Search Results (9,870)

The Fukushima nuclear accident caused widespread radiocesium contamination, and subsequent decontamination reduced soil fertility by removing nutrient-rich topsoil. Although biological amendments have been widely investigated for soil improvement, their potential to restore crop productivity in decontaminated Fukushima soils remains poorly understood. This study evaluated a Bacillus-based biofertilizer (Yume-Bio) and an Aspergillus fermentation product (kouji) as biological amendments for restoring crop productivity in decontaminated soils. Pot and field experiments were conducted to assess their effects on the growth, mineral nutrition, and seed yield of Perilla frutescens grown in decontaminated Fukushima soils. In pot experiments, Yume-Bio showed no significant effects on plant growth, although slight root improvement was observed. In contrast, application of kouji alone or in combination with Yume-Bio significantly enhanced plant growth, increasing leaf number by 112% and improving biomass production. Nutrient accumulation was also promoted, with total N and Fe increasing by 170% and 194%, respectively. In field experiments at two sites in Fukushima, treatment effects were limited and generally non-significant. These results indicate that kouji has potential to enhance plant growth under controlled conditions, while the effectiveness of biological amendments under field conditions remains site-dependent, highlighting the need to optimize application strategies under heterogeneous soil conditions. Full article

Pig farming generates high-strength piggery wastewater (PWW) with extreme organic and nutrient concentrations. This research evaluated an integrated treatment system combining Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (VFCW), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), and Microalgae Photobioreactors (PBR) to enhance resource recovery, evaluate bio-electrochemical activity, and produce microalgal biomass. Findings showed that hydraulic saturation in the VFCW–MFC stage enhanced the open-circuit voltage response, reaching a maximum of 539 mV, indicative of bio-electrochemical activity. The optimized VFCW–MFC configuration, featuring pulsed feeding, achieved removals of total suspended solids (TSS, 83%) and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 69%). This integrated pretreatment mitigated ammonia toxicity and turbidity, enabling the subsequent cultivation of Tetradesmus obliquus microalga, reaching biomass yields of 1.1–1.3 g L⁻¹ while providing crucial tertiary polishing. Overall, the combined VFCW–MFC–PBR system achieved removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and approximately 80% for COD. This synergistic approach successfully transforms PWW liabilities into valuable assets, including nutrient-rich biomass and bio-electrochemical activity, underscoring the potential of VFCW–MFC–PBR for sustainable wastewater management. Full article

Namibia’s rural communities continue to experience limited and unreliable electricity access despite the potential of the country’s exceptional solar, wind, and biomass renewable energy resources. Conventional grid extension remains financially and technically impractical for dispersed off-grid settlements, underscoring the need for cost-effective, renewable-based alternatives. This paper presents a resource-driven design and multi-objective optimization framework for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) tailored to Namibia’s off-grid communities. The proposed model integrates solar PV, wind turbines, biomass generators, and hydrogen-based fuel cells with a hybridized energy storage consisting of batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen tanks. Using the Non-dominated sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), the system simultaneously minimizes Total Life Cycle Cost (TLCC), Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and Wasted Renewable Energy (WRE). The framework is applied to three rural villages, Oluundje, Ombudiya, and Onguati, using high-resolution, site-specific renewable resource datasets and community-level load forecasts. The results demonstrate that resource-aligned configurations substantially improve system reliability (up to 99.28%), reduce LCOE (0.0023–0.0811 USD/kWh), and optimize dispatch behaviour across seasonal variations. Storage hybridization further enhances stability by balancing transient and long-duration deficits. Compared to existing diesel mini-grids, the optimized HRESs achieve markedly superior techno-economic and environmental performance. The proposed framework offers a scalable, adaptable, and policy-ready tool for accelerating sustainable rural electrification in Namibia. Full article

