A adoção da rotação de culturas com leguminosas em áreas de implantação e reforma de canaviais é uma estratégia promissora para recuperação e manutenção da fertilidade do solo, e tem potencial no aproveitamento do N para as soqueiras. A análise mais detalhada do comportamento do N no solo durante o ano agrícola e dos parâmetros de produção em locais que possuem solo e clima contrastantes, permitem aprimorar o manejo da adubação nitrogenada da cana-de-açúcar. As hipóteses deste trabalho são (1) a rotação de culturas irá aumentar a disponibilidade de N no solo, a qual suprirá parte da demanda do N das soqueiras subsequentes e (2) a rotação de culturas promoverá redução da resposta das soqueiras à adubação nitrogenada. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da rotação de culturas nas transformações do N no solo (N mineral, N-ISNT e N e C da biomassa microbiana) e na produtividade da primeira soqueira. Os experimentos foram instalados em quatro regiões representativas de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar na região Centro Sul do Brasil: Quatá/SP (Local A); Iracemápolis/SP (Local B); Chapadão do Céu/GO (Local C) e Quirinópolis/GO (Local D). Em cada local, foi instalado um experimento em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no delineamento blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições, em áreas submetidas (com rotação) ou não (sem rotação) ao plantio de leguminosa do gênero crotalária. Após a colheita da cana planta, foram implantados os seguintes tratamentos: 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de N e um controle (sem N), aplicados superficialmente sobre a palhada. Foram realizadas três amostragens para determinação do conteúdo de N mineral, N-ISNT e C e N da biomassa microbiana. Entre 150 a 180 dias após a colheita da cana-planta, foram realizadas avaliações de perfilhamento e índice SPAD. Na colheita, avaliou-se matéria seca da parte aérea, produtividade e atributos tecnológicos. Os resultados demonstraram que a mineralização dos resíduos da crotalária influenciaram a dinâmica do C e N e os reservatórios de N no perfil do solo ao longo do ciclo da primeira soqueira, com destaque para o solo de textura média (Local A). Apesar da rotação de culturas ter modificado o conteúdo de N mineral, N-ISNT, e aumentado o perfilhamento e índice SPAD no local A, somente nos solos argilosos (Locais C e D), a rotação aumentou a produtividade da soqueira. A hipótese de que a rotação de culturas reduz a demanda de fertilizantes nitrogenados não foi aceita; houve resposta à adubação nitrogenada nos quatro locais, independentemente da rotação de culturas. Porém, a rotação demonstrou potencial em aumentar a produção de biomassa com manutenção da dose de N. Esta pesquisa demonstrou a viabilidade de rotação de culturas em solos argilosos com elevado conteúdo de C e N total, com potencial de aumentar a produtividade do canavial, porém sem reduzir a demanda de adubação nitrogenada. / The adoption of crop rotation with sugarcane is a promising strategy for the recovery and maintenance of soil fertility, and it shows potential in the use of N to the sugarcane ratoon. A more detailed analysis of the transformations N in soil during the agricultural year and production parameters in sites that have contrasting soil texture and climate, allows to improve management of N fertilization for sugarcane. The hypothesis of this work are (1) crop rotation will increase soil N availability, which will satisfy part of N requirements of sugarcane ratoon and (2) crop rotation will reduce the sugarcane ratoon response to N fertilization. The objective was to evaluate the effects of sunn hemp rotation in the transformations of N in soil (mineral N content, ISNT-N and microbial biomass C and N) and sugarcane ratoon yield. The field trials were installed in four representative regions of cultivation of sugarcane in Brazil: Quatá/SP (Site A); Iracemápolis/SP (Site B); Chapadão do Céu/GO (Site C) e Quirinópolis/GO (Site D). At each site, a field trial was installed in split plot in a randomized block experimental design with four replications, in areas sowed (rotation) and not sowed (no rotation) with sunn hemp. After the harvest of cane-plant, the following treatments were applied: 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 of N and a control (without N) over the straw. Three sampling were performed to determine the soil inorganic N content, ISNT-N, C and N of microbial biomass. Between 150 to 180 days after the harvest of the cane-plant, tillering was counted and SPAD index was measured. At harvest of the sugarcane ratoon, biometric parameters, yield and quality parameters were evaluated. The results showed that mineralization of residues of sunn hemp influenced the dynamics of C and N and N content in the soil profile throughout the cycle of the sugarcane ratoon, with emphasis on medium-textured soil (Site A). Despite crop rotation has modified mineral N stocks, ISNT-N, and increased tillering and SPAD index in site A, crop rotation only increased the sugarcane ratoon yield on clay soils (Sites C and D). The hypothesis that crop rotation reduces N-fertilizer requirement was not accepted; there was response to N fertilization in four sites, regardless of crop rotation. However, the rotation showed potential in increase biomass production with maintenance of N rate. This research demonstrated the viability of crop rotation in clay soils with high total C and N content, with potential to increase sugarcane yield, but without reducing N-fertilizer requirement.

