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Agronomy
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Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective...
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Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 8382

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anabel Fernandez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of San Juan, Group Linked to PROBIEN (CONICET-UNCo), San Juan, Argentina
Interests: agricultural waste management; bio-waste; renewable energy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural biomasses refer to organic materials produced seasonally on Earth. These biomasses, which are crucial for both the survival of animals and humans, occur naturally and are abundant. They serve as vital energy sources and can be transformed into various useful products. Crop residues and animal waste, constituting biomass, hold significant potential for energy conversion in the energy sector. Throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal, biomass interacts with ecosystems, exhibiting distinct physicochemical properties.

This Special Issue aims to demonstrate the latest advancements in the conversion of agricultural waste and byproducts into high-value products, thereby facilitating a transition from research discoveries to real-world industrial implementations. The Guest Editors are looking for submissions that delve into the extraction and characterization of valuable biomolecules from agricultural waste/byproducts, investigating their applications across both food and non-food domains. This encompasses innovations in technology, sensory characteristics, and the use of agricultural waste/byproducts as feedstocks for eco-friendly biobased/biodegradable packaging solutions. Contributions of research papers, reviews, or short communications are welcome.

Dr. Anabel Fernandez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • valorization
  • biorefinery
  • circular economy
  • waste agricultural
  • waste management
  • bioenergy potential
  • amendment

