Agroecological assessment of the efficiency of utilization of quail manure in the restoration of disturbed sod-podzolic soils with the formation of a stable herbage

The most acute environmental problems of our time include large volumes of bird droppings produced annually at large livestock complexes. At the same time, the sod-podzolic soils dominating in the Non-Chernozem zone of the European part of Russia are characterized by low reserves of humus, which quickly fall with intensive agricultural use and soil anthropogenic degradation. To restore degraded sod-podzolic soils, a peat-sand substrate enriched with compost from quail manure without and with the application of phosphogypsum to stabilize organic compounds of compost was used with the support of project No. 075-15-2021-1030 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia. The vegetation experiment showed the maximum increase in plant biomass of the herbage in the variant with the combined use of compost and phosphogypsum: respectively, 30% higher than the control one. In the summer, there is an increased intensity of soil CO2 emissions in the variants with compost, but with a multiple more active increase in grass biomass growing, so one can talk about the atmosphere carbon sequestering nature of the technology of utilization of quail droppings during the restoration of disturbed sod-podzolic soils with the formation of a stable herbage

Ecological assessment of the aftereffect of phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils

Against the background of global climate changes, agroecological problems of erosion and agrogenic degradation of intensively used arable soils have become more acute. This problem is most acute in the case of old-arable sod-podzolic soils with initially low humus content and small thickness of their sod horizons. Our research carried out with the support of project No. 075-15-2021-1030 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, provides investigation the influence of industrial waste in the production of phosphorous fertilizers - phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils. The research was carried out at the Agroecological Station of the Field Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in fall of 2022 and in summer of 2023. The use of phosphogypsum in a dose of 1.5 t/ha contributed to the significant accumulation of organic carbon in the topsoil of the studied sod-podzolic soils – in comparison with the control. In combination with compost from bird dropping at a dose of 2.0 t/ha, the aftereffect of the use of phosphogypsum essentially increases, that indicates good prospects for the validation of this technology as a natural climate project

Ekološka ocena emisije gasova staklene bašte iz proizvodnje brojlera u centralnom regionu Rusije

With an estimated rise in poultry production and consumption of chicken meat in Russia by 9% up to 2022, as well as development of self-sustainable poultry production, the need has arisen for environmental assessment of this production, and within it especially greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission assessment. The goal of this work is to show a calculation procedure for obtaining estimations for the carbon footprint of the 1 kg of live chicken at the farm gate, taking into account regional typological features of agricultural production in agro-ecosystems. The methodology of carbon footprint (CF) calculation is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and on IAGRICO2 calculator, developed for agriculture products. Results have shown that in modern technology of poultry farming, 5.79 kg CO2 e was emitted on average per kg of body mass, and that about 47% of emission was from manure, around 27.5% from crop production (fuel and fertiliser) and 25.5% from fuel and energy needed for heating, sanitation and feeding of chickens. The main distinction of Central Russia is low efficiency of the fertiliser application on crop fields and manure management, storage and utilisation, which has as a result high emissions of the nitrous oxide. This is the field where the implementation of the intensive technologies of precise farming, manure handling, utilisation and management will significantly decrease GHG emission, with preserving yield of crops and quantity and quality of chicken meat.Sa očekivanim porastom proizvodnje u živinarstvu i povećanjem korišćenja pilećeg mesa u Rusiji od 9% do 2022. godine, kao i sa državnom politikom Ruske Federacije o kompletnoj samodovoljnosti u proizvodnji hrane, a naročito živinskog mesa, nastala je potreba za ocenom uticaja živinarstva na životnu sredinu, a posebno emisiju gasova staklene ba te. Cilj ovog rada je prikazati proceduru izračunavanja ugljenikovog otiska (engl. carbon footprint) za 1 kg žive mase na kraju tova brojlera, uzimajući u obzir regionalne tipološke osobine poljoprivredne proizvodnje u agroekosistemima. Metodologija proračuna ugljenikovog otiska bazirana je na metodologiji ocene životnog ciklusa (engl. Life Cycle Analysis - LCA), i na kalkulatoru IAGRICO2, prilagođenom poljoprivrednim proizvodima. Rezultati su pokazali da se u modernoj tehnologiji živinarstva, u proseku emituje 5,79 kg CO2 ekvivalenta po kg telesne mase, te da je oko 47 emisije poreklom iz stajnjaka, oko 27, od proizvodnje useva (upotreba goriva i đubriva) i 25,5%, od goriva i energije potrebne za grejanje, i čišćenje i hranjenje pilića. Glavna odlika centralnog regiona evropske Rusije je niska efikasnost primene azotnih đubriva na poljima, kao i upravljanje skladištenjem i primenom stajnjaka, to ima za posledicu velike količine emitovanog azot-suboksida. Ovo predstavlja polje u kojem bi implementacija intenzivnih tehnologija precizne poljoprivrede i skladištenja i primene stajnjaka mogla značajno smanjiti emisiju gasova staklene bašte, sa očuvanjem prinosa poljoprivrednih kultura i količine i kvaliteta pilećeg mesa

