Article
Agricultural Engineering
Andrey A. Lipin, Aleksandr G. Lipin, Ryszard Wojtowicz
Summary: A new diffusion model is proposed to simulate nutrient release from coated fertiliser particles at all stages. The model is universal and can predict the release rate and pattern for all types of coatings given a diffusion mechanism. The model considers nutrient diffusion in the solution within the coating layer, depending on the moisture content and counter diffusive flux of moisture. Experimentally verified with urea release data, the model adequately describes nutrient release from polymer-coated urea.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Richard W. Smiley
Summary: Root-lesion nematodes are parasites that affect rainfed wheat and barley production in semiarid regions, particularly where precipitation is low. Management options are limited and include crop rotation, genetic resistance, and chemical nematicides.
Article
Soil Science
Beatriz Gomez-Munoz, Dorette Muller-Stover, Veronika Hansen, Lars Stoumann Jensen, Jakob Magid
Summary: Many organically managed farms in Europe have low levels of soil phosphorus. Arable farms that rely strongly on biological nitrogen fixation have lower outputs and deplete soil phosphorus and potassium compared to farms with lower reliance on nitrogen fixation. Therefore, research on providing a balanced input of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur from alternative sources is of interest to organically managed farms in Europe. This study aimed to quantify phosphorus availability from different organic wastes and improve the N:P:K:S ratios.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hesham F. Alharby, Muhammad Rizwan, Azka Iftikhar, Khalid Mahmud Hussaini, Muhammad Zia Ur Rehman, Atif A. Bamagoos, Basmah M. Alharbi, Muhammad Asrar, Tahira Yasmeen, Shafaqat Ali
Summary: The study showed that TiO2 NPs can enhance plant growth, chlorophyll contents, and nutrient concentrations in tissues, with the highest level (600 mg/kg) showing a decrease in these parameters. The NPs also increased antioxidant activities and reduced oxidative stress in leaves. Foliar GA improved growth, yield, nutrients, and antioxidant activities while reducing oxidative stress compared to only NPs treatments.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Emma Burak, Ruben Sakrabani
Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of a novel fertiliser that incorporates captured carbon dioxide into organic matter balanced with mineral fertiliser. The results show that this carbon capture-based organo-mineral fertiliser produces comparable yields to conventional mineral fertilisers for winter wheat and winter barley, with no significant impact on soil health or root development.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Felix Bacher, Agnese Aguzzoni, Samira Chizzali, Emanuela Pignotti, Hannes Puntscher, Pietro Zignale, Giulio Voto, Massimo Tagliavini, Werner Tirler, Peter Robatscher
Summary: The study explores the possibility of discriminating between cereal samples from South Tyrol and neighboring regions using 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Soil and grain samples were collected from around 100 fields, and a high correlation between the ratios in cereal grains and soil samples was found. Cereal samples from South Tyrol exhibited relatively high 87Sr/86Sr values, distinguishing them from other regions and global cereal production areas.
Article
Agronomy
Alba Llovet, Andrea Vidal-Dura, Josep Maria Alcaniz, Angela Ribas, Xavier Domene
Summary: Biochar, produced from biomass pyrolysis, has gained attention as a potential fertiliser ingredient due to its ability to temporarily retain nutrients. A greenhouse experiment using barley as a model species compared fertilisers with and without slow-pyrolysis wood biochar. Results showed that the addition of biochar reduced nutrient leaching during the first two weeks, possibly due to microbial nutrient immobilisation. Furthermore, biochar-based fertilisers increased barley biomass and nutrient content, indicating their potential as a nutrient source.
ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Serhiy Marchuk, Stephan Tait, Payel Sinha, Peter Harris, Diogenes L. Antille, Bernadette K. McCabe
Summary: Soil application of biosolids as an organic fertiliser is a cost-effective way to maintain soil fertility, but concerns over microplastics and organic contaminants have raised scrutiny. This study reviews the contaminants in biosolids, nutrient contents, extractive technologies, and the use of recovered nutrients and biochar for organomineral fertilisers. Challenges and recommendations for future research are provided for safe reuse of biosolids-derived fertilisers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Laura Concostrina-Zubiri, Miguel Berdugo, Enrique Valencia, Betty J. Mendoza, Fernando T. Maestre
Summary: The decomposition of biocrust tissues plays a significant role in soil nutrient cycling in dryland areas, influencing soil organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, ammonia, and acid phosphatase activity.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rajan Sharma, Savita Sharma
Summary: The study aimed to assess the impact of biological processing techniques on the bio- and technofunctional characteristics of foxtail millet. Significant variations in anti-nutritional factors, starch and protein digestibility, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant potential were observed in the processed grains. The altered functional properties of the bioprocessed flours were attributed to the hydrolytic action of activated enzymes. The results suggest that bioprocessed flours could serve as potential ingredients with improved techno- and bio-functionality in cereal products.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Francois Fripiat, Alfredo Martinez-Garcia, Dario Marconi, Sarah E. Fawcett, Sebastian H. Kopf, Victoria H. Luu, Patrick A. Rafter, Run Zhang, Daniel M. Sigman, Gerald H. Haug
Summary: Ocean circulation plays a crucial role in supplying nutrients for global ocean productivity, with the Southern Ocean being a major source of nutrients for the upper ocean. Mixing is the main driver of nutrient input to the pycnocline, but advection plays a complementary role in nutrient transport from the deep ocean to the upper water column.
