Termite resistance of biobased composition boards made from cotton byproducts and guayule bagasse

Large quantities of cotton gin byproducts (CGB), also known as cotton gin trash or cotton gin waste, are being produced across the cotton belt of the United States annually. Similarly, guayule wastes after rubber latex production is expected to increase as this industry begins to expand. Use of these waste materials in value-added products can help the economics of the crops and aid in alleviating waste management issues and environmental problems. Conventional wood preservatives used to protect wood from insect and microbial damage are of concern to human health and the environment. Guayule bagasse (GB) has been shown to have termite control properties, and a combination of cotton gin and guayule wastes could also have such valuable properties. An initial study evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of boards produced from these two biomasses was published in 2009, this study is a continuation focusing on the termite resistance of boards produced. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the termite resistance property of experimental composition boards made from CGB and GB. Composition boards were made from five different ratios of CGB to GB: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 (C100, C75-G25, C50-G50, C25-G75, and G100, respectively). Additionally, three-layered boards (3-layer) consisting of 25% GB (upper layer), 50% CGB (middle layer), and 25% GB (bottom layer) were made. For comparison, a commercial southern pine lumber board (SPB), a commercial oriented strandboard (OSB), and a commercial preservative treated medium density fiberboard (MDF) were included in the testing. This testing was an extension of a previous study where the mechanical properties of the CGB and GB composition boards were compared to select commercial standards. Five specimens were cut from each of the nine different board treatments and tested using Eastern subterranean termites. Weight loss, termite survival days, and visual grade of each specimen were determined according to testing standards. Results confirmed good termite control quality for boards made from GB alone. Boards containing CGB to GB ratios of 75-25 and 50-50 obtained similar termite resistance as the commercial OSB based on the total weight loss and one-week termite mortality rate. Visual grading of tested specimens revealed all six CGB and GB composition boards and the treated MDF showed better rating than the commercial OSB and pine lumber. No differences were noted among the total termite surviving days for the six CGB and GB composition boards. Overall, the biobased CGB and GB boards showed promise with the boards containing GB exhibiting improved termite resistance properties than SPB and OSB.     

Chemical constituents and physical properties of guayule wood and bark

About 15 Parthenium species grow in the North American continent with Parthenium argentatum (guayule) as the only species containing harvestable amounts of the rubber latex. The predicted commercialization of the guayule plant for its hypoallergenic latex will result in a significant amount of waste fiber or bagasse biomass that can also be put to use for making wood, paper, and other chemical products, as well as in energy production. Thus, the guayule wood and bark fibers can be considered a new source of plant biomass that may be used as a direct substitute for forest-based wood fiber. However, little information is available on the chemical composition of the wood and bark tissues of guayule (P. argentatum). The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical and fiber composition of guayule and to compare it with other wood fiber sources.Three germplasm lines of mature guayule (Cal-6, AZ-101, and G7-15) and another species of Parthenium (P. tomentosum, PT), juvenile soft maple (Acer rubrum), a deciduous tree, and milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) that has long fibers were the plant sources. Separate wood and bark tissues were analyzed for hot water, 1% sodium hydroxide, and alcohol–toluene extracts. In addition, the lignin, holocellulose, alpha-cellulose, and pentosan contents were determined.All the chemical components in the wood fibers for the Partheniums were equal to or greater than the juvenile maple tree. Milkweed had higher alpha-cellulose and lower alcohol–toluene extract contents than both the guayule and soft maple. The guayule bark fibers had more chemical extracts than the wood fibers. The specific gravity of guayule wood was greater than the deciduous wood species. However, the fiber lengths of soft maple wood, guayule wood, and milkweed are similar. Based on the chemical composition, P. argentatum and P. tomentosum could serve as raw materials for the paper and chemical industries as well as for energy production.     

