Nutrient Balance Research Articles

Ecosystem Carbon and Nutrient Balances in Short-Rotation Hybrid Aspen Coppice Under Different Thinning Methods

AbstractCoppice plantations have gained a high interest for biofuel production and carbon uptake in short rotation cycles. There is a limited knowledge how such intensive coppice management affects soil fertility and nutrients supply to maintain carbon sink. We studied ecosystem carbon and nutrients balance and allocation during a 5-year period in hybrid aspen coppice under different thinning methods in hemiboreal Estonia. The benchmark value for the changes was defined before the coppice emerged after the clear-cut of the previously planted hybrid aspen plantation. The studied systematical thinning treatments were as follows: corridor thinning with removal of 67% of the trees (CT), cross-corridor thinning with removal of 89% of the trees (CCT), and unthinned (UT) coppice. The UT and CT treatments resulted in a positive carbon balance at the ecosystem level. In all treatments, a decrease of soil acidity, organic C, total N, K, Mg and Mn contents, and an increase of soil Cu and B contents were observed in the 0–20-cm deep layer. The concentrations of leaf N, P, and K were higher in UT than in the two thinning treatments, indicating that the aspens had not entirely recovered from the changed root to shoot ratio 2 years after thinning, whereas the leaf mass fraction of medium- and small-sized trees had already increased. Bioenergy harvest from the UT site in a 5-year rotation would cause 5–18% removal of NPK from the total ecosystem pool. Overall, hybrid aspen coppice showed positive ecosystem carbon balance after the first 5-year period; however, further monitoring of soil properties is needed as we found decrease of soil organic C and nutrients concentrations in short term. Graphical Abstract

НОРМИРОВАНИЕ ВОДОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ УГОДИЙ И КУЛЬТУР С УЧЕТОМ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННО-ВРЕМЕННОЙ ИЗМЕНЧИВОСТИ ГИДРОМЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ

The article presents the developed calculation methodology for environmental regulation of water consumption of agricultural land and crops, taking into account the spatiotemporal variability of climatic, hydrological, soil and biological indicators of the natural system. It is noted that the human pressure in the form of a deficit in water consumption of agricultural land and crops should be based on the principles of energy balance of heat, moisture and nutrients, taking into account natural conditions that ensure targeted regulation and management of soil-forming processes in hydro-agrolandscapes. The developed model and algorithm for assessing water consumption in agriculture are built using two models for rationing water consumption - agricultural land and crops, which makes it possible to determine the most important criteria for environmental management in irrigated agriculture and is of great importance in ensuring food security of the population.

Impact of Twig-Tip Dieback on Leaf Nutrient Status and Resorption Efficiency of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Trees

Mineral nutrition is essential for plant growth and the interaction of plants with biotic and abiotic stresses. Mango twig-tip dieback (MTTD) is a new type of mango decline, but its impact on trees’ mineral nutrition is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the effect of MTTD infection on the nutrient status, balance, and resorption efficiency (RE) of mangoes. Leaf nutrient concentrations and deviation from the optimum percentage (DOP) indices of ‘Kensington Pride’ (KP) mango trees with low (LD) and high (HD) levels of MTTD infections were analyzed to compare the foliar nutrition status and nutrient balance between the LD and HD trees. Moreover, the nutrient resorption efficiency of MTTD-infected dried leaves (RED) was compared with the resorption efficiency of healthy (RES) leaves of KP mangoes. The concentrations of total Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were lower in the HD trees than in the LD trees. But the total K content was higher in the HD trees, and its DOP index was sufficient, while the total K concentration was of a low and deficient level in LD trees. Moreover, the DOP indices for total Ca, Mn, and Zn were less deficient in LD trees than in HD trees, and the overall nutrient imbalances were exacerbated in HD trees. The RED was significantly lower than RES for the total N, P, S, Cu, Fe, and Zn but significantly higher than RES for K. This study underscores the significant influence of MTTD on the mineral nutrition of KP mangoes, revealing distinct nutrient variations between trees with low and high MTTD infection levels. These findings have important implications for mango crop management, emphasizing the need for targeted nutrient interventions to address imbalances induced by MTTD and enhance the overall health and resistance of mango trees against MTTD infections.

