Optimisation of fertiliser rates in crop production against energy use indicators

Optimising mineral nitrogen (N) use in crop production is inevitable target as mineral fertilisers reflect one of the highest inputs both in terms of economy and energy. The aim of the study was to compare the relationship between the rate of N fertiliser application and different measures of energy parameters exemplary data for spring-wheat in boreal climate condition in Estonia in 2006–2010. The effect of mineral N with rates 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha⁻¹ was studied on the background of composted cow manure and without organic fertilisers. Univalent parameters, energy gain (EG) (energy output − energy input) and energy ratio (ER) (energy output/energy input) were calculated. To aggregate parameters with different units (ER and EG) we proposed two standardisation approaches for combined indices. ER maximisation gave both organic fertilisation background optimum N norms significantly lower than EG (p < 0.05) optimisation. Both the new combined indices gave optimum N norms in between the rate of ER an EG. Composted cow manure background did not affect mineral N optimisation significantly. We suggest optimisation of mineral N according to bi-dimensional parameters as they capture important features of production efficiency and are more objective using as advisory tool for sustainable production systems.     

Phosphorus bioavailability in ash from straw and sewage sludge processed by low‐temperature biomass gasification

Reuse of phosphorus (P) from waste streams used for bioenergy conversion is desirable to reduce dependence on nonrenewable P resources. Two different ash materials from low‐temperature biomass gasification of wheat straw and sewage sludge, respectively, were investigated with regard to their P bioavailability. A set of pot experiments with spring barley was carried out to compare the ash P fertiliser value with mineral P fertiliser and the sewage sludge feedstock. An indirect radioactive labelling approach with ³³P was used to determine the amount of P taken up from the fertiliser materials. Depending on the application rate, straw gasification ash produced a fertiliser response comparable to mineral P. However, P uptake from the ash was generally less than uptake from equivalent amounts of mineral P, and the calculated relative effectiveness was 44% after 6 weeks of plant growth. In contrast, the P fertiliser value of Fe‐rich sewage sludge after low‐temperature gasification was practically zero. These results suggest that ash from low‐temperature gasification could be developed into alternative P fertilisers; however, as the P bioavailability depends greatly on the feedstock used, a greater emphasis on feedstock composition is required.     

Application of body size spectra to nematode trait-index analyses

Current trait-based indices of soil fauna for assessing soil quality rely on extensive knowledge of life history traits for hyper-diverse groups. We look at the effects of clear-cut forest harvesting and subsequent wood ash application on the free-living nematode community using trait-based indices and body size spectra. We test the hypothesis that body size is a unifying trait and that the body size spectra can be used to demonstrate changes in soil quality while overcoming taxonomic impediments. Undisturbed boreal forest floor soils were compared with clear-cut sites amended with zero, one-half calcium equivalent wood ash, equivalent calcium reintroduction, and twice calcium reintroduction. Total abundance, trait-based metrics for the Maturity Index, and two metrics of body size spectra were calculated. Nematode abundance was not a good indicator of soil disturbance, while traditional trait-based approaches (the summed Maturity Index) demonstrated predicted changes in community structure. Analysis of two types of body size spectra elucidated how the community had changed under disturbance, and revealed that smaller bodied organisms were lost under ash amended treatments compared to both clear-cut and undisturbed forest. Using the body size spectra for nematodes is a simple addition to current trait-based approaches that can supplement soil assessments for disturbance and quality without requiring taxonomic expertise.     

Fertilizer value of nitrogen in hen and broiler manure after application to spring barley using different application timing

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer effect of layer hen and broiler manure applied at different times on spring barley yield was studied in seven Swedish field experiments during 2005–2008. Two experiments had parallel field incubations to study N release after fertilizer application. The effect of total N in manure on N offtake was 30–40% that of mineral N, except in a dry year, when the effect was very low. Although the relative proportions of ammonium N, uric acid N and other N differed between the hen and broiler manure, the effect of total N was similar for both. In field incubations, mineral N decreased from 75 to 60% of total N applied in hen manure, whereas it increased from 20 to 50% in broiler manure, because of net immobilization and release, respectively. The limited fertilizer nitrogen replacement value, corresponding to only 30–40% of total N, could be as a result of ammonia volatilization after rather shallow incorporation with harrow. Net N release from broiler manure lasted for 6–8 weeks after application, after which it generally ceased. In some cases, manure application in early spring gave better yield effects than application at sowing, probably because of better synchronization of the N release with crop N requirements. The residual N effect on the N offtake in crop in the year after manure application was on average 3% of the total N applied, equivalent to a fertilizer replacement value of about 6%.     

Hepatic lipidosis: Liver characteristics and acute phase proteins in affected turkeys

The hepatic lipidosis (HL) in fattening turkeys is a disease has been known for a long time, but the cause and pathogenesis is still not clarified. A recent study reported unexplained high levels of iron in liver tissue of fattening turkeys suffering from HL. In this study, the iron status, possible infectious or inflammatory influences in form of an acute phase reaction and the analysis of fatty acid pattern in liver tissue of turkeys affected by HL were examined. Three cases of HL on three different fattening turkey farms were investigated during the outbreak of the disease. Clinically affected and non-affected animals were subjected to a pathological examination, where the diagnosis HL or non-affected was made. In total, 70 birds were examined (40 with HL, 30 without HL) and blood and liver samples were taken. Additionally, samples from 15 slaughtered birds were taken as a further control group. In liver tissue, the iron content and the content of long-chain fatty acids were determined; in blood samples, ferritin and transferrin were measured. The iron content in liver tissue was more than three times higher for animals with HL than among non-affected animals and the control group. The transferrin levels were lowest for animals with HL, highest in the control group and in between for non-affected animals. The fatty acid pattern in liver tissue of affected animals indicated a shift from polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids compared to the control group and the non-affected animals. Overall, the non-affected animals of a flock affected by HL were similar to the healthy animals of the abattoir. The low acute phase protein levels for animals with HL together with high iron contents could indicate a previous malnutrition/starvation period and/or severe liver damage for those animals suffering from HL.     

