Management considerations for organic waste use in agriculture

Organic wastes are utilized in agriculture mainly for improving the soil physical and chemical properties and for nutrient sources for growing crops. The major source of organic waste used in agriculture is animal manure, but small amounts of food processing and other industrial wastes (along with municipal wastes) are also applied to land. In the last 35 years, and especially in the last 10 years, there have been increasing environmental regulations affecting farms that have resulted in more animal manure treatment options, and thus affecting characteristics of residues that are subsequently applied to land. Farms are being assessed for nutrient balances, with the entire nutrient and manure management system evaluated for best management alternatives. Because of inadequate available land on the animal farm in some cases, organic wastes must be treated and/or transported to other farms, or utilized for horticultural or other uses. This paper discusses the various factors and challenges for utilizing organic wastes in agriculture.     

Biological response of using municipal solid waste compost in agriculture as fertilizer supplement

Waste management and declining soil fertility are the two main issues experienced by all developing nations, like India. Nowadays, agricultural utilization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is one of the most promising and cost effective options for managing solid waste. It is helpful in solving two current burning issues viz. soil fertility and MSW management. However, there is always a potential threat because MSW may contain pathogens and toxic pollutants. Therefore, much emphasis has been paid to composting of MSW in recent years. Application of compost from MSW in agricultural land helps in ameliorating the soil’s physico-chemical properties. Apart from that it also assists in improving biological response of cultivated land. Keeping the present situation in mind, this review critially discusses the current scenario, agricultural utilization of MSW compost, role of soil microbes and soil microbial response on municipal solid waste compost application.     

集约用海对海洋生态环境影响的评价方法

集中集约用海是一种相对高效、生态和科学的用海方式,但也不可避免会干扰海洋生态系统,甚至带来海洋环境污染和生态破坏。因此,将集约用海工程对海洋生态环境的影响降到最低,进行集约用海对海洋生态环境影响的科学评价是十分重要的。通过分析集约用海工程对海洋生态系统的影响,提出了集约用海工程对海洋生态环境影响评价的主要内容、思路和流程,从海洋生态系统的非生物因子和生物因子两个方面构建了基于"生境质量"和"生态响应"的集约用海对海洋生态环境影响的评价指标体系。"生境质量"指标反映了集约用海工程影响海域的海洋生物栖息环境质量状况的变化,主要包括水环境、沉积环境和典型物种的生物质量指标,"生态响应"指标反映了集约用海工程影响的海域不同营养级的生物对变化环境的生态响应,它主要包括生物群落结构指标和生态敏感区结构、功能指标。在此基础上,结合我国海洋生态环境监测和评估现状,研究并确定了生态环境影响的各评价因子的权重、标准及评价等级,建立了集约用海对海洋生态环境影响的综合指数法评价模型,通过集约用海工程建设前后生态环境综合指数的变化量ΔE来定量地衡量其对海洋生态环境影响的程度。以期为适宜的集约用海工程规模和科学选址提供技术支撑。     

垃圾堆肥基质对不同草坪植物生态及质量特征的影响

通过田间实验,研究了城市生活垃圾堆肥基质对高羊茅和黑麦草不同品种草坪植物生态及质量特征的影响。结果表明:堆肥能明显促进草坪植物生长,提高地上和地下生物量。与一茬草相比,垃圾堆肥对二茬草的促进作用更为明显,说明了垃圾堆肥营养具有缓释效应。另外,垃圾堆肥能加快草坪植物返青,对越年草坪植物盖度、株高以及生物量具有明显促进作用。不同品种草坪植物对垃圾堆肥的生长响应存在明显差异,在生长速度和生物量指标上,3种高羊茅品种表现较好。采用美国国家草坪评比体系NTEP(9分法)作为评比标准,对各草坪综合质量进行评定。结果垃圾堆肥建植的草坪综合质量均明显好于对照;不同草坪植物之间比较,以爱神综合质量为最佳,尤其表现在密度、颜色和质地方面。     

中国海洋生态保护制度的转型发展--从海洋保护区走向海洋生态红线区

海洋生态环境的持续恶化与生态学认知的提高使海洋生态红线区管理制度成为必然。总结了中国海洋保护区现状与存在问题;分析了发展海洋生态红线的必要性、区划原则、概念及组成体系;提出海洋保护区与海洋生态红线区可分别籍空间统一性、决策统一性、工作内容与管理要求的一致性相关联,海洋保护区的核心、关键和重要因素与海洋生态红线的范围划定、宏观应对策略制定、微观管理规定一一对应。对海洋保护区管理向海洋生态红线区划与管理的转变给出了若干建议,认为海洋生态红线区划指标体系可以参照海洋保护区绩效评估、保护区选划与评估指标;并从海洋生态红线的尺度,陆海统筹的生态系统格局-结构\过程-机理,复杂生态系统与海洋生态红线的结合,海洋生态红线基点观测等方面对海洋生态红线的研究和工作方向进行了展望。     

