Low Phosphorus Content Research Articles

The landscape position of the Roman period cemetery and pedological meaning of its cultural layer at the Malbork-Wielbark archaeological site (northern Poland)

Cultural layers are soil-sedimentary formations transformed by human activity. Unlike other anthropogenic soils/horizons, the cultural layers representing ancient cemeteries at archaeological sites are rather rarely studied. This research characterises the cultural layer of the eponymous cemetery of the Wielbark culture related to the Goths, dated to the Roman period (BC/AD) and located in northern Poland. The cemetery was founded in the edge zone of a morainic plateau and the delta of the Vistula river, on a small inland dune hillock, forming the least fertile habitat in the area. The necropolis covers more than 2200 burials. It was used continuously for about 600 years and preceded by a pre-Roman settlement phase. In the stratigraphy, human activity is recorded as a cultural layer, covering relics of the primary soil, which is a Podzol developed from quartz sand. The cultural layer is buried under younger colluvial and aeolian sediments reaching a thickness of 2.2 m. Radiocarbon and dendrochronological datings confirm the layer was formed between 2555 ± 35 BP and 1590 ± 30 BP. The pedological features of the Wielbark cultural layer are unlike those of other types of anthropogenic soil/horizon. It is characterised by an extremely sandy texture, dark grey to black colour, and low organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents. The black colouration relates to accumulation of pyrogenic black carbon originating from specific burial rituals of the Wielbark people. Classification of the Wielbark cultural layer according to the WRB soil classification seems problematic: it does not fit the criteria of any anthropogenic or natural surface diagnostic horizon. Its specificity may be marked only by the use of the Pyric supplementary qualifier. In terms of traditional pedological nomenclature, the described Wielbark-type cultural layer may be considered as ‘archaeo-necrosol’.

Effect of Drip Fertigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Ratoon Sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V.C. Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, India during Kharif 2020-21. The effect of water-soluble fertilizers on performance of ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) as influenced by fertigation through surface drip irrigation was studied. The soil at the experimental site was red sandy loam with neutral pH (6.7), normal electrical conductivity (0.21dS m-1), medium organic carbon (5.2 g kg-1), low available nitrogen (275 kg ha-1), medium phosphorus (35 kg ha-1) and potassium content (280 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications comprising seven treatments using VCF-0517 sugarcane mild late (12-14 months) maturing variety. The application of WSF at 125 per cent RDF (312.5:125:156:N:P2O5:K2O) through drip fertigation showed significantly superior growth and yield attributes viz., plant height (357.0 cm), no. of tillers clump-1 (15.0), internode length (16.67 cm), cane dry weight (54.8 t ha-1), millable canes (8.17 clump-1), cane length (341.67 cm), cane girth (3.30 cm), single cane weight (2.40 kg), number of internodes cane-1 (21.40) and cane yield (182.67 t ha-1). Also, superior juice qualities such as juice extraction percentage (70) and sugar yield (20.88 t ha-1) were recorded. The results clearly indicated application of water-soluble fertilizers at 125 per cent RDF through surface drip fertigation resulted in higher growth and yield of sugarcane due to enhanced water and nutrient use efficiency.

Performance and mechanism of phosphorus adsorption removal from wastewater by a Ce-Zr-Al composite adsorbent.

With the increasingly serious eutrophication of global water bodies and the strict discharge standards of tail water in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), there is an urgent technology need for efficient deep phosphorus removal from wastewater. A composite cerium-based adsorbent (Ce-Zr-Al) was synthesized by coprecipitation method for the adsorption of low concentration phosphorus in water. The performance of the Ce-Zr-Al composite adsorbent was explored, and the mechanism was also revealed through the analyses including SEM, BET, XPS, and FT-IR. The results showed that the composite adsorbent had excellent phosphorus removal performance. The phosphorus removal rate reached up to 92.6%, and the phosphorus concentration in effluent was less than 0.074 mg/L. The phosphate adsorption capacity of saturation was 73.51 mg/g. The adsorption process of phosphate was in accordance with pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model. In addition, the composite adsorbent had a high zero potential point (pH PZC= 8) and a wide range of pH application. After the repeated desorption for 10 times in NaOH solution, the composite adsorbent still maintained good adsorbability (adsorption rate > 94%). The ligand exchange and electrostatic adsorption played the main role for the phosphorus removal from water using the composite adsorbent.

