Conventional Straw Research Articles

Straw Soil Conditioner Modulates Key Soil Microbes and Nutrient Dynamics across Different Maize Developmental Stages.

Soil amendments may enhance crop yield and quality by increasing soil nutrient levels and improving nutrient absorption efficiency, potentially through beneficial microbial interactions. In this work, the effects of amending soil with straw-based carbon substrate (SCS), a novel biochar material, on soil nutrients, soil microbial communities, and maize yield were compared with those of soil amendment with conventional straw. The diversity and abundance of soil bacterial and fungal communities were significantly influenced by both the maize growth period and the treatment used. Regression analysis of microbial community variation indicated that Rhizobiales, Saccharimonadales, and Eurotiales were the bacterial and fungal taxa that exhibited a positive response to SCS amendment during the growth stages of maize. Members of these taxa break down organic matter to release nutrients that promote plant growth and yield. In the seedling and vegetative stages of maize growth, the abundance of Rhizobiales is positively correlated with the total nitrogen (TN) content in the soil. During the tasseling and physiological maturity stages of corn, the abundance of Saccharimonadales and Eurotiales is positively correlated with the content of total carbon (TC), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) in the soil. The results suggest that specific beneficial microorganisms are recruited at different stages of maize growth to supply the nutrients required at each stage. This targeted recruitment strategy optimizes the availability of nutrients to plants and ultimately leads to higher yields. The identification of these key beneficial microorganisms may provide a theoretical basis for the targeted improvement of crop yield and soil quality. This study demonstrates that SCS amendment enhances soil nutrient content and crop yield compared with conventional straw incorporation and sheds light on the response of soil microorganisms to SCS amendment, providing valuable insights for the future implementation of this material.

Impact of Feeding Biofortified Wheat (WB 2) Straw-based Diet on Immunity of Lactating Murrah (Bubalus bubalis) Buffaloes

Backround: Buffaloes contributes heavily to the livestock sector of India and buffaloes are preferred for milk production in India due to their efficiency and better nutrients in milk. Major part of their diet constitute roughage which is usually wheat straw in north-western region of India. WB 2 is a biofortified wheat variety with high zinc and iron levels in its grain, has been developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research in Karnal, Haryana. This study aimed at comparing the benefits of substituting conventional straw with WB 2 straw. Methods: The present experiment was conducted on 12 Murrah buffaloes, divided into two groups i.e., Control (T0) and Treatment (T1) based on body weight, parity and previous milk record. Feeding continued for a period of 90 days as per ICAR (2013) feeding standard. The wheat straw, oats fodder and concentrate mixture was fed in the ratio 50:15:35 (on DM basis) in both the groups. However, in control group, conventional wheat straw was used and in the treatment group, biofortified wheat variety straw was utilized. Result: Non-significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were observed when both the groups were compared for body weight and dry matter intake on fortnightly basis. Similarly, haematology was carried out on monthly basis and there were non- significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between the two groups. Non-significant difference for plasma IgG1 was also recorded. The study reveals that the feeding of biofortified wheat variety (WB 2) straw had no impact on immunity of lactating Murrah buffaloes compared to conventional straw-based diet.

Effects of straw-returning combined with application of microbial inoculants on soil aggregates and related nutrients

