Effect Of Organic Materials Research Articles

The Effect of Organic Materials with Different Degrees of Decomposition on the Content of Nickel in the Lettuce Leaves Cultivated in Mineral Soil

Studies were carried out in order to verify the research hypothesis that “the introduction of organic matter in the form of high peat, brown coal, and wheat straw to the mineral soil contaminated with nickel will reduce the content of this metal in the lettuce”, the main purpose of which was to determine the impact of various organic materials with varying degrees of decomposition on the content of nickel in lettuce leaves. The factors of the experiment were different types of organic material that were added to the mineral soil (loamy sand), such as high peat, brown coal, and wheat straw. The substrates in which lettuce was grown were contaminated with increasing doses of nickel: 0, 50, 75, and 100 mg Ni·dm−3 of the substrate. This research shows that the type of organic material introduced into the mineral soil as a source of soil organic meter has a significant impact on the content of nickel in lettuce leaves.

Effects of organic materials on dry matter econohic benefits of corn accumulation yield

Field experiments were conducted using "Zhengdan 958" as the experimental material to study the effects of returning two different organic materials to the field on the dry matter accumulation, yield, and economic benefits of corn cultivation. Results indicate that straw and pig manure as organic materials both contribute to increasing the accumulation of dry matter and yield of corn. Comparatively, the effect of pig manure is more significant. At maturity, returning pig manure to the field can increase the accumulation of mature corn dry matter by 15.85%, yield by 21.93%, and economic benefits by 23.41%. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 697-701, 2024 (September) Special

Uncovering the Nexus between Urban Heat Islands and Material Stocks of Built Environment in 335 Chinese Cities.

China's unprecedented rapid urbanization has dramatically reshaped the urban built environment, disrupting the thermal balance of cities. This disruption causes the urban heat island (UHI) effect, adversely affecting urban sustainability and public health. Although studies have highlighted the remarkable impacts of the built environment on UHIs, the specific effects of its various structures and components remain unclear. In this study, a multidimensional remote sensing data set was used to quantify the atmospheric UHIs across 335 Chinese cities from 1980 to 2020. In conjunction with stocks of three end-use sectors and three material groups, the impacts of gridded material stocks on UHI variations were analyzed. The findings reveal that building stocks exert a predominant influence in 48% of cities. Additionally, the extensive use of metal and inorganic materials has increased thermal stress in 220 cities, leading to an average UHI increase of 0.54 °C. The effect of organic materials, primarily arising from mobile heat sources, is continuously increasing. Overall, this study elucidates the effect of the functional structure and material composition of urban landscapes on UHIs, highlighting the complexities associated with the influence of the built environment on the urban heat load.

The Effect of Organic Materials on the Acidity and Organic Carbon for Floating Media in Lebak Swampland

The potential of floating cultivation in lebak swampland, particularly during flood periods, is underscored by this study. Composted aquatic weeds, a rich source of organic matter, are a key component of this potential. The study measures the nutrient content in the compost and chicken manure and analyzes the effect of both on the nutrient content in floating systems. The compost and chicken manure, with their slightly acidic pH and very high organic-C content, hold significant promise. The best-growing medium, a blend of compost (375 g) and chicken manure (375 g), demonstrates optimal pH and organic-C content. Soil treatment (500 g) and compost (250 g) show the most significant effect on eggplant plant height, while the best yield is obtained from the treatment of compost (375 g) and chicken manure (375 g).

Effects of Organic Materials and Their Incorporation Depths on Humus Substances Structure and Soil Microbial Communities’ Characteristics in a Chinese Mollisol

