[Truncated abstract] A greater adoption of stubble retention, minimum-till and no-till farming practices for the purposes of conserving soil, water and fertility requires a greater understanding of the complexity of physical and chemical interactions between the soil and crop residues. There is currently insufficient knowledge to allow reliable predictions of the effects of different residue types in different environments on soil fertility and crop growth, owing to the many residue characteristics and environmental interactions that have been shown to affect decomposition or nutrient release. The role of fibre and nutrient composition in nutrient release from crop residues, and implications for residue management techniques, were studied. Canola, lupin and field pea residues, obtained from farmland in Meckering and Northam, Western Australia, were separated into upper and basal stems, leaves, and siliques or pods. This was done to provide materials with a wide range of chemical and physical characteristics, and also allowed consideration of differential residue management of plant organs, such as comparing harvested canola siliques and retained canola stubble. Pre-treatment by chopping and/or humidification was applied to residues to provide some information about the processes of nutrient release. Residues were subjected to simulated rainfall to assess nutrient leaching from plant material, and placed on soil in pots in constant-temperature glasshouse conditions to assess decomposition. Amounts and rates of change of residue fibre and nutrients were determined throughout leaching and decomposition. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis was used to assess the location of diffusible ions in air-dried residues and the effects of humidification on nutrient positioning and release. ... However, the release of calcium and magnesium depended on the decomposition of the more recalcitrant components such as cellulose and lignin, as supported by microscopy results showing changes in nutrient distribution following humidification. The proportionality of amounts of calcium and magnesium leached and released during decomposition is likely to suggest a similarity of chemical form more than similarity of function or position of the two elements. Management of crop residues for maximising and optimising the timing of release of different nutrients will need to take into account the placement of different plant types and parts, particle sizes distribution and pre-treatment of material to efficiently manage short- and long-term soil fertility to sustain crops, particularly on degraded soils. Significant nutrient release of potassium, sulphur and magnesium from crop residues can be achieved from surface placement, with the release of potassium and sulphur managed by modifying residue particle size through appropriate harvesting, ploughing or sowing implement selection. High nutrient uptake crops and plant parts –where they can be economically viable to grow or separated by the harvesting technique – are particularly valuable as sources of nutrients and soil organic matter.

No description available.

