Search Results (156)

A 13-year field experiment was conducted on a highly calcareous soil (>0.3 kg kg^–1 of equivalent CaCO₃) to evaluate the sustainability of pig slurry (PS) application based on N criteria, with a particular focus on Zn concentrations in barley. Two PS N-rates before sowing, combined with nine topdressing N rates (from 0 to 381 kg N ha^–1, using PS and/or mineral fertilizers), were assessed for their effects on Zn availability, barley Zn content, soil chemical properties and barley composition. Increasing PS rates led to higher total Zn concentrations in the topsoil and greater availability of Zn and other nutrients (P, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni). As a result, Zn and P concentrations in barley tissues (grain and straw) increased. In grain, this represents a maximum average increase in the concentration of Zn and P of 140% and 68%, respectively. Soil diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-extractable Zn and Mn, along with available P (Olsen method), were the best predictors of Zn accumulation in both grain and straw (R² = 0.64–0.65). In the short term, PS applications within the current legal N limits (170–190 kg N ha^–1) enhanced the Zn nutritional value of barley (grain Zn-biofortification). In the long term, regular monitoring of Zn and P levels in calcareous soils is recommended. Overall, sustainable PS management within a circular nutrient economy framework cannot be based exclusively on N. Full article

Dwarf cereal cultivars were crucial for the Green Revolution. Dwarfed, lodging-resistant varieties remain essential today, as climate change brings more storms and downpours. In barley, the dwarfing gene HvDEP1 has been widely used in breeding. Although its pleiotropic effects on agronomic traits have been examined, previous studies relied on cultivars developed via random mutagenesis, which carry background mutations that may influence phenotypes. Moreover, its impact on root traits remains underexplored. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate precise HvDEP1 mutants and introduce dwarfism into the barley cultivar ‘Maythorpe.’ We assessed the effects on above-ground morphology, yield-related traits, root architecture, biomass via ¹³C labelling, and the root metabolome. HvDEP1 mutations significantly reduced plant height, straw, spike, and awn length, as well as thousand-grain weight. An in-frame mutant showed intermediate height, straw, and awn phenotypes. Belowground, in a root experiment restricted to knockout line #12, specific root length and the length of the finest (0–0.25 mm) roots were reduced, while total root length was lower but not significantly so; (p = 0.062). Root metabolomic profiling detected no genotype-associated differences. These results provide new insights into HvDEP1′s role in both shoot and root systems and demonstrate that precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing can rapidly introduce dwarfism while revealing trade-offs in other agronomic traits. Full article

The growing amounts of agricultural residues require sustainable solutions for their use. Here, wheat, rice, barley, and oat straw were evaluated as renewable feedstocks for the enzymatic production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS). Hydrolysis used recombinant xylanase from Bacillus sonorensis T6 under optimized conditions (40 °C, pH 7.0), with stepwise enzyme addition. Subsequently, hydrolysis efficiency was found to vary by substrate, with wheat straw producing the highest reducing sugar yield (up to 40.1 g kg⁻¹), followed by barley, oat, and rice straw. As hydrolysis progressed, the influence of enzyme concentration became less pronounced, suggesting that substrate accessibility and the accumulation of hydrolysis products may increasingly affect the overall hydrolysis efficiency. FTIR, NMR, SEM, and TLC analyses confirmed substantial structural changes in the biomass and the formation of carbohydrate-rich hydrolysis products. TLC analysis indicated the presence of low-degree polymerization oligosaccharides with migration behavior similar to X2 and X3 standards, while FTIR and NMR spectra were consistent with β-(1→4)-linked carbohydrate structures. The xylanase from Bacillus sonorensis T6 hydrolyzed all substrates, revealing broad specificity and suitability for diverse lignocellulosic feedstocks, despite differences in biomass structure. Overall, the results highlight the importance of substrate-dependent factors in enzymatic hydrolysis and demonstrate that xylanase from Bacillus sonorensis T6 converts cereal straw into value-added oligosaccharide-rich products, thereby supporting the development of cost-effective, region-specific biorefinery strategies. Full article