This experiment examined the forage potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). The objectives were to evaluate yield and forage nutritive value (i.e. NDF, ADF, ADL, IVTD, and CP) fluctuations over the course of a growing season based on planting date, morphological composition, and management. Three types of hemp (grain, fiber, and a dual- purpose type) and kenaf were planted on two dates and were sampled approximately every two weeks throughout the growing season at the University of Kentucky (UK) Research Farm in Lexington, KY. Subsamples were separated into morphological components (i.e. leaf, flowers, stem, core fiber, and bast fiber) while the remainder of the sample was ground for laboratory analysis. All samples were scanned in Foss 6500 NIRS and wet chemistry analytical methods were utilized on a subset of samples to develop equations to predict the nutritive value of the remaining samples. Significant interactions for forage type, planting date, and harvest time were observed for yield, % floral components, % bast, and ADL. Significant interactions occurred between planting date and harvest date as well as type and harvest date for NDF, ADF, digestibility, crude protein, % leaf, % core, and % stem. Overall, forage nutritive value declined with increased plant maturity. The later planting date reduced the vegetative growth period, resulting in reduced leaf content, yield, and forage nutritive value. The performance of kenaf in this study indicates that it may be a better alternative forage than hemp due to remaining vegetative longer and having superior nutritive value. Better selection and the development of new hemp varieties with different photoperiod requirements could lengthen the vegetative state and may result in yields and nutritive values that are more competitive with kenaf and other typical forages.

According to the USDA Economic Research service, farm-level prices are on the decline. This decline in prices particularly hurts smaller scale operators with many needing to rely on off-farm income in order to ensure they remain in operation. This thesis studies two problems of key interest to the Southeast region and the State of Kentucky by investigating dairy management practices and the environmental benefits of hemp production. As dairy prices have been on the decline and dairy co-ops have tightened their restrictions on somatic cell count (SCC) levels, dairy farmers and farm managers must decide the best course of action for maintaining milk quality in order to maintain their contract and profitability. Maintenance decisions as well as factors like sanitation and animal living conditions can all contribute to bulk tank SCC and depending on the type of incentives or penalties instituted by the co-op they can have an impact on net farm income. The objective of the dairy study is to determine which dairy management practices have the largest impact on SCC levels. Industrial hemp is produced worldwide. Historically, the major producers of hemp have been China, Europe, and Russia. In 2014, the passage of the Farm Bill opened the door to the production of Industrial hemp through the development of state pilot programs. Then the 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the Scheduled Drug list. This has further expanded the opportunities and excitement for this crop. The plant’s versatility and the variety of products that can be made from it are coming to light. Sustainability is one of the key attributes touted concerning industrial hemp. Specifically, in the state of Kentucky, it is expected to be a replacement for tobacco and other traditional crops. However, how does the crop compare to tobacco production in terms of sustainability? The objective of the hemp study is to develop a life cycle analysis on the planting and harvesting of hemp and compare its impacts to more traditional crops.

