Harvest Time Research Articles

Laparoscopically harvested omental flap for immediate breast reconstruction: a retrospective single-center study of 300 cases.

The laparoscopically harvested omental flap (LHOF) has been used in partial or total breast reconstruction, but most studies on LHOF were case reports or small case series. However, the clinical feasibility and oncological safety of LHOF in oncoplastic breast surgery remains controversial. This study reported our experience applying LHOF for immediate breast reconstruction. Between June 2018 and March 2022, 300 patients underwent oncoplastic breast surgery using LHOF at our institution. Their clinicopathological data, complications, cosmetic outcomes, and oncologic outcomes were evaluated. All patients underwent total breast reconstruction using LHOF after nipple-sparing mastectomy. The median operation time was 230min (ranging from 155 to 375min). The median operation time for harvesting the omental flap was 55min (ranging from 40 to 105min). The success rate of the laparoscopically harvested pedicled omental flap was over 99.0%. Median blood loss was 70ml, ranging from 40 to 150ml. The volume of the flap was insufficient in 102 patients (34.0%). The overall complication rate was 12.3%. Subcutaneous fluid in the breast area (7%) was the most common reconstruction-associated complication, but most cases were relieved spontaneously. The incidence rate of omental flap necrosis was 3.3%. LHOF-associated complications occurred in two cases, including one case of incisional hernia and one case of vascular injury. Cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory in 95.1% of patients on a four-point scale by three-panel assessment and 97.2% using the BCCT.core software. Two local and one systemic recurrence were observed during a median follow-up period of 32 months. The LHOF for immediate breast reconstruction is a safe and feasible method that involves minimal donor-site morbidity, satisfactory cosmetic outcomes, and promising oncologic safety.

The impact of harvesting method and harvesting month on the quality of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. essential oils and oxidative stress

ABSTRACT The chemical properties of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don. (common name ‘immortelle’), depend largely on the cultivation type, climatic conditions, and cultivation methods. The time and the harvesting method are crucial for enhancing the quality of essential oils. This investigation aimed to evaluate how harvesting month affects the amount and quality of essential oils (EOs). The results showed that the qualitative properties of the essential oil were influenced by the method of harvest (by hand or by machine) and, harvesting time. Harvesting by machine gave better γ-curcumene content, and harvesting by hand gave better a-pinene and neryl acetate quality. It is also observed that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production under machine harvesting raised lipid peroxidation of membranes. In general, better qualitative properties of immortelle essential oil were obtained from manual harvesting.

The cardioprotective potential of selected species of mistletoe

Mistletoe is an evergreen woody shrub with stems measuring 30–100 cm. It has leathery, yellowish-green strap-shaped leaves, yellowish-green flowers, and bears typical berries. The most common species is Viscum album L., mainly present in Europe and Asia. It is commonly known as European mistletoe or simply, mistletoe. Scientific interest in mistletoe was awakened in the XX century. Mistletoe, especially V. album L., has historically been used in the treatment and prophylaxis of CVD, with its properties being confirmed in recent studies. This mini-review describes new aspects of the cardioprotective properties of various species of mistletoe, especially V. album L. The effect of oral and subcutaneous application of fresh V. album L. extracts on blood pressure has been studied in various models; while the data suggests that mistletoe may be a promising herbal extract with cardioprotective properties, the species has only been tested in vitro and in vivo, on animals. In addition, it is unclear whether the cardioprotective activity of mistletoe may be due to particular chemical components, as the chemical composition of mistletoe extracts can vary depending on inter alia the time of harvest, extraction method and plant part. Hence, this activity may instead result from synergistic interactions between various secondary metabolites. Therefore, further studies are needed to identify the mechanisms of action of mistletoe compounds on CVDs, and determine their interactions with other cardioprotective drugs, their metabolic mechanisms, pharamacokinetics and adverse effects. More research is also needed to determine the therapeutic doses of active ingredients for use in clinical trials; this would require an accurate understanding of the chemical composition of extracts from different species of mistletoe (not only V. album L.) and from various host trees.