A palha de cana-de-açúcar tem sido uma importante matéria prima para aumentar a produção de bioenergia no Brasil. Porém a dinâmica das emissões de gases de efeito estufa no campo devido à prática de remoção de palha ainda não é totalmente compreendida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar as emissões de GEE do solo devido à remoção da palha de cana-de-açúcar com e sem adição de nitrogênio. Foram realizados dois experimentos com câmaras amostrais de gás mantidas em condições naturais com quatro tratamentos: sem palha, 3, 6 e 12 Mg ha-1, os quais equivalem as intensidades de 100, 75, 50 e 0% de remoção. O primeiro foi conduzido por 180 dias sem adição de N e o segundo experimento conduzido por 100 dias, foi adicionado 80 kg ha-1 de N no sulfato de amônio e 32 kg ha-1 de N na vinhaça. Conjuntamente ao experimento 1, foi conduzido um ensaio de decomposição com as mesmas quantidades de palha limitadas por caixas plásticas sem fundo (0,3 x 0,5 m). No Experimento 1 a presença de palha aumentou 35 - 45% os fluxos acumulados N2O e CO2 em relação ao solo descoberto. O influxo de CH4 aumentou 40% na presença total de palha (12 Mg ha-1) em relação ao sem palha. O fator de emissão de N2O encontrado para a palha em decomposição foi de 0,02%. No Experimento 2 ocorreu uma intensificação das emissões devido à adubação nitrogenada, com isso as emissões em razão das quantidades de palhas não foram significantes. O fator de emissão médio foi de 0,42%. Os resultados indicam que a palha, sem N, possui um efeito na emissão de GEE e, que para manter o estoque de C do solo, é necessário a manutenção de pelo menos 6 Mg ha-1 para compensar as perdas de CO2 por respiração. Este trabalho contribuirá para os cálculos de pegada de carbono do bioetanol e na decisão da usina sobre a intensidade de remoção de palha de cana-de-açúcar para a produção de energia e etanol 2G / Sugarcane straw has been point out as an important feedstock to increase bioenergy production in Brazil However, the field greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dynamic due straw removing management is not completely understood yet. Two experiments were conducted with gas sampling chambers that was kept under natural conditions with four treatments: bare soil, 3, 6 and 12 Mg ha-1, which is approximately the equivalent of the 100, 75, 50 and 0 % intensities of removing. The first was conducted for 180 days without the N addition and the second experiment was conducted for 100 day and its was added 80 kg ha-1 N in ammonium sulfate and 32 kg ha-1 N in the vinasse. Parallely to the experiment 1, a decomposing trial was conducted with the same straw amounts in a side limited bottomless plastic boxes (0.3 x 0.5 m). In Experiment 1, the presence of straw increased 35-45% the N2O and CO2 accumulated flux compared to the bare soil. While the influx of CH4 increased by 40% in the maximum straw amount (12 Mg ha-1) compared to zero. The N2O emission factor found for the straw decomposition was 0.02%. In Experiment 2 occurred an intensification of emissions due to nitrogen fertilization which raised the average emission factor for 0.42%. Thus emission due straw quantities were not significant. The results indicate that the straw without N has an effect of GHG emissions, and in order to maintain the C stock in soil is need keep at least 6 Mg ha-1 of straw to compensate for the loss of CO2 thru respiration. This work will contribute to the bioethanol carbon footprint calculation and in the grower decision taking of straw removing intensity for energy and 2G ethanol

Chewings fescue [Festuca rubra L. subsp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman] is a desired turfgrass with dense sod forming capabilities and superior shade tolerance. Thermal residue management (open-field burning) has traditionally been used to remove post-harvest residue and maintain seed yield over the life of the stand. However, alternative non-thermal residue management practices have been observed to produce adequate seed yields dependent upon cultivar. Strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. subsp. rubra) is desired for its prolific tillering capacity and creeping rhizomatous growth habit. In contrast to Chewings fescue, maintenance of seed yield in strong creeping red fescue has only been profitably produced under thermal residue management. Slender creeping red fescue [F. rubra L. var. littoralis (Vasey)] is a desired turfgrass with a compact, less rhizomatous growth habit, similar to Chewings fescue in desirable turf attributes. However, little is known about the effects of post-harvest residue management in slender creeping red fescue. The objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate seed yield and yield components among different cultivars to thermal (open-burning), and non-thermal (flail low and flail high) post-harvest residue management; 2) to evaluate harvest index and percent cleanout to thermal and non-thermal residue management in different cultivars; and 3) and to provide an economic analysis of thermal and non-thermal residue management in all cultivars based on partial budgeting. Three post-harvest residue management treatments (burn, flail low and flail high) were applied over the course of two years. Seed yield components measured included: total dry weight, fertile tiller number, spikelets per panicle, florets per spikelet, and panicle length. Final seed yield in each cultivar and residue management treatment method was determined after seed harvest and conditioning. Seed yield component analysis was conducted over three production seasons. Chewings fescue, strong creeping red fescue, and slender creeping red fescue cultivars responded differently to residue management as indicated by a residue management by cultivar interaction. In 2003 and 2004, residue management by cultivar interactions were evident in seed number, seed weight, fertile tiller number, percent cleanout, harvest index, and seed yield. Residue management by cultivar interactions occurred in spikelets per panicle in 2003, whereas in 2004 a residue management by cultivar interaction occurred in panicle length and florets per spikelet. In 2004, non-thermal flail low, and thermal residue management resulted in significantly greater spikelets per panicle in all cultivars. Thermal residue management resulted in the greatest number of spikelets per panicle. Results indicate that thermal residue management best maintained seed yield in most subspecies and cultivars across both years. However, in 2003, non-thermal flail low residue management produced profitable seed yield in only Marker slender creeping red fescue. In contrast, thermal residue management resulted in poor seed yields in Marker slender creeping red fescue and enhanced yields in Seabreeze slender creeping red fescue in 2003. However, following the second year of thermal treatment in 2004, Marker and Seabreeze both had lower seed yields, thus exhibiting the only negative impact of thermal management among the cultivars tested in this study. Moreover, upon review of an economic analysis, Marker slender red fescue was the only cultivar that produced a positive net return of $78 and $4 ha⁻¹ under non-thermal residue management in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Furthermore, in 2003, thermal residue management net return increases ranged from $104 ha⁻¹ to -$996 ha⁻¹ in Barnica and Shademark, respectively. In 2004, thermal residue management net return increases ranged from $115 ha⁻¹ and $1,332 ha⁻¹ in Seabreeze and Shademark, respectively. Poor seed yields were observed in all strong creeping red fescue cultivars under non-thermal residue management across both years of the study. This may be attributed to an observed reduction in fertile tiller number and seed yield. In addition, percent seed cleanout was increased with non-thermal residue management. In 2004, as stand age increased, thermal residue management resulted in greater seed yields in all cultivars and species, except both cultivars of slender creeping red fescue. Thus, this study provided substantial evidence that thermal residue management has the potential to maintain or increase fine fescue seed yield as stands age as well as to maintain stand profitability. / Graduation date: 2005