Environmental assessment of greenhouse gases emission from sheep breeding in Vojvodina region of Serbia

The aim of this work is to show a calculation procedure for obtaining estimations for the carbon footprint of 1 kg of live weight of ewe, ram and lamb at the farm gate, taking into account regional typological features of agricultural production in agroecosystems. The methodology of carbon footprint (CF) calculation is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology developed for agricultural products. Results revealed that in modern technology of sheep breeding, 21.41 kg CO2 e was emitted on average per kg of body weight of ewe, 19.13 kg CO2 e was emitted on average per kg of body weight of ram, 3.2 kg CO2 e was emitted on average per kg of body weight of lamb. The main distinction of Vojvodina province is the low efficiency of fertiliser application on crop fields and manure management, storage and utilisation, which has as a result high emissions of nitrous oxide. This is the field where the implementation of intensive technologies of precise farming, manure handling, utilisation and management will significantly decrease GHG emission, with preserving yield of crops and quantity and quality of sheep of all categories

The contribution of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC) to scientific knowledge, education and sustainability

Soil is an integral component of the global environmental system which supports the quality and diversity of terrestrial life on Earth. Therefore, it is vital to consider the processes and impacts of soil degradation on society, especially on the provision of environmental goods and services, including food security and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Scientific societies devoted to soil science play significant roles in reducing soil degradation and promoting soil conservation by advancing scientific knowledge, education and environmental sustainability. The ESSC was founded on 4 November 1988, with the aims to: 1. Support research on soil degradation, soil protection and soil and water conservation. 2. Provide a network for the exchange of knowledge about soil degradation processes and soil conservation research and practises. 3. Produce publications on major issues relating to soil degradation and soil and water conservation. 4. Advise regulators and policy-makers on soil issues, especially soil degradation, protection and conservation. The societal challenges that can be addressed through better soil protection, advancing knowledge and scientific approaches to soil protection and sustainable management, mean the ESSC embraces the on-going development, application, review and constructive criticism of highly innovative scientific soil conservation methods. In this context, the ESSC analyses and publicizes the roles and functions of soil in natural and human-modified systems and the functional optimization of soils to ensure sustainable environmental protection. “The thin layer of soil that forms a patchy covering over the continents controls our own existence and that of every other animal of the land” (Rachel Carson (1962) in ‘Silent Spring’).European Society for Soil Conservatio

Common Reed as a Renewable Energy Resource for Pellet Production

Renewable reed biomass has traditionally been used for various purposes. Currently, an energy-dependent society is returning to the use of natural energy sources. The paper is devoted to the study of reed reserves in the Lower Volga region, production technology, and quality assessment of pellets from it. Reed mowing with further production of fuel pellets from biomass will not only provide the local population or small enterprises with energy but also solve a number of environmental problems. The main environmental problem is the high fire hazard of reed beds. The main characteristics of the pellets that have been investigated by the authors are humidity, ash content, calorific value, and the composition of the ash residue. When granulating shredded cormophytic biomass, the main process parameter affecting the fuel pellet quality is the moisture content of the raw materials, which has been determined experimentally. To improve the consumer properties of the granules, binders were also experimentally selected. Binders should not reduce the calorific value and impair the composition of the ash residu

