Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer Research Articles

Morphophysiological and Histopathological Effects of Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer on Aporrectodea trapezoides (Dugès, 1828) Earthworm.

The present study used the adult earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides as a bioindicator species to look into the possible dangers of ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer. Two complementary toxicity tests were conducted to determine the LC50values, growth rate inhibition, morphological alterations, and histopathological texture of worms. The lethality test included four increasing concentrations of AS fertilizer (ranging from 2500 to 7500 mg/kg of dry soil weight (d.w.)), while sub-lethal concentrations were based on 10%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the 14-day median lethal concentration (LC50), with a control group included for both tests. The LC(50) values for AS fertilizer were significantly higher at 7 days (4831.13 mg/kg d.w.) than at 14 days (2698.67 mg/kg d.w.) of exposure. Notably, earthworms exhibited significant growth rate inhibition under exposure to various concentrations and time durations (14/28 exposure days). Morphological alterations such as clitellar swelling, bloody lesions, whole body coiling and constriction, body strangulation, and fragmentation were accentuated steadily, with higher concentrations. Histopathological manifestations included severe injuries to the circular and longitudinal muscular layers, vacuolation, muscle layer atrophy, degradation of the chloragogenous tissue in the intestine, collapsed digestive epithelium of the pharynx with weak reserve inclusion, and fibrosis of blood vessels. These effects were primarily influenced by increasing concentrations of fertilizer and time exposure. The study highlights the strong relationship between concentration and exposure time responses and underscores the potential of A. trapezoides earthworms as valuable biological control agents against acidic ammonium sulfate fertilizer. Importantly, this research contributes to the use of such biomarkers in evaluating soil toxicity and the biological control of environmental risk assessment associated with chemical fertilizers.

A Photovoltaic/Thermal Electrochemical Stripping System for Urine Nitrogen Recovery

Introduction Distributed production of urine-derived fertilizers offers a sustainable and equitable alternative to Haber-Bosch fertilizer. Lab-scale electrochemical stripping (ECS) recovers nitrogen as ammonium sulfate fertilizer from many complex wastewaters, including urine.1 Developing nations in Africa pay higher prices than the global average for Haber-Bosch-based ammonia due to accessibility issues.2 Using solar panels as a power source, ECS can be deployed for low-carbon, on-site ammonia production which can minimize transport, optimize energy, and lower fertilizer prices. This study aimed to (1) understand the ideal ranges of ECS operating parameters (current density and temperature) for efficient nitrogen recovery, and (2) provide proof-of-concept for a photovoltaic/thermal ECS system. Methods Experiments were performed in a three-chamber electrochemical reactor. Electrodialysis was used to remove nitrogen from urine in the anode chamber to the catholyte, while membrane stripping recovered nitrogen from the catholyte as ammonium sulfate in the trap chamber. Solar panels face diminishing efficiency as they heat up.3 On the other hand, membrane stripping becomes more efficient with increased catholyte temperature, increasing the nitrogen recovery rate.4 Thus, experiments varying the temperature of catholyte from 30°C to 60°C were performed to quantify the extent to which heat improves ECS efficiency. Current densities ranging from 5mA/cm2 to 20mA/cm2 were evaluated for their effect on nitrogen recovery rate and energy efficiency to inform the sizing of photovoltaic components. A photovoltaic/thermal ECS prototype was constructed and operated indoors using a solar simulator, and outdoors in real sunlight. Heat was transferred from the solar panel to the catholyte using a cold plate fixed to the backside of the solar panel. Energy production and usage of the solar-ECS system were compared across several conditions: with or without heat transfer, and with or without batteries and charge controllers (Figure 1). Results Higher temperatures led to higher nitrogen recovery rates, with a maximum rate of 5.4 mg N/min at 60°C as compared to 4.2 mg N/min at room temperature. Heat also decreased electrical resistance inside the reactor, resulting in lower energy consumption. However, higher temperatures increased the movement of water vapor from the catholyte to the trap chamber, causing a more dilute ammonia sulfate solution. Additionally, experiments were operated as an open system. As a result, ammonia evaporation out of the reactor was observed as the temperature increased. The primary effect of current density is on ammonia migration from the anode chamber to the cathode chamber (removal). Nitrogen removal occurs from the influent faster with higher current densities at a rate of 0.09 g N per mA/cm2 over 7 hours. However, the system experiences lower current efficiency and lower overall energy efficiencies, using an additional 2.2 kJ/g N per additional mA/cm2. Removal speed and energy efficiency have implications for the cost of ECS. For a single reactor to extract a set amount of nitrogen in a given period, a larger reactor can be built and operated at a low current density for a higher capital cost with lower operating costs, or a smaller reactor can be operated at a high current density for a converse cost scheme. A functional photovoltaic/thermal ECS prototype was built. The simple cold plate attachment effectively lowered the steady state temperature of the solar panel surface by 17°C and raised the temperature of the catholyte by 13°C. Integration of a battery, maximum power point tracker (MPPT), and DC/DC converters allowed for a 53% increase in the production of solar electricity and control over current input to the ECS reactor, although they increased the cost of the system. Using the outputs of this solar-ECS prototype as a benchmark, a techno-economic analysis will be completed to elucidate competitiveness. Conclusion Understanding relationships between electrical energy, heat, and ECS performance informs the scale-up of ECS for distributed ammonia production. Capturing nitrogen for reuse reduces reliance on Haber-Bosch ammonia, prevents aqueous pollution, and supports a circular nitrogen economy. Broad application of this technology would promote equitable access to fertilizer and support local food production. Integration with solar panels improves the applicability of ECS to remote and developing regions by avoiding the need for grid-based electricity. The joint solar-ECS system advances the United Nations’ Sustainable development goals for responsible production and consumption, clean energy, and clean water and sanitation access. References Tarpeh, W.A. et al. Environ. Science Technol. 2018Comer et al., Joule (2019)Fragassa, C. et al., Appl. Comput. Mech. 2021Liu, M. J. et al. Water Research 2020 Figure 1

