The application of municipal sewage sludge as fertilizer in the production of non-food energy crops is an environmentally and economically sustainable approach to sewage sludge management. In ...addition, the application of municipal sewage sludge to energy crops such as Miscanthus x giganteus is an alternative form of recycling nutrients and organic material from waste. Municipal sewage sludge is a potential source of heavy metals in the soil, some of which can be removed by growing energy crops that are also remediation agents. Therefore, the objective of the research was to investigate the effect of municipal sewage sludge applied at three different rates of 1.66, 3.22 and 6.44 t/ha on the production of Miscanthus. Based on the analyses conducted on the biomass of Miscanthus fertilized with sludge from the wastewater treatment plant in three fertilization treatments, it can be concluded that the biomass of Miscanthus is a good feedstock for the process of direct combustion. Moreover, the application of the largest amount of municipal sewage sludge during cultivation had no negative effect on the properties of Miscanthus biomass. Moreover, the cellulose and hemicellulose content of Miscanthus is ideal for the production of second-generation liquid biofuels. Fertilizer treatments had no effect on the content of cellulose and lignin, while a significant statistical difference was found for hemicellulose.
In modern agriculture, besides providing high and stable yields, it is imperative to produce products with a high nutritive quality. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of different ...fertilization regimes on the macro- and micronutrients in beetroot. A 3-year field trial was set up according to a Latin square method with four types of fertilization (unfertilized control, 50 t stable manure ha-1, and 500 and 1,000 kg NPK 5-20-30 ha-1). The mineral content was determined as follows (mg 100 g-1 in fresh weight of beetroot): 14-29 P, 189-354 K, 18-34 Ca, 17-44 Mg, 0.67-1.83 Fe, 0.41-0.65 Mn and 0.28-0.44 Zn. The highest beetroot P content was determined for the treatment with stable manure, especially in a year with dry climatic conditions. The highest beetroot K content was determined for the treatment with 1,000 kg NPK 5-20-30 ha-1, but at the same time for the same treatment, a general decreasing trend of micronutrient content was determined, due to the possible antagonistic effect of added potassium. For better mineral status of beetroot, application of combined mineral and organic fertilizers supplemented with additional foliar application of micronutrients can be suggested.
The negative impact of drought on plant growth may be modified by the different availability of mineral nutrients and by their adaptation to different local habitat conditions. In this study, we ...examine the impact of drought, fertilization with phosphorus and provenance, as well as their interactions, on the growth and allometric growth relationships between the belowground and aboveground organs of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). The research was conducted on saplings originating from two mature mixed stands (dry and wet provenances) dominated by these species. In the common garden experiment, saplings were exposed to regular watering and drought in interaction with moderate and high phosphorus concentrations in the growing substrate (achieved by phosphorus fertilization). The obtained results indicate the negative impact of drought and phosphorus fertilization on the growth of both species. In common beech, a negative impact of phosphorus fertilization on the adaptive capacity to drought was demonstrated by unfavorable ratios between fine root mass and the mass of other organs. The sessile oak provenances under the impact of drought showed a different root collar diameter/stem height increment ratio, which indicates their different phenotypic plasticity as a consequence of adaptation to different frequencies of dry periods in their natural habitats.
