Rye Straw Research Articles

PSVII-29 Integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production to reduce feed and bedding costs

Abstract An obstacle to profitable organic swine production is the high cost of feed and bedding. We evaluated whether growing hybrid rye for organic feed and bedding for pigs was economically viable by replacing corn with hybrid rye and evaluating pig growth performance and feed and bedding costs. Hybrid rye was grown on certified organic land at WCROC in 2022 and 2023. Rye grain and straw were used in a feeding trial with pigs raised according to the National Organic Standards. The animal trial consisted of three replicates. Each replicate included 100 pigs in two pens (Control vs. Rye, 50 pigs/pen) in a bedded hoop barn. Control pigs were fed corn soybean meal-based diets and Rye pigs were fed diets with 50% of corn in the control diets replaced by hybrid rye. Each replicate lasted for about 12 wk until pigs reached market weight (120 kg). Pigs were weighed individually at the beginning, every 4 wk thereafter, and at the conclusion of the study. Feed disappearance was recorded on a pen basis at the time of weighing pigs. Growth performance[average daily gain(ADG), average daily daily feed intake (ADFI), and Gain: Feed] was calculated for each weigh period. Carcass weight was recorded at harvest and dressing percent was calculated for each pig. Bedding usage was recorded for each pen (Control pen = wheat straw, Rye pen = rye straw) and average usage for each pig was calculated. Growth performance and bedding usage data were analyzed using the Proc Glimmix Procedures of SAS, with dietary treatment as the fixed effect, replicate as the random effect, and pen as the experimental unit. Production costs were set at $239/ha for organic rye grain and $20/ha for rye straw baling according to the FINBIN Database, and the unit costs ($/kg) were calculated based on yield for each year. Prices for organic corn, soybean meal, base mix, wheat straw, and market pigs were based on market prices (Table 1). Yield of organic hybrid rye grain at WCROC was 1,070 and 712 kg/ha in 2022 and 2023, respectively, with corresponding rye straw yield being 661 and 367 kg/ha. The reduction in rye yield in 2023 was considered due to drought. No difference was detected in growth performance, dressing percent, or bedding usage between Control and Rye pigs (all P > 0.19; Table 1). Replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye saved $9.6/pig in 2022, but cost $7.20/pig more for feed in 2023, due to changes in hybrid rye grain yield. Savings on bedding were $15.40 and $13.20/pig for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Results indicate that replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye in feed did not negatively affect growth performance of pigs raised organically, but the economic viability of integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production may depend on crop yield.

The Effect of Technological Conditions on ABE Fermentation and Butanol Production of Rye Straw and the Composition of Volatile Compounds.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pretreatment and different technological conditions on the course of ABE fermentation of rye straw (RS) and the composition of volatile compounds in the distillates obtained. The highest concentration of ABE and butanol was obtained from the fermentation of pretreated rye straw by alkaline hydrolysis followed by detoxification and enzymatic hydrolysis. After 72 h of fermentation, the maximum butanol concentration, productivity, and yield from RS were 16.11 g/L, 0.224 g/L/h, and 0.402 g/g, respectively. Three different methods to produce butanol were tested: the two-step process (SHF), the simultaneous process (SSF), and simultaneous saccharification with ABE fermentation (consolidation SHF/SSF). The SHF/SSF process observed that ABE concentration (21.28 g/L) was higher than in the SSF (20.03 g/L) and lower compared with the SHF (22.21 g/L). The effect of the detoxification process and various ABE fermentation technologies on the composition of volatile compounds formed during fermentation and distillation were analyzed.

