Pruning Material Research Articles

The Effect of Fertilizer Rate and Pruning Material on Growth and Yield of Carrot (Daucus carota) under Alley Cropping System

The study was conducted at the Agroforestry Farm of Sylhet Agricultural University from October 2020 to March 2021 to evaluate the growth and yield performance of carrot and determine soil fertility status during the hedge establishment period of alley cropping. Hedges for alley cropping were established using ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) and vegetable hummingbirds (Sesbania grandiflora) tree species. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). During the hedge establishment period, the carrot was cultivated in the alley of the hedgerow using four different treatments with three replications. The treatments were T0 (No application of fertilizer and pruning materials), T1 (application of recommended fertilizer dose), T2 (application of half dose of the recommended fertilizer + pruning materials), and T3 (application of pruning materials). The results exhibited that growth parameters, viz. plant height (cm), leaf number per plant, root length (cm), and root diameter (cm) of carrot were almost similar in all treated plots, except control (T0). The carrot yield was statistically similar in all fertilizer and pruning materials treated plots, but it was drastically reduced in the control plots and decreased by about 40-45% compared to fertilizer and pruning materials applied plots. During hedgerow establishment, soil pH among different plots has not changed significantly compared to the initial field, but organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) in different alleys found to be increased significantly in treatment T2 and treatment T1 after carrot cultivation. Improvement in soil fertility was also found in the alleys between the hedgerows of ipil-ipil and vegetable hummingbirds when only pruning material was applied to the soil. Therefore, an alley cropping system with Leucaena leucocephala and Sesbania grandiflora may enhance the yield performance of carrot and organically improve soil fertility during the hedge establishment period.

Exploring the Mineral Composition of Grapevine Canes for Wood Chip Applications in Alcoholic Beverage Production to Enhance Viticulture Sustainability

This study aimed to assess the metal content of tannic extracts obtained from grapevine canes, to evaluate their suitability as wood shavings for direct infusion during the aging process of alcoholic beverages or vinegars. Traditional barrel aging is a slow and costly process that can be enhanced through direct infusion of wood chips. Our investigation focused on the pruning materials of two widely cultivated Lambrusco cultivars in the Modena (Italy) area, Ancellotta and Salamino. The grapevine chips underwent preliminary heat treatments at temperatures ranging from 120 °C to 260 °C. Tannic extracts were obtained by ethanol maceration at 80 °C for 2 h. The metal composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Generally, the metal content increased with the roasting temperature of the chips. Two exceptions were noted in the Salamino extracts, where the concentrations of Bi and Ni decreased as the roasting temperature increased. The levels of heavy metal, such as Pb and Cd, were low, posing no toxicity concerns for using infused grapevine chips during the beverage aging process. The Ni concentration slightly exceeded the limits imposed by certain regulations. Its content is likely derived from the type of soil in which the plant has grown.

Effects of Applying Recycled Urban Green Waste Compost Made from Pruning Materials to Soil on the Growth of Plants

Effects of Applying Recycled Urban Green Waste Compost Made from Pruning Materials to Soil on the Growth of Plants

Влияние удобрений на вынос из почвы питательных элементов с урожаем винограда и сухим материалом

The article presents the results of studying the effect of applying organic and mineral fertilizers on irrigated chestnut soils of the Ganja-Gazakh region to remove nutrients from the soil by grape harvest and dry pruning material. It was found that, along with an increase in yield, organic and mineral fertilizers also influenced an increase in the amount of nutrients removed from the soil. In comparison with the control variant without fertilizing, the amount of grape nitrogen removed by the crop in the experimental variants with fertilizer ranged from 7.7–24.0, phosphorus 1.5–6.3 and potassium 8.0–25.1 kg/ha, and the material of dry pruning is the amount of removed nitrogen is 18.6–46.5, phosphorus is 12.8–31.9, and potassium is 33.8–78.3 kg/ha.

ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ЗАКЛАДКИ И УХОДА ЗА ЧАЙНЫМИ ПЛАНТАЦИЯМИ