Article
Agronomy
Adam T. Cross
Summary: Functional traits explain 48% of the variation in seed mass and nutrient characteristics, with the most significant factors being embryo type for seed mass, and nutrient-acquisition strategy for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The transition from seed to seedling is most significantly influenced by traits such as nutrient-acquisition strategy, embryo type, dispersal syndrome, growth form, life history, and increasing seed potassium concentration, which may provide a nutritional advantage for germination and establishment on nutrient-poor substrates.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Peijie Zuo, Yuming Huang, Jianzhou Bi, Weichao Wang, Wei Li, Dawei Lu, Qinghua Zhang, Qian Liu, Guibin Jiang
Summary: Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution is a severe environmental problem worldwide, associated with various diseases. Stable isotopes have been used as valuable tracers to identify and constrain pollution sources, which is crucial for mitigating the impact of PM.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chen Gao, Sean J. Marker, Carsten Gundlach, Henning F. Poulsen, Tomas Bohr, Alexander Schulz
Summary: This study investigates the transportation pathway of photoassimilates and nutrients in conifer needles and reveals the functional 3D structure of the transfusion tissue in the bundle sheath. The results highlight the crucial role of the bundle sheath in nutrient and assimilate exchange.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Federica Conte, Marek J. Noga, Monique van Scherpenzeel, Raisa Veizaj, Rik Scharn, Juda-El Juda-El Sam, Chiara Palumbo, Frans C. A. van den Brandt, Christian Freund, Eduardo Soares, Huiqing Zhou, Dirk J. Lefeber
Summary: Metabolism plays a crucial role in cell functions and stem cell regulation. Nucleotide sugars (NSs) link glucose metabolism with cellular functions. Studying the synthesis of NSs is important for manipulating stem cell functions. Researchers developed a customizable medium and a mass-spectrometry method to trace NS biosynthesis using stable isotopes. They successfully traced carbon incorporation into NSs via glucose and other pathways in induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and used these tools to study NS biosynthesis in hiPSCs from patients with deficiency of phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1), an enzyme regulating NS synthesis.
Article
Agronomy
Molla F. Mengist, Dan Milbourne, Denis Griffin, Mike J. McLaughlin, Joanne Creedon, Peter W. Jones, Sheila Alves
Summary: This study aimed to uncover the physiological basis of differential tuber-Zn concentration between potato cultivars and identify the major source(s) of Zn to the tubers. The results showed that different cultivars have varied Zn concentration, Zn content, and biomass partitioning, with Lady Rosetta translocating higher amounts of Zn to the tubers while Cara accumulates relatively more Zn in the stems.
Article
Soil Science
Edson M. Mattiello, Eduardo L. Cancellier, Rodrigo C. Da Silva, Fien Degryse, Roslyn Baird, Mike J. Mclaughlin
Summary: Crops have low uptake of zinc, and adding elemental sulphur to zinc oxide may improve solubilisation but has limited residual effects on plants. Zinc sulphate has a higher contribution to zinc uptake by crops compared to zinc oxide and zinc oxide with elemental sulphur.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Luke M. Mosley, Tan Dang, Michael J. McLaughlin, Rob W. Fitzpatrick
Summary: The study examined the impact of drought on acid sulfate soils, finding that residual pyrite oxidation during drought lowered soil pH and mobilized dissolved metals in soils with high concentrations of pyrite. The lack of pH recovery during the rewetting phase may be due to barriers to microbial reduction reactions, while iron-oxidizing bacteria remained active.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
M. J. Salomon, R. Demarmels, S. J. Watts-Williams, M. J. McLaughlin, A. Kafle, C. Ketelsen, A. Soupir, H. Buecking, T. R. Cavagnaro, M. G. A. van der Heijden
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of 28 commercial AMF inoculants in promoting plant growth, with most of them failing to significantly enhance mycorrhizal colonization under greenhouse conditions. Effects on plant growth under field conditions were found to be dependent on changes within the mycorrhizal community.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shervin Kabiri, William Tucker, Divina A. Navarro, Jennifer Braunig, Kristie Thompson, Emma R. Knight, Thi Minh Hong Nguyen, Charles Grimison, Craig M. Barnes, Christopher P. Higgins, Jochen F. Mueller, Rai S. Kookana, Michael J. McLaughlin
Summary: This study evaluated the leaching and desorption of PFAS from contaminated soils using three different leaching tests, and found that PFAS chemical structure and pH of soil play a significant role in PFAS leaching. Additionally, no single soil property adequately described PFAS leaching behavior, highlighting the complexity of this environmental issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Claire Aspel, Paul N. C. Murphy, Michael J. McLaughlin, Patrick J. Forrestal
Summary: This study provides evidence that optimizing sulfur nutrition can lead to significant agronomic and environmental benefits, along with potential as a strategy to reduce nitrate leaching on sulfur-deficient soils.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. J. Salomon, S. J. Watts-Williams, M. J. McLaughlin, T. R. Cavagnaro