Organophosphorus Reinforced Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites Doped with Silver-Loaded Zeolite L Nanoparticles as Sustainable Materials for Packaging Applications.

The sustainable development of innovative eco-friendly multifunctional nanocomposites, possessing superior characteristics, is a noteworthy topic. Novel semi-interpenetrated nanocomposite films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) covalently and thermally crosslinked with oxalic acid (OA), reinforced with a novel organophosphorus flame retardant (PFR-4) derived from co-polycondensation in solution reaction of equimolar amounts of co-monomers, namely, bis((6-oxido-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorinyl)-(4-hydroxyaniline)-methylene)-1,4-phenylene, bisphenol S, and phenylphosphonic dichloride, in a molar ratio of 1:1:2, and additionally doped with silver-loaded zeolite L nanoparticles (ze-Ag), have been prepared by casting from solution technique. The morphology of the as prepared PVA-oxalic acid films and their semi-interpenetrated nanocomposites with PFR-4 and ze-Ag was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the homogeneous distribution of the organophosphorus compound and nanoparticles within the nanocomposite films has been introspected by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was established that composites with a very low phosphorus content had noticeably improved flame retardancy. The peak of the heat release rate was reduced up to 55%, depending on the content of the flame-retardant additive and the doping ze-Ag nanoparticles introduced into the PVA/OA matrix. The ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus increased significantly in the reinforced nanocomposites. Considerably increased antimicrobial activity was revealed in the case of the samples containing silver-loaded zeolite L nanoparticles.

Different protein sources in concentrate feed for dairy cows affect cheese-making properties and yield

Soybean meal (SBM) is a commonly used protein source in feed. Yeast microbial protein could be used as a substitute for SBM, but its effect on cheese-making properties and yield is not known. Norwegian Red dairy cows (n = 48) in early or mid lactation were divided in 3 groups and fed a ration consisting of grass silage and concentrate, where the concentrates were barley based but with different additional protein sources. These were: completely barley based with no additional protein source (BAR), additional protein from SBM, or additional protein from yeast (Cyberlindnera jadinii; YEA). The SBM and YEA concentrates had a higher protein content than the barley concentrate. Four batches of cheese were made from pooled milk from each of the 3 groups of dairy cows. Milk samples were collected 5 times during the experiment. Milk from cows fed BAR concentrate showed inferior cheese-making properties (lower casein content, longer renneting time, lower content of phosphorus, and lower cheese yield) compared with SBM and YEA concentrates. Overall, SBM or YEA bulk milk had similar cheese-making properties, but when investigating individual milk samples, YEA milk showed better coagulation properties.

Yield and Quality of Naturally Colored Cotton Fiber Fertilized with Phosphorus Rates in the Brazilian Semiarid

ABSTRACT Cultivating naturally colored fiber cotton has excellent potential for the Northeast of Brazil. However, its cultivation in the semiarid occurs with low use of technology and inputs in soils with the low phosphorus content. This work evaluated the productivity and fiber quality of naturally colored cotton cultivars under phosphorus fertilization in the Brazilian semiarid region. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with treatments arranged in split plots and four replications. The five P doses were allocated in the main plot, and four cotton cultivars were in the subplots. Variance analyses were performed for the characteristics evaluated in each agricultural harvest. Tukey test was used to compare the averages for cultivars and agricultural harvests. Increased P availability increased productivity and fiber quality of naturally colored cotton cultivars. Maximum fiber yield was obtained at 240; 240; 199.11, and 60 kg ha−1 in the first crop, respectively. The maximum fiber length was reached at 80.86 kg ha−1 in the BRS Verde cultivar. The maximum uniformity was obtained with the 138.49 kg ha−1, and the cultivar BRS Topázio obtained greater uniformity. Fiber strength increased with the application of P2O5.