More than 95% of building materials in Europe are produced from fossil raw materials. Over the past two decades, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that building materials made from agricultural plants or industrial processing waste can compete with traditional materials. In this work, engineered wood composites were prepared from biopolyurethane and barley straw, and their properties were evaluated. Barley straw from bales was milled through sieves of different sizes. Four straw fractions of 5, 10, 25 and 35 mm were prepared for testing. During the research, the granulometric composition, particle density and shape of various fractions were evaluated. Engineered wood composites were prepared using different filler fractions and a biopolyurethane binder. In this study, engineered wood samples were produced using biopolyurethane binders at straw-to-binder ratios of 0.5 to 1.5. Different pressure levels were used for sample preparation: 1.5, 2.25 and 3.0 MPa. This study evaluated the influence of the granulometric composition and particle shape of straw on the properties of engineered wood composites. Tests showed that the highest compressive strength, 17.0 MPa, was achieved with composites formed from a 5 mm straw fraction, which had the highest density. The samples with the highest density were also characterised by the lowest swelling (5–10%) and water absorption (1–2%). The flammability of the samples showed that at a 0.5 binder/straw ratio, the composite was non-combustible and did not support flame spread after the flame source was removed. Full article

Low-temperature pyrolysis around 250 °C represents a mild carbonization that differs from conventional high-temperature biochar production, and the role of pyrolysis duration under mild thermal conditions remains insufficiently understood. In this study, plant residues, including rice straw, sorghum leaves and stems, barley straw, and mixed woodchips, were converted into charred materials under low-temperature pyrolysis at 250 °C (4 h, 12 h) and compared with those produced at 500 °C (4 h). Pyrolysis at 250 °C (4 h) resulted in higher solid yields (51.9–72.8%) and higher recovery of carbon and nitrogen, whereas yields declined to 27.2–31.6% at 500 °C. Materials produced at 250 °C preserved abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, exhibited lower pH, and showed significantly higher cation exchange capacity (up to 93.68–119.91 cmol_c/kg at 12 h). Prolonged treatment at 250 °C enhanced humification, increasing the carbon extracted from humic acid by 25.3–237.9%, whereas humic substances were largely decomposed at 500 °C. Structural analyses indicated that low-temperature chars maintained reactive surface chemistry, while high-temperature chars showed greater aromaticity and porosity, particularly for wood-derived materials (378.5 m²/g). Overall, low-temperature pyrolysis produces functionally active carbon materials suitable for saline-sodic soil amendment and nutrient management, whereas 500 °C pyrolysis generates more aromatic and porous materials better suited for long-term carbon stability and physical soil conditioning. Full article

Efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass by the rumen microbiome is critical for improving feed efficiency in ruminants, yet the development of stable, functionally specialized microbial consortia remains limited. This study aimed to assemble substrate-adapted rumen microbial consortia using an ecology-guided enrichment approach. Rumen fluid collected from cannulated Angus × Hereford heifers was sequentially enriched over 10 generations on four substrates with distinct cell wall characteristics: alfalfa, barley straw, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and xylan. Fermentation parameters, including gas production and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and bacterial community dynamics were analyzed, and selected consortia (alfalfa and xylan) were evaluated for stability following one month of cryopreservation. Across enrichments, total VFA concentrations declined (e.g., xylan: 109.8 mM (G0) to 56.37 mM (G10)), accompanied by reduced gas production and decreased alpha diversity, indicating substrate-driven selection. Distinct functional profiles emerged, including increased propionate in alfalfa consortia, higher acetate in barley straw, lactate–propionate cross-feeding with CMC, and caproate production (6.3 mM at G10) in xylan enrichments associated with Caproiciproducens and Megasphaera. Cryopreserved consortia retained core community structure and fermentation characteristics upon revival. These results demonstrate that substrate-driven enrichment can generate stable, functionally specialized rumen consortia and provide a framework for developing ecologically compatible microbial communities with potential applications in improving rumen fermentation efficiency. Full article