The Effects of Different Nitrogenous Fertilizer Sources and Doses on Football Field Grass Performances

Nitrogen has a huge importance in terms of ensuring the development of roots and shoots in grass and giving plants resistance to diseases. Using the right fertilizer in appropriate doses in the maintenance and repair of football fields is one of the maintenance procedures that increase grass performance. This study was carried out on the football field grass established at Iğdır University Sehit Bulent Yurtseven Campus during the 2020 vegetation period in Iğdır conditions. The research aimed to determine the most suitable fertilizer type and dose for football fields. The experiment was designed with three replications according to the randomized blocks factorial trial design. In the application area, a grass mixture of Festuca arundinacea Jaguar 4G 30%, Festuca arundinacea Apache 20%, Festuca arundinacea Arid III 20%, Lolium perenne Belida 15% and Lolium perenne Esquire 15% was used. As nitrogenous fertilizer sources, 20-10-10 7SO3, 15-5-20 + 2 CaO + MgO, ammonium sulfate (21% N) and urea (46% N) fertilizers are 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/m 2/ It was administered in monthly doses. In the study, the effects of nitrogen use in fertilization on grass plant height, quality, fresh grass amount, and leaf green tone and leaf texture were observed. As a result of the study, it was determined that the most ideal fertilizer type and dose were 6 and 8 g m-2 doses of urea and ammonium sulfate fertilizers.

Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen

In Northwestern Pakistan’s rice-based cropping systems, the prevalent reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (INF) has led to insufficient nitrogen (N) contributions from soil organic manures (OM). This study aims to evaluate the impact of organic sources (OS), including animal manures (AM) and crop residues (CR), on crop growth rates (CGR) in a rice-wheat rotation. A two-year field experiment involving hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L., Pukhraj) was conducted in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Various OS and inorganic-N (urea) combinations were applied, emphasizing their influence on CGR. The findings highlight poultry manure (PM) application as the most impactful on CGR, while wheat straw (WS) application resulted in the lowest CGR among the six OS investigated. Additionally, the use of AM showcased superior CGR compared to CR. In the initial year, the highest CGR occurred, with 75% of N sourced from urea and 25% from OS. In the second year, a balanced 50% N application from each source yielded the highest CGR. Urea and PM demonstrated the most robust CGR among OS combinations, while urea and WS yielded the lowest. Notably, onion leaves, a cost-effective option, delivered promising results comparable to berseem residues, indicating their potential as organic manure, especially in sulfur-deficient soils. These findings underscore the viability of onion residue management as a cost-effective alternative to ammonium sulfate fertilizers with global applicability. The abstract recommends promoting organic sources, particularly poultry manure and onion leaves, alongside inorganic-N fertilizers to enhance CGR and reduce dependence on costly alternatives. However, further research and field trials are necessary to explore the long-term impacts of these organic sources on soil health, nutrient cycling, and the sustainability of rice-based cropping systems in Northwestern Pakistan and beyond. In conclusion, this study investigates the influence of organic sources on CGR in rice-wheat rotations, emphasizing the superiority of poultry manure and onion leaves. The findings highlight cost-effective alternatives to conventional fertilizers, emphasizing the need for further research to validate long-term sustainability and applicability beyond the study area.

Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) Growth Response to Nitrogen in a Sandy Soil Amended with Acidified Manure and Municipal Sludge after “Quick Wash” Treatment

The Quick Wash (QW) treatment extracts phosphorus (P) from manure and municipal sludge (MS), producing an organic acidified by-product with adequate nitrogen (N):P ratio to meet crop N requirements. Yet, data on crop response to N using QW by-products are lacking. We evaluated the response of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and potential N leaching in sandy soil to N applications using raw wastes, their corresponding QW by-products, and ammonium sulfate (AMS) fertilizer. Treatments included a control (no amendment added), raw and acid-washed chicken litter, dairy and swine manure, MS, and AMS at 100, 200, and 400 kg N ha−1. We found no significant differences in annual ryegrass yield and N uptake between the raw and acidified organic QW by-products. However, ryegrass produced 4–30% more biomass with AMS than organic amendments. The total residual soil inorganic N under AMS treatments ranged between 6.3 and 67.9 mg pot−1 and accounted for 5–17% of the total N applied, but it was <1% for all the organic amendments. We found no differences in soil N leaching between raw and acid-washed forms of each organic soil amendment. Our results indicated that acidified organic QW by-products can improve environmental quality by substantially reducing the amount of applied P with no penalties for crop yield losses compared to raw manure and MS.

Effect of adding vermicompost, ammonium sulfate and fertilizer batches on the absorbed amounts of some nutrients and the yield and quality of summer squash

A field experiment was conducted at one of the research stations of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad in the Al-Jadiriyah region for the autumn season of 2021, located within latitude 33.27 north and longitude 44.39 east in Silty Loam soil with a split -split plot design with three replicates. To study the effect of adding vermicompost and ammonium sulfate fertilizers and batches on the yield and quality of summer squash, nitrogen fertilizer was added at three levels (100%, 0, 50%) from the fertilizer recommendation (0, 80, 160) kg N ha-1 (N0, N1, N2). ), using ammonium sulfate fertilizer containing (21% N) and organic fertilizer (vermicompost) were added at three levels (0, 5, 10) Mg ha-1 (V0, V1, V2) respectively, fertilizers were added in two batches after (10, 20) days of planting and three batches after (10,20 and 40) days of planting. The first batch was added after 10 days of planting. The concentration (N and P) in the fruits were measured, the amount of the total yield, the percentage of protein, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) and fruit hardness. The results showed the significant effect of adding vermicompost and ammonium sulfate fertilizers, the number of batches on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous absorbed in the fruits, the total yield, the percentage of protein in the fruits, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) and the hardness of the fruits. The treatment P2V2N1 excelled and gave the highest amount of nitrogen absorbed in the fruits, which was 1995 kg N ha-1. Phosphorous absorbed in the fruits amounted to 172.10 kg P ha-1 and the highest total yield reached 21.53 Mg ha-1 . The percentage of protein in the fruits amounted to 36.63%, the percentage of total soluble solids TSS amounted to 4.90%, and the hardness of the fruits amounted to 10.27 B. From this, we conclude that by adding nitrogen fertilizer at the first level (N1) (80 kg N ha-1 ) and organic fertilizer (V2) (10 Mg ha-1 ) and in two batches (P2) we got the highest yield and the highest qualitative traits of hardness, protein percentage and TSS. Thus, we conclude that the organic fertilizer improved the qualitative traits, gave the highest yield and compensated for a part of the mineral fertilizer. The organic fertilizer has a role in raising the absorption efficiency of (N and P). Keywords: vermicompost fertilizer, ammonium sulfate fertilizer, summer squash.