Soil fertility and landscape surrounding former arable fields drive the ecological resilience of Mediterranean dry grassland plant communities

IntroductionSemi-natural dry grasslands are among the species-richest and most diverse habitats in Europe especially in the Mediterranean Basin. They evolved with long-term severe environmental constraints, either biotic (e.g., grazing or mowing) or abiotic (e.g., dryness or oligotrophy). Their recovery after sever anthropogenic disturbance, such as cultivation is often very slow and incomplete. A deeper understanding of the processes driving the recovery would be of great benefit to better restore or conserve these grasslands. We used the filter model as a framework to assess the relative importance of dispersion, abiotic and biotic filters as drivers of this recovery.MethodsWe studied the medium-term dynamics of 37 Mediterranean dry grassland plant communities after an episode of cultivation in the plain of La Crau (Southern France) by two census: after 25 years of abandonment, and revisited 10 years later (35 years of abandonment). Our aims were to characterize the temporal medium-term dynamics of these communities, to measure their taxonomic resilience and to identify the drivers. We performed structural equation modeling to measure the importance of the various drivers, with cover of remnant dry grasslands surrounding each studied community as a proxy for the dispersion filter, soil pH and phosphorus content as proxies for the abiotic filter and cover of the most dominant species as a proxy for the biotic filter.Results and DiscussionOur results show that former arable field vegetation do not recover after more than 40 years. The three filters drive the recovery of dry grassland vegetation: former arable fields that have lower phosphorus content (abiotic filter) have a lower cover of dominant species (biotic filter), a higher species richness and a higher similarity with remnant dry grassland plant communities, especially if the former arable fields are surrounded by remnant dry grasslands (dispersion filter).

The role of coagulation on the fate of PFAS, brominated flame retardants and other trace contaminants in tertiary wastewater treatment for phosphorus control

Coagulant dosing to achieve low phosphorus concentrations in wastewater effluents may favour the removal of trace organics such as pharmaceuticals, plasticisers and flame retardants. Nevertheless, the behaviour of trace organics in coagulation processes is currently poorly understood because of the complex interactions between these compounds, the coagulants and dissolved organic matter (DOM). This study assessed the coagulation removal from synthetic secondary effluent of twenty-four compounds including ten PFAS and four brominated flame retardants. Testing involved two coagulants (alum, ferric chloride) and five DOM surrogates (resorcinol, benzoic acid, citric acid, tannic acid, humic acid); DOM surrogates had assorted molecular weights, structures, charges, and hydrophobicity. With coagulant doses of 14 mg Fe/L and 4 mg Al/L, ten trace organics were removed by >30 % in the presence of at least one DOM surrogate. Humic acid effected the highest removals owing to complexation of trace organics and subsequent co-removal by adsorption or sweep floc. For instance, removal extents for three brominated diphenyl ethers were 60 to 75 % with Al and 50 to 88 % with Fe (initial concentration 0.4 to 0.8 ng/L); PFTDA, a long-chain PFAS, was removed by 87 and 91 % with Fe in the presence of tannic or humic acid, respectively (initial concentration 0.03 μg/L). The varying coagulation performance of different treatment works in terms of trace substance removal can be explained because of the site-specific DOM characteristics. Addition of humic acids as complexing agents has the potential to improve the removal of hydrophobic trace substances, including some long-chain PFAS and brominated flame retardants.

Microalgal cultures for the remediation of wastewaters with different nitrogen to phosphorus ratios: Process modelling using artificial neural networks

Microalgae have remarkable potential for wastewater bioremediation since they can efficiently uptake nitrogen and phosphorus in a sustainable and environmentally friendly treatment system. However, wastewater composition greatly depends on its source and has a significant seasonal variability. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different N:P molar ratios on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and nutrient removal from synthetic wastewater. Furthermore, artificial neural network (ANN) threshold models, optimised by genetic algorithms (GAs), were used to model biomass productivity (BP) and nitrogen/phosphorus removal rates (RRN/RRP). The impact of various inputs culture variables on these parameters was evaluated. Microalgal growth was not nutrient limited since the average biomass productivities and specific growth rates were similar between the experiments. Nutrient removal efficiencies/rates reached 92.0 ± 0.6%/6.15 ± 0.01 mgN L−1 d−1 for nitrogen and 98.2 ± 0.2%/0.92 ± 0.03 mgP L−1 d−1 for phosphorus. Low nitrogen concentration limited phosphorus uptake for low N:P ratios (e.g., 2 and 3, yielding 36 ± 2 mgDW mgP−1 and 39 ± 3 mgDW mgP−1, respectively), while low phosphorus concentration limited nitrogen uptake with high ratios (e.g., 66 and 67, yielding 9.0 ± 0.4 mgDW mgN−1 and 8.8 ± 0.3 mgDW mgN−1, respectively). ANN models showed a high fitting performance, with coefficients of determination of 0.951, 0.800, and 0.793 for BP, RRN, and RRP, respectively. In summary, this study demonstrated that microalgae could successfully grow and adapt to N:P molar ratios between 2 and 67, but the nutrient uptake was impacted by these variations, especially for the lowest and highest N:P molar ratios. Furthermore, GA-ANN models demonstrated to be relevant tools for microalgal growth modelling and control. Their high fitting performance in characterising this biological system can contribute to reducing the experimental effort for culture monitoring (human resources and consumables), thus decreasing the costs of microalgae production.

