Incorporation Of Organic Material Research Articles

Advances in the Study of NO3− Immobilization by Microbes in Agricultural Soils

The extensive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agriculture has resulted in a considerable accumulation of N in the soil, particularly nitrate (NO3−), which can be easily lost to the surrounding environments through leaching and denitrification. Improving the immobilization of NO3− by soil microorganisms in agriculture is crucial to improve soil N retention capacity and reduce the risk of NO3− loss. In this paper, we reviewed the significance of microbial immobilization of soil NO3− in soil N retention, the techniques to quantify soil gross microbial NO3− immobilization rate, and its influencing factors. Specifically, we discussed the respective contribution of fungi and bacteria in soil NO3− retention, and we clarified that the incorporation of organic materials is of vital importance in enhancing soil microbial NO3− immobilization capacities in agricultural soils. However, there is still a lack of research on the utilization of NO3− by microorganisms of different functional groups in soil due to the limited techniques. In the future, attention should be paid to how to regulate the microbial NO3− immobilization to make soil NO3− supply capacity match better with the crop N demand, thereby improving N use efficiency and reducing NO3− losses.

Research on the enhancement material and culture method of soil aggregates composed of feldspathic sandstone and sand

The Mu Us Sandy Land is a region characterized by wind-blown sand and soil erosion in northern China. To enhance the soil quality of this area, various organic materials were incorporated into the mixed soil at a volume ratio of 1:2 for feldspathic sandstone to sand. Culture was conducted in the field and under constant temperature conditions in laboratory culture chambers. Four treatments were established in the experiment, each calculated based on weight ratio and controlled (with no organic material added, CK); single application of straw (5% straw, P1); single application of biochar (5% biochar, P2); combined application of biochar and straw (5% biochar + 5% straw, P3). After 90 days of culture, soil samples were collected for analysis of various indicators such as soil aggregate particle size distribution, water stability of soil aggregates, mean weight diameter, mean geometric diameter, and fractal dimension using dry sieving and wet sieving methods. The objective is to establish a scientific basis and provide technical support for addressing the challenges associated with compound soil and implementing rational fertilization measures. The research results indicate that: (1) The quantity of aggregates > 0.25 mm under different treatments follows the order CK < P1 < P2 < P3, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05); (2) Soil water stability, mean weight diameter (MWD), mean geometric diameter (GMD), and fractal dimension of soil aggregates in compound soil with different organic material additions are superior to the control, and the effect of biochar on improving soil aggregates is better than that of corn straw. The combined application of both significantly improves the effect compared to single applications. In both culture modes, under wet sieving, the P3 treatment shows the highest MWD and GMD of soil aggregates, with an increase ranging from 3.45% to 85% and 4.55% to 38.46%, respectively, compared to other treatments. (3) The trend of fractal dimension among treatments is consistent: P3 < P2 < P1 < CK, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, there is a good negative correlation linear equation relationship between the fractal dimension (y) and WR > 0.25 (x) of compound soil, with a correlation coefficient of up to 0.9851. In conclusion, the incorporation of organic materials can effectively enhance the proportion of macroaggregates in compound soil consisting of Feldspathic sandstone and sand, thereby improving soil stability and erosion resistance. The optimal outcome is achieved through the combined application of biochar and straw. Indoor culture proves to be more effective than field culture, while wet sieving accurately reflects the structural characteristics of compound soil under both dry and wet sieving treatments.

