Lignin-based cryogels for advancing sustainable crop production via enhanced nutrient accessibility and growth efficiency.

Sustainable lignin-based materials are becoming increasingly valuable in agriculture, where climate change and nutrient deficiencies threaten crop productivity. We developed lignin-derived cryogels using waste biomass to improve soil nutrients, seed germination, water retention, and photosynthetic pigment levels. These cryogels were synthesized with gum Arabic (GA), keratin (K), and N-vinylpyrrolidone at lignin concentrations of 0.

Understanding the interests of academics from diverse disciplines to identify the prospective focus for a UK-based transdisciplinary network involving farm-to-fork stakeholders on antimicrobial resistance in agrifood systems: An online survey.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evolution and onward transmission of resistance genes is impacted by interrelated biological and social drivers, with evidence and impacts observed across human, animal and environmental One Health domains. Systems-based research examining how food production impacts on AMR in complex agrifood systems is lacking, with little written on management approaches in the UK that might prevent and respond to this challenge. One approach is the creation of a transdisciplinary network to enhance capacity, capability and collaboration between agrifood-focused disciplines and stakeholders.

Storage duration and temperature affect pathogen load, heavy metals, and nutrient levels in faecal derived fertiliser.

There are debates regarding the safety of faecal derived fertiliser (FDF) due to notions that harmful substances may persist at undetectable levels. A major concern is the recolonisation of indigenous pathogens and nutrient changes while undergoing storage. Abiotic factors such as duration and temperature on indigenous pathogen re-growth and nutrient during FDF storage have received little research attention.

Energy and economic assessment of mixed palm residue utilisation for production of activated carbon and ash as fertiliser in agriculture.

The resultant residues after thermal processes can be reused in the form of activated carbon (AC) production or used for soil amelioration. However, the economic and energy optimisation of the waste revaluation process is necessary for the prediction of technology requirements, investment boundaries and cost-benefit analysis. Mass, energy and cost estimation of the entire process were systematically executed relative to equipment sizing and type of product, as major factors in the evaluation.

Preparation and Characterisation of Activated Carbon from Palm Mixed Waste Treated with Trona Ore.

This study explores the use of a novel activating agent and demonstrates the production and characterisation of activated carbon (AC) from a combine palm waste (CPW) in 3:2:1 proportion by weight of empty fruit bunch, mesocarp fibre and palm kernel shell. The resulting biomass was processed by a microwave-assisted method using trona and compared with material produced by conventional routes. These results demonstrate the potential of trona ore as an activating agent and the effectiveness of using a combined palm waste for a single stream activation process.

Lead and copper-induced hormetic effect and toxicity mechanisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in a contaminated soil.

Lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) contamination seriously threatens agricultural production and food safety. This study aims to investigate Pb and Cu induced hormetic effect and toxicity mechanisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and establish reliable empirical models of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) transfer in the soil-plant system.

The potential for using smartphones as portable soil nutrient analyzers on suburban farms in central East China.

Soil testing is frequently conducted to specify nutrient supply recommendations. By adjusting fertilizer type and application rates, farmers can achieve desired crop yields with lower production costs and are thereby less likely to contribute to eutrophication of nearby waterbodies. However, traditional methods of soil testing can be costly, time-consuming and are often impractical in rural and resource-poor regions in China, where rapid population growth and consequent food demand must be balanced against potential environment risks.

Ten-year legacy of organic carbon in non-agricultural (brownfield) soils restored using green waste compost exceeds 4 per mille per annum: Benefits and trade-offs of a circular economy approach.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) was re-analysed 10 years after application of source-segregated green waste compost at a 1 ha previously-developed UK site to compare with the increases suggested by the 4 per mille initiative proposed at COP21 in Paris. Compost prepared to PAS100 standard had been incorporated once at rates of 250, 500 and 750 t·ha in 2007 in clay subsoil prior to planting of perennial energy crops. Our results show statistically significant differential increases in SOC, total nutrients N and P, or contaminants Zn, Pb, Cu, As and B, remain from the compost application after a decade.

The value of manure - Manure as co-product in life cycle assessment.

Livestock production is important for food security, nutrition, and landscape maintenance, but it is associated with several environmental impacts. To assess the risk and benefits arising from livestock production, transparent and robust indicators are required, such as those offered by life cycle assessment. A central question in such approaches is how environmental burden is allocated to livestock products and to manure that is re-used for agricultural production.

Assessment of silt from sand and gravel processing as a suitable sub-soil material in land restoration: A glasshouse study.

