Agricultural Waste Management Research Articles

Potential Utilization of Rice Waste in the Construction Sector: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach

Effective management of agricultural waste is an important contribution to environmental sustainability and economic development, especially considering the significant volume of agricultural residues produced worldwide. Rice is a widely cultivated crop in Colombia, and its high production results in a high amount of wastes, which is often underutilized due to a lack of knowledge regarding its potential value-added applications. On the other hand, the construction industry has become increasingly aware of the necessity to develop materials with reduced environmental impact. Therefore, this study explores the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate various alternatives for utilizing rice waste in construction materials; the alternatives were evaluated based on criteria tailored to the needs of local agricultural communities in the Tolima region of Colombia. The findings highlight the potential of rice husk ash (RHA) as an environmentally responsible alternative in the construction sector, offering a viable solution for waste management while contributing to the economic development of small-scale farmers.

Legal Barriers in Sustainable Agriculture: Valorization of Agri-Food Waste and Pesticide Use Reduction

The transition to sustainability in agriculture faces significant challenges, especially to balance environmental goals with the practical demands of food production. This paper examines two different case studies that reveal the complexities of agricultural regulation. The first case focuses on the valorization of agri-food residual biomasses, highlighting the potential to transform food waste into valuable bioproducts such as bioenergy and biofertilizers. Despite the clear environmental and economic benefits, the absence of specific European regulations hinders the widespread adoption of these practices. Without clear rules for achieving “end-of-waste” status, the development and marketing of bio-based products remain restricted. The second case study examines the European Union’s unsuccessful effort to implement the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR), which aimed to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030. Although the regulation sought to align agricultural practices with the EU’s Green Deal, it triggered widespread protests from farmers concerned about the potential economic losses and decreased productivity. These two cases, one showing under-regulation and the other over-regulation, highlight the need for balanced and practical regulatory frameworks that promote sustainability without imposing unrealistic demands on stakeholders. This paper ends with recommendations to harmonize regulations across Europe, ensuring that both innovation in agricultural waste management and practical pesticide reduction strategies are implemented in a way that supports farmers and producers, minimizing economic disruptions and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.

Thermal Behaviour, Chemical Composition and Morphological analysis ofCotton Stalk for Efficient Biochar Production

The escalating concern over air pollution from crop stubble burning necessitates responsible biomass disposal or utilisation. In this study, characterisation of cotton stalk was carried out to assess its feasibility for biochar production. The proximate analysis revealed that cotton stalk had moisture content of 8.65%, bulk density of 215.8 kg m-3, volatile matter of 71.65%, and fixed carbon content of 16.03%. The ultimate analysis showed that cotton stalks were predominantly composed of carbon (64.88%), hydrogen (6.58%) , and oxygen (2.55%), with a low (0.66%) nitrogen content . Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) highlighted the pyrolysis process, identifying a peak temperature of approximately 500°C and distinct stages of thermal degradation: moisture loss up to 150°C, hemicellulose decomposition between 200°C and 300°C, cellulose decomposition from 300°C to 400°C, and lignin decomposition from 400°C to 500°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline cellulose with a diffraction peak at 2θ = 22.5°, indicating significant structural stability during pyrolysis for biochar production. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic peaks associated with cellulose and lignin, underscoring the retention of essential structural components in biochar during biomass conversion. These analyses demonstrated the potential of cotton stalks as a viable feedstock for biochar production, providing a sustainable method for agricultural waste management and soil health improvement.

LCA analysis on the management of typical lignocellulosic agricultural wastes: Case studies and comparison in Greece and China

Significant quantities of lignocellulosic agricultural residues are produced worldwide, and their management is quite problematic. In Greece and in general in the Mediterranean, large quantities of prunings are produced, especially from olive trees. The common practice of managing these residues is by burning them in the fields. On the other hand, in China, but also globally, huge amounts of residues are produced from cotton cultivation and efforts are being made to avoid the residues' usual burning in the fields. Beyond the development and refinement of energy and material utilization technologies for this waste, as well as the necessary economic analyses, very important for the scientific community is the study of the environmental impacts concerning the conventional management practices versus alternative ones that involve the wastes’ utilization.In this work and through the analysis of case studies in Greece and China for the management of the aforementioned typical lignocellulosic agricultural residues, comparative life cycle assessments of open-field burning practices versus energy production practices through gasification or pyrolysis are attempted. The results proved to be interesting and both cases agree with each other qualitatively despite the use of different tools and the application in different countries and agricultural residues. The comparative results highlight the need for immediate adoption of sustainable practices against the highly damaging conventional ones.