Orientador: Edson Lazarini / Resumo: No cerrado, o Sistema Plantio Direto assume importância devido ao não revolvimento do solo, utilizar culturas de cobertura e preconizar rotação de culturas. Em área experimental no município de Selvíria – MS implantou-se o sistema plantio direto no ano agrícola 2000/01, com o objetivo de avaliar os tratamentos com diferentes modos e épocas de aplicação de calcário, culturas de cobertura e doses de N, no comportamento das culturas de milho e soja. Os resultados abordados neste trabalho, referem-se aos anos agrícolas 2015/16, 2016/2017 e 2017/18, quando utilizou-se o milho como cultura principal, o milheto e a Crotalaria juncea como culturas de cobertura, diferentes doses de calcário aplicadas durante os anos anteriores, complementadas com a reaplicação de calcário na presença e ou ausência de gesso e doses de N em cobertura. A área experimental pertence a UNESP – Campus de Ilha Solteira, sendo o solo classificado como LATOSSOLO VERMELHO distrófico com textura argilosa. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o em blocos casualizados com os tratamentos disposto em esquema fatorial. O calcário foi aplicado em 2001, 2007 e 2012, perfazendo um total de (T1) 4,66; (T2) 6,90; (T3) 5,47; (T4) 6,11 e (T5) 0,81 t ha-1. No ano de 2016, foi realizado uma nova reaplicação de calcário, aplicando respectivamente nos tratamentos, 2,26; 4,52; 2,26; 4,52 e 0 t ha-1, acrescido para os tratamentos T3 e T4, 1,7 t ha-1 de gesso. As plantas de cobertura forma mantidas e as doses de N utilizadas a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the Cerrado region, the no-tillage system assumes importance because of no soil tillage, use of cover crops and crop rotation. In an experimental area in Selvíria county, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, the no-tillage system was implemented in the agricultural year 2000/01, aiming to evaluate the treatments with different modes and times of application of limestone, cover crops and N rates, on the behavior of corn and soybean crops. The results to be presented in this work refer to the agricultural years 2015/16, 2016/2017 and 2017/18, when maize was used as the main crop, millet and Crotalaria juncea as cover crops, different doses of limestone applied during the previous years, complemented by the reapplication of limestone in the presence and / or absence of gypsum and N rates in topdressing. The experimental area of UNESP - Ilha Solteira Campus has soil classified as dystrophic Red Latosol with clay texture. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a factorial scheme. Limestone was applied in 2001, 2007 and 2012, totaling (T1) 4.66; (T2) 6.90; (T3) 5.47; (T4) 6.11 and (T5) 0.81 t ha-1. In 2016, a new limestone reapplication was performed, applying respectively 2.26; 4.52; 2.26; 4.52 and 0 t ha-1, plus for treatments T3 and T4, 1.7 t ha-1 of gypsum. The cover crops were maintained and the doses of N used annually were 0, 90 and 180 kg ha-1, using urea as source. Evaluations were based on corn nutritional status, corn agronomi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Klimatförändringarna är en av vår tids största miljöproblem. Kött är det livsmedel som ger störst klimatpåverkan då ca 70 procent av de grödor som odlas används som djurfoder och idisslande djur släpper ut metan. Nästan en femtedel av de globala utsläppen av växthusgaser kommer från animalieproduktion. Betesdjur är dock avgörande för att nå de nationella miljömålen ”Ett rikt odlingslandskap” och ”Ett rikt växt- och djurliv”. Industrihampa är en gröda som kan användas som proteinfodertillskott och för att minska metangasbildningen under matspjälkningsprocessen hos idisslare. Hampan har också stora möjligheter att bidra positivt till att nå ett flertal av de andra nationella miljömålen då den kan ersätta fossila råvaror inom energi, bygg- och tillverkningsindustrin samt minska behovet av mineralgödsel i jordbruket. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka vilka hinder och drivkrafter som finns för en utökad och kommersiell hampaproduktion i Sverige. Genom att även undersöka om odling och användning av industrihampa ur ett kretsloppsperspektiv kan vara en del av lösningen i att bromsa klimatförändringarna, avser arbetet att förmedla kunskap om hur industrihampa kan minska klimatpåverkan från köttdjursuppfödning i Sverige och bidra till uppfyllandet av flera nationella miljömål. En litteraturstudie har gjorts för att få en djupare kunskap om problematiken kring klimatförändringar kopplat till lantbruk och köttdjursuppfödning samt för att bättre förstå hur industrihampa skulle kunna motverka detta. Intervjuer har utförts med hampaodlare, andra lantbrukare, intresseorganisationer och myndigheter för att samla in data om orsakerna till att odlingen av hampa i Sverige är så begränsad. Resultaten visar att hinder för en utökad och kommersiell odling är låg kunskap om hampan och dess egenskaper, dyrt utsäde, brist på lämpliga maskiner och en lagstiftning som ger utrymme för bred tolkning som narkotika och läkemedelskopplade tolkningar. Drivkrafter för ökad hampaodling är bland annat att grödan är mycket intressant och har stor potential att användas som råvara inom ett brett användningsområde. Den har god konkurrens mot ogräs och den är bra för miljön då den kan sanera mark som är förorenad av tungmetaller samt kan ersätta fossila material i tillverkningsindustrin och bomull i textilindustrin. Studien drar genom litteraturstudien slutsatsen att odling och användning av hampa i teorin har goda förutsättningar att bidra till att nå elva av sexton nationella miljömål. Drivkrafter för en ökad odling är en nyfikenhet på grödan, hampans potential att ut ett miljöperspektiv ersätta sämre råvaror och material samt konkurrensförmågan mot ogräs och minskat behov av växtskyddsmedel. Dock framkommer det ett flertal aspekter i intervjustudien som visar att i praktiken finns hinder som påverkar och hämmar en utökad och kommersiell odling av hampa, och därmed även möjligheten att bidra till att nå miljömålen. Lagstiftningen behöver förtydligas både för odlare samt myndigheter för att undvika osäkerhet och tolkningsproblem kring industrihampa kontra droghampa. Kunskapen om odling och användning av hampan behöver öka samt spridas. Större efterfrågan på hampa som råvara behövs. Här ligger ett stort ansvar på Sveriges regering och tillverkningsindustrin att lyfta fram grödan som ett alternativ.

Este trabajo presenta los resultados de la investigación sobre la preparación y caracterización de las metilcelulosas a partir de las plantas anuales.Las pastas del miscanthus, el cardo, y el eucalipto, se prepararon mediante el proceso IRSP (Impregnation Rapid Steam Pulping) y se blanquearon con las secuencias del TCF (Total Chloride Free), que usan peróxido de hidrógeno y hidróxido de sodio (NaOH). Con el aumento de la severidad del proceso de obtención de las pastas, la accesibilidad y la reactividad de las pastas aumentaron mientras que la viscosidad y el número de la kappa disminuyeron. Se desarrolló un nuevo y sencillo método de metilación para preparar las metilcelulosas a partir de la madera y las plantas anuales en el laboratorio. Cada metilcelulosa de las pastas blanqueadas con las secuencias del TCF se sintetizó en una mezcla de isopropanol con metano de yodo a 600C durante 22 horas después la pasta del TCF se mercerizó en una solución del hidróxido de sodio al 40% durante 1 hora. La mercerización y la metilación se repitieron para obtener un grado de sustitución (DS) más alto. Los resultados de la espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) mostraron que los grupos del OH de la celulosa habían sido sustituidos parcialmente por grupos del metoxil. Los modelos de sustitución supramolecular de las metilcelulosas se determinaron mediante espectroscopía de resonancia magnética nuclear del carbono-13. La viscosidad intrínseca de las metilcelulosas se midió con agua destilada, una solución al 4% de NaOH, o DMSO. Las propiedades reológicas de las metilcelulosas se midieron con DMSO, una solución al 4% de NaOH o agua destilada. Las metilcelulosas sintetizadas tenían unas propiedades similares a las metilcelulosas comerciales. Los volúmenes hidrosolubles y alcalinosolubles de la metilcelulosas se determinaron mediante extracción con disolventes.Las metilcelulosas se prepararon a partir de pastas de lino, yute, cáñamo, sisal, y abacá mediante metilaciones heterogéneas y homogéneas. Estas pastas se blanquearonmediante el proceso ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free). La mutilación inhomogénea de las pastas blanqueadas mediante el proceso ECF se sintetizó en una mezcla de isopropanol con metano de yodo a 600C durante 22 horas después la pasta del ECF se mercerizó durante 1 hora en una solución de NaOH al 50%. La mutilación homogénea de la pasta blanqueada mediante ECF se realizó en DMSO con metano de yodo a 300C durante 48 horas. Para esta metilación homogénea se usó una metilcelulosa