Grass silage for biorefinery—A meta‐analysis of silage factors affecting liquid–solid separation

This meta‐analysis based on 19 studies from Finland comprising 43 grass silages was undertaken to evaluate the effect of silage quality on liquid yield, liquid composition and retained compounds in liquid using four different liquid–solid separation methods. Silages were classified according to species (grass, clover or a mixture of them), additive treatment (no, biological or formic acid‐based additive) and harvest (primary growth or regrowth). A mixed model regression analysis with random study effect was used to evaluate the impact of silage characteristics on biorefinery efficiency. There was a large variation in silage quality in the data set. Silage dry‐matter concentration was the characteristic most highly correlated with liquid yield for all separation methods, and when used as an independent variable in the model, it resulted in the best predictions. The liquid–solid separation methods presented a great variation in the liquid yield, ranging from 0.26 to 0.56 when silage dry‐matter concentration was standardized to 250 g/kg. There was no effect of additive treatment and harvest in the estimation of the biorefinery potential, but species was a significant variable in predicting liquid yield for the laboratory‐scale presses with higher liquid yield for mixed grass and legume. The high correlation between silage quality and liquid yield and liquid composition provides potential to predict the biorefinery potential based on equations developed for each separation method. This information can be used to modify the silage production systems so that they best meet the requirements of a green biorefinery process.     

Decomposition of the Fusarium graminearum toxin zearalenone in storage conditions

The studies illustrate the effects of preservatives - "Luprosil" (propionic acid) and "Gasol" (contains organic acids and some additional compounds) on the growth of Fusarium graminearum and the quality of zearalenone in contaminated grain. The laboratory conditions resembled, concerning the supply of oxygen, the circumstances in the surface layers of preserved grain mass. The mycelium growth of the fungus Fusarium graminearum was visually observed. Three successions of studies of grain cultures were carried out before addition of preservatives and after 3, 14 and 28 days of storage: 1) liquid-chromatographic examination indicating the amount of soluble zearalenone in oat-wheat culture 2) bioassay indicating the amount of insoluble zearalenone in grain (solid residue) 3) bioassay indicating the total amount of zearalenone (insoluble + soluble zearalenone) in oat-wheat-barley culture. The preservatives completely prevented the visible mycelium growth of Fusarium graminearum. Propionic acid ("Luprosil") had no reducing effect on the quantity of zearalenone. "Gasol", on the contrary, reduced the amount of the mycotoxin very clearly. The decrease in different successions of studies was after 3, 14 and 28 days from the commencement of storage as follows: 1) 60, 90 and 95% 2) 15, 17 and 90% 3) 70, 80 and 90%.     

Cadmium contents of oats (Avena sativa L.) in official variety,organic cultivation,and nitrogen fertilization trials during 1997-1999

The cadmium (Cd) contents of oats (Avena sativa L.) in Finland were examined over a 3 year period in three types of trials: official variety, organic vs conventional cultivation, and nitrogen fertilization trials. Large seasonal and regional variations were found in the Cd concentrations. In official variety trials, the mean Cd contents in 1997, 1998, and 1999 were 0.046, 0.029, and 0.052 mg kg(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively, ranging from 0.008 to 0.120 mg kg(-1) dw. The concentrations were generally well below the maximum permitted level of 0.100 mg kg(-1) fresh weight. No significant differences were found between the organic and the conventional cultivation techniques. Nitrogen (N) fertilization increased the Cd contents of oats especially at high nitrogen rates (160 kg N hectare(-1) (ha)). Significant cultivar differences (p < 0.001) were determined in all trials. Cultivars Salo and Kolbu had consistently higher contents, and Belinda and Roope had lower Cd contents among the different growing conditions. Hence, it is possible to cultivate and develop oat cultivars less likely to accumulate Cd.     

Ethical analysis: A structured approach to facilitate the resolution of forest conflicts

The complexity of natural resource conflicts is often due to the original issues becoming hidden amongst the differing perceptions of the situation. These perceptions are based on the interests, values and principles of those concerned. The resulting complexity makes resolution of the conflict extremely difficult. Ethical analysis (EA) is a tool that could lay the groundwork for resolution of complex natural resource conflicts. The fundamental task of EA is to map and understand the interests, values and principles of the conflicting parties, thereby presenting the conflict's core drivers. It attempts not to solve the problem but to help the parties to understand their own and other parties' values and interests; increasing awareness of the parties' principles, values and moral codes and of those of their opponents, which will make possible a shared perception of reality, vital for resolution. This self-reflection and improved mutual understanding encourages honesty in subsequent attempts at resolution; promoting trust in the other groups' commitment to resolving the conflict. In short, EA enables cutting through the myriad of perceptions to get to the heart of the conflict, and present it in a manner facilitating the next stage of the process, namely, resolution.     