The use of fertilizers is one of the most eff ective methods for ensuring a steady increase in the yield of tea plantations and maintaining it at a high level. The author analyzed agrotechnical requirements for the establishment and maintenance of tea plantations, taking into account the specifi c natural production and physiological characteristics of tea plants. The paper considers the infl uence of agrotechnical methods for the care of tea plantations on their productivity, such as: fertilizing, pruning, and cultivating the soil in the inter-rows. It has been established that both mineral and organic fertilizers greatly infl uencence on the development and productivity of tea plants. The latter type in the form of manure or peat compost, when applied in 4 years one time at a rate of 50 t/ha, gives an excellent eff ect. First, organic fertilizers are used for plantations located on slopes or fl at areas with heavy soils. Doses of nitrogen fertilizers are set depending on the age and yield of the tea plantation. It is noted that plantations with closed rows and trellis trimming do not need deep tillage. On such plantations, it is recommended to carry out winter tillage every 3-4 years with the simultaneous intra-soil application of phosphorus and organic fertilizers. The timing of applying phosphorus fertilizers can be adjusted depending on their content in the soil. It is recommended to leave the trellis pruning material on the plantations as an organic fertilizer for plant nutrition. According to the current agrotechnical requirements, the optimal indicator of soil acidity, at which a tea plant shows maximum viability and can give the highest leaf yield, is PH = 4.0…6.5.

Wetlands in Brazil, Potential Source of Energy Biomass? Evaluating the Produced Cyperus Giganteu Pruning Material

The objective of this study was the fully characterization of the pruning wastes from macrophyte Cyperus giganteus from tertiary sewage treatment of Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ponte dos Leites, located in Araruama, RJ, Brazil. Such analyses aimed at the systematic evaluation of the feasibility of using the pruning material as an energy input. To reach the objectives, the macrophytes were submitted to experimental analyses of their physical properties (Specific density: 0.44-0.77 g.cm -3 , Bulk density: 0.08-0.09 g.cm -3 , among others characteristics), chemical and immediate analysis, and thermal analysis. The results of thermal behavior characterized the biomass as a viable energy source (High Heat Value 14-16 MJ.kg -1 ). Focused in its pre-treatment for energy use, C. giganteus different samples fractions analyses confirmed that the molecular structures of the macrophyte (Lignin: 17.32-26.83 wt%, Cellulose: 27.84-32.65 wt%, Hemicellulose: 30.09-31.46 wt%; depending on the part of the plant) affect the mechanisms of thermal decomposition. Pyrolysis processing yields vary from 83.43 to 75.91%. This shows the effectiveness of the technique adopted in the transformation of the analyzed vegetal residues into raw materials for energy generation, evidencing the energy potential of the biomass and, confirming the use of these as raw materials in thermo-conversion processes.

Effect of urban green biomass (pruning materials) compost on the growth of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis LH Bailey) in different soils

Mineralization of organic matter in soil is affected by the total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and microbial activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that the application of compost made from pruning materials (PMs) would have different effects on plant growth depending on the properties of the soil. We grew komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis LH Bailey) plants for 1 month in different soils and found that there was a significant positive correlation between plant growth and the total C, N contents and microbial activity of the soil (p < 0.05). However, although PMs compost could be used as conditioners to increase the C and N contents and microbial activity of infertile soils, it was difficult to promote plant growth during the early stages of PMs compost application in these soils. Together, our results indicate that PMs compost is appropriate compost for sustaining or increasing the total C and N contents and microbial activity of the soil and increasing the yield of plants growing in fertile soil.

Effect of pruning material compost on the nitrogen dynamic, soil microbial biomass, and plant biomass in different soil types

Compost prepared using pruning material (PM) contains a higher amount of mineralizable carbon (C) than conventional compost, readily causing nitrogen (N) immobilization in soil due to the multiplication of microorganisms and subsequently likely causing N starvation for plant growth inhibition. However, organic matter mineralization in soil is affected by soil microbial activity, which correlates with the total C and N contents. Therefore, we hypothesized that application of PM compost to different fertility soils have different effects on plant growth depending on soil microbial activity. Using an incubation experiment, we found that the application of PM compost had a priming effect in forest soil and subsoil, causing N immobilization in both soils. However, the period of N immobilization depended on soil microbial activity, being shorter when the soil microbial activity was higher. To test the effects of PM compost on plant growth, we grew komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis LH Bailey) in different soils with equal applications of PM compost for 1 month. We found that PM compost application significantly inhibited plant growth in the subsoil (P < 0.05), but significantly accelerated plant growth in the forest soil (P < 0.05), suggesting that different effects are observed on plant growth in soils with different microbial activities. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the application of PM compost to soil can accelerate plant growth in soils with high microbial activities, but can inhibit plant growth in soils with low microbial activities.