We analyzed the particle size distribution of soil aggregates in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers of rice-wheat rotation field based on a field plot test with two treatments, conventional straw returning (CK) and straw returning with the addition of straw decomposition promoting microbial inoculants (IT). We evaluated the water stability indices of soil aggregates (the number of soil water stable large aggregates R0.25, the average weight diameter MWD, and the geometric average diameter GMD), and measured the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the soil aggregates of ＜0.053, 0.053-0.25, 0.25-1, ＞1 mm. The results showed that: 1) The number of aggregates ＜0.053, 0.053-0.25, ＞0.25 mm in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers under IT decreased by 10.0% and 6.8%, increased by 3.0% and 5.7%, and 17.9% and 26.1% compared with CK, respectively. IT effectively increased R0.25, MWD, and GMD by 26.4%, 20.0%, 18.2% and 18.2%, 10.5%, 10.0% in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil, respectively. 2) Compared to CK, the TP content of 0.25-1 mm aggregates in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil under IT was significantly increased by 40.3% and 37.5%, respectively, without difference in TN and SOC contents. There was no significant difference in nutrient contents of the other aggregates between the treatments. The contents of SOC and TN in large aggregates (>0.25 mm) were higher than those in silty aggregates (<0.053 mm). Compared to CK, the cumulative contribution rates of SOC, TN and TP of <0.053 mm aggregates under IT were decreased in two soil layers. There was no significant difference in the nutrient cumulative contribution rates of 0.053-0.25 mm aggregates between treatments. The cumulative contribution rates of SOC, TN, and TP of large aggregates (>0.25 mm) under IT were 32.1%, 19.6%, 52.8% and 22.8%, 11.8%, 42.9% higher than those under CK in 0-20 and 20-40 cm soils, respectively. 3) The number of <0.053 mm aggregates was significantly negatively correlated with SOC and TP contents, while that of 0.053-0.25 mm aggregates was negatively correlated with nutrient content. The number of large aggregates (>0.25 mm) were significantly positively correlated with SOC, TN, and TP contents. In conclusion, straw returning with microbial-inoculant addition could promote the formation of soil macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), and improve the water stability of soil aggregates, increasing nutrient contents in soil macroaggregates, with the nutrients transferring from silty aggregates to macroaggregates.

Ammoniated straw incorporation increases maize grain yield while decreasing net greenhouse gas budget on the Loess Plateau, China

Two major concerns of sustainable agriculture are safeguarding food security and attenuating climate warming. Straw incorporation is a widely used field management measure, but issues are associated with its high carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio. Ammoniated straw treatments aim to reduce straw C:N ratio; however, studies on the performances of long-term ammoniated straw incorporation on maize grain yield and net greenhouse gas (GHG) budget are still scarce. We conducted a long-term in situ trial (2012–2021) to estimate the performance of different straw utilization methods (CK, straw removal; CSI, conventional straw incorporation; ASI, ammoniated straw incorporation) on grain yield, GHG emissions, net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB), net greenhouse gas budget (NGB), and net greenhouse gas intensity (NGHGI) in maize fields. Grain yield was 8.3% and 24.7% greater with ASI than that with CSI and CK, respectively. And ASI had the lowest coefficient of variation for grain yield and the highest sustainable yield index. However, in comparison with CK, both straw incorporation methods significantly aggravated CO2 and N2O emissions, on average, by 101.0% and 107.5% (CSI) and 59.4% and 80.8% (ASI), respectively. The CK, CSI, and ASI obtained average NECB values of 38, 841, and 1556 kg C ha−1, respectively. The amount of C in soil heterotrophic respiration, roots, extra-root material, and straw input significantly affected NECB. NGB and NGHGI were ranked ASI < CSI < CK, which was attributed primarily to significant changes in NECB, followed by N2O emissions. These results suggested that ASI can enhance maize yield and yield stability and reduce net GHG budget on the Loess Plateau.

Optimal straw management co‐benefits crop yield and soil carbon sequestration of intensive farming systems

AbstractStraw retention has been widely recommended to sequester more soil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural soils, while carbon sequestration may not respond linearly to additional carbon input amount. The response of SOC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic income to different straw management methods in intensive wheat‐maize double cropping systems still need systematical study. An 8‐year field experiment was conducted in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain to investigate the impacts of optimal straw management (wheat straw was all crushed and spread on the soil surface, maize straw was all crushed and returned t into 0‐15 cm soil layer) and optimal straw management (wheat straw was all crushed and spread on the soil surface, while maize straw was all harvested for feed) on SOC sequestrations, carbon economy and economic income. The results showed that only returning wheat straw into the field could maintain a similar crop yield (15.0 Mg ha−1) and SOC sequestration amount (9.06 Mg C ha−1) to the conventional straw management method. While this optimal straw management method kept a stable SOC sequestration rate of 1.24 Mg ha−1 yr−1 when the SOC sequestration rate decreased from 1.76 to 1.20 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in the conventional method. The optimal management method also further reduced GHG emissions by 85.4% and using maize straw as stock feed increased net income by 28.3%. Only returning wheat straw could realize economic and environmental benefits win‐win in the wheat‐maize double cropping systems, which provides important background knowledge about safe and sustainable agriculture.