A two year study was initiated in 1999 at the Macdonald Campus Farm, on a 2.4 ha site consisting mainly of St-Amable sand to shallow loamy sand (Typic Endoaquent; Humic Gleysol). The site was planted to alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) prior to the establishment of the experimental design and has been planted to corn (Zea mays L.) since 1991. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design and consisted of three tillage levels (NT, no-till; RT, reduced tillage; and CT, conventional tillage) and two residue levels (-R, no residues; +R, with residues). This study was performed in order to ascertain the effect of these management systems on soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) levels and soil physical properties. Soil physical properties measured included bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), dry and wet aggregate stability, total porosity, macroporosity at -1 kPa and -6 kPa of matric potential, and moisture content. Crop yield was also measured. Results indicated that lower rates of mineralization of POM-C under NT+R in the surface 0--10 cm led to significantly higher SOC at the same depth. There were no significant differences between treatments at the 10--20 cm depth. The MBC was not a good indicator of the differences in soil organic matter levels between treatments. No-till treatments had higher bulk densities, reduced total porosity and macroporosity, increased moisture content, and increased constant-head measured Ksat. Differences in Ksat as measured with the Guelph permeameter, were not significant between treatments, most likely due to increased earthworm activity in NT. There were no significant differences in crop yield in 1999, but a significantly wetter year in 2000 caused lower grain yields in NT+R compared to NT-R and CT+R.

