Canola Straw Research Articles

Influence of nitrogen fertilizer forms and crop straw biochars on soil exchange properties and maize growth on an acidic Ultisol

ABSTRACTEffects of repeated application of urea (UN) and calcium nitrate (CN) singly and together with crop straw biochars on soil acidity and maize growth were investigated with greenhouse pot experiments for two consecutive seasons. Canola straw biochar (CB), peanut straw biochar (PB) and wheat straw biochar (WB) were applied at 1% of dried soil weight in the first season. N fertilizers were applied at 200 mg N kg−1. In UN treatments, an initial rise in pH was subjected to proton consumption through urea hydrolysis, afterwards nitrification of NH4+ caused drastic reductions in pH as single UN had soil pH of 3.70, even lower than control (4.27) after the 2nd crop season. Post-harvest soil analyses indicated that soil pH, soil exchangeable acidity, NH4+, NO3− and total base cations showed highly significant variation under N and biochar types (P < 0.05). Articulated growth of plants under combined application with biochars was expressed by 22.7%, 22.5%, and 35.7% higher root and 25.6%, 23.8%, and 35.9% higher shoot biomass by CB, PB and WB combined with CN over UN, respectively. Therefore, CN combined with biochars is a better choice to correct soil acidity and improve maize growth than UN combined with biochars.

Potential for improving fiber digestion in the rumen of cattle (Bos taurus) through microbial inoculation from bison (Bison bison): In situ fiber degradation1

The objective of this experiment was to determine if partial replacement of cattle rumen contents with those from bison would increase in situ ruminal fiber degradation of various forages. The second objective was to examine individual variation among cattle in their ability to degrade forage and their responses to inoculation. In situ degradation of barley straw, canola straw, alfalfa hay, and timothy hay was measured in 16 ruminally cannulated heifers fed a barley straw-based diet before and after inoculation with combined rumen contents from 32 bison (performed twice, 14 d apart). Each feed was incubated in the rumen of each heifer for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 120 h, and the degradation parameters were determined as washout fraction (), potentially degradable fraction (), rate of digestion of fraction (), and total potentially degradable fraction (). The of barley straw decreased ( = 0.04) after inoculation, whereas fraction of NDF increased ( = 0.03) and fraction of NDF and ADF decreased ( ≤ 0.02) by inoculation. In contrast, of alfalfa hay NDF and ADF decreased ( = 0.002) after inoculation, but fraction of NDF and ADF ( ≤ 0.02) increased. There were no major effects ( > 0.06) of inoculation on the fiber degradation of timothy hay or canola straw. The differential response between barley straw and alfalfa hay may have occurred because the cattle were previously adapted to a barley straw diet, whereas the bison were fed barley silage and oats. Some animals consistently ranked higher or lower for or across at least 3 of the 4 feeds incubated, but the rankings changed after inoculation. In conclusion, inoculation of cattle with bison rumen contents failed to improve degradation of fiber from barley straw, canola straw, or timothy hay in cattle well adapted to a barley straw diet, although there were small improvements in the extent of degradation of fiber from alfalfa hay. Cattle varied both in their ability to degrade various forages and in their responses to inoculation with bison rumen contents.

Microwave-Assisted Alkali Pre-Treatment, Densification and Enzymatic Saccharification of Canola Straw and Oat Hull.