Agrivoltaic approach in improving soil resistivity in large scale solar farms for energy sustainability

Recently, approaches have been established to improve the grounding system performance, especially with the increasing numbers of large-scale solar (LSS) PV farms. Soil resistivity is one of the contributing factors to the inefficiency of power generation as it induces high impedance on electricity flow from the source to highly sensitive PV equipment and devices such as inverters. Some critical issues on nutrient leaching derived from ammonium sulphate fertilizer direct to ground soil are the focal point of this work with the fact that soil resistivity value is inversely proportional to increasing soil salt content. Therefore, a low grounding system could be obtained with a high Electrical Conductivity (EC) and high soil moisture content. In this work, a conceptual setup for an agrivoltaic condition with 500 units of herbal crops has been cultivated directly underneath 1 PV string in Puchong Solar Farm, Selangor, Malaysia. The amount of salt or nutrient under this condition was measured leaching approximately 40 mL per polybag as means of ground treatment to improve soil resistivity value, thus indirectly reducing the risk of electrical damage. The agrivoltaic approach has shown that it can improve the performance of a grounding system in an LSS PV farm with a significant reduction of 4.45 Ω earth resistance on average.

Effects of nozzle type and adjuvant selection on common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control using nicosulfuron in corn

AbstractWeed control in corn is a major challenge due to increasing problems with highly dominant weed species and herbicide resistance evolution. Common lambsquarters and johnsongrass constitute up to 80% to 90% of the weed population in many spring crops, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and corn, in Serbia. Currently, acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides, such as the systemic selective sulfonylurea nicosulfuron, are most commonly used for chemical weed control of those species. A better understanding of the impact of nozzle type and adjuvant use on nicosulfuron efficacy can help to improve control of common lambsquarters and johnsongrass and minimize herbicide resistance development. Field trials were conducted in Serbia from 2020 to 2022 to evaluate the impact of two adjuvants (a non-ionic surfactant [NIS] and a mineral fertilizer ammonium sulfate [AMS]) and two nozzle types (drift-reducing nozzles and flat-fan nozzles) on common lambsquarters and johnsongrass control using nicosulfuron. Satisfactory biomass reduction of common lambsquarters (83% to 87%) and johnsongrass (83% to 97%) was achieved after nicosulfuron application. Adding a NIS adjuvant increased the biomass reduction for common lambsquarters (94% to 98%) and johnsongrass (90% to 100%) independently of the nozzle type used. Selection of nozzle type did not show consistent effects on common lambsquarters and johnsongrass control. Nicosulfuron efficacy was increased with NIS adjuvant for both nozzle types compared to nicosulfuron solo for both species, and Extended Range (XR) TeeJet® nozzles on average resulted in a higher efficacy for common lambsquarters compared to Turbo TeeJet® induction. Adding a mineral AMS adjuvant resulted in lower biomass reduction for both nozzle types and weed species (65% to 78% and 61% to 91% for common lambsquarters and johnsongrass, respectively). Corn grain yield was predominantly influenced by annual meteorological conditions and adjuvant type added to nicosulfuron. This research suggests that addition of the non-ionic adjuvant is an essential factor for successful control of common lambsquarters and johnsongrass in corn and enables use of drift-reducing nozzles.

OCCURRENCE, GEOCHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIAL QUALITY OF NAFADA GYPSYM DEPOSIT, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Three varieties of gypsum deposits occur in numerous locations within the Senonian Fika Shale in Nafada area, northeastern Nigeria. Geological investigations at Gonja, Warum, Ganko, Shole, Sudingo, Gadi, Mada and Papa mines show the occurrence of the three varieties namely: Satinspar, Selenite and Alabaster. These gypsum deposits occur within the gypsiferous Fika Shale with thicknesses within the span of 1 to 6 cm and depth of 0.2 to 15 meters. The gypsum are hosted within veins sometimes criss - crossing in some locations, pores and fractures inter layered within the fissile Fika Shale intercalated with mud. Analyses of seventeen fresh gypsum samples by X-ray spectrophotometer technique indicate mean average compositions of 93.06,92.59 and 93.60 wt % of CaSO4.2H2O; 2.04, 2.32 and 1.80 wt % SiO2; 0.38, 0.40, and 0.70 wt % of Fe2O3+AL2O3; 0.36, 0.34 and 0.11 wt % of MgO; 0.13, 0.14 and 0.13 wt of Alkalis (Na2O +K2O) and purity of 96.43, 96.48 and 96.42 for Satinspar, Selenite and Alabaster respectively. These chemical data indicate high grade of gypsum which may be suitable in: cement, ammonium sulphate fertilizer, pharmaceutical, ceramics/pottery, cosmetics, soil amendment, building, chemical, paints and textile industries.