Effect of Zinc, Iron and Biofertilizer on Physical Property of Soil under Chickpea Cultivation

The research was conducted at the Central Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences (SHUATS) in Prayagraj during the Rabi season of 2022-23. The experimental design employed was a Randomized Block Design (RBD), with application of Zn, Iron along with standard fertilizer dose (RDF). This design aimed to systematically assess the combined effects of these factors on the specified parameters, insightful information about the potential advantages of using micronutrients in cultivation of chickpea, particularly the “Sadabahar” variety. In the study, Bulk density Mg m-3); Particle density (Mg m-3); Pore Space (%); Water holding capacity (%) was calculated by methods suggested by Muthuvel et al. [1]. The details of nano mixed micronutrients treatment given are T1 (Absolute control); T2 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 0 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 2.5 kg ha-1); T3 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 0 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 5 kg ha-1); T4 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 0 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 7.5 kg ha-1); T5 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 6.67 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 0 kg ha-1); T6 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 6.67 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 2.5 kg ha-1); T7 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 6.67 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 5 kg ha-1); T8 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 6.67 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 7.5 kg ha-1); T9 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 13.34 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 0 kg ha-1); T10 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 13.34 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 2.5 kg ha-1); T11 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 13.34 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 5 kg ha-1); T12 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 13.34 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 7.5 kg ha-1); T13 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 0 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 2.5 kg ha-1+ Rhizobium 20 g kg-1); T14 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 6.67 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 5 kg ha-1+ Rhizobium 20 g kg-1) and T15 (RDF 100 % + Zinc @ 13.34 kg ha-1 + Iron @ 7.5 kg ha-1+ Rhizobium 20 g kg-1).Zinc and Iron improve root development and microbial activity, enhancing soil structure and porosity. Rhizobium further promotes root nodulation and organic matter decomposition, increasing soil aggregation and moisture retention. This balanced nutrient and microbial application optimizes soil physical properties, leading to superior water holding capacity and pore space.

Does Soil Acidification Matter? Nutrient Sustainability of Timber Harvesting in Forests on Selected Soils Developed in Sediments of the Early vs. Late Pleistocene

With this study, our aim was to estimate the nutrient fluxes relevant for assessing nutrient sustainability as accurately as possible and to calculate nutrient balances for alternative forest management scenarios. Furthermore, we tested whether mapping units from existing geologic maps can serve as a basis for forest practitioners to estimate nutrient sustainability or whether more detailed data are needed. Positive fluxes include deposition and weathering, while negative fluxes include losses due to leaching and nutrient removal through timber harvesting in the balance. Weathering and leachate losses were modeled with a geochemical model. The SwissStandSim model was used to simulate the biomass growth under different harvesting and silvicultural strategies, allowing for sustainability to be assessed for each nutrient at a given intensity of use. This assessment was made per rotation period based on two criteria: (i) nutrient supply and (ii) total stocking volume. As a result, it can be noted that the accurate estimation of individual fluxes is essential for assessing the sustainability of forestry practices and that it needs detailed site-specific data. Various influencing factors turned out to be important, particularly the assumed depth of the root zone.

Enhanced biobutanol production with sustainable Co-substrates synergy from paper waste and garden waste with municipal biowaste

Synergy in the co-processing of lignocellulosic wastes and municipal biowaste (MB) can unlock their potential for biobutanol production. This study assessed the potential for biobutanol production through the co-processing of lignocellulosic waste and MB. Specifically, it compared the co-processing of paper waste with MB to that of garden waste and MB. Ethanol organosolv pretreatment served as a dual-function process for both pretreatment and detoxification purposes. Initial fermentation of hydrolysates from untreated paper waste using Clostridium acetobutylicum produced 0.9 g/L of acetone and ethanol but no detectable butanol. Organosolv pretreatment led to a significant increase in acetone and ethanol production but did not yield butanol. Co-processing paper waste with MB using organosolv pretreatment resulted in the production of 2.8–3.2 g/L butanol, along with increased acetone and ethanol production. Furthermore, co-processing a 1:1 (w/w) mixture of paper waste and MB under mild and severe pretreatment conditions produced 45.5 g and 43.4 g butanol, respectively, compared to 34.8 g and 14.4 g butanol when processing these waste streams separately. The study also explored the positive impact of co-processing garden waste with MB, a distinct lignocellulosic source, enhancing acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) yield by 27–40%. These findings highlight the potential of synergistic waste co-processing for achieving a more suitable balance of nutrients to enhance biobutanol and ABE production from biowastes. Additionally, the simultaneous treatment of lignocellulosic waste and municipal biowaste offers a simplified approach to waste processing, contributing to advancements in sustainable biomass utilization and bioenergy production.