The effects of microwave-assisted alkali pre-treatment on pellets’ characteristics and enzymatic saccharification for bioethanol production using lignocellulosic biomass of canola straw and oat hull were investigated. The ground canola straw and oat hull were immersed in distilled water, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide solutions at two concentrations (0.75% and 1.5% w/v) and exposed to microwave radiation at power level 713 W and three residence times (6, 12 and 18 min). Bulk and particle densities of ground biomass samples were determined. Alkaline-microwave pre-treated and untreated samples were subjected to single pelleting test in an Instron universal machine, pre-set to a load of 4000 N. The measured parameters, pellet density, tensile strength and dimensional stability were evaluated and the results showed that the microwave-assisted alkali pre-treated pellets had a significantly higher density and tensile strength compared to samples that were untreated or pre-treated by microwave alone. The chemical composition analysis showed that microwave-assisted alkali pre-treatment was able to disrupt and break down the lignocellulosic structure of the samples, creating an area of cellulose accessible to cellulase reactivity. The best enzymatic saccharification results gave a high glucose yield of 110.05 mg/g dry sample for canola straw ground in a 1.6 mm screen hammer mill and pre-treated with 1.5% NaOH for 18 min, and a 99.10 mg/g dry sample for oat hull ground in a 1.6 mm screen hammer mill and pre-treated with 0.75% NaOH for 18 min microwave-assisted alkali pre-treatments. The effects of pre-treatment results were supported by SEM analysis. Overall, it was found that microwave-assisted alkali pre-treatment of canola straw and oat hull at a short residence time enhanced glucose yield.

Enhancement of glucose yield from canola agricultural residue by alkali pretreatment based on multi-regression models

Abstract In this study, the solid recovery was significantly applied to the design of experiments which is indicated as biomass into glucose recovery (BtG). Pretreatment of canola straw was carried out using alkali reagents, and optimal conditions were determined by solving of multi regression models. The optimal conditions are as follows: 70 °C for 16 h with 19% NH3 (NH3-pretreatment) and 70 °C for 20 h with 9% NaOH (NaOH-pretreatment). The model predicted results were compared to the experimental results with a high degree of accuracy of >95%. Finally, BtG by NH3 and NaOH process were enhanced approximately 4.1- and 3.7-fold, respectively.

Integrated use of phosphorus and organic matter improve fodder yield of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) under irrigated and dryland conditions of Pakistan

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of phosphorus (30, 45 and 60 kg P ha-1) and organic matter (canola straw, berseem straw and farmyard manure) on growth and fodder yield of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia Jacq.) under irrigated and dryland conditions. The experiment was conducted under two field conditions viz. (i) with irrigation and (ii) without irrigation (dryland). The experiment under each field condition was laid out in a randomized complete block design having three replications. The results revealed that P and organic matter treated plots (rest) under both irrigated and dryland conditions had better growth and produced higher fresh and dry fodder yields over control (no P and no organic matter applied). Moth bean planted under irrigated condition (no moisture stress) had improved growth, and produced higher fresh and dry fodder yields over dryland condition. Increasing the rate of P increased growth, fresh and dry fodder yields (60 kg P ha-1 &gt; 45 kg P ha-1 &gt; 30 kg P ha-1). Increase in growth, fresh and dry yields was obtained with the application of farmyard manure over plant residues incorporation. We concluded from this study that application of P at the highest rate of 60 kg P ha-1 along with farmyard manure (5 t ha-1) as source of OM improve growth and fodder yield of moth bean under irrigated and dryland conditions under semiarid climates.

Amelioration of an acidic ultisol by straw-derived biochars combined with dicyandiamide under application of urea.

The rapid increase in agricultural pollution demands judicious use of inputs and outputs for sustainable crop production. Crop straws were pyrolyzed under oxygen-limited conditions at 400°C for 2h to prepare peanut straw biochar (PB), canola straw biochar (CB), and wheat straw biochar (WB). Then, 300-g soils were incubated each with urea nitrogen (UN) and UN + biochars with or without dicyandiamide (DCD) for 60days. During the incubations, soil acidification induced by urea was somewhat inhibited by biochars, but nitrification of hydrolyzed NH4+ produced much more acidity than the neutralization potential of the biochars. In single UN (200mg/kg) treatment, soil pH decreased drastically and the final pH after incubation was lower than the control. Antagonistic to UN, all three biochars neutralized the soil acidity, which was consistent to their inherent alkalinity. DCD inhibited nitrification which was obvious throughout the incubations, as 30mg/kg DCD+200mg/kg UN combined with 1% PB, CB, and WB retained 0.94, 0.79, and 1.19units higher pH, respectively, and significantly reduced exchangeable acidity over the treatments without DCD (P<0.05). The treatments of UN + biochars with and without DCD had highly significant effects on soil pH, exchangeable Al3+, NH4+-N, (NO3-+NO2-)-N, and available P (P<0.05). Amplified NH4+-N retentions at higher rates of PB referred increased negatively charged sites for nutrient adsorptions. Applied UN transformations varied among different treatments, and the maximum amounts of total mineral N recovered were 218.3, 218.5, and 223.8mg/kg in the presence of DCD by PB, CB, and WB, compared to 198.2, 201.6, and 205.2mg/kg, respectively, in no DCD treatments. Urea induced severe soil acidification and even lowered the ameliorative effects of applied biochars. Thus, ammonium-based fertilizers must include nitrification inhibitor (DCD) and, if used in combination with biochars will offer a suitable choice to reduce the acidity, improve base saturation and fertility of soil for sustainable agriculture.

