Upcycling By-products of the Agri-food Industry as Carbon Sources for the Application of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Pennsylvania Vegetable Production Systems

Upcycling By-products of the Agri-food Industry as Carbon Sources for the Application of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Pennsylvania Vegetable Production Systems PDF Author: Raymond Balaguer Barbosa
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Vegetable production in Pennsylvania is one of the most important farming endeavors of the state. High tunnel production systems are a technology that facilitate crop protection against adverse weather, allowing for the extension of the growing season, and the achievement of higher produce yield and quality. Nevertheless, intensive soil cultivation, combined with monoculture or limited crop rotation that are common practices in high tunnel production systems, over time may lead to a higher presence of soilborne pests and pathogens that can offset the benefits of high tunnels. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is proposed as a pre-plant, non-synthetic chemical soil disinfestation technique to reduce the incidence of a wide range of soilborne biotic issues. ASD is applied by amending the soil with a labile carbon (C) source, mulching the soil with totally impermeable film to prevent gaseous exchanges, and then irrigating the soil until the point of saturation. A critical requirement of the ASD method is the accessibility of a locally available and relatively inexpensive source of labile C. The objectives of the current study are to: 1) identify by-products of the local agri-food industry that may be suitable as C source for ASD and characterize their physicochemical properties; 2) assess their efficacy in promoting anaerobic conditions and evaluating their impact on plant growth performance, nutrient uptake, and yield. After identifying and sourcing local agri-food by-products suitable for ASD applications and evaluating their viability as potential C sources, selected by-products of the local agri-food industry were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, determining their total C and nitrogen content, C:N ratio, easily oxidizable C fraction, total sugar content, and mineral content. The C sources selected were examined also for their seasonal and regional availability and for their cost, making considerations on transportation and processing requirement. In a second phase, ASD applications were conducted using the C sources selected. Anaerobic conditions and nutrient dynamics in the soil were monitored, as well as crop development, nutrient uptake, and fruit yield and quality performance. The research allowed to identify the most promising alternative C sources locally available in Pennsylvania and to evaluate their efficacy as C source for the ASD process and their impact on the crop following the ASD treatment in a lettuce-tomato double cropping system.

Upcycling By-products of the Agri-food Industry as Carbon Sources for the Application of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Pennsylvania Vegetable Production Systems

Upcycling By-products of the Agri-food Industry as Carbon Sources for the Application of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Pennsylvania Vegetable Production Systems PDF Author: Raymond Balaguer Barbosa
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Vegetable production in Pennsylvania is one of the most important farming endeavors of the state. High tunnel production systems are a technology that facilitate crop protection against adverse weather, allowing for the extension of the growing season, and the achievement of higher produce yield and quality. Nevertheless, intensive soil cultivation, combined with monoculture or limited crop rotation that are common practices in high tunnel production systems, over time may lead to a higher presence of soilborne pests and pathogens that can offset the benefits of high tunnels. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is proposed as a pre-plant, non-synthetic chemical soil disinfestation technique to reduce the incidence of a wide range of soilborne biotic issues. ASD is applied by amending the soil with a labile carbon (C) source, mulching the soil with totally impermeable film to prevent gaseous exchanges, and then irrigating the soil until the point of saturation. A critical requirement of the ASD method is the accessibility of a locally available and relatively inexpensive source of labile C. The objectives of the current study are to: 1) identify by-products of the local agri-food industry that may be suitable as C source for ASD and characterize their physicochemical properties; 2) assess their efficacy in promoting anaerobic conditions and evaluating their impact on plant growth performance, nutrient uptake, and yield. After identifying and sourcing local agri-food by-products suitable for ASD applications and evaluating their viability as potential C sources, selected by-products of the local agri-food industry were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, determining their total C and nitrogen content, C:N ratio, easily oxidizable C fraction, total sugar content, and mineral content. The C sources selected were examined also for their seasonal and regional availability and for their cost, making considerations on transportation and processing requirement. In a second phase, ASD applications were conducted using the C sources selected. Anaerobic conditions and nutrient dynamics in the soil were monitored, as well as crop development, nutrient uptake, and fruit yield and quality performance. The research allowed to identify the most promising alternative C sources locally available in Pennsylvania and to evaluate their efficacy as C source for the ASD process and their impact on the crop following the ASD treatment in a lettuce-tomato double cropping system.