Flax-cotton fiber blends: Miniature spinning,gin processing,and dust potential

Development of a flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) industry in North America is desired to supply a domestic source of clean, consistent quality textile fiber for blending with cotton. The objective of this work was to evaluate portions of traditional cotton gin equipment (extractor feeder and lint cleaner) and the “50-g cotton-spinning test (CST)” for flax. Dust was collected on an area sampler in an isolated card room to evaluate dust potential during textile pilot plant processing. Fibers retted by diverse means were cleaned on two separate portions of Continental Eagle's pilot plant cotton gin stand, the Super 96 Feeder and the 24D lint cleaner. Fibers separated and removed from flax stalks by these gin sections were compared against the standard ‘unified line’ processing technique of the USDA Flax Pilot Plant. Test yarns were then made in a CST with cotton and flax blends to provide an indirect measurement of fiber properties that can be related to the retting and gin cleaning processes. The yarns were tested for strength and evenness. Flax fibers that displayed the most favorable properties in the CST were then spun in 23 kg lots in the pilot plant at the following cotton/flax blend ratios: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 20/80. With modifications, it appears that portions of a cotton gin stand are able to process adequately small samples of properly retted flax stalks. The CST with minor adjustments provides useful data for ranking and further large-scale flax processing. As expected, it appears that flax fiber can be successfully cleaned on a cotton processing line and that increasing the amount of flax generates additional dust.     

Guayule as a feedstock for lignocellulosic biorefineries using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) pretreatment

Natural rubber latex extraction from guayule leaves behind greater than 90% (by weight) of agricultural residue as a feedstock suitable for conversion to biofuels via a thermochemical or biochemical route. Untreated guayule shrub and bagasse (after latex extraction) has shown to be very recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis, necessitating application of a chemical pretreatment to enhance cellulase accessibility. The objective of this work was to carry out detailed compositional analysis, ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX¹) pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation for various guayule-derived biomass fractions. Plant feedstocks tested were derived from two sources; (a) a mature 2007 AZ-2 whole guayule shrub plant obtained from USDA/ARS² research fields, and (b) the guayule latex-extracted commercial grade bagasse (62505) from Yulex Corporation. Compositional analysis and enzymatic hydrolysis were carried out using standard NREL³ protocols (www.nrel.gov/biomass/analytical_procedures.html). AFEX pretreatment was carried out using concentrated ammonium hydroxide at elevated temperatures for desired residence times in a pressurized reactor. Yeast fermentations on biomass hydrolyzates were carried out micro-aerobically using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (424A strain) in shake flasks.AFEX pretreatment was found to substantially improve overall enzymatic digestibility by 4-20 fold for both untreated guayule shrub and latex-extracted bagasse. Maximum glucan and xylan conversion achieved for the latex-extracted bagasse was 40% and 50%, respectively. The yeast was readily able to ferment both glucose and xylose to ethanol from the guayule bagasse hydrolyzate with or without external nutrient supplementation (i.e., yeast extract and tryptone). Our results highlight the possible utilization of guayule as a feedstock for lignocellulosic refineries co-producing natural rubber latex and biofuels. However, further process improvements (e.g., lignin/resin extraction and cellulose decrystallization using a modified AFEX process) are necessary to increase the effectiveness of ammonia-based pretreatments for further enhancing enzymatic digestibility of guayule-derived hardwood biomass.     

氮肥和氮磷钾配比对科棉1号产量和品质的影响

以Bt转基因抗虫棉科棉1号为试验材料．研究了氮肥和氮磷钾配比对皮棉产量和纤维品质的影响。研究结果表明．施氮量375kg／hm^2．氮磷钾配比1：0．4：0．8能够有效增加单株成铃数．提高铃重．提高皮棉产量．获得的皮棉产量最高．这到1650．43kg／hm^2。随着氮磷钾配比的提高．当提高到1：0．8：1．6时。皮棉产量出现下降的趋势。施氮量375kg／hm^2．氮磷钾配比1：0．8：1．6能够有效地促进纤维品质的改善．主要表现为：马克隆值有所优化．更加接近A级．成熟度和长度整齐度均有所提高。断裂比强度显著增加．短绒率有所降低。     