37 Survival rate of immature oocytes postcryopreservation by solid surface vitrification, conventional straw vitrification, or conventional slow-freezing method

Reproduction, Fertility and Development is an international journal publishing original research , review and comment in the fields of reproduction and developmental biology in humans, domestic animals and wildlife

Deep-injected straw incorporation improves subsoil fertility and crop productivity in a wheat-maize rotation system in the North China Plain

Deep-injected straw incorporation (DI-SI) is a novel soil tillage and straw management, which allowed for the formation of maize straw layer structure in the subsoil (20–38 cm) in wheat-maize rotation systems. However, little is known about how DI-SI affects soil physicochemical and enzymatic processes, as well as crop productivity. Therefore, we conducted a field experiment during 2018–2020 in the North China Plain to determine whether DI-SI would improve soil structure, nutrients, enzyme activities, and crop yield. Three treatments were included: straw removal (SR), conventional straw incorporation (SI), and DI-SI. The results showed that DI-SI improved soil structure and water retention through decreasing the bulk density and penetration resistance in 20–40 cm soil layer. DI-SI significantly increased soil organic C (67.5%), total N (61.3%), and available nutrients (i.e. NO 3 - , NH 4 + , dissolved organic C) compared with SI in the subsoil (20–40 cm), while no differences were detected among straw managements in the topsoil (0–20 cm). This was mainly attributed to the accumulation of microbial biomass C and C-, N-acquisition enzymes in the straw layers, which promoted the straw decomposition and nutrient release. Finally, with the combined effects of soil ecological processes, DI-SI significantly increased the grain yields of wheat and maize by 12.0% and 11.8% compared with SI in the second year, respectively. Our study suggested that deep placement of straw would better promote the utilization of crop residue for farming, and deep-injected straw incorporation represents a viable strategy to improve subsoil physical, chemical, and biological processes, and subsequently crop productivity in wheat-maize rotation systems. • DI-SI improves soil structure and water retention through decreasing the bulk density. • DI-SI considerably increases the SOC, TN, and available nutrients in the subsoil. • DI-SI stimulates microbial and C-, N-acquisition enzymes activities in the straw layers. • Wheat and maize yields were increased under DI-SI, especially in the second year.

Ammoniated straw incorporation increases wheat yield, yield stability, soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen content

Straw management strategies are highly important for maximizing the benefits of straw incorporation, which should aim to increase crop production while improving soil fertility. Ammoniated straw incorporation may be one of the potential candidates for achieving these goals. However, the effects of ammoniated straw incorporation on wheat yield, yield stability and soil properties as well as their potential relationships remain poorly understood. Based on an ongoing long-term field experiment commenced in 2011 on the Chinese Loess Plateau, we investigated the responses of soil properties, wheat yield and yield stability of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) to ammoniated and conventional straw incorporation during 2017–2020. The three treatments were: (i) no straw (Control), (ii) conventional straw incorporation (CSI), and (iii) ammoniated straw incorporation (ASI). We found that the ASI treatment on average significantly increased wheat yield by 10.1% and yield stability by 19.5% compared to the CSI treatment, and significantly increased wheat yield by 26.9% and yield stability by 38.7% compared to the Control treatment. Changes in wheat yield and yield stability were positively related to ASI-induced increases in soil water storage. When compared to the Control and CSI treatments, the ASI treatment on average significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by 17.2% and 14.2% and total nitrogen (TN) content by 27.3% and 18.3% in 0–10 cm depth, and it significantly increased SOC content by 19.2% and 12.4% and TN content by 27.8% and 19.4% in 10–20 cm depth, respectively. There were positive relationships between changes in wheat yield and SOC and TN content. These results demonstrate that it is feasible to achieve higher wheat yield and yield stability while increasing SOC and TN content by optimizing straw management practices in semi-arid areas. • We compared ammoniated and conventional straw incorporation (ASI and CSI) for their performances in wheat cropping. • ASI treatment increased grain yield, yield stability, SOC and TN compared to CSI and Control treatments. • Increases in grain yield and yield stability are positively correlated with changes in soil water storage. • There were positive relationships between changes in grain yield and SOC and TN.