Integrated Farming System: A Sustainable Approach towards Modern Agriculture

Integrated farming system (IFS) is an integrated approach towards sustainable agriculture in this modern era. It is the integration of various agricultural enterprises or practices such as crops, livestock, Poultry, fish, agroforestry, horticulture, vermicomposting, Mushroom cultivation and beekeeping, in a single farming system. IFS is considered as the efficient tool for enhancing the profitability of farming systems especially for small and marginal farmers. The purposes or objectives of the IFS are: It enhances the productivity per unit area; Agriculture waste management; Soil health management and soil conservation; Generation of diversified income round the year; less use of chemicals; Increasing the yield of all integrated components and food security. IFS include various components or enterprises. These enterprises not only increase the farmer’s income but also increase employment generation of a family. The juadicious integration of these agricultural enterprises improves the socio-economic status of the farmers. The crop production component of IFS includes the cultivation of various economically important crops such as cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. To maintain the soil health & fertility and management of Plant diseases and pests, various cultural methods such as intercropping, crop rotation, soil solarisation, organic amendment, Mulching, etc. Mushroom cultivation is also one of the important enterprises in IFS that contribute towards increase in farmer’s income. Another important component of IFS includes the rearing of different types of livsestock such as cows, goats, sheep, Duckery, Piggery, Apiary, and poultry. Livestock provides a source of income and produces manure, which can be used as fertilizer for crops. Biogas is another enterprise which is the use of agricultural and animal waste to produce energy. This Bioenergy helps to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and provide a source of income for farmers. There are various models that can be used in IFS like Horticulture+ Piggery+ Fisheries+ Plantation crops and Agriculture+ Horticulture+ Poultry+ Fishery+ Mushroom. Hence, Integrated Farming System is a promising approach for increasing productivity, increasing farmer’s income by utilizing the agricultural and animal waste, recycling farm by-products and efficient utilization of available resources.

Eco-friendly natural rubber-based hydrogel loaded with nano-fertilizer as soil conditioner and improved plant growth

This study addresses the dual challenge of agricultural cost and waste management by harnessing agrarian waste to produce nano-fertilizers (NF) to enhance crop yield while mitigating environmental impacts. Recognizing the limitations of traditional hydrogels' non-biodegradability and their inability to sustain root zone moisture and nutrient levels, we developed an LNR/AAc/pectin hydrogel. This innovative hydrogel offers a viable solution that provides a consistent NF supply and improves water retention efficiently. Additionally, we utilized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to analyze the hydrogel's structure, stability, and form. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) were employed to ascertain the NF concentration. The optimization of the hydrogel's swelling and NF release was conducted through a 5-level, 2-factor Response Surface Methodology (RSM), focusing on the effects of the AAc: LNR ratio and pectin weight while maintaining constant concentrations of potassium persulfate (KPS) and MBA. Results revealed a high correlation between predicted and experimental values, with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.9982 for swelling and 0.9979 for NF release. Furthermore, the hydrogel exhibited a 96.30 % biodegradation rate after 120 days of soil burial. Our findings demonstrate the hydrogels' potential to significantly impact farming and gardening by ensuring a sustainable supply of nutrients to enhance soil moisture retention.

Data-driven modeling of bio-oil yield in agricultural biomass pyrolysis with machine learning

Abundant amounts of solid waste are produced due to the processing of various agricultural goods, such as garbage incineration. This agricultural waste management strategy causes a significant increase in air pollution and environmental deterioration. Several methods are widely applied to treat agricultural waste; the pyrolysis process, which includes burning biomass feedstocks without oxygen, is one of the most recommended. Pyrolysis of agricultural waste can produce biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. Pyrolysis is a complicated procedure that depends on feedstock characteristics such as feed composition (i.e., carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elemental composition), fixed carbon, and volatile matter. Investigation of the individual property of the feedstock on the overall product yield by experimental or computational study is laborious and time-consuming. Therefore, the machine learning technique is applied in this paper to develop a robust and accurate model to predict the agricultural waste bio-oil yield. A total of 387 data points are gathered from various literature sources. This paper utilizes the proximate analysis, ultimat analysis of the agricultural feedstock, and pyrolysis reaction conditions as input features. Eight different machine-learning algorithms, i.e. adaptive boosting, artificial neural network, categorical boosting, decision tree with bagging, k nearest neighbor, light gradient boosting, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting are deployed for this objective. In addition, a SHAP analysis with a bar plot and a beeswarm plot is built to identify the input variables that had the greatest impact on bio-oil production. The categorical boost model gave the lowest root mean squared error of 2.65 out of all the models and had the greatest R2 value of 93.2% on the testing dataset. The SHAP analysis of the developed model for identifying the feature importance and the beeswarm plot is also performed, which shows that for the pyrolysis of agricultural waste, the hydrogen content is one of the most crucial parameters for the maximization of bio-oil yield.