Evaluation of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) productivity on peatlands based on DRIS analysis of leaf nutrient content in Siak District of Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest producer of oil palm in the world, with Riau Province particularly Siak District being the major contributor. The study focused on oil palm plantations within Siak District, characterized by a tropical rainforest climate of high humidity. The soil type in this area was a peatland with sapric and hemic maturity. The planting material used primarily consists of the DxP Marihat variety, which was planted between 1995-2005, with an average potential fresh fruit bunch productivity of 29.00 tons/ha/year. Variations in nutrient contents in oil palm leaf were observed across each block of the study location. Diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) analysis was conducted on found number 17 to determine the key nutrients required to increase oil palm productivity. This method consists of several stages, including norm analysis, DRIS index, nutrient balance index (NBI), optimum leaf nutrient value, and leaf nutrient interval. Data was obtained from 312 leaf nutrient analyses and fresh fruit bunch productivity across 39 blocks for the period between 2015 and 2022. A value of 26.33 tons/ha/year, derived from DRIS norm calculation, indicated the border between high and low productivity blocks. The results showed that the order of macronutrient and micronutrient requirements in high productivity blocks was N>P>K>Ca>Mg and B>Cu>Zn, while in low productivity blocks, it was Ca>Mg>N>K>P and B>Cu>Zn. Regression of DRIS index and leaf nutrient content obtained optimum nutrient values of 2.78%, 0.16%, 1.02%, 0.66%, 0.35%, 29.51 ppm, 3.65 ppm, and 15.37 ppm for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Therefore, nutrients Ca and B were prioritized to increase the achievement of oil palm fresh fruit bunch productivity.

New York state, regional and county level nitrogen and phosphorus balances for harvested cropland

New York (NY) state is one of five states that collectively produce >50% of the annual milk supply within the United States. The local environment allows farmers to integrate crop and livestock systems, facilitating cycling of manure nutrients back to cropland. Thus, dairy provides NY with benefits, opportunities, and challenges in terms of environmental sustainability, climate resiliency, and a circular agricultural economy. Improved balancing of crop nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) needs and supply with manure and fertilizer, is key for a circular agricultural economy. The objectives of this study were to calculate and evaluate (1) regional and county level N and P balances of harvested cropland; and (2) contribution of manure to a circular agricultural economy for NY. Nutrient balances were calculated for 2017 (most recent Census year) as the difference in the amount of nutrient input through purchased fertilizer and recoverable manure, and the amount removed in harvested crops. Atmospheric N deposition and legume N fixation, and manure nutrient losses during collection, transfer, storage, and treatment were estimated too. The 2017 P balance was 10 kg P ha−1 (9 lb. P ac−1). The N balance was between 39 kg N ha−1 (35 lb. N ac−1) and 95 kg N ha−1 (85 lb. N ac−1), depending on the proportion of legume cropland assumed to receive manure. Redistribution and application of manure to meet P-removal on non-legume cropland only leaves a surplus of 3 kg P ha−1 (3 lb. P ac−1). Applying surplus manure to legume and non-legume cropland results in a slight, state-level, P deficit. In both scenarios, the large N deficit that cannot be met through legume N fixation alone indicates purchased fertilizer is required. These results show NY’s ability to capitalize on the value of manure without excessive risk to the environment. Greater circularity of agricultural production in NY will need to consider benefits and trade-offs of applying manure to legume cropland. As milk production increases in the state, implementation of advanced manure treatment, storage, and manure application and livestock feeding practices will be needed to increase the circularity and sustainability of the agricultural sector in NY.