The use of bio-based and locally available materials in construction is an effective approach to reducing embodied energy and supporting circular economy principles. In the earthen construction, the cereal straw fibres have traditionally been used as a natural reinforcement. However, their tensile properties and interspecies variability remain insufficiently documented. This study investigates the tensile behaviour of the straw fibres from four cereal species, wheat, rye, oat, and barley, to evaluate their suitability for rammed earth construction. The straw samples were collected during the 2020/2021 growing season and prepared under controlled laboratory conditions. Single-fibre tensile tests were performed using a Zwick/Roell Z600 universal testing machine under displacement-controlled loading at 0.5 mm/min. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were derived from the load–displacement data and specimen geometry. The results indicate systematic interspecies variations in the tensile behaviour. Wheat fibres exhibited the highest average tensile strength (39.61 MPa) and stiffness, indicating a favourable crack-bridging capacity. Rye and oat fibres showed comparable tensile strengths of 33.50 MPa and 33.72 MPa, respectively, accompanied by a greater variability. Barley fibres recorded the lowest average tensile strength (25.32 MPa), suggesting a limited structural suitability. These findings confirm the mechanical potential of cereal straw fibres, particularly wheat, as natural micro-reinforcement for the rammed earth. The study supports the valorisation of the agricultural by-products in sustainable, low-carbon construction. Full article

This study extends beyond traditional single-binder assessments by developing a mechanistic framework for interpreting the behavior of multi-component geopolymer systems. It systematically examines the roles of industrial by-products (granulated blast-furnace slag), agricultural residues (barley straw ash), and construction-derived materials (recycled granite powder) when integrated into a metakaolin-based matrix, with particular emphasis on their influence on gel formation pathways, microstructural refinement, and macroscopic performance. A sustainable geopolymer concrete (SGC) system was formulated using multi-binder combinations at replacement levels ranging from 5% to 30%. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted, including fresh properties, mechanical performance, durability characteristics, thermal resistance, and microstructural features. The results demonstrate that the 70Mk–30GBFS composition facilitates the development of a dense hybrid C–(A)–S–H/N–A–S–H gel network, resulting in a 26.8% enhancement in compressive strength and a 32.0% decrease in chloride ion penetration. Rather than depending on empirical relationships, the study establishes a mechanistically grounded link between precursor chemistry, interfacial transition zone (ITZ) refinement, and performance limits. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of multi-component geopolymer design and support the development of high-performance, sustainable concrete materials for structural applications. Full article

To address the bottleneck of poor biological nitrogen removal efficiency caused by the extremely low carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of domestic sewage in alpine plateau regions, this study used Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L., a characteristic crop endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, as raw material and adopted pretreated highland barley straw as an external carbon source. Three parallel experiments were carried out using the anaerobic–aerobic–anoxic sequencing batch reactor (AOA-SBR) process to investigate the nitrogen removal performance and functional succession of the microbial community in the AOA-SBR system under three C/N ratio ranges: 5~7, 7~9, and 9~11. The results showed that the addition of an external carbon source significantly improved nitrogen removal efficiency. The optimal C/N ratio range for nitrogen removal in this study was determined to be 7~9. A weakly alkaline environment was conducive to denitrification. The fermentation broth prepared by alkali pretreatment contained a large amount of readily biodegradable organic matter with low toxicity, and achieved excellent nitrogen removal performance, helping to realize cost reduction and efficiency improvement in wastewater treatment. At the optimal C/N ratio of 7~9, the average removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) and total nitrogen (TN) reached 94.46% and 61.32%, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with the blank control group without external carbon addition. During the experimental period, no obvious changes were observed in microbial abundance at the phylum level, whereas the community structure at the genus level responded significantly to the addition of a straw carbon source. Among them, genera with specific degradation capabilities for straw hydrolysates, such as norank_f__Chitinophagaceae and unclassified_f__Comamonadaceae, were highly sensitive to variations in the C/N ratio. These genera could partially replace the nitrification and denitrification functions of other microorganisms and played a key role in the nitrogen removal process. In contrast, Thauera, a typical conventional heterotrophic denitrifier, showed no significant response to changes in the C/N ratio, indicating that the straw-based external carbon source mainly affected microbial genera with specific hydrolysate-degrading functions. Full article