有机固体废弃物堆肥的物质变化及腐熟度评价

堆肥是资源化处理有机固体废弃物的有效途径之一．有机固体废弃物的种类繁多,物科的性质差异很大,另外,由于堆肥条件的不同,也会引起堆肥的物质变化有很大差异．堆肥的稳定度和腐熟度是衡量堆肥产品质量的尺度,其评价对于安全农用有着重要意义．稳定度则重于堆肥施用对周围环境的影响,而腐熟度则重于堆肥施用对植物生长的影响,它们受堆肥物料,堆肥条件等诸多因素的综合影响,其评价指标因而多种多样．堆肥稳定度主要从堆肥的温度、颜色、CO2是最为简便的稳定度评价指标,当其趋于环境温度时,表明堆肥达到稳定．堆肥腐熟度的评价指标很多,包括化学指标、生物活性指标以及植物毒性指标3类,其中种子发芽系数作为植物毒性指标被认为是最可靠的评价指标之一。     

Production of insect-resistant transgenic rice plants for use in practical agriculture

Plant biotechnology provides a powerful solution to boost agricultural productivity and nutritional quality. The development process of a transgenic crop includes multiple steps that consist of gene isolation for a target trait, generation of T₀ transgenic crops, characterization of the transgene, evaluation of agronomic performance of transgenic crops, selection of elite transgenic lines and assessment of target trait efficacy. Here, we developed elite insect-resistant transgenic rice plants that may satisfy the standards of biosafety assessments. We made a construct with the insecticide cry1Ac gene for a target trait. A total of 310 T₀ transgenic lines were generated and underwent extensive analysis. We selected four T₃ lines that contain a single-copy transgene inserted into intergenic regions of the rice genome. During this process, we critically analyzed the transgenic lines with five checkpoints that include single copy of transgene, its integration into intergenic region, clean T-DNA arrangement, stability of transgene through generations and substantial equivalence of transgenic plants in agronomic traits other than insect resistance. Consequently, we obtained insect-resistant transgenic rice plants that can be used in practical agriculture.     

Critical evaluation of municipal solid waste composting and potential compost markets

Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) of mixed waste streams is becoming increasingly popular as a method for treating municipal solid waste (MSW). Whilst this process can separate many recyclates from mixed waste, the resultant organic residue can contain high levels of heavy metals and physical and biological contaminants. This review assesses the potential end uses and sustainable markets for this organic residue. Critical evaluation reveals that the best option for using this organic resource is in land remediation and restoration schemes. For example, application of MSW-derived composts at acidic heavy metal contaminated sites has ameliorated soil pollution with minimal risk. We conclude that although MSW-derived composts are of low value, they still represent a valuable resource particularly for use in post-industrial environments. A holistic view should be taken when regulating the use of such composts, taking into account the specific situation of application and the environmental pitfalls of alternative disposal routes.     

生态农业综合评价的指标体系及其权重

本文简要讨论了生态农业综合评价的重要意义及国内外的研究概况;探讨了生态农业综合评价的原则,并以德清县澉山乡生态农业建设为例,探讨了综合评价指标体系及各指标权重的确定方法。     

The use of olive tree pruning waste compost to sequestrate methylene blue dye from aqueous solution

Considering that quality water supplies are diminishing and climate disorder affects water cycle, wastewaters should be decontaminated for reuse either by the same establishment or in agriculture for the growth of industrial plants. In that context, much research work has been focused on the development of low cost biosorbents. In this study, the effect of composting on the adsorption capacity of olive tree pruning waste (OTPW) biomass for methylene blue (MB) removal from aqueous solutions was examined. Composting procedure may improve the sorption properties of the raw organic materials, is economical and easy to apply. MB adsorption on both OTPW and composted olive tree pruning waste (COTPW) biomasses was found to be fast. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity obtained from Langmuir isotherm was estimated to be 129.87 and 250.00 mg/g for OTPW and COTPW, respectively, indicating that composting procedure greatly improved the adsorptive properties of OTPW. The raise of temperature from 25°C to 60°C decreased the efficiency of OTPW for MB removal whereas the adsorption capacity of COTPW was not affected at high temperatures. Moreover, COTPW showed constant adsorption over the 2–8 solution pH range.     