Investigation of Yield Limiting Nutrients for Wheat Productivity through Nutrient Omission Trials

This study examines the effect of nutrient omission trials (NOTs) on wheat productivity in West shawa zone, Oromia region, with a focus on identifying yield-limiting nutrients. The experiments were conducted out over ten experimental sites. The experiment was laid out by randomized block design using farmers plot as replications per villages to determine the primary yield-limiting nutrients in wheat crop production using nutrient omission strategies and different nutrient sources. Different source of nutrients were used for the studies. Soil samples were tested to determine the initial nutrient levels, and agronomic data on growth, yield, and efficiency measures were obtained. The results show significant differences in wheat growth and production among treatments, indicating the significance of nitrogen and phosphorus in biomass and grain yield increase. The full NPKSZnB treatment consistently produced the highest yields, demonstrating the necessity of balanced nutrient management strategies specific to local agro-ecological conditions.

Enhancing rice productivity through holistic nutrient management: integrating vermicompost and Azolla for improved agronomic performance and sustainability

A three-year multi-location trial on the farmer’s field was conducted in West Bengal, India to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the performance of kharif rice cv. Swarna Sub 1. The experiment employed a randomized block design (RBD) across eleven farmers’ fields with similar soil properties, texture, topography, and historical fertilizer application patterns. Three treatments were tested: T1 – common practice of applying N:P:K @ 55:32:27 kg ha−1, T2 – soil test-based application (STA) of ∼75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + ∼ 25% through Azolla, and T3 – soil test-based application of ∼ 75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + 20% N from vermi-compost + 5% N through Azolla. The result of the experiment revealed that the T3 exhibited significant improvements in plant height, leaf area index (LAI), effective tillers meter−2, number of panicles plant−1, and 1000-grain weight compared to T2 and T1. Among the different nutrient management practices, the T3 recorded maximum rice grain productivity than the T1, and T2, Further, the benefit-cost ratio was noticed significantly higher under T3 (1.29) followed by T2 (1.27) and T1 (1.23). The soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrient was enhanced by the soil test-based application of ∼75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + 20% N from vermicompost + 5% N through Azolla. Thus, our study indicated that the balanced nutrient application through combined sources (T3) could improve crop growth; and sustain rice productivity, besides enhancing the farm income, and soil different soil properties.

Biomass and nutrient flow dynamics and sustainability practices to de-risk environmental challenges in the sub-saharan Africa farming system

In sub-Saharan Africa, productivity risks stem from weather variability, while environmental risks include soil nutrient depletion due to unsustainable farming practices that include monoculture, inadequate or lack of soil and water conservation measures, and low-nutrient application. As a result, shifts from the prevailing fallow system to permanent cultivation lead to soil degradation. The present study aimed to quantify the fluxes of biomass, nutrients, and nutrient balances from different fertilizer sources to de-risk the challenges related to agriculture and the environment in Mali. A farm household survey was conducted over two years (July 2018 to June 2020) with 45 households. The survey enabled us to categorize farm households into three typologies: high resource endowment (HRE), medium resource endowment (MRE), and low resource endowment (LRE). Data on sustainability indicators from cropland, livestock, farm input use, and redistribution units enabled the analysis of biomass and nutrient flow dynamics from households to farmlands and vice versa. The nutrient monitoring (NUTMON) tool generated nutrient flows and balances. Results showed that the total annual biomass collected per hectare by HRE (22.3t) is significantly higher than that collected by MRE (13.4t) and LRE (5.35t) farms (P ​< ​0.001). Compared to LRE (10.3 ​t ​ha−1 year−1), HRE and MRE farmers produced six times (60 ​t ​ha−1 year−1) and three times (34 ​t ​ha−1 year−1) more manure, respectively. Farm households with better endowment status observed a higher rate of nutrient utilization. For the major crops, nutrient application rates of HRE farms in kg ha−1 (cotton: 12.6 ​N, 4.2 ​P, 18.2 ​K) and (maize: 9.18 ​N, 2.34 ​P, 10.7 ​K) were significantly higher than that of MRE and LRE farms (P ​< ​0.01). The study confirms that household endowment status determines farmlands' nutrient flows and fertility levels. Quantifying biomass transport and understanding nutrient flow dynamics enable the derivation of context-specific solutions to reduce risks associated with productivity and the environment.