Organic material incorporation are important agricultural practices, which can influence soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and stabilization. However, the response of interaction between SOC structure and soil microbial to organic material incorporation management are still poorly understood. In 2021, we conducted a three years field experiment in Guangrong country, northeastern China. Five treatments were established: conventional tillage (CK), conventional tillage with straw incorporation (T1); subsoil tillage with straw incorporation (T2); subsoil tillage with straw and organic manure incorporation (T3) and subsoiling tillage with organic manure incorporation (T4). Fulvic–like and protein–like components were found in fulvic acid (FA) in a 0–15 cm soil layer, while fulvic–like components in humic acid (HA) were found in 0–15 cm and 15–35 cm soil layers. In the 15–35 cm soil layer, the bacterial, fungal and total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) contents were significantly higher by 159.62%, 687.00%, and 139.02% in T3 than CK, respectively. The fungal to bacterial PLFA ratios (F/B) were significantly higher by 97.46% and the Gram–positive bacteria to Gram–negative bacteria PLFA ratios (G+/G−) were lower by 20.99% in T3 than CK in the 15–35 cm soil layer. Therefore, subsoil tillage with straw and organic manure incorporation could be recommended to improve soil quality in Mollisol.

Effects of Organic Materials on Phosphorus Fractions and phoD-harboring Bacterial Community in Karst Soil

Efficient utilization of organic materials based on the rich resources in the karst region can promote soil fertility. Microorganisms have a crucial influence on soil phosphorus availability. phoD is considered to be the encoding phosphatase gene that can reflect the hydrolysis of organophosphorus compounds for the soil bacterial community. Molecular analysis of the phoD-harboring bacterial gene provides insight into promoting soil phosphorus availability under different fertilization managements. However, the effects of organic materials on soil phosphorus fractions associated with phoD-harboring bacterial communities are poorly understood. This study comprehensively investigated the effects of organic materials on soil phosphorus availability and explored environmental drivers of phoD-harboring bacteria in the Karst region. Here, six treatments were designed in the field as follows:non-fertilized control (CK), inorganic fertilization (NPK), inorganic fertilization combined with straw (NPKS), inorganic fertilization combined with manure (NPKM), inorganic fertilization combined with sludge (NPKL), and inorganic fertilization combined with sugarcane ash (NPKA). The phoD-harboring bacterial community in Karst region soil was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the content of total P (TP), Olsen-P, and Ca2-P increased with the years after organic material application, whereas the content of CaCl2-P first decreased and then increased. Compared to that under the CK treatment, organic material application, especially NPKL treatment, significantly increased soil total nitrogen (TN), TP, Olsen-P, CaCl2-P, and Ca2-P contents, followed by those in the NPKA and NPKM treatments. Correlation analysis showed that the contents of CaCl2-P, Ca2-P, and Olsen-P were significantly positively correlated with soil exchangeable calcium (Ca-ex) content. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that TN, Ca-ex, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total potassium (TK) contents were the key factors affecting soil P fractions. Using high-throughput sequencing, we found that only NPKS increased the richness of phoD-harboring bacteria compared to that under the control treatment. No significant difference was observed in the phoD-harboring bacterial community among all treatments. The RDA model selected the Ca-ex, TK, Olsen-P, pH, and SOC as the key environmental predictors for the phoD-harboring bacterial community. In summary, soil phosphorus availability can be improved through the input of organic materials and inorganic fertilizer combined with manure, sludge, and ash. These additions were suitable for nutrient management and sustainable development in farmland soil in the Karst region of Guangxi.

Using a Modified Langmuir Equation to Estimate the Influence of Organic Materials on Phosphorus Adsorption in a Mollisol From Northeast, China

The use of organic materials has been increasing due to improving soil fertility by affecting phosphorus (P) adsorption and desorption behavior of soils. However, previous studies ignored the influences of increased P concentrations in equilibrium solutions caused by P released from applied organic materials in bath P adsorption experiments. To eliminate these influences, a modified Langmuir equation was applied to describe P adsorption properties in dairy manure composts and biosolids-incubated soils. The adsorption and desorption trends shifted around the initial P concentration of 70 mg/L. The fitted parameter of correlation coefficients showed that the modified Langmuir model fitted well for the adsorption data covering only the lower initial P concentrations (0–70 mg P/L) and covering the whole P concentrations applied in the present study (0–400 mg/L). For the fitted results covering the whole P concentrations, adding organic materials generally decreased both the Γmax (maximum adsorption capacity for P) and the MABC (maximum adsorption buffering capacity), except for the 20-g/kg biosolids incubation, indicating that the number of adsorption sites for P decreased as the organic materials applied, and the binding energy for the P adsorption to the soil also decreased to some extent with some fluctuation as reflected by K values which represent adsorption strength. Higher DOC content, lower molecular weight, and higher humic acid might result in the higher Γmax of 20-g/kg biosolids incubated soil. The linear equations are described well for P desorption. The constant a value of slope in a linear equation reflects the P desorption capacity of soils increased due to the application of organic materials, especially in high P concentrations with a value of 0.45 for the control soil increased to 1.02 for 10-g/kg biosolids treated soil. Thus, it would be important to control the P application amounts when the application of P fertilizers to the soils with organic materials applied, as the effects of organic materials on P adsorption and desorption characteristics were more efficient at high P concentrations.