The mechanism of intermediate temperature embrittlement of cast irons by magnesium

Metallic alloys such as steels and nickel-based alloys are potentially vulnerable to high-temperature brittleness in the range of 500 °C to 1000 °C that results in a loss of ductility. Ferritic spheroidal graphite cast irons show similar loss of ductility at temperatures between 350 °C and 500 °C, suggesting the term intermediate temperature brittleness. Previous works have shown that sulfur and magnesium are detrimental while phosphorus added at a reasonable level is beneficial in preventing loss of ductility in ferritic spheroidal graphite castings.In order to clarify the role of magnesium, a ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron with high silicon content and low sulfur and phosphorus contents was subjected to tensile tests between room temperature and 650 °C. It was found to be susceptible to embrittlement at intermediate temperatures around 400 °C. MgO precipitates were observed on the fracture surface, which increased in size with test temperature, confirming the role of the environment that was reported by previous researchers. This finding is cross-checked with the results of the literature and allows us to propose a scheme for intermediate temperature embrittlement of ferritic spheroidal graphite iron.

CO2-Minimized Ferrochrome Production Utilizing Silicon Wafer Cutting Slurry as an Alternative Reductant

Direct emissions due to the use of carbon-based fossil-reducing agents contribute to the overall CO2 emissions of pyrometallurgical production processes. This study investigated the replacement of fossil coke by silicon-rich cutting waste from the solar wafer cutting process to produce ferrochrome in an electric arc furnace. Laboratory test work and thermochemical simulation were carried out to examine the product quality at various additions of cutting waste and lime. The experimental trials resulted in products in accord with international standards, however, adjusting the slag composition by the addition of lime was necessary, otherwise high silicon contents in the alloys were obtained. Due to the highly exothermic reaction of silicon with iron- and chromium oxides, the silicothermic reduction results in a decreased specific electric energy consumption compared to the carbothermic reduction according to the thermochemical simulation. Low phosphorus and sulfur contents in the alloy might result in premium prices, aiding the economic viability of the process.Graphical

Stream nitrate enrichment and increased light yet no algal response following forest harvest and experimental manipulation of headwater riparian zones.

Disturbances to forested watersheds often result in increases of nutrients and light to nearby streams. Such changes are generally expected to produce a shift to a more autotrophic aquatic ecosystem, with measurable increases in algae, and associated implications for food webs and fisheries. Although this paradigm is widely established, results from our 10-year study (2007-2016) in 12 headwater streams and four sites downstream in the Trask River Watershed (Oregon, USA), did not concur. In 2012, one watershed was thinned, three were clearcut harvested with variable buffers and three with uniform riparian buffers. After harvest, light to the stream surface significantly increased at the three watersheds with variable buffers while dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) significantly increased in all of the clearcut harvested streams. Despite the increase in DIN and light, algal standing stocks and chlorophyll a concentrations did not significantly increase. The common assumption of increased autotrophic responses in stream food webs following increases of nitrogen and light was not supported here. We postulate the co-limitation of nutrients, driven by low phosphorus concentrations, which unlike DIN did not increase post-harvest, and the characteristics of the algal community, which were dominated by low light adapted diatoms rather than green algae, contributed to our findings of no responses for standing stocks of epilithic algae or concentrations of chlorophyll a. The inclusion of multiple statistical analyses provided more certainty around our findings. This study documents responses to current forest practices and provides cautionary information for management and restoration activities aiming to increase fish abundance and standing stocks by opening riparian canopies and adding nutrients.

Electrodeposition of Soft Magnetic Fe-W-P Alloy Coatings from an Acidic Electrolyte

Fe-W-P coatings were deposited from a newly developed electrolytic bath. The effect of plating parameters, such as electrolyte current density and pH has been studied. It was found that the pH has a very strong effect on the phosphorous content of the coatings. Metallic-like, non-powdery alloys of Fe-W-P deposits with no cracks (lowly stressed) can be obtained at a lower pH (<3), exhibiting high phosphorus (up to 13 at.%) and low tungsten (6 at.%) contents. At a higher pH (>3), the composition changes to low phosphorus and high tungsten content, showing a matte, greyish, and rough surface. The applied current density also influences the morphology and the amount of phosphorous content. The deposits showed an amorphous structure for all samples with soft ferromagnetic properties.

