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Search Results (1,350)

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Keywords = nitrogen and water use efficiencies

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36 pages, 645 KiB  
Article
A KPI-Based Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Southern Angola
by Eduardo E. Eliseu, Tânia M. Lima and Pedro D. Gaspar
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7019; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157019 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Agricultural production in southern Angola faces challenges due to unsustainable practices, including inefficient use of water, fertilizers, and machinery, resulting in low yields and environmental degradation. Therefore, clear and measurable indicators are needed to guide farmers toward more sustainable practices. The scientific literature [...] Read more.
Agricultural production in southern Angola faces challenges due to unsustainable practices, including inefficient use of water, fertilizers, and machinery, resulting in low yields and environmental degradation. Therefore, clear and measurable indicators are needed to guide farmers toward more sustainable practices. The scientific literature insufficiently addresses this issue, leaving a significant gap in the evaluation of key performance indicators (KPIs) that can guide good agricultural practices (GAPs) adapted to the context of southern Angola, with the goal of promoting a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. So, the objective of this study is to identify and assess KPIs capable of supporting the selection of GAPs suitable for maize, potato, and tomato cultivation in the context of southern Angolan agriculture. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2720 articles and selecting 14 studies that met defined inclusion criteria. Five KPIs were identified as the most relevant: gross margin, net profit, water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and machine energy. These indicators were analyzed and standardized to evaluate their contribution to sustainability across different GAPs. Results show that organic fertilizers are the most sustainable option for maize, drip irrigation for potatoes, and crop rotation for tomatoes in southern Angola because of their efficiency in low-resource environments. A clear, simple, and effective representation of the KPIs was developed to be useful in communicating to farmers and policy makers on the selection of the best GAPs in the cultivation of different crops. The study proposes a validated KPI-based methodology for assessing sustainable agricultural practices in developing regions such as southern Angola, aiming to lead to greater self-sufficiency and economic stability in this sector. Full article
22 pages, 2180 KiB  
Article
Regulated Deficit Irrigation Improves Yield Formation and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat at Different Soil Fertility Levels
by Xiaolei Wu, Zhongdong Huang, Chao Huang, Zhandong Liu, Junming Liu, Hui Cao and Yang Gao
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081874 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Water scarcity and spatial variability in soil fertility are key constraints to stable grain production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. However, the interaction mechanisms between regulated deficit irrigation and soil fertility influencing yield formation and water-nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat remain unclear. In [...] Read more.
Water scarcity and spatial variability in soil fertility are key constraints to stable grain production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. However, the interaction mechanisms between regulated deficit irrigation and soil fertility influencing yield formation and water-nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat remain unclear. In this study, a two-year field experiment (2022–2024) was conducted to investigate the effects of two irrigation regimes—regulated deficit irrigation during the heading to grain filling stage (D) and full irrigation (W)—under four soil fertility levels: F1 (N: P: K = 201.84: 97.65: 199.05 kg ha−1), F2 (278.52: 135: 275.4 kg ha−1), F3 (348.15: 168.75: 344.25 kg ha−1), and CK (no fertilization). The results show that aboveground dry matter accumulation, total nitrogen content, pre-anthesis dry matter and nitrogen translocation, and post-anthesis accumulation significantly increased with fertility level (p < 0.05). Regulated deficit irrigation promoted the contribution of post-anthesis dry matter to grain yield under the CK and F1 treatments, but suppressed it under the F2 and F3 treatments. However, it consistently enhanced the contribution of post-anthesis nitrogen to grain yield (p < 0.05) across all fertility levels. Higher fertility levels prolonged the grain filling duration by 18.04% but reduced the mean grain filling rate by 15.05%, whereas regulated deficit