Combining approaches for environmental assessment of rehabilitated gold‐mining areas in the Eastern Amazon

AbstractMonitoring key soil and vegetation attributes in mining areas under environmental rehabilitation is essential to ensure that the intervention techniques are effective. There are several approaches to monitoring mining areas and their integration is necessary to process large amounts of information. Thus, this study aimed to (i) assess soil multi‐contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTE) and human health risks; (ii) obtain a soil quality index with soil fertility data; (iii) calculate spectral index; (iv) show rehabilitation status based on vegetation attributes, and (v) compile these indices in a single measure. Four tailings' ponds (TPs), two waste piles (WPs), and an area of native forest from a gold mine in the Carajás National Forest were evaluated. Soil quality and vegetation cover are good in forest areas, with no evidence of PTE contamination. On the other hand, the TPs have poor fertility and vegetation cover, as well as higher levels of PTE. Human health risk indices obtained for all PTE were lower than 1, indicating a low risk to human health. The results of integrating the different indices suggest that the environmental conditions of the WPs are better than those of the TPs, which are still far from the environmental conditions of native areas. Soil attributes and vegetation development in TPs areas could be enhanced by the incorporation of organic materials and fertilizers and by planting species with phytoremediation potential. Finally, the integrative approach of the different indices proved to be useful in assessing the rehabilitation progress of the areas.

Short-term effects of subsoil management by strip-wise loosening and incorporation of organic material

Agricultural production in Central Europe increasingly suffers from extreme drought events. Improving root access to nutrient and water resources in the subsoil below the plow layer is a potential option to maintain productivity during dry summers. Here, we tested a strip-wise subsoil amelioration method that combines subsoil loosening with organic matter incorporation into the subsoil (biowaste or green waste compost) and compared it with a treatment of only subsoil loosening and a non-ameliorated control. A field experiment with randomized block design was conducted on a Luvisol with an argic horizon (Bt), with a rotation of spring barley and winter wheat. In the first two years after amelioration, we monitored soil physico-chemical parameters, microbial biomass, and shoot and root growth at anthesis as well as harvested grain yield and quality. Subsoil loosening with organic matter incorporation significantly decreased soil bulk density at the depth of compost incorporation when biowaste compost was used, but not when green waste compost had been incorporated. Nutrient stocks, nutrient availability and microbial biomass were not consistently affected by the subsoil amelioration. Nevertheless, the incorporation of organic material, especially biowaste compost, significantly increased root growth into the subsoil and subsequently significantly enhanced crop nutrient uptake, biomass and grain yield production. Green waste compost incorporation had less pronounced effects, with an increase in grain yield only in the second year after amelioration. Differences in crop development could not be explained by any single soil parameter, suggesting that it was rather a combined effect of loosened subsoil and better supply of subsoil resources that resulted in an increase in subsoil root length density and subsequently led to better crop performance.

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.

Biomass ash-based soil improvers: Impact of formulation and stabilization conditions on materials’ properties

Biomass ash and sludge from pulp and paper industry have enormous potential to be recycled and used as components in soil improvers. Those materials can supply large amounts of nutrients and organic matter and its recycling avoids the need of landfilling. However, these wastes cannot be directly applied to soils. Some form of processing is required to ensure efficient soil pH correction, fertilization, guarantee soil protection, and reduce potential sanitary and environmental risks.In this study, different ash formulations (with or without addition of organic wastes) and stabilization conditions (indoors vs. outdoors) were tested to optimize physico-chemical properties of ash-based granules to be used as soil improvers. Biomass fly ash (BFA) was granulated in combination with different binding agents: distilled water, biological sludge (BS), biological sludge effluent (BSE), or composted biological sludge (CBS). All granulated materials were alkaline, ranging from pH 7.9 to 12.1. Their acid-neutralizing capacity ranged from 45 to 51 equiv. CaCO3, rendering them suitable as liming materials. Incorporation of organic materials (BS and CBS) enhanced water holding capacity (up to 38 %) and bulk porosity (up to 20 %). Stabilization outdoors resulted in a faster carbonation and consequent reduction of the granules pH. It also yielded a lower electrical conductivity and lower soluble salts content (Ca, Cl, K, and Na) than materials stabilized indoors. After processing and stabilization, some of these ash formulations fulfilled the criteria to be used as component for inorganic macronutrient fertilizers, liming materials or inorganic soil improvers under the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation.

