Conversion Of Crop Residues Research Articles

Development and performance evaluation of paddy straw based insulating block composite for low temperature storage application

The study focuses on the conversion of crop residues into thermal insulation materials, to gain better utility with value addition. Such applications will divert the paddy straw to useful purposes, leading to reduction in the open field burning of paddy straw in various developing countries. The process was optimized for manufacturing of insulating block composite and evaluating the mechanical and thermal performance of the same. Properties like compressive strength, internal bonding strength, density, porosity, and thermal conductivity were studied for the block. The optimum physical and mechanical properties were observed as moisture content 8–10 %, a block density 450–500 kg/m3, porosity 70 % with particle size of 8–15 mm. The mixture ratio of block was optimized as paddy straw 574.9 g, clay 840 g, and seed lac 260 g with thermal conductivity, compressive strength, bonding strength, and porosity as 0.08 W/m K, 1.19 MPa, 0.028 MPa, and 70.7 %, respectively, using Response Surface Methodology. An eco-friendly, economical and sustainable technological value addition for paddy straw was obtained and used for insulation purposes in cold storages as well as drying chambers. Paddy straw insulating block can also be utilized in combination with conventional insulation materials.

Optimisation framework of biomass supply chain in southwest Nigeria

The article investigates the development of a biomass supply chain model by studying the logistic, network optimisation, transportation and economic impact as it affects the southwest Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on the conversion of crop residues into bioproducts such as bioethanol and biodigestate for electricity generation. This model compares the energy produced from single and multiple feedstocks using simulation methods implemented in the MATLAB 2022b programming language solver with the linprog function to implement linear programming to investigate the maximum revenue and minimum production costs as they affect biomass supply chain in southwest Nigeria. The sensitivity analysis is performed to examine the impact of key parameters by measuring essential uncertainty features to show the profitability of the supply chain network while employing feedstock such as cassava peel, maize husk, rice straw, and sorghum bran. The study's findings provide insight into the optimal design and operation of the biomass supply chain in Southwest Nigeria, as well as the viability and potential of using various feedstocks for energy generation while taking into account the economic and logistical aspects of the supply chain. The optimisation framework provides decision-makers and stakeholders with practical tools to improve the sustainability of biomass utilisation and efficiency in the region, and research will help to develop a more robust and environmentally friendly energy system in the region, easing the transition to a renewable and sustainable future.

Rice-residue biochar influences phosphorus availability in soil with contrasting P status

ABSTRACTThermo-chemical conversion of crop residues to produce biochar is an emerging strategy in the context of sustainable phosphorous (P) use and residue management. An incubation study for 90 d was conducted to investigate the effects of rice-residue biochar (0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg−1) in combination with inorganic-P (KH2PO4) (0, 25 and 50 mg kg−1) on phosphorous availability in medium- and high-P status soils. Increasing biochar addition rates alone or in combination with inorganic-P resulted in a significant increase in P pools, i.e. plant available P or Olsen-P (from 8 to 132 mg kg−1 in medium-P and 15 to 160 mg kg−1 in high-P soils), microbial biomass P and various mineral-bound inorganic-P fractions in the order (Ca-P > organic-P > Al-P > loosely held/soluble-P > Fe-P > reductant soluble-P). Further, lower phosphatase activity (19–50%) with increasing rates of biochar addition in both soils elucidates the ability of biochar to act as a long-term source of available P in the experimental soils. The results demonstrate that rice-residue biochar can directly or indirectly enhance the status of available P in soils and hence can be used as a beneficial amendment to meet the crop P demand.

