Organic Sources Research Articles

Effects of the integrated use of organic and inorganic phosphorus sources in micro-doses on the yield and profitability of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Cultivation

An experiment was conducted in the field to evaluate the effect of phosphorus fertilization in microdose using organic and mineral fertilizers on the yield and profitability of cowpea cultivation. To achieve this, a balanced application of NPK and granular compost was provided to supply the same amount of phosphorus to the cowpea. Three treatments were compared in a split-plot design with three replications, where the treatments were in large plots and the cowpea varieties, numbering four (4), were in small plots. The three treatments are as follows: (i) T0 control treatment without fertilizer application, (ii) T1 application of two grams of NPK per hole, and (iii) T2 application of 9.375 grams of granular compost per hole. The results show a significant difference in yield parameters between treatments (pod yield, grain yield, and straw yield). The mean comparison test revealed that the control treatment and NPK are quite similar for these parameters. Thus, with compost, an increase of 69.17% in grain yield, 55.47% in pod yield, and 41.67% in straw yield was noted compared to the control. The VCR (value-cost ratio) and gross income were significantly improved by compost. The application of organic or mineral fertilizers for cowpea cultivation is profitable due to relatively high VCRs: 3.34 for NPK and 6.79 for compost. Therefore, the use of compost for cowpea cultivation proves to be economically more profitable, as it yields higher returns.

Dynamic-based artificial intelligence model for simulation and optimization of the single chamber anode brush microbial electrolysis cell

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have become more attractive because they can produce hydrogen (H2) from various organic sources with a low input electrical energy requirement. In this study, a dynamic model for the single-chamber anode brush MEC with acetic acid as a carbon source was developed for the first time. The dynamic model was calibrated and validated using both experimental and literature data, with a high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.87–0.99, a high Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) of 0.93–0.99, and a low normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) of 0.221–0.078. For rapid simulation and optimization, the validated dynamic model was reproduced using an artificial neural network (ANN), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) was then applied to optimize the fitness functions derived from this ANN model (i.e., hydrogen production yield, hydrogen production rate, hydrogen fraction in biogas, and total energy recovery). As a result, the proposed method took about 3 s with an absolute error of <3.5 %. The optimization results revealed that an optimal condition (including applied voltage, operating temperature, substrate concentration, and reactor working volume) cannot exist to obtain the maximum values of all performance parameters simultaneously. Under the same importance, the co-optimal condition was determined at an applied voltage of 0.9 V, temperature of 36.2 °C, substrate concentration of 0.87 g/L, and reactor working volume of 0.05 L. At such co-optimal conditions, MEC achieved an H2 yield of 1168.6 ± 13.3 mL/g with a production rate of 185.6 ± 2.7 mL/L/h, an H2 fraction of 63.6 ± 0.2 %, and a total energy recovery (including electrical, substrate, heat, and mixing input energies) of 16.7 ± 0.2 %. Although these performances increased 1.5–2.3 times compared to non-optimal conditions, the low energy efficiency indicates the need for further investigation into combining MEC with sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind and osmosis.

Source identification and migration fate of heavy metals of soil-groundwater system in a thousand-year cultivation region.

Pollution of farmland by heavy metals threatens food security and human health. In addition, heavy metals in soil could infiltrate into groundwater to influence the water quality and safety of drinking water. However, the relationship between heavy metal pollution in soil and groundwater is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the soil and groundwater in the Guanzhong Plain region, which is a significant grain production base in China, and determined the spatial distributions, ecological risk, sources, and migration fates of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The results showed that the mean values (0-20cm) in the soil were 19.57mgkg-1 for As, 0.71mgkg-1 for Cd, 69.65mgkg-1 for Cr, 21.97mgkg-1 for Cu, 28.67mgkg-1 for Ni, 17.54mgkg-1 for Pb, and 73.77mgkg-1 for Zn, and the corresponding mean values in groundwater were 1.2, 0.04, 4.69, 0.15, 0.07, 0.3, and 3.6μg L-1, respectively. The mean values for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn in soil exceeded the background values, and the mean values for As, Cd and Pb exceeded those in groundwater. Positive matrix factorization models identified five sources (fertilizers and organic fertilizers, natural sources, pesticides and herbicides, industrial activities, and sedimentation caused by transportation) for heavy metal pollution in soil and four sources (industry activity, atmospheric sedimentation caused by transportation, natural sources, and agriculture) for heavy metal pollution in groundwater. The soil particle composition and soil organic carbon content were important factors that affected the vertical distribution of heavy metals in the soil. The migration modes (convection and diffusion) were not found for all heavy metals. These results help to understand the relationships between heavy metals in soil and groundwater in farmland ecosystems regionally.