Seasonal Dynamics of CO2 Fluxes in Two Central-Russian Agroecosystems with Contrasting Ecological and Agronomic Conditions

An eddy covariance (EC) GHG study was conducted at two comparable agroecosystems in the Central region of European Russia. The study was conducted in 2013 at the RTSAU Experimental Field with Umbric Albeluvisols (Moscow) and a private farm field with Chernozems in the Pristen area (Kursk region). Both studies involved barley crops, but the fields differed in climate, soil and technological conditions. Diurnal values of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were two times higher in Kursk than in Moscow. The higher gross primary production (GPP) in Kursk was characterized by better climate and soil conditions and, partially, by the low intensity practices of semi-organic farming. GPP dynamics of the two agroecosystems were significantly different only during the first 50 days of vegetation; however, NEE seasonal differences persisted throughout the growing period, with the trends changing until the end of barley ripening. General trends for ecosystem respiration and GPP were determined by the crop phase. NEE seasonal dynamics showed that the Chernozem agroecosystem was characterized by an almost 2-fold increase in the range of CO2 fluxes, largely determined by hydrologic regime features. Since yield in Kursk was 50% lower than that in Moscow, it may be concluded that the use of modern fertilizing and crop protection systems converts a larger portion of GPP into yield mass

Agroecological modeling of spring barley cultivation technology in the conditions of the Penza region

The article presents the results of modeling the cultivation of barley of the Eifel variety on leached chernozems of the Bashmakovsky district of the Penza region. In order to carry out modeling, the framework Local information and reference system for the optimization of land use was deeply adapted. The adaptation of the software modules to the climatic and soil conditions of a particular study area allowed one to reach 7% errors in modeling the cultivation of agricultural crops in the presence of a set of indicators necessary for constructing a model. Technological calculations of the model made it possible to reduce the number of minimum required technological operations, as well as to rationally distribute the application of mineral fertilizers for the planned yield. The economic calculations of the model made it possible to achieve a high production profitability of 66 ± 7%. The constructed model was tested on the experimental field of «Bashmakovskiy khleb» JSC in 2020. Practical verification has shown the possibility of using the model in agricultural production under normal climatic conditions and its high correlation with the actual results obtained [1]. Statistical analysis of the calculated data of the model and the actual yield with the achieved economic indicators in the conditions of the model field showed a level of reliability of calculations of 95%

Land-Use Change in New Moscow: First Outcomes after Five Years of Urbanization

Urbanization coincides with remarkable environmental changes, including conversion of natural landscapes into urban. Moscow megapolis is among the largest urbanized areas in Europe. An ambitious New Moscow project expanded the megapolis on extra 1500 km2 of former fallow lands, croplands and forests. The research aimed to monitor land use changes in New Moscow between 1989 and 2016 years. Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 images (30 m spectral resolution) and Sentinel – 2 images (10 m spectral resolution) were analyzed. All the images were collected for the similar summer period (from June to August). The images were preprocessed and classified by Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin in open source QGIS software to derive land cover maps. The following land cover classes were identified: water, built-up areas, bare soils, croplands and forested areas, and the total area covered by each class was estimated. The following land-use change pathways were reported: 1) reduction of the forested areas by 2.5% (almost 2000 ha) between 1989 and 1998; 2) partial reforestation (more than 1000 ha) and abandonment of croplands (more than 3000 ha) between 1998 and 2010 and 3) intensive urbanization (more than 11000 ha) between 2010 and 2016. New build-up areas and infrastructures were constructed on former forested areas and croplands. Although, some uncertainties in the absolute estimates are expected due to the classification errors, the general urbanization trend can be clearly distinguished as a principal outcome after the five years of New Moscow project