The effects of organic materials on the growth of Boesenbergia rotunda

Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. commonly known as temu kunci is a perennial herb which is botanically described as a small herbaceous plant. Temu kunci has a short, fleshy or slender rhizome shape. The rhizomes of B. rotunda have been widely used as spices due to their aromatic flavour, which promotes appetite. This herbal plant is also used as flavouring agents, dyes and traditional medicine to cure various kinds of illnesses. Organic materials have been widely used in agriculture development to improve soil quality, increase crop yield, and plant growth performance, and reduce chemical fertilizer usage. The adverse impact of excessive use of chemical fertilizers in conventional agricultural practices is well documented. A field study was conducted to identify the effects of organic materials on the growth of B. rotunda. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used which involve seven treatments and four replication including control, chemical fertilizer alone, and 10% additional materials in 5 kg of soil. The organic materials used in this study are biochar, vermicompost, food waste compost, empty fruit bunch compost and lignohumate. In this study, the vermicompost gave a significant increase and highest reading of plant height, number of leaves, rhizome and finger roots fresh and dry weight compared to other treatments. In conclusion, organic materials can give positive effects on the growth of B. rotunda and at the same time can reduce the dependencies on chemical fertilizer.

Effects of organic materials on soil bacterial community structure in long-term continuous cropping of tomato in greenhouse.

Long-term fertilization will affect the above-ground vegetation, but we have little understanding of soil bacterial community structure and diversity so far. This study aims to study the effect of organic fertilization on the soil bacterial community structure and diversity of protected long-term continuous tomato cropping by using high-throughput sequencing technology. Results show that (1) fertilization application (chemical fertilizer [CF] and vermicompost [VM]) significantly changed the soil physico-chemistry properties, such as soil pH decreased compared with control treatment and increased the soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) contents; (2) VM increased the Shannon index of soil bacteria but decreased the soil Chao1 index; and (3) soil Proteobacteria and Actinomycetes were dominant taxa and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased by 36.40–44.27 and 25.80–29.35%, with CF and VM, respectively, compared with the control. Pearson correlation analysis showed that soil pH, SOC, TN, TP, and TK were the main environmental factors that affected the diversity and richness of soil bacterial communities. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the SOC and TN play important roles in the composition of soil bacterial communities. In summary, the effect of VM on the soil bacterial community structure of continuous tomato cropping is better than that of CF, which should be used in the sustainable production of facility tomatoes.

A two‐point calibration method for quantifying organic binary mixtures using secondary ion mass spectrometry in the presence of matrix effects

Quantification of the composition of binary mixtures in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is required in the analyses of technological materials from organic electronics to drug delivery systems. In some instances, it is found that there is a linear dependence between the composition, expressed as a ratio of component volumes, and the secondary ion intensities, expressed as a ratio of intensities of ions from each component. However, this ideal relationship fails in the presence of matrix effects and linearity is observed only over small compositional ranges, particularly in the dilute limits. In this paper, we assess an empirical method, which introduces a power law dependence between the intensity ratio and the volume fraction ratio. A previously published physical model of the organic matrix effect is employed to test the limits of the method and a mixed system of 3,3′‐bis(9‐carbazolyl) biphenyl and tris(2‐phenylpyridinato)iridium (III) is used to demonstrate the method. This paper introduces a two‐point calibration, which determines both the exponent in the power law and the sensitivity factor for the conversion of ion intensity ratio into volume fraction ratio. We demonstrate that this provides significantly improved accuracy, compared with a one‐point calibration, over a wide compositional range in SIMS quantification and with a weak dependence on matrix effects. Because the method enables the use of clearly identifiable secondary ions for quantitative purposes and mitigates commonly observed matrix effects in organic materials, the two‐point calibration method could be of significant benefit to SIMS analysts.