Understanding phenotypic variation in traits associated with drought and heat tolerance is essential for developing climate-resilient spring wheat cultivars under increasingly variable environmental conditions. To evaluate phenotypic and physiological variation in water-use efficiency (WUE), carbon isotope discrimination (δ¹³C), and heat tolerance, 198 Canadian spring wheat cultivars representing diverse breeding backgrounds were assessed under controlled drought and high-temperature conditions. Traits measured included whole-plant water-use efficiency (WUE_WP), carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), biomass accumulation, water use per plant, and chlorophyll fluorescence across six developmental stages. Whole-plant WUE ranged from 3.07 to 7.81 g L⁻¹, while δ¹³C values ranged from −24.06‰ to −29.33‰. Biomass accumulation and water use were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), indicating that greater biomass production was associated with increased water consumption. In contrast, the relationship between WUE_WP and δ¹³C was weak (r = −0.09), suggesting that δ¹³C alone may not be a reliable proxy for WUE_WP under combined drought and heat stress conditions. Phenotypic diversity across the cultivar panel was relatively low to moderate (Shannon diversity index, H^′ = 1.88–2.62), indicating limited adaptive capacity within the evaluated germplasm. Principal component analysis explained 76.6% of the total variation and effectively differentiated cultivar responses to stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence, particularly the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_V/F_M), was highly sensitive to stress-induced reductions in photosynthetic performance. Measurements obtained during reproductive drought and heat stress stages showed stronger associations with biomass, water use, WUE_WP, and δ¹³C than measurements collected during non-stress periods, indicating that F_V/F_M can be a reliable physiological indicator for screening drought and heat tolerance. Overall, the results revealed detectable phenotypic variation but relatively modest diversity and generally weak to moderate trait associations, highlighting the potential value of incorporating diverse germplasm and integrated phenotyping approaches to improve climate resilience in Canadian spring wheat. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of an innovative formulation of a biological preparation consisting of a bacterial consortium (Serratia proteamaculans B5, Pseudomonas putida D7 and Lysinibacillus sp. S1), embedded in a pullulan polysaccharide matrix, as an agent for inducing systemic resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to phytopathogenic stress caused by Fusarium graminearum. To optimize the product’s protective efficacy and minimize the pesticide load on the agroecosystem, a reduced dose of Fundazol (50% of the standard rate) was incorporated into the formulation. The constituent strains exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid production (53.29–69.2 μg·mL⁻¹) and strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, with inhibition zones reaching up to 32.5 mm. Pot and field trials were conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of the biological product on the stress tolerance of barley plants. Pre-sowing seed treatment reduced proline accumulation (by up to 2.3-fold), maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and increased field germination to 79%. Under infectious field conditions, treatment with the biopreparation contributed to the stabilization of yield structure parameters (treated plants exhibited increases in height and biomass of 9–21%) and the improvement of grain quality indicators. Overall, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the developed biopreparation as a component of comprehensive protection strategies and as an inducer of plant priming mechanisms. Full article

Ash-free net heat content (AF-NHC) represents the combustible heat content of plant biomass and is an important parameter in fire behavior and fire effects modeling. Despite its widespread use, little information exists regarding seasonal and regional variation in AF-NHC among common woody fuels of the southeastern US. This study quantified seasonal and regional variation in AF-NHC among five common woody species in eastern Texas: yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), greenbrier (Smilax spp.), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), and escarpment live oak (Quercus fusiformis). Foliage samples were collected during the dormant and growing seasons across the Pineywoods, Post Oak Savannah, and Blackland Prairie ecoregions and were analyzed using oxygen bomb calorimetry. Linear mixed-effects models evaluated species, season, and species × season effects while accounting for regional variation. AF-NHC ranged from 17.35 to 19.92 MJ kg⁻¹ and differed significantly among species and seasons, with distinct species-specific seasonal trajectories (p < 0.05). Regional variation accounted for approximately 41% of total model variance, indicating that environmental conditions influence fuel thermal properties. AF-NHC was greatest in yaupon and red cedar, intermediate in privet and greenbrier, and lowest in live oak. Although AF-NHC likely exerts less influence on fire behavior than fuel consumption and the rate of spread, species-specific differences in combustible heat content may contribute to variation in potential heat release and fuel combustibility. These findings provide baseline AF-NHC values for common eastern Texas woody fuels and improve the understanding of spatial and temporal variation in fuel thermal properties relevant to fire effects and wildfire hazard assessment. Full article