Summary: There is a lack of data on urban agriculture soil conditions, with findings showing higher plant biodiversity in community gardens and significant seasonal fluctuations in commercial sites. Soil nitrogen and carbon concentrations decreased throughout the year, with abundance of fungal spores and potential human pathogens detected in the soil.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Zhenya Lu, Yanyan Wang, Fien Degryse, Chengdong Huang, Cuihong Hou, Liangquan Wu, Rongfeng Jiang, Michael J. Mclaughlin, Fusuo Zhang
Summary: This study explored a simple and economical approach to alleviate magnesium deficiency by co-granulating magnesium with macronutrient fertilizers. The results showed no significant differences in magnesium and phosphorus solubility between the co-granulated fertilizers and the control group. In a pot experiment using acidic soil, the magnesium-fortified fertilizers significantly increased magnesium and phosphorus uptake and soybean shoot dry matter compared to the control group.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenwen Cai, Divina A. Navarro, Jun Du, Guangguo Ying, Bin Yang, Mike J. McLaughlin, Rai S. Kookana
Summary: This study investigated the effect of soluble cations on the sorption of anionic PFAS in soils and found that increasing cation concentrations enhanced the sorption of PFAS. Long-chain PFAS were completely removed from solution at higher cation concentrations. The primary effect of cations was through screening of negative charges on PFAS head groups and reorientation of molecules at the interface between organic matter surfaces and soil solution, resulting in greater hydrophobic interactions between PFAS and soil surfaces.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hue T. T. Ngo, Stephanie J. Watts-Williams, Ashleigh Panagaris, Roslyn Baird, Michael J. McLaughlin, Timothy R. Cavagnaro
Summary: Achieving sustainable agricultural development requires efficient use of nutrient resources, and recovering nutrients from animal manures can play a key role in this. Formulating organic and inorganic phosphorus as organomineral fertilisers has positive effects on tomato growth and nutrition, while providing a sustainable use for animal waste.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Achim Dobermann, Tom Bruulsema, Ismail Cakmak, Bruno Gerard, Kaushik Majumdar, Michael McLaughlin, Pytrik Reidsma, Bernard Vanlauwe, Lini Wollenberg, Fusuo Zhang, Xin Zhang
Summary: The coming 10-20 years are crucial for transitioning to a global food system that manages mineral nutrients in a holistic manner. Fertilizers play a significant role in ensuring food security and improving nutrition, and a new approach based on the circular economy is needed. Utilizing all available nutrient sources efficiently and tailoring solutions to different regions are key actions, along with sustainable nutrient roadmaps and innovative technologies.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thi Minh Hong Nguyen, Jennifer Braunig, Rai S. Kookana, Sarit L. Kaserzon, Emma R. Knight, Hoang Nhat Phong Vo, Shervin Kabiri, Divina A. Navarro, Charles Grimison, Nicole Riddell, Christopher P. Higgins, Michael J. McLaughlin, Jochen F. Mueller
Summary: This study investigated the mobilization of PFASs in water-saturated soils using column experiments and assessed the feasibility of their remediation by soil desorption and washing. The results showed that shorter-carbon-chain PFASs can be readily removed by soil washing technologies, while longer-chain PFASs exhibit nonequilibrium sorption/desorption. The increasing contribution of hydrophobic interactions is suggested as the main driving factor of the nonequilibrium processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maarten Everaert, Fien Degryse, Mike J. McLaughlin, Simon Smolders, Ivan Andelkovic, Roslyn Baird, Erik Smolders
Summary: This study investigated the effect of replacing orthophosphate (PO4) with polymeric-P (trimetaphosphate, P3O9) on the phosphorus content in layered double hydroxide (LDH). Adsorption capacity, phosphorus release, and phosphorus solubility were compared between the two. The findings showed that P3O9 had a higher adsorption capacity, but the theoretical phosphorus content was not achieved due to incomplete loading and depolymerization. Furthermore, P3O9-LDHs exhibited slower phosphorus release and lower soluble phosphorus content in soil compared to PO4-LDHs.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Stephanie Brownrigg, Michael J. McLaughlin, Therese McBeath, Gupta Vadakattu
Summary: The study aimed to improve the efficiency of phosphorus in calcareous soils by applying soil acidifying amendments. The results showed that the acidifying amendments increased phosphorus solubility in soil but did not improve phosphorus fertiliser uptake in wheat crops.
NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maarten Everaert, Ivan B. B. Andelkovic, Erik Smolders, Fien Degryse, Roslyn Baird, Michael J. J. McLaughlin
Summary: Layered transition metal molybdates (LTMs) are proposed as slow-release fertilizer compounds for micronutrients molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). LTMs were successfully prepared and characterized, and their solubility in water was tested. The LTMs showed limited stability in acidic conditions, so co-compaction with pH neutral or alkaline macronutrient carriers was explored. A Zn-based LTM co-compacted in a muriate of potash (MOP) carrier showed a slow and constant release rate of both Mo and Zn, making it a potential slow-release fertilizer or raw material for non-acidic fertilizers.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)