Benefits from co-pyrolysis of biomass and refuse derived fuel for biofuels production: Experimental investigations

The application of renewable fuels and waste for energy production is crucial environmentally and economically. Co-pyrolysis of biomass and refuse derived fuel (RDF) offers a promising pathway for valuable products that combine various benefits including enhanced energy recovery, waste valorisation, improved product quality, and environmental sustainability. Consideration of specific feedstocks and optimization of process parameters are necessary to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the co-pyrolysis process. This work presents investigations of the co-pyrolysis process of lignocellulosic biomass wastes (rye straw and agriculture grass) and RDF. These biomasses ensure efficient decomposition. The RDF, high in carbon (78.5 %) and hydrogen (11.8 %), was predominantly plastic based. Based on Py-GC-MS studies at 600 °C, it was observed that the addition of RDF to biomass caused a significant decrease in the share of organic oxygen compounds among the released decomposition products. Laboratory tests were performed in a fixed-bed reactor for raw biomass and RDF and 1:1 and 3:1 biomass to RDF mass ratio. The results demonstrated that the yield of char production decreased with the addition of RDF, which promoted the bio-oil yield. Despite, RDF pyrolysis meets problems, it was proved that co-pyrolysis of biomass and RDF is a good solution for their utilization.

Combustion Efficiency of Various Forms of Solid Biofuels in Terms of Changes in the Method of Fuel Feeding into the Combustion Chamber

This study analyzes the combustion of pellets and briquettes made of plant biomass in low-power heating devices powered periodically with fuel being placed on the grate, as well as after modification using an automatic fuel feeding system in the gutter burner. The use of herbaceous biomass in the form of pellets in low-power heating devices with automatic fuel feeding and combustion in a gutter burner is not widely promoted and popular. Therefore, this study used four types of herbaceous waste biomass (wheat straw, rye straw, oat straw and hay) and one type of woody waste biomass (birch sawdust) for testing. The basic chemical characteristics were determined for the raw materials. After appropriate preparation, the selected starting materials were subjected to briquetting and pelleting processes. Selected physical properties were also determined for the obtained biofuels. Biofuels made from birch sawdust had the lowest heat value (16.34 MJ·kg−1), although biofuels made from wheat, rye and hay straw had a slightly lower calorific value, respectively: 16.29; 16.28 and 16.26 MJ·kg−1. However, the calorific value of oat straw biofuels was only 15.47 MJ kg−1. Moreover, the ash content for herbaceous biomass was 2–4 times higher than for woody biomass. Similar differences between herbaceous and woody biomass were also observed for the nitrogen and sulfur content. To burn the prepared biofuels, a domestic grate-fired biomass boiler was used, periodically fed with portions of fuel in the form of pellets or briquettes (type A tests), which was then modified with a gutter burner enabling the automatic feeding of fuel in the form of pellets (type B tests). During the combustion tests with simultaneous timing, the concentration of CO2, CO, NO and SO2 in the exhaust gases was examined and the temperature of the supplied air and exhaust gases was measured. The stack loss (qA), combustion efficiency index (CEI) and toxicity index (TI) were also calculated. The research shows that the use of automatic fuel feeding stabilizes the combustion process. The combustion process is balanced between herbaceous and woody biomass biofuels. Disparities in CO2, CO and Tgas emissions are decreasing. However, during type B tests, an increase in NO emissions is observed. At the same time, the research conducted indicates that the combustion of herbaceous biomass pellets with their automatic feeding into the combustion chamber is characterized by an increase in combustion efficiency, indicating that when the combustion process is automated, they are a good replacement for wood biofuels—both pellets and briquettes.

Characteristics and Changes in the Properties of Cereal and Rapeseed Straw Used as Energy Feedstock