The safety profile for bio-derived phenols post-oxidation and their related antioxidant/redox potential remain largely under-explored. Oxidation by fungi, in terms of environmental impacts via fungal oxidation by enzymes, remains an attractive strategy under milder conditions, since it is one route by which many naturally occurring lignocellulosic phenols are modified; thus, an immediate need still exists for characterizing the effects that these modified phenolic compounds may have. Methodology: We examined four different biomass-derived phenolics—vanillin, ferulic acid, syringaldehyde and guaiacol—that were oxidized with fungal laccase and characterized their effects on normal human lung fibroblasts and levels of cellular oxidative stress. Laccase activity was evaluated via the ABTS method and through simple observation and UV-Vis spectroscopic scanning of the phenolics in question, and compared with the untreated version of each phenolic. In addition to assessing the cytotoxic effect and oxidative stress generated by the phenols alone, an ELISA-based measurement assay was used to investigate the relative abundance of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the human normal lung fibroblast cell line under varying treatment regimes, complemented by phase-contrast microscopy. Scores integrating the biomarkers were analyzed via clustering, PCA, radar and Pearson correlation analyses, to discern distinct trends in antioxidant potential after laccase conversion. Observations: Each of the four tested phenolics demonstrated the presence of laccase activity, leading to substantial differences in visible appearance compared with the control and characteristic absorbance shifts at differing wavelengths from the original molecule. Cell viability dropped dramatically as phenol concentration was increased and the untreated phenolics resulted in diminished confluence and induced greater levels of oxidative damage, from guaiacol and syringaldehyde. Laccase treatment resulted in higher MTT reduction activity and improved cellular morphology compared with the corresponding untreated phenolic compounds. Untreated phenols induced the highest levels of MDA, while decreasing SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH levels. Post-oxidation with laccase, there were lower amounts of lipid peroxidation, along with improved levels of antioxidant activity compared with the control phenol. Multi-technique analyses show clear distinctness between the untreated and laccase-converted phenolic groups. Clustering with multivariate techniques separated all cell groups in line with control samples, grouping the laccase-converted treatments towards the middle and displaying an inverse relationship between MDA and the antioxidant markers. Conclusions: Laccase conversion markedly decreases the adverse effects that bio-derived phenols have on normal cell viability and induces fewer detrimental effects on the cellular redox balance. This is a critical discovery in terms of finding greener methods by which to upgrade bio-derived substances as we research these lignocellulosic phenols. By employing ELISA-based measurements along with multiple analysis techniques, we present a suitable paradigm for studying biological effects in all bio-based goods intended for pharmaceuticals, packaging materials, nutraceuticals or a host of different applications. Full article

The transition towards the circular economy (CE) is fundamentally reshaping Italian agrifood systems, thus enhancing sustainability. The aim of this research is to establish a spatially advanced framework for quantifying, monitoring, and valorizing agricultural residues, supporting their transition from being disposed of to being a valuable secondary material for renewable bioenergy. This study provides a provincial-scale territorial screening of selected agricultural residues in Italy based on a five-year average dataset (2020–2024) of apples, peaches, grapes, fava beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. The main contribution lies in combining crop-specific residue quantification, GIS-based mapping, and Local Moran’s I analysis to identify spatial clusters of theoretical bioenergy potential. The results indicate a geographically polarized pattern, with northern areas, such as Bolzano, which offers over 1.06 million GJ, exhibiting substantial potential driven by apple orchards. Conversely, southern regions have emerged as major contributors to grape- and legume-derived bioenergy potential. The integration of geospatial intelligence with the assessment of agricultural residues and their energy potential supports the implementation of circularity by optimizing biomass logistics, providing practitioners and stakeholders with environmental and economic data for improved sustainability performance. Full article

The dumping of coal gangue poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems, necessitating ecological restoration in coal gangue mining areas. This study investigates the physical properties and water-retention characteristics of coal gangue–fly ash (CG-FA) substrates under varying coal gangue volume ratios and particle-size distributions, and evaluates their effects on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth. Six CG-FA volume ratios (5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 8:2, 9:1, 10:0) and seven particle-size distributions (1:1:1, 2:1:1, 3:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:3:1, 1:1:2, 1:1:3) were tested in 3 L pot experiments. Results showed that reducing coal gangue content significantly improved substrate structure, decreasing bulk density by 3.8–28.9% and increasing porosity by 9.8–64.4%, accompanied by enhanced water-retention capacity. The 5:5 volume ratio combined with a 1:2:1 particle-size distribution resulted in the highest alfalfa biomass, providing the best balance of substrate structure and water availability. From a resource-oriented perspective, the optimized CG–FA substrate enables the in situ utilization of coal-based solid wastes, reducing dependence on external soil resources while improving water retention and plant growth. These findings suggest potential advantages in resource utilization, economic feasibility, and environmental performance, providing a sustainable alternative for mine land restoration. Full article

