Assessment of biochar and hydrochar as minor to major constituents of growing media for containerized tomato production

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Fornes, Fernando, Rosa M Belda, Pascual Fernández de Córdova, and Jaime Cebolla-Cornejo. 2017. Assessment of Biochar and Hydrochar as Minor to Major Constituents of Growing Media for Containerized Tomato Production. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97 (11). Wiley: 3675 84. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8227, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8227. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] BACKGROUND: Chars are emerging materials as constituents of growth media. However, chars of different origin differ in their characteristics and more studies are needed to ratify them for such a role. The characteristics of coir mixed with 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (v/v) of two biochars, from forest waste (BCH-FW) and from olive mill waste (BCH-OMW), and one hydrochar, from forest waste (HYD-FW), and their effects on growth, yield and fruit quality of two tomato cultivars (Gransol RZ and Cuarenteno) were assessed. RESULTS: Chars negatively affected plant growth and yield but not fruit quality. The effect was related to the char dose and was larger in HYD-FW and BCH-FW than in BCH-OMW, despite the high salinity of the latter, and more acute in Cuarenteno than in Gransol RZ. The results were discussed on the basis of the large particle size of BCH-FW, which could have caused low nutrient solution retention and, hence, reduced plant nutrient uptake, and the highwater-holding capacity, poor aeration and large CO2 emission of HYD-FW, which could lead to root anoxia. CONCLUSION: BCH-OMW can be used at high proportion in media for tomato cultivation. The use of BCH-FW at a high proportion might be taken into consideration after adjusting particle size, yet this needs additional assays. HYD-FW is inadequate for soilless containerized tomato cultivation. (C) 2017 Society of Chemical IndustryThis study was funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Proyectos de nuevas Lineas de Investigacion Multidisciplinares; PAID-05-12).Fornes Sebastiá, F.; Belda Navarro, RM.; Fernández De Córdova Martínez, PJ.; Cebolla Cornejo, J. (2017). Assessment of biochar and hydrochar as minor to major constituents of growing media for containerized tomato production. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 97(11):3675-3684. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8227S367536849711Martí, R., Roselló, S., & Cebolla-Cornejo, J. (2016). Tomato as a Source of Carotenoids and Polyphenols Targeted to Cancer Prevention. Cancers, 8(6), 58. doi:10.3390/cancers8060058Dorais, M., Ehret, D. L., & Papadopoulos, A. P. (2008). Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) health components: from the seed to the consumer. Phytochemistry Reviews, 7(2), 231-250. doi:10.1007/s11101-007-9085-xSchmilewski, G. (2009). GROWING MEDIUM CONSTITUENTS USED IN THE EU. Acta Horticulturae, (819), 33-46. doi:10.17660/actahortic.2009.819.3Graber, E. R., Meller Harel, Y., Kolton, M., Cytryn, E., Silber, A., Rav David, D., … Elad, Y. (2010). Biochar impact on development and productivity of pepper and tomato grown in fertigated soilless media. Plant and Soil, 337(1-2), 481-496. doi:10.1007/s11104-010-0544-6Dumroese, R. K., Heiskanen, J., Englund, K., & Tervahauta, A. (2011). Pelleted biochar: Chemical and physical properties show potential use as a substrate in container nurseries. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(5), 2018-2027. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.053Vaughn, S. F., Kenar, J. A., Thompson, A. R., & Peterson, S. C. (2013). Comparison of biochars derived from wood pellets and pelletized wheat straw as replacements for peat in potting substrates. Industrial Crops and Products, 51, 437-443. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.10.010Steiner, C., & Harttung, T. (2014). Biochar as a growing media additive and peat substitute. Solid Earth, 5(2), 995-999. doi:10.5194/se-5-995-2014Petruccelli, R., Bonetti, A., Traversi, M. L., Faraloni, C., Valagussa, M., & Pozzi, A. (2015). Influence of biochar application on nutritional quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Crop and Pasture Science, 66(7), 747. doi:10.1071/cp14247Libra, J. A., Ro, K. S., Kammann, C., Funke, A., Berge, N. D., Neubauer, Y., … Emmerich, K.-H. (2011). Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: a comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis. Biofuels, 2(1), 71-106. doi:10.4155/bfs.10.81Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., & Lidón, A. (2015). Analysis of two biochars and one hydrochar from different feedstock: focus set on environmental, nutritional and horticultural considerations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 86, 40-48. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.057Kuzyakov, Y., Subbotina, I., Chen, H., Bogomolova, I., & Xu, X. (2009). Black carbon decomposition and incorporation into soil microbial biomass estimated by 14C labeling. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41(2), 210-219. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.10.016Bargmann, I., Martens, R., Rillig, M. C., Kruse, A., & Kücke, M. (2013). Hydrochar amendment promotes microbial immobilization of mineral nitrogen. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 177(1), 59-67. doi:10.1002/jpln.201300154Bargmann, I., Rillig, M. C., Buss, W., Kruse, A., & Kuecke, M. (2013). Hydrochar and Biochar Effects on Germination of Spring Barley. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 199(5), 360-373. doi:10.1111/jac.12024Akhtar, S. S., Li, G., Andersen, M. N., & Liu, F. (2014). Biochar enhances yield and quality of tomato under reduced irrigation. Agricultural Water Management, 138, 37-44. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2014.02.016Vaccari, F. ., Maienza, A., Miglietta, F., Baronti, S., Di Lonardo, S., Giagnoni, L., … Genesio, L. (2015). Biochar stimulates plant growth but not fruit yield of processing tomato in a fertile soil. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 207, 163-170. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.015Cortés-Olmos, C., Valcárcel, J. V., Roselló, J., Díez, M. J., & Cebolla-Cornejo, J. (2015). Traditional Eastern Spanish varieties of tomato. Scientia Agricola, 72(5), 420-431. doi:10.1590/0103-9016-2014-0322Fornes, F., Belda, R. M., Carrión, C., Noguera, V., García-Agustín, P., & Abad, M. (2007). Pre-conditioning ornamental plants to drought by means of saline water irrigation as related to salinity tolerance. Scientia Horticulturae, 113(1), 52-59. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2007.01.008Cebolla-Cornejo, J., Valcárcel, M., Herrero-Martínez, J. M., Roselló, S., & Nuez, F. (2012). High efficiency joint CZE determination of sugars and acids in vegetables and fruits. ELECTROPHORESIS, 33(15), 2416-2423. doi:10.1002/elps.201100640Cebolla-Cornejo, J., Roselló, S., Valcárcel, M., Serrano, E., Beltrán, J., & Nuez, F. (2011). Evaluation of Genotype and Environment Effects on Taste and Aroma Flavor Components of Spanish Fresh Tomato Varieties. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(6), 2440-2450. doi:10.1021/jf1045427Dunlop, S. J., Arbestain, M. C., Bishop, P. A., & Wargent, J. J. (2015). Closing the Loop: Use of Biochar Produced from Tomato Crop Green waste as a Substrate for Soilless, Hydroponic Tomato Production. HortScience, 50(10), 1572-1581. doi:10.21273/hortsci.50.10.1572Bunt, A. C. (1988). Media and Mixes for Container-Grown Plants. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-7904-1Mukherjee, A., & Zimmerman, A. R. (2013). Organic carbon and nutrient release from a range of laboratory-produced biochars and biochar–soil mixtures. Geoderma, 193-194, 122-130. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.10.002Schulz, H., & Glaser, B. (2012). Effects of biochar compared to organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil quality and plant growth in a greenhouse experiment. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 175(3), 410-422. doi:10.1002/jpln.201100143Fornes, F., Carrión, C., García-de-la-Fuente, R., Puchades, R., & Abad, M. (2010). Leaching composted lignocellulosic wastes to prepare container media: Feasibility and environmental concerns. Journal of Environmental Management, 91(8), 1747-1755. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.03.01

