Analysis of Macronutrients in Soil Using Impedimetric Multisensor Arrays.

The need to increase food production to address the world population growth can only be fulfilled with precision agriculture strategies to increase crop yield with minimal expansion of the cultivated area. One example is site-specific fertilization based on accurate monitoring of soil nutrient levels, which can be made more cost-effective using sensors. This study developed an impedimetric multisensor array using ion-selective membranes to analyze soil samples enriched with macronutrients (N, P, and K), which is compared with another array based on layer-by-layer films.

Carbon savings from sugarcane straw-derived bioenergy: Insights from a life cycle perspective including soil carbon changes.

Sugarcane straw removal for bioenergy production will increase substantially in the next years, but this may deplete soil organic carbon (SOC) and exacerbate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These aspects are not consistently approached in bioenergy life cycle assessment (LCA). Using SOC modeling and LCA approach, this study addressed the life cycle GHG balance from sugarcane agroindustry in different scenarios of straw removal, considering the potential SOC changes associated with straw management in sugarcane-cultivated soils in Brazil.

Multi-experiment assessment of soil nitrous oxide emissions in sugarcane.

Unlabelled: Soil nitrous oxide (NO) fluxes comprise a significant part of the greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural products but are spatially and temporally variable, due to complex interactions between climate, soil and management variables. This study aimed to identify the main factors that affect NO emissions under sugarcane, using a multi-site database from field experiments. Greenhouse gas fluxes, soil, climate, and management data were obtained from 13 field trials spanning the 2011-2017 period.

Study of the Pozzolanic Reactivity of Sugar Cane Straw Ashes (SCSA) Burned under Controlled Conditions.

The aims of this work were to evaluate the reactivity of sugarcane straw ashes (SCSA) burned under controlled conditions and to analyze their reactivity in blended cement and hydrated lime pastes by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and calorimetry. Four different ashes were produced, and burned at 600 °C, 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C (SCSA600, SCSA700, SCSA800 and SCSA900, respectively). These ashes were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, particle size distribution by laser diffraction and specific area surfaces to assess their potential interest in the partial replacement of inorganic binders (Portland cement (OPC) and hydrated lime).

Effect of Reducing the Size and Number of Faces of Polyhedral Specimen on Wood Characterization by Ultrasound.

The complete characterization of wood, with the determination of the 12 elastic constants that represent its orthotropy, is greatly relevant in applications employing structural calculation software programs. Ultrasound allows for such characterization with relative simplicity when compared to other methods. The polyhedron is considered the most appropriate specimen format for allowing the 12 constants to be calculated with a single specimen, and the traditionally used one is the 26-sided polyhedron, which, to be produced manually with more precision in directing the main directions of the wood, needs larger faces.

Strategies to control pH in the dark fermentation of sugarcane vinasse: Impacts on sulfate reduction, biohydrogen production and metabolite distribution.

pH is notably known as the main variable defining distinct metabolic pathways during sugarcane vinasse dark fermentation. However, different alkalinizing (e.g.

Operational and biochemical aspects of co-digestion (co-AD) from sugarcane vinasse, filter cake, and deacetylation liquor.

This work performed co-AD from the vinasse and filter cake (from 1G ethanol production) and deacetylation liquor (from the pretreatment of sugarcane straw for 2G ethanol production) in a semi-Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (s-CSTR) aiming to provide optimum operational parameters for continuous CH production. Using filter cake as co-substrate may allow the reactor to operate throughout the year, as it is available in the sugarcane off-season, unlike vinasse. A comparison was made from the microbial community of the seed sludge and the reactor sludge when CH production stabilized.

Anaerobic co-digestion of residues in 1G2G sugarcane biorefineries for enhanced electricity and biomethane production.

The energy potential of residue-derived biogas via electricity and biomethane production was assessed in an integrated 1G2G sugarcane biorefinery concept. The mono-digestion of 1G-vinasse (1G-VN) was compared with different co-digestion systems, namely, 1G-VN + filter cake (FC) + deacetylation liquor (DL) in the season and FC + DL in the off-season. Gross energy output values and the resulting sugarcane use efficiency were also assessed in different biorefinery schemes.

Assessment of agricultural biomass residues to replace fossil fuel and hydroelectric power energy: A spatial approach.

Despite the recent discoveries of considerable fossil fuel reserves, Brazil is one of the only great economic and industrial powers with very high amounts of renewable energy in its electricity matrix. Approximately 79.3% of the electric energy supply comes from renewable resources, of which hydroelectric power represents 70.

Assessment of yield gaps on global grazed-only permanent pasture using climate binning.

To meet rising demands for agricultural products, existing agricultural lands must either produce more or expand in area. Yield gaps (YGs)-the difference between current and potential yield of agricultural systems-indicate the ability to increase output while holding land area constant. Here, we assess YGs in global grazed-only permanent pasture lands using a climate binning approach.

Prediction of soil stresses and compaction due to agricultural machines in sugarcane cultivation systems with and without crop rotation.

One strategy to eliminate or minimize occurrence of soil compaction in sugarcane production is through modelling, which can identify the risk associated with different operations and machine equipment. Soil damage resulting from the passage of machines can be than reduced through preventive measures which focus on the soil-machine relationship. In the present study, the magnitudes and distribution of the stresses produced in the soil through the loads carried by the axles of the machines used in sugarcane cultivation systems were analysed and modelled.

Enriched microbial consortia for dark fermentation of sugarcane vinasse towards value-added short-chain organic acids and alcohol production.

The role of sugarcane vinasse as a nutrient source and the impacts of different inoculum pretreatment methods (acid-thermal and thermal treatment) were assessed in acidogenic systems aiming to produce value-added short-chain organic acids (SCOA) and alcohols. In-depth microbiome characterization was also conducted by high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene using the Miseq Illumina platform. SCOA production was 47.

Strategies to mitigate the nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen fertilizer applied with organic fertilizers in sugarcane.

Vinasse is a major byproduct of the sugarcane biofuel industry, recycled in the fields. However, there is evidence that the application of vinasse with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers in sugarcane enhances the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Therefore, strategies are needed to decrease the environmental impacts caused by both inputs.

Bioavailability and dosing strategies of mineral in anaerobic mono-digestion of maize straw.

The influence of the bonding form distribution of Fe, Ni, Co and Mn and their potential bioavailability during the anaerobic degradation of maize straw was investigated. Two reactors were operated over 117 days at 37°C and different dosage strategies of mineral were studied in reactor (R2). Control reactor (R1) was metal-limited over time.

Effect of Natural Mineral on Methane Production and Process Stability During Semi-Continuous Mono-Digestion of Maize Straw.

The effect of natural mineral on the mono-digestion of maize straw was evaluated in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) at 38 °C. Different strategies of mineral addition were studied. The organic loading rate (OLR) was varied from 0.