Mapping of areas suitable for the application of biosolids in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The recovery of degraded areas is imperative for the sustainability of mining activities. The main action implemented to improve the chemical, physical and biological conditions of soils, tailings and sterile deposits is the incorporation of organic material. Biosolids (hygienized sewage sludge) are among the organic materials that can be applied. However, considering the health risk they represent, not all areas are suitable for receiving this waste. The present research sought to map the environmental suitability of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) region to assess the applicability of biosolids. For this purpose, maps were elaborated using restrictive criteria established for the safe application of this residue to the soil by means of the Geographic Information System (GIS), using the ArcGIS software, version 10.2. The established criteria were pedology, topography, hydromorphism, presence of protected areas, soil texture, susceptibility to erosion, proximity to urban areas and their overlaps to obtain the final suitability areas. For the exclusion of areas that presented legal restrictions, the criteria of protected area, areas close to water bodies, urban areas, shallow soils and a slope greater than 45% were used, as established in literature, in CONAMA 498/2020 and in the Forest Law - Federal Law 12,652 of 2012. Of the areas analyzed, 58.5% were suitable for biosolid application, equivalent to 10,858.3 ha of the 18,587 ha studied, indicating the feasibility of biosolids application in part of the QF area to be recovered.

Organic material additions have stronger effects on humic substances and enzyme activities than soil types

AbstractThe incorporation of organic materials derived from plant biomass into various soils is an effective strategy for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). The comparative effect of organic material forms and soil types on carbon (C) sequestration has received little attention. On a C equivalent basis, wheat straw, wheat straw‐biochar, tobacco straw, and tobacco straw‐biochar were added to different soil types such as acidic, saline, and calcareous and incubated for 180 days. The structural characteristics of SOC, humic substance (HS) contents, and enzyme activities were investigated, and it was discovered that the C content of crop straws and biochar was primarily fixed in the form of humin (HU) in all soil types. Furthermore, biochar application did not increase humic acid (HA), whereas crop straws treatments did. Between HU and SOC, there was a significant positive correlation. SOC Aryl C was increased by biochar treatments, whereas phenolic C and O‐alkyl C were increased by straw treatments. Aromatic C correlated positively with SOC concentration, whereas polyphenol oxidase activity correlated positively with O‐alkyl C. The activity of polyphenol oxidase influenced the ormation of O‐alkyl C significantly. The majority of SOC functional groups and enzyme activities were found to have significant relationships with HS contents (p value &lt;0.05). These findings suggest that both soil types and organic materials influence HS and functional groups of SOC, with organic materials having a stronger influence on microbial activity than soil types. Biochar can be used for a wide range of soils to not only store more recalcitrant C but also make SOC more hydrophobic.

Suspension-Feeding Benthic Species’ Physiological and Microbiome Response to Salmon Farming and Associated Environmental Changes

Caged salmon farming is increasingly undertaken in water bodies with strong hydrodynamics where hard and mixed substrate habitats are more prevalent. Yet, these structurally complex and heterogeneous habitats support diverse benthic communities including several cnidarians and sponges that remain poorly characterized. This study used a combination of respirometry measurements, gas chromatography and 16S rRNA metabarcoding to define the respiration rate, stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen isotopes (δ15N), fatty acid (FA) and microbial profiles, and assess the impact of salmon farming on four important epibenthic suspension-feeders along the western Norwegian coast: the sponges Craniella and Weberella, the soft coral Duva florida and the anemone Hormathia digitata. Our results showed striking differences in fatty acid profiles and host microbiome communities in terms of identity, functional capabilities and genetic properties across the suspension-feeders. We found evidence of increased mortality rate in specimens located near fish farm activities and of a species-specific effect on respiration rate, with D. florida showing increased activity under the farm. Effects of fish farming on the suspension feeders were also species-specific and particularly evidenced by functional microbial turnover and by alteration of overall FA profiles in the soft coral and sea anemone. In particular, D. florida showed reduced level of FAs close to the farm (0-350 m), with significant difference in composition along a distance gradient. Only H. digitata showed evidence of incorporation of organic material from the fish farm waste via fatty acids trophic markers (FATM) and stable isotope analysis. Overall, our study demonstrates that suspension feeders have taxon-specific sensitivity towards the effect of salmon farming, and identified several potential molecular indicators that could be used as surrogate of impact gradient upon further research and validation. It also provides a wealth of ecological and physiological information on some of the most common sessile epibenthic organisms within Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, enabling us to better understand their response and evaluate their resilience to environmental changes.

