, influencing plant biochemical and structural characteristics, and overall productivity. The implications of plant-microbe interactions provides an opportunity to interfere agriculture ecosystem with exogenous regulation of soil microbial community. Therefore, how to efficiently predict soil bacterial community at low cost is becoming a practical demand. Here, we hypothesize that foliar spectral traits can predict the diversity of bacterial community in orchard ecosystem. We tested this hypothesis by studying the ecological linkages between foliar spectral traits and soil bacterial community in a peach orchard in Yanqing, Beijing in 2020. Foliar spectral indexes were strongly correlated with alpha bacterial diversity and abundant genera that can promote soil nutrient conversion and utilization, such as Blastococcus, Solirubrobacter, and Sphingomonas at fruit mature stage. Certain unidentified or relative abundance

In this work, bio-based hydrogel composites of xanthan gum and cellulose fibers were developed to be used both as soil conditioners and topsoil covers, to promote plant growth and forest protection. The rheological, morphological, and water absorption properties of produced hydrogels were comprehensively investigated, together with the analysis of the effect of hydrogel addition to the soil. Specifically, the moisture absorption capability of these hydrogels was above 1000%, even after multiple dewatering/rehydration cycles. Moreover, the soil treated with 1.8 wt% of these materials increased the water absorption capacity by approximately 60% and reduced the water evaporation rate, due to the formation of a physical network between the soil, xanthan gum and cellulose fibers. Practical experiments on the growth of herbaceous and tomato plants were also performed, showing that the addition of less than 2 wt% of hydrogels into the soil resulted in higher growth rate values than untreated soil. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the use of the produced topsoil covers helped promote plant growth. The exceptional water-regulating properties of the investigated materials could allow for the development of a simple, inexpensive and scalable technology to be extensively applied in forestry and/or agricultural applications, to improve plant resilience and face the challenges related to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of successive applications of increasing biochar rates along with other mineral fertilizers and poultry manure on onion nutrition and yield. The experiment consisted of 2 (agricultural year) × 11 (treatments) factorial combinations over two cropping years (2017 and 2018). Thus, 11 treatments were tested as follows: C = control; MF = mineral fertilizer; PM = poultry manure; B1+ MF = 1 Mg ha−1 of biochar+MF; B1+ PM = 1 Mg ha−1 of biochar+PM; B2+ MF = 2 Mg ha−1 of biochar+MF; B2+ PM = 2 Mg ha−1 of biochar+PM; B4+ MF = 4 Mg ha−1 of biochar+MF; B4+ PM = 4 Mg ha−1 of biochar+PM; B10+ MF = 10 Mg ha−1 of biochar+MF; B10+ PM = 10 Mg ha−1 of biochar+PM. The highest onion yield (39.9 Mg ha−1) was obtained in 2017 with the biochar rate of 5.9 Mg ha−1 while an increase of 308 kg ha−1 in onion yield was found for each Mg ha−1 of biochar added to soil in 2018. The use of biochar combined with mineral fertilizers increased onion yield; and the use of biochar combined with poultry manure improved soil fertility status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract：This study is to explore the effects of different biochar-based soil conditioners on the amelioration of acidic soil in vegetable fields. Using quicklime, fly ash, steel slag, and biochar as raw materials, nine biochar-based soil conditioners were prepared by employing an orthogonal test of four factors and three levels. The dosages of lime, fly ash, and steel slag were 0, 2.5 g·kg-1, and 5.0 g·kg-1, and the dosages of biochar were 0, 25.0 g·kg-1, and 50.0 g·kg-1. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of these soil conditioners on soil quality, vegetable yield, and nutrient uptake with four replicates. With the application of different biochar-based soil conditioners, soil pH, soil exchangeable Ca, and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) significantly (P<0.05) increased by 0.82-1.75 units, 38.52% - 122.63%, and 41.10%-78.65%, respectively. Soil microbial abundance was promoted, especially for Lysobacter and Massilia. The uptake of N, P, and K by lettuce increased by 7.94%-64.79%, and lettuce yield increased by 8.03%-16.68%. However, the soil′ s alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen content decreased significantly. There were no significant effects of treatments on soil urease or catalase activity. The contents of soil organic matter, total N, available P, available K, and exchangeable Mg, and the activities of soil phosphatase and invertase all increased upon the addition of soil conditioners with proper material ratios. Biochar-based soil conditioners were effective at ameliorating acidic soil in vegetable fields. The optimal combination of quicklime, fly ash, steel slag, and biochar involved an input of 5.0, 2.5, 5.0 g·kg-1, and 50.0 g·kg-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a versatile carbon-rich organic material originating from pyrolyzed biomass residues that possess the potential to stabilize organic carbon in the soil, improve soil fertility and water retention, and enhance plant growth. For the utilization of biochar as a soil conditioner, the mutual interconnection of the physicochemical properties of biochar with the production conditions used during the pyrolysis (temperature, heating rate, residence time) and the role of the origin of used biomass seem to be crucial. The aim of the research was focused on a comparison of the properties of biochar samples (originated from oat brans, mixed woodcut, corn residues and commercial compost) produced at different