The Composition of Volatiles and the Role of Non-Traditional LOX on Target Metabolites in Virgin Olive Oil from Autochthonous Dalmatian Cultivars

The lipoxygenase pathway has a significant influence on the composition of the volatile components of virgin olive oil (VOO). In this work, the influence of the maturity index (MI) on the activity of the lipoxygenase enzyme (LOX) in the fruits of the autochthonous Dalmatian olive cultivars Oblica, Levantinka and Lastovka was studied. The analysis of the primary oxidation products of linoleic acid in the studied cultivars showed that LOX synthesises a mixture of 9- and 13-hydroperoxides of octadecenoic acid in a ratio of about 1:2, which makes it a non-traditional plant LOX. By processing the fruits of MI~3, we obtained VOOs with the highest concentration of desirable C6 volatile compounds among the cultivars studied. We confirmed a positive correlation between MI, the enzyme activity LOX and the concentration of hexyl acetate and hexanol in cultivars Oblica and Lastovka, while no positive correlation with hexanol was observed in the cultivar Levantinka. A significant negative correlation was found between total phenolic compounds in VOO and LOX enzyme activity, followed by an increase in the MI of fruits. This article contributes to the selection of the optimal harvest time for the production of VOOs with the desired aromatic properties and to the knowledge of the varietal characteristics of VOOs.

A Method of Coupling Lucerne Quality with Meteorological Data to Evaluate the Suitability of Hay Harvest

The alfalfa harvest time is determined by the alfalfa growth stage and the weather factors at that time, which will affect the yield and quality of the alfalfa hay. Addressing issues like the lack of precise harvesting timing and underutilized production potential of lucerne, this study is based on the internal(fall dormancy level, crude protein, acid, neutral detergent fiber, relative feed value) and external factors(air temperature, precipitation, wind speed, ground temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation) affecting the quality of lucerne, as well as the relevant experimental data of the existing literature and the weather factors within 24 h after the lucerne harvest.Using principal component analysis to calculate the weights of the above indicators, the harvest suitability score formula was constructed to determine the harvesting time, harvesting method and harvesting stubble. Huanghua City was used as an example to confirm the method’s effectiveness in guiding for determining the optimal harvest date of lucerne in the city. Key findings include the following: The hay quality of the first two crops of alfalfa in Huanghua City was higher than that of the third and fourth crops, and the optimal harvest stage of alfalfa was before the precipitation concentration period, which was consistent with other local research results and weather characteristics, and the method was feasible. Precipitation was the most significant factor affecting the lucerne harvest. The effects of other weather factors on hay quality varied with precipitation conditions. The temperature was the second important factor when daily precipitation is less than 1 mm, and the wind speed became the second important factor when the daily precipitation is less than 10 mm and more than 1 mm. Under low suitability and high precipitation, it may be advisable to convert hay harvest to silage to maximize economic benefits. This research could help agricultural decision-makers to develop precise harvesting strategies, and further improve lucerne production efficiency.

Evaluation of Field Performance and Energy Consumption of a Medium-sized Combine Harvester for Harvesting Glutinous Rice in Malaysia

A medium-sized combine harvester has been recently deployed to harvest newly introduced high-value glutinous rice in Malaysia. Thus, efficient utilisation of combine harvesters during harvest is essential to minimise operating costs and grain loss. This study evaluated a medium-sized combine harvester’s performance and energy consumption for harvesting glutinous rice. The experiment was carried out on a one-hectare paddy field with three sub-plots using a central composite design (CCD). A time-motion study was conducted during the harvesting operation to determine the combine harvester’s performance parameters, which included field operating speed (FS), field efficiency (FE), theoretical field capacity (TFC), effective field capacity (EFC), grain throughput capacity (GTC), fuel consumption (FC) and field machine index (MI). The energy expended during the operation, which included machinery energy (ME), fuel energy (FCE), human energy (HE), and total energy (TE) input, were also computed. The average FS, FE, TFC, EFC, FC, and MI values were 2.42 km/h, 59.78%, 0.56 ha/h, 0.33 ha/h, 14.89 l/ha, and 0.30, respectively. The mean values of ME, FCE, HE, and TE were 305.35, 711.69, 3.62, and 1020.66 MJ/ha, respectively. The combine harvester achieved an average grain throughput capacity (GTC) of 1796.91 kg/h, demonstrating its effectiveness in handling glutinous rice harvesting. The average time distribution for the harvesting operation, such as effective harvesting time, turning/reversing time, and unloading time, was 1.85 h/ha, 0.38 h/ha, and 1.05 h/ha, respectively. Based on the results, it is concluded that the medium-sized combine harvester is technically and economically suitable for harvesting glutinous rice.