Coastal conversion alters topsoil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stocks and stoichiometric balances in subtropical coastal wetlands

The extensive conversion of coastal wetlands into agricultural and aquaculture areas has significant repercussions on soil nutrient balance. However, how coastal conversion specifically influences the dynamics and stoichiometry of topsoil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) remains limited due to the considerable spatial variability and a lack of comprehensive field data. Here, we investigated the concentration and distribution of total C (TC), N (TN) and P (TP), along with their stoichiometric balance in four distinct coastal landscapes, including natural marshes and tidal flats, as well as converted agricultural croplands and ponds. The results revealed that converted croplands and ponds exhibited significantly higher concentrations of soil C, N and P, particularly in comparison to tidal flats. Furthermore, croplands and ponds have higher topsoil C stocks than tidal flats, but little difference or even lose stored C compared to marshes. Cropland soils showed considerably higher levels of available N (NH4+-N and NO3−-N) and available P compared to those in natural marshes and tidal flats. The distribution of soil TC, TN, and TP demonstrated greater spatial heterogeneity in natural marshes and tidal flats, while the converted areas were more uniform and became hotspots for N and P accumulation. Coastal conversion altered soil C:N:P stoichiometry, with cropland soils exhibiting a lower N:P ratio (2.9 ± 1.1), indicating that long-term application of N and P fertilizers could decrease the N:P ratio, as P is more retained in the soil than N. Furthermore, it was observed that the dynamics of C, N and P, as well as their stoichiometry, are closely linked to soil physicochemical properties, especially soil organic matter and texture. These findings highlight that coastal conversion and associated management practices markedly affected soil C, N and P dynamics in a representative wetland area of the subtropical regions, leading to a reshaping of their stoichiometric balances, particularly in the topsoil layer.

Retaining Resveratrol Content in Berries and Berry Products with Agricultural and Processing Techniques: Review

Resveratrol is a natural compound that can be found in red wine, grapes, and berries. It has attracted attention due to its potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to align ways of retaining resveratrol contents in berries and products made of berries, and to show which agricultural and processing techniques can maximize the content in the berries and their products and how this can be achieved. The scientific literature has revealed that resveratrol concentration in berries and berry-derived products varies significantly depending on the source and the processing techniques applied. Resveratrol content can range from 0.03–0.06 mg/kg in blueberries to 5–10 mg/kg in grape skins. Agricultural techniques such as controlled water stress (e.g., increasing resveratrol in grapes to 8.3–11.5 mg/kg), optimal sun exposure (e.g., enhancing blueberries to 1.5–2.1 mg/kg), balanced nutrient management, and selecting high-resveratrol cultivars (e.g., up to 15 mg/kg in certain grapes) can substantially increase resveratrol content. Processing methods like cold pressing, centrifugation, ultrafiltration, and freeze-drying are effective in preserving resveratrol levels, while traditional pasteurization tends to reduce its concentration. For instance, high-temperature short-time pasteurization can reduce resveratrol in juice from 1.5 mg/kg to 0.8 mg/kg, whereas cold pressing retains more resveratrol (1.5 mg/kg to 1.4 mg/kg). By optimizing these agricultural and processing techniques, manufacturers can enhance the resveratrol content in berry-derived products, meeting the growing consumer demand for health-enhancing natural products and supporting a healthier society. This approach aligns with the commitment to overcoming the technical challenges associated with resveratrol use, ensuring its potential is fully realized in both health-related and non-health-related applications.