Stable isotope labeling and functional gene prediction elucidate the carbon metabolism in fermentative bacteria and microalgae coupling system

The application of the fermentative bacteria and microalgae coupling system in the wastewater treatment has been studied, but there remains few knowledge regarding the organic and inorganic carbon metabolism within this system. In this study, the carbon metabolism of microalgae and fermentative bacteria was elucidated by 13C stable isotope labeling and functional gene prediction, respectively. The 13C glucose and 13C NaHCO3 were used as stable isotope tracers to clarify the organic and inorganic carbon metabolism of microalgae, indicating that approximately 71.5 % of the Acetyl-CoA in microalgae was synthesized from organic carbon sources, while 26.8 % was synthesized through the utilization of inorganic carbon sources. Inorganic carbon sources can enhance the activity of photosynthetic system and facilitate the Calvin cycle. Considering the adequate organic carbon sources and insufficient inorganic carbon sources in the fermentative bacteria and microalgae coupling system, NaHCO3 was added to improve carbon utilization of microalgae. The maximum microalgal lipid yield reached 1130.37 mg/L with 1000 mg/L NaHCO3 supplementation. Functional gene prediction was used to analysis the effect of various carbon composition on the bacterial carbon metabolism. Notably, the additional inorganic carbon sources increased the abundance of bacterial functional genes associated with the fermentation and acetic acids synthesis, which was advantageous for VFAs production and further promoted microalgae growth. This study can gain a deeper understanding of microbial metabolic mechanisms during the operation of fermentative bacteria and microalgae system, and improve its sustained operational stability.

Facile construction of a bifunctional Eu-MOF for selective fluorescence sensing and visible light photocatalysis of tetracycline

Contamination detection and removal are important steps in environmental monitoring and cleanup. In this study, europium metal-organic framework structures (Eu-MOF) were designed and prepared that can act as fluorescent probes and photocatalysts for the detection and removal of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics. Eu-MOF was generated by a one-step solvothermal method using europium ion as the metal ion and terephthalic acid as the organic ligand source. The red fluorescence of Eu-MOF is selectively enhanced by TC due to the antenna effect. Eu-MOF, which has a linear range of 0.5–60 μM, can be utilized as a fluorescent probe for tetracycline detection based on this phenomena. In particular, Eu-MOF was found to be able to effectively photocatalyze the degradation of TC, with tetracycline removal rates of about 70 % and 55 % after 180 min of irradiation under ultraviolet light (UV) light and simulated visible light, respectively. The photocatalytic ability of Eu-MOF originated from the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (•O2−) and electron holes (h+) under light irradiation. This study innovatively proposed a bifunctional Eu-MOF for TC fluorescence detection and photocatalytic degradation, which provides a novel method for the quick and easy identification and elimination of pharmaceutical contaminants. It can also provide some reference value for the construction of ratiometric fluorescent probes and heterojunction photocatalysts and their application in the treatment of water pollution.