Karakteristik limbah pertanian dan dampaknya: Mengapa pengelolaan ramah lingkungan penting?

Background: Agricultural waste is a significant by-product of the agrarian sector, with the potential for substantial environmental and economic impacts. This study aims to examine the characteristics of organic agricultural waste and analyze its effects on the environment, both in terms of threats and its potential utilization. Method: This study employs a systematic literature review method. The literature search focuses on articles discussing agricultural waste, its characteristics, and its environmental impacts. Findings: The results show that agricultural waste has diverse characteristics based on fiber composition, physical form, and protein content. The main threats from agricultural waste include water pollution due to nutrient runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane. However, this waste also holds significant potential as a source of organic mulch, animal feed, and raw material for bioenergy. Utilizing agricultural waste as mulch can improve soil quality and crop yields, while its use as animal feed supports the integration of agricultural and livestock systems. In the context of energy, converting waste into biogas and biofuel offers an effective solution. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of integrated and sustainable agricultural waste management to minimize negative impacts and optimize its economic potential. Novelty/Originality of this article: By providing a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and impacts of agricultural waste, this study offers insights into the importance of a holistic approach to agricultural waste management to support sustainable agriculture.

Evaluation of adsorption isotherms and kinetics of anionic pollutant in water using biochar derived from locally available agro-waste

The uses of agricultural byproduct solid wastes to develop low cost sorbents are advantageous and promising for the removal of water contaminants. It serves the purposes of both environmental remediation and appropriate management of agricultural waste generated during agricultural processing. In this study, locally available apricot seed shell and Salix Alba leaves were utilized as agro-waste for the preparation of adsorbents. The biochar was prepared at 300-370oC via pyrolysis and 80 mesh particle sizes were modified by 1N HCl. The unmodified and acid modified local Salix Alba leaves and Apricot seed shell biochar were used to study the adsorption of chloride ion in water, which can damages appliances of industries and also poses health issues at elevated concentration. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium studies were conducted at pH 7. The adsorption efficiency of modified biochar was much higher than the unmodified biochar due to induce surface positive charge. The Langmuir maximum adsorption of modified Salix Alba leaves sorbent was found to 22.98 mg/g, while modified Apricot seed shell biochar was found 25.83 mg/g. The experimental data were simulated and applied to fit Langmuir, Freundlich isotherm, pseudo 1st and 2nd order kinetics models and found a better compliance with Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo 2nd order kinetics model.

Family experience of urban agriculture and solid waste management in the municipality of Emiliano Zapata, Veracruz, Mexico

Family experience of urban agriculture and solid waste management in the municipality of Emiliano Zapata, Veracruz, Mexico

Adoption potential of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae composting technology among smallholder farmers in Greater Ahafo-Ano, Ashanti region of Ghana

As the world’s population increases, the growing demand for food intensifies the generation of agricultural waste, leading to several environmental issues. Intensive research indicates black soldier fly (BSF) larvae Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) as efficient converters of organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass suitable for animal feed. Using a structured questionnaire and volunteer farmers (N = 595), we investigated the potential for adoption of BSF larvae composting technology for sustainable agricultural waste management in Greater Ahafo-Ano. Almost all surveyed farmers declared they generated a significant amount of biowaste on their farms and were willing to learn how to use the BSF-based technology to transform it into value-added products. The waste generated was mainly disposed of in pits at Ahafo-Ano South-East (56.2%), by composting at Ahafo-Ano South-West (34.9%) and by sale at Ahafo-Ano North (34.4%). Across the three districts, awareness of the BSF was very low – 14.5% in Ahafo-Ano South-East, 14.1% in Ahafo-Ano South-West and 0.5% in Ahafo-Ano North. However, high acceptance of the technology was recorded. It was found that about 8% of farmers surveyed in Ahafo-Ano South-East had already tried BSF farming on a small scale. Indicating this district as a good entry point to introduce the technology into Greater Ahafo-Ano.