con un grado de sustitución más bajo, que se disolvió completamente en DMSO. La espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) de las metilcelulosas mostró la existencia de grupos de metoxiles sobre las moléculas de metilcelulosa. Se utilizó la espectroscopia de resonancia magnética nuclear del carbono 13 para medir los grados de sustitución de las metilcelulosas. Los pesos moleculares de las metilcelulosas hidrosolubles se determinaron con la cromotagrafía de exclusión por tamaños (SEC). Las viscosidades intrínsecas se midieron en una solución de NaOH al 4%. Las metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de pastas de elevadas accesibilidades y reactividades tenían las mejores grados de sustitución, pesos moleculares, viscosidades y viscosidades intrínsecas.Se investigaron las accesibilidades y reactividades de las pastas del ECF. Los volúmenes de glucosa y de xilosa de estas pastas se determinaron mediante HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) después de la hidrólisis. Las accesibilidades de adsorción de yodo de estas pastas eran bajas y sus fragmentos accesibles estaban entre el 1,31% y el 5,16%. En la región amorfa, sus fragmentos accesibles estaban entre el 5% y el 24%. Las imágenes del SEM (Scanning Electrón Microscopy) mostraron que sus fibrillas tenían distintas estructuras morfológicas. Los resultados de la espectroscopía infrarroja de transformada de Fourier (FTIR) mostraron que, después de los pretratamientos, habían disminuido tanto la media de la intensidad de los enlaces de hidrógeno como los índices de cristalinidad relativos. Sus reactividades aumentaron significativamente después de la mercerización preliminar. Las accesibilidades y reactividades de la pasta del abacá se mejoraron con los tratamientos de impregnación con agua, la mercerización a 15 bares de presión, la explosión de vapor y la mercerización preliminar. La desintegración, el incremento de los huecos, el debilitamiento de la intensidad de los enlaces de hidrógeno, la depolimerización, y la decristalización son esenciales para mejorar las accesibilidades y las reactividades, pero el factor decisivo es la especie de la planta.Hemos estudiado los factores que influyen en el peso molecular (Mw) de las metilcelulosas hidrosolubles preparadas a partir de plantas anuales. El tiempo y la temperatura de impregnación y las condiciones de cocción influyeron de manera diferente en el peso molecular (Mw) de metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de los cardos recogidos en primavera y en verano, el miscanthus y el eucalipto. Se compararon los efectos de los pretratamientos (la impregnación con agua, la mercerización preliminar, la mercerización con presión y la explosión de vapor) en la pasta del abacá. Cuando se pretrató la pasta del abacá, su metilcelulosa hidrosoluble consiguió un peso molecular más alto. De entre los pretratramientos analizados, la explosión de vapor resultó el más adecuado. Para conseguir metilcelulosas con un peso molecular más alto deben perfeccionarse las condiciones de la preparación de las pastas blanqueadas mediante ECF. La especie de las plantas es el factor decisivo para conseguir el peso molecular más alto de las metilcelulosas y para seleccionar los pretratamientos más adecuados.Los parámetros del proceso de obtención de pastas, las condiciones de la metilación, las especies de las plantas, los pretratamientos, y la estructura morfológicas de las pastas influyó en los grados de sustitución de las metilcelulosas preparadas a partir de plantas anuales. Una severidad de impregnación más alta, una temperatura del proceso de obtención de pastas más alta y un incremento del tiempo del mismo proceso consiguieron grados de sustitución más altos. Un aumento de reactivos de la metilación causó un aumento de grado de sustitución. Las pastas obtenidas de distintas especies produjeron grados de sustitución diferentes, trabajando con las mismas condiciones de metilación. Los pretratamientos aumentaron el grado de sustitución de las metilcelulosas.Esta investigación contribuye a encontrar las condiciones apropiadas para metilcelulosas diseñadas a medida, sintetizadas a partir de plantas anuales. Esta investigación demuestra que estas plantas tienen la capacidad de ser preparadas para conseguir metilcelulosas de alta calidad y de alto valor aptas para distintas aplicaciones, como la industria alimentaria, la de la construcción o la farmacéutica. La industria puede utilizar estas plantas anuales