Effects of Chronic Ethanol Treatment on Neocortex

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66043/1/j.1530-0277.1986.tb05133.x.pd

Intragenic DNA methylation: implications of this epigenetic mechanism for cancer research

Epigenetics is the study of all mechanisms that regulate gene transcription and genome stability that are maintained throughout the cell division, but do not include the DNA sequence itself. The best-studied epigenetic mechanism to date is DNA methylation, where methyl groups are added to the cytosine base within cytosine–guanine dinucleotides (CpG sites). CpGs are frequently clustered in high density (CpG islands (CGIs)) at the promoter of over half of all genes. Current knowledge of transcriptional regulation by DNA methylation centres on its role at the promoter where unmethylated CGIs are present at most actively transcribed genes, whereas hypermethylation of the promoter results in gene repression. Over the last 5 years, research has gradually incorporated a broader understanding that methylation patterns across the gene (so-called intragenic or gene body methylation) may have a role in transcriptional regulation and efficiency. Numerous genome-wide DNA methylation profiling studies now support this notion, although whether DNA methylation patterns are a cause or consequence of other regulatory mechanisms is not yet clear. This review will examine the evidence for the function of intragenic methylation in gene transcription, and discuss the significance of this in carcinogenesis and for the future use of therapies targeted against DNA methylation