irrigation shortened the grain filling duration by 3.28% and increased the mean grain filling rate by 12.83% (p < 0.05). Grain yield significantly increased with improved fertility level (p < 0.05), reaching a maximum of 9361.98 kg·ha−1 under the F3 treatment. Regulated deficit irrigation increased yield under the CK and F1 treatments but reduced it under the F2 and F3 treatments. Additionally, water use efficiency exhibited a parabolic response to fertility level and was significantly enhanced by regulated deficit irrigation. Nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP) declined with increasing fertility level (p < 0.05); Regulated deficit irrigation improved NPFP under the F1 treatment but reduced it under the F2 and F3 treatments. The highest NPFP (41.63 kg·kg−1) was achieved under the DF1 treatment, which was 54.81% higher than that under the F3 treatment. TOPSIS analysis showed that regulated deficit irrigation combined with the F1 fertility level provided the optimal balance among yield, WUE, and NPFP. Therefore, implementing regulated deficit irrigation during the heading–grain filling stage under moderate fertility (F1) is recommended as the most effective strategy for achieving high yield and efficient resource utilization in winter wheat production in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Management in Water-Limited Cropping Systems)
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20 pages, 2360 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Ammonium Removal from Wastewater Using FAU-Type and BEA-Type Zeolites and Potential Application on Seedling Growth: Towards Closing the Waste-to-Resource Cycle
by Matiara S. C. Amaral, Marcella A. da Silva, Giovanna da S. Cidade, Diêgo N. Faria, Daniel F. Cipriano, Jair C. C. Freitas, Fabiana Soares dos Santos, Mendelssolm K. Pietre and André M. dos Santos
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082426 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 198
Abstract
This work focuses on the effectiveness of removing ammonium from real municipal wastewater using synthetic faujasite (FAU-type) and β (BEA-type) zeolites and a commercial β (BEA-type) sample. The results demonstrated that synthetic samples presented enhanced performance on ammonium removal in comparison with commercial [...] Read more.
This work focuses on the effectiveness of removing ammonium from real municipal wastewater using synthetic faujasite (FAU-type) and β (BEA-type) zeolites and a commercial β (BEA-type) sample. The results demonstrated that synthetic samples presented enhanced performance on ammonium removal in comparison with commercial zeolite due to higher Al content and larger specific surface area, promoting better accessibility to active adsorption sites of the adsorbents. Synthetic FAU-type and BEA-type zeolites achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 28.87 and 12.62 mg·g−1, respectively, outperforming commercial BEA-type zeolite (6.50 mg·g−1). Adsorption assays, associated with kinetic studies and adsorption isotherms, were better fitted using the pseudo-second order model and the Langmuir model, respectively, suggesting that chemisorption, involving ion exchange, and monolayer formation at the zeolite surface, was the main mechanism involved in the NH4+ adsorption process. After ammonium adsorption, the NH4+-loaded zeolite samples were used to stimulate the growth of tomato seedlings; the results revealed a change in the biomass production for seedlings grown in vitro, especially when the BEA_C_NH4 sample was employed, leading to a 15% increase in the fresh mass in comparison with the control sample. In contrast, the excess of ammonium adsorbed over the BEA_S_NH4 and FAU_NH4 samples probably caused a toxic effect on seedling growth. The elemental analysis results supported the hypothesis that the presence of NH4+-loaded zeolite into the culture medium was important for the release of nitrogen. The obtained results show then that the investigated zeolites are promising both as efficient adsorbents to mitigate the environmental impact of ammonium-contaminated water bodies and as nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Applications of Zeolites in Adsorption Processes)
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22 pages, 2108 KiB  
Article
Effects of Conservation Tillage and Nitrogen Inhibitors on Yield and N2O Emissions for Spring Maize in Northeast China
by Fanchao Meng, Guozhong Feng, Lingchun Zhang, Yin Wang, Qiang Gao, Kelin Hu and Shaojie Wang
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1818; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081818 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Conservation tillage can improve soil health and carbon sequestration and is helpful for sustainable agricultural development. However, its effect on crop yields and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions is still controversial. In this study, a two-year field experiment of spring maize was [...] Read more.
Conservation tillage can improve soil health and carbon sequestration and is helpful for sustainable agricultural development. However, its effect on crop yields and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions is still controversial. In this study, a two-year field experiment of spring maize was conducted from 2019 to 2020 in the Phaeozems region of Northeast China, involving two tillage practices (strip tillage and conventional tillage) and two nitrogen inhibitors (N-butylthiophosphorotriamine, NBPT and 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate, DMPP). The WHCNS (Soil Water Heat Carbon Nitrogen Simulator) model was calibrated and validated with field observations, and the effects of different tillage practices and nitrification inhibitors on spring maize yield, N2O emissions, water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were simulated using the WHCNS model. Precipitation scenarios were set up to simulate and analyze the changes in patterns of crop yield and N2O emissions under long-term conservation tillage for 30 years (1991–2020). The results showed that concerning maize yield, under conservation tillage, the type of straw and nitrogen fertilizer inhibitor could explain 72.1% and 7.1%, respectively, of the total variance in maize yield, while precipitation explained only 14.1% of the total variance, with a 28.5% increase in crop yield in a humid year compared to a dry year. N2O emissions were principally influenced by precipitation, which could explain 46.4% of the total variance in N2O emissions. Furthermore, N2O emissions were 385% higher in humid years than in dry years. Straw under conservation tillage and inhibitor type explained 8.1% and 19.4% of the total variance in N2O emissions, respectively. Conservation tillage with nitrification inhibitors is recommended to increase crop yields, improve soil quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Phaeozems region of Northeast China, thus ensuring sustainable agricultural development in the region. Full article
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26 pages, 4820 KiB  
Article
Olive Oil Wastewater Revalorization into a High-Added Value Product: A Biofertilizer Assessment Combining LCA and MCI
by Roberto Petrucci, Gabriele Menegaldo, Lucia Rocchi, Luisa Paolotti, Antonio Boggia and Debora Puglia
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6779; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156779 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 295
Abstract
The olive oil sector constitutes a fundamental pillar in the Mediterranean region from socio-economic and cultural perspectives. Nonetheless, it produces significant amounts of waste, leading to numerous environmental issues. These waste streams contain valuable compounds that can be recovered and utilized as inputs [...] Read more.
The olive oil sector constitutes a fundamental pillar in the Mediterranean region from socio-economic and cultural perspectives. Nonetheless, it produces significant amounts of waste, leading to numerous environmental issues. These waste streams contain valuable compounds that can be recovered and utilized as inputs for various applications. This study introduces a novel value chain for olive wastes, focused on extracting lignin from olive pomace by ionic liquids and polyphenols from olive mill wastewater, which are then incorporated as hybrid nanoparticles in the formulation of an innovative starch-based biofertilizer. This biofertilizer, obtained by using residual wastewater as a source of soluble nitrogen, acting at the same time as a plasticizer for the biopolymer, was demonstrated to surpass traditional NPK biofertilizers’ efficiency, allowing for root growth and foliage in drought conditions. In order to recognize the environmental impact due to its production and align it with the technical output, the circularity and environmental performance of the proposed system were innovatively evaluated through a combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI). LCA results indicated that the initial upcycling process was potentially characterized by significant hot spots, primarily related to energy consumption (>0.70 kWh/kg of water) during the early processing stages. As a result, the LCA score of this preliminary version of the biofertilizer may be higher than that of conventional commercial products, due to reliance on thermal processes for water removal and the substantial contribution (56%) of lignin/polyphenol precursors to the total LCA score. Replacing energy-intensive thermal treatments with more efficient alternatives represents a critical area for improvement. The MCI value of 0.84 indicates limited potential for further enhancement. Full article
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21 pages, 16254 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Winter Wheat Yield and Interpretable Accuracy Under Different Water and Nitrogen Treatments Based on CNNResNet-50
by Donglin Wang, Yuhan Cheng, Longfei Shi, Huiqing Yin, Guangguang Yang, Shaobo Liu, Qinge Dong and Jiankun Ge
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071755 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 406
Abstract
Winter wheat yield prediction is critical for optimizing field management plans and guiding agricultural production. To address the limitations of conventional manual yield estimation methods, including low efficiency and poor interpretability, this study innovatively proposes an intelligent yield estimation method based on a [...] Read more.
Winter wheat yield prediction is critical for optimizing field management plans and guiding agricultural production. To address the limitations of conventional manual yield estimation methods, including low efficiency and poor interpretability, this study innovatively proposes an intelligent yield estimation method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). A comprehensive two-factor (fertilization × irrigation) controlled field experiment was designed to thoroughly validate the applicability and effectiveness of this method. The experimental design comprised two irrigation treatments, sufficient irrigation (C) at 750 m3 ha−1 and deficit irrigation (M) at 450 m3 ha−1, along with five fertilization treatments (at a rate of 180 kg N ha−1): (1) organic fertilizer alone, (2) organic–inorganic fertilizer blend at a 7:3 ratio, (3) organic–inorganic fertilizer blend at a 3:7 ratio, (4) inorganic fertilizer alone, and (5) no fertilizer control. The experimental protocol employed a DJI M300 RTK unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a multispectral sensor to systematically acquire high-resolution growth imagery of winter wheat across critical phenological stages, from heading to maturity. The acquired multispectral imagery was meticulously annotated using the Labelme professional annotation tool to construct a comprehensive experimental dataset comprising over 2000 labeled images. These annotated data were subsequently employed to train an enhanced CNN model based on ResNet50 architecture, which achieved automated generation of panicle density maps and precise panicle counting, thereby realizing yield prediction. Field experimental results demonstrated significant yield variations among fertilization treatments under sufficient irrigation, with the 3:7 organic–inorganic blend achieving the highest actual yield (9363.38 ± 468.17 kg ha−1) significantly outperforming other treatments (p < 0.05), confirming the synergistic effects of optimized nitrogen and water management. The enhanced CNN model exhibited superior performance, with an average accuracy of 89.0–92.1%, representing a 3.0% improvement over YOLOv8. Notably, model accuracy showed significant correlation with yield levels (p < 0.05), suggesting more distinct panicle morphological features in high-yield plots that facilitated model identification. The CNN’s yield predictions demonstrated strong agreement with the measured values, maintaining mean relative errors below 10%. Particularly outstanding performance was observed for the organic fertilizer with full irrigation (5.5% error) and the 7:3 organic-inorganic blend with sufficient irrigation (8.0% error), indicating that the CNN network is more suitable for these management regimes. These findings provide a robust technical foundation for precision farming applications in winter wheat production. Future research will focus on integrating this technology into smart agricultural management systems to enable real-time, data-driven decision making at the farm scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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18 pages, 2565 KiB  
Article
Effects of Intracellular Polysaccharides and Proteins of Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa on Water Quality, Floc Formation, and Microbial Composition in a Biofloc System
by Mengsha Lou, Yuhan Zhang, Manman Zhang, Hangxian Zhou, Yixiang Zhang, Qiang Sheng, Jianhua Zhao, Qiyou Xu and Rongfei Zhang
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071704 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
The use of Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa (formerly Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and its intracellular substances (ISs) to promote biofloc development has been extensively studied. To identify the key components of the ISs of A. pyrenoidosa that drive biofloc formation, algal-extracted polysaccharides (AEPSs) and algal-extracted proteins [...] Read more.
The use of Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa (formerly Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and its intracellular substances (ISs) to promote biofloc development has been extensively studied. To identify the key components of the ISs of A. pyrenoidosa that drive biofloc formation, algal-extracted polysaccharides (AEPSs) and algal-extracted proteins (AEPTs) were isolated from the ISs. In this study, we established four groups: ISs, AEPSs, AEPTs, and tap water (TW, control), to investigate the effects of AEPSs and AEPTs on biofloc formation dynamics, water quality parameters, and microbial community composition. The results indicated no significant differences were observed between the ISs and AEPSs groups during the cultivation period. AEPSs significantly enhanced flocculation efficiency, achieving a final floc volume of 60 mL/L. This enhancement was attributed to the selective promotion of floc-forming microbial taxa, such as Comamonas, which can secrete procoagulants like EPS, and Pseudomonas and Enterobacter, which have denitrification capabilities. Water quality monitoring revealed that both AEPSs and AEPTs achieved nitrogen removal efficiencies exceeding 50% in the biofloc system, with AEPSs outperforming AEPTs. This is closely related to the fact that the microorganisms with increased flocculation contain numerous nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. So, the intracellular polysaccharides were the key component of the ISs of A. pyrenoidosa that drive biofloc formation. These findings provide critical insights into the functional roles of algal-derived macromolecules in biofloc dynamics and their potential applications in wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbes, Society and Sustainable Solutions)
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18 pages, 3353 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of a Novel Air Pollution Abatement System for Ammonia Emissions Reduction in a UK Livestock Building
by Andrea Pacino, Antonino La Rocca, Donata Magrin and Fabio Galatioto
Atmosphere 2025, 16(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16070869 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 312
Abstract
Agriculture and animal feeding operations are responsible for 87% of ammonia emissions in the UK. Controlling NH3 concentrations below 20 ppm is crucial to preserve workers’ and livestock’s well-being. Therefore, ammonia control systems are required for maintaining adequate air quality in livestock [...] Read more.
Agriculture and animal feeding operations are responsible for 87% of ammonia emissions in the UK. Controlling NH3 concentrations below 20 ppm is crucial to preserve workers’ and livestock’s well-being. Therefore, ammonia control systems are required for maintaining adequate air quality in livestock facilities. This study assessed the ammonia reduction efficiency of a novel air pollution abatement (APA) system used in a pig farm building. The monitoring duration was 11 weeks. The results were compared with the baseline from a previous pig cycle during the same time of year in 2023. A ventilation-controlled room was monitored during a two-phase campaign, and the actual ammonia concentrations were measured at different locations within the site and at the inlet/outlet of the APA system. A 98% ammonia reduction was achieved at the APA outlet through NH3 absorption in tap water. Ion chromatography analyses of farm water samples revealed NH3 concentrations of up to 530 ppm within 83 days of APA operation. Further scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray inspections revealed the presence of salts and organic/inorganic matter in the solid residues. This research can contribute to meeting current ammonia regulations (NECRs), also by reusing the process water as a potential nitrogen fertiliser in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Anthropogenic Emissions on Air Quality)
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20 pages, 5507 KiB  
Article
Variable-Rate Nitrogen Application in Wheat Based on UAV-Derived Fertilizer Maps and Precision Agriculture Technologies
by Alexandros Tsitouras, Christos Noulas, Vasilios Liakos, Stamatis Stamatiadis, Miltiadis Tziouvalekas, Ruijun Qin and Eleftherios Evangelou
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071714 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1127
Abstract
Variable-rate nitrogen (VR-N) application allows farmers to optimize nitrogen (N) input site-specifically within field boundaries, enhancing both economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. In this study, VR-N technology was applied to durum wheat in two small-scale commercial fields (3–4 ha each) located in distinct [...] Read more.
Variable-rate nitrogen (VR-N) application allows farmers to optimize nitrogen (N) input site-specifically within field boundaries, enhancing both economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. In this study, VR-N technology was applied to durum wheat in two small-scale commercial fields (3–4 ha each) located in distinct agro-climatic zones of Thessaly, central Greece. A real-time VR-N application algorithm was used to calculate N rates based on easily obtainable near-real-time data from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, tailored to the crop’s actual needs. VR-N implementation was carried out using conventional fertilizer spreaders equipped to read prescription maps. Results showed that VR-N reduced N input by up to 49.6% compared to the conventional uniform-rate N (UR-N) application, with no significant impact on wheat yield or grain quality. In one of the fields, the improved gain of VR-N when compared to UR-N was 7.2%, corresponding to an economic gain of EUR 163.8 ha−1, while in the second field—where growing conditions were less favorable—no considerable VR-N economic gain was observed. Environmental benefits were also notable. The carbon footprint (CF) of the wheat crop was reduced by 6.4% to 22.0%, and residual soil nitrate (NO3) levels at harvest were 13.6% to 36.1% lower in VR-N zones compared to UR-N zones. These findings suggest a decreased risk of NO3 leaching and ground water contamination. Overall, the study supports the viability of VR-N as a practical and scalable approach to improve N use efficiency (NUE) and reduce the environmental impact of wheat cultivation which could be readily adopted by farmers. Full article
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26 pages, 1676 KiB  
Article
Water and Nitrogen Dynamics of Mungbean as a Summer Crop in Temperate Environments
by Sachesh Silwal, Audrey J. Delahunty, Ashley J. Wallace, Sally Norton, Alexis Pang and James G. Nuttall
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071711 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
Mungbean is grown as a summer crop in subtropical climates globally. The global demand for mungbean is increasing, and opportunities exist to expand production regions to more marginal environments, such as southern Australia, as an opportunistic summer crop to help meet the growing [...] Read more.
Mungbean is grown as a summer crop in subtropical climates globally. The global demand for mungbean is increasing, and opportunities exist to expand production regions to more marginal environments, such as southern Australia, as an opportunistic summer crop to help meet the growing global demand. Mungbean has the potential to be an opportunistic summer crop when an appropriate sowing window coincides with sufficient soil water. This expansion from subtropical to temperate climates will pose challenges, including low temperatures, a longer day length and a low and variable water supply. To assess mungbean suitability to temperate, southern Australian summer rainfall patterns and soil water availability, we conducted field experiments applying a range of water treatments across four locations with contrasting rainfall patterns within the state of Victoria (in southern Australia) in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. The water treatments were applied prior to sowing (60 mm), the vegetative stage (40 mm) and the reproductive stage (40 mm) in a factorial combination at each location. Two commercial cultivars, Celera II-AU and Jade-AU, were used. Water scarcity during flowering and the pod-filling stages were important factors constraining yield. Analysis of yield components showed that increasing water availability at critical growth stages, viz. the vegetative and reproductive stages, of mungbean was associated with increases in total biomass, HI and grain number in addition to increased water use and water use efficiency (WUE). Average WUEs ranged from 1.3 to 7.6 kg·ha−1·mm−1. The maximum potential WUE values were 6.4 and 5.1 kg·ha−1·mm−1 for Celera II-AU and Jade-AU across the sites, with the estimated soil evaporation values (x-intercept) of 83 and 74 mm, respectively. Nitrogen fixation was variable, with %Ndfa values ranging from 9.6 to 76.8%, and was significantly affected by soil water availability. This study emphasises the importance of water availability during the reproductive phase for mungbean yield. The high rainfall zones within Victoria have the potential to grow mungbean as an opportunistic summer crop. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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18 pages, 1422 KiB  
Article
Potable Water Recovery for Space Habitation Systems Using Hybrid Life Support Systems: Biological Pretreatment Coupled with Reverse Osmosis for Humidity Condensate Recovery
by Sunday Adu, William Shane Walker and William Andrew Jackson
Membranes 2025, 15(7), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15070212 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
The development of efficient and sustainable water recycling systems is essential for long-term human missions and the establishment of space habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Humidity condensate (HC) is a low-strength wastewater that is currently recycled on the International Space Station [...] Read more.
The development of efficient and sustainable water recycling systems is essential for long-term human missions and the establishment of space habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Humidity condensate (HC) is a low-strength wastewater that is currently recycled on the International Space Station (ISS). The main contaminants in HC are primarily low-molecular-weight organics and ammonia. This has caused operational issues due to microbial growth in the Water Process Assembly (WPA) storage tank as well as failure of downstream systems. In addition, treatment of this wastewater primarily uses adsorptive and exchange media, which must be continually resupplied and represent a significant life-cycle cost. This study demonstrates the integration of a membrane-aerated biological reactor (MABR) for pretreatment and storage of HC, followed by brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO). Two system configurations were tested: (1) periodic MABR fluid was sent to batch RO operating at 90% water recovery with the RO concentrate sent to a separate waste tank; and (2) periodic MABR fluid was sent to batch RO operating at 90% recovery with the RO concentrate returned to the MABR (accumulating salinity in the MABR). With an external recycle tank (configuration 2), the system produced 2160 L (i.e., 1080 crew-days) of near potable water (dissolved organic carbon (DOC) < 10 mg/L, total nitrogen (TN) < 12 mg/L, total dissolved solids (TDS) < 30 mg/L) with a single membrane (weight of 260 g). When the MABR was used as the RO recycle tank (configuration 1), 1100 L of permeate could be produced on a single membrane; RO permeate quality was slightly better but generally similar to the first configuration even though no brine was wasted during the run. The results suggest that this hybrid system has the potential to significantly enhance the self-sufficiency of space habitats, supporting sustainable extraterrestrial human habitation, as well as reducing current operational problems on the ISS. These systems may also apply to extreme locations such as remote/isolated terrestrial locations, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membranes and Membrane Technologies for Wastewater Treatment)
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16 pages, 2619 KiB  
Article
Synthesizing a Tolerant Nitrogen Reduction Microbial Community Using Response Surface Methodology
by Lei Chen, Danhua Wang, Lieyu Zhang, Ao Li, Xu Wang, Shishun Sun and Huijuan Feng
Water 2025, 17(14), 2101; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142101 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 219
Abstract
Nitrogen-metabolizing microbes are the keystone drivers of reducing nitrogen pollutants in wastewater and natural waters, but the one-way experiment with fixed screening factors fails to discover the optimal scope of nitrogen-metabolizing microbes performing nitrogen reduction. This study novelly combines the one-way experiment and [...] Read more.
Nitrogen-metabolizing microbes are the keystone drivers of reducing nitrogen pollutants in wastewater and natural waters, but the one-way experiment with fixed screening factors fails to discover the optimal scope of nitrogen-metabolizing microbes performing nitrogen reduction. This study novelly combines the one-way experiment and response surface methodology (RSM) modeling to synthesize an effective nitrogen reduction microbial community, with the RSM model showing high goodness-of-fit (R2 = 0.83, p = 0.01) for optimizing the strain combination. Eight bacterial strains were isolated from contaminated sediment and activated sludge. Three efficient strains, arranged to Ignatzschieria indica, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Acinetobacter baumannii by 16S rDNA sequencing, were screened using the above combination method to synthesize a nitrogen reduction microbial community. Within the synthetic microbial community, Ignatzschieria indica and Staphylococcus epidermidis possessed denitrification abilities, and Acinetobacter baumannii contributed to nitrification with 99% of ammonium oxidation. This synthesis microbial community displayed synchronous nitrification and denitrification under interval aeration and possessed wide pH tolerance from 6 to 10, with a steady >80% total inorganic nitrogen reduction. This research managed to synthesize a tolerant nitrogen reduction microbial community and provides novel insight for constructing synthetic microbial consortia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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22 pages, 892 KiB  
Review
Membrane Technologies for Bioengineering Microalgae: Sustainable Applications in Biomass Production, Carbon Capture, and Industrial Wastewater Valorization
by Michele Greque Morais, Gabriel Martins Rosa, Luiza Moraes, Larissa Chivanski Lopes and Jorge Alberto Vieira Costa
Membranes 2025, 15(7), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15070205 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 546
Abstract
In accordance with growing environmental pressures and the demand for sustainable industrial practices, membrane technologies have emerged as key enablers for increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting circular processes across multiple sectors. This review focuses on the integration among microalgae-based systems, offering innovative [...] Read more.
In accordance with growing environmental pressures and the demand for sustainable industrial practices, membrane technologies have emerged as key enablers for increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting circular processes across multiple sectors. This review focuses on the integration among microalgae-based systems, offering innovative and sustainable solutions for biomass production, carbon capture, and industrial wastewater treatment. In cultivation, membrane photobioreactors (MPBRs) have demonstrated biomass productivity up to nine times greater than that of conventional systems and significant reductions in water (above 75%) and energy (approximately 0.75 kWh/m3) footprints. For carbon capture, hollow fiber membranes and hybrid configurations increase CO2 transfer rates by up to 300%, achieving utilization efficiencies above 85%. Coupling membrane systems with industrial effluents has enabled nutrient removal efficiencies of up to 97% for nitrogen and 93% for phosphorus, contributing to environmental remediation and resource recovery. This review also highlights recent innovations, such as self-forming dynamic membranes, magnetically induced vibration systems, antifouling surface modifications, and advanced control strategies that optimize process performance and energy use. These advancements position membrane-based microalgae systems as promising platforms for carbon-neutral biorefineries and sustainable industrial operations, particularly in the oil and gas, mining, and environmental technology sectors, which are aligned with global climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article
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24 pages, 2708 KiB  
Article
Sewage Sludge Biochar Improves Water Use Efficiency and Bean Yield in a Small-Scale Field Experiment with Different Doses on Sandy Soil Under Semiarid Conditions
by Raví Emanoel de Melo, Vanilson Pedro da Silva, Diogo Paes da Costa, Maria Fernanda de A. Tenório Alves, Márcio Henrique Leal Lopes, Eline Dias Barbosa, José Henrique de Souza Júnior, Argemiro Pereira Martins Filho, Gustavo Pereira Duda, Antonio Celso Dantas Antonino, Maria Camila de Barros Silva, Claude Hammecker, José Romualdo de Sousa Lima and Érika Valente de Medeiros
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(7), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7070227 - 9 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Soil degradation and water scarcity pose major challenges to sustainable agriculture in semiarid regions, requiring innovative strategies to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and soil fertility. This study assessed the effects of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) on soil properties, WUE, and common bean [...] Read more.
Soil degradation and water scarcity pose major challenges to sustainable agriculture in semiarid regions, requiring innovative strategies to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and soil fertility. This study assessed the effects of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) on soil properties, WUE, and common bean yield through a small-scale controlled field experiment under rainfed conditions in Northeast Brazil. Four SSB application rates (5, 10, 20, and 40 t ha−1) were compared with conventional NPK fertilization, treated sewage sludge (SS), and chicken manure (CM). The application of 20 t ha−1 (B20) significantly improved soil organic carbon, nitrogen content, water retention, and microbial biomass. B20 also increased WUE by 148% and grain yield by 146% relative to NPK, while maintaining safe levels of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in bean grains. Although 40 t ha−1 (B40) enhanced soil fertility further, it posed a risk of PTE accumulation, reinforcing the advantage of B20 as an optimal and safe dose. These results highlight the potential of SSB to replace or complement conventional fertilizers, especially in sandy soils with limited water retention. The study supports SSB application as a sustainable soil management practice that aligns with circular economy principles, offering a viable solution for improving productivity and environmental resilience in semiarid agriculture. Full article
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14 pages, 2265 KiB  
Article
Octahedral Paclobutrazol–Zinc Complex for Enhanced Chemical Topping Efficacy in Mechanized Cotton Production: A Two-Year Field Evaluation in Xinjiang
by Jincheng Shen, Sumei Wan, Guodong Chen, Jianwei Zhang, Chen Liu, Junke Wu, Yong Li, Jie Liu, Shuren Liu, Baojiu Zhang, Meng Lu and Hongqiang Dong
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071659 - 8 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Topping is an essential step in cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, China, which can effectively increase the number of bolls per plant and optimize the yield and quality. Paclobutrazol, as a common chemical topping agent for cotton, faces challenges such as unstable topping effect [...] Read more.
Topping is an essential step in cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, China, which can effectively increase the number of bolls per plant and optimize the yield and quality. Paclobutrazol, as a common chemical topping agent for cotton, faces challenges such as unstable topping effect and limited leaf surface absorption during application. In this study, paclobutrazol was used as the ligand and a zinc complex was synthesized by the thermosolvent method to replace paclobutrazol and improve the topping effect on cotton. The structure of the complex was characterized using FTIR, UV-vis, TG, and XRD analyses. The results confirmed that each zinc ion coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from the triazole rings of paclobutrazol and two oxygen atoms from nitrate ions, forming an octahedral geometry. Surface tension measurement and analysis revealed that the complex had a surface tension reduction of 12.75 mN/m compared to paclobutrazol, thereby enhancing the surface activity of the complex in water systems and improving its absorption efficiency on plant leaves. Two-year field trials indicated that the foliar application of the complex at a dosage of 120 g·hm−2 in inhibiting cotton plant height was more stable to that of paclobutrazol or mepiquat chloride. It also shortened the length of fruiting branches, making the shape of cotton plants compact, thereby indirectly improving the ventilation and light penetration of the cotton field and the convenience of mechanical harvesting. Yield data showed that, compared with artificial topping, the complex at a dosage of 120 g·hm−2 treatment increased cotton yield by approximately 4.6%. Therefore, the paclobutrazol–zinc complex is a promising alternative to manual topping and have great application potential in future mechanized cotton production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Farming Sustainability)
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