Thermodynamic Modeling and Optimization of Biomass and Bio-Renewable Organic Source Gasification in Supercritical Water Using Gibbs Free Energy Minimization

Thermodynamic Modeling and Optimization of Biomass and Bio-Renewable Organic Source Gasification in Supercritical Water Using Gibbs Free Energy Minimization

Root parameters and water productivity of rice and wheat in a rice‒wheat cropping system as influenced by enriched compost and crop establishment methods

Food security worldwide is largely dependent on the rice–wheat cropping sequence (RWCS) Hence, a field study was carried out during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, to determine the effect of various enriched organic sources and crop establishment methods on the root parameters, water productivity and yield of rice, its carryover effect on the succeeding wheat crop and the overall efficiency of system. A split plot design was used which involved two main plot treatments, viz., aerobic rice (AR) and conventional transplanted (CT) rice, and five subplot treatments, viz., T1: control (without fertilizer), T2: 100 % RDF (100 % fertilization by using inorganic sources), T3: 50 % phosphorus was applied by using P-enriched compost + 50 % P was applied by using DAP, T4: 50 % N was applied by using N-enriched compost + 50 % nitrogen was applied by using DAP and urea, and T5: 100 % organic fertilizer was applied (100 % fertilization by using N-enriched compost and P-enriched compost). After rice, wheat was grown in all the plots under uniform management practices. Among the nutrient sources, T4 had greater effects on root activity, system economic water productivity and system water productivity than did the other treatments. CT rice can be recommended under irrigated conditions with the integration of enriched compost and inorganic fertilizers. However, under rainfed conditions with less available water, aerobic rice can also be produced by combining enriched compost and inorganic fertilizer.

Riverine seasonal rainfall event tracing of organic pollution sources using fluorescence fingerprint difference spectrum

Elucidating the dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) transport and transformation under seasonal rainfall events is essential for the conservation of riverine ecosystems, for mitigating the effects of climate change, and for crafting informed water management strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the evolutionary characteristics of organic pollution sources during consecutive rainfall events in early spring and to quantify their relative contributions to the process of surface water pollution. The results showed seasonal rainfall induces water quality exceedances in rivers due to the combined impacts of terrestrial inputs and endogenous releases. Humic acid (HA) (region V) and fulvic acid (FA) (region III) emerged as the predominant organic matter in the water column, with their fluorescence intensity altering as rainwater flushed the riverbed. Sources of pollution include agricultural and urban domestic sources (AS + DS) (72.29 %), industrial and urban domestic and microbial sources (IS + DS + MS) (37.71 %), and agricultural and industrial sources (AS + IS) (63.32 %), indicating that agricultural surface pollution discharges contribute significantly. The gas–chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) further confirmed that exogenous inputs were predominantly comprised of particulate pollutants. This study underscores the efficacy of fluorescence difference spectrometry in delineating the migration and transformation of river pollution sources during seasonal rainfall and facilitating the implementation of targeted management strategies for river ecosystems.

Mechanisms of Crustal-Mantle Material and Energy Exchanges: Impacts on Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Resources.

The exchange of matter and energy between crust and mantle significantly influences the formation and development of oil, gas, and geothermal resources. Understanding how these exchanges impact these resources is crucial in geological science. In many oil-rich basins in China, significant accumulations of H2, CO2, geothermal energy, and other associated resources linked to deep mantle materials or geological processes have been discovered. Therefore, investigating the effects of crust-mantle material and energy exchanges on these resources is of utmost importance. This paper aims to systematically analyze the effects of mantle materials (e.g., H2, CO2, catalytic elements) and energy upwelling into basins. It synthesizes the impacts of various organic-inorganic interactions on hydrocarbon generation, evolution of organic source rocks, reservoir development, and the formation and accumulation of oil and gas. Finally, it proposes a mechanism detailing how interactions between mantle matter and energy influence specific resources. Simultaneously, this study employs numerical simulations to uncover the specific impact of magma intrusions on the geothermal field of surrounding rock formations. It demonstrates that magma chambers, continuously supplied with mantle energy, create regional thermal anomalies and facilitate the development of high-temperature geothermal resources. This underscores that mantle materials and energy not only significantly influence the generation of oil and gas but also govern the formation of geothermal resources and the evolution of thermal reservoirs. This research provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the subsequent formation of oil and gas resources under the influence of deep geological processes. Moreover, it furnishes a scientific basis for evaluating and exploring the symbiotic relationship between oil and gas resources and geothermal reservoirs.