Corrosion protection of aluminum alloy (AA2219-T6) using sulfonic acid-doped conducting polymer coatings

Incorporation of organic materials into polypyrrole and polyaniline matrices to reinforce their anticorrosive properties for the protection of aluminum alloys.

Manure application accumulates more nitrogen in paddy soils than rice straw but less from fungal necromass

Microbial processes involving in nitrogen (N) assimilation mediate the continuous supply of mineral N for crop growth and the reactive N loss in intensively managed agriculture soils. This study aimed to reveal the microbial assimilation role in N accumulation in paddy soils under partial substitution of mineral fertilizer with organic materials (straw or manure), by quantifying the microbial N derived from living biomass and necromass. Rice rhizosphere and bulk soils were collected at a 31-year field trial including five fertilization treatments: no fertilizer (Control), mineral fertilizer alone (NPK), 20% mineral fertilizer substituted by rice straw (NPKS), and 30% and 60% mineral fertilizer substituted by manure (NPKLM and NPKHM, respectively). Incorporation of organic materials increased the total soil N by 22–76% compared to NPK, with a greater increase under manure- than rice straw-treated soils. Both organic inputs enhanced the amounts of living biomass and necromass N by 1.1–1.5 times via stimulating the activity of N cycling genes (chiA, AOA, narG, nirK, nirS, nosZ, nifH) in bulk soils. Although the pools of living biomass and necromass N in soils with manure amendments were 12–34% and 13–22% higher, than those with rice straw incorporation, their corresponding contributions to total N were 7.2–7.4% and 6.2–15% lower, respectively, suggesting a weaker relative microbial contribution in soil N accrual with manure amendments. Rice rhizosphere processes strengthened the role of microbial participation in soil N accumulation, particularly with organic inputs. The relative contribution of fungal necromass N to total N as well as the ratios of fungi to bacteria in both living biomass and necromass were lower under manure amendments than rice straw incorporation. As a whole, as compared with the incorporation of rice straw, the greater N accumulation in paddy soil with manure amendments is associated with the relatively weaker accumulation of fungal necromass and stronger retention of organic debris without microbial processing.

MWCNT-oxazolidinone conjugates with antibacterial activity

In this work, two types of MWCNT-oxazolidinone conjugates were synthesized, by varying the quartz tube lengths in the reactor (40 cm and 60 cm), with the aim at evaluating and comparing their biological potential against nine bacterial strains. MWCNT-1 (40 cm) showed higher surface defects and lower crystallinity than MWCNT-2 (60 cm). During each step of chemical modification, the organic material incorporation onto the MWCNTs changed the surface defects, density, and thermic stability. Interestingly, due to the intrinsic antibacterial activity of the oxazolidinone compounds, oxazolidinone-conjugated nanomaterials f-MWCNT-Sn-Oxa were active against the evaluated strains, while none of pristine MWCNT, f-MWCNT, or f-MWCNT-Sn exhibited antibacterial activity. The results point out to f-MWCNT-S1-Oxa-1 as the best antibacterial nanomaterial because it was active against several bacterial strains. Antibacterial results obtained with the f-MWCNT-Sn-Oxa-1 series demonstrate a significant effect of the oligomethylene chain (Sn) length against Staphylococcus aureus clinically isolated strain.

