Peat Research Articles

Hydraulic Characterization of Green Roof Substrates by Evaporation Experiments

Green roofs can be a valid solution for stormwater management in urban environments. The objective of this study was to develop a laboratory procedure for the hydraulic characterization of artificial substrates, used in the realization of green roofs, based on transient evaporation and steady-state unit hydraulic gradient (UHG) experiments. The retention, θ(h), and hydraulic conductivity, K(h), curves of two commercial substrates Terra Mediterranea® (TMT) and AgriTERRAM® (ATV) and a specifically developed substrate made by mixing peat, compost and sandy loam soil (MIX) were investigated. The unimodal van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) hydraulic functions obtained by the direct evaporation method with different choices of the fitting parameters were compared with UHG measurements of K(h) conducted close to saturation. A numerical inversion of the transient evaporation experiments performed by Hydrus-1D software was also conducted, assuming that the hydraulic properties could be expressed either by unimodal or bimodal VGM models. The results indicated that an appropriate a priori choice of the residual water content parameter improved the estimation of the water retention curve. Moreover, the water retention data estimated from the direct evaporation method were not statistically different from those obtained with the inverse Hydrus-1D. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity estimations obtained by the direct and inverse methods were highly correlated and the use of the bimodal VGM model improved the estimation of K(h) in the wet range. The numerical inversion of laboratory evaporation data with the hydraulic characteristics expressed by the bimodal VGM model proved to be a reliable and effective procedure for hydraulic characterization of artificial substrates, thus improving the reliability of simulated water fluxes in green roofs.

Optimization of a mixture of lime and portland composite cement (PCC) for stabilizing peat soil in road construction

Peat soil presents significant challenges in construction due to its low bearing capacity and high compression. Several soil improvement methods are available to address these issues. One viable approach to enhancing soil quality is through lime and cement stabilization. This research aims to investigate the impact of a lime and cement mixture on the physical and mechanical properties of the soil at the research location. The research results reveal that the CBR (California Bearing Ratio) value for the original soil is 5.60%. CBR values increased in specific mixture variations, with the CBR value for the original soil + 3% lime + 5% cement mixture reaching 11.56%. This mixture can be employed in the subgrade, meeting the CBR requirement for road construction subgrade, which is 6%. In the case of the mixture involving the original soil + 10% lime + 10% cement, a CBR value of 26.50% was achieved. The CBR value for subgrade with outstanding criteria for road construction is 20% to 30%. The addition of a lime and cement mixture for peat soil stabilization can significantly enhance the soil's bearing capacity, and increasing the percentage of lime and cement in the mixture leads to higher CBR values.

Effect of Beneficial Microbes on Macronutrient Uptake and Oil Palm Seedling Growth in Peat Soil

Peat soil has low fertility due to low content of macronutrients, such as N, P, K, Ca, & Mg. Efforts that can be made to increase nutrient availability and nutrient uptake for plants on peatlands are the utilization of beneficial microbes such as endophytic bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizae. This study aims to identify the role of endophytic bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizae applied to peat soil media to help increase macronutrient uptake and the growth of oil palm seedlings (main nursery). This study was conducted in June – December 2022. The peat soil sample was collected from oil palm plantations located in Siak Regency, Riau, with coordinates 0°45′22″ N, 101°44′27″ E. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 8 treatments and 5 replicates. The treatment given in this study was a variation of beneficial microbes with zeolite as the carrier. Beneficial microbes used in this study were arbuscular mycorrhizae, namely Glomus sp, and endophytic bacteria, i.e. Burkholderia cenocepacia and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Parameters observed in this study were plant growth (every 1 month) and leaf nutrient (6 months after planted). The results of this study indicated that the consortium application of endophytic bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizae was the best treatment which was shown to have the best growth of oil palm seedlings compared to all treatments with plant height increment of 55.5 cm; stem diameter increment of 34.3 mm; and the number of fronds addition as many as 11 fronds. This is also supported by macronutrients content in the leaves of oil palm seedlings such as N, P, and K.