Agronomic practices can modify cereal grain chemical composition and processing performance. Long-term evidence linking agricultural management with functionality-related quality remains limited, especially in terms of combined tillage x crop residue management strategy. We evaluated the effects of long-term tillage simplifications and straw management on productivity and processing-relevant traits of winter wheat and spring barley in a split-plot field experiment (Lithuania). Straw was either removed (S0) or chopped and retained (S1), and six tillage systems were compared (conventional ploughing (CP), shallow ploughing (SP), shallow cultivation (SOW), stubble over winter, no-till with cover crops (NTC), and no-till without cover crops (NT)). The yield and starch content of winter wheat and spring barley groats increased with the addition of straw and the application of SOW, NTC, and NT systems. The hectolitre mass of winter wheat and spring barley grains increased with the addition and removal of straw using SP technology. The protein content and wet gluten content of winter wheat and spring barley grains decreased, while the starch content increased, with the addition and removal of straw using SC technology. In wheat, protein content showed weak separation among treatments, while wet gluten and Zeleny sedimentation displayed mostly directional trends (wet gluten–sedimentation correlation: r = 0.844 under S0 and r = 0.984 under S1). In terms of the tillage systems, it can be stated that in most cases, SP and NT increased grain yield and improved quality indicators, while SC and NTC technologies showed opposite results. Soil-function assessment (CEI, 10–25 cm) indicated substantially higher integrated soil functioning under conservation agriculture (e.g., SOW/NTC/NT: 5.28–5.70) than under conventional systems (CP: 3.23). The results support framing sustainable soil management for cereal functionality as a system package: residue retention enables the productivity benefits of reduced-tillage systems while maintaining key quality proxies. Full article

Barley lodging—specifically stem lodging—occurs when the bending moments from wind and ear weight exceed the culm’s load-bearing capacity. Lodging risk decreases as plant height decreases and culm strength increases. Geometry (stem diameter, culm wall thickness) and material strength determine culm bending strength. By studying changes in stem mechanical properties (at three positions along the culm) in two genotypes (grown in a greenhouse), we found that culm strength (assessed with a three-point bending test) slightly diminished through ripening owing to a decline in both area moment of inertia (i.e., strength due to geometry alone) and apparent material strength, presumably due to turgor loss. When the stem segments collected from fully ripe plants were dried to a moisture content typical of harvest maturity, however, strength rose to a maximum. Thus, minimum stem bending resistance occurs during a window in which plants are fully ripe but have not yet reached harvest-dry moisture content. Hence, in the absence of rain—which would severely reduce the mechanical strength of dry, ripe plants—the physiological risk of stem lodging is highest when the crop is fully ripe but not yet harvest-dry. However, the actual lodging risk increases as harvest approaches, because summer storms are frequent at this time of year and dry straw loses rigidity when wetted. Full article

Global agriculture generates more than 5 billion tonnes of post-harvest crop residues each year, most of which remain unused for energy production. Within the broader landscape of advanced biomass and waste conversion technologies (thermochemical and biochemical pathways), producing biomethane from agricultural residues represents a complementary waste-to-energy route that converts decentralized feedstock into a standardized energy carrier. Mobilizing this agro-biomass for biogas/biomethane production via the anaerobic digestion of crop residues offers a promising instrument for decarbonizing agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing a circular bioeconomy. This study provides a techno-economic, environmental, and market assessment of biomethane production from post-harvest residues—specifically wheat and barley straw and maize stover—in Ukraine. We estimate the feedstock potential of crop residues and substantiate environmentally permissible removal levels accounting for soil organic matter requirements; we also characterize the role of digestate and biochar amendments in improving soil fertility, increasing mineral nitrogen availability, and enhancing crop yields. The results indicate substantial greenhouse gas mitigation potential relative to fossil natural gas. Practical recommendations are proposed to scale biomethane production from crop residues as part of Ukraine’s agricultural sustainability strategy. Under current cost and policy assumptions, many biomethane projects in Ukraine approach commercial viability, particularly in regions where damaged gas infrastructure creates local demand for a decentralized gas supply. The paper evaluates market assessment and investment feasibility of crop-residue biomethane scenarios under cost, regulatory, and infrastructure constraints. Overall, the findings suggest that agricultural residues can serve as a key feedstock for decarbonizing agriculture and biomethane-based energy systems in Ukraine. Full article

