Partitioning of net primary production in Eucalyptus and Acacia stands and in mixed-species plantations: Two case-studies in contrasting tropical environments

The introduction of nitrogen fixing species (NFS) in fast-growing tree plantations is an alternative option to reduce fertilizer inputs. However, the success of mixed-species plantations depends on the balance between positive interactions among species (resulting from facilitation and/or complementarity) and the negative effects of interspecific competition.Using a carbon budget approach and coupling measurements of standing biomass, aboveground litterfall and soil CO2 efflux, we assessed the influence of replacing half of eucalypt trees by Acacia mangium on total belowground carbon flux (TBCF), net primary production (NPP) and its partitioning between above- and belowground growth at two tropical sites in Brazil (Itatinga) and in Congo (Kissoko) exhibiting contrasting climates, edaphic conditions and wood productions.Annual soil CO2 efflux (FS) was significantly lower in the acacia monocultures than in eucalypt monocultures and mixed-species stands at both sites. Annual FS was significantly lower at Itatinga compared to Kissoko for all stands while TBCF was significantly lower in the eucalypt stands only. In the eucalypt monocultures we found a significantly lower aboveground NPP (ANPP) and wood production (wood NPP) at Kissoko compared to Itatinga that was almost fully balanced by a significantly higher belowground NPP (BNPP), leading to similar NPP. Similarly, acacia monocultures exhibited significantly higher ANPP and wood NPP at Itatinga than at Kissoko. The mixed-species stands exhibited a significantly lower wood NPP and ANPP than the eucalypt monocultures at the Brazilian site while NPP of the mixture was not significantly different than the average NPP of the two monocultures. At the Congolese site, NPP of the mixture was significantly higher than the average NPP of the two monocultures. NPP was similar in the mixed-species stand and the eucalypt monoculture with a significantly lower partitioning of NPP to belowground production, leading to a one third higher wood biomass at harvest in the mixed-species stand.A positive effect of growing eucalypts with the nitrogen fixing acacia trees on stand wood production occurred at Kissoko but not at Itatinga. Mixed-species plantations with NFS can be advocated at sites where the productive gains resulting from nitrogen fixation are not compromised by other resource limitations. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Multiobjective 0-1 integer programming for the use of sugarcane residual biomass in energy cogeneration

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Energy balance optimization of sugarcane crop residual biomass

This work presents a mathematical model for helping mills choose sugarcane varieties for planting. It maximizes crop residual biomass energy balance by considering the difference between generated and consumed energy in the process of transferring this biomass from the field to the processing center; it takes into account enterprise demand restrictions and cane planting area. For this full zero-one linear programming techniques were proposed. The model is viable for choosing sugarcane varieties that would benefit sugarcane production and industrial systems, by reducing crop residue and increasing final energy production. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Assessment of dry residual biomass potential for use as alternative energy source in the party of General Pueyrredon, Argentina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Lead distribution in organic matter of loamy oxisol treated with manure and its effect on microbial biomass

This paper reports a study regarding the distribution of lead in the organic matter fractions of a loamy oxisol treated with stable manure, and its effect on the soil microbial biomass. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial with three replicates. Treatments were four lead (Pb) rates (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg kg(-1) soil), two levels of manure (0 and 30 Mg ha(-1)) and two sampling times (30 and 60 days after lead application). Total and soil lead soluble in Mehlich 1 extractant, and Ph in the different fractions of the organic matter (fulvic acid, humic acid, and residual) were evaluated along with the soil microbial biomass. Data showed that lead, applied as PbCl2, was concentrated in the residual fraction. The application of manure at the rate of 30 Mg ha(-1) did not affect lead distribution in the fractions until 60 days after incorporation. Lead extracted by Mehlich 1 increased as function of the quantity applied. Manure stimulated the growth of the soil microbial biomass which was reduced by the 200 mg kg(-1) doses of lead, with manure application, increasing, however, with larger rates. Mehlich 1 extracted only part of the lead present in the residual fraction.