Straw strip mulching in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem achieves carbon sequestration and emission reduction from winter wheat fields

Mulching practices improve soil hydrothermal conditions, which cause changes in soil respiration. Conventional straw mulching has low productivity in areas with relatively low temperatures. Meanwhile, the responses of soil respiration to mulching practices and the relationship between changes in environmental factors caused by mulching and carbon (C) components are not clear in dryland agroecosystem. In this study, we monitored seasonal changes in soil respiration flux and heterotrophic respiration flux of winter wheat fields under different mulching practices in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem of northern China. The fields were designed for the following three treatments: straw strip mulching (SSM), plastic film mulching (PFM), and non-mulching (CK). Compared to CK, SSM decreased cumulative soil respiration and heterotrophic respiration by 11.6% and 13.3%, whereas PFM increased these values by 12.8% and 8.5%, respectively. SSM significantly decreased soil temperature but increased soil water-filled pore space (WFPS), while PFM significantly increased soil WFPS without affecting soil temperature. Respiration flux was more highly correlated with soil temperature and air temperature than with WFPS and rainfall. SSM and PFM respectively increased by 5.7–9.1% and 10.8–35.5% for grain yield, by 8.1–45.6% and 16.2–69.5% for straw yield, by 8.6–28.6% and 15.1–36.4% for net primary production, and by 23.1–80.6% and 20.3–95.2% for net ecosystem production. Furthermore, mulching practices had a great potential of soil C sequestration and SSM significantly increased soil organic carbon. Changes in ecosystem C components were primarily driven by biomass, followed by soil temperature and air temperature rather than WFPS and rainfall. Based on the sustainability of agroecosystems, SSM increased grain yield of winter wheat while reduced carbon emissions, which showed great potential for C sequestration and may create an environmentally friendly C sink system in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem of northern China.

Biochar incorporation increases winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production with significantly improving soil enzyme activities at jointing stage

The responses of yield production and soil nutrients availability to agricultural organic inputs are crucial for cropland management. However, the simultaneous impacts of straw-derived biochar and straw addition on yield production and soil properties (e.g., soil enzyme activities at winter wheat growing stages) as well as their potential relationships remain poorly evaluated in semi-arid areas. Here, a field experiment based on the long-term study (i.e., commenced in 2011) was conducted in the semi-arid Chinese Loess Plateau to explore the responses of soil water storage (SWS), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and a range of soil biochemical properties to straw-derived biochar and straw addition in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. The four treatments were: 1) no straw and no biochar (Control), 2) conventional straw mulching (SM), 3) straw incorporated into the soil (SI), and 4) straw-derived biochar incorporated into the soil (BI). We found that the BI treatment on average increased SWS in 0–160 cm soil depth by 13%, 17%, and 21% across entire growing seasons, respectively, when compared to the SM, SI and Control treatments. Enhancements in grain yield and aboveground biomass were related to the BI treatment-induced increases in soil carbon and nitrogen content. The BI treatment had higher soil enzyme activities at jointing stage than at grain filling and maturity stages during winter wheat growing seasons. The mixed-effects models showed there were significant effects of growth stage and soil depth on soil microbial biomass and soil dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen, even when analyzed by each growing season. Moreover, no significant relationships were found between SWS and soil enzyme activities (invertase, urease, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase). Therefore, straw-derived biochar incorporation could be one of the appropriate practices for increasing crop yield and sustaining soil fertility in the Chinese Loess Plateau and other areas with similar climates.

