Abstract Agricultural Waste Research Articles

Agricultural waste upcycling into improved production of triacyl glycerol acyl hydrolases

Abstract Agricultural waste upcycling is crucial in the context of climate change. Utilizing seven agricultural by-products as basal substrates, coconut meal (Cocos nucifera) emerged as the most efficient, supporting the highest extracellular lipase (triacyl glycerol acyl hydrolases) yield i.e., 5.27 ± 1.75a U mL−1. This study explored the production of extracellular lipases through solid-state fermentation by using co-cultures of Aspergillus niger, wild and mutant strains. Optimization experiments revealed that 30 g of coconut meal resulted is optimal for supporting highest lipases activity of 6.16 ± 0.16a U mL−1. Incubation at 30 °C, 1 mL inoculum size, and distilled water as a diluent further enhanced lipolytic activity. The study identified sucrose as the preferred carbon source, with 4 % concentration demonstrating the highest activity at 13.66 ± 0.33a U mL−1. Supplementary sources like 1 % olive oil and nitrogen sources such as ammonium chloride and peptone significantly increased lipases production. Magnesium sulfate (0.25 %) among metal ions exhibited the highest lipolytic potential i.e., 19.98 ± 0.01a U mL−1. The crude lipases displayed optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 30 °C, with positive effects observed for Fe2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, while Co2+, Na+, and Hg2+ had negative impacts on lipases activity. This research not only contributes to understanding the factors influencing lipase production and activity, but also serves as an agricultural waste upcycling technique.

Impacts of Changing Postharvest Agricultural Practices on Abundance of Waste Grain in California's Central Valley

Abstract Agricultural waste grains are significant for providing nutrients for wintering waterfowl in California. Rice and corn comprise 56% of their nutrient needs in the Central Valley and changes to agricultural practices, such as postharvest treatments, could impact these food resources. Currently, limited data exist on how postharvest treatments in rice and corn fields affect the abundance of waste grain, yet these data are essential to determine the carrying capacity of agricultural lands for wintering waterfowl. To address this knowledge gap, we estimated the abundance of waste grain (kg/ha) using dry field transects, dry field soil cores, and flooded field (wet) soil cores. In 2016 and 2017, we sampled 84 rice fields and 47 corn fields. Our results indicate that the abundance of waste rice varied significantly among postharvest treatments. Fields that received no postharvest treatment (stubble left standing; no incorporation of straw) had the greatest amounts of waste rice, whereas fields that were disced, disced and rolled, or burned provided the least amount of waste rice. The average abundance of waste rice across all postharvest treatments was 320 kg/ha in dry fields (arithmetic mean; geometric mean = 228 kg/ha; soil core samples). Estimates of waste rice in flooded fields averaged only 169 kg/ha (geometric mean 98 kg/ha; soil core samples), significantly lower than in the same fields prior to flooding. Variation in the abundance of waste corn was greater than that of waste rice. Fields that did not receive any postharvest incorporation had the greatest abundance of waste corn, 233 kg/ha on average (arithmetic mean; geometric mean = 72 kg/ha), whereas fields that were incorporated (disced or disced and rolled) contained significantly lower abundance of waste corn, averaging 50–60 kg/ha (arithmetic mean; geometric mean = 5–10 kg/ha). The average, across all postharvest treatments, was 159 kg/ha of waste corn (geometric mean = 25–34 kg/ha). Our results suggest that postharvest practices affect the abundance of waste grain in rice and corn fields; changes in these practices could impact food availability for wintering waterfowl. Our results also indicate that the method of sampling waste grain can influence estimates of residual grain abundance.