Concerns have been raised over the long-term site productivity (LTSP) of short rotation plantation forests, such as those of Eucalyptus, in South Africa. This is because diminished productivity of long rotation plantations overseas has been found to be generally due to decreases in soil porosity and organic matter. Since soil porosity and organic matter in plantations are mainly affected by soil compaction by harvesting machinery and residue management, the more frequent harvesting of short rotation plantations are of particular concern. Therefore the effects of soil compaction and residue management on soil properties at two sites, one a low organic carbon, sandy soil (Rattray), the other a high organic carbon, clay soil (Shafton) were investigated. The potential of early E. grandis productivity as an indicator of changes in soil properties at these sites was also evaluated. Three different levels of compaction (low, moderate and high) were applied to the sites by three methods of timber extraction, i.e. manual, logger and forwarder loaded by a logger, respectively. Three types of residue management, i.e. broadcast, windrow and residue removal were also applied. A factorial treatment design was used to ensure a resource-efficient study that allowed separation of main and interaction effects. Various soil physical and chemical properties were measured at intervals from before treatment implementation, until approximately 44, and 38 months after treatment implementation at Rattray and Shafton, respectively. Trees were planted at a commercial espacement at both trials, and their growth monitored over the same time period. In addition, to accelerate early growth, negate silvicultural variation, and determine changes in stand productivity with treatments, a portion of the treatment plots were planted at a very high density and harvested when these trees reached canopy closure at about six months of age. Moderate and high compaction treatments at both sites resulted in significant increases in penetrometer soil strength, and often in bulk density. Increasing residue retention decreased the compaction effects of machinery and, generally, increased the total quantity of nutrients contained in residues and soil. Changes in soil bulk density and organic matter as a result of the treatments in turn affected soil water characteristics, generally decreasing plant available water capacity with increasing compaction intensity and residue removal. Tree growth measurements showed that at both sites, tree productivity was negatively affected at some point by increasing compaction. In contrast, residue management only significantly affected tree growth at Shafton, initially increasing and later decreasing growth with residue removal. These variations in tree growth over time in response to treatments are most likely a result of changes in tree characteristics that occurred with age. In addition, trees did not always reflect changes in soil properties that may affect LTSP, most likely because these soil properties had not yet reached levels that would affect tree growth. It was therefore concluded that early tree growth is not always a good indicator of changes in LTSP, and that soil properties are a more reliable indicator. Plantation management practices that lead to soil compaction and residue removals will negatively impact LTSP in South Africa. However, variable responses of the two soils indicate that soils vary in their sensitivity to compaction and residue management. This therefore needs to be quantified across a range of major soil types in the South African forestry industry. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

A palha de cana-de-açúcar tem sido uma importante matéria prima para aumentar a produção de bioenergia no Brasil. Porém a dinâmica das emissões de gases de efeito estufa no campo devido à prática de remoção de palha ainda não é totalmente compreendida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar as emissões de GEE do solo devido à remoção da palha de cana-de-açúcar com e sem adição de nitrogênio. Foram realizados dois experimentos com câmaras amostrais de gás mantidas em condições naturais com quatro tratamentos: sem palha, 3, 6 e 12 Mg ha-1, os quais equivalem as intensidades de 100, 75, 50 e 0% de remoção. O primeiro foi conduzido por 180 dias sem adição de N e o segundo experimento conduzido por 100 dias, foi adicionado 80 kg ha-1 de N no sulfato de amônio e 32 kg ha-1 de N na vinhaça. Conjuntamente ao experimento 1, foi conduzido um ensaio de decomposição com as mesmas quantidades de palha limitadas por caixas plásticas sem fundo (0,3 x 0,5 m). No Experimento 1 a presença de palha aumentou 35 - 45% os fluxos acumulados N2O e CO2 em relação ao solo descoberto. O influxo de CH4 aumentou 40% na presença total de palha (12 Mg ha-1) em relação ao sem palha. O fator de emissão de N2O encontrado para a palha em decomposição foi de 0,02%. No Experimento 2 ocorreu uma intensificação das emissões devido à adubação nitrogenada, com isso as emissões em razão das quantidades de palhas não foram significantes. O fator de emissão médio foi de 0,42%. Os resultados indicam que a palha, sem N, possui um efeito na emissão de GEE e, que para manter o estoque de C do solo, é necessário a manutenção de pelo menos 6 Mg ha-1 para compensar as perdas de CO2 por respiração. Este trabalho contribuirá para os cálculos de pegada de carbono do bioetanol e na decisão da usina sobre a intensidade de remoção de palha de cana-de-açúcar para a produção de energia e etanol 2G / Sugarcane straw has been point out as an important feedstock to increase bioenergy production in Brazil However, the field greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dynamic due straw removing management is not completely understood yet. Two experiments were conducted with gas sampling chambers that was kept under natural conditions with four treatments: bare soil, 3, 6 and 12 Mg ha-1, which is approximately the equivalent of the 100, 75, 50 and 0 % intensities of removing. The first was conducted for 180 days without the N addition and the second experiment was conducted for 100 day and its was added 80 kg ha-1 N in ammonium sulfate and 32 kg ha-1 N in the vinasse. Parallely to the experiment 1, a decomposing trial was conducted with the same straw amounts in a side limited bottomless plastic boxes (0.3 x 0.5 m). In Experiment 1, the presence of straw increased 35-45% the N2O and CO2 accumulated flux compared to the bare soil. While the influx of CH4 increased by 40% in the maximum straw amount (12 Mg ha-1) compared to zero. The N2O emission factor found for the straw decomposition was 0.02%. In Experiment 2 occurred an intensification of emissions due to nitrogen fertilization which raised the average emission factor for 0.42%. Thus emission due straw quantities were not significant. The results indicate that the straw without N has an effect of GHG emissions, and in order to maintain the C stock in soil is need keep at least 6 Mg ha-1 of straw to compensate for the loss of CO2 thru respiration. This work will contribute to the bioethanol carbon footprint calculation and in the grower decision taking of straw removing intensity for energy and 2G ethanol