The decomposition of standardised organic materials in loam and clay loam arable soils during a non-vegetation period

The decomposition of plant organic materials in the soil during the non-vegetation period in a cool temperate climate is associated with nutrient loss and asynchrony in nutrient supply for subsequent crops. Therefore, it is important to select sustainable management tools to regulate the decomposition rate of organic material during the non-vegetation period. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of soil type (loam vs. clay loam), green manuring (wheat straw vs. wheat straw + red clover), and incorporation depth of organic materials (4–7 vs. 14–17 cm) on mass loss, decomposition rate and stabilization of standardised organic material in the organically managed arable soils. A Tea Bag Index method was used in the field experiments with standardised organic plant materials of green and rooibos tea. In addition, litter-bags of locally grown red clover were investigated. The findings of this study suggested that of the three management factors investigated soil type had a significant and longest effect. The mass loss and decomposition rate of the standardised organic materials were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.5) higher and stabilization significantly lower in the loam soil than in the clay loam soil. During the non-vegetation period, green tea lost 46.3% of its initial mass, rooibos tea lost 19.7% and red clover lost 66%. The study showed that decomposition of fast-decomposing materials could be slowed down during the non-vegetation period by choosing soils with a higher clay content, shallow organic material incorporation depth and manuring soil with N-rich plant residues.

Cereal Response to Deep Tillage and Incorporated Organic Fertilizer

This study examined the effect of stripwise subsoiling and subsoiling combined with the incorporation of organic material on crop development in a two-year field trial with typical weather in the first year and hot, dry weather in the second. Subsoiling and its combination with incorporated organic materials had strong effects on plant development and crop yield of spring barley (2017) and winter wheat (2018). The subsoil was loosened in 30 cm wide furrows down to a depth of up to 60 cm with a tine (DL) or a spader machine (SM) and was compared with the same methods of subsoil loosening combined with the incorporation of compost from biological household wastes (DLB and SMB). Furthermore, green waste compost (SMG), chopped straw (SMCS) and sawdust (SMS) were incorporated with the spader machine only. DL successfully reduced penetration resistance underneath the furrow and enhanced root growth underneath and near the furrow over the whole experimental period. Grain protein content above the furrow was enhanced compared with the untreated control (C) in the first year, but grain yield did not increase. DLB also reduced penetration resistance and increased root growth, but furthermore caused considerable increases in soil mineral nitrogen underneath the furrow throughout the vegetation period. Consequently, both yield and grain protein content above the furrow were tendentially increased as compared with the C. In SMB, grain yield increased even more than in DLB, compared to C, in 2017 (84% for SMB vs. 19% for DLB) and nearly equally in 2018 (65.4% vs. 65.2%) while all other treatments tendentially decreased grain yield above the furrow as compared with C. The results indicate that subsoiling with the introduction of organic material can reduce mechanical impedance and increase soil nitrogen and thereby ensure stable yields during dry periods, which become more frequent under climate change.

Association of plant development to organic matter and fungal presence in soils of horticultural crops

Soil microbial communities are a crucial link between soil nutrient availability and plant productivity. They particularly depend on soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is considered one of the main components of soil fertility. But agricultural intensification and the increase in the use of fertilisers of mineral origin in recent decades (to the detriment of the incorporation of organic materials in agricultural soils) have resulted in a continuous loss of agricultural soil quality and fertility, which is considered one of the greatest challenges to addressing global food security. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms driving soil improvement via soil microbiota could result in a sustainable improvement in crop yields. Soils were sampled in 40 intensively managed greenhouses in southeast Spain to understand how SOM influences soil fungal community and how both these factors influence plant development. The values of three out of four growth‐related variables (plant height, aerial dry weight and leaf area, but not root dry weight) in both tomato and cucumber plants showed a positive relation with SOM content and soil fungal diversity. This study concludes that SOM is key for the maintenance of soil fertility in intensive horticulture and that it is linked to the composition and diversity of soil fungal community. Both SOM and soil fungal communities should be considered as essential factors in achieving high soil fertility, and ultimately, to ensure an optimum crop development.