Improving the quality of ammonium sulfate produced from the flue gas desulfurization process by using ammonium persulfate

Yellow ammonium sulfate, a by-product of flue gas desulfurization, has a lower product quality due to its chromaticity not meeting the chromaticity requirements for ammonium sulfate fertilizer. In this work, sulfur impurity was revealed to be the reason for the yellowing of ammonium sulfate products by studying the effects of organic pollutants, metal impurities, and sulfur-containing impurities on the chromaticity of ammonium sulfate products. A sulfur impurity was found to be generated when ammonium thiosulfate in the unqualified absorption mother liquor reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid, an oxidant in the ammonia desulfurization process. Subsequently, ammonium persulfate was proposed to replace concentrated sulfuric acid as an oxidant to solve the problem of abnormal chromaticity of ammonium sulfate. The experimental results show that under the optimized process conditions, the removal rates of thiosulfate and sulfite in the desulfurization mother liquor are as high as 90.1 % and 93.4 %, respectively, with ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The ammonium sulfate product obtained is white with uniform particles. In addition, the effect degree of different oxidation components is S2O82−>SO4−∼OH in the oxidation process of ammonium persulfate to the absorption of the mother liquor. The ammonium persulfate oxidation technique provides benefits over the conventional ammonia acid process, including increased oxidation efficiency, decreased sulfur generation, and enhanced ammonium sulfate product quality.

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Antioxidative Potential of Basil Varieties (Ocimum basilicum L.).

Total phenolic content (TPC) in extracts of basil depended on the cultivar and type of fertilization used in cultivation. TPC was determined spectrophotometrically with the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. The antioxidant activity of extracts was analyzed by scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals, on the basis of metal chelating ability (MetChel) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The greatest TPC was determined in the purple cultivars—141.35 and 165.44 mg gallic acid/g d.m. for fertilized with ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), respectively. Their extracts had the greatest antioxidant capacity in the majority of the methods used. The results varied depending on the modelling system used. The amount of polyphenols in individual basil cultivars differed significantly (p < 0.05) depending on the fertilization used in the culture. Regarding TPC, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MetChel variables, we observed a significant effect for the applied cultivation. In the case of MetChel factor, lower results of all investigated basil species were observed for cultivation with ammonium sulfate. PCA demonstrated in the present study shows that Sweet and Cinnamon Basil samples cultivated with ammonium nitrate create a separated group. We recommend cultivation with ammonium sulfate fertilizers for these varieties of basil. The high content of phenolic compounds demonstrated in Sweet and Cinnamon Basil cultivated with ammonium sulfate, and thus associated antioxidant activity, indicates that it can constitute a valuable source for bioactive compounds in a balanced diet.

Valorization of bio-fertilizer from anaerobic digestate through ammonia stripping process: A practical and sustainable approach towards circular economy