绿肥影响农田土传病害的研究进展

土传病害是制约我国农业可持续发展的因素之一。绿肥作为高效清洁的有机肥源,与主作物合理搭配,可有效降低主作物土传病害的发生和危害,是减少化学药剂使用的重要措施。因此,综述绿肥对土传病害的防控效果与机制,对于绿肥推广应用和土传病害绿色防控具有重要意义。绿肥影响作物土传病害的研究主要集中于土传真菌病害和线虫病害,且大多数研究表明,绿肥可通过增强主作物整体抗病水平,对病原菌的化感抑制作用和改善土壤理化性质,增加土壤微生物中拮抗菌多样性和丰富度等,显著降低主作物土传病害发病率和严重程度。然而,绿肥影响主作物病害的作用机制研究不够深入,绿肥-主作物搭配模式和绿肥调控主作物病害的社会经济学效益仍需探究。同时,加强绿肥-主作物病害一体化防控及绿肥与根际促生菌、生防菌等其他有机改良剂或与适当的化学防控措施之间协同作用的研究,是未来需要加强的研究方向。     

北京市规模化奶牛场运动场防雨现状及建议

运动场是保障奶牛生产力和动物福利的重要设施。2021年6—9月,频繁降雨导致北京地区多家奶牛场的运动场积水,为奶牛生产力、奶牛场生防安全、环境卫生、运动场舒适性和动物福利带来隐患。通过线上线下结合,调研了北京地区27 家规模化奶牛场的运动场防雨、排水及垫料现状。结果表明：调研奶牛场中,88.90%奶牛场配备了运动场,其中83.33%奶牛场通过设置地面倾角、设置挡雨棚、雨污分离槽及布设排水管道（沟渠）、雨后水泵排水等方式实现运动场防雨及排水。此外,针对运动场建设、运动场防雨、运动场舒适性展开讨论,以期改善运动场防雨现状,满足集约化奶牛场可持续发展需求和提升动物福利。     

规模化奶牛场粪污危害、处理及循环利用模式

随着我国奶牛养殖业发展规模的壮大,规模化奶牛场数量持续增加,但奶牛场粪污污染问题也日益凸显。本文结合自身工作经验,首先分析了规模化奶牛场粪污的危害性,然后从雨污分离、固液分离和干清粪工艺对规模化奶牛场粪污处理方式进行概述,最后从厌气（厌氧）发酵获得沼气、微生物发酵用作饲料和生产生物有机肥三种不同模式介绍模化奶牛场粪污的循环利用操作,以期为规模化奶牛场粪污高效利用提供借鉴。     

宁夏回族自治区养殖粪污资源化利用现状调查与分析

畜禽粪污资源化利用,是农村生态环境保护工作的重点和难点,对于改善农村生态环境质量、提高农业绿色发展水平、促进农产品增产提质具有重要意义。本文为进一步了解宁夏回族自治区（简称“宁夏”）畜禽粪污资源化利用现状,在宁夏银川市、石嘴山市、吴忠市、中卫市、固原市5 市,对四大产业主导区畜禽养殖产业基本情况、全区及各市不同类型和规模的畜禽养殖粪污资源化利用现状及问题、不同养殖类型和规模的资源化主推技术及典型案例等情况进行了实地调研。结果表明：2020年,宁夏畜禽存栏总量2 046.0 万头（只）,其中,奶牛57.4 万头、肉牛120.7 万头、羊596.1 万只、生猪90.0 万头、家禽1 181.8 万只。畜禽粪污产生量3 025.3 万吨,全区粪污资源化利用总量为2 961.6 万吨,综合利用率达到97.9%,规模养殖场设施配套率达99.0%,该地区畜禽粪污综合利用主要途径有肥料化利用、能源化利用、清洁再生回用等。     

利用固液分离技术对规模化奶牛场的粪污治理

针对规模化奶牛场的粪污处理问题,利用了固液分离技术,对奶牛场内环境治理,尤其是圈舍内的清粪环节进行减量化改进。从技术角度上优化畜舍内的环境质量,从而弥补国内外现有畜禽养殖业中粪污治理模式中的弱项。本文以天津和润畜牧养殖有限责任公司的规模化奶牛场为试验点,对其产生的粪污进行技术化固液分离,分离后的固体粪便经发酵、晾晒后可作为奶牛的卧床垫料而重复利用。污水经稀释匀浆后储存于贮水池,在采用固液分离技术后,每天的产污水量下降了22%,粪污总量约下降21%。通过技术改进,固液分离处理后的粪污中,总悬浮颗粒物占比降低,污水中总氮和总磷含量降低,化学需氧量（COD）和生化需氧量（BOD）降低60%以上,水质得到提升。固液分离技术可为规模化养殖业提供更加便捷高效的处理粪污、降低污染物含量的产业化排污模式,使规模化养殖产品更加安全健康,同时也可以使人民的日常饮食得到安全保障。