According to the Scopus database, over the last five years, 91 scientific papers with the keyword “pXRF” (portable X-ray fluorescence) were published in indexed journals in the domain of ...environmental science and agricultural science, which indicates more frequent applications of this technique in scientific research. The pXRF method is characterized by speed, precision, accuracy, and the possibility of a simultaneous analysis of a large number of elements, albeit with higher limits of detection (LODs) as a major disadvantage. The presence of metals in certain phosphate fertilizers is well established, though not to the same extent as in mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The aim of this research was to determine the metal content (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si, Sr, Th, U, Zn, Zr, and Y) in thirteen commercial mineral nitrogen fertilizers via the pXRF method. Six straight fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate nitrate, limestone ammonium, nitrate, and urea) and seven complex fertilizers (various NPK formulations), which are different even according to their production technology, produced in Croatia were analyzed using the handheld Vanta C (Olympus) XRF analyzer according to the loose powder method and “point and shoot” technique. Data quality control was performed by analyzing the reference fertilizer samples and certified and reference soil samples. The results revealed that the determined contents of Cd, Mn, and Th were relatively higher in the single-component fertilizers, while the contents of As, Cr, Fe, Ni, Si, Sr, Zn, Zr, Y, and U were relatively higher in the complex fertilizers. Due to the higher LODs of Co and Pb (3 mg/kg) and Mo (2 mg/kg), the pXRF method was not appropriate for the determination of these metals in the analyzed fertilizers. The quantified metal content in the analyzed fertilizers varied as follows: 2.0–8.0 mg As/kg; 11.5–31.3 mg Cd/kg; 29.8–118.5 mg Cr/kg; 7.8–26.3 mg Cu/kg; 16.5–2209 mg Fe/kg; 20.3–5290 mg Mn/kg; 6.2–27.8 mg Ni/kg; 1156–4581 mg Si/kg; 2.0–469.8 mg Sr/kg; 3.0–35.3 mg Th/kg; 2.0–82.8 mg U/kg; 1.4–166 mg Zn/kg; 9.7–15.3 mg Zr/kg; and 16.5–128.0 mg Y/kg. The results indicated that the pXRF method is particularly suitable for measurement and metal detection in complex nitrogen mineral fertilizers with higher amounts of metals, but it is not suitable for the detection and quantification of the lower amounts of As, Zr, Y, Cu, Ni, and Cr in single-component nitrogen fertilizers. Compared to all of the investigated fertilizers, the highest amounts of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, U, Zn, and Zr were quantified in the NPK 7-20-30 formulation.
Mandarin is a plant species which belongs to the group of winter seasonal fruit. It is highly valued for its vitamin C, potassium and magnesium content. When buying mandarins, consumers do not have ...the information on the exact mineral composition of mandarins so a study was conducted to determine the content of macroelements potassium and magnesium in mandarins as well as to compare the results with regards to the place of purchase of individual samples. Mandarin sampling was carried out in the city of Zagreb at 3 markets, 3 retail chains and 3 organic product stores. After digestion with concentrated HNO<sub<3</sub< and HClO<sub<4</sub< in microwave oven, potassium was determined by flame photometry and magnesium by atomic absorption spectrometry. Dry matter was determined gravimetrically by drying until constant mass. The content of dry weight in the mandarin samples ranged from 7.86% to 8.70%. The content of potassium in dry weight of mandarin ranged from 2.04% to 2.33%, and the content of magnesium from 0.101% to 0.110%. The content of potassium in the fresh weight of mandarin ranged from 235 to 297 mg K/100 g fresh weight, and the content of magnesium ranged from 11.6 to 14.0 mg Mg/100 g fresh weight.
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the application of mycorrhizal fungal inoculum on “Cabernet Sauvignon” (Vitis vinifera L.) leaf gas exchange, yield parameters, as well as grape ...berry composition, especially regarding phenolic compounds. The experiment was conducted over two years under natural vineyard conditions of the Zagreb wine-growing area, the continental region of Croatia. “Cabernet Sauvignon” grapevines were grafted on SO4 rootstock, both being commonly used in all wine production areas in Croatia. Results obtained demonstrated that symbiotic grapevines, in general, expressed improved leaf gas exchange parameters and higher yield parameters, especially regarding the number of clusters per vine. It should be emphasized that mycorrhizal fungi affected higher total flavan-3-ols, total anthocyanins, and total polyphenols in berry skin in both experimental years. Despite variation in some yield parameters, generally, it is possible to obtain higher yields together with the improved phenolic composition of grapes.
Wastewater treatment plants are facilities where wastewater is treated by technological processes. A byproduct of a wastewater treatment plant is sewage sludge, which can be both a good soil ...conditioner and a source of nutrients for the crops to which it is applied. Energy crops are non-food plants that can cleanse the soil of heavy metals through their ability to phytoremediate. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of different amounts of sewage sludge on soil and plants. In the experiment Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.) was used and the influence of stabilized sewage sludge in the amounts of 1.66, 3.32 and 6.64 t/ha dry matter on the energy composition and biomass yield was observed.The obtained results showed a yield of 8.85 t/ha at the maximum amount of sewage sludge used. Hemicellulose content was 20.20% in the application of 6.64 t/ha of sewage sludge and 19.70% in the control, while lignin content was 17.97% in the control and 16.77% in the maximum amount of sewage sludge. The heavy metals molybdenum and nickel did not differ significantly under the influence of larger amounts of sewage sludge, while manganese increased from 23.66 to 35.82 mg/kg.