RICE STRAW WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY TO IMPLEMENT THE LEISA CONCEPT IN SUBAK SEMBUNG ECOTOURISM AREA, DENPASAR-BALI

Objective: The purpose of writing this article is to evaluate the management of rice straw waste in the Subak Sembung ecotourism area, Denpasar. This includes assessing the implementation of the LEISA concept and prioritizing ecological concepts Theoretical Framework: Subak Sembung as an ecotourism area should manage waste by prioritizing ecological principles, including implementing the LEISA concept. The implementation of LEISA in the Subak ecotourism area is a characteristic of sustainable agriculture Method: The method used in this research is qualitative research which aims to understand phenomena that occur in society. The sample in this study was 30 farmers who were selected using simple random sampling techniques Results and Discussion: Based on the research results, it was found that rice straw waste in the Subak Sembung ecotourism area has not been managed by Bali Governor Regulation Number 47 of 2019 concerning source-based waste management. The LEISA concept has not been implemented optimally, where only 29% of farmers compost and use compost to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers. The LEISA concept has not been implemented optimally in Subak Sembung because based on the results, 94% of farmers in Subak Sembung do not know about the LEISA concept. Research Implications: Socialization and training in rice straw waste management for Subak Sembung member farmers need to be carried out more regularly and continuously so that the LEISA concept can be implemented. Originality/Value: Implementation of the LEISA concept through agricultural waste management in the Subak area, which is an ecotourism area, can be an effort to realize sustainable agriculture and tourism simultaneously

Circular Agriculture Approach: Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Circular Agriculture Approach: Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Effect of Surface Treatments on Zea mays Husk and the Behaviour of Husk/Low-Density Polyethylene Composites

(1) Background: The increasing generation of plastic and agricultural wastes is a critical environmental issue that requires urgent attention. Aiming to address this challenge, this study developed a sustainable waste-to-wealth system through the utilization of Zea mays husk as a reinforcing material in the production of green composites. (2) Methods: Delignification, de-hemicellulolysis, and bleaching were employed sequentially to improve the characteristics of the husk. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the removal of lignin, hemicellulose, and impurities, and X-ray diffraction analysis determined the degree of crystallinity. Composites were made with treated and untreated husk and recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at various husk-to-LDPE ratios. (3) Results: Mechanical characterization demonstrated that the treated husk composites exhibited superior tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness compared to the untreated ones and pure LDPE. The treatment did not enhance the thermal stability of the composites, but it did lower their capacity for water absorption and improve their crystallinity. The economic assessment of the husk composite production indicated a total annualized cost of USD 0.9601 per kg, which is significantly lower than the estimated cost for LDPE (USD 1.2 to USD 1.4 per kg). Additionally, it has a much smaller carbon footprint compared to LDPE production. (4) Conclusions: The potential of utilizing treated Z. mays husk as a reinforcing agent in the development of sustainable and cost-effective green composites, improving their overall performance, was established. This approach offers a promising solution for the effective management of plastic and agricultural wastes, contributing to the transition towards a circular economy.

Environmental Food Contaminants and Control Recommendations

Environmental contaminants are considered a significant food safety risk. The rising population increased food production and industrialization have accentuated the importance of addressing food contamination. The primary causes of these contaminants in food include agricultural practices, industrial activities, waste management, and air and water pollution. Contamination can occur at various stages of the food chain and can reach consumers. Various strategies and measures are recommended to prevent and control environmental food contaminants. In this regard, appropriate production systems, the improvement of agricultural practices, and the monitoring of food production systems crucial. Governments and international organizations also play a role in establishing and enforcing food safety standards concerning environmental contaminants. In conclusion, this brief review addresses significant environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, dioxins, microplastics, nitrite-nitrate, PCBs, and melamine, and highlights potential health issues. Continuous updating of knowledge and strategies in this field through future research and development is essential.

The Effects of Different Combinations of Cattle Organic Soil Amendments and Copper on Lettuce (cv. Rufus) Plant Growth

In modern agricultural production, cattle manure waste recovery is considered as a sustainable approach to agricultural waste management, reducing environmental pollution and chemical fertilizer use. This study aimed to investigate the effects of manure and digestate derived from a pilot-scale livestock waste-recycling system, in combination with a low copper concentration as a fungicide, on the physiological response of lettuce cv Rufus (Lactuca sativa L.) plants and the associated soil microbiome. A five-week microcosm experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under environmental conditions. Lettuce plant performance was assessed in terms of biomass, leaf area index, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll measurements, lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content, and nutrient uptake. The results suggested that incorporating digestate into the potting soil mix significantly enhanced crop yields compared to the control and manure treatments. The soil microbial activity increased in the presence of fertilizers, improving the soil chemical and biological properties. The addition of copper negatively affected the growth and physiological performance of the lettuce plants under both the control and manure-treated conditions, except for those grown in the presence of digestate, where copper accumulation was reduced. These findings highlight the potential of growing horticultural crops using organic fertilization through livestock waste anaerobic digestate, establishing a waste-to-food recycling system.