Effectiveness of Organic Materials as Media in Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Inoculum to Changes on Acid Sulfate Soils

Acid sulphate soils (ASS) had low pH, low nutrients availability and also soluble aluminium and iron were high. Inoculum of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) which organic matter as media could increased the soil pH, nutrient content and decrease sulfur-total of acid sulfate soils. The research was conducted in a randomized block design with two replications. This study used a randomized block design with two factors and two replications. The first factor was compost inoculum (C) was taken ten treatments from without any inoculum SRB and 9 treatment with different types and dosages of organic matter as media. The second factor was the water content condition (K) namely of K1: 100% field capacity and K2: 110% field capacity. Different types and dosages of organic matter appear to influence the changes in soil properties (tends to decrease soil sulfate and increase soil pH, and nutrient content levels in soil and plant). Inoculum SRB of palm oil empty bunches and weed gave a higher sulfate reduction compared to C0 (without inoculums) or inoculums with carrier media that used rice straw in water content 100% or 110% field capacity (FC).

Effects of organic material on magnetoresistance in electron-doped double perovskite

The Curie temperature of electron-doped Sr2FeMoO6 can be optimized significantly due to the band-filling effect, but accompanying an almost absent low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR), which is unfavorable to applications in the magnetoresistive devices operated at room temperature. Our previous works confirmed that, a remarkable enhanced LFMR was observed in Sr2FeMoO6 by modifying the grain boundary with insulating organic small molecules (glycerin, CH2OHCHOHCH2OH). However, in this work, modifying the grain boundary strength of the La0.5Sr1.5FeMoO6 with the insulating organic macromolecules (oleic acid, CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH) or small molecules (glycerin), both of them have negligible functions on the magnetoresistance (MR) behavior in La0.5Sr1.5FeMoO6. Contrary to the glycerin-modified Sr2FeMoO6, Sr2FeMoO6/oleic acid composites do not exhibit an obviously increased MR property. Based on the above experimental results and the related works, it is proposed that, maintaining high spin polarization of the carriers at the Fermi level and improving the tunneling process across the grain boundary using the suitable organic materials are decisive factors for optimizing the MR behavior in the similar electron-doped double perovskites.

Effects of Different Organic Materials on Absorption and Translocation of Arsenic and Cadmium in Rice

A pot experiment was carried out to study the impacts of five organic materials (rape straw, broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar) on the availability of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, the amount of iron plaque on the root surface, as well as the uptake and translocation of As and Cd in rice grown in an As/Cd co-contaminated yellow paddy soil. The results indicated that the application of organic materials significantly increased the contents of the soil organic matter and the yield of rice. The application of broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar remarkably increased the soil pH, while the application of rape straw exerted no significant influence. The addition of organic matter reduced the available Cd content by 34.77%-82.69%. However, the effects of organic materials on the availability of As varied with the organic materials. The soil-available As content was significantly increased by the application of pig manure compost and biochar, while it was significantly decreased by adding rape straw and peat. The application of organic materials increased As and Cd contents in the Fe plaques on rice root surface by 28.49%-94.86% and 17.73%-151.03%, respectively. It also reduced the As and Cd contents in brown rice by 27.04%-82.51% and 15.87%-79.45%, respectively. The largest decrease was observed in the biochar treatment. The application of organic materials also remarkably reduced the translocation efficiency of Cd from the root-stem-leaf-grain and that of As from the stem to grain. The correlation analysis revealed that the soil pH, available Cd, and Cd content in the Fe plaques are the major factors influencing the accumulation of Cd in the rice grain. Furthermore, the soil pH, soil organic matter, and As content in the Fe plaques are the major factors influencing the accumulation of As in the rice grain. Therefore, it has been concluded that organic materials could influence the uptake and translocation of As and Cd in rice through changing the soil pH, organic matter content, and As and Cd contents in the Fe plaques.