Novel, binder-free fiber reinforced composites based on a renewable resource from the reed-like plant Typha sp.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate for the first time the technological potential of novel, totally bio-based, binder-free vegetable fiber-composites based on the reed-like plant Typha sp. Binder-free vegetable fiberboards based on Cattails were prepared and their mechanical (flexural modulus of elasticity, flexural strength and water absorption) and surface textural properties were determined. The influence of press time and panel density on the properties was investigated. In contrast to currently known natural fiber composites based on hemp, flax, kenaf or the like annual plants which all require up to 30 wt% of suitable bonding resins, the typha based composites were prepared completely without the addition of any extraneous glue and showed good mechanical performance that clearly exceeded the performance of other natural fiber composites containing low percentages of phenolic binder (15%). Of special interest were the superior surface properties of the typha based panels. Despite the coarse nature of the raw fiber material and the rough texture of the typha based fiber mats, binder-free typha panels showed excellent surface smoothness which makes this novel composite material highly interesting for light-weight applications with high surface quality standards, for example, as powder-coated elements for the automotive and furniture industries.     

Composite materials of thermoplastic starch and fibers from the ethanol-water fractionation of bagasse

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the fibrous material obtained from ethanol-water fractionation of bagasse as reinforcement of thermoplastic starches in order to improve their mechanical properties. The composites were elaborated using matrices of corn and cassava starches plasticized with 30 wt% glycerin. The mixtures (0, 5, 10 and 15 wt% bagasse fiber) were elaborated in a rheometer at 150 °C. The mixtures obtained were pressed on a hot plate press at 155 °C. The test specimens were obtained according to ASTM D638. Tensile tests, moisture absorption tests for 24 days (20-23 °C and 53% RH, ASTM E104), and dynamic-mechanical analyses (DMA) in tensile mode were carried out. Images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were obtained. Fibers (10 wt% bagasse fiber) increased tensile strength by 44% and 47% compared to corn and cassava starches, respectively. The reinforcement (15 wt% bagasse fiber) increased more than fourfold the elastic modulus on starch matrices. The storage modulus at 30 °C (E_30 °C′) increased as the bagasse fiber content increased, following the trend of tensile elastic modulus. The results indicate that these fibers have potential applications in the development of biodegradable composite materials.     

Flexural characteristics of coir fiber reinforced cementitious composites

This study has examined the flexural properties of natural and chemically modified coir fiber reinforced cementitious composites (CFRCC). Coir fibers of two different average lengths were used, and the longer coir fibers were also treated with a 1 % NaOH solution for comparison. The fibers were combined with cementitious materials and chemical agents (dispersant, defoamer or wetting agent) to form CFRCC. The flexural properties of the composites, including elastic stress, flexural strength, toughness and toughness index, were measured. The effects of fiber treatments, addition of chemical agents and accelerated ageing of composites on the composites’ flexural properties were examined. The results showed that the CFRCC samples were 5–12 % lighter than the conventional mortar, and that the addition of coir fibers improved the flexural strength of the CFRCC materials. Toughness and toughness index, which were associated with the work of fracture, were increased more than ten times. For the alkalized long coir fiber composites, a higher immediate and long-term toughness index was achieved. SEM microstructure images revealed improved physicochemical bonding in the treated CFRCC.     