Background: Phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) is highly stable and constitutes an important long-term carbon pool in agroecosystems, particularly in nutrient-poor, sandy soils. Silicon (Si) uptake by plants is strongly associated with phytolith formation, with Si accounting for up to 90% of phytolith composition. However, the role of Si fertilization in enhancing PhytOC sequestration under field conditions remains insufficiently quantified. Integrated fertilization strategies supporting sustainable development in climate-resilient agriculture can enhance biological carbon sequestration by increasing phytolith formation and phytolith-occluded carbon accumulation, thereby improving the carbon sink potential of cereal-based agroecosystems. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to assess phytolith and PhytOC accumulation in barley biomass under different fertilization regimes, including foliar silicon application using the liquid immune stimulant Optysil and compost fertilization. Phytolith content was determined separately for grain and straw, and PhytOC stocks were converted into CO₂ equivalents to estimate annual sequestration potential. Results: Barley produced substantial amounts of phytoliths, with consistently higher concentrations in straw than in grain. Phytolith content ranged from 18.46 to 21.28 mg g⁻¹ DM in grain and from 27.89 to 38.97 mg g⁻¹ DM in straw. Depending on fertilization treatment, annual carbon sequestration through PhytOC ranged from 16.86 to 55.17 kg CO₂ equivalents ha⁻¹. Foliar silicon application increased PhytOC accumulation in barley biomass by up to threefold compared with treatments without Si. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that optimizing silicon fertilization can substantially enhance carbon sequestration in cropping systems via phytolith formation and PhytOC stabilization. Given the dominant role of cereals in crop rotations and their high phytolith-producing capacity as monocotyledonous plants, Si-mediated PhytOC sequestration represents a promising pathway for strengthening soil carbon storage and contributing to climate change mitigation. Full article

This study used highland barley straw from the Tibetan Plateau to cultivate Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, and Hericium erinaceus, addressing straw waste, forage shortages, and underutilized barley straw. The results showed that highland barley straw was suitable for cultivating P. ostreatus and P. nameko, with P. ostreatus yielding significantly more. After fruiting, spent mushroom substrates (SMS) from both species had higher crude protein, fat, and ash, with reduced fiber content compared to raw straw. P. ostreatus SMS showed greater protein accumulation and fiber degradation, offering better feed quality than P. nameko. Fungal communities were more concentrated under P. ostreatus, while P. nameko had higher diversity. Multivariate analyses showed that fungal community structure correlated with protein, fat, and feed quality, while bacterial communities were linked to fiber content. Functional predictions indicated that P. ostreatus enriched carbohydrate and energy metabolism pathways, while P. nameko was more associated with biosynthetic functions. Overall, cultivating mushrooms on barley straw improved SMS feed quality, with P. ostreatus showing greater potential for feed use. Full article

This study investigated the effects of isoacid supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, nutrient degradability, and bacterial community diversity in yaks using corn silage–highland barley straw-based substrates. An in vitro fermentation experiment was conducted with a substrate consisting of 80% whole-plant corn silage and 20% highland barley straw. Treatments included a control (without isoacids) and four isoacid supplemental levels (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% of substrate dry matter, DM), each with six replicates. A 72 h in vitro gas production experiment was performed to measure cumulative gas production, fermentation parameters, nutrient degradability, and bacterial community diversity. Cumulative gas production increased by 12.96% with 0.2% isoacid supplementation compared to the control (p < 0.05). The contents of microbial protein (MCP), acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) exhibited quadratic responses to the increasing isoacid dosage (p < 0.05). Specifically, MCP content reached a maximum of 0.76 mg/mL with 0.2% isoacids, representing a 31.03% increase compared to the control (p < 0.05). TVFA content was highest (146.85 mmoL/L) at 0.2% isoacid supplementation, with a 16.40% increase compared to the control (p < 0.05). Acetate content increased by 17.99% (p < 0.05), while propionate tended to increase with 0.2% isoacid supplementation (p = 0.08). Supplementation with 0.2% and 0.4% isoacids did not alter the bacterial composition and diversity (p > 0.05). However, at the genus level, g_Ruminococcus, g__Elusimicrobium, g_norank_f_Atopobiaceae, g_norank_o_Coriobacteriales, and g_Romboutsia were identified as differential biomarkers showing significant responses to isoacid supplementation (p < 0.05). Mantel-test analysis revealed positive correlation between g_Ruminococcus abundance and NH₃-N content (r < 0.4, p < 0.05); g_Romboutsia abundance and acetate content (r < 0.40, p < 0.05); g_Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011 abundance and both NH₃-N content and the pH of rumen fluid (r < 0.40, p < 0.05); g_norank_o_Coriobacteriales abundance and rumen pH (r < 0.40, p < 0.01). Supplementation with 0.2% isoacids to corn silage–barley straw substrates improved in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics in yaks, which was associated with altered abundances of key bacterial genera including g_Ruminococcus, g__Elusimicrobium, g_norank_f_Atopobiaceae, g_norank_o_Coriobacteriales. Full article