Mineralization of copper, manganese and zinc from rock mineral flour and city waste compost for efficient use in organic farming

Restricted supply of micronutrients is a common constraint for plant growth worldwide, especially in organic farming systems where nutrients supply to crops mostly depends on the mineralization of native soil organic matter, decomposition of applied manures and crop residues. A laboratory incubation study was therefore conducted to investigate the potential release of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) from the rock mineral flour (RMF) and city waste compost (CWC) as compared to inorganic micronutrient fertilizers for 140 days. Release of the micronutrients from RMF and CWC showed different trends. The results showed that about 4.6% of Cu added as RMF was released irrespective of the quantity of the RMF applied. However, Cu release from CWC increased from 0.7 to 3.5% as the amount of compost added was increased. Copper recovery from copper sulphate was 98%. Manganese release from RMF decreased from 114 to 103% as the RMF level was increased, while the corresponding decrease in Mn release from CWC was from 14 to ?3%. Manganese recovery from manganese sulphate was 100%. Zinc release from RMF increased from 5.8?15.5%, with an increase in the amount of RMF applied, while no Zn was released from CWC. Recovery of Zn from zinc sulphate was 98%. These results show that RMF and CWC could be used to meet Cu, Mn and Zn requirements of organically grown cereals. The results of the investigation have general applicability in organic farming.     

Microbial analysis of a composted product of marine animal resources and isolation of bacteria antagonistic to a plant pathogen from the compost

A composting product of marine animal resources has been used as a fertilizer and a soil conditioner in Japan. This compost was produced by a repeated fed-batch fermentation system with three successive aerobic bioreactors. Composting temperature reached about 75 degrees C without heating. The bacterial diversity in this compost was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence determination of the V3 region in the 16S rRNA genes. The sequence analysis showed that a majority of retrieved sequences corresponded to those of Bacillaceae, and we frequently found sequences similar to the 16S rDNA sequences of Bacillus thermocloacae and Bacillus thermoamylovorans. In addition, a bacterium antagonistic to a Fusarium strain was isolated from the compost. The isolate (Bacillus sp. NP-1) produced an antifungal compound, iturin A. These results suggest that this compost serves as a valuable source of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria including the antifungal bacteria.     

Improving the quality of municipal organic waste compost

The effects of different municipal organic waste (MOW) management practices (shredding, addition of carbon-rich materials and inoculation with earthworms) on organic matter stabilization and compost quality were studied. Four static piles were prepared with: (i) shredded MOW; (ii) shredded MOW+woodshavings; (iii) non-shredded MOW; and (iv) non-shredded MOW+woodshavings. After 50 days, a part of each pile was separated for vermistabilization, while the rest continued as traditional thermophilic composting piles. At different sampling dates, and in the finished products, the following parameters were measured: pH, electrical conductivity, carbon dioxide evolution, and concentrations of organic matter, total nitrogen, water-soluble carbon, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and extractable phosphorus. Shredded treatments exhibited faster organic matter stabilization than non-shredded treatments, evidenced specially by earlier stabilization of carbon dioxide production and shorter thermophilic phases. Woodshavings addition greatly increased quality of final products in terms of organic matter concentration, and pH and electrical conductivity values, but decreased total nitrogen and available nutrient concentrations. Vermicomposting of previously composted material led to products richer in organic matter, total nitrogen, and available nutrient concentrations than composting only, probably due to the coupled effect of earthworm activity and a shorter thermophilic phase.     

Production of recombinant protein in Escherichia coli cultured in extract from waste product alga,Ulva lactuca

This study examined the potential for waste product alga, Ulva lactuca, to serve as a media component for recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli. To facilitate this investigation, U. lactuca harvested from Jamaica Bay was dried, and nutrients acid extracted for use as a growth media. The E. coli cell line BL21(DE3) was used to assess the effects on growth and production of recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP). This study showed that media composed of acid extracts without further nutrient addition maintained E. coli growth and recombinant protein production. Extracts made from dried algae lots less than six‐months‐old were able to produce two‐fold more GFP protein than traditional Lysogeny Broth media. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:784–789, 2014     

From fronds to fish: the use of indicators for ecological monitoring in marine benthic ecosystems,with case studies from temperate Western Australia