Improving Methane Production through Co-Digestion of Canola Straw and Buffalo Dung by H2O2 Pretreatment

In this study an effect of acidic pretreatment on the CS (Canola Straw) and BD (Buffalo Dung) by anaerobic co-digestion was investigated. H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) is a mainly accustomed reagent, used as a bleaching agent in the different industries such as paper and wood. In the present study, it was used as a pretreatment chemical at varying concentrations in batch reactors. The co-digestion of CS and BD was carried out in SAMPTS (Semi-Automatic Methane Potential Test System) at mesophilic (37±1oC) conditions. The CS was pretreated in glass bottles with different concentrations of the H2O2 for seven days. The inoculum used in the present study was an effluent of the CSTR (Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor), which was treating BD at mesophilic conditions. The specific methane production from the codigestion of canola straw and BD, by the pretreatment of H2O2 at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% were 530.8, 544.5, and 510.3 NmL CH4 g/VS, respectively. The significant reduction in the volatile solids of CS was observed at the optimum pretreatment of 1.0% H2O2.

Effect of solid-state fermentation by oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) on nutritive value of some agro by-products

ABSTRACTThe present research aims to investigate the effect of Pleurotus florida fungi cultivation on chemical composition, gas production characteristics, organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME), net energy lactation (NEL) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) of some agro by-products (rice straw, wheat straw, barley straw, soybean straw, canola straw, pea straw and rice husk). Dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were significantly decreased upon with fungi application in all treatments (p < 0.01). Fungal treatment did not cause significant difference in the amount of acid detergent fibre (ADF) in soybean straw, canola straw, pea straw and rice husk (p > 0.05), but significantly decreased ADF in rice straw, wheat straw and barley straw (p < 0.05). In experimental treatments, fungi cultivation did not vary significantly in acid detergent lignin and ether extract content (p > 0.05). Processing significantly increased ash and crude protein in all treatments (p < 0.01). The amount of gas production was not significantly affected by fungi cultivation in wheat straw, soybean straw, canola straw and rice husk; however, it was significantly increased upon processing in rice straw, barley straw and pea straw (p < 0.05). The amount of OMD in rice husk was not changed significantly, but processing significantly increased OMD in other treatments (p < 0.05). Fungi cultivation significantly improved ME in all treatments (p < 0.05). The amounts of NEL and SCFA were significantly increased with treatment by fungi (except rice husk) in all substrate (p < 0.01). The results of this study generally indicated that nutritive value of agro by-products was improved upon fungal treatment.

Evaluation of the mechanical and physical properties of particleboard manufactured from Canola (Brassica napus) straws

This study examined possible feasibility of canola (Brassica napus) straws in the production of particleboard. Three-layer experimental particleboards with density 0,7 g/cm3 were manufactured using different canola straws particle ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesive. Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) properties of the boards were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine possible feasibility of these straws in commercial particleboard manufacturing. The results indicated that, the addition of canola straws particle significantly improved modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the panels and greatly reduced their internal bonding. Overall findings showed that most panels made from above-mentioned materials exceed the EN Standards for MOR, MOE and IB. Also, the water absorption and thickness swelling increased with increasing canola straws content in the panels. The experimental results have shown that production of general purpose and furniture grade particleboard used in dry conditions using canola straws is technically viable. The results of the study demonstrate that canola straws can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry.