Correlation between growth and yield of chili pepper cultivated in histisols

Correlations between plant traits is commonly applied in selection to increase effectiveness, and the path analysis can separate them into direct and indirect impacts. This research studied the closeness of the relationships between characters and decomposed it into a direct and indirect relationship between 14 chili genotypes on peat soils. This research was conducted from June 2022 to October 2022 in an agricultural zone station, University of Bengkulu. The soil used is peat soil. A randomized completely block design with three replications of 14 chili genotypes treatment was used to evaluate the study. Each genotype was planted in beds, with 2 genotypes and 20 plants per genotype. Observational data were then analyzed statistically using the correlation formula followed by significant and cross-finding tests using Microsoft Excel. The results showed that the growth characteristics and yield components such as plant height, leaf width, number of primary branches, number of primary branches, number of dichotomies, and number of fruits per plant were positively correlated with chili pepper yields. The determining characteristics for high chili yield on peatland were the number of fruits per plant, the number of dichotomies and the width of the leaves.

The presence of Myopopone castanea Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a predator in oil palm plantations

One of the predators of the immature horn beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, is Myopopone castanea. These predators have the same ecological niche as O. rhinoceros at its juvenile stage in oil palm plantations. Opportunities to carry out biological management of the O. rhinoceros and improve agricultural sustainability in oil palm fields arise from niche similarities between predators and prey. This study aimed to quantify the abiotic environment in ant nests and investigate the existence of M. castanea ants in oil palm farms. Oil palm plantations on peat soils and mineral soils with 20 sample points each were surveyed and explored as part of this study. The findings indicated that starting at 20 sample points on. The findings indicated that whereas 10 colonies of M. castanea ants were discovered in oil palm plantations on mineral soils, there were none identified in 20 sampling points on oil palm plantations on peat soil. The average temperature, humidity, and pH of the M. castanea ant colony were 29.1 0C, 6.27, and 71.4%, respectively. There is a considerable difference in the pH indicator between marginal land and peat land, but not in the temperature or humidity.

Efficacy of Chromafenozide Insecticide to Control Tirathaba rufivena and Its Impacts on Oil Palm Pollinator E. kamerunicus

Newly marketed insecticide known with active ingredient Chromafenozide claimed to be potent against various lepidopterous insects, but at the same time almost non-toxic to non-lepidopterous species, including pollinators, predators and parasitoids. This trial aim to evaluate the effectiveness of Chromafenozide insecticides to control population of Tirathaba rufivena in oil palm planted on peat soil and its impact on pollinator weevil, Elaedobius kamerunicus. The trial was divided into two parts which are field assessment of insecticides efficacy and laboratory assay to know the direct effect of insecticide application on E. kamerunicus. Besides Chromafenozide, insecticides used in this trial Cypermethrin and Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaky as comparison. The results of efficacy test showed that Tirathaba infestation decreased significantly in the Cypermethrin, B. thuringiensis, and Chromafenozide treatments compared to control. However, among these treatments did not show a significant difference. Nevertheless, each of the tested insecticide caused significantly mortality to E. kamerunicus. E. kamerunicus mortality rate of each insecticide treatment showed that Chromafenozide was less detrimental as compared Cypermethrin, but significantly detrimental to B. thuringiensis. B. thuringiensis was not significantly different compared to control.

Basal stem rot of oil palm: Disease development in mineral and peat soils

Basal stem rot (BSR) of oil palm, caused by Ganoderma boninense, is a major disease of economic concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. The disease causes palm death and the reduction in the oil palm stand, results in lower yields and serious economic losses. In Indonesia, incidence of BSR has been reported in both mineral and peat soils. To control BSR in peat and mineral soils, an understanding of disease development is necessary. Disease developmental studies were conducted at two oil palm plantations in North Sumatra, representing mineral and peat soils. Palms with mild BSR infection were recorded and disease progression monitored. After 37 months, critical symptoms of basal stem rotting were observed. The percentages of palms with advanced disease symptoms in mineral and peat soils were 62.5% and 90.6%, respectively. The observations indicated that BSR symptoms developed faster in oil palms planted in peat soil compared to those in mineral soils.