Soil Structure and Ectomycorrhizal Root Colonization of Pecan Orchards in Northern Mexico.

Pecan trees form a symbiotic relationship with ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), which actively provide nutrition to the roots and protect them from phytopathogens. Although these trees originated in the southern United States and northern Mexico, information on their root colonization by ECM is insufficient in terms of a representative number of samples, both in these regions and worldwide. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the percentage of ectomycorrhizal colonization (ECM) of pecan trees of different ages in conventional and organic agronomic orchards and to identify ectomycorrhizal sporocarps, both morphologically and molecularly. The rhizospheric soil properties and the ECM percentages were analyzed for 14 Western variety pecan tree orchards between 3 and 48 years of age and grouped according to the agronomic management method. DNA extraction, internal transcribed spacer amplification, and sequencing were conducted on the fungal macroforms. The ECM colonization percentage fluctuated between 31.44 and 59.89%. Soils with low phosphorus content showed higher ECM colonization. The ECM concentrations were relatively homogeneous in relation to the ages of the trees, and organic matter content did not affect the percentage of ECM colonization. The highest ECM percentages occurred with the sandy clay crumb texture soil, with an average of 55% ECM, followed by sandy clay loam soils with 49.5%. The Pisolithus arenarius and Pisolithus tinctorius fungi were molecularly identified from sporocarps associated with pecan trees. This is the first study that reports Pisolithus arenarius as being associated with this tree.

Modern Compositions of Cast Iron Used for Pouring Anodes of Aluminum Electrolyzers

The purpose of this work is to review modern foreign experience to investigate cast iron used in the installation of anodes for aluminum electrolysis production at JSC «Kazakhstan Aluminium Smelter». In the course of the study, the chemical composition of cast iron was analyzed and the selection of experimental cast iron compositions was carried out. The research revealed that one of the causes of the problem of incomplete removal of cast iron from steel nipples of anode holders after the dismantling of cinders and high voltage drop in the contact nipple – anode is the chemical composition of cast iron. The requirements for cast iron for casting anodes have been determined. It is established that to achieve positive results it is recommended to use cast iron of stable composition with low crystallization shrinkage and low phosphorus content; increased fluidity

Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the response of Lotus corniculatus roots to low-phosphorus stress.

A lack of soil phosphorus (P) is a principal factor restricting the normal growth of Lotus corniculatus in the karst area of Guizhou Province, China, but the response mechanism of L. corniculatus under low-phosphorus stress remains unclear. Therefore, we treated two selected L. corniculatus lines (low-P-intolerant line 08518 and low-P-tolerant line 01549) from 13 L. corniculatus lines with normal phosphorus (0.5 mmol/L KH2PO4, NP) and low phosphorus (0.005 mmol/L KH2PO4, LP) concentrations to study changes in morphological, physiological and transcriptome data under low-phosphorus stress. The low-P-tolerant line 01549 exhibited better performance under low-phosphorus stress. Compared with the NP treatment, all root morphological indicators of the low-P-tolerant line 01549 increased, and those of the low-P-intolerant line 08518 decreased under low-P stress. Compared with the NP treatment, acid phosphatase (ACP), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities, and the malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar (SS), soluble protein (SP) and proline (Pro) contents of the two L. corniculatus lines increased under low-P stress. A transcriptome analysis of L. corniculatus showed that a total of 656 and 2243 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in line 01549 and line 08518, respectively. Meanwhile, the main pathways, such as carbohydrate metabolism, acid phosphatases, phosphate transporters and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, as well as related genes were also screened by performing a KEGG enrichment analysis. The findings provide an essential point of reference for studying the physiological and molecular mechanism of the response to low-P stress in L. corniculatus.

Decomposition Characteristics of Lignocellulosic Biomass in Subtropical Rhododendron Litters under Artificial Regulation.