Phalaris minor Retz. infestation in wheat crop as influenced by different rice straw management practices usage in Punjab, India

Phalaris minor Retz. is a competitive weed in wheat crop causing significant yield losses. In the rice-wheat cropping system, rice residue burning spoils the carbon cycle, pollutes the environment and deteriorates the soil health. An extensive survey was conducted during Rabi 2018-19 to analyse the P. minor infestation and wheat crop productivity under different rice straw management practices used by farmers in their fields and compared them with conventional straw burning practice. A total of 54% of respondents reported low infestation of P. minor in the fields sown with “Happy-Seeder” while 26% and 44% respondents observed low infestation of P. minor in fields where rice straw incorporation was done with harrow and mould board plough, respectively. The low infestation of P. minor in rice residue removed fields (no burning) was reported by 38% respondents. Overall, 8% respondents reported severe infestation of P. minor in rice straw managed fields while 30% respondents reported severe infestation of P. minor in wheat fields with conventional straw burning practice. Phalaris minor infestation was lower in fields with rice residue retention or incorporation. Therefore, rice residue management should be an important integrated weed management component especially for managing multiple-resistant P. minor.

Fine-Crush Straw Returning Enhances Dry Matter Accumulation Rate of Maize Seedlings in Northeast China

In the conventional straw returning operation, the maize straw is broken into pieces of about 10 cm and degraded naturally in the farmland. Under the conventional straw returning mode, maize straw does not easily decompose quickly in cold climate conditions, which can cause a significant decrease in the dry matter accumulation rate of next maize seedlings. Therefore, it is difficult to popularize conventional straw returning in the maize-growing regions of Northeast China. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a new agronomic technology of straw returning is proposed in this study, and a corresponding Bionic Straw Fine Crusher is developed to match the agronomic requirements. The key function of fine-crush straw returning is to significantly increase the contact area between the straw pith and the external environment by significantly shortening the crushing length, thus accelerating the rate of straw decomposition. In this study, the differences in operational effects between fine-crush straw returning, conventional straw returning, and no returning are clarified through 6 consecutive years of field experiments. At the same time, statistical analysis of the experimental data reveals the influence of fine-crush straw returning on the dry matter accumulation of maize at the seedling stage under the conditions of different returning modes, and determines the optimal agronomic parameter combination. The results of this study show that fine-crush straw returning significantly increased the decomposition rate, soil organic matter content, and soil accumulated temperature, thus creating a seedbed more favorable for maize seedling development. The experimental results showed that the optimal crushing length values of fine-crush straw returning were 1.5 cm, 3 cm, and 1.5 cm under mulching returning, shallow burial returning, and deep tillage returning conditions, respectively. Compared with conventional straw returning and no returning operations, the fine-crush straw returning operation can increase the maximum seedling dry matter accumulation of the maize crop by 5.1 g/plant and 2.8 g/plant (shallow burial), 4.2 g/plant and 1.8 g/plant (deep tillage), and 4.3 g/plant and 1.9 g/plant (mulching returning). The findings of this study may provide a viable new agronomic technology to accelerate the spread of straw returning in maize-growing areas of Northeast China.

Ultrastructural changes in immature ovine cumulus-oocyte complexes vitrified in conventional and open pulled straws