有机物料对喀斯特地区石灰土有效N、Fe、Zn含量的影响

为研究不同有机物料对喀斯特石灰土元素有效性的影响，采用40 d的室内培养实验，比较了单独添加不同比例（1%、3%、5%）的生物质炭、鸡粪肥、羊粪肥对喀斯特石灰土有效N、Fe、Zn含量的影响。结果表明：添加生物质炭提高了喀斯特石灰土的pH值，而添加鸡粪肥和羊粪肥降低了喀斯特石灰土的pH值；添加3种有机物料均增加了喀斯特石灰土的有机质含量，大小关系为：生物质炭 > 鸡粪肥 > 羊粪肥，但添加鸡粪肥和羊粪肥土壤有机质的化学活性和微生物活性更高。受pH、有机质活性、碳氮比等因素的影响，添加鸡粪肥和羊粪肥能增加土壤有效N含量，但两种有机肥对土壤有效N的提高效果相差不大，而添加生物质炭反而降低了土壤有效N的含量；3种有机物料均能提高土壤的有效Fe和有效Zn含量，其中鸡粪肥效果最佳，其次为羊粪肥和生物质炭。当3种有机物料的添加比例为5%时，生物质炭处理土壤的有效N、Fe、Zn含量分别是对照处理的0.92、1.13、1.21倍；鸡粪肥处理土壤的有效N、Fe、Zn含量分别是对照处理的1.22、1.63和3.39倍；羊粪肥处理土壤的有效N、Fe、Zn含量分别是对照处理的1.27、1.34和2.59倍。所以，相对于生物质炭，有机粪肥对喀斯特地区的石灰土有更好的改良效果。;The effect of organic materials on the availability of nutrient elements in karst calcareous soil was investigated by a 40-day soil incubation experiment. Biochar, chicken manure and sheep manure were incorporated separately with 1%, 3%, and 5% amount for comparing their impact on soil available N, Fe, and Zn. Our results indicated that chicken manure and sheep manure amendment decreased soil pH, while the opposite was true for biochar. Soil organic matter was enhanced by addition of these organic materials with the order:biochar > chicken manure > sheep manure, but the chemical and microbial activity of organic matter in soil ascribed to biochar application was the lowest. Due to pH, organic matter activity, C/N ratio, and other factors, there was no significant difference between the increment of available N in soil by chicken manure and sheep manure addition with the same amount. Whereas, 5% biochar amendment reduced soil available N significantly. The increment of available Fe and available Zn in soil was optimum by the application of chicken manure, followed by sheep manure and biochar. With 5% addition amount, the contents of available N, available Fe, and available Zn in the soil with biochar were 0.92, 1.13 and 1.21 times as much as that in control respectively, 1.22, 1.63 and 3.39 times respectively for chicken manure treatment, and 1.27, 1.34 and 2.59 times respectively for sheep manure treatment. Hence, compared with biochar, the additions of organic manure were a better choice for the improvement of calcareous soil in karst areas.

Influence of supplementation of vineyard soil with organic substances on nutritional status, yield and quality of ‘Black Magic’ grape (<i>Vitis vinifera L.</i>) and soil microbiological and biochemical characteristics