Assessment of Fertilizer Quality in Horse Waste-Based Bokashi Fertilizer Formulations

Agricultural waste is a type of solid waste that needs to be managed properly. Organic waste can be recycled to produce bokashi fertilizer, which can be used to improve soil health, increase crop production, and sanitize the environment. However, it may contain heavy metals that could be toxic to plants and can pollute the environment if not properly decomposed. This study was designed to evaluate the fertilizer quality of six different bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs) over seven- and thirty-day maturation periods. The raw materials used include horse bedding waste (HBW), cow dung (CD), and paddy husk charcoal (PHC) in different ratios, treated with an effective microorganisms (EM4) solution. All the nutrients studied (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) were significantly affected by the bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs). The best bokashi fertilizer ratio was bokashi fertilizer ratio-6 (bfr6), but it was statistically similar to bokashi fertilizer ratio-5 (bfr5). Its N, P, K, Mg, and Ca contents were higher than the control (bfr1) by 133.9%, 225.5%, 196.4%, 105.0%, and 84.7%, respectively. Similarly, all these nutrients were significantly affected by time. N, P, K, and Mg increased by 21.2, 33.0%, 16.4%, and 28.8%, respectively, after 30 days of maturation, with a decrease in Ca only 2.4%, which was not significant A germination index (GI) of 90.1% was obtained using cabbage seeds. The heavy metals result and germination bioassay confirmed the safety and maturity of the bokashi fertilizer. In conclusion, the results revealed that good-quality bokashi fertilizer can be produced within 30 days. Bfrr5 and bfr6 are equally good candidates for producing good-quality bokashi fertilizer for effective crop growth.

Optimization Sugarcane and Paddy Waste as Bio-Composite Material to Absorb Impact Force

Agricultural waste such as sugarcane and paddy are common during harvesting to production process. Sometimes they burned after the harvest process, as consequently the environmental problem got multiply. Demand for Composite Material got inflate recently, because they are lighter and stronger than Polyethylene Plastic. Filler in composite materials is expensive and requires precise design. The aim of this research is to create cheap and eco-friendly composite materials, besides raised value of agricultural waste. The composite material using sugarcane bagasse as fibre, paddy chaff powder applied as filler and polyester resin as matrix. In this study, we varied the fibre direction with composition of sugarcane bagasse and paddy chaff powder. In this research fibre direction has three levels they are 0, 45 and 90 degrees. Composition between sugarcane bagasse, paddy chaff powder and polyester resin ratio has three levels they are 15:15:70, 12.5:12.5:75 and 10:10:80. ANOVA test shown fibre direction has significant influence to ability of the material to absorb impact energy 78.14 percent than fibre composition 12.10 percent. The highest impact absorb value is 0.3 degrees Joule on composition ratio paddy chaff: sugarcane: polyester resin is 15:15:70 and 45 degrees fibre direction.

Effect of different agro-wastes, casing materials and supplements on the growth, yield and nutrition of milky mushroom (Calocybe indica)

Abstract Agricultural waste disposal is one of the main concerns in today's world that can cause environmental pollution. Utilisation of agro-waste materials to grow mushrooms is an eco-friendly method to reduce pollution. Therefore, various agricultural waste materials, such as wheat straw, rice straw and cotton waste, were utilised for the production of milky mushroom. Among the substrates used in this study wheat straw showed superior substrate for the production of milky mushroom. The agronomic traits studied such as total yield, number of fruiting bodies, the maximum diameter of pileus and stalk length, biological efficiency, protein contents, phosphorous and potassium contents were observed on wheat straw substrate. Peat moss, loam soil and spent mushroom substrate were used as casing materials. Among the casing materials used, the highest yield and biological efficiency were observed on peat moss. The results also indicated that the addition of supplements with the substrate improved yield and yield contributing characteristics. Among the tested supplements (wheat bran and rice bran), wheat bran was the best supplement for wheat straw substrate to cultivate milky white mushroom.

Sulphur-doped banana peel-derived activated carbon as electrode materials for supercapacitors

Agricultural waste banana peel (BP) as a sustainable biomass resource is used to produce porous carbon (PC) and activated carbon (AC) materials. Sulphur-doped banana peel-derived AC (S-BP-AC) was successfully prepared for supercapacitors. The results show that the S-BP-AC presents a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 2,224.9 m2/g, a large pore volume of 0.77 cm3/g, and a suitable pore-size distribution of approximately 0.8 nm. It is easy to bring S-BP-AC into contact with an electrolyte. The S-BP-AC electrode had great specific capacitance of 162.5 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in a 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. The results indicate that the S-BP-AC can be applied to use in high performance supercapacitors.

Adsorptive Removal of Synthetic Dye Effluent Using Sago Waste as Low Cost Adsorbent

Agricultural waste (Sago waste) used as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of synthetic dye effluent from aqueous solution by batch adsorption technique. The various parameters that influence in this adsorption process such as contact time, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, temperature, pH, agitation speed and desorption studies. The experimental data were analysed using Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic data well fitted for pseudosecond order model. Thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated. The sago waste was characterized by SEM and FT-IR studies. The low-cost adsorbent was found to be efficient for the dye removal process.

Design and Production of Rotary Type Machine for Chop Up Organic Waste Plantation

Agricultural organic waste chopping machine are tools that can be used to chop leaves, twigs and could be used to help farmers in processing of the agricultural disposal products such as stalks and corn stalks, cassava stems, rice stalks in order to accelerate farmers in processing of those disposal in order that the plantation land can be prepared immediately for subsequent cultivation, as well as the chopped products can be reused for various purposes such as animal feeds and composts fertilizer. The research of this engineering method is carried out with the following stages: (1) study of the characteristics of several organic wastes to be enumerated, (2) analysis of the Chopping machine elements, consists of Chopping Blades, the house of the chopper blades, hopper, frame and transmission system. (3) A Prototype chop up mechanism manufacturing. And (4) Functional testing machine. The Copping Machine design resume as follows: Production capacity of enumeration 220 kg / hour. The cutting mechanism uses 2 static blades and 6 rotary blades. Transmission system using Belt-Pulley mechanism. The 24 Hp Diesel engine is used.

Carbonization on combustion and biodegradation of agricultural waste as a possible source of silica.

Agricultural waste being the major solid waste in the environment, the study has explored and identified the presence of minerals especially silica in the agricultural waste like sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash by carbonization on combustion at different thermal conditions and biodegradation. Presence of silica in the ash samples has been well characterized by the XRD, FT-IR, EDX, SEM and N2 sorption techniques. Presence of crystal phases of silica like quartz and cristoballite is well indexed by the X-ray diffraction peaks that appeared at 2θ = 27, 40 and 60 which is further confirmed by the peaks at 1100, 820 and 620 cm(-1) of FT-IR. The elemental composition of the silica in ash is determined by EDX analysis. The exothermic reaction and the mass loss observed in the TG/DTG at the transient temperature of 840-850 °C has confirmed the presence of the α-quartz. SEM micrograph has also supported the presence of silica and has revealed the various crystal shapes that were present in the sugarcane and husk ash. The study has clearly revealed that the silica content has increased with the increase in temperature and refinement of the combustion condition to a maximum of 18.7-52 % and on biodegradation to about 48.3-92.4 %.

Biochar Production from Agricultural Waste in Amphawa District, Samutsongkram Province Thailand

Agricultural waste is environmental problem in Amphawa district. Therefore, Biochar is the alternative choice of waste minimization from agricultural waste. This research was aimed to produce biochar by pyrolysis method and characterize the biochar obtained under different raw materials. Branches of pomelo trees, lychee trees, coconut shells and pomelo pulps and the aquatic weed were used raw material for biochar production. The bio char had high carbon at above 70% w/w all of samples. Potassium concentration of pomelo branches and water hyacinth was 1.85 and 1.048 mg/kg, respectively. Surface area of biochar product from Branch of lychee tree was highest at 253 m2/g.The ratio of 1:1 bio char with organic fertilizers is highest plant growth rate.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Composites Containing Waste Coir Pith

Agricultural waste materials can often find an application in the production of concrete or mortar. In this paper, several composites containing waste coir pith are studied. A reference material without coir pith is analyzed as well, for the sake of comparison. The investigated material parameters include the basic physical properties determined by the water vacuum saturation method and helium pycnometry, compressive strength, bending strength, and thermal properties.