U ovome radu prikazani su rezultati rasta bukovih sadnica pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane s dušikom (N), fosforom (P), magnezijem (Mg) i željezom (Fe). Cilj rada bio je približiti ovu problematiku ...šumarskoj praksi kroz raspravu dobivenih rezultata u kontekstu dosadašnjih spoznaja o rastu biljaka pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane s mineralnim hranivima. U rano proljeće 2019. godine 30 bukovih jedinki u razvojnom stadiju ponika, porijeklom iz jedne prirodne mješovite sastojine hrasta kitnjaka i obične bukve, presađeno je u sterilni supstrat (agroperlit). Nakon presadnje tijekom sljedeće tri godine po šest presađenih biljaka redovito je zalijevano (tretirano) s kompletnom hranjivom otopinom (KO tretman), odnosno hranivim otopinama u kojima su izostavljeni dušik (-N tretman), fosfor (-P tretman), magnezij (-Mg tretman) ili željezo (-Fe tretman). Prema tomu, na šest biljaka unutar svakog od pet prethodno opisanih tretmana bilježeni su početak i trajanje razvoja lišća (2020. i 2021. godine), broj listova te prosječna i ukupna površina lišća (2019., 2020. i 2021. godina). Promjer stabljike na vratu korijena i visina stabljike mjereni su u proljeće 2019. i jesen 2021. godine, na temelju čega je izračunat debjinski i visinski prirast bukovih sadnica, te njihova vitkost na početku i na kraju pokusa. Uz to, tretiranim sadnicama utvrđena je masa suhe tvari lišća, stabljike i korijenja te ukupna dužina krupnog i sitnog korijenja, kao i broj račvanja i vrhova sitnog korijenja, što je obavljeno u jesen 2021. godine nakon njihova vađenja iz agroperlita. Na temelju usporedbe dobivenih rezultata između biljaka u kontrolnom i ostalim tretmanima bilo je moguće zaključiti da je pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane bukovih sadnica s P došlo je do odgode proljetnog otvaranja pupova i početka razvoja lišća. Najsporiji razvoj lišća zabilježen je pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s N i Mg. Prosječna površina lišća nije bila značajnije utjecana suboptimalnom ishranjenošću niti s jednim hranivom. Smanjenje broja listova i njihove ukupne površine pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti sa svim hranivima zabilježeno je tek u posljednjoj godini provedbe pokusa. Debljinski i visinski prirast stabljike također su bili negativno utjecani suboptimalnom ishranjenošću sa svim hranivima, a smanjena vitkosti sadnica zabilježena je samo pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s Fe. Ukupna, duljina krupnog i sitnog korijenja također je bila negativno utjecana suboptimalnom ishranjenošću sa svim hranivima, izuzev N. Pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s N došlo je do povećanja ukupne dužine sitnoga korijenja, kao i do povećanja broja račvanja i vrhova sitnog korijenja. Unatoč tomu, na masu suhe tvari krupnog i sitnog korijenja suboptimalna ishranjenost sa svim hranivima imala je negativan utjecaj, uključujući i N.