Anaerobic digestion is a technology, which converts biological wastes into biogas and biogas digestates (DIG); the latter is considered the main challenge for biogas producers. Recently, nutrient recovery technology from these DIG for bio-fertilizers production as an alternative for traditional chemical fertilizers is receiving increasing attention. This study aims to use two different biofertilizers based on DIG using ammonia striping technique which are liquid bio-based ammonium sulfate (BAS-L) and solid bio-based ammonium sulfate (BAS-S) fertilizers, besides the raw DIG and the conventional urea compound fertilizer (UCF) is used as a chemical fertilizer for comparison to produce solanaceous plants (eggplant). The agronomic effectiveness and economics of using these fertilizers are listed, and the results indicated that the eggplant yields using UCF and BAS-L were 62.65 tons/ha and 63.42 tons/ha, respectively, representing 24.5 % and 27.9 % higher than BAS-S and DIG, respectively. The agronomic efficiency (AEN) and the apparent recovery efficiency (AREN) of BAS-L fertilizer were the highest, reaching 44.8 kg DM/kg N and 7.9 %, respectively, which were significantly higher than the corresponding values of BAS-S and DIG. Furthermore, the economic benefits of various fertilizer applications were estimated and compared. The results showed that the theoretical net revenue of BAS-L fertilizer was 86065.03 $/ha, while BAS-S fertilizer and UCF were lower than BAS-L (56.7 % and 48.5 %, respectively), and the theoretical net revenue of direct application of DIG was 36958.95 $/ha. Therefore, BAS-L fertilizer has the best comprehensive fertilizer effect and economic benefits.

Irrigation Scheduling and Weed Management: A Sustainable Approach for Managing Broomrape and Other Weeds in Tomato Crop

Broomrape (Orobanche cernua L.) is an obligate root parasitic weed that significantly reduces the qualitative and yield attributes of tomatoes globally. The efficient management of broomrape is challenging because of its complicated parasitic nature. Field trials were conducted to assess the influence of various irrigation scheduling and weed control strategies on broomrape, weed presence, and tomato productivity. The experiment was conducted with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and was replicated three times. Three irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days) were assigned to the main block, while sub-blocks including treatments and year were taken as the source of variance (year × irrigation timing × treatments). The experiment comprised sixteen treatments, including transparent polythene, black polythene, weedy check (Control), sole weeding of broomrape only, weeding of all weeds, weeding except broomrape, humic acid 25 kg ha−1+ copper oxychloride in single and split doses, copper oxychloride (1.5 kg a.i ha−1 in single and split doses), ammonium sulphate 200 kg ha−1 in single and split doses, copper sulfate (2 kg ha−1 in single/split doses), and glyphosate 48 SL (1.5 kg a.i ha−1) and pendimethalin 33 EC (1.44 kg a.i ha−1). The results revealed that among the various irrigation intervals, the highest broomrape intensity (4.34 plant−1) was observed with a9-day irrigation interval. Similarly, the highest weed density (35 m−2) resulted in a3-day irrigation interval. Furthermore, irrigation at a 6-day interval increased the plant height by 11%, fruit yield tons ha−1 by 24.9 %, and produced the highest cost/benefit ratio (CBR) of (1:4). Black polythene, transparent polythene, and pendimethalin reduced the weed density by 92%, 89%, and 84%;weed dry biomass by 97%, 95%, and 91%; and broomrape intensity by 67%, 77%, and 28%. Conversely, the plant height increased by 24%, 23%, and 23.6%; and fruit yield by 286%, 270%, and 191%; and had the highest CBR of 1:5, 1:4, and 1:4, respectively, as compared to the weedy check. Consequently, an increase in irrigation frequency increases other weed densities and decreases the broomrape intensity plant−1 of tomato. Therefore, black polythene could be recommended in a severely broomrape-infested field. Moreover, irrigation at 6-day intervals combined with pendimethalin and ammonium sulfate fertilizers revealed the lowest incidence of broomrape and other weeds and produced an economic yield.

Simultaneous recovery of nutrients and power generation from source-separated urine based on bioelectrical coupling with the hydrophobic gas permeable tube system

Source-separated urine has been regarded as a precious treasure on account of its rich nitrogen content and is suitable for fertilizer production. In this study, a novel bioelectrical coupling with hydrophobic gas permeable tube system (BGTS) was developed to treat urine, for removing organic matter, and recover nitrogen as value-added products in the form of nitrogen fertilizer. In the presence of the electric field, the hydrolysis process of urea in the anode chamber was accelerated, and the NH4+ driven by electric field force and concentration difference reached the cathode through the cation exchange membrane. The cathode made use of oxygen and electrons to produce alkali in situ to promote the conversion of NH4+ to NH3, which was straightforwardly absorbed in hydrophobic gas permeable tube circulating sulfuric acid solution, so as to promote the rapid migration of nitrogen and build an efficient dynamic recovery of nitrogen. After a 48-h cycle, the BGTS achieved a 95.28 ± 0.60% COD removal ratio, 91.60 ± 0.29% nitrogen recovery efficiency, and 3.48 kg m−3 ammonium sulfate fertilizer. Economic analysis indicated a profit of 5.75 $ associated with the utilization of the BGTS system for nitrogen fertilizer recovery from source separation in urine. Consequently, this study manifested that the BGTS system can recover nitrogen from human urine in a high-recovery and cost-effective way, and is of great significance in the sustainable recovery of nitrogen resources.