Effects of date palm leaf fiber on the thermal and tensile properties of recycled ternary polyolefin blend composites

This work investigated the effects of date palm leaf fiber (DPLF) content on the thermal and tensile properties; and morphology of compatibilized polyolefin ternary blend. Recycled polyolefin ternary blend consisting of low density polyethylene (RLDPE), high density polyethylene (RHDPE) and polypropylene (RPP) were fabricated at different parts per hundred resin (phr) of DPLF. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) was used as compatibilizer to enhance the adhesion between filler and polymer matrix. The composites were prepared using melt extrusion and tests samples were produced via injection molding process. Thermal conductivity results showed that as much as 11 % reduction in thermal conductivity was achieved with the incorporation of 30 phr DPLF. Highest tensile strength was observed with the incorporation of 10 phr DPLF. The elongation at break was reduced with the addition of DPLF due to impediment of chain mobility by the fillers. Initial degradation temperature increased with the addition of DPLF. Hence, it is concluded that DPLF can be used to develop green and thermally insulating composites. It is hoped that the present results will stimulate further studies on the thermally insulative materials based on natural fibers reinforced polymer composites for applications in the building industries.     

Characteristics of destarched corn fiber extrudates for ethanol production

The effect of extrusion on characteristics of destarched corn fiber was investigated. Extrusion was conducted at a screw speed of 300 rpm, feed rate of 100 g/min, feed moisture content of 30%, melt temperature of 140 °C and die diameter of 3 mm. After extrusion, characteristics of raw and extruded destarched corn fiber were compared. Raw and extruded destarched corn fibers were enzymatically saccharified and fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 24858). Extrusion pretreatment resulted in low crystallinity index, significant decrease in degree of polymerization and microstructure disruption of destarched corn fiber for enzymatic saccharification. This provides a significant increase in xylose yield for fermentation. Significant increase in protein digestibility and free amino nitrogen were additional benefits of extrusion for yeast nutrient in fermentation. Therefore, extruded destarched corn fiber significantly increased (p < 0.05) ethanol yield (29.08 g/L) and higher conversion (88.79%) by improving the physiochemical and functional properties for saccharification and fermentation.     

安徽沿江地区油麦后直播棉的品种选用策略

在目前安徽沿江地区不能实现棉花机采的情况下,提出了“植株高度既适于机采也适于人工采收,含絮力适中(不易落花便于集中采收),生育期适中(播种到采收为180天左右),纤维品质及产量性状较优(纤维长度30.0 mm以上,断裂比强度30.0 cN/tex以上,马克隆值5.0以下,籽棉产量3750 kg/hm 2以上,衣分在40%左右)”的油(或麦)后直播棉模式的人工采收品种选用策略。旨在促进安徽沿江地区棉花生产稳定发展。     

Characterization of castor oil/polycaprolactone polyurethane biocomposites reinforced with hemp fibers

Abstact  The thermal and mechanical properties of castor oil/polycaprolactone-based polyurethane (CPU) films and polyurethane biocomposites reinforced with hemp fibers (HCPU) were investigated. Although similar films can be synthesized from petroleum, the main interest in studying these biomass-based composites is based on the fact that both fiber and matrix are derived from renewable resources. In this study, castor oil was used as a polyol for polyurethane films and hemp fiber was used to reinforce the biocomposites. To control the mechanical properties of CPU and HCPU, polycaprolactone diol (PCL) was added to the polyol mixture. Varying the mixing ratio of castor oil and PCL, the thermal and mechanical properties of the CPU and HCPU samples were investigated by using FT-IR, DSC, DMTA, Minimat, and SEM. In an attempt to improve interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix biocomposites, hemp fiber was reacted with MDI. FE-SEM micrographs showed that the surface of the hemp fiber became smoother after reaction with MDI. Urethane bonding formation was confirmed by FT-IR.     