Solid biofuels, including straw as production residue, are still the largest energy feedstock in the structure of primary energy production from renewable energy sources. However, the properties of straw as a solid biofuel can vary depending on the species from which it was produced and the harvest period and year. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of six types of straw (rye, oat, triticale, wheat, corn, and rapeseed straw) obtained over three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022). Rye straw had the lowest moisture (mean: 10.55%), ash (mean: 2.71% DM), nitrogen (mean: 0.54% DM) and chlorine (mean: 0.046% DM) contents and the highest carbon content (mean: 47.93% DM), a higher heating value—HHV (mean: 19.03 GJ Mg−1 DM) and a lower heating value—LHV (mean: 15.71 GJ Mg−1). Triticale straw had similar properties, classifying it into the same cluster as rye straw. Corn straw had a remarkably high moisture content (mean: 48.91%), low LHV and high chlorine content. Rapeseed straw contained high levels of Cl, S, N and ash, and they were 643%, 481%, 104% and 169% higher, respectively, than those in rye straw. The sulfur, chlorine and moisture contents of the six straw types under study were highly variable during the three years of the study. Knowledge of the properties of different types of straw as energy feedstocks facilitates the logistics and organization of the supply of bioenergy installations. However, further research is needed, especially studies assessing the energy intensity and logistical costs of different types of straw used for energy purposes.

Pyrolysis kinetics and potential utilization analysis of cereal biomass by-products; an experimental analysis for cleaner energy productions in India

The optimal utilization of biomass relies heavily on the specific material and individual needs. Cereal biomass by-products can potentially be employed in thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and gasification. To compare biomass sources, ultimate analysis, biochar potential, proximate analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, price per megajoule generated heat, surface texture, and availability are used. A global survey of biomass wastes and opportunities for heat generation is presented in the current article. Here, nine different cereal-based agricultural waste products (barley, wheat, millet, oats, rice, rye straw, sorghum straw/stalk, and maize cob) are studied. Cereal wastes are compared based on calorific value, water content, volatile matter, ash content and ash chemical composition, bulk density, charring properties, availability, and transportation. According to the estimate, 156 million metric tonnes per year, or 6% of India's total emissions, could be eliminated by rice husk alone. Wheat straws, on the other hand, can cut emissions by 2%. Additionally, processing these nine feedstocks might result in the production of 40 GW of electrical energy, which would increase the installed capacity of India's national electric grid by 9%.

Effect of sideral fertilizer on the content of humus in the soil

In a long-term experiment, which was laid down in 1971, in 2 bookmarks with an interval of one year, the effect of sideral fertilizer on the humus content in the soil during 6 rotations of an 8-field crop rotation was studied. The soil is sod-medium-podzolic medium loam on a cover red-brown heavy loam with agrochemical indicators of the arable layer before the experiment was laid: рНKCl 5.0, Ah – 2.7, S – 14.8 mmol/100 g, V – 85.2%, the content of P2O5–52, K2O – 98 mg/kg of soil. In the 6th rotation, instead of manure, a sideral fertilizer – a pea–oat mixture (18 t/ha) was used as an organic fertilizer. In the experiment, the levels of application of mineral fertilizers on different backgrounds were studied using lime (1 + 2 h. a. in the 1st and 2nd rotations of crop rotation), manure (40 t/ha in the 1st and 60 t/ha in the 2nd and 5th rotations), siderate (in the 6th rotations) and without them. Options with fertilizers: 1 – without fertilizers, 5 – N10P10K10, 6 – N20P20K20, 7 – N30P30K30, 8 – N40P40K40, 9 – N50P50K50, 10 – N60P60K60. For 4 rotations of crop rotation (32 years) without applying background fertilizers, the humus content decreased from 2.5 to 1.96–1.92% (by 0.54 and 0.58 abs.%), against the background of manure – up to 2.38%, lime + manure – up to 2.30%. In the 5th rotation on the backgrounds with the introduction of manure, its content on average in 7 variants increased to 2.62 and 2.70%, which was higher than the initial (2.50%) by 0.12 and 0.20 abs.%. In the 6th rotation, the use of pea-oat mixture as a siderate led to a decrease inthe level of humus content by 0.28–0.30 abs.% is reduced by periodic use of manure (once in each rotation) and winter rye straw (2 times in 3–6 rotations).