Physical properties and ash content of post-fire Sumatra coastal peat soil in Sei Kepayang District, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra

Fires in peatland have numerous detrimental effects as regards degradation of the environment especially changes of soil properties. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how drying and rewetting peatlands affects the physical and chemical characteristics of post-fire peat soil with two depths. This research was carried out in Dusun XIII, Perbangunan Village, Sei Kepayang, Asahan Regency. The factor was drying and re-wetting of the past fire peatland, namely: unburnt peat in wet conditions (P-nw), post-burnt peat in dry conditions (P-bd), and post-burnt peat in wet conditions (P-bw) within 2 tiers namely: 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm respectively. This research data analysis used a descriptive method presented through tables and graphs. The findings indicate that post-fire peat experience changes in moisture content, degree of decomposition, bulk density, soil color, and ash content. In conclusion, there are changes in peat properties in post-fire peat due to drying and rewetting.

Monitoring of pH level for maximizing oil palm ffb yields

Depending on the location of estates and types of soils, monitoring of pH changes is an integral part of soil-water management for realizing sustainable Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) yields. In Sumber Tani Agung Resources Tbk, fluctuations in pH levels in field blocks as well as nearby drains were monitored since 2019. The usage of portable units of pH meters made it possible for planters to record and monitor the on-site changes in pH. Monitoring of pH was done on two types of soils namely peat (three estates in North Sumatra) and acid sulfate soils (two estates in South Sumatra). Piezometer was established in each block in all five estates and pH reading was taken biweekly, including at nearby watergates for comparison. Lower pH values ranging from 3.5 to 3.7 were observed at piezometers and water gates on blocks established on acid sulfate soils as compared to pH values recorded in peat areas where slightly higher pH values were registered (4.3 to 5.6). The presence of pyrite contributed to a lower range of pH values on acid sulfate soils. Keeping water level at 40-70 cm on peat and at 45-60 cm for acid sulfate soils would have an impact on the improvement of soil physical chemistry and biology properties, besides creating aerobic conditions for roots of the cultivated oil palms. Organic fertilizer such as bunch ash was applied in the 2020-2021 period which also resulted in an increment in pH values. Generally, there were improvements in oil palm growth as well as palm yield performance in areas with higher pH values (>4.50).

Implementation of AI Based Model for Identification of Different Soil Types Using Tensorflow

AbstractThe agricultural industry is among the most important industry in the world and playing a critical part in human growth. Soil classification is becoming incredibly valuable, and recent study reveals that classification of images is proven as the preferred way of soil information for farmers. The testing of soil is the first step in construction planning to determine whether the plot of land is suitable for constructing any structure in order to prevent future disasters. In this work, the model has been proposed to address the visual classification of types of soil using the deep neural network (DNN) and tensor flow framework. Further, AI based sequential model has been created in python to classify the soil. This has been analyzed that with the use of proposed technique five types of soil viz. black, cinder, laterite, peat, and yellow soil has been classified while keeping the practical simplicity of the images. Far superior accuracy has been achieved using the CNN model on the above dataset. The model is useful for farmers to increase the crop production after identification of the appropriate soil type for respective crops.

Analysis of Spatial distribution of Peatland Depth in Keub Village

Peat is an ecosystem that is formed due to biomass production that exceeds the decomposition process. The area of peat land in Aceh Province reaches 338,164 ha. Improper use of peatlands results in peatland degradation so that the thickness and depth of the peat soil decreases. This research aims to determine the map of changes in the distribution of peat depth classes and determine changes in the peat ecosystem classification map in Keub Village by comparing the peat depth map published by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2019 with interpolation results using the inverse distance weight method. The results of this research showed that there was a change in the peat depth class and the area of distribution of the peat depth class between the peat depth class map published by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the interpolation results in Keub Village. Based on a comparison of the KLHK peat depth map with the interpolated map, it was also found that there was a change in the area of protected functional areas in the form of an increase in the number of areas.