不同种植密度对棉花空间成铃分布的影响

为探究赣早5号在长江流域棉区适宜的种植密度,研究不同种植密度对赣早5号空间成铃分布以及产量的影响。试验设置6个种植密度处理(分别为15000株/hm²、37500株/hm²、60000株/hm²、82500株/hm²、105000株/hm²、127500株/hm²),定期测定棉花各器官干物质质量、籽棉产量等农艺性状。研究结果显示,随着种植密度的增大,棉花的株型结构由松散型逐渐变为紧凑型;单株干物质质量随种植密度的增加有减少的趋势,具有显著性差异;籽棉产量随着密度的增加呈现先升高再降低的趋势,其中种植密度在82500株/hm²产量最高,达到3707.01 kg/hm²,且其株型具有较大的成铃空间,单株成铃数也较高。综上所述,赣早5号的种植密度在82500株/hm²时拥有更好的株型结构,单株成铃率高,产量亦高。     

赣北植棉区棉油双直播模式的油菜播期研究

为探明适合赣北植棉区油棉双直播一年两熟模式下并有利于棉花与油菜生产轻简高效的油菜适宜播种期。于2019~2020年在赣北地区设6个不同油菜播种期处理,测定各处理油菜生长发育指标、单株干物质积累量、产量及经济性状,探究一定范围内推迟播期对油菜生长发育、干物质积累、产量及经济性状的影响。结果表明,T 1处理(10月17日播种)油菜籽产量最高,达到2701.95 kg/hm 2,较T 6处理(11月21日播种)显著增产225.56%,油菜干物质积累量与单株产量T 1处理较T 5和T 6处理显著增加,但单株角果数与千粒重各处理间差异不显著。综上所述,在对油菜生长发育与产量不产生显著负面影响的前提下,并考虑棉花收获与油菜播种环节的轻简高效,赣北植棉区油棉双直播模式油菜适宜播期推迟至10月底是可行的。     

Study of gene effects for cotton yield and Verticillium wilt tolerance in cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a destructive disease of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The use of resistant cultivars has long been considered the most practical and effective mean of control. The aim of this work was to study the quantitative genetic basis of Verticillium wilt resistance in Upland cotton by using five genotypes and their possible crosses without reciprocals selecting simultaneously for resistance and desirable agronomic characteristics. Five cotton cultivars and 10 F1s from half-diallel crosses were analyzed for VW resistance. The seed cotton yield, the number of bolls/ plant, and boll weight were measured and Verticillium wilt index (VWI) was estimated during two crop seasons in two different sites each year always on plots with naturally infested soil. Genetic components of variance were analyzed using the Hayman model. Analysis of variance for all characters showed significant differences between genotypes, without genotype-site interaction in most cases. Both, additive genetic variance component (D) and dominance genetic variance components (H1 and H2) were presented in all characters, except for VWI. D was the most important component for boll weight and VWI. Boll weight was the most correlated character with seed cotton yield and VWI. Broad sense heritability was high for boll weight and VWI, moderate for seed cotton yield and low for bolls per plant. Narrow sense heritability was moderate for boll weight, and high for VWI.     

Effect of temperature and durations of heating on coir fibers

Biocomposites derived from polymeric resin and lignocellulosic fibers may be processed at temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 230 °C for durations of up to 30 min. These processing parameters normally lead to the degradation of the fiber's mechanical properties such as Young's modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and percentage elongation at break (%EB). In this study, the effect of processing temperature and duration of heating on the mechanical properties of coir fibers were examined by heating the fibers in an oven at 150 °C and 200 °C for 10, 20 and 30 min to simulate processing conditions. Degradation of mechanical properties was evaluated based on the tensile properties. It was observed that the UTS and %EB of heat treated fibers decreased by 1.17-44.00% and 15.28-81.93%, respectively, compared to untreated fibers. However, the stiffness or E of the fibers increased by 6.3-25.0%. Infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to elucidate further the influence of chemical, thermal and microstructural degradation on the resulting tensile properties of the fibers. The main chemical changes observed at 2922, 2851, 1733, 1651, 1460, 1421 and1370 cm⁻¹ absorption bands were attributed to oxidation, dehydration and depolymerization as well as volatization of the fiber components. These phenomena were also attributed to in the TGA, and in addition the TGA showed increased thermal stability of the heat treated coir fibers with reference to the untreated counterparts which was most probably due to increased recrystallization and cross linking. The microstructural features including microcracks, micropores, collapsed microfibrils and sort of cooled molten liquid observed on the surface of heat treated coir fibers from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) could not directly be linked to the effect of temperature and durations of heating although such features may have largely account for the lower tensile properties of heat treated coir fibers with reference to untreated ones.     