Green manure combined with reduced nitrogen reduce NH3 emissions, improves yield and nitrogen use efficiencies of rice

Background Green manure is an important source of organic fertilizer. Exploring green fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer reduction is important for agricultural production. However, few studies have been conducted, especially on the effects of different green fertilizers along with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on soil ammonia volatilization emissions, rice yield, and nitrogen fertilizer uptake and utilization. Methods In this study, the effects of different types of green manure and reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on soil ammonia volatilization emissions, aboveground population characteristics of rice, and nitrogen fertilizer uptake and utilization were explored. This study was based on a field-positioning experiment conducted between 2020 and 2022. Six treatments were established: no nitrogen fertilizer application (CK), conventional fertilization in wheat-rice (WR), villous villosa-rice (VvR), vetch sativa-rice (VsR), rapeseed seed-rice (RR), and milk vetch-rice (GR), with a 20% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application. The amounts of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers remained unchanged. The characteristics of ammonia volatilization loss in rice fields, agronomic traits of rice, yield traits, and nitrogen uptake and utilization were investigated. Results The results indicated a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) in the impact of different treatments on ammonia volatilization emissions from rice in the two-year experiment. Compared with WR treatment, VvR, VsR, RR, and GR treatments reduced the total ammonia volatilization loss by 23.58 to 39.21 kg ha−1, respectively. Compared with the conventional WR treatment, other treatments increased rice yield by 0.09 to 0.83 t ha−1. GR treatment was significantly higher than other green fertilizer treatments, except for VsR (P &lt; 0.05). It increased the nitrogen uptake of rice by an average of 4.24%–22.24% and 13.08%–33.21% over the two years, respectively. The impact of different types of green manure on the nitrogen uptake and utilization of rice varied greatly, indicating that the combination of green manure and fertilizer is a sustainable fertilization model for crops to achieve high yields. In particular, the Chinese milk vetch as green manure was more beneficial for ammonia volatilization reduction in paddy field and stable grain production of rice.

Occurrence and maturation transformation of organic and inorganic nitrogen in the Lower Cambrian shelf–slope facies shale: Implications for overmature N2-rich shale reservoirs in Southern China

Thermogenic molecular nitrogen (N2) is one of the primary sources of high N2 content in overmature shale gas reservoirs. However, it remains uncertain whether N2 is released from organic or inorganic sources because the occurrence and thermal stability of different nitrogen species vary. This study investigates the Lower Cambrian shale samples from a well in southeastern Guizhou, China to determine the abundance, occurrence, and source of nitrogen in marine shale. A sealed gold tube pyrolysis experiment was further conducted on isolated kerogen and organic matter (OM)-ashed samples from one typical shale to explore the maturation transformation of organic nitrogen (Norg) and inorganic nitrogen (Ninorg). The results reveal that the studied shale exhibits a high nitrogen content, with the Norg content being less than that of Ninorg. The predominant functionality of Norg is pyrrolic-N, and Ninorg occurs primarily in silicates (NH4+-bearing illite and (NH4+, K, Ba)-feldspar). The structural characteristics of the different nitrogen functionalities cause them to vary in their thermal transformation behavior. The pyrolysis experiment results indicate that the nitrogen release of the shale increases rapidly when EqVRo >3.7%, and the N2 yields for typically shelf-slope facies shales are primarily 1–2 m3/t at EqVRo 4.0%–4.2%, to which the Ninorg has a dominant contribution. Further evidence that the high N2 shale gas reservoirs occur at EqVRo >3.5% is provided by compiled gas composition data from various risk wells. It is proposed that the Lower Cambrian shale gas exploration should address the considerably increased N2 risk in the shelf–slope facies area.