Particleboard from biomass wastes: A review of production techniques, properties, and future trends

The availability of various biomass wastes and the stringent rules against deforestation have led to the increased utilization of waste biomass in particleboard development. These biomass wastes become environmental pollutants when not properly managed. Hence, their utilization in developing particleboards helps attain a sustainable environment, one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study reviews some of the production techniques of particleboards from biomass wastes such as rice husk, sawdust, corn cob, sugarcane bagasse, oat hulls, coconut fibers, Areca nuts, rye straw, tomato stalk, hazelnuts, and castor husk. The properties (physical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal) and microstructures of the developed particleboards using a scanning electron microscope were critically reviewed. The density values were used to classify the particleboards into low-density, medium-density, and high-density particleboards. The particleboard's durability, storability, and dimensional stability are determined using the water absorption and thickness swelling values. The modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture help to determine the quality and applicability of the particleboards following the appropriate standards. Lower thermal conductivity indicates better insulation properties. The challenges and prospects of particleboard production and utilization were stated. The utilization of waste biomass for particleboard production is sustainable to prevent environmental pollution and deforestation.

How do different feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions effectively change biochar modification scenarios? A critical analysis of engineered biochars under H2O2 oxidation

Biochar oxidation is known as a modification method to enhance the beneficial sorption characteristics of biochar. To explore this, a comparative physio-chemical analysis of non-oxidized and oxidized biochar with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was conducted using different feedstocks. Biochars were pyrolyzed at temperatures of 350, 450, and 550 °C and were derived from wheat straw, rye straw, wood residues, cherry stone, sewage sludge, and cattle manure, marked as BWS, BRS, BWR, BCS, BSS, and BCM. The pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C in BWS and BRS led to the formation of newly arranged vessels and regular pores scattered in their walls. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of wood-based biochars showed a notable increase in surface oxygen-contained functional groups for O-BWR350, O-BWR450, O-BWR550, O-BCS350, O-BCS450, and O-BCS550 with increased values by 6.5 %, 27.9 %, 42.3 %, 3.9 %, 31.2 %, and 52.4 % compared to their correspondent non-oxidized biochars. The sharp peaks of crystallization in non-oxidized biochars diminished after oxidation as detected by X-ray diffractometer analysis. Also, Cd removal efficiency in O-BCS550 (65 %) and O-BWR550 (69 %) appeared with outstanding results among all biochar types. Based on thermo-gravimetric analysis, the lowest and highest mass losses on average were related to BRS (22.5 %), and O-BCM (39.7 %). Also, the high heating value (HHV) analysis showed that BWR550 and BCS550 biochars had the highest HHV with 33.6 and 32.5 MJ kg−1, and O-BSS350 had the lowest value with 10.1 MJ kg−1. By taking feedstock degradability and pyrolysis temperature into account, this work presents a novel approach to maximize the benefits of H2O2-modified biochar. This will enable us to create a variety of engineered biochars in a clean and economical way as opposed to costly activation oxidants.

Simultaneous production of biogas and volatile fatty acids through anaerobic digestion using cereal straw as substrate

Cereal straw is one of the most abundant wastes worldwide, with 30.000 million tons produced per year. Bioconversion of this residual material into carboxylates by anaerobic digestion could potentially replace conventional production based on fossil feedstocks (oil). In this work, fundamental issues of this bioconversion have been explored, including: different kinds of straw (wheat, barley and rye), biomass size reduction, mass balances and modeling of the different steps of the digestion. Under optimum conditions, 44% of the raw material was effectively converted into VFAs (mainly acetate) when barley was used as substrate. Wheat and rye straw presented lower conversion rates due to the higher lignin content compared to barley straw. According to the modeling proposed, methanogenesis and hydrolysis presented very similar reaction rates, which resulted in a simultaneous production of VFAs and biogas. In view of these results, a process integration is proposed where biogas covers the thermal needs of the biotransformation of barley biomass into VFAs.