Individual and combined effects of salinity and waterlogging on Cry1Ac expression and insecticidal efficacy of Bt cotton

Salinity, waterlogging and a combination of both stresses are severe threats to plant growth, development and yield of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but their individual or combined effects on insecticidal efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, two cotton cultivars (33B and SCRC17) containing the Cry1Ac insecticidal protein gene were planted in 10 L pots filled with soil and allowed to grow in a greenhouse. The potted plants were either treated with NaCl (5 mg/g, w/w), waterlogging, or a combination of both stresses at the three true-leaf stage, and levels of total soluble protein, Bt insecticidal protein, gossypol and the control efficacy as indicated by mortality of bollworm larvae were examined at 7-day intervals after stress. Waterlogging and a combination of salinity and waterlogging reduced total protein content by 40–46% and 45–65% and Bt protein content by 38–50% and 45–72% from 7 to 21 days after stress, relative to the non-stressed control, respectively. The control efficacy was significantly reduced by either waterlogging or the combined stress. Regression analysis indicated that Bt protein content was correlated to total soluble protein content (R² = 0.7677*), while Bt cotton efficacy was correlated to Bt protein level (R² = 0.7917**). Salinity reduced Bt protein by 11–22% and total soluble protein by 5.7–7.2% from 7 to 21 days after NaCl stress, but did not result in reduction in control efficacy. It is concluded that reduced bollworm control efficacy under waterlogging or the combined stress could be mainly attributed to the declined levels of Bt protein, which is closely associated with the inhibited nitrogen metabolism by stresses. As one of the secondary compounds that are toxic to pests, increases in gossypol may be involved in maintaining the efficacy when Bt protein level was reduced under salinity.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces secondary metabolites that have biological activity against plant pathogenic Xanthomonas species

The bioactivity of compounds produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LN strain), against three Xanthomonas species was investigated under greenhouse conditions and using electron microscopy. Chromatographic fractions EAP, VLC3, VLC4, VLC3d and VLC4f were tested against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli and X. axonopodis pv. citri by disc diffusion. Fractions with antibiotic activity were tested in vivo under greenhouse conditions and their bioactivity was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that VLC4f affects biofilm formation while VLC4f and VLC3d both affect cell morphology. The semi-purified fractions controlled bacterial diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp. when sprayed on plants under greenhouse conditions. The VLC4f fraction showed superior results in disease management, reducing the number of lesions on cotton and orange leaves by 94%, and reducing disease severity in bean leaves by 73%. The data suggest that the fractions were effective and have potential as an alternative to conventional bactericides in the control of plant diseases caused by Xanthomonas sp under greenhouse conditions.     

主要环境因子与苎麻产量品质关系研究

高温、强光和高蒸发量增加株高却减少有效株数,不利高产优质;生长中后期总日照时数较多则利于茎粗、皮厚、鲜皮出麻率和产量提高并降低原麻含胶率;雨日和雨量较多能增加有效株,提高支数;较高相对湿度使茎粗、皮厚、有效株、鲜皮出麻率及产量和支数提高、原麻含胶率下降。总辐射量大抑制除株高之外其它经济性状发育,造成低产劣质;土壤有机质、氮、磷、及铁、硼含量与茎粗、皮厚和出麻率呈负相关,虽略利于优质却降低产量;水解氮对优质高产均不利。钾、锰、锌与株高呈正相关、与有效株呈负相关,不利高产优质和原麻含胶率的降低。土壤容重和PH与株高之外其它经济性状呈正相关,有益高产优质,而总孔度的作用相反。土壤毛孔度和比重都有利优质,但前者与株高呈负相关、与有效株呈正相关,后者则反之。