Converting solid wastes into liquid fuel using a novel methanolysis process

Biomass fast pyrolysis followed by hydrodeoxygenation upgrading is the most popular way to produce upgraded bio-oil from biomass. This process requires large quantities of expensive hydrogen and operates under high pressure condition (70–140atm). Therefore, a novel methanolysis (i.e., biomass pyrolysis under methane environment) process is developed in this study, which is effective in upgraded bio-oil formation at atmospheric pressure and at about 400–600°C. Instead of using pure methane, simulated biogas (60% CH4+40% CO2) was used to test the feasibility of this novel methanolysis process for the conversion of different solid wastes. The bio-oil obtained from canola straw is slightly less than that from sawdust in term of quantity, but the oil quality from canola straw is better in terms of lower acidity, lower Bromine Number, higher H/C atomic ratio and lower O/C atomic ratio. The municipal solid waste and newspaper can also obtain relatively high oil yields, but the oil qualities of them are both lower than those from sawdust and canola straw. Compared with catalysts of 5%Zn/ZSM-5 and 1%Ag/ZSM-5, the 5%Zn–1%Ag/ZSM-5 catalyst performed much better in terms of upgraded bio-oil yield as well as oil quality. During the methanolysis process, the metal silver may be used to reduce the total acid number of the oil while the metal zinc might act to decrease the bromine number of the oil. The highly dispersed Zn and Ag species on/in the catalyst benefit the achievement of better upgrading performance and make it be a very promising catalyst for bio-oil upgrading by biogas.

Effect of low energy-consuming biochars in combination with nitrate fertilizer on soil acidity amelioration and maize growth

We evaluated the ameliorative effects of crop straw biochars either alone or in combination with nitrate fertilizer on soil acidity and maize growth. Low energy-consuming biochars were prepared from canola and peanut straws at 400 °C for 2 h. Incubation experiment was conducted to determine application rate of biochars. Afterward, maize crop was grown in pots for 85 days to investigate the effects of 1 % biochars combined with nitrate fertilizer on soil pH, exchangeable acidity, and maize growth in an Ultisol collected from Guangdong Province, China. Application of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % either canola straw biochar (CSB) or peanut straw biochar (PSB) increased soil pH by 0.15, 0.27, 0.34, and 0.30, 0.58, 0.83 U, respectively, after 65-day incubation. Soil pH was increased by 0.49, 0.72, 0.78, and 0.88 U when 1 % CSB or PSB was applied in combination with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate, respectively, after maize harvest in greenhouse pot experiment. These low-cost biochars when applied alone or in combination with nitrate not only reduced soil exchangeable acidity, but also increased Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, and base saturation degree of the soil. A total of 49.91 and 80.58 % decreases in exchangeable acidity were observed when 1 % CSB and PSB were incubated with the soil for 65 days, compared to pot experiment where 71.35, 78.64, 80.2, and 81.77 % reductions of exchangeable acidity were observed when 1 % CSB and PSB were applied in combination with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate, respectively. The higher contents of base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+) in biochars also influenced the plant growth. The higher biomass in CSB-treated pots was attributed to the higher K content compared to PSB. The higher percent reduction in exchangeable Al3+ by applying 1 % CSB combined with 200 mg N/kg of nitrate consistently produced maximum biomass (129.65 g/pot) compared to 100 mg N/kg of nitrate and 1 % PSB combined with 100 and 200 mg N/kg of nitrate. The exchangeable Al3+ mainly responsible for exchangeable acidity was decreased with the application of biochars and nitrate fertilizer. A highly significant negative relationship was observed between soil exchangeable Al3+ and plant biomass (r 2 = 0.88, P < 0.05). The biochars in combination with nitrate fertilizer are cost-effective options to effectively reduce soil acidity and improve crop growth on sustainable basis.