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 5013 KiB  
Article
Influence of Walnut Shell Biochar and Fertilizer on Lettuce Production in Hydroponic and Conventional Systems
by Eliana Sanchez, Romina Zabaleta, Ana Laura Navas, Viviana N. Fernández Maldonado, María Paula Fabani, German Mazza and Rosa Rodriguez
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030658 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Water scarcity and soil fertility loss are major limitations for agricultural production. This study evaluated the effects of walnut shell biochar (WSB) and fertilizer on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. “Gran rapid”) in hydroponic and conventional systems. WSB [...] Read more.
Water scarcity and soil fertility loss are major limitations for agricultural production. This study evaluated the effects of walnut shell biochar (WSB) and fertilizer on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. “Gran rapid”) in hydroponic and conventional systems. WSB alone and WSB + fertilizer were applied at different mass ratios to soil (0, 5, 10, and 15%) in the conventional system and to the substrate (0, 10, and 20%) in the hydroponic system. Agronomic parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area index, and the number of leaves were evaluated. The results showed that fertilizer addition improved growth in both systems. In hydroponics, the combination of WSB and fertilizer increased fresh weight by 45% and dry weight by 38% compared to the control without biochar or fertilizer. In the conventional system, WSB alone increased fresh weight by 30% and the number of leaves by 25%, without requiring additional fertilizer. Lettuce grown in conventional soil with 15% WSB and fertilizer achieved a 1.8 times higher leaf area index than the control without biochar. These findings suggest that WSB and fertilizer applications enhance lettuce crop yield, supporting the principles of circular economy and sustainable waste management in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management)
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19 pages, 4442 KiB  
Article
Phytotoxicity Assessment of Agro-Industrial Waste and Its Biochar: Germination Bioassay in Four Horticultural Species
by Romina Zabaleta, Eliana Sánchez, Ana Laura Navas, Viviana Fernández, Anabel Fernandez, Daniela Zalazar-García, María Paula Fabani, Germán Mazza and Rosa Rodriguez
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2573; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112573 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1316
Abstract
This study investigated the phytotoxicity of agro-industrial wastes (almond, walnut, pistachio and peanut shells, asparagus spears, and brewer’s spent grain) and their biochar through germination bioassays in several horticultural species: green pea, lettuce, radish, and arugula. Biowaste was pyrolyzed under controlled conditions to [...] Read more.
This study investigated the phytotoxicity of agro-industrial wastes (almond, walnut, pistachio and peanut shells, asparagus spears, and brewer’s spent grain) and their biochar through germination bioassays in several horticultural species: green pea, lettuce, radish, and arugula. Biowaste was pyrolyzed under controlled conditions to produce biochar, and both biowaste and biochar were characterized. Germination bioassay was conducted using seeds exposed to different dilutions of aqueous extract of biowaste and their biochar (0, 50, and 100%). Germination percentage, seed vigor, germination index, and root and aerial lengths were evaluated. The results showed that the phytotoxicity of the biowaste was significantly different to that of its biochar. The biochar obtained demonstrated changing effects on germination and seedling growth. In particular, biochar extracts from spent brewers grains, walnut shells, and pistachio shells showed 5–14% increases in seed vigor and root and aerial length. Furthermore, the response of different species to both agro-industrial waste and biochar revealed species-specific sensitivity. Seeds of lettuce and arugula species were more sensitive to aqueous extracts than radish and green peas. This knowledge not only elucidates the behavior of agro-industrial waste-based biochar in the early stage of plant development but also provides valuable insights regarding phytotoxicity, seed sensitivity, and the variables involved in germination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management)
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19 pages, 8829 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Biochar Produced in a Mobile Handmade Kiln from Small-Sized Waste Biomass for Agronomic and Climate Change Benefits
by Vinicius John, Ana Rita de Oliveira Braga, Criscian Kellen Amaro de Oliveira Danielli, Heiriane Martins Sousa, Filipe Eduardo Danielli, Rayanne Oliveira de Araujo, Cláudia Saramago de Carvalho Marques-dos-Santos, Newton Paulo de Souza Falcão and João Francisco Charrua Guerra
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1861; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081861 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2845
Abstract
Soil amended with biochar is considered a significant response to climate change, remediation of degraded soils, and agronomic improvements. An artisanal mobile pyrolysis kiln was developed for small-sized biomass inputs. Approximately 190 kg of biochar was produced in 21 carbonisation processes using acai [...] Read more.
Soil amended with biochar is considered a significant response to climate change, remediation of degraded soils, and agronomic improvements. An artisanal mobile pyrolysis kiln was developed for small-sized biomass inputs. Approximately 190 kg of biochar was produced in 21 carbonisation processes using acai residues (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as raw material, as they are among the most abundant agro-industrial residues in the Amazon. It is a valuable and underutilised biomass resource, often inadequately discarded, causing environmental impact and health risks. The physicochemical and structural characteristics of four representative biochar samples from the pyrolysis processes were evaluated using different techniques. The produced biochar had an average pH of 8.8 and the ICP-OES results indicate that the most abundant elements were potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). Results of the elemental composition indicate that the produced biochar has a very stable carbon with an average H/C ratio of 0.23 and O/C ratio of 0.16, indicating that the pyrolysis performed was effective in transforming organic and volatile compounds into stable structures. Variations in nutrient contents call for soil application planning, as performed for other agricultural inputs. The developed mobile kiln can be adapted and favour the decentralisation of biochar production among small and medium-sized producers. Here, we show that even with variations in artisanal production, the biochar produced exhibits favourable characteristics for agronomic use and combating climate changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management)
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33 pages, 2906 KiB  
Article
Transformation of Discarded Pumpkin into High-Value Powder: A Drying Process Model for Functional Food Ingredients
by Iside Mut, Daniela Zalazar-García, María Celia Román, Yanina Baldán, Anabel Fernandez, María Paula Fabani, Alberto P. Blasetti, Germán Mazza and Rosa Rodriguez
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1424; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071424 - 30 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
Large quantities of pumpkins, rich in valuable nutrients, are lost due to superficial imperfections or size variations. This study explores a solution: transforming this unused resource into a highly functional food ingredient-pumpkin powder obtained from dehydration. This study emphasizes the importance of a [...] Read more.
Large quantities of pumpkins, rich in valuable nutrients, are lost due to superficial imperfections or size variations. This study explores a solution: transforming this unused resource into a highly functional food ingredient-pumpkin powder obtained from dehydration. This study emphasizes the importance of a detailed particle-level mathematical model in dehydrator design and operation, particularly for drying conditions using air at temperatures between 333 K and 353 K. The model investigates the effect of sample geometry on the moisture reduction rate and the product quality. Here, a model considers mass and energy transport, including the shrinkage ratio of the samples. The results effectively demonstrate the deformation, moisture content, and temperature evolution within the samples throughout the drying process. The findings reveal that both the drying temperature and initial sample geometry significantly influence the moisture loss rate, the final product texture, and the powder’s absorption capacity. Notably, the nutritional composition (except for lipids) remains largely unaffected by the drying process. Additionally, the bulk and compacted densities of the powders decrease with increasing temperature. These insights not only illuminate the performance of the drying process but also provide valuable knowledge regarding the dehydrated product’s technological behavior and potential functionalities within various food applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management)
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15 pages, 3723 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Community in Three Types of Recycled Manure Solids for Dairy Heifers
by Chongchong Zhao, Bin Wu, Weiguang Hao, Guowen Li, Peishi Yan, Xingming Yang, Shengyong Mao and Shengjuan Wei
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061132 - 26 May 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
Recycled manure solids (RMSs) are widely utilised as beddings due to their economic and environmentally friendly features. Internal change in RMSs plays a vital role in the stable operation and management of beddings. However, the internal microenvironment of various manure beddings has not [...] Read more.
Recycled manure solids (RMSs) are widely utilised as beddings due to their economic and environmentally friendly features. Internal change in RMSs plays a vital role in the stable operation and management of beddings. However, the internal microenvironment of various manure beddings has not been fully reported. Therefore, we evaluated the physicochemical properties, internal gases and changes in the microbial community of the in situ fermentation beds, which were prefermented by cow manure with sawdust (FSD), straw (FST) and sawdust–straw mixture (FM), at a farm in Jiangsu, China, from June to September 2022. The results indicated that the FSD and FM beds were more capable of degrading organic matter (OM), accumulating total nitrogen and processing a more stable pH environment. FSD bed promoted the conversion of nitrate–nitrogen and ammonium–nitrogen (NH4+-N). Different treatments and times had significant effects on bacterial and fungal communities. FSD enriched Chloroflexi, and FST enriched Actinobacteriota in the early stage, while FM enriched Proteobacteria in the late stage. Bacterial communities were more sensitive to NH4+-N and OM, while fungal communities were more sensitive to temperature and pH. FSD had potential advantages concerning N conversion and C emission reduction. The results of the study revealed the microenvironmental dynamics during bedding use, providing a theoretical basis for the use of a compost bedding system for managing recycled dairy manure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Wealth: Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste Through Effective Biomass Management)
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