Synthesis of LiFePO4 using adenosine triphosphate as a new organic phosphorus source and its solvothermal reaction process

LiFePO4 is prepared by hydrothermal method using phosphoric acid (named as LFP-a) or adenosine triphosphate (LFP-b) as phosphoric sources, respectively. The effects of two phosphorus sources on crystal structure, particle morphology and electrochemical properties of the materials are investigated. Meanwhile, the mechanism of adenosine triphosphate as phosphoric source to synthesis LiFePO4 is proposed. The results show that the phosphorus source has significant influence on the synthesized materials. Compared with LFP-a, LFP-b material has higher crystallinity, better particle uniformity and dispersion. This is the result of the slow release of Li3PO4 in the hydrothermal process of the ATP-dominated precursor solution, and the subsequent reaction is relatively ordered, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance: the reversible capacity at 1 C is 148.24 mAh g−1, 137.01 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, and the capacity retention rate is 92.4 %. This work provides a reference for the preparation of high-performance LiFePO4 from organophosphorus sources.

Biochar Co-Compost: A Promising Soil Amendment to Restrain Greenhouse Gases and Improve Rice Productivity and Soil Fertility

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biochar has been recommended as a potential strategy to mitigate GHG emissions and improve soil fertility and crop productivity. However, few studies have investigated the potential of biochar co-compost (BCC) in relation to soil properties, rice productivity, and GHG emissions. Therefore, we examined the potential of BC, compost (CP), and BCC in terms of environmental and agronomic benefits. The study comprised four different treatments: control, biochar, compost, and biochar co-compost. The application of all of the treatments increased the soil pH; however, BC and BCC remained the top performers. The addition of BC and BBC also limited the ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) availability and increased soil organic carbon (SOC), which limited the GHG emissions. Biochar co-compost resulted in fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, while BC resulted in fewer methane (CH4) emissions, which was comparable with BCC. Moreover, BC caused a marked reduction in nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions that was comparable to BCC. This reduction was attributed to increased soil pH, nosZ, and nirK abundance and a reduction in ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance. The application of different amendments, particularly BCC, favored rice growth and productivity by increasing nutrient availability, soil carbon, and enzymatic activities. Lastly, BCC and BC also increased the abundance and diversity of soil bacteria, which favored plant growth and caused a reduction in GHG emissions. Our results suggest that BCC could be an important practice to recycle organic sources while optimizing climate change and crop productivity.

Unravelling the impact of varied organic fertilizer sources on the vegetative and reproductive traits of okra growth and development

Nepal's pursuit of sustainable food production and rural livelihoods faces challenges amid evolving environmental pressures. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultivation, integral to Nepalese agriculture, demands innovative approaches to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. This study investigates the efficacy of varied organic fertilizers on okra growth and development, aiming to identify sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers. The research was conducted at the G.P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Centre in Sundarharaicha, Morang, Nepal, from June to August 2023. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments replicated three times was employed, including recommended NPK dosage and various organic sources. Observations on plant height, primary branches, pods per plant, pod length, diameter, weight per pod, and yield per plant were recorded. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations among treatments. The highest yield was obtained with the recommended NPK dosage (108.84 g/plant), closely followed by biofertilizers like 100% mustard cake (103.70 g/plant) and goat manure (104.28 g/plant). The lowest yield was observed in the control group (76.99 g/plant). Notably, NPK fertilizer consistently outperformed organic alternatives in promoting okra growth and yield. However, among organic fertilizers, mustard cake and goat manure emerged as promising alternatives, showcasing comparable results to synthetic fertilizers. These findings underscore the importance of balanced nutrient management in optimizing okra productivity. Future research should explore integrated nutrient management strategies, combining organic and synthetic inputs, to enhance sustainability and resilience in Nepalese agriculture.

Organic matter decay and bacterial community succession in mangroves under simulated climate change scenarios.