Effect of glycerol on densification of agricultural biomass

Experiments were conducted to verify the effect of adding glycerol for pelleting of selected agricultural crop residues, namely, wheat, barley, oat and canola straw. Single pelleting tests were conducted to study the effect of biomass type, hammer mill screen size, and crude glycerol content (co-product of biodiesel industry) on pellet quality (density and durability), ash content and gross heat of combustion. Four types of biomass were ground at three different hammer mill screen sizes of 6.4, 3.2 and 1.6 mm. Each biomass was mixed with three levels of glycerol of 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% by weight. Pellets were made at a pre-set load of 4 400 N (138.9 MPa) using single-pelleting unit attached to an Instron testing machine. Quality of pellets was determined by measuring pellet density, relaxed density, durability (measured by pellet drop test) and specific energy required to make a pellet. The gross heat of combustion and ash content of pellets were also determined and compared. The highest pellet density (988-1 133 kg/m3) and relaxed density (992-1 142 kg/m3) were obtained from biomass ground using a hammer mill screen size of 6.4 mm. A decrease in hammer mill screen size resulted in reduced durability. The highest durability of biomass obtained from hammer mill screen size of 6.4 mm ranged from 97%-100%. Addition of glycerol resulted in lower ash content in majority of pellets. The highest gross heat of combustion was observed in pellets made from wheat straw with 7.5% glycerol content (38.3 MJ/kg). Addition of glycerol resulted in lower pellet densities, lower ash content, no change in durability and higher gross heating values. DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150801.009 Citation: Emami S, Tabil L G, Adapa P. Effect of glycerol on densification of agricultural biomass. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(1): 64－73.

Amelioration of an Ultisol profile acidity using crop straws combined with alkaline slag.

The acidity of Ultisols (pH <5) is detrimental to crop production. Technologies should be explored to promote base saturation and liming effect for amelioration of Ultisol pH. Column leaching experiments were conducted to investigate the amelioration effects of canola straw (CS) and peanut straw (PS) in single treatment and in combination whether with alkaline slag (AS) or with lime on Ultisol profile acidity. The treatment without liming materials was set as control, and the AS and lime in single treatment are set for comparison. Results indicated that all the liming materials increase soil profile pH and soil exchangeable base cations at the 0-40-cm depth, except that the lime had amelioration effect just on 0 to 15-cm profile. The amelioration effect of the liming materials on surface soil acidity was mainly dependent on the ash alkalinity in organic materials or acid neutralization capacity of inorganic materials. Specific adsorption of sulfate (SO4(2-)) or organic anions, decarboxylation of organic acids/anions, and the association of H(+) with organic anions induced a "liming effect" of crop residues and AS on subsoil acidity. Moreover, SO4(2-) and chloride (Cl(-)) in PS, CS, and AS primarily induced base cations to move downward to subsoil and exchange with exchangeable aluminum (Al(3+)) and protons (H(+)). These anions also promoted the exchangeable Al to leach out of the soil profile. The CS was more effective than PS in decreasing soil acidity in the subsoil, which mainly resulted from higher sulfur (S) and Cl content in CS compared to PS. The CS combined with AS was the better amendment choice in practical agricultural systems.

Use of Alkaline Slag and Crop Residue Biochars to Promote Base Saturation and Reduce Acidity of an Acidic Ultisol

This investigation was conducted by using alkaline slag and crop straw biochars to reduce acidity of an acidic Ultisol through incubation and pot experiments with lime as a comparison. The soil was amended with different liming materials: lime (1 g kg−1), alkaline slag (2 and 4 g kg−1), peanut straw biochar (10 and 20 g kg−1), canola straw biochar (10 and 20 g kg−1) and combinations of alkaline slag (2 g kg−1) and biochars (10 g kg−1) in the incubation study. A pot experiment was also conducted to observe the soybean growth responses to the above treatments. The results showed that all the liming materials increased soil pH and decreased soil exchangeable acidity. The higher the rates of alkaline slag, biochars, and alkaline slag combined with biochars, the greater the increase in soil pH and the reduction in soil exchangeable acidity. All the amendments increased the levels of one or more soil exchangeable base cations. The lime treatment increased soil exchangeable Ca2+, the alkaline slag treatment increased exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels, and the biochars and combined applications of alkaline slag with biochars increased soil exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ and soil available P. The amendments enhanced the uptake of one or more nutrients of N, P, K, Ca and Mg by soybean in the pot experiment. Of the different amendments, the combined application of alkaline slag with crop straw biochars was the best choice for increasing base saturation and reducing soil acidity of the acidic Ultisol. The combined application of alkaline slag with biochars led to the greatest reduction in soil acidity, increased soil Ca, Mg, K and P levels, and enhanced the uptake of Ca, Mg, K and P by soybean plants.