Mapping the Potential Development of Soybenas Crops Based on Growing Degree Days

The main factors affecting plant growth and yield are soil, climate, and plants. The influence of clime is more than soil on plant growth under certain conditions. The evidence is that some cover vegetation growth conditions are much different even though they grow on the same land. In each distinct place, the harvest time of one type of plant is not the same. One crucial factor that affects this is the daily growth rate or the degree of Growing Degree Days (GDD). Know parameters such as soil type, slope, land use, rainfall, and GDD temperature by using geographic information systems in determining the suitability of agricultural commodity development areas. The study aims to determine the suitability of soybean cropland in West Sumatra based on GDD value. Conducting land suitability analysis using the GDD method through several stages, namely, the classification of soybean land suitability parameters, making a map of soybean plant land suitability in physical characteristics, classifying the GDD value of soybean plants for the West Sumatra region, and making a soybean cropland suitability map based on GDD value. The potential land for soybean cultivation in West Sumatra based on land suitability class, physical characteristics, and GDD value is 555,791.66 hectares in class S1 (very suitable) and an area of 2,313,796.44 hectares in class S2 (appropriate enough). The most optimal planting time for soybean cultivation is in August. Lima Puluh Kota Regency, Pasaman Regency, Sijunjung Regency, and Solok Regency have land suitable for soybean cultivation with more than 200 thousand hectares of areas and are in areas with growing degree days suitable for soybean growth.

The influence of herbicide protection on the yield of annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the conditions of Western Forest Steppe

Methods. Field, quantitative to determine weediness of crops, mathematical and statistical to assess the reliability of the data obtained.
 Results. It was established that the species composition of the dicot segetal vegetation in the sunflower agrocenosis was mainly represented by white quinoa (Chenopodium album L.), common bittersweet (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), birch mustard (Polygonum convolvulus L.), field mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). Among the variants of the experiment, the highest number of weeds was noted in the control without herbicides — 31.2 weeds/ m2. The introduction of soil and insurance herbicides contributed to the reduction of weediness of sunflower crops. The negative influence of segetal vegetation on the formation of the yield of the studied crop has been proven, which manifested itself in a decrease of its seed productivity with an increase in the number of weeds in the crops. Thus, in the control variant without the use of herbicides the yield of sunflower was the lowest and amounted to 1.55 t/ ha due to strong weediness of the crops. The highest yield of sunflower (4.13 t/ ha) was noted for the variant in which the herbicide Oscar Premium, s.e. was applied to the seedlings. at the rate of 3.75 l/ ha and post-emergence spraying of crops with a tank mixture of herbicides Challenge, s.c., 1.0 l/ ha and Heliantex, s.c., 0.045 l/ ha with the addition of Vivolt surfactant 0.25 l/ ha.
 Conclusions. The lowest weediness of sunflower agrocenoses (1.5 units/ m2) at the time of harvesting was noted on the variant with the use of ground (Oscar Premium, s.e. 3.75 l/ ha) and tank mixture of insurance herbicides (Challenge, s.c., 1.0 l/ ha + Heliantex, s.c., 0.045 l/ ha + Vivolt surfactant 0.25 l/ ha) in the phase of BBCH 14. The highest yield of the researched crop was also noted on the specified version of the experiment — 4.13 t/ ha, which is 2.58 t/ ha more than the control version.

Phenological Evaluation of Minority Grape Varieties in the Wine Region of Madrid as a Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change

In this study, a total of 34 Spanish minority varieties were studied during four seasons from 2020 to 2023, and their behavior was characterized according to their main phenological stages (bud break, bloom, veraison, and maturity) and complete cycle. We focused on the varieties prospected in the central Spanish plateau and conserved in the “El Encín” grapevine collection, aiming to identify the potential for adaptation of these varieties and for them to be considered by winegrowers as an alternative to current climate change conditions. The growing degree days required for the expression of the phenological stage, and the duration of each stage, were compiled. Characteristics of oenological interest were also monitored, such as °Brix, pH, and titratable acidity in must at the time of harvest. This study was carried out in years with atypical snowfall and cold spells (winter 2021), as well as with heat waves (summer 2022), with average temperatures 3–5 °C higher than normal and absolute maximum temperatures over 40 °C. Both cases also exceeded records of historical series (1957–2019). Veraison has been identified as the stage most susceptible to damage from high temperatures, in addition to the maturation and duration of the complete cycle. The varieties were classified into five groups according to the duration of each phenological stage (very early, early, medium, late, and very late). Some varieties with late or very late maturation and with must characteristics of 20–23 °Brix, 3–5 g/L of titratable acidity, and pH 3.5–4.5, as well as others, retained stability in their phenological periodicity and must quality. The results suggest that special attention should be given to thoroughly evaluating these varieties, and that the strategies contemplated should be considered as a feasible cultivation alternative in viticulture to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Polyphenol Profile, Antioxidant Activity and Yield of Cynara cardunculus altilis in Response to Nitrogen Fertilisation