Ultrasonic characterization on fertilizer solutions in view to sustainable agriculture

The volumetric and sound parameters are very helpful tools to predict the different kinds of intermolecular interactions and their strengths associated with them. It is revealed that the soil salinity problem incessantly spreads due to continuous changes in climate, excessive use of groundwater, and bulk use of low-quality water for irrigation. Excessive soil salinity reduces the many agricultural crop production, which is particularly sensitive throughout the development and growth of the plant. The effect of salinity could be controlled or counteracted by the application of suitable fertilizers into the saline soils. In this manuscript, numerous acoustic as well as thermodynamic parameters of ammonium sulphate (AS) fertilizer of different weight fractions at 293.15 K temperature have been studied. The results obtained, from calculated different acoustic and volumetric parameters expose the existence of strong interactions in the system taken for investigation, this depends on the ilk of molecules. The fertilizer: ammonium sulphate shows, maximum molecular interactions at higher concentrations in all the solvents (Water, Sodium Chloride, and Magnesium Chloride), and this can again castoff in view as a remedy for soil salinity using interactions among saline salts and fertilizers.

Effect of the Amount and Timing of Ammonium Sulfate Single Top-dressing Application on Growth and Yield of Akitakomachi Rice (&lt;em&gt;Oryza sativa L.&lt;/em&gt;)

The effect of the amount and the timing of single top-dressing application of Ammonium sulfate fertilizer on the growth and yield of Akitakomachi rice (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated in this study. Two amounts (20kg.ha-1 and 50kg.ha-1) of Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) fertilizer were applied at three timings;14 days after transplanting, panicle initiation, and flowering respectively, giving six treatments (14DAT:20, 14DAT:50, PI:20, PI:50, FL:20 &amp; FL:50). A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. Growth data were collected on plant length, number of tillers and leaf color, and calculated yield and yield components were determined. Plant length was significantly higher in 14DAT:50 and PI:50, and lowest in FL:20 and FL:50. Tiller number was higher in 14DAT:50 compared to the other treatments. 14DAT:50 and PI:50 produced the highest number of panicles per m2. PI:20 and PI:50 had the highest number of spikelets per panicle. The 1000 grains weight was highest in PI:50 and lowest in 14DAT:50. The highest yields were obtained in 14DAT:50 and PI:50, while FL:20 and FL:50 produced the lowest yields. The results showed that for nitrogen (N) single top-dressing application, high amounts increase both the plant growth and the grain yield if the application is done at vegetative stage or at panicle initiation stage. However, if the nitrogen (N) amount is too high, there exist the risk that the plants may lodge.

First Steps: Synthetic Ammonia in the United States

The synthetic ammonia industry, originally based on Fritz Haber's 1909 invention of a catalytic high-pressure method as scaled up by Carl Bosch at BASF, grew globally in the years following World War I, based on the processes of Brunner, Mond &amp; Co. (Britain), Luigi Casale (Italy), Georges Claude (France), and Giacomo Fauser (Italy). The ammonia was mainly converted into ammonium sulphate fertilizer. There was less impetus in the United States for taking up these developments, because America relied on ammonium sulphate from its by-product coke ovens, sodium nitrate (Chilean nitrate) from South America, ammonia from coal gas works, and calcium cyanamide as manufactured by the American Cyanamid Company. Even when a synthetic ammonia industry started up in the United States, it was on a smaller scale than in Europe. However there emerged just before the Wall Street Crash two major producers of synthetic ammonia, Allied Chemical and Du Pont. This article presents a historical reconstruction of the early synthetic ammonia industry in the United States focusing on the 1920s, paying particular attention to Du Pont's success, which relied on the ammonia process of Casale. Standard accounts suggest that Du Pont acquired Casale technology as the result of a straightforward business acquisition. However, the situation, as shown here, was far more complex. Du Pont had to engage in aggresive litigation in order to acquire rights to the Casale process in 1927.