de crecimiento rápido para producir metilcelulosas, con lo que, además, se evitará el uso de madera.Palabras clave: abacá, accessibilidad, blanqueo mediante TCF, cáñamo, cardo, eucalipto, grado de sustitución, lino, metilación, metilcelulosa, miscanthus, peso molecular, plantas anuales, proceso de obtención de pasta IRSP, sisal, yute. / Preparation and characterization of methylcelluloses from some annual plantswere investigated.Miscanthus, cardoon, and eucalyptus pulps were produced by Impregnation Rapid Steam Pulping (IRSP) process and bleached by Total Chloride Free (TCF) sequences using hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide. With an increase of pulping severities, accessibilities and reactivities of bleached pulps increased while viscosities and kappa numbers decreased. A novel facile methylation was developed in order to prepare methylcelluloses from wood and annual plants. Each methylcellulose of TCF bleached pulps was synthesized in isopropanol slurry with iodomethane at 600C for 22 hours after the TCF bleached pulp was mercerized in 40% NaOH solution for 1 hour. The mercerization and methylation were repeated in order to obtain a higher degree of substitution (DS). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed OH groups of cellulose were partially substituted by methoxyl groups. Supramolecular substitution patterns of methylcelluloses were determined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Intrinsic viscosities of methylcelluloses were measured in distilled water, 4% NaOH solution, or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Rheological properties of methylcelluloses were measured in DMSO, 4% NaOH solution or distilled water, in which the synthesized methylcelluloses had similar properties as commercial methylcelluloses. Watersoluble and alkali-soluble contents of methylcelluloses were determined by solventextraction.We used iodomethane to synthesize methylcelluloses from Elemental Chloride Free (ECF) bleached abaca, hemp, flax, jute, and sisal pulps via heterogeneous and homogeneous methylations. The heterogeneous methylation was carried out in isopropanol with iodomethane at 600C for 22h after a ECF bleached pulp was mercerized in excessive 50% NaOH solution for one hour at ambient temperature. The homogeneous methylation was carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide with iodomethane at 300C for 48h using a methylcellulose of low degree of substitution. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the synthesized methylcelluloses showed the existence of methoxyl groups on methylcellulose molecules. The degrees of substitution of the synthesized methylcelluloses were measured by 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The molecular weights of the waterVI soluble methylcelluloses were determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Intrinsic viscosities of the synthesized methylcelluloses were measured in 4% NaOH solution. Methylcelluloses with better properties, such as greater degrees of substitution, molecular weights, viscosities, and intrinsic viscosities, were prepared from the pulps with higher accessibilities and reactivities. The factors influencing the preparation of methylcelluloses from these pulps were discussed.Pretreatments (water-soaking, pre-mercerization, mercerization under a pressure of 15 bars, and steam explosion) were used to improve the accessibilities and reactivities of celluloses of bleached flax, hemp, sisal, abaca, and jute pulps for the synthesis of methylcellulose. Glucose and xylose contents of these pulps were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) after hydrolysis. Degrees of crystallinity of these pulps were determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra. Figures of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that their fibrils had different morphological structures. The iodine adsorption accessibilities of these pulps were low and accessible fractions ranged from 1.3% to 5.2%. Accessible fractions in amorphous cellulose were calculated in the 5% to 18% range. The accessibilities of these pulps were hemp pulp > flax pulp > sisal pulp > jute pulp > abaca pulp. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that mean hydrogen bond strengths were weakened and relative crystallinity indexes were decreased by pretreatments. The accessibility and reactivity of the abaca pulp were improved by water soaking, mercerization under 15 bars pressure, steam explosion and preliminary mercerization, of which steam explosion and pre-mercerization were thebest treatments. Species was the main factor for the accessibility and reactivity.We studied the factors that influenced the molecular weights (Mw) of watersolublemethylcelluloses prepared from annual plants and juvenile eucalyptus. Miscanthus and cardoon stalks, and bleached pulps of abaca, jute, sisal, hemp, and flax were used as the annual plant materials. A higher concentration of NaOH solution during the impregnation led to a spring cardoon methylcellulose having a lower molecular weight. As the impregnation times increased, so did the molecular weights of the water-soluble methylcelluloses of spring cardoon. The impregnation conditions had less influence on the methylcelluloses of summer cardoon than on the methylcelluloses of spring cardoon. As the cooking times increased, so did the molecular weights of miscanthus methylcelluloses. A lower pulping severity increased the molecular weight of eucalyptus methylcellulose. The preliminary treatments (water soaking, pre-mercerization, mercerization under pressure andsteam explosion) improved the molecular weights of water-soluble abaca methylcelluloses. The steam explosion method was the best of the preliminary treatments for the abaca pulp. Different species led to different molecular weights for methylcelluloses synthesized from ECF bleached pulps, and these were further improved by preliminary mercerization. The molecular weight of -cellulose methylcellulose changed as the ratio of the methylation reagent was varied. In order to synthesize an optimum Mw of methylcellulose, the different raw materials can be chosen, the pulping parameters adjusted (including impregnation and cooking), the cellulose pretreated, and the methylcellulose conditions changed. The plant species is the decisive factor for the Mw of methylcellulose.The pulping parameters, the methylation conditions, the species, the pretreatments, and the morphological structures of pulps influenced the degrees of substitution of the methylcelluloses prepared from the annual plants. A higher impregnation severity, a higher pulping temperature, and a longer pulping time caused a higher degree of substitution. An increase of methylation reagents led to an increase of degree of substitution. Methylcelluloses of different degrees of substitution were synthesized from the pulps of different species when a same methylation condition was used. The pretreatments increased the degrees of substitution of methylcelluloses.This investigation contributes to find appropriate conditions for the production of methylcellulose from annual plants. The present investigation demonstrates these annual plants have the capacities to produce upgraded and high quality methylcelluloses for varied applications, such as additives of foods, construction, pharmaceutics, polymerization, paints, and detergents etc. The industry can utilize these annual fast-growth plants to produce methylcelluloses. Therefore, a lot of wood will be saved.Keywords: abaca, accessibility, annual plants, cardoon, degree of substitution, eucalyptus, flax, hemp, IRSP pulping, jute, methylation, methylcellulose, miscanthus, molecular weight, sisal, steam explosion, TCF bleaching.

The excavation of Sieur de la Salle's ship, La Belle, yielded a large amount of waterlogged rope requiring conservation. A history of hemp and rope manufacture is reviewed to assist in the identification of the materials and rope-work recovered from the La Belle, as well as to assist in selecting an appropriate conservation treatment. A summary of several methods used to conserve cordage is presented. Time has shown that not all of these treatment methods have remained viable options, and that continued study and experimentation are needed so that the conservator has the tools to develop an appropriate conservation plan for each artifact. The majority of La Belle's cordage was conserved using the passivation polymers method developed by Dr. C. Wayne Smith and Dr. Donny L. Hamilton, both of Texas A&M University, in conjunction with Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan. An experiment applying knowledge gleaned from the passivation polymers process to polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation was conducted in an attempt to stabilize the PEG within the rope. The results were good; the rope retained some flexibility and appears stable with a slightly darker color than with silicone oil.