Ecological indicators are used for monitoring in marine habitats the world over. With the advent of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM), the need for cost effective indicators of environmental impacts and ecosystem condition has intensified. Here, we review the development, utilisation and analysis of indicators for monitoring in marine benthic habitats, and outline important advances made in recent years. We use the unique, speciose benthic system of Western Australia (WA) as a detailed case study, as the development of indicators for EBFM in this region is presently ongoing, and major environmental drivers (e.g. climate change) and fishing practices are currently influencing WA marine systems. As such, the work is biased towards, but not restricted to, indicators that may be important tools for EBFM, such as biodiversity surrogates and indicators of fishing pressure. The review aimed to: (1) provide a concise, up-to-date account of the use of ecological indicators in marine systems; (2) discuss the current, and potential, applications of indicators for ecological monitoring in WA; and (3) highlight priority areas for research and pressing knowledge gaps. We examined indicators derived from benthic primary producers, benthic invertebrates and fish to achieve these goals.     

Future benefits from biological nitrogen fixation: An ecological approach to agriculture

Strategies for the enhancement and exploitation of biological nitrogen fixation are assessed with attention to the likely timescales for realization of benefits in agriculture. Benefits arising from breeding of legumes for N₂-fixation and rhizobial strain selection have less potential to increase inputs of fixed N than alleviation of environmental stresses or changes in farming systems to include more legumes. Genetic engineering may result in substantial enhancement of N₂-fixation, particularly if the ability to fix N₂ is transferred to other crops but these are long-term goals. Immediate dramatic enhancements in inputs from N₂-fixation are possible simply by implementation of existing technical knowledge. Apart from the unfortunate political and economic barriers to the use of agricultural inputs, better communication between researchers and farmers is required to ensure proper focus of research and development of appropriate technologies. Legumes must be considered within the context of the farming systems within which they are grown and not in isolation. Proper integration of legumes requires a good understanding of the role of the legume within the system and a better understanding of the relative contributions of N sources and of the fates of fixed N.     

生活垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系接种草坪土壤线虫多样性特征

通过城市生活垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系接种草坪土壤线虫,研究了线虫数量、科属分类、营养类群等线虫多样性变化.结果表明,接种草坪土壤线虫 4 个月后,垃圾堆肥基质中共鉴定出线虫4科7属,包括植物寄生性线虫、食真菌线虫和食细菌线虫3个营养类群;垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系中线虫总数明显少于土壤基质.在接种草坪线虫的土壤基质草坪建植体系中,植物寄生线虫为优势营养类群,盘旋线虫属仍为优势属,相对多度达到83.3%,显著高于本底土壤45.1%.在接种草坪土壤线虫的垃圾堆肥基质草坪建植体系中,土壤本底中处于优势属的植物寄生类线虫如盘旋线虫属和螺旋线虫属基本消失了,表明垃圾堆肥基质对植物寄生类群的生长与繁殖表现出明显的抑制作用,优势属也发生了很大变化,食细菌类群的头叶属和丽突属成为优势属,相对多度分别为67.0%和14.0%.因此,从草坪土壤线虫危害角度来说,以垃圾堆肥作为草坪基质将会为草坪植物生长创造良好的基质环境.     

Application of ecological engineering principles in agriculture

To what extent modern industrialized agriculture violates the principles of ecological engineering and which changes agriculture needs to make to be consistent with these principles are discussed. The 12 ecological principles presented are used as the starting point for this discussion. For each principle it is discussed how the agriculture of today violates these principles and how relatively small changes could make the agriculture more according to ecological engineering concepts.     

面向生态产品价值实现的生态修复市场化投入研究进展

充足稳定的资金是国土空间生态修复顺利开展重要保障。然而，政府投资作为生态修复的主要资金来源，存在资金缺口大、项目周期短等问题，亟需探索面向生态产品价值实现的生态修复市场化投入逻辑。针对生态产品价值实现的市场化路径，建立了“生态修复对象-生态产品类型-近远程效益-投资方式”为分析步骤的生态修复市场化投入逻辑框架，从投资方式角度分析了国内外生态修复市场化投入的研究进展。基于国内生态产权界定模糊、生态产品价值体现不明显、市场化投入机制不完善等问题，今后有必要重点研究建立体现价值实现路径的生态资产评估体系、识别面向不同购买主体的生态产品价值实现模式、模拟以价值流为纽带的生态产品空间纽带关系、凝练基于自然的区域解决方案引导市场投入。