Cost effective and environmentally friendly strategies in plant nutrition are prime considerations for sustainable viticulture in the face of ever-increasing stress factors throughout the world. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of applying different types of organic and inorganic material [control (C; no application), basaltic pumice (P), commercial dry compost (DC), pruning residue:farm manure mixture (1:2, v:v) compost (PR+FM), straw:farm manure mixture (1:2, v:v) compost (S+FM), pumice:dry compost (P+DC), pumice+straw:farm manure compost (P+(S+FM)) and pumice+pruning residue:farm manure compost (P+(PR+FM))] to ‘Black Magic’ grapevines on their agronomic and nutrient acquisition during two consecutive years: 2017 and 2018.The highest yield (6172 g/vine and 7874 g/vine) and cluster weight (411.4 g and 463.2 g) were obtained for the application of S+FM in both years. In terms of berry weight, the highest value was obtained for P+(PR+FM) in 2017, although no significant difference was found between treatments in 2018. PR+FM slightly accelerated berry ripening. The differences between macro and micro element contents of the leaves were statistically significant. The leaf mineral values obtained from pumice were generally higher whether it was applied alone or in combination with other materials. N, P, Ca, Fe and Mn concentrations were sufficient for all applications, while K, Mg and Zn values were within the limits of deficiency. Regarding CO2 production, P+(PR+FM) application in 2017 and S+FM application in 2018 gave the highest values. The effect of organic materials used on microbial biomass-C in soil was higher for S+FM in 2017 and for S+FM and P+DC in 2018 than the other treatments. The application of P+(PR+FM) in 2017 and PR+FM in 2018 had the highest efficiency in terms of dehydrogenase enzyme activity. Urease and phosphatase enzyme values showed a higher activity for P+(PR+FM) in 2017 and P+DC in 2018 than for the other treatments.In this study, we found that applications of organic and inorganic material generally provided good improvement in terms of the agronomic and nutritional properties examined. In order to be able to provide recommendations for appropriate material, it would be useful to evaluate the accumulated effects of the treatments in further research.

Breeding behavior of radiation-induced effects in organic materials and their possible use as radiation dosimeters

The present study reveals a deep association between the effects of gamma rays in irradiated organic substances and the age of the material after exposure. The late effects of radiation-induced modifications in polymeric material were investigated by means of the infrared signature and correlation with ultraviolet absorption. Detectors made of poly(allyl diglycol carbonate) were irradiated with doses between 500 Gy and 5 MGy and compared by means of similar samples aged 8 and 12 years. Infrared investigation showed the differences between infrared spectra recorded directly after irradiation and those recorded for the aged samples. The aging effect was found to be minor at low doses. For samples irradiated at high doses, the material digested itself through processes that have radiation breeding-fermentation behavior. Ultraviolet absorption revealed the presence of a hyperchromic effect and a bathochromic shift in connection with the age of these samples. This breeding behavior of radiation-induced effects in organic materials should be taken into account in dosimetry.

Phytoextraction of rare earth elements from ion-adsorption mine tailings by Phytolacca americana: Effects of organic material and biochar amendment

Phytoextraction is a promising technology for decontamination and recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from REE-rich wastes. However, the improvement of REE phytoextraction efficiency on ion-adsorption REE mine tailings remains a challenge because the substrate can hardly support the growth of hyperaccumulators. In this study, REE phytoextraction using a REE hyperaccumulator, Phytolacca americana, grown on ion-adsorption REE mine tailing materials amended with organic material (OM) and biochar (BC) was explored through a pot experiment. Results show that under 1% OM, 5% OM, 1% BC, and 5% BC treatments, the shoots biomass of P. americana was 4.17, 7.85, 3.41, and 5.14 times higher than the control (without organic amendment) respectively, whereas the REE concentrations in shoots were 2.02, 68.4, 0.16, and 1.98 times lower than the control (524 ± 82.8 mg kg−1) respectively. The highest REE yield was obtained under 1% BC treatment and was 3.56 times that of the control. Both OM and BC treatments largely improved the soil physico-chemical properties. However, compared with OM and 5% BC treatments, 1% BC treatment induced a smaller increase in pH, and the amount of organic carbon and nutrients in the soil solution, thereby minimizing the reduction of REE bioavailability. We conclude that amendment with a low dosage of BC could be a potential way to improve REE phytoextraction efficiency by P. americana on ion-adsorption REE mine tailings.