Impact of process conditions on the density and durability of wheat, oat, canola, and barley straw briquettes

The present study is to understand the impact of process conditions on the quality attributes of wheat oat, barley, and canola straw briquettes. Analysis of variance indicated that briquette moisture content and initial density immediately after compaction and final density after 2 weeks of storage are strong functions of feedstock moisture content and compression pressure, whereas durability rating is influenced by die temperature and feedstock moisture content. Briquettes produced at a low feedstock moisture content of 9 % (w.b.) yielded maximum densities >700 kg/m3 for wheat, oat, canola, and barley straws. Lower feedstock moisture content of 110 °C and compression pressure >10 MPa minimized the briquette moisture content and maximized densities and durability rating based on surface plots observations. Optimal process conditions indicated that a low feedstock moisture content of about 9 % (w.b.), high die temperature of 120–130 °C, medium-to-large hammer mill screen sizes of about 24 to 31.75 mm, and low to high compression pressures of 7.5 to 12.5 MPa minimized briquette moisture content to 700 kg/m3. Durability rating >90 % is achievable at higher die temperatures of >123 °C, lower to medium feedstock moisture contents of 9 to 12 % (w.b.), low to high compression pressures of 7.5 to 12.5 MPa, and large hammer mill screen size of 31.75 mm, except for canola where a lower compression pressure of 7.5 to 8.5 MPa and a smaller hammer mill screen size of 19 mm for oat maximized the durability rating values.

Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaching of Canola Straw Chemimechanical Pulp

Canola straw can be used as a raw material for the production of chemimechanical pulp (CMP). In this work, chemimechanical pulp was first produced from canola straw, and then the bleaching performance of the produced chemimechanical pulp was investigated under different conditions (dosages of NaOH and Na2SO3, time, and temperature). The results showed that the yield of chemical pretreatment in the CMP process varied between 57.6% and 64.9%, while the total yield of the process was between 54.1% and 61.9%. Subsequently, the CMP pulp produced via applying 4% NaOH and 8% Na2SO3 at 145 °C for 15 min was bleached with H2O2. The results showed that pulps bleached via applying one stage of 3% H2O2, 3% NaOH, 6% sodium silicate, 0.5% MgSO4, and 0.3% DTPA for 150 min possessed the highest brightness of 60.8% ISO, which is suitable for container board production.

Enhanced biomass delignification and enzymatic saccharification of canola straw by steam‐explosion pretreatment

In recent decades, bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel (ethanol and biodiesel) has been extensively investigated. The three main chemical constituents of biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose are polysaccharides of primarily fermentable sugars, glucose and xylose respectively. Hemicellulose also includes small fermentable fractions of arabinose, galactose and mannose. The main issue in converting lignocellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol is the accessibility of the polysaccharides for enzymatic breakdown into monosaccharides. This study focused on the use of steam explosion as the pretreatment method for canola straw as lignocellulosic biomass. Result showed that steam explosion treatment of biomass increased cellulose accessibility and it hydrolysis by enzyme hydrolysis. Following 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis, a maximum cellulose conversion to glucose yield of 29.40% was obtained for the steam-exploded sample while the control showed 11.60% glucose yields. Steam explosion pretreatment increased glucose production and glucose yield by 200% and 153.22%, respectively, compared to the control sample. The crystalline index increased from 57.48% in untreated canola straw to 64.72% in steam-exploded samples. Steam explosion pretreatment of biomass increased cellulose accessibility, and enzymatic hydrolysis increased glucose production and glucose yield of canola straw.