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanoparticles from Agricultural Wastes and Their Application in Polymer Composites

, Page no - | ABSTRACT | PDF | FULL TEXT | e-PUB Background: The development of innovative eco-sustainable bio-nano-composites materials based on cellulose nanomaterials obtained from agricultural waste such as rapeseed plant straw and polymeric materials with improved properties. At first, cellulose was extracted from rapeseed plant straw and cellulosic and no cellulosic materials were estimated. It was found that the rapeseed plant straw contained about 43.48 wt.% cellulosic materials and 56.52 wt.% no cellulosic materials. It was also found that the rapeseed plant straw content about 34.84 wt.% α- cellulose. Then, nano-cellulose was prepared by acid hydrolysis of α -cellulose obtained from rapeseed plant straw. Poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) was prepared by soap free emulsion polymerization of vinyl monomer. Natural rubber (NR) collected as latex was oxidized by KMnO4. Blends of NR and oxidized NR with PVAc of different compositions such as NR60/PVAc40, NR40/PVAc60, ONR60/PVAc40, ONR40/PVAc60 were prepared by mixing NR latex and PVAc emulsion and followed by drying in an oven at 60°C. Composites of NR60/PVAc40 and ONR60/PVAc40 reinforced nano-cellulose (NC) were also prepared in similar way. The blends and composites were then characterized by FTIR, SEM, and Tensile test (TS). FTIR analysis confirmed the oxidation of NR and shown the variation of the functional groups in the blends and composites compared with the FTIR spectrum of NR, ONR and PVAc. SEM study exhibited that the nano-cellulose were dispersed within NR/PVAc and ONR/PVAc blends matrices with a little agglomeration. The tensile test results showed that the strength in composites was increased due to the reinforcing effect of nano-cellulose (NC). Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the Preparation and characterization of binary blends of NR and oxidized NR with PVAc. Methods: This is an observational study. The study used to be carried out in the admitted patient’s Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh. The duration of the period from Data was entered in MS Excel and Statistical analysis was done using SPSS trial version. Results: This study shows that the according to Constituent, Cellulose was 43.4822%, Alpha-Cellulose were 34.8427% and Cellulose were 8.6395%. And according to Source, Rice Straw were 32.15% %, Sugarcane were 41-43%, Rye Straw were 31.8-42.64%, Corn Stalks were 29.80% and Wheat Straw were 34-40%. Conclusion: Novel eco-friendly bio-nano-composites substances primarily based on renewable and sustainable assets namely natural rubber (NR) and nano-cellulose received from rapeseed plant straw as properly as poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) have been developed. In order to enhance the interfacial interactions amongst the composite factors such as NR, PVAc and NC, oxidation of the NR latex was once carried out by way of KMnO4 before blending mixing with PVAc emulsion and NC suspension.

Biomass and Coal Ash Sintering—Thermodynamic Equilibrium Modeling versus Pressure Drop Test and Mechanical Test

The problem of biomass combustion and co-combustion is a particularly important aspect of many district heating systems, where the use of biomass makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions. The present article is a continuation of previous studies of the behavior of the mineral matter of selected fuels during the sintering processes. Three biomasses were studied: wheat straw, barley straw and rye straw, as well as two coals from Polish mines: bituminous coal and lignite. The study included ultimate and proximate analyses and oxide analysis. On the basis of the oxide analysis and using FactSage 8.0. software, the sintering process of ash from selected fuels was simulated. In particular, the content of the slag phase as well as the values of the specific heat cp and density were determined without considering the gas phase. The obtained results were compared with the results of measurements of fracture stress (mechanical method) and pressure drop (pressure drop test) determined during the sintering process of the ash samples. The study showed that there is a fairly pronounced correlation between the sintering temperatures determined by the mechanical and pressure drop test and the physical properties of the ashes, such as density and heat capacity, and chemical properties, i.e., the content of the slag phase. The completed research work indicates and confirms that nonstandard methods of studying ash sintering temperatures (mechanical and pressure drop test) are very promising because they directly reflect the behavior of coals and biofuels in combustion systems.

