Short-term effects of organo-mineral enriched biochar fertiliser on ginger yield and nutrient cycling

Purpose

Biochar has agronomic potential but currently is too expensive for widespread adoption. New methodologies are emerging to reduce the cost such as enriching biochar with nutrients that match crops and soil requirements. However, the effects of biochar-based fertilisers on plant yield and soil nutrient availability have not been widely examined. This study investigated the effects of a novel organo-mineral biochar fertiliser in comparison to organic and commercial biochar fertiliser on ginger (Zingiber officinale Canton).

Materials and methods

There were four treatments: (1) commercial organic fertiliser (5 t ha^?1), as the control; (2) commercial biochar-based fertiliser (5 t ha^?1); (3) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at low rate (3 t ha^?1); and (4) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at high rate (7.5 t ha^?1). A replicated pot trial was established with black dermosol soil and ten replicate pots for each treatment. Ginger was planted and grown for 30 weeks. Plant growth, biomass, foliar nutrients and water extractable soil nutrients including phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) were examined.

Results and discussion

High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser increased soil P and K availability at week 30 (harvest) after planting, compared to all other treatments and low rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser performed similarly to the organic control for P and K. High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser increased total foliar nutrient content at week 30 in P, K and Ca compared to commercial biochar fertiliser. High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser improved the commercial value of ginger (+?36%) due to a shift in the proportion of higher grade rhizomes. Low rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser plants displayed similar yield, total dry and aboveground biomass to commercial organic fertiliser. Commercial biochar fertiliser had significantly lower biomass measures compared with other treatments as the rate applied had lower nutrient concentrations.

Conclusions

Our results show organo-mineral biochar fertilisers could be substituted for commercial organic fertilisers at low rates to maintain similar yield or applied at high rates to increase commercial value where economically feasible.

     

Soil carbon sequestration with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems in the Virginia coastal plain

Carbon sequestration in agroecosystems represents a significant opportunity to offset a portion of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Climatic conditions in the Virginia coastal plain and modern production practices make it possible for high annual photosynthetic CO₂ fixation. There is potential to sequester a substantial amount of C, and concomitantly improve soil quality, with the elimination of tillage for crop production in this region. The objectives of our research were to: (1) measure C sequestration rate with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems of the Virginia middle coastal plain; (2) determine the influence of biosolids application history on C content and its interaction with tillage management; and (3) evaluate the impact of continuous no-till C stratification as an indicator of soil quality. Samples were collected from 63 sites in production fields using a rotation of corn (Zea mays L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)/soybean double-crop (Glysine max L.) across three soil series [Bojac (coarse-loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults), Altavista (fine-loamy, mixed semiactive, thermic Aquic Hapludults), and Kempsville (fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludults)] with a history of continuous no-till management ranging from 0 to 14 years. Thirty-two of the sites had a history of biosolids application. Five soil cores were collected at each site from 0–2.5, 2.5–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm and analyzed for bulk density and soil C. Bulk density in the 0–2.5 cm layer decreased and C stratification ratio (0–2.5 cm:7.5–15 cm) increased with increasing duration of continuous no-till due to the accumulation of organic matter at the soil surface. A history of biosolids application resulted in an increase of 4.19 ± 1.93 Mg C ha⁻¹ (0–15 cm). Continuous no-till resulted in the sequestration of 0.308 ± 0.280 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (0–15 cm). Our results provide quantitative validation of the C sequestration rate and improved soil quality with continuous no-till management in the region using on-farm observations.     

Intussusception of the colon in acow

Extract

This unusual condition was diagnosed and successfully treated in November, 1958.     

The importance of zoonoses

Abstract

Extract

There are approximately 200 infectious diseases of animals, birds, and fish, and almost half of these are zoonoses (Meyer, 1954 Meyer, K. F. 1954. Bull. Epizoot. Dis. Africa, 2: 427–427.  [Google Scholar]). This paper deals with the main points of but a few which are important in the countries of Asia and the Pacific area. These have been stressed recently at a seminar in Japan sponsored by the World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. A global picture is given also, as the problems of the zoonoses are greater overseas than they are in New Zealand. To keep the problems in perspective, it should be stated that the zoonoses account for only a small percentage of human illness, partly owing to such notable achievements as pasteurization of milk for human consumption and meat inspection.     

Sustainable plant breeding

Plant breeders disrupt Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium through selection, non‐random mating, drift, migration and mutation. Sustainable plant breeding can be defined as productive and competitive breeding that is achieved without loss of genetic diversity in the elite breeding population during the professional career of the breeder. Breeding is often productive but not sustainable. From 1974 to 2000, the animal breeding programme Meatlinc in the United Kingdom had effective population size of 95, population inbreeding of 0.19% per year and generation interval of 2.15 years. Genetic progress in Meatlinc tripled in the 8 years following introduction of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) selection (based on the information from relatives) in 1992. Canola breeding in Australia from 1970 to 2000 had longer generation interval (6 years), smaller effective population size (<11) and higher rates of inbreeding (>0.7% per year). BLUP selection in canola was first reported in 2010. Neither programme replaced genetic diversity lost through selection and drift. Most breeding programmes violate conditions of the infinitesimal model, thereby reducing predictability of selection, but breeders can minimize these limitations to sustainable plant breeding.     

Extension of murine life span by overexpression of catalase targeted to mitochondria

To determine the role of reactive oxygen species in mammalian longevity, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress human catalase localized to the peroxisome, the nucleus, or mitochondria (MCAT). Median and maximum life spans were maximally increased (averages of 5 months and 5.5 months, respectively) in MCAT animals. Cardiac pathology and cataract development were delayed, oxidative damage was reduced, H2O2 production and H2O2-induced aconitase inactivation were attenuated, and the development of mitochondrial deletions was reduced. These results support the free radical theory of aging and reinforce the importance of mitochondria as a source of these radicals.