Agricultural waste materials as component of organic potting media for the endangered Nepenthes truncata Macf. (Philippine pitcher plant)

Agricultural waste materials, namely, coconut fiber (CF), coir dust (CD), and charcoaled rice husk (CRH) taken singly or in combination with commonly used organic substrates wood charcoal chips (WCC), chopped tree fern (CTF), sphagnum moss (SM), and osmunda fiber (OF) were characterized for their suitability as components of mixed potting media for Nepenthes truncata (Macf.) plantlets. Several mixed media were evaluated, each with a component for aeration (WCC, CTF, or CRH), moisture retention (CF, CD or SM), and drainage (OF). Conventionally used container media mixes served as controls. Based on survival and leaf condition of plantlets, CD could replace SM, and both were superior to CF in moisture retention, while CRH was superior to wood charcoal chips and tree fern for aeration. Both CD and CRH are locally available and inexpensive compared to the materials they could replace. Small-sized plantlets performed better in Treatment 6 (T6) (2:1:1 mixture of SM, OF, and CRH) and Control 1 (pure SM) while medium-sized plantlets only preferred T6. Physico-chemical properties of T6 suggest that the appropriate medium for N. truncata plantlets is slightly acidic with low electrical conductivity, high porosity, moderate water holding capacity, and moderate water retention efficiency.

Estimation of anaerobic codigestion potential of agri-waste in India and comparative financial analysis

Agricultural waste generation including 1207 million tonnes (MT) of animal dung and 498 MT of crop residues represents an important source of energy in India. A total of 869 MT of recoverable animal dung and 177 MT of surplus crop residues can produce 54 Billion m3 of biogas under anaerobic codigestion to provide 622 PJ of cooking energy per annum fulfilling a major portion of cooking energy requirement of the country. Analysis reveals that the biogas potential of the country can be enhanced by 50% by application of codigestion technology over single feedstock digestion. Financial viability analysis carried out for the codigestion technology reveals its economic superiority over already existing single feed stock digestion.

Synergistic Activity of Plant Extracts with Microbial Cellulases for the Release of Free Sugars

Agricultural lignocellulosic waste such as corn stover is a potential source of inexpensive, abundant, and renewable biomass for the production of bioethanol. The enzymatic process for the economically viable breakdown of cellulose to ethanol relies on the availability of inexpensive microbial cellulases. Although the cost of cellulase has decreased in recent years, current costs still preclude the production of economically viable bioethanol from lignocellulose. Substantive efforts in this lab are being directed to transgenic production of cellulases in maize in order to boost efficiency both of production of enzymes and degradation of corn stover. We serendipitously observed that the addition of non-transgenic maize seed extracts to cellulose and microbial enzymes potentiated free sugar release by as much as 20-fold. Further, this synergistic effect between cellulase enzymes and extract was seen with a variety of plant species and tissue extracts, but varied in efficiency, and was optimal at low concentrations of cellulases. Although the nature of the synergistic molecule is not known, the use of extracts to potentiate cellulose breakdown provides opportunities for a clearer mechanistic understanding of the degradation process as well as an economical way to improve the efficiency of cellulases to produce more cost-effective bioethanol from agricultural waste.

Manufacture of Composite Panel from Sugarcane Bagasse

Agricultural waste such as sugarcane bagasse is abundant in Malaysia and at present is mainly used as combustible material for energy supply in the sugar factory. This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of manufacturing composite panel from sugarcane bagasse at three density levels (450, 550, 650 kg/m3), two resin content (10 and 12%) and with or without wax (1%) addition. The panel produced were tested for mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) and physical properties (water absorption and thickness swelling) conforming to the British standard (BS EN 310 and BS EN 317). The results revealed that board with density 650kg/m3 gave superior strength compared to those of 450kg/m3 and 550kg/m3 densities. The addition of 1% wax helped to improve the water absorption and thickness swelling of the composite panel. Thus, it can be concluded that composite panel can successfully be produced from sugarcane bagasse as the main source of raw materials.

Effect of K-N-Humates on Dry Matter Production and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Maize in Sarawak, Malaysia