Lipid production from lignocellulosic biomass using an engineered Yarrowia lipolytica strain

BackgroundThe utilization of industrial wastes as feedstock in microbial-based processes is a one of the high-potential approach for the development of sustainable, environmentally beneficial and valuable bioproduction, inter alia, lipids. Rye straw hydrolysate, a possible renewable carbon source for bioconversion, contains a large amount of xylose, inaccessible to the wild-type Yarrowia lipolytica strains. Although these oleaginous yeasts possesses all crucial genes for xylose utilization, it is necessary to induce their metabolic pathway for efficient growth on xylose and mixed sugars from agricultural wastes. Either way, biotechnological production of single cell oils (SCO) from lignocellulosic hydrolysate requires yeast genome modification or adaptation to a suboptimal environment.ResultsThe presented Y. lipolytica strain was developed using minimal genome modification—overexpression of endogenous xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) and xylulose kinase (XK) genes was sufficient to allow yeast to grow on xylose as a sole carbon source. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGA1) expression remained stable and provided lipid overproduction. Obtained an engineered Y.lipolytica strain produced 5.51 g/L biomass and 2.19 g/L lipids from nitrogen-supplemented rye straw hydrolysate, which represents an increase of 64% and an almost 10 times higher level, respectively, compared to the wild type (WT) strain. Glucose and xylose were depleted after 120 h of fermentation. No increase in byproducts such as xylitol was observed.ConclusionsXylose-rich rye straw hydrolysate was exploited efficiently for the benefit of production of lipids. This study indicates that it is possible to fine-tune a newly strain with as minimally genetic changes as possible by adjusting to an unfavorable environment, thus limiting multi-level genome modification. It is documented here the use of Y. lipolytica as a microbial cell factory for lipid synthesis from rye straw hydrolysate as a low-cost feedstock.

Efficient Adsorption of Chromium Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Plant-Derived Silica.

Nowadays, there is great interest in the use of plant waste to obtain materials for environmental protection. In this study, silica powders were prepared with a simple and low-cost procedure from biomass materials such as horsetail and common reed, as well as wheat and rye straws. The starting biomass materials were leached in a boiling HCl solution. After washing and drying, the samples were incinerated at 700 °C for 1 h in air. The organic components of the samples were burned leaving final white powders. These powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and low-temperature nitrogen sorption. The amorphous powders (biosilica) contained mainly SiO2, as indicated by FTIR analysis. Horsetail-derived silica was chosen for testing the removal of dichromate ions from water solutions. This biosilica had a good ability to adsorb Cr(VI) ions, which increased after modification of the powder with the dodecylamine surfactant. It can be concluded that the applied procedure allowed obtaining high purity biosilica from plant waste with good efficiency. The produced biosilica was helpful in removing chromium ions and showed low cytotoxicity to human endothelial cells, suggesting that it can be safely used in environmental remediation.

Influence of Geometrical Features of Solid Biofuels on the Implementation of the Combustion Process

