Stefano Amaducci

Mitigating the environmental impacts of milk production via anaerobic digestion of manure: case study of a dairy farm in the Po Valley.

This work analyzes the environmental impacts of milk production in an intensive dairy farm situated in the Northern Italy region of the Po Valley. Three manure management scenarios are compared: in Scenario 1 the animal slurry is stored in an open tank and then used as fertilizer. In scenario 2 the manure is processed in an anaerobic digestion plant and the biogas produced is combusted in an internal combustion engine to produce heat (required by the digester) and electricity (exported). Scenario 3 is similar to scenario 2 but the digestate is stored in a gas-tight tank. In scenario 1 the GHG emissions are estimated to be equal to 1.21 kg CO2 eq.kg(-1) Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) without allocation of the environmental burden to the by-product meat. With mass allocation, the GHG emissions associated to the milk are reduced to 1.18 kg CO2 eq.kg(-1) FPCM. Using an economic allocation approach the GHG emissions allocated to the milk are 1.13 kg CO2 eq.kg(-1) FPCM. In scenarios 2 and 3, without allocation, the GHG emissions are reduced respectively to 0.92 (-23.7%) and 0.77 (-36.5%) kg CO2 eq.kg(-1) FPCM. If land use change due to soybean production is accounted for, an additional emission of 0.53 kg CO2 eq. should be added, raising the GHG emissions to 1.74, 1.45 and 1.30 kg CO2 eq kg(-1) FPCM in scenarios 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Primary energy from non-renewable resources decreases by 36.2% and 40.6% in scenarios 2 and 3, respectively, with the valorization of the manure in the biogas plant. The other environmental impact mitigated is marine eutrophication that decreases by 8.1% in both scenarios 2 and 3, mostly because of the lower field emissions. There is, however, a trade-off between non-renewable energy and GHG savings and other environmental impacts: acidification (+6.1% and +5.5% in scenarios 2 and 3, respectively), particulate matter emissions (+1.4% and +0.7%) and photochemical ozone formation potential (+41.6% and +42.3%) increase with the adoption of a biogas plant. The cause of the increase is mostly emissions from the CHP engine. These impacts can be tackled by improving biogas combustion technologies to reduce methane and NOx emissions. Freshwater eutrophication slightly increases (+0.8% in both scenarios 2 and 3) because of the additional infrastructures needed. In conclusion, on-farm manure anaerobic digestion with the production of electricity is an effective technology to significantly reduce global environmental impacts of dairy farms (GHG emissions and non-renewable energy consumption), however local impacts may increase as a consequence (especially photochemical ozone formation).

Nitrogen Status Assessment for Variable Rate Fertilization in Maize through Hyperspectral Imagery

This paper presents a method for mapping the nitrogen (N) status in a maize field using hyperspectral remote sensing imagery. An airborne survey was conducted with an AISA Eagle hyperspectral sensor over an experimental farm where maize (Zea mays L.) was grown with two N fertilization levels (0 and 100 kg N ha−1) in four replicates. Leaf and canopy field data were collected during the flight. The nitrogen (N) status has been estimated in this work based on the Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI), defined as the ratio between the leaf actual N concentration (%Na) of the crop and the minimum N content required for the maximum biomass production (critical N concentration (%Nc)) calculated through the dry mass at the time of the flight (Wflight). The inputs required to calculate the NNI (i.e., %Na and Wflight) have been estimated through regression analyses between field data and remotely sensed vegetation indices. MCARI/MTVI2 (Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index/Modified Triangular Vegetation Index 2) showed the best performances in estimating the %Na (R2 = 0.59) and MTVI2 in estimating the Wflight (R2 = 0.80). The %Na and the Wflight were then mapped and used to compute the NNI map over the entire field. The NNI map agreed with the NNI estimated using field data through traditional destructive measurements (R2 = 0.70) confirming the potential of using remotely sensed indices to assess the crop N condition. Finally, a method to derive a pixel based variable rate N fertilization map was proposed as the difference between the actual N content and the optimal N content. We think that the proposed operational methodology is promising for precision farming since it represents an innovative attempt to derive a variable rate N fertilization map based on the actual crop N status from an aerial hyperspectral image.