Optimization of Nitrogen Nutrition of Grasses on Oil-Polluted Oligotrophic Peat Soil

Optimization of Nitrogen Nutrition of Grasses on Oil-Polluted Oligotrophic Peat Soil

Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Carbon Sequestration in the Oligotrophic Peat Soils of Southern Taiga in Western Siberia

Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Carbon Sequestration in the Oligotrophic Peat Soils of Southern Taiga in Western Siberia

Spatial variations in heterotrophic respiration from oil palm plantations on tropical peat soils

Spatial variations in heterotrophic respiration from oil palm plantations on tropical peat soils

Effects of birch encroachment, water table and vegetation on methane emissions from peatland microforms in a rewetted bog

This study investigated the influence of vegetation and microforms on methane (CH4) balances of a rewetted bog in north-west Germany. The two study sites are in close proximity on the same former peat extraction area, one dominated by Sphagnum-mosses and the other one by a dense Betula pubescens stand with a high Eriophorum vaginatum cover. The contribution of microforms (hummocks/hollows) to CH4 emissions and the effect of Betula encroachment has been studied. Transparent and opaque chambers were used to measure CH4 fluxes every 3–4 weeks during daytime for one year. For the estimation of annual balances, three methods were compared and the method using water level and soil temperature as explanatory variables was selected. Fluxes were scaled to the site level. The annual emissions per site are and 7.1 ± 1.5 g CH4-C m−2 year−1 at the treed site and 36.1 ± 3.5 g CH4-C m−2 year−1 at the open site, mainly controlled by higher water levels. Highest annual emissions originated from hollows at the open site, but in the vegetation period, hummock emissions tend to be higher. At the tree site, emission differences between the microforms were less pronounced. There were no differences between fluxes from transparent and opaque chambers.

Utilization Of Soil Ameliorant To Control Emission In Oil Palm Plantation On Tropical Peat Soil

Development of oil palm plantation areas today is increasingly leading to marginal areas, particularly on peatlands. However, development of peatland as agricultural land or as oil palm plantation has the potential to cause peatland to change from a carbon sink into a source of carbon emission. This objective of this research to determine the effect of utilization soil ameliorant to oil palm yield production and in controlling carbon emission and its impact to soil peat chemical properties. The research was conducted in Rokan Hilir district, Riau. The study was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and three levels of soil ameliorant. The results show that application of high rate soil ameliorant significantly increase FFB yield relatively from control plot. Based on observational data for two months after first application of boiler ash, the CO2 emission was tends to decrease in plot that get the application of soil ameliorant compared to the control plot. Application of 1.5 tonne/ha/yr of ameliorant give the lowest CO2 emission value. Improvement of soil peat chemical properties by application of boiler ash as soil ameliorant also observed in this study, where the high rate of soil ameliorant significantly improves soil pH and also tends to increase total Potassium and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC).

Оценка пригодности почв для возделывания картофеля

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to assess the suitability of soils for growing potatoes according to the requirements for the crop under study. Conduct a grouping of soil types in the study area according to fertility indicators. To form an optimization model in terms of fertility indicators relative to the requirements for the cultivation of potatoes. Methods. The object of the study is the territory of the northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region. The studies were carried out on the basis of an analytical method using the following tools: at the first stage, the technology for creating a digital soil map of the South of the Tyumen region was carried out; at the second stage, a modeling method was used to develop an optimization model of soil fertility indicators; data of long-term research of the Department of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the State Agrarian University of the Northern Trans-Urals. Scientific novelty. Work has been carried out to create a digital soil map of the south of the Tyumen region. 52 genetic types of soils were identified, the maximum area in the region falls on bog high-moor peat soils – 32.1 %, the minimum meadow-chernozem solonetsous and podzolized chernozems – 0.1 %. Taking into account the parameters of soil fertility, using the modeling method, an optimization model has been developed in the context of soil grouping by fertility. Results. The most favorable in terms of fertility for the cultivation of potatoes are the following types of soils - gray forest podzolized, dark gray forest solodized, ordinary solonetzic chernozems, podzolized chernozems, leached chernozems and meadow chernozem soils, since their initial fertility indicators are closer to the required conditions for potato cultivation. With regard to the content of nutrients in the soil, here it is necessary to take into account through laboratory studies. However, when selecting soils from the presented model, one can understand how much nutrients need to be added to the soil with fertilizers in order to provide optimal nutrition for potatoes.