ABSTRACT The article discusses the influence, in a broad spectrum, of geometric features of various solid biofuels (pellets and briquettes in several sizes) of plant origin (wheat straw, rye straw, oat straw, birch, and pine sawdust) on the combustion process, in particular on the ignition time, flame duration and fuel afterburning in a low-power boiler. The research used a test stand, an essential element of which was the standard grate boiler with a cuboidal combustion chamber surrounded by a water jacket. This type of device allowed for the combustion of fuels with various geometrical features – pellets and briquettes – in the same combustion chamber. The particles of the combusted fuel had a surface area (S) from 281 to 13188 mm2, a volume (V) from 345 to 115 787 mm3 and a density (ρ) from 602 to 1127 kg·m−3, which resulted in a total combustion total time from 600 to 1500 s. The duration of individual combustion stages of the tested biofuels was proportional to the product of the square of the volume/area quotient and the fuel density. It was found that the coefficients C0 (start combustion time coefficient), C1 (flame combustion time coefficient), C2 (afterburning combustion time coefficient) of their duration increase with the decrease in the value of the product of the square of the ratio of the volume to the area and the fuel density, which is characteristic for pellets. The distribution of the fuel ignition, flame combustion, and afterburning constants as a function of the product of the square of the volume/area quotient and the fuel density takes the power distribution with the fit values of 0.9017; 0.9779; 0.9322 respectively. The conducted correlation tests showed quite strong dependencies between the geometrical features of the fuel and the time of its combustion. At the same time, the correlations between the ash content in fuels and the duration of individual combustion stages did not show solid, regular relationships. The analysis of the course of their combustion concerning the duration of the various stages of combustion regarding variable geometrical features given to formed biofuels allows predicting the course of their combustion. It is essential at the level of exploitation of heating devices. From the perspective of this research fuels with a higher value of the square of the quotient of the volume to the area and the fuel density would be optimal.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ТЕПЛОІЗОЛЯЦІЙНИХ ВЛАСТИВОСТЕЙ МАТЕРІАЛІВ НА ОСНОВІ РОСЛИННОЇ СИРОВИНИ

Finding and creating effective thermal insulation materials based on cheap raw materials continues to be a challenge. At the same time the criterion of economy of fuel and energy resources at production of heat-insulating materials has great value. Depending on the composition of the substances from which thermal insulation materials are made, they can, under certain conditions, affect the insulated surfaces, the environment and the human or animal body. To obtain thermal insulation materials based on vegetable raw materials, comprehensive studies on the selection of compositions, including the preparation of aggregate of a certain fraction, and studied the basic physical and mechanical characteristics of the samples. In the main experimental studies, a composite aggregate was used, which is a mixture of sphagnum moss with reed or rye straw. Liquid glass was used as a binder. The use of moss as a filler is due to its antiseptic properties and experience in the use of thermal insulation. Liquid sodium glass provides thermal insulation, non-flammability, binds the filler, is an antiseptic and prevents the formation of fungi. The larger volume of straw relative to the reed, preserving the geometry of the crushed stems in the form of hollow tubular cylinders, allowed to create a uniformly distributed coherent frame of straw in the moss structure, which absorbs compressive forces under load and prevents shrinkage deformation. These factors led to the absence of shrinkage deformations of thermal insulation boards during drying. Thus, as a result of the research, a plate heat-insulating material with high physical and mechanical properties was obtained, which has biocidal properties on the basis of natural plant material and crop waste.

УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ И ФИТОСАНИТАРНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПОСЛЕДНИХ КУЛЬТУР СЕВООБОРОТА ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ И ЯЧМЕНЯ

The article shows the analysis of the effect of long-term application (since 2006) of nonmoldboard and combined systems of main tillage in a crop rotation in comparison with annual moldboard tillage on productivity of spring wheat, yield and phytosanitary state of barley. The author studied tillage options in a cereal-grass rotation (71% cereals) with different types of fallow (clean, manured, clover and mustard) and with winter rye straw left in the field. Annual mouldboard tillage resulted in the highest yields of spring wheat and barley in the experiment – 2.90 and 2.31 t/ha. Annual nonmoldboard tillage resulted in a significant reduction in wheat yield to 2.61 t/ha and barley yield to 1.28 t/ha. The combined tillage system, alternating two mouldboard and four nonmoldboard treatments per rotation, ensured the wheat yield at the level of the mouldboard system – 2.82 t/ha, and a decrease in barley yields to 1.85 t/ha. In 2020, the limiting factor for barley yield formation in the variants with surface distribution of crop residues and straw was increased weed infestation and deterioration of the phytosanitary state of the crop. Straw had a depressive effect on the yield of the last crops in a crop rotation with pure fallow. Crop yields decreased by 0.43 and 0.26 t/ha. Wheat yield was 2.34 t/ha, barley yield was 1.41 t/ha. Green manure mustard and clover fallows leveled the depressive effect of straw. The yields of the 6th and 7th crops of the crop rotation were at the control level (2.69–2.78 t/ha of wheat and 1.70–1.81 t/ha of barley). Regardless of the tillage system and the use of by-products as organic fertilizer, the application of manure ensured the highest yields of the final crops of the rotation: 3.10 and 2.99 t/ha for spring wheat and 2.00 and 2.14 t/ha for barley.