temperatures (400–700 °C) and different residence times (10 and 60 min). The results indicated similar structural features of produced biochar samples; nevertheless, the original biomass showed differences in physicochemical properties. The morphological and structural analysis showed well-developed aromatic porous structures for biochar samples originated from oat brans, mixed woodcut and corn residues. The higher pyrolysis temperature resulted in lower yields; however, it provided products with higher content of organic carbon and a more developed surface area. The lignocellulose biomass with higher contents of lignin is an attractive feedstock material for the production of biochar with potential agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction and safe disposal of sewage sludge remains an urgent problem worldwide. In this work, biochar prepared from co−pyrolysis of sewage sludge and cotton stalk at different mix ratios and different pyrolysis temperatures was prepared using a novel microwave-assisted auger reactor. The obtained biochar samples were mixed with selected soil samples at different mix ratios for a short−term plant−growing test to examine their abilities as a soil conditioner on nitrogen fixation and retention. The addition of biochar could increase the total nitrogen in the soil to 0.3951% compared to 0.0403% in the untreated soil, while the concentration of available nitrogen could be increased to 114.45 mg·kg−1 compared to 47.95 mg·kg−1 in the untreated soil. Moreover, the introduction of biochar to the soil also contributed to the growth of corn seedlings, which grew at a rate of 3.41 cm·d−1 compared to 3.03 cm·d−1 in untreated soil. The results show that the addition of biochar can enrich total soil nitrogen before and after incubation and promote the growth of corn seedlings, providing a potential route for the safe disposal and resource recovery of sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Among the innovative practices of dry-farming in recent years, the possibility of the combined use of biostimulants and soil conditioners is assuming an important role. In a preliminary pot experiment, this study aimed to verify the combined effects of Ascophyllum nodosum-based biostimulant and zeolite applied to the soil on gas-exchange and spinach growth. We also monitored the soil water content to study the effect on spinach soil water uptake. Pots were filled with soil to which zeolite and an Ascophyllum nodosum-based biostimulant were added. Spinach plants grew into pots and were subjected to four treatments: (1) soil plus zeolite at a percentage of 1%, (2) soil plus the biostimulant, (3) soil plus zeolite at 1% and biostimulant, (4) bare soil as control. The use of the zeolite and the A. nodosum-based biostimulant led to a higher (+10%) soil water content, highlighting the positive role in allowing a good water uptake by the spinach plant. Plant growth was not changed, while only photosynthesis showed an increase equal to 6% in spinach plants. These results are discussed with the soil water content variation according to modification induced by treatments. The combined use of zeolite and A. nodosum-based biostimulant can be considered a strategy to improve water storage and, at the same time, improve spinach cultivation in terms of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Poor management of chicken litter by the poultry industry has caused many environmental issues. Biochar's unique characteristics make poultry litter-to-biochar conversion an intriguing management option thus, could be utilized as an organic fertilizer for plant nutrients. In this research, poultry litter was converted into biochar, which offers a range of possible applications, including analyzing key nutrients, improving air and water quality, conditioning soil, and neutralizing acidic soils. Method: Fresh poultry litter was pyrolyzed for 20 minutes at a temperature of 500 °C in an oxygen-restricted muffle furnace to produce biochar. The biochar was examined chemically and physically using a variety of techniques. These included microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES), the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG). Results: The pyrolysis output was 56.38%, 32.20% ash, 2.00% moisture, 0.60 kg/m³ bulk density, pH 9.65, and 0.00314 dS/m EC. The mineral elemental analysis gave 621.73 mg/kg calcium, 63.65 mg/kg potassium, 48.94 mg/kg magnesium, 13.14 mg/kg sodium, and 11.85 mg/kg phosphorus. FTIR showed the presence of functional groups which could act as cation adsorbents. SEM pictures showed the sample's amorphous, non-uniform surface. TGA and DTG curves showed mass loss and sample breakdown as the temperature climbed. Conclusion: Poultry litter converted to biochar can act as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner to address mineral deficits in fruits and vegetables grown in acidic soils. This is a good way to recycle agricultural trash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic ash is a multi‐nutrient mineral fertilizer whose catalytic mechanism of action, replenishing trace metals are necessary for soil bacterial enzymes for the efficient biogeochemical cycling of key elements, such as N, C, P, and S, ensures use of relatively small amounts to fertilize large soil surfaces. Chiefly demonstrated in the course of the 2010 s in Russia's Kamchatka and in Indonesia, two world's areas hosting highly active volcanoes, these findings remain poorly known. Fulfilling the principles of the emerging circular economy, the large‐scale use of readily available and overabundant tephra as agricultural fertilizer is a significant economic opportunity for both farmers and populations living near active volcanoes, affording also important environmental advantages. Providing a unified picture, this study will hopefully accelerate such progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]