Cardoon leaves are of great pharmaceutical importance due to their high content of polyphenol compounds. Polyphenolic compounds have attracted much interest due to their health-promoting effects. The content of these compounds in C. cardunculus depends on several factors, such as genotype, crop management, plant tissues, harvest time, and storage time. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilisation (rates and forms) on the biomass yield and polyphenol profile of the leaves were determined. Increasing the amount of N up to 180 kg-ha−1 in fertilisation did not significantly increase the air-dried biomass yield of the leaves. On the contrary, it led to lower concentrations of total phenolic compounds (TP), total flavonoids (TF), caffeic acid, cynarin, and luteolin. Improvements in performance were achieved when 120 kg-ha−1 N rate was applied and increases in TP, TF content, and radical scavenging activity were observed. The applied N forms (NO3, NH4 or urea) had different effects on the concentrations of individual compounds and leaf air-dried biomass. Higher concentrations of cynarin, luteolin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were found when the N forms NH4 and urea were applied; higher caffeic acid content was found when urea was applied. The application of NO3 and urea in fertilisation reduced the level of luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, while the application of NO3 and NH4 reduced the amount of caffeic acid. The obtained results provide a better understanding of the effects of N rates and forms on cardoon leaves over two growing seasons.

Lobster quality indicators for grading

AbstractMale lobsters (Homarus americanus) harvested as ‘quarters’ (1.25 lbs/567 g) in two time periods (winter, N = 16, and summer, N = 25) of 2018 are examined. Indicators of quality data were collected for each lobster, including non‐invasive measures (shell hardness, carapace length, sex, live weight, colour, body shape, location, time of harvest) and invasive measures (blood protein [BRIX] level at time of harvest, cooked weight, meat content). Lobster BRIX levels are used as a proxy for actual meat content and as the key indicator of lobster quality. A regression model of the relationship between the natural logarithmic transformation of lobster BRIX levels (independent variable) and meat content yield as a percentage of shell‐on (uncooked) weight (dependent variable) is presented. The objective of this study is to evaluate alternative BRIX‐based decision rules for achieving desired meat content percentage yields for preparing shipments to global markets. The present study found that BRIX‐based grading rules can be determined to achieve minimum desired meat yields, minimum overall shipment yields and minimum proportions of shipments below desirable yield rate. For a minimum desired industry threshold of 24% meat content, the preferred BRIX value rules are (i) 8.5 mg mL−1 and (ii) ‘9 mg mL−1 with 10% plus condition’. These rules improve the admissibility of samples and reduce the risk of below desirable meat yields.

The Effect of Different Harvest Times on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Some Microgreens

Microgreens, which have only become popular during the last decades, are rich in phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants. The study aimed to examine the effects of two different harvest times (cotyledon [embryonic leaves] and 1.5-true leaf stage) of five microgreens on the bioactive compounds in terms of antioxidant capacity and total phenolics. The total phenolic components ranged from 60.9 to 2153.2 mg GAE g-1 in cotyledon leaves, whereas the value varied from 96.2 to 2113.9 mg GAE g-1 in the true leaves of microgreens. Increases in the phenolic content of the first true leaves in dill and chia were detected as 57.8% and 29.6% compared to the cotyledon leaf. Among the cotyledon microgreens, the maximum phenolic content was detected in the garden cress. The antioxidant capacity of the cotyledon and true leaf stages ranged between 485.4±2.3-1985.67±24.9 µg g-1 and 508.87±5.3-2393.56±12.6 µg g-1, respectively. The maximum antioxidant capacity was detected in radish, followed by garden cress. The biggest variation between the cotyledon and first true leaves in the study was observed for red beetroot. This study revealed the alteration in the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of five cultivars based on growth stages of cotyledonary and true leaves in microgreen form.