Grinding energy and physical properties of chopped and hammer-milled barley, wheat, oat, and canola straws

In the present study, specific energy for grinding and physical properties of wheat, canola, oat and barley straw grinds were investigated. The initial moisture content of the straw was about 0.13–0.15 (fraction total mass basis). Particle size reduction experiments were conducted in two stages: (1) a chopper without a screen, and (2) a hammer mill using three screen sizes (19.05, 25.4, and 31.75 mm). The lowest grinding energy (1.96 and 2.91 kWh t−1) was recorded for canola straw using a chopper and hammer mill with 19.05-mm screen size, whereas the highest (3.15 and 8.05 kWh t−1) was recorded for barley and oat straws. The physical properties (geometric mean particle diameter, bulk, tapped and particle density, and porosity) of the chopped and hammer-milled wheat, barley, canola, and oat straw grinds measured were in the range of 0.98–4.22 mm, 36–80 kg m−3, 49–119 kg m−3, 600–1220 kg m−3, and 0.9–0.96, respectively. The average mean particle diameter was highest for the chopped wheat straw (4.22-mm) and lowest for the canola grind (0.98-mm). The canola grinds produced using the hammer mill (19.05-mm screen size) had the highest bulk and tapped density of about 80 and 119 kg m−3; whereas, the wheat and oat grinds had the lowest of about 58 and 88–90 kg m−3. The results indicate that the bulk and tapped densities are inversely proportional to the particle size of the grinds. The flow properties of the grinds calculated are better for chopped straws compared to hammer milled using smaller screen size (19.05 mm).

Adsorption of Cr(III) from acidic solutions by crop straw derived biochars

Cr(III) adsorption by biochars generated from peanut, soybean, canola and rice straws is investigated with batch methods. Adsorption of Cr(III) increased as pH rose from 2.5 to 5.0. Adsorption of Cr(III) led to peak position shifts in the FTIR-PAS spectra of the biochars and made zeta potential values less negative, suggesting the formation of surface complexes between Cr3+ and functional groups on the biochars. The adsorption capacity of Cr(III) followed the order: peanut straw char > soybean straw char > canola straw char > rice straw char, which was consistent with the content of acidic functional groups on the biochars. The increase in Cr3+ hydrolysis as the pH rose was one of the main reasons for the increased adsorption of Cr(III) by the biochars at higher pH values. Cr(III) can be adsorbed by the biochars through electrostatic attraction between negative surfaces and Cr3+, but the relative contribution of electrostatic adsorption was less than 5%. Therefore, Cr(III) was mainly adsorbed by the biochars through specific adsorption. The Langumir and Freundlich equations fitted the adsorption isotherms well and can therefore be used to describe the adsorption behavior of Cr(III) by the crop straw biochars. The crop straw biochars have great adsorption capacities for Cr(III) under acidic conditions and can be used as adsorbents to remove Cr(III) from acidic wastewaters.

Effect of biological treatment on chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradability of Soybean and Canola straw in Sheep

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of biological treatment with Pleurotus florida fungi on chemical composition and rumen dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) degradability of Soybean and Canola straw. Fungi cultivation significantly decreased the amount of DM in treatments (P<0.05). Ash and crude protein (CP) content significantly increased with processing by fungi in treatments (P<0.01). The amount of Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) significantly decreased by fungi cultivation (P<0.05). Ether extract (EE), Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and Acid detergent lignin (ADL) content of treatment did not significant difference with processing by fungi. The soluble fraction (a) and potential degradability (a+b) of DM degradability significantly increased with processing in treatments (P<0.01). The insoluble but potentially degradable fraction (b) of DM degradability significantly increased with processing by fungi in Soybean straw (P<0.01) but did not significant difference in Canola straw. The (a) fraction of Canola straw OM degradability significantly increased by processing (P<0.05) but did not significant difference in Soybean straw. The (b) fraction of Soybean straw OM degradability significantly increased by processing (P<0.05) but did not significant difference in Canola straw. The (a+b) fraction of OM degradability significantly increased with processing in treatments (P<0.05). This research results generally reflect improvement in nutritive value of Soybean and Canola straw with treatment by fungi in ruminant nutrition.