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) aerial biomass has potential as an alternative forage resource for ruminants in semi-arid regions; however, the fermentative behavior of different genotypes remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the fermentation profile, nutrient losses, and chemical composition of silages produced from the aerial parts of ten sweet potato accessions cultivated under agroecological conditions. Wilted biomass from each accession was pooled, homogenized, and ensiled in four mini-silos used as subsamples for fermentation characterization. Hierarchical clustering identified two distinct groups, indicating clear genotype-dependent variation in silage performance. Accessions BGH-UNIVASF 8 and 16 showed superior fermentation efficiency, characterized by greater dry matter recovery, lower effluent and gas losses, and more stable fermentation profiles. In contrast, several high-yielding accessions exhibited greater fermentation losses, indicating a trade-off between biomass productivity and preservation efficiency. Total digestible nutrients varied among accessions but were not consistently associated with fermentation quality. Overall, the results demonstrate that silage quality in sweet potato is strongly genotype-dependent and highlight the importance of integrating agronomic, nutritional, and fermentative traits when selecting accessions for silage production under semi-arid conditions. Full article

To boost the local microalgae sector, Switzerland needs to better understand the current state of the industry, which is not fully represented in the existing literature. Only by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the Swiss microalgae industry, will the country be able to develop strategies toward a strong and sustainable sector in the future. This work provides the first structured assessment of Switzerland’s fragmented and poorly documented microalgae sector through desktop research and an online survey of the country’s microalgae stakeholders. First, research articles with Swiss authors and patents with Swiss applicants were mapped. Then, a survey consisting of 8 questions was designed to gather information about the location, purpose, employees, production capacity, activities, and installations of 42 organizations with a research and/or commercial focus. The growing number of organizations working with microalgae in Switzerland is dominated by small companies (<50 employees) that provide services rather than biomass or bioproducts. Microalgae biomass production is about 2 tons DW per year and is also dominated by small-scale producers (<100 kg DW per year). One third of Swiss companies that sell microalgae-based products produce their own biomass abroad or purchase from abroad. Our findings highlight the growth potential of the Swiss microalgae sector. This systematic summary of research interests, technological innovations, and current market parameters is the first step toward future improvements in the sector. Full article

Cellulose is the most promising abundant renewable polymer material with the highest potential for the future low-carbon biorefineries. However, its utilization in industry is limited by the structural recalcitrance as a result of organization of crystalline domains, fibrillar architecture hierarchy and intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonding which is responsible for access restriction for the catalysts and consequent cleavage of the glycosidic bonds. Therefore, efficient depolymerization of cellulose is of paramount importance as a step in biomass conversion into the low molecular products. In this review, the recent advances in cellulose depolymerization are discussed. The chemical, enzymatic, thermal, thermochemical, mechanochemical, oxidative and hybrid catalytic method is thoroughly discussed. Attention is paid to the mechanism of the depolymerization reaction steps as glycosidic bond activation as hydrolytic, radical mediated, and energy assisted pathways. Selectivity and conversion efficiency based on substrate morphology, solvent system and catalyst design are also discussed. Further, there is a comparison of key performance metrics which are relevant for the industrial process as product yield, carbon efficiency, energy demand, stability of the catalyst, solvent recyclability and impact to the environmental lifecycle. The pros and cons of the various methods are also represented. Processes based on mineral acids enable rapid conversion. However, they suffer from corrosion, waste handling issues and degradation by-products. On the other hand, enzymatic depolymerization processes offer relatively high selectivity but they are limited in terms of feedstock sensitivity and slow reaction kinetics. The downstream valorization mechanisms are also described with the result being that no single available technology is capable of satisfying all industrial requirements. Thus, future progress expects integrated circular processes where advanced catalysis, process intensification and digital optimization strategies take place. Full article