Agricultural waste, such as sago waste (SW), is one of the sources of pollution to streams and rivers in Sarawak, particularly those situated near sago processing plants. In addition, unbalanced and excessive use of chemical fertilizers can cause soil and water pollution. Humic substances can be used as organic fertilizers, which reduce pollution. The objectives of this study were to produce K- and ammonium-based organic fertilizer from composted SW and to determine the efficiency of the organic-based fertilizer produced. Humic substances were isolated using standard procedures. Liquid fertilizers were formulated except for T2 (NPK fertilizer), which was in solid form. There were six treatments with three replications. Organic fertilizers were applied to soil in pots on the 10th day after sowing (DAS), but on the 28th DAS, only plants of T2 were fertilized. The plant samples were harvested on the 57th DAS during the tassel stage. The dry matter of plant parts (leaves, stems, and roots) were determined and analyzed for N, P, and K using standard procedures. Soil of every treatment was also analyzed for exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and Na, organic matter, organic carbon, available P, pH, total N, P, nitrate and ammonium contents using standard procedures. Treatments with humin (T5 and T6) showed remarkable results on dry matter production; N, P, and K contents; their uptake; as well as their use efficiency by maize. The inclusion of humin might have loosened the soil and increased the soil porosity, hence the better growth of the plants. Humin plus inorganic fertilizer provided additional nutrients for the plants. The addition of inorganic fertilizer into compost is a combination of quick and slow release sources, which supplies N throughout the crop growth period. Common fertilization by surface application of T2 without any additives (acidic and high CEC materials) causes N and K to be easily lost. High Ca in the soil may have reacted with phosphate from fertilizer to form Ca phosphate, an insoluble compound of phosphate that is generally not available to plants, especially roots. Mixing soil with humin produced from composted SW before application of fertilizers (T5 and T6) significantly increased maize dry matter production and nutrient use efficiency. Additionally, this practice does not only improve N, P, and K use efficiency, but it also helps to reduce the use of N-, P-, and K-based fertilizers by 50%.

Transport of Lithium Tracer and E. coli in Agricultural Wastewater Treatment Wetlands

Abstract Agricultural waste must be managed effectively to protect surface and groundwater resources, as well as human health. Constructed wetlands can provide a low-cost environmentally acceptable method for the treatment of agricultural wastewater. An ionic tracer (Lithium chloride [LiCl]) and a biotracer (a naladixic acid-resistant strain of Escherichia coli) were injected into six pilot-scale constructed wetlands treating dairy wastewater: three surface-flow (SF) wetlands and three subsurfaceflow (SSF) wetlands. Each wetland was 3.9-m long and 1.7-m wide. Residence time distribution functions were calculated for each wetland to investigate the hydraulic behaviour of each system during winter and summer conditions. During the summer study, the mean residence times for SF wetlands 2, 4, and 6 were 12, 16, and 14 days, respectively, while the mean residence time for SSF wetlands 1, 3, and 5 were 23, 18, and 22 days, respectively. The longitudinal dispersion coefficients were in the order of 10-6 m2 s-1 for each wetland during the summer and winter. The mean residence time for SF wetlands 2, 4, and 6 during the winter study were 8, 10, and 10 days, respectively, while the mean residence time for SSF wetlands 1, 3, and 5 were 8, 9, and 10 days, respectively. E. coli effluent peaks often occurred prior to Li peaks, suggesting that bacteria may be motile within the wetland environment. This study suggests that dispersion is an important mass transport process in both SF and SSF wetlands. Long-term operation of SF and SSF treatment wetlands may cause reduced retention times and treatment efficiency due to organic matter accumulation and channelling. Cold winter temperatures may also increase the survival of bacteria within treatment wetland systems, decreasing the wetland's ability to reduce bacteria concentrations during the winter months.

Urban and agricultural wastes for use as mulches on avocado and citrus and for delivery of microbial biocontrol agents

SummaryUrban and agricultural waste products generally available to avocado and citrus growers in southern California were analyzed for their suitability for use as bioenhanced mulches on citrus and avocado. Of the mulches tested only yard waste (consisting of wood chips, grass and leaves), rice hulls and rice hulls-and-paper were not harmful to any growth parameter of citrus or avocado and were also adequate substrates for the growth of three biocontrol agents: Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Several mulches such as milled peanut hulls, milled almond hulls, chicken manure, a horse/cow manure mixture, cow manure and alfalfa hay were poor substrates for growth of the biocontrol agents and were damaging to at least one growth parameter of avocado and citrus. These mulches released toxic amounts of ammonia upon degradation, some in excess of 1000 µg NH3−1 dry wt. The percentage of healthy citrus roots, percentage of healthy avocado roots and growth of T. harzianum and ...