Mangroves are coastal environments that provide resources for adjacent ecosystems due to their high productivity, organic matter decomposition, and carbon cycling by microbial communities in sediments. Since the industrial revolution, the increase of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) released due to fossil fuel burning led to many environmental abnormalities such as an increase in average temperature and ocean acidification. Based on the hypothesis that climate change modifies the microbial diversity associated with decaying organic matter in mangrove sediments, this study aimed to evaluate the microbial diversity under simulated climate change conditions during the litter decomposition process and the emission of GHG. Thus, microcosms containing organic matter from the three main plant species found in mangroves throughout the State of São Paulo, Brazil (Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia schaueriana) were incubated simulating climate changes (increase in temperature and pH). The decay rate was higher in the first seven days of incubation, but the differences between the simulated treatments were minor. GHG fluxes were higher in the first ten days and higher in samples under increased temperature. The variation in time resulted in substantial impacts on α-diversity and community composition, initially with a greater abundance of Gammaproteobacteria for all plant species despite the climate conditions variations. The PCoA analysis reveals the chronological sequence in β-diversity, indicating the increase of Deltaproteobacteria at the end of the process. The GHG emission varied in function of the organic matter source with an increase due to the elevated temperature, concurrent with the rise in the Deltaproteobacteria population. Thus, these results indicate that under the expected climate change scenario for the end of the century, the decomposition rate and GHG emissions will be potentially higher, leading to a harmful feedback loop of GHG production. This process can happen independently of an impact on the bacterial community structure due to these changes.

Assessment of Correlation between Growth and Yield of Blackgram with Residual Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients and AM Fungi Applied to Rice in Aerobic Rice-blackgram Cropping System

Assessment of Correlation between Growth and Yield of Blackgram with Residual Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients and AM Fungi Applied to Rice in Aerobic Rice-blackgram Cropping System

Mitigation of ammonia volatilization from organic and inorganic nitrogen sources applied to soil using water hyacinth biochars

The recent global population explosion has increased people’s food demand. To meet this demand, huge amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer have been applied in the worldwide. However, ammonia (NH3) volatilization is one of the primary factors of N loss from soil after N application causing decrease crop N utilization efficiency and productivity. Incubation experiments were conducted on an acidic clayey soil with two different N sources (urea and anaerobic digestion effluent; ADE), two differently-produced biochars, and three biochar application rates (0%, 0.25%, and 1.0% w/w). Ammonia volatilization was lower from urea (14.0–23.5 mg N kg−1) and ADE (11.3–21.0 mg N kg−1) with biochar application than those without biochar (40.1 and 26.2 mg N kg−1 from urea and ADE alone, respectively). Biochar application significantly mitigated volatilization and reduction percentages for urea and ADE were 40%–64% and 18%–55%, respectively. 1.0% biochar application mitigated volatilization significantly compared to 0.25% application regardless of N source and biochar types. Possible mechanism for volatilization mitigation for urea and ADE were increased N immobilization by soil microorganisms and accelerated net nitrification rate due to increased soil nitrifying bacteria, respectively. Overall, our results clarified different mechanisms for N volatilization mitigation from different (inorganic vs. organic) N sources with biochar application.

High surface area inorganic minerals show promise in protecting carbon from soil organic amendments

Protecting soil organic compounds could assist with global efforts to mitigate climate change, as well as improve soil health. Recent research has indicated that high surface area inorganic minerals (HSAIMs) can protect soil organic matter (OM). We evaluated if adding HSAIMs to soils can protect carbon from common organic inputs added to fallow soils prior to planting. Four added HSAIMs were investigated – two manufactured zeolites, one natural zeolite and bentonite clay – along with a carbon-rich (peat moss) and carbon-poor (composted cow manure) OM source. The added HSAIMs and organic sources were incorporated into a microbially active (clayey Vertisol) and inactive (sandy Arenosol) soil at application rates of 20 tonnes.ha–1 for the minerals and 60 tonnes.ha–1 for the organics. The treatments were incubated for three months under laboratory conditions and were subjected to continuous wetting-drying cycles. Peat moss resulted in higher organic carbon (Corg) and OM losses than cow manure. Moreover, the addition of HSAIMs to the Peat Moss+Arenosol treatments appeared to slightly enhance these losses, albeit not significantly (p>0.05). Carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios revealed that the Arenosol treatments were depleting soil N to access the carbon provided by the peat moss. For all other treatment combinations, the addition of HSAIMs promoted greater retention of Corg (p<0.05 in one treatment combination) and OM (p<0.05 in four treatment combinations), relative to the controls. Modelling carbon balances using OM data was more effective than using direct Corg values, due to strong Corg measurement variance. Modelled Corg data revealed the added HSAIMs achieved up to 25 % carbon protection, with the manufactured zeolites particularly effective. The study shows promise for added HSAIMs to protect carbon released from decomposing organic amendments added to fallow soils. However, addition of these minerals to N-limited soils receiving carbon-rich amendments might accelerate carbon losses.