Production of bioethanol from Opuntia ficus-indica using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Water Kefir following an autohydrolysis pretreatment

This study investigates the conversion of Opuntia ficus-indica waste (pears, peels, and seeds) into bioethanol. The research was done in two steps. The first objective of this work was to evaluate the optimal conditions of autohydrolysis pretreatment (AP) on these lignocellulosic materials. Experimentation involved assessing various temperatures (121 °C, 150 °C, and 180 °C) against a fixed solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10. The Response Surface Methodology was employed for this optimization process. The highest glucose and saccharose concentrations, 0.251 mol/l and 2.81 mol/l, respectively, were observed at 150 °C over 15 min. The second part of this study focused on fermenting the pretreated biomass to maximize ethanol concentration after autohydrolysis. Both water kefir and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were employed separately and combined to assess their effectiveness in fermenting the pretreated biomass to maximize ethanol concentration. This fermentation was conducted at 30 °C with a solution-yeast ferment ratio of 70:30. The most efficacious fermentation condition was observed with a pretreatment at 121 °C for 15 min using water kefir, which resulted in an ethanol concentration of 16%. This process highlights the potential of cactus pear waste in cellulosic ethanol production, offering a sustainable energy source and a solution for agricultural waste management.

Enhancing soil amendment for salt stress using pretreated rice straw and cellulolytic fungi

Rice straw breakdown is sluggish, which makes agricultural waste management difficult, however pretreatment procedures and cellulolytic fungi can address this issue. Through ITS sequencing, Chaetomium globosum C1, Aspergillus sp. F2, and Ascomycota sp. SM2 were identified from diverse sources. Ascomycota sp. SM2 exhibited the highest carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity (0.86 IU/mL) and filter-paper cellulase (FPase) activity (1.054 FPU/mL), while Aspergillus sp. F2 showed the highest CMCase activity (0.185 IU/mL) after various pretreatments of rice straw. These fungi thrived across a wide pH range, with Ascomycota sp. SM2 from pH 4 to 9, Aspergillus sp. F2, and Chaetomium globosum C1 thriving in alkaline conditions (pH 9). FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant structural changes in rice straw after enzymatic hydrolysis and solid-state fermentation, indicating lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose degradation. Soil amendments with pretreated rice straw, cow manure, biochar, and these fungi increased root growth and soil nutrient availability, even under severe salt stress (up to 9.3 dS/m). The study emphasizes the need for a better understanding of Ascomycota sp. degradation capabilities and proposes that using cellulolytic fungus and pretreatment rice straw into soil amendments could mitigate salt-related difficulties and improve nutrient availability in salty soils.

Hydrothermal co-carbonization of rice straw and acid whey for enhanced hydrochar properties and nutrient recovery

This study investigated rice straw hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) in water, optimizing operating conditions to enhance solid carbon content and nitrogen content in hydrochar. Additionally, we conducted hydrothermal co-carbonization (co-HTC) of rice straw and acid whey, achieving significant improvements in hydrochar properties. Co-HTC resulted in a 53.6% increase in HHVs, 20.0% higher yield, and a 42.7% rise in carbon content, accompanied by notable reductions in ash content. Nitrogen content increased by 26.0%, P content by 12.7 times, and K content by 27.6%. Analytical techniques revealed promising modifications, indicating potential applications of hydrochar in solid fuel or organic fertilizers, thus contributing to a circular bioeconomy in agricultural waste management.

Wastewater Treatment Sludge and Agricultural Wastes: Management by Composting Process

This study aimed to investigate the compostability of wastewater treatment sludge and evaluate the effects on compost quality of adding cotton gin waste and peanut shell. For this purpose, treatment sludge was mixed with cotton gin waste in the ratios of 60:40 in M1 reactor and 80:20 in M2 reactor, while in M3 and M4 reactors, treatment sludge was mixed with peanut shell in the same proportions. The highest temperatures were reached in reactors M2 (65.2 °C) and M4 (68.7 °C) where 80% treatment sludge was added. These reactors also experienced the highest organic matter losses of 42.2% and 31.5%, respectively. It can be stated that a faster microbial decomposition and stabilization occurred in these reactors. It can be said that the composting process may be a preferable method for the management of treatment sludge and agricultural wastes. Furthermore, the outcomes of the study can serve the food industry and agriculture sector through effective bioconversion of organic waste.Graphical