Annually, sand and gravel processing generates approximately 20 million tonnes of non-commercial by-product as fine silt particles (<63 μm) which constitutes approximately 20% of quarry production in the UK. This study is significant as it investigated the use of quarry silt as a sub-soil medium to partially substitute soil-forming materials whilst facilitating successful post-restoration crop establishment. In a glasshouse pot experiment, top-soil and sub-soil layering was simulated, generating an artificial sub-soil medium by mixing two quarry non-commercial by-products, i.

Evaluating Changes in Soil Organic Matter with Climate Using CENTURY in England and Wales.

Soil organic C (SOC) dynamics are complex, and models have been developed for predicting future changes, validated using only individual site data. In this study, we used the CENTURY model to predict changes in SOC between 1978 and 2000 using input weather data for 1978 to 2000 from the UK Meteorological Office and soil property input data derived from the National Soil Inventory (NSI). The predicted changes in SOC from the model simulation were validated using the resampled NSI data for the period 1994 to 2000.

Evaluating oil palm fresh fruit bunch processing in Nigeria.

Three routes of oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) processing in Nigeria namely, industrial, small-scale and traditional were compared by means of determining fruit losses associated with each route. The fruits that are not recovered after each process were hand-picked and quantified in terms of crude palm oil (CPO), palm kernel (PK), mesocarp fibre (MF) and palm kernel shell (PKS). The energy value of empty fruit bunch (EFB), MF and PKS were used to determine the value of energy lost for each route.

Long-term Impact of Sewage Sludge Application on biovar : An Evaluation Using Meta-Analysis.

The Long-Term Sludge Experiment (LTSE) began in 1994 at nine UK field sites as part of continuing research into the effects of sludge-borne heavy metals on soil fertility. The long-term effects of Zn, Cu, and Cd on the most probable numbers of cells (MPN) of biovar were monitored for 8 yr in sludge-amended soils. To assess the statutory limits set by the UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations, the experimental data were reviewed using statistical methods of meta-analysis.

Long-term impact of sewage sludge application on soil microbial biomass: An evaluation using meta-analysis.

The Long-Term Sludge Experiments (LTSE) began in 1994 as part of continuing research into the effects of sludge-borne heavy metals on soil fertility. The long-term effects of Zn, Cu, and Cd on soil microbial biomass carbon (C) were monitored for 8 years (1997-2005) in sludge amended soils at nine UK field sites. To assess the statutory limits set by the UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations the experimental data has been reviewed using the statistical methods of meta-analysis.

Toward the Standardization of Biochar Analysis: The COST Action TD1107 Interlaboratory Comparison.

Biochar produced by pyrolysis of organic residues is increasingly used for soil amendment and many other applications. However, analytical methods for its physical and chemical characterization are yet far from being specifically adapted, optimized, and standardized. Therefore, COST Action TD1107 conducted an interlaboratory comparison in which 22 laboratories from 12 countries analyzed three different types of biochar for 38 physical-chemical parameters (macro- and microelements, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pH, electrical conductivity, and specific surface area) with their preferential methods.

Influence and interactions of multi-factors on the bioavailability of PAHs in compost amended contaminated soils.

Compost amendment to contaminated soils is a potential approach for waste recycling and soil remediation. The relative importance and interactions of multiple factors on PAH bioavailability in soils were investigated using conjoint analysis and five-way analysis of variance. Results indicated that soil type and contact time were the two most significant factors influencing the PAH bioavailability in amended soils.

Managing declining yields from ageing tea plantations.

Strong growth in the demand for tea requires further increases in the productivity of plantations. Declining or stagnant yields are commonly observed in older plantations. Possible controlling factors for yield decline are reviewed including ageing of plants, chronic disease and sub-optimal soil conditions such as excess soil acidity and low soil organic matter.

Effects of triclosan on soil microbial respiration.

The antimicrobial substance triclosan has widespread use in personal care products and can enter the terrestrial environment if sewage sludge is applied to soil. The inhibitory effects of triclosan on basal and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) of three different soils were investigated. Soils were dosed and later redosed with four nominal triclosan concentrations, and respiration rates were measured over time.

Biodegradability of organic matter associated with sewer sediments during first flush.

The high pollution load in wastewater at the beginning of a rain event is commonly known to originate from the erosion of sewer sediments due to the increased flow rate under storm weather conditions. It is essential to characterize the biodegradability of organic matter during a storm event in order to quantify the effect it can have further downstream to the receiving water via discharges from Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). The approach is to characterize the pollutograph during first flush.