The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks

The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks PDF Author: Robert E. Hardenburg
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cold storage
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
Note for the electronic edition: This draft has been assembled from information prepared by authors from around the world. It has been submitted for editing and production by the USDA Agricultural Research Service Information Staff and should be cited as an electronic draft of a forthcoming publication. Because the 1986 edition is out of print, because we have added much new and updated information, and because the time to publication for so massive a project is still many months away, we are making this draft widely available for comment from industry stakeholders, as well as university research, teaching and extension staff.

Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-food Sector

Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-food Sector PDF Author: Bruno Notarnicola
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319119400
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
The book presents an overview of the International practices and state-of-the-art of LCA studies in the agri-food sector, both in terms of adopted methodologies and application to particular products; the final purpose is to characterise and put order within the methodological issues connected to some important agri-food products (wine, olive oil, cereals and derived products, meat and fruit) and also defining practical guidelines for the implementation of LCAs in this particular sector. The first chapter entails an overview of the application of LCA to the food sector, the role of the different actors of the food supply chain and the methodological issues at a general level. The other chapters, each with a particular reference to the main foods of the five sectors under study, have a common structure which entails the review of LCA case studies of such agri-food products, the methodological issues, the ways with which they have been faced and the suggestion of practical guidelines.

Applications of Biochar for Environmental Safety

Applications of Biochar for Environmental Safety PDF Author: Ahmed Abdelhafez
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 178985895X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of organic materials from agricultural and forestry biomass at a relatively low temperature in the absence of oxygen. As such, it has potential for solving many agricultural and environmental problems.This book is divided into five sections: “Introduction,” “Production and Legislation of Biochar,” “Applications of Biochar for Soil Fertility Improvement,” “Role of Biochar for Soil Remediation and Ameliorating Salinity Effects” and “Applications of Biochar for Water Treatment.” Chapters address topics such as the pros and cons of biochar, its production, and its role in remediating and treating contaminated soils and water.

Nutrient Recovery by Biogas Digestate Processing

Nutrient Recovery by Biogas Digestate Processing PDF Author: Bernhard Drosg
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781910154151
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description


Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products

Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products PDF Author: Rajeev Bhat
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128242604
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1026

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Book Description
Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products: Recent Trends, Innovations and Sustainability Challenges addresses the waste and by-product valorization of fruits and vegetables, beverages, nuts and seeds, dairy and seafood. The book focuses its coverage on bioactive recovery, health benefits, biofuel production and environment issues, as well as recent technological developments surrounding state of the art of food waste management and innovation. The book also presents tools for value chain analysis and explores future sustainability challenges. In addition, the book offers theoretical and experimental information used to investigate different aspects of the valorization of agri-food wastes and by-products. Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products: Recent Trends, Innovations and Sustainability Challenges will be a great resource for food researchers, including those working in food loss or waste, agricultural processing, and engineering, food scientists, technologists, agricultural engineers, and students and professionals working on sustainable food production and effective management of food loss, wastes and by-products. Covers recent trends, innovations, and sustainability challenges related to food wastes and by-products valorization Explores various recovery processes, the functionality of targeted bioactive compounds, and green processing technologies Presents emerging technologies for the valorization of agri-food wastes and by-products Highlights potential industrial applications of food wastes and by-products to support circular economy concepts

The Vertical City

The Vertical City PDF Author: K. Al-Kodmany
Publisher: WIT Press
ISBN: 1784662577
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 753

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Book Description
Each century has its own unique approach toward addressing the problem of high density and the 21st century is no exception. As cities try to cope with rapid population growth - adding 2.5 billion dwellers by 2050 - and grapple with destructive sprawl, politicians, planners and architects have become increasingly interested in the vertical city paradigm. Unfortunately, cities all over the world are grossly unprepared for integrating tall buildings, as these buildings may aggravate multidimensional sustainability challenges resulting in a “vertical sprawl” that could have worse consequences than “horizontal” sprawl. By using extensive data and numerous illustrations this book provides a comprehensive guide to the successful and sustainable integration of tall buildings into cities. A new crop of skyscrapers that employ passive design strategies, green technologies, energy-saving systems and innovative renewable energy offers significant architectural improvements. At the urban scale, the book argues that planners must integrate tall buildings with efficient mass transit, walkable neighbourhoods, cycling networks, vibrant mixed-use activities, iconic transit stations, attractive plazas, well-landscaped streets, spacious parks and engaging public art. Particularly, it proposes the Tall Building and Transit Oriented Development (TB-TOD) model as one of the sustainable options for large cities going forward. Building on the work of leaders in the fields of ecological and sustainable design, this book will open readers’ eyes to a wider range of possibilities for utilizing green, resilient, smart, and sustainable features in architecture and urban planning projects. The 20 chapters offer comprehensive reading for all those interested in the planning, design, and construction of sustainable cities.