Degradation of the Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate in Soils: Indication of Chemical Pathways

Nitrogen fertilizers amended with nitrification inhibitors (NIs) are used to increase nitrogen use efficiencies in agricultural systems. 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is the most successful commercial NI to date but has a highly variable efficacy. To explore whether degradation could contribute to its inconsistent performance, incubation studies were performed with DMPP and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole glycolate (DMPG) in two alkaline clay soils that were treated with the fertilizer ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4). Analysis of the soil extracts revealed a qualitative correlation between the amount of NI present in the soil and inhibition efficiency as well as several degradation products resulting from the oxidation of a methyl side chain and dimerization. A similar outcome was obtained for the degradation in sterilized soil and in accelerated weathering studies in the absence of soil. Our data suggest that chemical and not microbiological pathways are primarily responsible for the degradation of this inhibitor, which could potentially be initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from both biotic and abiotic processes in soils.

SULFATE AMMONIUM FERTILIZER ON THE OFF-SEASON PRODUCTION OF SNAKE FRUIT (Salacca sumatrana Becc.)

Sidimpuan snake fruit is one of the local specialties of Padangsidimpuan City in Sumatra. The fruit is known for its sweet, sour and astringent taste which differentiates it from Pondoh and Balinese snake fruit. However, snake fruit farmers have been experiencing an increasing failure rate of fruit-set during the off-season which has led to a decrease in production.   Use fertilization and drip irrigation in the off-season has been suggested as a solution. This research investigates the use of these to overcome the failure of fruit set to optimize production of Sidimpuan snake fruit throughout the year by determining the optimal dosage of ammonium sulfate fertilizer and drip irrigation for fruit set and production in the off-season. This research used a split-plot design with the main plot for drip irrigation and the subplot for ammonium sulfate. Observation parameters include the number of flower and fruit bunches, fruit set percentage and a nutrient analysis of the leaves. The results revealed that drip irrigation had a significant effect on the observed variables of fruit set and number of harvested fruit bunches. Drip irrigation had a significant effect on the fruit set percentage and the number of harvested fruit bunches. The best combination of treatments was also discovered to be 400 g ammonium sulfate fertilizer per plant and drip irrigation 3000 ml/plant. The fertilization period of July-Sept gave an off season harvest that was able to match the fruit set percentage (10.76% difference) and number of fruit bunches that were formed (25.65% difference ) by the April-June fertilization for the on-season harvest demonstrating that drip irrigation and ammonium sulfate can overcome fruit set failure in Sidimpuan snake fruit during the off-season.

Integrating Pyrolysis or Combustion with Scrubbing to Maximize the Nutrient and Energy Recovery from Municipal Sewage Sludge

Based on mass and energy balance calculations, this work investigates the possibility of recovering heat and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from municipal sewage sludge using pyrolysis or combustion in combination with a gas scrubbing technology. Considering a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with 65,000 t/a of mechanically dewatered digestate (29% total solids), 550 t/a nitrogen and 500 t/a phosphorus were recovered from the 4900 t/a total nitrogen and 600 t/a total phosphorus that entered the WWTP. Overall, 3600 t/a (73%) of total nitrogen was lost to the air (as N2) and clean water, while 90 t/a (15%) of total phosphorus was lost to clean water released by the WWTP. Both in combustion and in pyrolysis, the nitrogen (3%) released within thermal drying fumes was recovered through condensate stripping and subsequent gas scrubbing, and together with the recovery of nitrogen from WWTP reject water, a total of 3500 t/a of ammonium sulfate fertilizer can be produced. Furthermore, 120 GWh/a of district heat and 9700 t/a of ash with 500 t/a phosphorus were obtained in the combustion scenario and 12,000 t/a of biochar with 500 t/a phosphorus was obtained in the pyrolysis scenario. The addition of a stripper and a scrubber for nitrogen recovery increases the total electricity consumption in both scenarios. According to an approximate cost estimation, combustion and pyrolysis require annual investment costs of 2–4 M EUR/a and 2–3 M EUR/a, respectively, while 3–5 M EUR/a and 3–3.5 M EUR/a will be generated as revenues from the products.