Comparison of terrestrial laser scanning and X-ray scanning in measuring Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) branch structure

While X-ray scanning is increasingly used to measure the interior quality of logs, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) could be used to collect information on external tree characteristics. As branches are one key indicator of wood quality, we compared TLS and X-ray scanning data in deriving whorl locations and each whorl’s maximum branch and knot diameters for 162 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) log sections. The mean number of identified whorls per tree was 37.25 and 22.93 using X-ray and TLS data, respectively. The lowest TLS-derived whorl in each sample tree was an average 5.56?m higher than that of the X-ray data. Whorl-to-whorl mean distances and the means of the maximum branch and knot diameters in a whorl measured for each sample tree using TLS and X-ray data had mean differences of ?0.12?m and ?6.5?mm, respectively. One of the most utilized wood quality indicators, tree-specific maximum knot diameter measured by X-ray, had no statistically significant difference to the tree-specific maximum branch diameter measured from the TLS point cloud. It appears challenging to directly derive comparative branch structure information using TLS and X-ray. However, some features that are extractable from TLS point clouds are potential wood quality indicators.     

Vomitoxin and amino acid supplements in rat feed

In Finland grain has during some years contained considerable amounts of mycotoxins depending on the weather conditions, harvesting and preservation methods. The most common of these mycotoxins are Fusariumtoxins: zearalenone and trichotechenes. The trichotechene group is large, but only a few of the toxins are of practical interest in that they cause health disorders to farm animals. The most common toxin of the trichotechenes is deoksinivalenol or vomitoxin (DON), which causes, especially in pigs, vomiting and reduction in feed palatability.     

The effects of "Gasol" grain preservative dosages on the growth of Fusarium graminearum and the quantity of the toxin zearalenone

In earlier experiments regarding the effects of preservative "Gasol" (containing various acids and additional compounds and intended for whole grain preservations) in recommended dosages, prevents the growth of Fusarium graminearum and reduces the amount of zearalenone when added to milled grain. It was proved in the tests carried out that the smaller dosages of "Gasol" were sufficient for the prevention of growth of the fungus and reduction in quantity of zearalenone. The degree to which the toxin was destroyed depended on the dosage of the preservation. A dosage twice as strong as that recommended in the instructions for practice destroyed all the toxin formed in the grain. A very small dosage of "Gasol" (1/8 of recommended dosage) prevented the growth of the fungus and only slightly reduced the amount of toxin only at the beginning of the test. Later, the growth of the fungus was more vigorous and significantly more toxin was present in the treated grain than in the grain which had never been treated with the preservatives, it has been proved that the preservative     

Identifying difficulties in rapeseed root penetration in farmers’ fields in northern European conditions

Tap‐rooted rapeseed is generally considered sensitive to soil compaction. We examined 473 Finnish rapeseed fields sown in 2007 to 2009 to both spring turnip rape Brassica rapa L. (dominant crop) and oilseed rape Brassica napus L. Roots were rated late in the growing season according to penetration capacity. Roots in each field were rated from G1 (no problems with root penetration) to G5 (failure to penetrate deeper soil layers). There were significant effects of year, crop species, soil type, special soil properties and soil cultivation methods on frequency of G1 and G4+5 roots. Restricted root penetration was a common phenomenon. Typically, fields had <30% G3 and G4+5 roots, however, some fields had >70% G4+5 roots and were cases for serious concern. Yield loss was linearly related to the incidence of G4+5 plants in 2007, but there was no relationship with the other years. Oilseed rape had a greater proportion of G4+5 roots than turnip rape and twice the proportion of G4+5 roots occurred in direct‐drilled fields than in reduced or fully tilled fields. Rapeseed yield decline may at least partly be related to poor root penetration and it is a useful indicator crop to demonstrate the degree of soil compaction and should be cultivated in fields where sufficient root penetration is possible.