Assessment of handling practices for maize by farmers and marketers in food-insecure regions of Western Honduras

The objective of this study was to understand the maize production chain in the Republic of Honduras, and to identify potential obstacles hindering grain end-quality. Seventy-one municipalities across six departments of Western Honduras were surveyed: Copán, Intibucá, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, and Santa Bárbara. A total of 871 surveys were collected, out of which 725 were from rural areas and 146 from urban areas. The sampling design reflected population density and population-based indicators from USAID's Feed the Future initiative, such as poverty level and prevalence of underweight non-pregnant females between the ages of 15 and 49. Further, indicators associated with underdevelopment in children were also considered. Survey instruments designed for either maize farmers or maize marketers were used to collect data including seed source, type planted, intercropping, time of harvest, drying and storage practices, quality control, and consumption patterns. Farmers preferred to plant criolla (native) maize (81–96%), although non-native varieties were also grown and consumed (3–13%). Following harvest, sun drying is the most used method (14–40%) for moisture control. Farmers reported maize spoilage resulting primarily from inadequate drying and pest damage (56–82%). Although aware of this, up to 28% of the producers reported not performing preventive grain inspections in the course of storage. Maize marketers typically sourced their grain within the department (33–71%), with a smaller fraction (0–8%) also obtaining maize from other departments or neighboring countries. Mirroring farmers, visual quality checks by marketers occurred primarily at initial storage (36–69%) and decreased in frequency as storage time lengthened. Given that both studied groups of farmers and marketers continue to rely on traditional practices, and corrective rather than preventive measures, the likelihood of low-quality product and risk for mycotoxin contamination is exacerbated. Based on these findings, achieving food security for the region of study will require a transformation in pre- and post-harvest handling practices.

Selection of chemical marker for Cnidii Rhizoma by Gyeongbuk production area and harvest time using UPLC-QTOF/MS and multivariate statistical analysis techniques

Selection of chemical marker for <i>Cnidii Rhizoma</i> by Gyeongbuk production area and harvest time using UPLC-QTOF/MS and multivariate statistical analysis techniques

Yield, physicochemical and compositional traits of ‘off-season’ carrot as affected by nitrogen fertilization and harvest time

Yield, physicochemical and compositional traits of ‘off-season’ carrot as affected by nitrogen fertilization and harvest time

Seeds of Change: Assessing Wheat Knowledge and Socio-profile in Rural Areas of Kharar, Tehsil of Punjab, India

This study investigates the socio-profile status, agricultural practices, and knowledge acquisition among farmers in rural villages of the Punjab region, India. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from farmers residing in five villages through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The demographic analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with a significant proportion falling within the 40-60 years age bracket, highlighting the maturity of the farming population. Educational attainment varied, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance access to higher education and vocational training programs. Findings indicated a high prevalence of smartphone usage among farmers, presenting opportunities for leveraging digital technology in agricultural extension services. Family compositions leaned towards nuclear families, while landholding patterns showcased the varied socio-profile landscape within the farming community. Peer networks and institutional support emerged as significant sources of agricultural information, underscoring the importance of collaborative approaches in knowledge dissemination. A notable increase in knowledge was observed among farmers after video presentations on wheat varieties, highlighting the efficacy of multimedia approaches in agricultural education. The study aimed to assess the impact of a video presentation on wheat cultivation on farmers' knowledge. Data from 60 farmers showed significant improvements in various aspects of wheat cultivation knowledge, including identifying suitable wheat varieties, understanding sowing and harvesting timing, and recognizing common wheat diseases. The mean percentage increase in knowledge was 103%, indicating the effectiveness of the educational program. These findings underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmers' livelihoods. Continued support and education efforts are essential for sustaining and enhancing these positive outcomes. However, the preference for sowing previous year's seeds over newly released varieties indicates the persistence of traditional practices and the need for targeted interventions to promote varietal adoption. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners to design context-specific interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring food security for rural populations in the Punjab region and beyond.

Convolutional neural network for estimation of harvest time of forage sorghum (sorghum bicolor) cultivar samurai-1

One of the economic alternatives to improve the quality of ruminant feed is combining grass as the main feed with high-protein forages such as sorghum. To get a quality sorghum harvest during the period, it must be right when it has good biomass content, nutrients, and digestibility. The problem is that measuring quality in the laboratory has additional costs and time, which is not short, causing delays. An approach with machine learning using a convolutional neural network can be a better solution. This research uses a convolutional neural network algorithm with the right architecture to estimate sorghum harvest time from imaging results of unmanned aerial vehicles. The stages of this research include data collection, pre-processing, modeling, and finally, the evaluation stage. This research compares the results of several convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm architectural models: simple CNN, ResNet50 V2, visual geometry group-16 (VGG-16), MobileNet V2, and Inception V3. The result is determining the CNN algorithm architectural model that can estimate sorghum harvest time with maximum accuracy. The best result is the simple CNN architectural model with an accuracy of 0.95. This research shows that the classification model obtained from the CNN algorithm with a simple CNN architecture is the choice model for estimating sorghum harvest time.