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cryodevices [conventional straws (CS) and open pulled straws (OPS)] of vitrification on viability, morphology and ultrastructure of ovine immature oocytes. Ovaries of slaughtered ewes were transported from a local abattoir to our laboratory in 0.9 % normal saline at 25–30 °C. The visible follicles (1–6 mm in diameter) were sliced with a microblade and their cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were released in Dulbecco’s phosphate buffer saline. Upon examination under a stereomicroscope, good quality oocytes (n = 266) were selected and randomly assigned into three groups: 1) Fresh oocytes (control, n = 78); 2) Oocytes vitrified using CS (n = 95) and 3) Oocytes vitrified using OPS (n = 93). The gross morphology of COCs was evaluated under a stereomicroscope whilst their viability was evaluated in Trypan blue stained smear. Moreover, glutaraldehyde-fixed COCs (n = 45) were processed for transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that the proportion of recovered normal ovine oocytes after vitrification in OPS (89.24 %) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those vitrified in CS (73.68 %). Meanwhile, the proportion of abnormal oocytes was greater (16.84 %) in CS than OPS (8.60 %). The proportion of viable ooplasm and viable cumulus oocytes was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh group (88.88 %) than OPS (69.11 %) and CS (54.54 %) groups with significant (P < 0.05) difference between the two vitrification groups. Notably, ultrastructural alterations of vesicles and lipid droplets in fresh oocytes were similar with OPS and lower than CS vitrified-warmed oocytes without significant difference between the two vitrified groups. In conclusion, OPS vitrified-warmed oocytes have less cryoinjuries and higher survivability in comparison with CS vitrified-warmed oocytes, although ovine immature oocytes were more vulnerable to cryopreservation by vitrification.

Relationship between viability of thawed semen and pregnancy rate of Nelore cows subjected to fixed-time artificial insemination

This research aimed to evaluate the relationship of membrane integrity analysis, mitochondrial cytochemical analysis, and sperm kinetics of bovine semen after thawing and the pregnancy rate in Nelore females submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Thirty-seven conventional semen straws, from 16 Nelore bulls and 3 Aberdeen Angus bulls were used. The semen samples were evaluated in conventional microscopy for sperm motility, vigor, and morphology, through flow cytometry for membrane integrity and mitochondrial function, and the CASA system for evaluation of sperm kinetics. All females were subjected to the same FTAI protocol and were inseminated by the same technical team. The correlation between all variables was performed by Pearson's correlation. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the relationship between pregnancy rate and combinations of laboratory tests (P ≤ 0.05). Semen samples from Angus bulls (89.2 ± 5.5) presented superior VSL (P=0.004) to Nelore semen (78.6 ± 8.6), but this did not affect the pregnancy rate (Nelore: 51.0% versus Angus: 50.5%, P &gt; 0.05). By flow cytometry, 44.3% membrane integrity and 47.3% mitochondrial integrity were identified. Five clusters were selected, one of which presented the best pregnancy rate, containing the most balanced rates between progressive velocity and mitochondrial activity (VSL 71.16 μm/s, MITO 49.69%, TxP 62.4%). Samples of thawed bovine semen with progressive velocity and balanced mitochondrial activity demonstrated better fertility to TAI program.

Mutagenesis of UDP-xylose epimerase and xylan arabinosyl-transferase decreases arabinose content and improves saccharification of rice straw.

Rice straw is an important renewable biomass resource. However, due to its slow degradation returning to the field, and the environmental pollution of conventional straw burning, it is highly desired for more efficient utilization of rice straw resource. The complex structure of rice cell wall composition impedes the efficient utilization of straw biomass.