Evaluation of the adsorption potential of biochars prepared from forest and agri-food wastes for the removal of fluoxetine

Twelve biochars from forest and agri-food wastes (pruning of Quercus ilex, Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus pinaster, Quercus suber, Malus pumila, Prunus spinosa, Cydonia oblonga, Eriobotrya japonica, Juglans regia, Actinidia deliciosa, Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera) were investigated as potential low-cost and renewable adsorbents for removal of a commonly used pharmaceutical, fluoxetine. Preliminary adsorption experiments allowed to select the most promising adsorbents, Quercus ilex, Cydonia oblonga, Eucalyptus, Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera pruning material. They were characterized by proximate, elemental and mineral analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of specific surface area and pH at the point of zero charge. Batch and equilibrium studies were performed, and the influence of pH was evaluated. The equilibrium was reached in less than 15 min in all systems. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 6.41 mg/g for the Eucalyptus biochar, which also demonstrated a good behavior in continuous mode (packed column).

Agro-industry composts as growing medium for growing baby-leaf lettuces in a floating system – added-value to suppress Pythium irregulare

Production of small leafy vegetables (baby leaf) in floating system can be affected by different diseases such as 'damping off', which is caused by fungi as Pythium spp. Compost can be used as an alternative to peat, a traditional substrate in floating system. In addition, the use of composts with suppressive effect may help control these pathogens and reduce the use of chemicals, being a more sustainable production system. The main issue to obtain added-value compost is by selecting appropriate, specific type and rate of feedstock, or by microbial inoculation. The objective of this work was to investigate the suppressive capacity of three agroindustry composts (C9, C11 and C14) in the pathosystem Pythium irregulare-lettuce. C9 was composed mainly by pepper sewage sludge, pepper peels, carrot and vineyard pruning material, C11 showed similar feedstock inoculated with Aspergillus niger and C14 was mainly composed by tomato and onion peels plus vineyard pruning material. Two different ratios compost/peat (70/30 and 100/0, v/v) were used to fill the trays and the percentage of seed germination and of plant survival was determined at 8 and 20 days after sowing. The highest percentages of seed germination and plant survival were obtained in C14 for both compost/peat ratios assayed, showing plants with less symptoms of infection. In addition, P. irregulare was measured by RealTime PCR in the growing media and in the roots at 20 days after sowing. C14 also showed the lowest pathogen amount compared to the rest of compost but only in the growing media. In this study, the initial composition of compost was relatively important, that permits to obtain a suppressive added-value compost.

Carbon mineralization characteristics of compost made from pruning material

To investigate carbon (C) mineralization characteristics of compost made from pruning material (PM), C mineralization parameters were evaluated, including mineralizable C (C0), apparent activation energy (Ea), and the rate constant of mineralization (k). These properties were also examined in conventional composts made from dung (D), fallen leaves (L), and bark (B). No significant differences among the plant composts (L, B and PM) were observed for Ea. Notably, the values of the respective indicators were significantly greater in PM, L and B than in D. The C0 of PM was significantly greater than that of the other composts. Conversely, the k-value for PM was significantly smaller than that for the other composts. These results indicate that PM supplies a substantial amount of mineralizable C that persists for a long time after the PM has been mixed with soil.

Nitrogen Distribution in Annual Growth of 'Italia' Table Grape Vines.

Little information is available about nitrogen (N) content and its concentration in table grape vines. Knowledge of the quantity of N accumulated by the vine organs during the season could support sustainable fertilization programs for table grape vineyards. The aim of the present study was to determine the N content and its concentration in different annual organs, including summer and winter pruning materials, clusters at harvest, and fallen leaves at post-harvest. Specifically, biomass and N were analyzed at six phenological growth stages (flowering, berry-set, berry growth, veraison, ripening, and harvest) from 2012 to 2015. Nitrogen concentration was highest (>40 g/kg d.w.) in the leaves of the secondary shoots at flowering, whereas values >30 g/kg were measured in the leaves of the primary shoots. Nitrogen concentration in the clusters at harvest was 5.3–7.6 g/kg with an accumulation of 18.6–25.4 g/vine in the seasons. The decrease of N content in the primary leaves after flowering indicated a remobilization toward the clusters, which acted as a stronger sink. Later in the season (veraison-ripening), leaves translocated N to permanent organs and primary stems. Pruned wood and fallen leaves accounted for the largest N removal from the vine after clusters, 6.0–7.9 and 9.2–10.2 g/vine, respectively. With regard of the vine annual biomass, the growth followed a sigmoidal model reaching 7300–7500 g of d.w./vine at harvest. Vine leaf area, including both primary and secondary leaves, peaked at veraison (17–21 m2). Vines accumulated ≅35 g/vine of N at harvest, not considering the N removed with the intense summer pruning practices (≅7 g/vine) and the fraction mobilized toward the storage organs (10–15 g/vine). The overall N required by the vine was around 50–55 g/vine, which corresponded to ≅80 kg of N/ha in a vineyard with 1500 vines and a yield of 40 t/ha. Summer and winter pruning practices removed 29–31 g/vine of N which will be partly available (to be considered in the fertilization schedule) for the vine in the successive years if pruned residues were incorporated and mineralized in the soil.