Biomethane Production from the Two-Stage Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Cow Manure: Residual Edible Oil with Two Qualities of Waste-Activated Sludge

Wastewater treatment systems produce large volumes of sludge which is not used; its final disposal is in soil or landfill. This sludge represents a biomethane-energy alternative through anaerobic co-digestion, contributing to reducing the environmental impacts caused by their inadequate disposal. Biomethane production by the two-stage production method in batch digesters with pH and temperature control was evaluated by two qualities of waste-activated sludge (SLB50 and SLB90) and with a mixture of two co-substrates: cow manure (CEV50 and CEV90) and residual edible oil (CAV50 and CAV90). Bacteria in good-quality sludge (SLB90) showed a faster adaptation of 2 days than those in low-quality sludge (SLB50), with a 25-day lag phase. The highest CH4 production was for SLB90 (303.99 cm3 d−1) compared to SLB50 (4.33 cm3 d−1). However, the cow manure–sludge mixture (CEV90) contributed to the increased production of CH4 (42,422.8 cm3 d−1) compared to CEV50 (12,881.45 cm3 CH4 d−1); for CAV90 and CAV50, these were 767.32 cm3 d−1 and 211.42 cm3 d−1, respectively. The addition of sludge co-substrates improves the nutrient balance and C/N ratio; consequently, methane production improves. This methodology could be integrated into concepts of the circular economy.

Residual, direct and interaction effect of nutrient management on growth, yield, quality, and economics of fodder maize and soil nutrient balance under grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.)– fodder maize [Zea mays (L.)] sequence in Inceptisols of Western India

Residual, direct and interaction effect of nutrient management on growth, yield, quality, and economics of fodder maize and soil nutrient balance under grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.)– fodder maize [Zea mays (L.)] sequence in Inceptisols of Western India

Unlocking the nutritional potential of chickpea: strategies for biofortification and enhanced multinutrient quality.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute to addressing the global population's increasing food and nutritional demands. Chickpea protein offers a balanced source of amino acids with high bioavailability. Moreover, due to its balanced nutrients and affordable price, chickpea is an excellent alternative to animal protein, offering a formidable tool for combating hidden hunger and malnutrition, particularly prevalent in low-income countries. This review examines chickpea's nutritional profile, encompassing protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and bioactive compounds of significance in health and pharmaceutical domains. Emphasis is placed on incorporating chickpeas into diets for their myriad health benefits and nutritional richness, aimed at enhancing human protein and micronutrient nutrition. We discuss advances in plant breeding and genomics that have facilitated the discovery of diverse genotypes and key genomic variants/regions/quantitative trait loci contributing to enhanced macro- and micronutrient contents and other quality parameters. Furthermore, we explore the potential of innovative breeding tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in enhancing chickpea's nutritional profile. Envisioning chickpea as a nutritionally smart crop, we endeavor to safeguard food security, combat hunger and malnutrition, and promote dietary diversity within sustainable agrifood systems.

Decreasing Intracellular Entropy by Increasing Mitochondrial Efficiency and Reducing ROS Formation-The Effect on the Ageing Process and Age-Related Damage.

A hypothesis is presented to explain how the ageing process might be influenced by optimizing mitochondrial efficiency to reduce intracellular entropy. Research-based quantifications of entropy are scarce. Non-equilibrium metabolic reactions and compartmentalization were found to contribute most to lowering entropy in the cells. Like the cells, mitochondria are thermodynamically open systems exchanging matter and energy with their surroundings-the rest of the cell. Based on the calculations from cancer cells, glycolysis was reported to produce less entropy than mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. However, these estimations depended on the CO2 concentration so that at slightly increased CO2, it was oxidative phosphorylation that produced less entropy. Also, the thermodynamic efficiency of mitochondrial respiratory complexes varies depending on the respiratory state and oxidant/antioxidant balance. Therefore, in spite of long-standing theoretical and practical efforts, more measurements, also in isolated mitochondria, with intact and suboptimal respiration, are needed to resolve the issue. Entropy increases in ageing while mitochondrial efficiency of energy conversion, quality control, and turnover mechanisms deteriorate. Optimally functioning mitochondria are necessary to meet energy demands for cellular defence and repair processes to attenuate ageing. The intuitive approach of simply supplying more metabolic fuels (more nutrients) often has the opposite effect, namely a decrease in energy production in the case of nutrient overload. Excessive nutrient intake and obesity accelerate ageing, while calorie restriction without malnutrition can prolong life. Balanced nutrient intake adapted to needs/activity-based high ATP requirement increases mitochondrial respiratory efficiency and leads to multiple alterations in gene expression and metabolic adaptations. Therefore, rather than overfeeding, it is necessary to fine-tune energy production by optimizing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress; the evidence is discussed in this paper.