Bioenergy feedstock production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (microalgae) cultivated under mixotrophic growth with cellulose hydrolysate from agricultural waste.

In the present study, cellulose purified from finger millet agricultural waste is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis, and the hydrolysate (predominantly glucose) is used as a carbon source supplement in the media for the mixotrophic growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Interestingly, a switch between excess starch production and excess lipid (triacylglycerols, TAG) production occurs by a small change in hydrolysate concentration in the media. Starch production increased 4.5-fold with respect to the photoautotrophic control, with a glucose concentration of 3mg/mL in the media after hydrolysate addition. This culture had TAG production enhancement by 1.5-fold. However, mixotrophic cultivation with 4mg/mL glucose concentration in the media with hydrolysate addition resulted in TAG productivity enhancement by 4.2-fold compared to control and starch amount increase of 1.3-fold. The organic carbon source (glucose) and the inorganic carbon source (citrate ions) in the hydrolysate together played a role in this delicate switching between starch and lipid pathways. Proteins, starch, and TAG molecules are analyzed in the microalgal cells grown under different conditions with FTIR spectroscopy, a rapid, high-throughput method of biomolecular estimation. High-resolution single-cell AFM studies of the cell wall structure reveal enhanced corrugations in surface morphology during mixotrophic growth with cellulose hydrolysate, illustrating an adaptive mechanism with improved mechanical stress management. Lipid droplet morphology at the single-cell level points to two distinct mechanisms of lipid accumulation: one in which the lipids are segregated as droplets, and the other in which lipid molecules are uniformly dispersed in the cytosol as unresolved, ultra-small droplets. The present study therefore analyzes both the bulk and the single-cell level changes when cellulose hydrolysate is used as a carbon source for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mixotrophic cultivation, which serves a four-fold purpose: value from waste, fixation of atmospheric CO2, production of lipids for biodiesel, and starch for bioethanol.

Evaluating the Impact of an Organic Trace Mineral mix on the Redox Homeostasis, Immunity, and Performance of Sows and their Offspring.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of trace mineral supplementation in sows during gestation and lactation on the performance and health status of sows and their offspring. Sows (n = 30; Landrace × Yorkshire; avg parity = 3.9) were randomly allocated into two dietary treatments. Sows received a basal diet supplemented with 12mg/kg Cu, 30mg/kg Fe, 90mg/kg Zn, 70mg/kg Mn, 0.30mg/kg Se, and 1.5 mg/kg I from an inorganic trace mineral source (ITM) or a blend of hydroxychloride and organic trace mineral source (HOTM) from day 1 of gestation until the end of the lactation period at day 21. Compared to the ITM, the HOTM supplementation increased (P < 0.05) both litter birth weight and individual piglet birth weight. Although not statistically significant, HOTM tended to increase (P = 0.069) the level of lactose in colostrum. HOTM increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of Mn and Se in the colostrum, milk, and serum of sows and/or piglets. Notably, the Zn concentration in the serum of sows was higher in sows supplemented with ITM compared to HOTM. Moreover, HOTM increased (P < 0.05) the activities of GPX and SOD in gestating sows and piglets, as well as increased (P < 0.05) cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) in the serum of sows. The immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) also increased in sows and/or piglets at certain experimental time points. In conclusion, HOTM supplementation positively affected piglet development and improved the health status of sows and piglets potentially by regulating redox homeostasis and immunity.