Seed enhancement technologies have emerged as promising approaches to improve seedling growth and nursery performance of forest tree species. This study evaluated the effects of combining seed priming and seed coating technologies with beneficial microbial inoculants on the seedling quality of Falcataria falcata (L.) Greuter & R.Rankin. Fourteen treatments, including hydropriming (HP), gibberellic acid (GA₃), Rhizobium sp., Trichoderma sp., endomycorrhiza, polymer coating, nutrients, fungicide, and insecticide, were assessed under nursery conditions. Seedling quality was determined using the number of roots, number of nodules, root-to-shoot ratio, vigor index I, and vigor index II. Significant differences among treatments were observed for all measured parameters (p < 0.001). The treatment HP + GA₃ + Rhizobium sp. + polymer coat + fungicide (T13) produced the highest number of roots (31.76 roots seedling⁻¹), indicating enhanced root development. Meanwhile, HP + endomycorrhiza (T4) resulted in the highest number of nodules (5.49 nodules seedling⁻¹), root-to-shoot ratio (0.593), and vigor index I (2055.57), reflecting improved biomass allocation and overall seedling quality. Principal component analysis explained 71.9% of the total variation and revealed distinct associations between treatments and growth attributes. Treatments containing Rhizobium sp. were primarily associated with root proliferation and seedling vigor, whereas endomycorrhizal treatments were linked to nodulation and balanced biomass development. The results demonstrate that integrating microbial inoculants with seed priming and coating technologies can significantly enhance seedling quality, even when germination responses are similar among treatments. These findings highlight the potential of biologically enhanced seeds as a sustainable strategy for producing vigorous planting materials suitable for plantation forestry, reforestation, and landscape restoration programs. Full article

The agricultural and environmental application of Miscanthus × giganteus biomass ash (MBA) as a soil amendment requires a thorough assessment of its properties, nutrient potential, and associated risks. This study characterizes the elemental composition, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content of MBA in comparison with other common biomass ashes (crops, wood, and sewage sludge) referred to the international regulatory standards. The ash exhibits a strong alkaline pH (11.03), suggesting potential to improve soil pH in acid soils, but requires careful controlled application to prevent excessive alkalization. The main nutrients detected include K (5.54%), Ca (2.07%), Mg (0.37%), and P (0.86%), indicating its potential as a soil amendment, though long-term use may cause nutrient imbalances. Micronutrients such as Zn (240.67 mg·kg⁻¹), Mn (297 mg·kg⁻¹), and Cu (33.5 mg·kg⁻¹) are found in concentrations suitable for agricultural use, while potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, are below detection limits, thereby reducing the risk of pollution. As (8.3 mg·kg⁻¹) and ΣPAHs (1.63 mg·kg⁻¹) remain within safety thresholds, suggesting a low environmental toxicity of MBA. The low Na content (0.12%) indicates a minimal risk of salinity accumulation, distinguishing MBA from high-sodium biomass ashes. Soil alkalization, disruptions in nutrient balance, and element leaching are risks to be considered. Despite these concerns, its composition is in agreement with established safety guidelines, supporting its feasibility for valorization as a sustainable soil amendment and remediation material. To maximize agronomic benefits and mitigate environmental risks, it is important to utilize the ash, considering site conditions and carry out regular monitoring of the soil. Full article

Intensive agricultural practices based on continuous monocropping and prolonged bare-soil fallows have contributed to soil degradation and loss of biological functioning. Replacing fallows with cover crops (CCs) is a promising strategy to restore soil quality, yet their legacy effects on rhizosphere fungal communities remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the legacy effects of Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) brizantha cover cropping on rhizosphere fungal communities, as well as soil physicochemical and biological properties, in a degraded common bean system. A field experiment with a randomized complete block design included: bare fallow (BM), one (B1) or two (B2) CC cycles before bean, a perennial pasture (PB), and a pristine soil reference (PS). High-throughput sequencing showed that Urochloa-based treatments significantly shifted fungal community composition compared to BM, increasing saprotrophic and beneficial taxa (e.g., Mortierella, Penicillium, Coprinellus) and reducing potential pathogens such as Fusarium. These changes were associated with higher soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities, especially in B2 and PB. Indicator taxa identified by LEfSe were linked to organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Multivariate analyses revealed strong associations between fungal community structure and soil properties. Overall, U. brizantha cover cropping induced measurable legacy effects, promoting soil biological recovery even after short-term implementation. Full article