Postfire Phosphorus Enrichment Mitigates Nitrogen Loss in Boreal Forests.

Net nitrogen mineralization (Nmin) and nitrification regulate soil N availability and loss after severe wildfires in boreal forests experiencing slow vegetation recovery. Yet, how microorganisms respond to postfire phosphorus (P) enrichment to alter soil N transformations remains unclear in N-limited boreal forests. Here, we investigated postfire N-P interactions using an intensive regional-scale sampling of 17 boreal forests in the Greater Khingan Mountains (Inner Mongolia-China), a laboratory P-addition incubation, and a continental-scale meta-analysis. We found that postfire soils had an increased risk of N loss by accelerated Nmin and nitrification along with low plant N demand, especially during the early vegetation recovery period. The postfire N/P imbalance created by P enrichment acts as a "N retention" strategy by inhibiting Nmin but not nitrification in boreal forests. This strategy is attributed to enhanced microbial N-use efficiency and N immobilization. Importantly, our meta-analysis found that there was a greater risk of N loss in boreal forest soils after fires than in other climatic zones, which was consistent with our results from the 17 soils in the Greater Khingan Mountains. These findings demonstrate that postfire N-P interactions play an essential role in mitigating N limitation and maintaining nutrient balance in boreal forests.

Co-production and enhancement of biogas and biohydrogen by optimizing NaOH-urera pretreatment conditions for kitchen waste

Kitchen waste (KW) constitutes a major portion of municipal solid waste, posing an imminent environmental challenge. Given its high water and organic content, KW is suitable for Anaerobic Digestion (AD) prior to its disposal, as it reduces Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and simultaneously generates biogas. The unique contribution of this study is the investigation of NaOH-urea pretreatment as a method to enhance AD of KW and sludge, ultimately leading to more efficient and environmentally friendly waste disposal. NaOH-urea pretreatment is selected for its ability to improve hydrolysis, increase organic matter solubilization, and enhance nutrient balance, ultimately boosting biogas yield during AD. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing pretreatment conditions. AD experiments were performed batch-wise. For optimization, pretreatment time, temperature, and NaOH-urea concentration were selected as independent variables. RSM results indicated that optimum NaOH-urea concentration, time, and temperature conditions were 30 g/L, 30 min, and −5 °C, respectively. At optimum conditions, cumulative biogas was 316 ml, whereas biohydrogen % (v/v) was 36.21 %. Furthermore, the Modified Gompertz Model (MGM) and Logistic Function Model (LFM) were used to observe the efficacy of NaOH-urea pre-treatment of KW., The reaction kinetics were also discussed. Akaike's Information Criterion was employed to determine which model best fits the obtained experimental data. It was found that MGM is better than LFM for this study. Through experimental investigations and numerical modeling, this research provides insights into optimizing biogas and biohydrogen production from KW.

The Effect of Organic Fertilizer Type, Nutrient Composition, and Application Method on Tomato Plant Growth in Plantation Areas in the Cianjur Region of West Java

This study investigated the effect of organic fertilizer type, nutrient composition, and application method on tomato plant growth in the plantation areas of the Cianjur region, West Java. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangements was employed, and data were collected using Likert scale ratings from 110 tomato plants. The analysis revealed significant differences in plant growth among different organic fertilizer types, with biofertilizers exhibiting the highest mean growth score. Moreover, fertilizers with balanced nutrient compositions resulted in superior plant growth compared to those with imbalanced compositions. Additionally, foliar spraying emerged as the most effective application method, promoting higher plant growth compared to broadcasting and banding methods. These findings highlight the importance of considering organic fertilizer characteristics and application techniques in optimizing tomato plant growth in agricultural systems.