Effects of Organic Materials and Rainfall Intensity on the Productivity of Oil Palm Grown under Sandy Soil Condition

Oil palm plantations in Indonesia are cultivated on various types of land, ranging from very suitable to unsuitable types. This cultivation method is increasingly vulnerable to drought caused by climate change. Climate change due to global warming negatively affects the management of oil palm plantations in the long term. The upper-temperature limit for efficient photosynthesis in oil palm leaves is >38 °C. The increase in temperature (2°C above the optimum) and rainfall by 10% is projected to cause a yield decline of up to 30%. The water shortage is also a major limiting factor for palm oil production. Such vulnerability is predicted to worsen, and thus its negative effects should be explored. The purpose of this study is to reveal the role of organic matter applied as empty bunches (EFB) and the management of Nephrolepis bisserata vegetation in reducing the adverse effects of rainfall on palm oil production on sandy soils. The survey method and observations were carried out for over 3 years on plants aged 14-16 years on blocks. Empty fruit bunches (EFB) of 40 tons/ha/year was applied to each block, and Nephrolepis biserrata was used as ground cover which planted in path. The parameters observed included the number and average weight of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The relationship between fluctuations in the conditions of monthly rainfall intensity on oil palm production was determined through regression analysis. Rainfall strongly influenced the number of FFB, whereas the average weight of FFB remained relatively constant. The application of EFB and management of Nephrolepis biserrata vegetation facilitates the reduction of drought impacts and increase in oil palm production (15%) as shown in bunch weight and bunch number. EFB and Nephrolepis biserrata vegetation can increase soil organic matter content and improve soil water holding capacity.

Quantification of the Fate of Aminocyclopyrachlor in Soil Amended with Organic Residues from a Sugarcane System

Aminocyclopyrachlor is a persistent herbicide in soil; in the presence of organic matter, this persistence can be increased and can contribute to environmental contamination. The objective of this study was to verify the effects of organic materials derived from the sugarcane cultivation system on the mineralization and degradation of aminocyclopyrachlor in the soil. 14C-aminocyclopyrachlor was applied to soil with organic residues (sugarcane straw, filter cake and vinasse) and evaluated for 112 days of incubation. Mineralization was quantified by the weekly evolution of 14CO2, and the extracted, bound residues and the formation of metabolites of aminocyclopyrachlor were quantified. The mineralization was lower than 45% in all treatments. The degradation half-life (DT50) is being 187 days for unamended soil and > 240 days for soils amended with organic materials. For 90% of the herbicide to be degraded (DT90), between 622 and 921 days was required in all soils. Bound residues were formed in the soil (30% of the total applied in all treatments). No metabolites were formed during the whole incubation period, regardless of the treatment. The presence of organic materials in the soil increased the persistence of aminocyclopyrachlor in the soil, so that persistence of the herbicide may promote a residual effect on weeds and carryover in subsequent crops.

Blending organic material with municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash to promote in-situ carbonation in road base.

The use of municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash for road-base construction is an accepted practice in Europe and Asia, and of growing interest in the US. It is common practice to cure bottom ash by stockpiling it for several weeks before using it in this application. The curing process exposes the bottom ash to atmospheric carbon dioxide, which promotes carbonation, lowering its pH (making it less alkaline), and making many heavy metals less soluble. While this process makes bottom ash a more environmentally acceptable material, it takes time and requires additional handling. This article investigates a concept to facilitate carbonation of bottom ash in its compacted state, potentially eliminating the stockpile curing process. It is demonstrated here that blending a small amount of organic material with bottom ash will accelerate carbonation and lower pH in compacted samples by providing a carbon source for bacteria to produce carbon dioxide. Different quantities of biosolids (1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% by mass) were added to compacted bottom ash samples to examine the effect of organic materials on carbonation, and results were compared with a compacted control bottom ash sample. The pH of the control bottom ash sample decreased from 12.07 to 9.78 after 63 days, while the pH of the sample containing 5% biosolids decreased from 11.70 to 9.74 in only 7 days and to 8.18 after 63 days. Physical testing was conducted to examine suitability for beneficial use. The results indicate that bottom ash containing less than 3% biosolids met minimum bearing strength requirements for road base.