Biomass and Stand Characteristics of a Highly Productive Mixed Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock Plantation in Coastal Washington

Aboveground biomass predictive equations were developed for a highly productive 47-year-old mixed Douglas-fir and western hemlock stand in southwest Washington State to characterize the preharvest stand attributes for the Fall River Long-Term Site Productivity Study. The equations were developed using detailed biomass data taken from 31 Douglas-fir and 11 western hemlock trees within the original stand. The stand had an average of 615 live trees per hectare, with an average dbh of 35.6 cm (39.1 cm for Douglas-fir and 33.3 cm for western hemlock) and an average total tree height of 31.6 m (32.8 m for Douglas-fir and 30.2 m for western hemlock). Equations developed were of the form In Y = b(1) + b(2) In dbh, where Y = biomass in kg, dbh = diameter in cm at 1.3 m height, b(1) = intercept, and b(2) = slope of equation. Each tree part was estimated separately and also combined into total aboveground biomass. The total aboveground biomass estimation equations were In Y = -0.9950 + 2.0765 In dbh for Douglas-fir, and In Y = -1.6612 + 2.2321 In dbh for western hemlock. The estimate of the aboveground live-free biomass was of 395 Mg ha(-1) (235 Mg ha(-1) for Douglas-fir and 160 Mg ha(-1) for western hemlock), with 9.5, 29.3, 12.9, 308, and 32.7 Mg ha(-1) in the foliage, live branches, dead branches, stem wood, and stem hark, respectively. When compared with biomass estimates from six other studies, ranging in age from 22 to 110 years and from 96.3 to 636 Mg ha(-1), the biomass of the Fall River site was relatively high for its age, indicating very high productivity.

Modelagem matemática para o aproveitamento da biomassa residual de colheita da cana-de-açúcar com menor custo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Modelos de minimização de biomassa residual

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Multiobjective optimization of economic balances of sugarcane harvest biomass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Optimal energy generation with biomass of sugarcane harvest

The aim of this work is the application of the Interior Point and Branch and Bound methods in multiobjective optimization models related to sugarcane harvest residual biomass. These methods showed their viability to help on choosing the sugarcane planting varieties, searching to optimize cost and energy balance of harvest residual biomass, which have conflitant objectives. These methods provide satisfactory results, with fair computing performance and reliable and consistent solutions to the analyzed models. © 2011 IEEE.

Efeito residual de fontes de fósforo nos atributos químicos do solo, nutrição e produtividade de biomassa da cana-de-açúcar

In tropical regions, the residual effect of phosphate fertilizer source is of crucial importance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of application of P sources in chemical properties of soil, nutrition and productivity of sugarcane plant and during the first and second ratoon. The sources of P applied in furrows at planting were, triple superphosphate, Arad phosphate, bone meal (100 kg ha-1 P2O5 total) and a control without P, the varieties of sugarcane studied were IAC86-2480 and SP79-1011. A randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial was used, with four replications. The study was conducted in the municipality of Alta Floresta-MT, Brazil, in Typic Hapludox. After each cutting, in soil P content, pH and Ca were evaluated. In the plant, the production of green and dry matter of shoots, the concentration of P in the biomass harvested, the export of P and agronomic efficiency of the sources of P were determined. The bone meal had a higher agronomic efficiency resulted in greater accumulation and export of P by crop, higher content of available Ca and P and increase soil pH. The Arad reactive phosphate increased its agronomic efficiency between crop cycles.

Cogeração a partir da biomassa residual de cana-de-açúcar: estudo de caso

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Leaching potential and residual effect of amicarbazone in soils of contrasting texture

The infestation of weeds is a major biotic factor in the agroecosystem of cane sugar that may interfere in development and crop productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for leaching and residual effects of the herbicide amicarbazone in contrasting soils. Samples were Quartzarenic Neosol (NR - sandy texture) and Red Latosol (LR - clay texture). For the leaching potential, after application of herbicide amicarbazone (NR 1.05 kg ha(-1) and LR 1.40 kg ha(-1)), layers of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm of water were applied to soil columns. We evaluated the residual effect after the permanence of the herbicide in soil of clay texture and sandy for periods of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 days after application (DAA) of amicarbazone (0, 1.05, 1.40 kg ha(-1)) treatments. The amicarbazone started showing high leaching from the 60 mm layer of water in sandy texture soils, evidencing a shorter residual effect. In clay soil, slides from 20 to 80 mm of water reduced the biomass until a depth of 5-10 cm, with the use of this herbicide. Based on these results, we conclude that the amicarbazone showed higher leaching and lower residual effects in sandy soil. The residual effect of amicarbazone was prolonged as the content of clay and organic matter present in the soil increased.

Mycelial biomass and biochemical properties of proteases produced by Lentinus citrinus DPUA 1535 (higher basidiomycetes) in submerged cultivation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Changes in biomass, chemical composition and nutritive value of Spartina alterniflora due to organic pollution in the Itanhaém River Basin (SP, Brazil)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)