No description available.

Open-field burning has been an effective, economical, and widespread method of post-harvest residue management in creeping red fescue seed production in the Willamette Valley since the late 1940s. However, the use of field burning has been legislatively restricted due to air quality and safety issues. The foliar-applied plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl (TE), commercialized in the USA as Palisade, has been accepted by producers as a yield enhancing agent and is considered here as an alternative to open-field burning over a four-year period. The effects of open-field burning versus mechanical removal (flailing) of post-harvest residue, and spring versus fall applications of TE on seed yield, dry matter partitioning, and seed yield components were evaluated in a split-plot design. The response to the different treatment combinations differed across years. The young stand responded with a seed yield increase to spring TE applications, regardless of residue management treatment. However, as the stand aged, field burning became critical for maintaining high yields and, in 2003 and 2004, only spring TE applications resulted in seed yield increases in burned plots. The higher potential seed yield achieved in burned plots over flailed plots, as a result of a higher number of panicles per unit area and spikelets per panicle, was critical for maintaining high seed yields as the stand aged. Spring applications of TE, further increased seed yield over the untreated check by increasing the number of florets per spikelet, reducing fertile tiller height and lodging and consequently, favoring pollination and fertilization of the florets. Late spring TE applications also increased 1000-seed weight in 2003 and 2004. Although spring applications of TE were a promising alternative to open-field burning early during the life of the stand, as the stand aged they did not increase seed yield on flailed plots. Fall TE applications did not have a consistent effect on seed yield, dry matter partitioning or seed yield components, and were found not to be a viable management practice. / Graduation date: 2005

Biomass gasification has attracted the interest of researchers because it produces zero carbon to the atmosphere. This technology does not only produce syngas but also the byproducts which can be used for various application depending on quality.The study conducted at Melani village in Alice in the Eastern Cape of South Africa was aimed at investigating the possible applications of the gasification byproducts instead of being thrown away. Pine wood was employed as the parent feedstock material for the gasifier. Biomass gasification by-products were then collected for further analysis. The studied by-products included tar(condensate), char, soot and resin. These materials were also blended to produce strong materials.The essence of the blending was to generate ideal material that is strong but light at the same time.The elemental analysis of the samples performed by CHNS analyser revealed that carbon element is in large quantities in all samples. The FTIR spectra showed almost similar results for all the studied samples, since the samples are end products of lignocellulosegasification. SEM gave the sticky images of resin as well as porous char structures. Char showed a higher heating value of 35.37MJ/Kg when compared to other by-products samples.