Testing biowaste materials as peat replacement in organo-mineral fertilizers

Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) can have higher efficiency than mineral fertilizers. In Europe, peat is commonly used as an organic matrix in OMFs, as it is a highly stable organic material. However, peat extraction releases long-term stored organic C. Stabilized biowaste materials could replace peat in OMFs. Thus, this study aimed to understand how the variety of chemical properties in biowastes can influence OMF-soil interactions and nutrient availability to plants. Peat, green compost (GC), municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), and vermicompost (VC) were used as the organic matrix of OMFs with a C-N-P2O5 content of 7.5, 10, and 5%, respectively. OMFs were tested first in a ten-day plant-free incubation to measure Hedley P fractionation, nitrate, ammonium, total N in the soil, and CO2 and NH3 emissions. Further, a 30-day greenhouse trial measured maize yield and N and P use efficiencies. Controls included no fertilization (N0P0) and mineral N and P fertilization (MFNP). No differences were found in the incubation experiment for mineral N fractions in the soil. Fertilization significantly increased CO2 emissions, which were slightly higher in OMFs over MFNP, whereas OMFs significantly increased ammonia volatilization compared to MFNP. Available P had consistent results in the incubation and the greenhouse trials. Peat and MFNP had the highest water-and bicarbonate-P pools in the first experiment and higher yield and P use efficiency by maize. Therefore, OMFs from biowaste materials exhibited limited suitability for short growth cycles due to lower P use efficiency and higher ammonia volatilization.

Lichens of pristine and disturbed oligotrophic bogs of the Samotlor oil field

Decades of active development of the natural resources of the Middle Ob region of Western Siberia have significantly changed the natural landscapes at the most large oil fields, which has affected the composition of the flora of this area. This process was especially reflected in large areas of oligotrophic bogs, the vegetation of which is a sensitive indicator of environmental disturbance. For the first time, a list of epigeic and epiphytic lichens collected on the territory of the Samotlor oil field on native oligotrophic bogs and in secondary anthropogenically modified landscapes that have originated from them is given. A total of 80 species of lichens have been registered. Epigean lichens are mainly represented by species of genus Cladonia, which, in addition to native sites, are also found in technogenically transformed habitats. Species capable of developing in oil-contaminated areas have been identified. The average period of the initial colonization of oil and salt-contaminated oligotrophic peat soils by lichens ranges from 6–7 to 12–15 years. Among epiphytic lichens, there is a spread of some species to an atypical substrate for them, which may indicate both air pollution by products of combustion of gas flares and an increase in the general dust content of the atmosphere of oil fields.

Tritium Content in Komatsuna Cultivated in Tritium-Contaminated Peat Soil

Tritiated water from fusion power reactors will be the next major issue when fusion technology comes fully onstream. Effective radiation protection measures will be implemented when the scope of its behavior is well understood. To understand tritium behavior in the environment, komatsuna was cultivated in tritium-contaminated peat soil. It was indicated experimentally from water immersion experiments that the amount of tissue free water tritium in komatsuna depends on the tritium concentration in the soil and that the concentration in stems and leaves in komatsuna decreases as the tritium concentration in the soil decreases. The amounts of tritium retained in the roots were much less than that in the stems and leaves.