Estimation of Carbon Dynamics in Decomposition of Pruning Material

In order to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission from pruning materials which were spread over the soil surface, we investigated the characteristics of carbon mineralization in pruning materials. We continuously measured carbon dioxide evolution from the powdery pruning materials mixed with soil as source of microbe under optimum conditions for microbial growth for fifty one days, and estimated C mineralization potential in pruning materials using kinetics modeling. It is estimated that 17 - 19% of carbon contained in pruning materials was mineralized over the fifty one-day period. From the result and previous studies, the estimated percentages of residue, humified and mineralized carbon originally contained in the pruning materials were approximately 50%, 30% and 20% respectively.

Long-term soil organic carbon dynamics in a subhumid tropical climate: 13C data in mixed C3/C4 cropping and modeling with ROTHC

Scanty information on long-term soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics hampers validation of SOC models in the tropics. We observed SOC content changes in a 16-year continuously cropped agroforestry experiment in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. SOC levels declined in all treatments. The decline was most pronounced in the no-tree control treatments with continuous maize and cowpea cropping, where SOC levels dropped from the initial 15.4 to 7.3–8.0MgCha−1 in the 0–12 cm topsoil in 16 years. In the two continuously cropped alley cropping (AC) systems, one with Leucaena leucocephala and one with Senna siamea trees, SOC levels dropped to 10.7–13.2MgCha−1. Compared to the no-tree control treatments, an annual application of an additional 8.5Mgha−1 (dry matter) of plant residues, mainly tree prunings, led to an extra 3.5MgCha−1 (∼0.2% C) in the 0–12 cm top soil after 11 years, and 4.1MgCha−1 after 16 years. The addition of NPK fertilizer had little effect on the quantities of above-ground plant residues returned to the soil, and there was no evidence that the fertilizer affected the rate of SOC decomposition. The fact that both C3 and C4 plants returned organic matter to the soil in all cropping systems, but in contrasting proportions, led to clear contrasts in the 13C abundance in the SOC. This 13C information, together with the measured SOC contents, was used to test the ROTHC model. Decomposition was very fast, illustrated by the fact that we had to double all decomposition rate constants in the model in order to simulate the measured contrasts in SOC contents and δ13C between the AC treatments and the no-tree controls. We hypothesized (1) that the pruning materials from the legume trees and/or the extra rhizodeposition from the tree roots in the AC treatments accelerated the decomposition of the SOC present at the start of the experiment (true C-priming), and/or (2) that the physical protection of microbial biomass and metabolites by the clay fraction on this site, having a sandy top soil in which clay minerals are mainly of the 1:1 type, is lower than assumed by the model.

N recovery from legume prunings and priming effects are governed by the residue quality

Nitrogen recovery from 15 N-labelled prunings of Gliricidia sepium, Peltophorum dasyrrachis, Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala,each of two different chemical qualities, was followed over three cropping cycles in a growth room. Half of the pots of each treatment received a further addition of unlabelled pruning material, from the same species as that previously applied, before the second and third crop cycle. The cumulative maize total N accumulation revealed the largest benefit from N rich, low lignin and polyphenols Gliricidia prunings followed by Leucaena, Calliandra and Peltophorum. Cumulative N recovery measured using 15 N over the three crop cycles ranged from 9% from Calliandra prunings to 44% from Gliricidia prunings. The vast majority of this N was recovered during the first crop cycle which agreed well with estimates using the N difference method. Recoveries in the second and third crops ranged from 0.4‐5% ( 15 N method) and 6‐14% (N difference method) of the N initially applied. The protein binding capacity of polyphenols was the best predictor of N recovery at both initial and later crop cycles. Treatments which led to a large N recovery initially, continued to provide greater N benefits in subsequent cycles although with increasing harvest time this trend decreased. Thus, there was no compensation in initial N release from low quality prunings at later harvests and the agronomic implications of this are discussed. Addition of unlabelled Gliricidia prunings before the second and third cycle led to a positive apparent priming effect on previously applied 15 N labelled prunings. By contrast, repeated additions of Peltophorumresidues, rich in lignin and active polyphenols, resulted in a reduced recovery of initially applied pruning- 15 N. However, the maximum positive or negative effects on recovery of pruning N amounted to less than 2% recovery of the initial amount of N added over 14 weeks. Thus the scope for regulation of N release from tree prunings during these later stages of decomposition appears to be limited.