Assessment of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) for plant-available nutrient prediction in biochar-amended soils.

Portable X-ray Fluorescence probe (pXRF) is a tool used to measure many elements quickly and efficiently in soil with minimal sample preparation. Although this sensing technique has been widely used to determine total elemental concentrations, it has not been calibrated for plant-available nutrient predictions. We evaluated the potential of using pXRF for fast plant-available nutrient quantification.

Evaluating the agronomic efficiency of alternative phosphorus sources applied in Brazilian tropical soils.

Understanding the efficacy of alternative phosphorus (P) sources in tropical soils is crucial for sustainable farming, addressing resource constraints, mitigating environmental impact, improving crop productivity, and optimizing soil-specific solutions. While the topic holds great importance, current literature falls short in providing thorough, region-specific studies on the effectiveness of alternative P sources in Brazilian tropical soils for maize cultivation. Our aim was to assess the agronomic efficiency of alternative P sources concerning maize crop (Zea mays L.

The Impact on Environmental Health from Cemetery Waste in Middle Tennessee.

The burial of caskets with arsenic-treated wood and formaldehyde-based embalming fluids can harm the environment and health. Arsenic (As) can leach into water, affecting aquatic life and the food chain. Formaldehyde can contaminate groundwater, risking drinking water and causing health problems.

Development of a rapid field testing method for metals in horizontal directional drilling residuals with XRF sensor.

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer allows fast in-situ elemental determination without wet digestion for soils or geological materials, but the use of XRF on wet materials is not well documented. Our objective was to develop a rapid field method using pXRF to measure metals in the residues from horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations so that proper disposal decisions can be made in-situ. To establish the procedure, we spiked soil samples with 4 concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb up to 1000 mg kg, and then the metal concentrations were determined by wet chemical method after drying and acid digestion (standard method), and by pXRF, also at laboratory conditions, after drying and at two different moisture conditions.

The roles of co-composted biochar (COMBI) in improving soil quality, crop productivity, and toxic metal amelioration.

The use of co-composted biochar (COMBI) made by the addition of biochar at the beginning of the composting process has greatly increased in agriculture during the last decade. There are more benefits of using the co-composting end product COMBI than using compost and biochar separately or the mixture of the two products. We conducted an extensive review of the production of several COMBIs and their contribution to the composting process and biochar properties as well as the further use of COMBIs in agricultural lands to improve soil health and increase crop yields, and to remediate areas severely contaminated with potentially toxic metals (PTMs).

Heavy metal phytoavailability in a contaminated soil of northeastern Oklahoma as affected by biochar amendment.

High concentrations of heavy metals (HM) in soils have negative impacts on plants, human health, and the environmental quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of biochars on the bioaccessibility of Zn, Pb, and Cd in a contaminated soil in the Tar Creek area of NE Oklahoma, as well as on the growth and uptake of these elements by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Biochars were produced from switchgrass (SGB) and poultry litter (PLB) feedstocks at 700 °C and applied to the soil at 0.

Methods and extractants to evaluate silicon availability for sugarcane.

The correct evaluation of silicon (Si) availability in different soil types is critical in defining the amount of Si to be supplied to crops. This study was carried out to evaluate two methods and five chemical Si extractants in clayey, sandy-loam, and sandy soils cultivated with sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids).