Research Advances in Agricultural Reutilization of Urban-rural Organic Wastes

The author summarized the advantages and potential risks of urban-rural organic wastes agricultural reutilization to reduce the potential risks of urban-rural organic wastes agricultural utilization. The results showed that： the organic wastes generated in urban-rural life as fertilizer applied into farmland made an impact on soil properties, then indirectly affected the soil microbial biomass and soil enzymes activities. In addition, the heavy metals in organic wastes would accumulate in the soil and damage to soil environment. Therefore, it was necessary to make a long- term research on the environment of soil which agricultural utilized of wastes.

An agent-based model of agricultural land expansion in the mountain forest of Timor Island,Indonesia

The Mutis-Timau Forest Complex,located on Timor Island,Indonesia,is a mountainous tropical forest area that gradually decreases due to deforestation and forest degradation.Previous modelling studies based on patterns indicate that deforestation primarily occurs at lower elevations and near the boundaries of forests and settlements,often associated with shifting cultivation by local farmers.This study adopts a process-based modelling approach,specifically the agent-based model,to simulate land changes,particularly farmers'expansion of agricultural land around the Mutis mountain forest.The underlying concept of this agent-based approach is the interaction between the human and environmental systems.Farmers,representing the human system,interact with the land,which represents the environmental system,through land use decision-making mechanisms.The research was conducted in the Community Forest of the Timor Tengah Utara District,one of the sites within the Mutis-Timau Forest Complex with the highest deforestation rate.Land use change simulations were performed using agent-based modelling from 1999 to 2030,considering the socio-economic conditions of farmers,spatial preferences,land use decisions,and natural transitions.The results revealed that the agricultural area increased by 14%under the Business as Usual scenario and 5%under the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation scenario,compared to the initial agricultural area of 245 hectares.The probability of farmers deciding to extend agricultural activities was positively associated with the number of livestock maintained by farmers and the size of the village area.Conversely,the likelihood of farmers opting for agricultural extensification decreased with an increase in the area of private land and the farmer's age.These findings are crucial for the managers of the Mutis-Timau Forest Complex and other relevant stakeholders,as they aid in arranging actions to combat deforestation,designing proper forest-related policies,and providing support for initiatives such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation programs or further incentive schemes.

How to enhance agricultural plastic waste management in China?Insights from public participation

Agricultural plastics play a pivotal role in agricultural production.However,due to expensive costs,agricultural plastic waste management(APWM)encounters a vast funding gap.As one of the crucial stakeholders,the public deserves to make appropriate efforts for APWM.Accordingly,identifying whether the public is willing to pay for APWM and clarifying the decisions’driving pathways to explore initiatives for promoting their payment intentions are essential to address the dilemma confronting APWM.To this end,by applying the extended theory of planned behavior(TPB),the study conducted an empirical analysis based on 1,288 residents from four provinces(autonomous regions)of northern China.Results illustrate that:1)respondents hold generally positive and relatively strong payment willingness towards APWM;2)respondents’attitude(AT),subjective norm(SN),and perceived behavioral control(PBC)are positively correlated with their payment intentions(INT);3)environmental cognition(EC)and environmental emotion(EE)positively moderate the relationships between AT and INT,and between SN and INT,posing significant indirect impacts on INT.The study’s implications extend to informing government policies,suggesting that multi-entity cooperation,specifically public payment for APWM,can enhance agricultural non-point waste management.

Research Situation and Development Trend of Resource Recycling Technology for Agricultural Wastes

Rational utilization of agricultural waste resources is of great significance to reducing environmental pollution, improving rural ecological environment, and developing agricultural circular economy. Besides, in the context of global energy crisis, the research of resource utilization technology for agricultural wastes will exert considerable influence on survival and living of human beings. We firstly discuss about general situations of agricultural waste resources in China, research and application situations of agricultural waste recycling technology both at home and abroad. On the basis of development trend of agricultural waste recycling, we put forward countermeasures for agricultural waste recycling in China.

Enhanced copper recovery from low grade copper sulfide ores through bioleaching using residues produced by fermentation of agricultural wastes

Effects of residues produced by agricultural wastes fermentation(AWF)on low grade copper sulfide ores bioleaching,copper recovery,and microbial community were investigated.The results indicated that adding appropriate bulk of AWF made contributions to low grade copper sulfide ores bioleaching,which may be mainly realized through reducing the passivation layer formed by Fe3+hydrolysis.Improved copper recovery(78.35%)and bacteria concentration(9.56×10^(7)cells·mL^(−1))were yielded in the presence of 5 g·L^(−1)AWF.The result of 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated that microbial community was differentiated by adding AWF.Bacteria proportion,such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,Moraxella osloensis,and Lactobacillus acetotolerans changed distinctly.Great difference between samples was showed according to beta diversity index,and the maximum value reached 0.375.Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans accounted for the highest proportion throughout the bioleaching process,and that of sample in the presence of 5 g·L^(−) AWF reached 28.63%.The results should show reference to application of agricultural wastes and low grade copper sulfide ores.

Preparation of Dicarboxyl Cellulose Nanocrystals from Agricultural Wastes by Sequential Periodate-Chlorite Oxidation

Agricultural waste straw is the renewable resource with the highest annual yield in the world.In value-added applications of agricultural waste,dicarboxyl cellulose nanocrystals(DCCs)are prepared from rice,wheat,and corn straw by sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation.In this study,DCCs from rice,wheat,and corn straw were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),Fourier transform infrared spectrometer,X-ray diffractometer(XRD),and thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA).The carboxyl content of the DCCs was also investigated.XRD results show that the crystallinity index decreased after sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation;however,the cellulose I structure was maintained.TEM results show that rod-shaped DCCs with an average length and width of 287.0 nm and 9.9 nm,respectively,were successfully prepared by sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation.The carboxyl content of the DCCs was around 3.9 mmol/g,and not affected by the type of straw.Experiments to study the removal of copper ions in aqueous medium were performed with the prepared DCCs.The adsorption capacities of copper ions were 131,162,and 144 mg/g for DCCs prepared from rice,wheat,and corn straws,respectively.The results show that DCCs prepared from rice,wheat,and corn straws by sequential periodatechlorite oxidation have potential for the removal of copper ions from aqueous medium.

Composting of Disposal Organic Wastes: Resource Recovery for Agricultural Sustainability

One of the major problems of agricultural soils in the tropical regions of the Pacific is the low organic matter content.Because of the hot and humid environment,the soil organic matter(SOM)is minimal due to rapid decomposition.Composted organic material is being applied on agricultural fields as an amendment to provide nutrients and enhance the organic matter content for improving the physical and chemical properties of the cultivated soils.In addition land application of composted material as a fertilizer source effectively disposes of wastes that otherwise are buried in landfills.In our soil program at the University of Guam,we are evaluating the use of organic material as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers.Its goal is to develop management strategies and use available resources for improving crop production while conserving resources and preserving environmental quality.Our case study project is designed to improve soil fertility status by using composted organic wastes and assessing how the nitrogen and other essential nutrients contribute to long-term soil fertility and crop productivity without application of synthetic fertilizers.In our pilot project,compost is produced from wood chips,grinded typhoon debris mixed with animal manure,fish feed,shredded paper and other organic wastes.Mature compost is then applied on the field at the rates of 0,5,10 and 20 t/ha as a soil amendment on the eroded cobbly soils of southern Guam.Corn is planted and monitored for growth performance and yield.The effect of land application of composted material on the SOM content and overall soil quality indices are being evaluated in this pilot study.

Controlling effects of forest belts on non-point source pollution of agricultural lands in Taihu Lake area, China

Taihu Lake area is one of the most developed areas in agricultural production. Application of fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities greatly aggravate environmental pollution of this area, and water pollution has worsened to an unbearable condition. Two sampling farms (respectively 1 hm2) under rape-rice rotation and wheat-rice rotation were selected as studied ecosystem and a 5-yr-old Poplar forest and 8-yr-old Metasequoia forest were chosen in the selected areas. By collecting samples of Nitrogen, Phosphorus in water, crops and underground of forest, the transfer and loss of N and P (main water pollutants) in faming ecosystem were studied, and the effects of forest belts on non-point source pollution of agricultural lands was analyzed. The results indicated that the transfer and loss of N and P vary with means of rotation, types of crops and the amount of fertilizer application. Buffering forest belts betweens farmlands and ditches can effectively stop and purify such elements as N and P in soil runoffs, thus controlling non-point source pollution of agricultural lands. When the width ratio of farmland to forest belt is 100 to 40, 50.05% losing N, 29.37% losing P can be absorbed by forest under rape-rice rotation and 30.98% N, 86.73% P can be absorbed by forest under wheat-rice rotation. When the width ratio of farmland to forest belt is 150 to 40, 33.37% losing N, 19.58% losing P can be absorbed by the forest under rape-rice rotation, and under wheat-rice rotation 20.65% lost N and 57.82% lost P can be absorbed. There is only some purification effect when the width ration of farmland to forest belt is 200 to 40. Based on model of buffering forest belts, the width ratio of farmland to forest is determined between 100 to 40 and 150 to 40, because it not only can purify water, but also occupy less farmland. It is suggested that Poplars, with the characteristics of fast-growing and high value, are suitable to be planted as shelter-forest in Taihu Lake Watershed.

Stable Control of Influence Factor during Two-phase Anaerobic Digestion for Agricultural Organic Waste

Two-phase anaerobic digestion process is influenced by acid control for hydrogen production, reaction temperature, substrate detention time, sludge activity, and granular formation. Al of these technological parameters are directly related to success or failure of the system operation and treatment effect.

Solid State Reaction Yielding a Mineral Utilizing Silica Obtained from an Agricultural Waste

Wollastonite, a mineral of wide industrial applications was synthesised from rice husk ash silica and limestone. A number of raw batches consisting of these starting materials, in 1:1 molar ratio, were heat treated to produce it through solid state reaction from 900℃ to 1300℃. The conducted reaction was monitored by XRD step by step. Amount of Wollastonite formed at every temperature was also studied to some extent. Analyses of the obtained data indicated that the target mineral formation was quite effective and almost proportional to a rise in temperature up to 1200℃. The results from both, XRD and chemical analysis were found in fair agreement with one another

Toxicological studies for some agricultural waste extracts on mosquito larvae and experimental animals

Objective:To evaluate some agricultural waste extracts as insecticide and their effects on enzyme activities in liver and kidney of male mice.Methods:The insecticidal activity of five tested compounds(one crude extract and 4 waste compounds) was bioassay against the 3rd instars of the Culex pipiens(Cx.pipiens) larvae in the laboratory.The LC_(50) values of eucalyptol,apricot kernel.Rice bran,corn,black liquor and white liquor are 91.45.1166.1,1203.3.21449.65.4025.78 and 6343.18 ppm,respectively.Selection of the compounds for the subsequent studies was not only dependent on LC_(50) values but also on the persistence of these wastes products on large scale.Results:White and black liquor did not produce any gross effect at 200 mg/Kg body weight.No apparent toxic symptoms were observed in tested animals during the whole period of the experimenl which run out for 14 days.No statistically significance was observed in the enzyme choliuesterase activity,the activities of liver enzymes and kidney function in treated mice with black and while liquors.While,no and slighl inhibition was observed after the 2weeks ol treatment period with deltamethrin and lenilrothion reached to about 24%in plasma cholinesterase enzyme activity.Significantly increase in the activities ol liver enzymes and kidney function in treated mice with deltamethrin and fenitrothion.Conclusions:Black liquor can be used efficiently In control Cx.pipiens larvae under laboratory condition.Environmental problem caused by rice straw can be solved by converting the waste material to beneficial natural selective insecticide.

Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption from Aqueous Solution by Agricultural Waste Materials

Abilities of agricultural waste materials (walnut shell-WS, rice husk-RH, and peanut hull-PH) were tested as adsorbents for the adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the adsorption kinetics mechanism of Cr(Ⅵ) effect of adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and temperature. The best results are obtained at 15g/L adsorbent concentration, 60min contact time, 298K temperature, and 50mg/L adsorbate initial concentration at pH 2. The adsorption isotherms, using initial concentrations of Cr(Ⅵ) between 10 and 500mg/L for the Cr(Ⅵ) removal, show the maximum metal uptake capacities of adsorbent were 10.48, 6.71, and 8.54mg/g for WS, RH, and PH, respectively. And the adsorption data fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm for WS, RH, and PH with correlation coefficients of 0.9862, 0.9723, and 0.9714, respectively. Moreover, the FTIR analysis of WS, RH, and PH before and after adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) suggested that Cr ions were combined to some functional groups of compounds contained in these materials.

A chronosequence analysis of forest recovery on abandoned agricultural fields in Nicaragua

Species composition, diversity and population structure of woody species recovered on three abandoned agricultural fields after 4, 9 and 14 years were characterized. Seedlings, saplings/poles and mature trees were identified and counted in 70 plots of 100 m^2 in each abandoned site. A total of 13, 29 and 22 families represented by 17, 48 and 44 species were registered in 4-, 9- and 14-year-old stands, respectively. There was a shift in dominant species across successional stages. Lonchocarpus acuminatus had the highest importance value in the 4-year old stand, whereas, Myrospermun frutescens, Guazurna ulmifolia and Cordia alliodora had the highest importance value in the 9-year-old-stand and Caesaeria corymbosa, Muntingia calabura, Gliricidia sepium and Tabebuia rosea in the 14-year-old stand. The total stem density increased from 5011 to 9631 individuals per hectare as the age of abandonment increased from 4 to 14 years. The total basal area of individuals _〉 I cm d.b.h, also increased with the age of abandonment. Overall, small individuals （〈 10 cm dbh） contributed to more than half of the total basal area. Species diversity was the highest in the 9-year old stand followed by 14- and 4-year-old stands. We concluded that floristic composition of secondary forests recovers rapidly to the mature forest level compared to structural attributes, which is consistent with the general successional trajectories of tropical dry forest.

Comparison and Analysis of Agricultural and Forest Land Changes in Typical Agricultural Regions of Northern Mid-latitudes

The northeastern China, the United States, and the western Europe are important agricultural regions both on the global and regional scales. The westem Europe has a longer history of agricultural land development than the eastem United States. These two regions have changed from the deforestation and reclamation phase in the past to the current land abandonment and reforestation phase. Compared with the two regions, large-scale land exploitation has only been practiced in the northeastern China during the last century. After a short high-intensity deforestation and reclamation period, agricultural and forest lands are basically in a dynamic steady state. By comparing domestic and international agro-forestry development and considering the ecological environment and socio-economic bene- fits that can be derived from agro-forestry, this paper suggests that large area of reforestation would be inevitable in future though per- sistent and large agricultural demand in coming decades even more. And local reforestation at slope farmland with ecological vulner- ability should be imperative at present to avoid severer damage. At the same time, from the perspective of Land Change Science, the results demonstrate that the research on land use change in the agro-forestry ecotone is typical and critical, particularly those dealing with the analysis of spatial and temporal characteristics and the simulation of climate, hydrology, and other environmental effects.

The Energy Consumption of Heatingin the Northeast Rural Area of China from the Perspective of the Kang and Agricultural Waste

In China, the heating energy consumption patterns of rural housing are changing due to economic development. This study investigated domestic heating in rural areas of Dalian, a city in northeast China. In rural areas of the country, heating devices such as coal boiler, radiator, and/ or air-conditioner are typically used. The Kang, as the main heating system, has been used together with other heating methods for a long time in detached houses, one-story buildings, and quadrangles. Use of the Kang in collective housing is no longer observed. In addition to coal, agricultural wastes have been used to fuel the Kang; the associated CO2 emissions with agricultural fuels are lower than from other heating equipment. Even when a combination of the Kang and other equipment is used, with agricultural waste as fuel, CO2 emissions remain relatively low.

Bioconversion of low quality lignocellulosic agricultural waste into edible protein by Pleurotus sajor-caju(Fr.) Singer

Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer was cultivated on selected agro wastes viz. cotton stalks, groundnut haulms, soybean straw, pigeon pea stalks; leaves; wheat straw, alone or in combinations. Cotton stalks, pigeon pea stalks; wheat straw alone or in combination were found to be more suitable than groundnut haulms; soybean straw for the cultivation. Organic supplements such as groundnut oilseed cake, gram powder; rice bran not only affected growth parameters but also increased yields. Thus bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass by P. sajor-caju offers a promising way to convert low quality biomass into an improved human food.

Chemicals,Energy,and Biomaterials from Agricultural Waste Resources in South China

Owing to its subtropical or tropical environment and climate,South China is home to unique agricultural crops such as sugar cane,pineapple,banana,cassava,and rice,which generate a large amount of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes during agricultural as well as associated industrial processing.The efficient utilization of these wastes will have a significant impact on the economy and sustainable development of South China.This paper reviews the research investigations conducted both in China and elsewhere on the conversion of wastes from these subtropical or tropical agricultural crops into useful chemicals,energy,and biomaterials.The goal of this paper is to promote and summarize the extensive investigations on these agricultural wastes for the development of biorefinery.

A chronosequence analysis of forest recovery on abandoned agricultural fields in Nicaragua

Species composition, diversity and population structure of woody species recovered on three abandoned agricultural fields after 4, 9 and 14 years were characterized. Seedlings, saplings/poles and mature trees were identified and counted in 70 plots of 100 m2 in each abandoned site. A total of 13, 29 and 22 families represented by 17, 48 and 44 species were registered in 4-, 9-and 14-year-old stands, respectively. There was a shift in dominant species across successional stages. Lonchocarpus acuminatus had the highest importance value in the 4-year old stand, whereas, Myrospermun frutescens, Guazuma ulmifolia and Cordia alliodora had the highest importance value in the 9-year-old-stand and Caesaeria corymbosa, Muntingia calabura, Gliricidia sepium and Tabebuia rosea in the 14-year-old stand. The total stem density increased from 5011 to 9631 individuals per hectare as the age of abandonment increased from 4 to 14 years. The total basal area of individuals ≥ 1cm d.b.h. also increased with the age of abandonment. Overall, small individuals (< 10 cm dbh) contributed to more than half of the total basal area. Species diversity was the highest in the 9-year old stand followed by 14-and 4-year-old stands. We concluded that floristic composition of secondary forests recovers rapidly to the mature forest level compared to structural attributes, which is consistent with the general successional trajectories of tropical dry forest.

Forest and Agricultural Land Use Changes in the Amur River Basin in the 20th Century:Tendencies and Driving Forces

The main part of the Amur River basin(over 90%) belongs to the Russian Far East and Northeastern China.Forests and agricultural lands,covering more than 70%of considered watershed,in the 20th century played a role of important resources base for both regional economic development and growth of national economies.Present-day and future environmental conditions of adjoining regions of Russia

Composition,Property Characterization and Application of Agricultural and Forest Biomass Carbon

We analyzed the compositions and basic properties of agricultural and forest biomass carbon,and used the pot method to study the influence of such element on the remediation of contaminated soils and growth of crops.Results show that agricultural and forest biomass carbon contains various nutrients that are necessary for crop growth,high specific surface area,and pore structure development.Cotton stalk charcoal can reduce bioavailability of Cadmium(Cd) in soil.Under mild Cd pollution,soil treated with cotton stalk charcoal adsorbs Cd at a rapid rate.With increasing extent of Cd pollution,Cd adsorption rate gradually slows down and Cd adsorption amount gradually increases.In soil treated with cotton stalk charcoal,the amount of Cd accumulated in the edible portions and roots of Brassica chinensis significantly decrease.The Cd mass fraction of the edible portions and roots are reduced by 49.43%- 68.29%,64.14%- 77.66% respectively.Appropriately adding carbon cotton stalks increases crop biomass.At a certain range,increasing cotton stalk charcoal also promotes the absorption of major nutrients in Brassica chinensis.