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Omega-3 enriched eggs serve as an important functional food to boost consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) critical for good health. Because omega-3 eggs have the potential for unpleasant aromas and flavours, this research was designed to assess the fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of eggs procured from hens consuming designer diets. In the first study, the use of hemp in hen diets led to significant increases in omega-3 PUFA content and colour intensity of yolks, but did not have adverse effects on the sensory profiles of cooked eggs. Additionally, the level of docosahexaenoic acid was the same in eggs from both the lowest and highest hempseed oil groups. In order to overcome this plateau, the second study assessed diets varying in linoleic acid (LA) content. Although docosapentaenoic acid in the yolk was significantly increased with an increasing dietary LA content, docosahexaenoic acid remained unaffected by dietary treatment. In the third study, a different approach was used to reduce competition between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and LA. Diets containing two levels of ALA and varying ratios of saturated fatty acids (SFA): LA + oleic acid (OA) were tested. Increasing dietary SFA: LA + OA resulted in marked increases in all n-3 PUFA. The fourth study was designed to assess the interaction between dietary constituents on sensory attributes of eggs, namely omega-3 PUFA from flaxseed oil (FO), and canola meal (CM), which contains precursors to trimethylamine, which may lead to fishy taint. Oceanic flavour significantly increased with inclusion of FO, while egg, creamy and buttery flavours showed a decrease. The pairing of CM and FO resulted in a significant decrease in egg flavour compared to using FO alone. This research has demonstrated that novel ingredients like hemp can be used in laying hen diets to deposit n-3 PUFA into eggs without fear of affecting sensory outcomes. Increasing the SFA: LA + OA ratio in layer diets is most effective in increasing yolk ALA conversion into long-chain PUFA. Lastly, CM should be added to diets with caution when used in conjunction with omega-3 PUFA ingredients due to a reduction in egg flavour.

This thesis deals with a medical and social view of taking healing hemp (cannabis). It is a theoretical thesis elaborated based on the analysis of the available Czech and foreign information sources and professional publications. The thesis target is to map the issue of taking healing hemp by means of the information from the available foreign and Czech literature. The thesis focuses on the most important issues dealt with by the professional as well as lay public and on the development of the solution of this issue. I was captured by this issue after my internship in Belgium, where I had the opportunity to travel through neighbouring Netherlands and to get to know, from the viewpoint of a foreigner, the opinions and access of the inhabitants to the hemp as healing and relaxing mean. The first chapter deals with using the healing hemp in the historical context. Hemp represents one of the oldest crops and for this reason the history of hemp in the period of antiquity, Middle Ages and modern times is described. The following chapter focuses on the individual substances contained in hemp. In this chapter, the endo-cannabinoid system and three kinds of substances contained in hemp strains are analysed canabinoids (THC), canabidiols (CBD), canabinols (CBN). The chapter presents the profile of one of the most important personalities associated with hemp, professor Raphael Mechoulam, the main icon and discoverer of THC. The chapter three devotes to toxicology and addiction when taking hemp, which occurs quite rarely among users of hemp drugs. In this chapter, influence of hemp on the memory of user is treated, as well as the influence of hemp on the occurrence of lungs diseases discussed constantly in connection with smoking and in the last part of this chapter, the addiction and influence of hemp on users psyche is analysed. The following chapter is devoted to the issue of the drug policy, especially defining the status of healing hemp in the law, research of healing hemp and legalization of hemp in the Czech Republic. This chapter is devoted in detail to the legalization of hemp in the world, especially in the states like California, Israel, Canada and Netherlands where the hemp was legalized for healing purposes many years ago. The present science brings a wide spectrum of clinical research examining the effects of hemp during the treatment of many diseases. For this reason, the chapter dealing with hemp in connection with medicine is present in the thesis. Six areas were chosen from individual medicine branches on which this chapter is focused. The reader learns about the healing effects of hemp in the area of oncological diseases, psychiatric diseases, palliation of pain, dermatological diseases, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. In the last chapter, the opinions and experiences of the professional public in connection with hemp are described. This part deals with the contribution of the newest knowledge presented at the Prague conference about healing hemp. In this part of thesis, also the international hemp Cannafest Trade Fair is mentioned held in 2015 in Prague. It follows clearly from the thesis that the health and social issues connected with healing hemp is the topic of extensive and long-lasting discussions at present. In the area of the lay public, there is interest in this form of medical treatment which is supported quite a lot. The thesis may be used as information source by medical/paramedical and social employees and organizations supporting the legal use of healing hemp. It could represent the base of a professional article for the journal dealing with this topic as e.g. professional journals "Legalization" or "Health." Last but not least, the thesis should serve as complex of information for the persons who decided to take the hemp or consider this possibility.