New trends in the use of recycled manure solids in dairy housing

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-14 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.109-113 The aim of the study was to compare improved bedding composition with conventional straw bedding under farm conditions, regarding its effects on the indicator microorganisms influencing hygiene levels. Dairy cows were housed in newly-built stables divided into two parts each with four sections and bedded cubicles arranged in three rows. In the first part, the bedded cubicle floors were layered with straw up to a height of 20 cm. In the second part, the cubicles were layered to a height of 20 cm with improved bedding composition consisting of recycled manure solids (RMS; 10 kg), ground limestone (200 kg), straw (40 kg) and water (110 l). After layering the bedding was treated with a concrete selector to provide strength and sufficient resistance. Samples for microbiological examination were taken from four sections according to the time interval of production and bedding. From three sections were taken bedding samples according to a new recipe in intervals of 1-3 months after its use. A control sample of bedding, consisting of straw, was taken from the last, fourth section. Comparing classical straw bedding with the improved recipe bedding, the total viable count (TVC) and coliforms bacteria (CB) in a first and second month after laying were found to be reduced. In addition to TVC and CB, decreased numbers of faecal coliforms (FC) and faecal streptococci (FS) were observed in the first, second and third months after layering. In addition to reducing the number of microorganisms, the improved bedding showed a stabilizing effect by keeping the litter thickness up to the bedding threshold (200 mm), which has a beneficial effect for increased purity of the body and udder. Keywords: dairy cows, housing, hygiene, improved bedding, microorganisms References Bradley, A. et al. (2018). The impact of dairy cows’ bedding material and its microbial content on the quality and safety of milk–A cross sectional study of UK farms. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 23(269), 36–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.12.022 Broucek, J. et al. (2015). Impact of gestation and lactation stage on the dairy cow response following removal to unfamiliar housing and milking system. Italian Journal of Animal Scince, 14(2), 233–237. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2015.3410 Fournel, S. et al. (2018). Production of recycled manure solids for bedding in Canadian dairy farms: I. Solid-liquid separation . Journal of Dairy Science , 102(2), 1832–1846. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14966 Heinonen-Tanski, H. et al. (2006). Methods to reduce pathogen microorganisms in manure. Livestock Science , 102(3), 248–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2006.03.024 Ismail, R. et al. (2013). Methods for recovering microorganisms from solid surfaces used in the food industry: a review of the literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(11), 6169–6183. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph10116169 Maiorano, G. (2014). Livestock Production for a Sustainable Development. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Food Sci. 3 , 34–38. Available online: https://www.jmbfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10_jmbfs_maiorano_2014_fs.pdf Leach, K. A. et al. (2015). Recycling manure as cow bedding: Potential benefits and risks for UK dairy farms. Vet. J., 206, 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.08.013 Popescu, S. et al. (2014). The effect of the housing system on the welfare quality of dairy cows . Italian Journal of Animal Scince, 13(1), 2940. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.2940 Tancin, V. et al. 2013. Livestock farming in marginal areas (In Slovak), CVŽV, Nitra, Slovakia 2013. p. 70. ISBN 978-80-89418-26-8. Wolfe, T. et al. (2018). Effects of alternative deep bedding options on dairy cow preference, lying behavior, cleanliness, and teat end contamination. Journal of Dairy Science,101(1), 530-536. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12358

Effects of Using an Alternative Bedding Composition on the Levels of Indicator Microorganisms and Mammary Health in Dairy Farm Conditions

The aim of this study was to compare an improved bedding composition with conventional straw bedding under farm conditions, regarding its effects on the influence of indicator microorganisms on the hygiene levels of cubicle floors and the occurrence of mastitis in dairy cows. Dairy cows were housed in newly built stalls divided into two parts, each with four subsections, and bedded cubicles arranged in three rows. Five stall subsections from each 9-bedded cubicle were selected for study, and 30 dairy cows were monitored according to the time intervals of bedding treatment for cubicles. In the first subsection (control), the cows were housed in bedded cubicles layered with straw up to a height of 20 cm. Sections 2–5 had alternative bedding (AB) as follows: fresh AB, AB 1 month old, AB 2 months old, and AB 3 months old, which were bedded one day before (fresh) and 1–3 months before the actual observation period, respectively. The alternative bedding per one cubicle consisted of ground limestone (100 kg), water (80 L), recycled manure solids (RMS; 15 kg), and straw (25 kg). After laying, the bedding was treated with a concrete selector to provide strength and sufficient resistance. A total of 180 bedding and 600 quarter milk samples were taken simultaneously from all five monitored subsections for microbiological determination. Comparing classical straw bedding with the alternate bedding showed a stabilizing effect by keeping the bedding thickness up to the floor barrier level, which had a beneficial effect by reducing the level of fecal contamination in the rear of the cubicle. Fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci were found to be reduced in one-day-old bedding as well as after the first, second, and third months. By evaluating the health status of the mammary glands, a positive effect was noted in reducing the occurrence of subclinical mastitis, which was reflected in a reduced number of infected quarters in the group of cows housed in cubicles for three months after use of improved bedding.