This paper presents the results of beech seedling growth under the influence of suboptimal nutrition with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe). The aim of the paper was to bring this issue closer to forestry practice through the discussion of the obtained results in the context of current knowledge on plant growth under the influence of suboptimal nutrition with mineral nutrients. In the early spring of 2019 year, 30 beech seedlings originating from one natural mixed stand of sessile oak and common beech were transplanted into a sterile substrate (agroperlite). After transplanting, over the next three years six transplanted plants for each treatment were regularly watered (treated) with a complete nutrient solution (KO treatment), or nutrient solutions in which nitrogen (-N treatment), phosphorus (-P treatment), magnesium (-Mg treatment) or iron (-Fe treatment) was omitted. Therefore, the beginning and duration of leaf development (2020 and 2021), the number of leaves and the average and total leaf area (2019, 2020 and 2021) were recorded on six plants within each of the five previously described treatments. The root collar diameter and the height of the stem were measured in spring 2019 and autumn 2021, based on which the diameter and height increment of beech seedlings and their slenderness at the beginning and end of the experiment were calculated. In addition, on the treated saplings we determined the dry mass of leaves, stems and roots, and the total length of coarse and fine roots as well as the number of forks and tips of fine roots, which was done in autumn 2021 after their removal from agroperlite. Based on the comparison of the obtained results between the plants in the control and other treatments, it was possible to conclude the following. Under the impact of suboptimal nutrition of beech saplings with P there was a delay in spring bud burst and the beginning of leaf development. The slowest leaf development was observed under the impact of suboptimal nutrition with N and Mg. The average leaf area was not significantly affected by suboptimal nutrition with any nutrient. The decrease in the number of leaves and their total area under the impact of suboptimal nutrition with all nutrients was recorded only in the last year of the experiment. Stem diameter and height increments were also negatively affected by suboptimal nutrition with all nutrients, and reduced saplings slenderness was observed only under the impact of suboptimal Fe nutrition. The total length of coarse and fine roots was also negatively affected by suboptimal nutrition with all nutrients except N. Under the impact of suboptimal N nutrition, there was an increase in the total length of the fine roots as well as an increase in the number of forks and tips of the fine roots. Nevertheless, suboptimal nutrition with all nutrients had a negative effect on the dry mass of coarse and fine roots, including N.
U ovome radu prikazani su rezultati rasta bukovih sadnica pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane s dušikom (N), fosforom (P), magnezijem (Mg) i željezom (Fe). Cilj rada bio je približiti ovu problematiku ...šumarskoj praksi kroz raspravu dobivenih rezultata u kontekstu dosadašnjih spoznaja o rastu biljaka pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane s mineralnim hranivima. U rano proljeće 2019. godine 30 bukovih jedinki u razvojnom stadiju ponika, porijeklom iz jedne prirodne mješovite sastojine hrasta kitnjaka i obične bukve, presađeno je u sterilni supstrat (agroperlit). Nakon presadnje tijekom sljedeće tri godine po šest presađenih biljaka redovito je zalijevano (tretirano) s kompletnom hranjivom otopinom (KO tretman), odnosno hranivim otopinama u kojima su izostavljeni dušik (-N tretman), fosfor (-P tretman), magnezij (-Mg tretman) ili željezo (-Fe tretman). Prema tomu, na šest biljaka unutar svakog od pet prethodno opisanih tretmana bilježeni su početak i trajanje razvoja lišća (2020. i 2021. godine), broj listova te prosječna i ukupna površina lišća (2019., 2020. i 2021. godina). Promjer stabljike na vratu korijena i visina stabljike mjereni su u proljeće 2019. i jesen 2021. godine, na temelju čega je izračunat debjinski i visinski prirast bukovih sadnica, te njihova vitkost na početku i na kraju pokusa. Uz to, tretiranim sadnicama utvrđena je masa suhe tvari lišća, stabljike i korijenja te ukupna dužina krupnog i sitnog korijenja, kao i broj račvanja i vrhova sitnog korijenja, što je obavljeno u jesen 2021. godine nakon njihova vađenja iz agroperlita. Na temelju usporedbe dobivenih rezultata između biljaka u kontrolnom i ostalim tretmanima bilo je moguće zaključiti da je pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishrane bukovih sadnica s P došlo je do odgode proljetnog otvaranja pupova i početka razvoja lišća. Najsporiji razvoj lišća zabilježen je pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s N i Mg. Prosječna površina lišća nije bila značajnije utjecana suboptimalnom ishranjenošću niti s jednim hranivom. Smanjenje broja listova i njihove ukupne površine pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti sa svim hranivima zabilježeno je tek u posljednjoj godini provedbe pokusa. Debljinski i visinski prirast stabljike također su bili negativno utjecani suboptimalnom ishranjenošću sa svim hranivima, a smanjena vitkosti sadnica zabilježena je samo pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s Fe. Ukupna, duljina krupnog i sitnog korijenja također je bila negativno utjecana suboptimalnom ishranjenošću sa svim hranivima, izuzev N. Pod utjecajem suboptimalne ishranjenosti s N došlo je do povećanja ukupne dužine sitnoga korijenja, kao i do povećanja broja račvanja i vrhova sitnog korijenja. Unatoč tomu, na masu suhe tvari krupnog i sitnog korijenja suboptimalna ishranjenost sa svim hranivima imala je negativan utjecaj, uključujući i N.
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