The nutrient turnover of subtropical rhododendron forests is slow, natural regeneration is difficult, and the decomposition of litter is slow. Lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose are the key factors affecting the decomposition rate of litters. In this study, the litters of three forest stands, namely evergreen broadleaf Rhododendron delavayi, evergreen broadleaf Rhododendron agastum, and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest, were taken as the research objects to explore the dynamic changes and effects of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents in litters of different stands under indoor artificial control measures. Exogenous nitrogen, phosphorus, alkaline substances, and microbial agents were added to decompose litters in the laboratory for 140 days. Our results showed that (1) the contents of lignin and cellulose in the litters of the three stands decreased significantly in the early stage of decomposition and the content of hemicellulose was stable, and (2) low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus can accelerate the degradation of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in litters of the three stands and thus promote the decomposition of litters. This study provides basic data for the nutrient return of artificial intervention in subtropical rhododendron forests in China.

Low-phosphorus concentrations and important ferric hydroxide scavenging in Archean seawater.

The availability of nutrients in seawater, such as dissolved phosphorus (P), is thought to have regulated the evolution and activity of microbial life in Earth's early oceans. Marine concentrations of bioavailable phosphorus spanning the Archean Eon remain a topic of debate, with variable estimates indicating either low (0.04 to 0.13 μM P) or high (10 to 100 μM P) dissolved P in seawater. The large uncertainty on these estimates reflects in part a lack of clear proxy signals recorded in sedimentary rocks. Contrary to some recent views, we show here that iron formations (IFs) are reliable recorders of past phosphorus concentrations and preserved a primary seawater signature. Using measured P and iron (Fe) contents in Neoarchean IF from Carajás (Brazil), we demonstrate for the first time a clear partitioning coefficient relationship in the P-Fe systematics of this IF, which, in combination with experimental and Archean literature data, permits us to constrain Archean seawater to a mean value of 0.063 ± 0.05 μM dissolved phosphorus. Our data set suggests that low-phosphorus conditions prevailed throughout the first half of Earth's history, likely as the result of limited continental emergence and marine P removal by iron oxyhydroxide precipitation, supporting prior suggestions that changes in ancient marine P availability at the end of the Archean modulated marine productivity, and ultimately, the redox state of Earth's early oceans and atmosphere. Classification: Physical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences.

Enhancement of soil fertility and yield of Capsicum frutescens (Green chilli) through application of bagasse Ash in soil

A pot experiment was conducted during 2022-23 at the research area of the Department of Environmental Science, Bareilly College, Bareilly to evaluate the effect of bagasse ash on growth, yield and quality of Capsicum frutescens (Green chilli) and also on soil fertility sugarcane. To achieve the current research work , sugar industry bagasse ash was applied to capsicum frutescens crops in pots having 1 kg soil @ 20% , 40%, 60%, 80% , 100,% respectively . When we compare the control sample. The physicochemical properties of soil under the investigation was having a pH (7.6), low in organic matter (8300 mg kg-1), and low content of Nitrogen (337 mg kg-1), Phosphorus (4.0 mg kg-1), Zinc(5.7 mg kg-1) and Iron (5.2 mg kg-1) . Bagasse ash was a rich source of micronutrients like Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and also contained sufficient amounts of Potassium and Phosphorus. Consequently, total porosity of soil, presence P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content in soil, increased with the levels of bagasse ash application. On the other hand, dry bulk density declined which shows a positive effect on plant growth. ECe and pH of the soil was minutely increased. After the application of bagasse ash in pots yields of capsicum frutescens crop also enhanced. It is recommended that application of 40-60% bagasse ash will result in enhanced yield of capsicum frutescens.

Mapping Ecosystem Services in an Andean Water Supply Basin

Socio-ecological dynamics affect the ecosystem services supply and are relevant to generate effective water management strategies; this condition is considered to evaluate under a holistic approach, the water ecosystem services (WES) in an Andean supply basin (ASB) in Colombia. This analysis focus on the connection of biophysical and sociocultural components for the multi-purpose use of water based on The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) modelling for Las Piedras River Basin (LPRB). The generated Hydrological Response Units (HRUs), allows to estimate the capacity of the basin for supplying water (quantity) in adequate conditions (quality) for local populations in rural and urban areas, as well as WES zoning. The model was calibrated and validated to generate a baseline scenario, which was complemented with social cartography and participative workshops. The results indicate a low concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, boosted by specific agro-ecological strategies developed by local communities; however, there are health risks for populations downstream and those that are supplied with water directly from the source. Additionally, Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) affects water availability, which demands restoration and conservation strategies to maintain WES supply for socioeconomic and cultural purposes, since different views on the available WES converge in the basin.