Effect of Different Inorganic additives on radial growth and Dry mycelial Weight ofPleurotusspecies

Oyster mushrooms cultivation is the easiest and least expensive commercial mushrooms to grow because they are well known for conversion of crop residues to food protein. It can be easily grown in temp. range of 20–26°C with 75–85% relative humidity, therefore with respect to study was undertaken to assess the beneficial effect of different inorganic additives viz: Salicylic acid (0.075%), Potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (0.075%), Magnesium sulphate (0.075%), Zinc sulphate (0.075%), Potassium chloride (0.075%), Ferrous sulphate (0.075%) and Copper sulphate (0.075%) on the radial growth (cm) and dry mycelial weight (mg/50ml) of Pleurotus species (i.e. P. florida and P. flabellatus). The experiment was conducted session 2014–2015 in Laboratory of Department of Plant Pathology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (250110) in completely randomized design with seven treatment and control (without inorganic additives in medium) with four replications. The observations of radial growth (cm) were taken at each 48 hrs till the colony covered the first full plate. It is evident from the data presented in table that different inorganic additives viz: Salicylic acid (0.075%), Potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (0.075%), Magnesium sulphate (0.075%), Zinc sulphate (0.075%), Potassium chloride (0.075%), Ferrous sulphate (0.075%) and Copper sulphate (0.075%) significantly increased the radial growth of Pleurotus species (i.e. P. florida and P. flabellatus) except zinc sulphate as compared to control. Maximum radial growth was observed in Potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (90.00 mm) which was significantly higher than all other treatments. In case of P. flabellatus maximum radial growth found in magnesium sulphate (90.00 mm) which was significantly higher than all other treatments. There was no radial growth in zinc sulphate (0.00) in both species (i.e. P. florida and P. flabellatus). Maximum radial growth rate was recorded in potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (11.25 mm/day) in P. florida while in case of P. flabellatus maximum radial growth rate was found in magnesium sulphate (11.25 mm/day). Maximum weight of dried mycelium was recorded in magnesium sulphate (5.29 mg/50ml) which was significantly higher than all other treatments in P. flabellatus. In case of P. florida, maximum dried mycelial weight was observed in Potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (5.16 mg/50ml) which was significantly higher than all other treatments. Maximum growth rate of dried mycelium (0.34 mg/day) was found in potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate in P. florida while in case of P. flabellatus maximum growth rate of dried mycelium (0.35 mg/day) was found in magnesium sulphate.

Effects of pyrolysis temperature on soybean stover- and peanut shell-derived biochar properties and TCE adsorption in water

Conversion of crop residues into biochars (BCs) via pyrolysis is beneficial to environment compared to their direct combustion in agricultural field. Biochars developed from soybean stover at 300 and 700°C (S-BC300 and S-BC700, respectively) and peanut shells at 300 and 700°C (P-BC300 and P-BC700, respectively) were used for the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) from water. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the TCE adsorption was strongly dependent on the BCs properties. Linear relationships were obtained between sorption parameters (KM and SM) and molar elemental ratios as well as surface area of the BCs. The high adsorption capacity of BCs produced at 700°C was attributed to their high aromaticity and low polarity. The efficacy of S-BC700 and P-BC700 for removing TCE from water was comparable to that of activated carbon (AC). Pyrolysis temperature influencing the BC properties was a critical factor to assess the removal efficiency of TCE from water.

Microbial community changes during humification of 14C‐labelled maize straw in heat‐treated and native Orthic Luvisol

SummaryThe microbial communities in agricultural soils are responsible for nutrient cycling and thus for maintaining soil fertility. However, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge on anthropogenic impacts on soils, their microflora, and the associated nutrient cycles. In this microcosm study, microorganisms involved in the conversion of crop residues were investigated by means of classical microbiological and molecular methods such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplified 16S rRNA genes. 14C‐labelled maize straw was humified by the naturally occurring microflora in native and in ashed soils, from which organic carbon was removed by heating at 600°C. The humic acids synthesized in the microcosms served as indicators of the humification process and were analysed by 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Ashed, autoclaved and native soil exhibited similar microbial and physicochemical dynamics after inoculation with a soil suspension. Bacterial counts and DGGE analyses showed that in the first few weeks a small number of rapidly growing r‐strategists were principally responsible for the conversion of maize straw. As the incubation continued, the bacterial diversity increased as well as the fungal biomass. 13C‐NMR spectroscopy of 26‐week old soil extracts revealed that structures typical of humic substances also evolved from the plant material.