Environmental burdens of the comprehensive utilization of straw: Wheat straw utilization from a life-cycle perspective

Agricultural straw utilization has become a big concern in many countries with abundance of the production. While different comprehensive utilization methods have been proposed, the environmental aspects of these methods need to be examined to reduce the environmental burdens of agricultural straw disposal. By deploying life cycle assessment, this article evaluates the environmental impact of different wheat straw utilization methods, including soil incorporation, open burning, indoor incineration with energy recovery, combined electricity and energy recovery, conventional straw pulping, and a new type of straw pulping. The results show that the new type of straw pulping has the best environmental performance, while open burning has the worst. The performance of the new type of straw pulping is mainly attributed to its substitution for sulphate pulp and chemical fertilizers. New type of straw pulping has the best environmental performance for human health, ecosystem quality and resource impact categories, with corresponding −2.08E-03 DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years), −1.50E+03 PDF·m2·y (Potentially Disappeared Fraction of species over a certain amount of m2 during a certain amount of years) and −7.75E+03 MJ (Mega Joules) for these three impact categories. While soil incorporation has the smallest environmental impact in global warming impact category, with 2.33E+02 kg CO2-eq. Sound management of agricultural straw should combine different utilization methods. Policy interventions, such as high-quality straw leaving the field, are needed to deal with the substantial generation of agricultural straw.

Evaluation of Hydromulches as an Erosion Control Measure Using Laboratory-Scale Experiments

Discharge of sediment-laden stormwater from active construction sites, such as highway construction projects, continues to be a growing concern in the construction industry. Therefore, there has been an increased interest in research efforts to test many different erosion and sediment control practices. The purpose of this research effort was to test the laboratory-scale performance of four hydromulches and two methods of mulching (crimped and tackified), normalized to a bare soil control condition using 0.6 m (2 ft) wide by 1.2 m (4 ft) long test plots. The treatments consisted of a (1) bare soil control, (2) conventional straw, crimped, (3) conventional straw, tackified, (4) wood fiber hydromulch, (5) straw and cotton hydromulch, (6) cotton fiber reinforced matrix hydromulch, and (7) bonded wheat fiber matrix hydromulch. Each treatment was subject to simulated rainfall, divided into four 15 min rainfall events with 15 min breaks in between, producing a total cumulative rainfall of 11.2 cm (4.4 in.). To determine the overall performance of each treatment, turbidity and soil loss measurements were continuously collected from plot runoff. The products tested provided a reduction in turbidity of 80%, 98%, 85%, 92%, 95%, and 99%; and a soil loss reduction of 96%, 98%, 94%, 97%, 99%, and 100%, respectively. Overall, the results showed that the four tested hydromulch practices and conventional straw applications were successful in controlling and reducing erosion under laboratory-scale simulated rainfall conditions.

Environmental evaluation of a distributed-centralized biomass pyrolysis system: A case study in Shandong, China.

The limited quality of liquid product from the fast pyrolysis of biomass resources is a great obstacle to its large-scale application. Herein, a distributed-centralized agricultural straw pyrolysis (DCP) system with products of high market acceptance was implemented based on the design of a pilot plant and previous research. The system consisted of distributed pyrolysis workshops and a centralized upgrading factory that involved crude oil separation, hydrogen production, and hydrorefining. The crude fuel was separated by distillation before hydrotreatment, which avoids external hydrogen and energy consumption compared with direct hydrotreatment, and the hydrotreatment unit is independent of external hydrogen supply. The environmental impacts of a specific case designed for the northern region of Shandong province in China were evaluated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) method. LCA results indicated that abiotic depletion potential, acidification potential, global warming potential, ozone layer depletion potential, and human toxicity potential were primarily from fuel combustion, electricity, and N fertilizer. Eutrophication potential was primarily from the biomass production stage. Results demonstrated that the GWP of the system was -0.62kg CO2,eq per kg crop straw. Comparison with the conventional straw incorporation method indicated the economic and social benefits of the DCP system, which is thus expected to be a promising option for crop residue disposal.