Greenhouse gas footprint of diversifying rice cropping systems: Impacts of water regime and organic amendments

Increasing water scarcity and Asia’s rapid economic and social development, specifically the growing demand for animal products and biofuels, is forcing farmers to transform their traditional lowland double-rice cropping systems [R-R] to mixed lowland-upland systems where upland crops such as aerobic rice [R-A] or maize [R-M] are grown instead of paddy rice during the dry period. Such changes have implications on the C and N cycling in the soil-plant system, including major shifts in soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from CH4 to N2O once paddies are used for upland cropping. Moreover, soil organic carbon stocks are decreasing, thereby jeopardizing soil fertility. In this study, we investigated if straw residue incorporation and/or catch crop cultivation impairs the greenhouse gas footprint of diversifying rice cropping systems and thus, presents an alternative to open-field straw burning and intensive mineral N fertilization. For this, we calculate annual global warming potentials (GWP) and yield-scaled GWPs of three different rice systems (R-R: rice-rice, R-A: rice- aerobic rice, R-M: rice maize) without (control) or with additions of straw (+6 Mg ha−1 [S]) or + straw + mungbean as catch crop ([M + S]) on the basis of high-temporal-resolution GHG emissions (CH4 and N2O), and measurements of yield parameters. The field trial was carried out at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, covering two full years. Although dry season N2O emissions increased twice- to threefold in the diversified systems (R-A, R-M), the strong reduction of CH4 emissions during this period resulted in significantly lower annual yield-scaled GWP as compared to the traditional R-R system. The same pattern was observed after application and incorporation of organic material (straw and mungbean), but led to higher substrate availability for methanogens during the following season. Therefore, the GWP was 9–39% higher in treatments including straw incorporation as compared to a control treatment without organic substrate amendments. Additional incorporation of mungbeans further increased GWPs, whereby the increment was highest in R-R rotation (88%) and lowest in R-M rotation (55%), with annual GHG emissions of 11.8 and 5.6 Mg CO2-eq ha−1, respectively. Our study shows that the yield-scaled GWP, as well as irrigation water demand, is lowest for rice-maize (R-M) cropping systems, followed by R-A and R-R systems. This ranking persists even with the incorporation of crop residues, a requirement for farmers as the ban of open-field burning is increasingly enforced. Our work also calls for a refinement of IPCC emission factors for lowland-upland rotations and the inclusion of the land-preparation period within the GHG balance of rice cropping systems.

N2O and CO2 emissions following repeated application of organic and mineral N fertiliser from a vegetable crop rotation

Accounting for nitrogen (N) release from organic amendments (OA) can reduce the use of synthetic N-fertiliser, sustain crop production, and potentially reduce soil borne greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. However, it is difficult to assess the GHG mitigation potential for OA as a substitute of N-fertiliser over the long term due to only part of the organic N added to soil is being released in the first year after application. High-resolution nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions monitored from a horticultural crop rotation over 2.5 years from conventional urea application rates were compared to treatments receiving an annual application of raw and composted chicken manure combined with conventional and reduced N-fertiliser rates. The repeated application of composted manure did not increase annual N2O emissions while the application of raw manure resulted in N2O emissions up to 35.2 times higher than the zero N fertiliser treatment and up to 4.7 times higher than conventional N-fertiliser rate due to an increase in C and N availability following the repeated application of raw OA. The main factor driving N2O emissions was the incorporation of organic material accompanied by high soil moisture while the application of synthetic N-fertiliser induced only short-term N2O emission pulse. The average annual N2O emission factor calculated accounting for the total N applied including OA was equal to 0.27 ± 0.17%, 3.7 times lower than the IPCC default value. Accounting for the estimated N release from OA only enabled a more realistic N2O emission factor to be defined for organically amended field that was equal to 0.48 ± 0.3%. This study demonstrated that accounting for the N released from repeated application of composted rather than raw manure can be a viable pathway to reduce N2O emissions and maintain soil fertility.