Optimization and development of denser Chlorella vulgaris microalgae granules for easy harvesting via self-flocculation

Microalgae is widely utilized in water purification technology, biofuel production as well as in the synthesis of biopolymers. However, the separation of microalgae from its growth medium is the major issue that restricts the harvesting processes due to microalgae's lower density. In this study, the effect of environmental factors on microalgae granules development was investigated. Results from response surface methodology (RSM) revealed that maximum growth rate and biomass productivity were obtained at a photoperiod of 23.9 h, aeration rates of 2.4 L/min, inoculum concentration of 11 % and pH 6 respectively. The mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) value of the initial seed microalgae increased from 50 mg/L to 2978 mg/L after 70 days of cultivation. Microalgae productivity in this study is approximately 2 times faster than the standard suspension growing method. The microalgae settleability was significantly enhanced, as indicated by a major reduction in the sludge volume index (SVI30) from an initial value of >3000 to 58.51 mL/g, accompanied by an increase in settling velocity from virtually 0 to 19.2 cm/h and total harvesting time of 15 min. After 70 days of operation, smoothly settled, compact algal granules with largest sizes of 1.90 mm were obtained.

Synergistic interactions of light and dark biofilms in rotating algal biofilm system for enhanced aquaculture wastewater treatment

Aquaculture wastewater management is critical for environmental sustainability. This study investigates the synergistic interactions between light and dark biofilms with a Rotating Algal Biofilm (RAB) system for effective aquaculture wastewater treatment. The RAB system, optimized with a 5-day harvest time and 12-hour hydraulic retention time, demonstrated superior biomass productivity (3.3 g m−2 d−1) and total ammoniacal nitrogen removal (82.3 %). Comparative analysis of light and dark biofilms revealed their complementary roles, with the light side exhibiting higher carbon assimilation and nutrient removal efficiencies, while the dark side contributed significantly to denitrification and phosphorus removal. Microbial community analysis highlighted the dominance of key bacterial genera such as Haliangium, Methyloversatilis and Comamonadaceae, along with the algal genus Chlorella, indicating their crucial roles in nutrient cycling. This study provides insights into the operational dynamics of RAB system for sustainable aquaculture wastewater treatment.

Zeolite application mitigates NH3 and N2O emissions from pig slurry-applied field and improves nitrogen use efficiency in Italian ryegrass−maize crop rotation system for forage production

The present study aimed to assess the efficiency of zeolite in mitigating the nitrogen (N) losses through ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from pig slurry (PS) applied to Italian ryegrass (IRG)−maize fields under a crop rotation system and the consequent effect on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for forage production. PS was applied at rates of 150 and 200 kg N ha−1 for the IRG and maize growing seasons, respectively, with or without zeolite. Soil mineral N content and NH3 and N2O emissions were measured periodically throughout the year-round cultivation of IRG and maize. Forage yield and nutritional composition were also analyzed at the harvest time of each crop. The PS with/without zeolite application effects were interpreted by comparison with those obtained for the negative control (no-N fertilization). Soil ammonium (NH4+) content in the PS-applied plots sharply increased within the first week, then progressively decreased in both the IRG and maize growing seasons. Soil NH4+ contents in the zeolite-amended plots were higher compared to the treatment without zeolite except for the first 1 or 2 weeks after PS application when soil nitrate (NO3−) contents significantly decreased. The increase in soil NH4+ content as affected by zeolite application was more distinct in the maize growing season than in the IRG growing season. NH3 emission was predominant at the early 2 weeks after PS application. Zeolite application reduced the cumulative emission of NH3 from PS by 16.7% and 24.4% and that of N2O by 15.6% and 31.5% in the IRG growing and maize growing seasons, respectively. NUE for dry matter (DM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) production significantly improved in annual yield basis of the IRG−maize cropping. Zeolite application in PS-applied field may represent effective management in mitigating N losses through odorous NH3 and greenhouse gas (N2O) emissions, thereby improving NUE forage production.