Compost Based on Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge, Fruit-Vegetable Waste, Mushroom Spent Substrate and Rye Straw Improves Yield and Nutritional Value of Tomato

Plant biomass in the form of waste materials and by-products from various industries can be a valuable material for the production of composts and growing media for urban gardening. In this study, pulp and paper mill sludge, fruit-vegetable waste, mushroom spent substrate and rye straw were used to produce compost that was further used as a medium component in container cultivation of tomato. The plants were grown in containers with a capacity of 3 dm3 filled with three types of compost-based growing media supplemented with high peat, fen peat, pine bark and wood fiber. The tomato plants grown in 100% peat substrate served as controls. The plants grown in the compost-enriched media had a higher leaf greening index and percentage of ripe fruit, and exhibited an increased content of total polyphenols and flavonoids, potassium, calcium, magnesium and copper in fruit as compared with the control. The tomatoes grown in a medium consisting of 25% compost, 30% high peat, 15% low peat, 20% pine bark and 10% wood fiber reached the highest fresh fruit weight, total polyphenol content and L-ascorbic acid levels. This study demonstrated that the compost produced from natural materials from various sources was a valuable potting medium supplement with positive effects on tomato yield and nutritional value.

The Effect of Detoxification of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Enhanced Methane Production

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of lignocellulosic biomass detoxification on the efficiency of the methane fermentation process. Both for corn straw and rye straw, the methane yield was expressed per volume of fermentation medium and per mass of volatile solids (VS) added. Lignocellulosic biomass was subjected of thermo-chemical and enzymatic sequential pretreatments. It was found that methane yield was higher by 22% when using the detoxification process. In these variants, CH4 yield was 18.86 L/L for corn straw and 17.69 L/L for rye straw; while methane yield expressed per mass of VS added was 0.31 m3/kg VS for corn straw and 0.29 m3/kg VS for rye straw. The inclusion of a detoxification step in pretreatments of biomass lignocellulosic increases the degree of organic substance decomposition and enhances methane yield. The results show that a two-step pretreatment, alkaline/enzymatic with a detoxification process, is necessary for the effective generation of high methane concentration biogas.

Aluminosilicates at different levels in rye litter and feed affect the growth and meat quality of broiler chickens

Litter sanitation treatments and feed supplements that stimulate bird growth. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of zeolite (z) and halloysite (h) in feed and rye straw litter on growth performance, meat quality in chickens. 500 males Ross 308 were allocated to 5 groups (10 replicates). Feed for groups 2–5 was supplemented with halloysite and zeolite (25:75). The content of aluminosilicates in the feed was different depending on the feeding phase: 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2%. The following doses were used in litter: 2, 0.800 kg/m2 h; 3, 0.400 kg/m2 h and 0.400 kg/m2 z; 4, 0.800 kg/m2 z; 5, 0.200 kg/m2 h, and 0.600 kg/m2 z. Growth, and meat quality were analysed. Body weight and body weight gain were higher in groups 2–5 than in group 1, while feed intake was lower in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Body weight, the weight of carcass, and most of its elements were higher in the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 1 were characterised by better water-holding capacity and higher protein content, while those from 4 had higher content of collagen and water (p < 0.05). Breast muscles from group 3 were characterized by lower yellowness than in 2 (p < 0.05). Leg muscles from group 1 were characterized by lower redness than in 4 (p < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was better in group 3 and protein content was higher in 2 (p < 0.05). The content of fat in leg muscle was lower in all experimental groups compared to control (p < 0.05). This indicates the suitability of aluminosilicates in poultry management practice, with better growth and meat quality.