Vitrimer Elastomer‐Based Jigsaw Puzzle‐Like Healable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self‐Powered Wearable Electronics

Functional polymers possess outstanding uniqueness in fabricating intelligent devices such as sensors and actuators, but they are rarely used for converting mechanical energy into electric power. Here, a vitrimer based triboelectric nanogenerator (VTENG) is developed by embedding a layer of silver nanowire percolation network in a dynamic disulfide bond-based vitrimer elastomer. In virtue of covalent dynamic disulfide bonds in the elastomer matrix, a thermal stimulus enables in situ healing if broken, on demand reconfiguration of shape, and assembly of more sophisticated structures of VTENG devices. On rupture or external damage, the structural integrity and conductivity of VTENG are restored under rapid thermal stimulus. The flexible and stretchable VTENG can be scaled up akin to jigsaw puzzles and transformed from 2D to 3D structures. It is demonstrated that this self-healable and shape-adaptive VTENG can be utilized for mechanical energy harvesters and self-powered tactile/pressure sensors with extended lifetime and excellent design flexibility. These results show that the incorporation of organic materials into electronic devices can not only bestow functional properties but also provide new routes for flexible device fabrication.

Effects of screenhouse cultivation and organic materials incorporation on global warming potential in rice fields.

Global rice production will be increasingly challenged by providing healthy food for a growing population at minimal environmental cost. In this study, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a novel rice cultivation mode (screenhouse cultivation, SHC) and organic material (OM) incorporation (wheat straw and wheat straw-based biogas residue) on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and rice yields. In addition, the environmental factors and soil properties were also determined. Relative to the traditional open-field cultivation (OFC), SHC decreased the CH4 and N2O emissions by 6.58-18.73 and 2.51-21.35%, respectively, and the global warming potential (GWP) was reduced by 6.49-18.65%. This trend was mainly because of lower soil temperature and higher soil redox potential in SHC. Although the rice grain yield for SHC were reduced by 2.51-4.98% compared to the OFC, the CH4 emissions and GWP per unit of grain yield (yield-scaled CH4 emissions and GWP) under SHC were declined. Compared to use of inorganic fertilizer only (IN), combining inorganic fertilizer with wheat straw (WS) or wheat straw-based biogas residue (BR) improved rice grain yield by 2.12-4.10 and 4.68-5.89%, respectively. However, OM incorporation enhanced CH4 emissions and GWP, leading to higher yield-scaled CH4 emissions and GWP in WS treatment. Due to rice yield that is relatively high, there was no obvious effect of BR treatment on them. These findings suggest that apparent environmental benefit can be realized by applying SHC and fermenting straw aerobically before its incorporation.

First record of Annonaceae wood for the Neogene of South America, Amazon Basin, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The relief of the regions of Manaus and Itacoatiara, Central Amazon, is supported by Neogene siliciclastic rocks, bounded at the base and top by lateritic paleosols and covered by quaternary sedimentary deposits from the Solimões-Amazon river system. This unit is informally assigned to the Novo Remanso Formation, consists of usually reddish and ferruginized sandstones, conglomerates and pelites, with few identified fossil records, a fact that has hindered its stratigraphic position, and the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the last phase of the Amazon Basin settling. This study describes, for the first time, the occurrence of fossil wood in outcroppings of the left bank of the Amazon River, where anatomical and morphological data has enabled its characterization to the species level. Thus, the data marks the record of the Annonaceae in South America, as well as the depositional processes related to incorporation of organic material in the sandy layer and the fossilization processes that allowed its preservation. In an unprecedented way, this study has described Duguetiaxylon amazonicum nov. gen and sp. and provided information on the anatomical and systematic character, as well as data on plant-insect interaction, and a better understanding of the family.