Green, Closed Loop, Circular Bio-Economy

Green, Closed Loop, Circular Bio-Economy PDF Author: Charisios Achillas
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3036502106
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
In recent years, bioeconomy strategies have been implemented and adapted internationally. In the bioeconomy, materials are to a certain extent circular by nature. However, biomaterials may also be used in a rather linear way. Lately, a transition towards a circular economy, a more restorative and regenerative economic model, is being promoted worldwide. A circular economy offers an alternative model aiming at “doing more and better with less”. It is based on the idea that circulating matter and energy will diminish the need for new input. Its concept lies in maintaining the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible and at the same time minimizing or even eliminating the amount of waste produced. Focused on “closing the loops”, a circular economy is a practical solution for promoting entrepreneurial sustainability, economic growth, environmental resilience, and a better quality of life for all. The most efficient way to close resource loops is to find value in the waste. Different modes of resource circulation may be applied, e.g., raw materials, by-products, human resources, logistics, services, waste, energy, or water. To that end, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the circular bioeconomy agenda through enhanced scientific and multidisciplinary knowledge to boost the performance efficiency of circular business models and support decision-making within the specific field. The Special Issue includes innovative technical developments, reviews, and case studies, all of which are relevant to green, closed-loop, circular bioeconomy.

Sustainable Food Waste-to-Energy Systems

Sustainable Food Waste-to-Energy Systems PDF Author: Thomas Trabold
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128111585
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Sustainable Food Waste-to-Energy Systems assesses the utilization of food waste in sustainable energy conversion systems. It explores all sources of waste generated in the food supply chain (downstream from agriculture), with coverage of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sources. It provides a detailed analysis of the conventional pathways for food waste disposal and utilization, including composting, incineration, landfilling and wastewater treatment. Next, users will find valuable sections on the chemical, biochemical and thermochemical waste-to-energy conversion processes applicable for food waste and an assessment of commercially available sustainable food waste-to-energy conversion technologies. Sustainability aspects, including consideration of environmental, economic and social impacts are also explored. The book concludes with an analysis of how deploying waste-to-energy systems is dependent on cross-cutting research methods, including geographical information systems and big data. It is a useful resource for professionals working in waste-to-energy technologies, as well as those in the food industry and food waste management sector planning and implementing these systems, but is also ideal for researchers, graduate students, energy policymakers and energy analysts interested in the most recent advances in the field. Provides guidance on how specific food waste characteristics drive possible waste-to-energy conversion processes Presents methodologies for selecting among different waste-to-energy options, based on waste volumes, distribution and properties, local energy demand (electrical/thermal/steam), opportunities for industrial symbiosis, regulations and incentives and social acceptance, etc. Contains tools to assess potential environmental and economic performance of deployed systems Links to publicly available resources on food waste data for energy conversion

Phytochemicals in Vegetables: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds

Phytochemicals in Vegetables: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds PDF Author: Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
ISBN: 1681087391
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
Phytochemical compounds are secondary metabolites that plants usually synthesize for their own protection from pests and diseases. Phytochemical biosynthesis is also triggered under specific environmental conditions. They cannot be classified as essential nutrients since they are not required at specific amounts for life sustenance. Phytochemicals in Vegetables: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds presents information about the phytochemical (common and scarce) content of several cultivated vegetables, as well as their health and therapeutic effects based on in vitro, in vivo, animal and clinical studies. Chapters also cover recent research findings about their mode of action, bioavailabity, interactions with other biological matrices and pharmacokinetics. Moreover, the book gives special attention to the factors that may alter and modulate bioactive compound content, including both cultivation practices and post-harvest treatments that aim towards the production of high quality and healthy foods. Researchers, public health workers, consumers and members of the food industry will find this book to be a useful reference on the variety of phytochemicals present in vegetables.