Non-thermal emission processes in massive binaries

In this paper, I present a general discussion of several astrophysical processes likely to play a role in the production of non-thermal emission in massive stars, with emphasis on massive binaries. Even though the discussion will start in the radio domain where the non-thermal emission was first detected, the census of physical processes involved in the non-thermal emission from massive stars shows that many spectral domains are concerned, from the radio to the very high energies. First, the theoretical aspects of the non-thermal emission from early-type stars will be addressed. The main topics that will be discussed are respectively the physics of individual stellar winds and their interaction in binary systems, the acceleration of relativistic electrons, the magnetic field of massive stars, and finally the non-thermal emission processes relevant to the case of massive stars. Second, this general qualitative discussion will be followed by a more quantitative one, devoted to the most probable scenario where non-thermal radio emitters are massive binaries. I will show how several stellar, wind and orbital parameters can be combined in order to make some semi-quantitative predictions on the high-energy counterpart to the non-thermal emission detected in the radio domain. These theoretical considerations will be followed by a census of results obtained so far, and related to this topic... (see paper for full abstract)Comment: 47 pages, 5 postscript figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. Astronomy and Astrophysics Review, in pres

Endoscopic Saphenous harvesting with an Open CO2 System (ESOS) trial for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, arterial conduits are preferred because of more favourable long-term patency and outcome. Anyway <it>the greater saphenous vein </it>continues to be the most commonly used bypass conduit. <it>Minimally invasive endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting </it>is increasingly being investigated in order to reduce the morbidity associated with conventional open vein harvesting, includes postoperative leg wound complications, pain and patient satisfaction. However, to date the short and the long-term benefits of the endoscopic technique remain controversial. This study provides an interesting opportunity to address this gap in the literature.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p><b>Endoscopic Saphenous harvesting with an Open CO₂System </b>trial includes two parallel vein harvesting arms in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. It is an interventional, single centre, prospective, randomized, safety/efficacy, cost/effectiveness study, in adult patients with elective planned and first isolated coronary artery disease. A simple size of 100 patients for each arm will be required to achieve 80% statistical power, with a significant level of 0.05, for detecting most of the formulated hypotheses. A six-weeks leg wound complications rate was assumed to be 20% in the conventional arm and less of 4% in the endoscopic arm. Previously quoted studies suggest a first-year vein-graft failure rate of about 20% with an annual occlusion rate of 1% to 2% in the first six years, with practically no difference between the endoscopic and conventional approaches. Similarly, the results on event-free survival rates for the two arms have barely a 2-3% gap. Assuming a 10% drop-out rate and a 5% cross-over rate, the goal is to enrol 230 patients from a single Italian cardiac surgery centre.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The goal of this prospective randomized trial is to compare and to test improvement in wound healing, quality of life, safety/efficacy, cost-effectiveness, short and long-term outcomes and vein-graft patency after endoscopic open CO₂harvesting system versus conventional vein harvesting.</p> <p>The expected results are of high clinical relevance and will show the safety/efficacy or non-inferiority of one treatment approach in terms of vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>www.clinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01121341">NCT01121341</a>.</p

Effects of elevated CO2 on phytoplankton community biomass and species composition during a spring Phaeocystis spp. bloom in the western English Channel

A 21-year time series of phytoplankton community structure was analysed in relation to Phaeocystis spp. to elucidate its contribution to the annual carbon budget at station L4 in the western English Channel (WEC). Between 1993–2014 Phaeocystis spp. contributed ∼4.6% of the annual phytoplankton carbon and during the March − May spring bloom, the mean Phaeocystis spp. biomass constituted 17% with a maximal contribution of 47% in 2001. Upper maximal weekly values above the time series mean ranged from 63 to 82% of the total phytoplankton carbon (∼42–137 mg carbon (C) m −3 ) with significant inter-annual variability in Phaeocystis spp. Maximal biomass usually occurred by the end of April, although in some cases as early as mid-April (2007) and as late as late May (2013). The effects of elevated pCO 2 on the Phaeocystis spp. spring bloom were investigated during a fifteen-day semi-continuous microcosm experiment. The phytoplankton community biomass was estimated at ∼160 mg C m −3 and was dominated by nanophytoplankton (40%, excluding Phaeocystis spp.), Phaeocystis spp. (30%) and cryptophytes (12%). The smaller fraction of the community biomass comprised picophytoplankton (9%), coccolithophores (3%), Synechococcus (3%), dinoflagellates (1.5%), ciliates (1%) and diatoms (0.5%). Over the experimental period, total biomass increased significantly by 90% to ∼305 mg C m −3 in the high CO 2 treatment while the ambient pCO 2 control showed no net gains. Phaeocystis spp. exhibited the greatest response to the high CO 2 treatment, increasing by 330%, from ∼50 mg C m −3 to over 200 mg C m −3 and contributing ∼70% of the total biomass. Taken together, the results of our microcosm experiment and analysis of the time series suggest that a future high CO 2 scenario may favour dominance of Phaeocystis spp. during the spring bloom. This has significant implications for the formation of hypoxic zones and the alteration of food web structure including inhibitory feeding effects and lowered fecundity in many copepod species

Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Drug Seeking: 20 Years of Progress

In human addicts, drug relapse and craving are often provoked by stress. Since 1995, this clinical scenario has been studied using a rat model of stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Here, we first discuss the generality of stress-induced reinstatement to different drugs of abuse, different stressors, and different behavioral procedures. We also discuss neuropharmacological mechanisms, and brain areas and circuits controlling stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. We conclude by discussing results from translational human laboratory studies and clinical trials that were inspired by results from rat studies on stress-induced reinstatement. Our main conclusions are (1) The phenomenon of stress-induced reinstatement, first shown with an intermittent footshock stressor in rats trained to self-administer heroin, generalizes to other abused drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, and alcohol, and is also observed in the conditioned place preference model in rats and mice. This phenomenon, however, is stressor specific and not all stressors induce reinstatement of drug seeking. (2) Neuropharmacological studies indicate the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), noradrenaline, dopamine, glutamate, kappa/dynorphin, and several other peptide and neurotransmitter systems in stress-induced reinstatement. Neuropharmacology and circuitry studies indicate the involvement of CRF and noradrenaline transmission in bed nucleus of stria terminalis and central amygdala, and dopamine, CRF, kappa/dynorphin, and glutamate transmission in other components of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system (ventral tegmental area, medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens). (3) Translational human laboratory studies and a recent clinical trial study show the efficacy of alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists in decreasing stress-induced drug craving and stress-induced initial heroin lapse

Report on legal and public policies proposals to address anti-gender hate speech

This report is the result of the European project titled "Hate speech, gender, social networks and political parties" (GENHA)(Reference: 875388

Anti-Gender Hate Speech in Populist Right-Wing Social Media Communication

This report is the result of the European project titled "Hate speech, gender, social networks and political parties" (GENHA)(Reference: 875388

Italian hospitals on the web: a cross-sectional analysis of official websites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although the use of the Internet for health purposes has increased steadily in the last decade, only a few studies have explored the information provided by the websites of health institutions and no studies on the on-line activities of Italian hospitals have been performed to date. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the contents and the user-orientation of Italian hospital websites.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The cross-sectional analysis considered all the Italian hospitals with a working website between December 2008 and February 2009. The websites were coded using an <it>ad hoc </it>Codebook, comprising eighty-nine items divided into five sections: technical characteristics, hospital information and facilities, medical services, interactive on-line services and external activities. We calculated a website evaluation score, on the basis of the items satisfied, to compare private (PrHs) and public hospitals, the latter divided into ones with their own website (PubHs-1) and ones with a section on the website of their Local Health Authority (PubHs-2). Lastly, a descriptive analysis of each item was carried out.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of the 1265 hospitals in Italy, we found that 419 of the 652 public hospitals (64.3%) and 344 of the 613 PrHs (56.1%) had a working website (p = 0.01). The mean website evaluation score was 41.9 for PubHs-1, 21.2 for PubHs-2 and 30.8 for PrHs (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Only 5 hospitals out of 763 (< 1%) provided specific clinical performance indicators, such as the nosocomial infection rate or the surgical mortality rates. Regarding interactive on-line services, although nearly 80% of both public and private hospitals enabled users to communicate on-line, less than 18% allowed the reservation of medical services, and only 8 websites (1%) provided a health-care forum.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A high percentage of hospitals did not provide an official website and the majority of the websites found had several limitations. Very few hospitals provided information to increase the credibility of the hospital and user confidence in the institution. This study suggests that Italian hospital websites are more a source of information on admissions and services than a means of communication between user and hospital.</p