Drought stress tolerance strategies revealed by RNA-Seq in two sorghum genotypes with contrasting WUE

BackgroundDrought stress is the major environmental stress that affects plant growth and productivity. It triggers a wide range of responses detectable at molecular, biochemical and physiological levels. At the molecular level the response to drought stress results in the differential expression of several metabolic pathways. For this reason, exploring the subtle differences in gene expression of drought sensitive and drought tolerant genotypes enables the identification of drought-related genes that could be used for selection of drought tolerance traits. Genome-wide RNA-Seq technology was used to compare the drought response of two sorghum genotypes characterized by contrasting water use efficiency.ResultsThe physiological measurements carried out confirmed the drought sensitivity of IS20351 and the drought tolerance of IS22330 genotypes, as previously studied. The expression of drought-related genes was more abundant in the drought sensitive genotype IS20351 compared to the tolerant genotype IS22330. Under drought stress Gene Ontology enrichment highlighted a massive increase in transcript abundance in the sensitive genotype IS20351 in “response to stress” and “abiotic stimulus”, as well as for “oxidation-reduction reaction”. “Antioxidant” and “secondary metabolism”, “photosynthesis and carbon fixation process”, “lipids” and “carbon metabolism” were the pathways most affected by drought in the sensitive genotype IS20351. In addition, genotype IS20351 showed a lower constitutive expression level of “secondary metabolic process” (GO:0019748) and “glutathione transferase activity” (GO:000004364) under well-watered conditions.ConclusionsRNA-Seq analysis proved to be a very useful tool to explore differences between sensitive and tolerant sorghum genotypes. Transcriptomics analysis results supported all the physiological measurements and were essential to clarify the tolerance of the two genotypes studied. The connection between differential gene expression and physiological response to drought unequivocally revealed the drought tolerance of genotype IS22330 and the strategy adopted to cope with drought stress.

Carbon sequestration potential in perennial bioenergy crops: the importance of organic matter inputs and its physical protection

To date, only few studies have compared the soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential between perennial woody and herbaceous crops. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of perennial woody (poplar, black locust, willow) and herbaceous (giant reed, miscanthus, switchgrass) crops on SOC stock and its stabilization level after 6 years from plantation on an arable field. Seven SOC fractions related to different soil stabilization mechanisms were isolated by a combination of physical and chemical fractionation methods: unprotected (cPOM and fPOM), physically protected (iPOM), physically and chemically protected (HC‐μs + c), chemically protected (HC‐ds + c), and biochemically protected (NHC‐ds + c and NHC‐μs + c). The continuous C input to the soil and the minimal soil disturbance increased SOC stocks in the top 10 cm of soil, but not in deeper soil layers (10–30; 30–60; and 60–100 cm). In the top soil layer, greater SOC accumulation rates were observed under woody species (105 g m−2 yr‐1) than under herbaceous ones (71 g m−2 yr‐1) presumably due to a higher C input from leaf‐litter. The conversion from an arable maize monoculture to perennial bioenergy crops increased the organic C associated to the most labile organic matter (POM) fractions, which accounted for 38% of the total SOC stock across bioenergy crops, while no significant increments were observed in more recalcitrant (silt‐ and clay‐sized) fractions, highlighting that the POM fractions were the most prone to land‐use change. The iPOM fraction increased under all perennial bioenergy species compared to the arable field. In addition, the iPOM was higher under woody crops than under herbaceous ones because of the additional C inputs from leaf‐litter that occurred in the former. Conversion from arable cropping systems to perennial bioenergy crops can effectively increase the SOC stock and enlarge the SOC fraction that is physically protected within soil microaggregates.

Plant Population Effects on Fibre Hemp Morphology and Production

Abstract This paper reports on a 4-year study into the effect of plant density on the morphology and production of fibre hemp. At high density (180-270 plants m2), strong competition for light early in the growing season promoted internode extension (primary growth) and inhibited increase of stem diameter (secondary growth). In relating plant density to fibre hemp production it can therefore be said that a high plant population favours a high yield of long bast fibres for the textile industry. Demands only for high total yield can however be satisfied by targeting 30-45 plants mr2. This is further supported by results of self-thinning, showing plant loss in 1999 was negligible at low density (30-90 plants m2), while at high density (180 and 270 plants m2) 50% and 60% of the initial stand was lost, respectively. In view of this result, and because of the fact that no significant morphological difference was found between 180 and 270 plants m2, it is also worth to note that when growing for long bast fibres 180 plants m2 should be chosen instead of 270 in order to save seed costs.

HEMP-SYS: design, development and up-scaling of a sustainable production system for HEMP textiles - an integrated quality SYStems approach

Abstract HEMP-SYS is a European Union (EU) Project funded under the thematic programme: Quality of life and management of living resources of the 5th Framework, key action 5.2. The project has officially started on 1st November 2002 and will be carried out for 36 months. Scientific and industrial partners will tackle the main problems of the hemp fibre production chain for textile destination from cultivation to the development of end products. Main objectives of the project are: provide decision support to primary producers, produce an integrated quality control system for raw and processed products, disseminate information to support the entire chain of the hemp fibre industry. Main expected project results are: innovative hemp fibre production systems with decision support tools for farmers, optimal processing methods, a prototype for an integrated quality control system, disseminated knowledge and high-value hemp textile end products.

Flowering Dynamics in Monoecious and Dioecious Hemp Genotypes

ABSTRACT Flowering is a crucial phase in hemp cultivation. It influences both stem and seed yield. A uniform and short flowering duration in hemp is desirable, because it favors uniform crop development. Moreover, flowering is often taken as a reference point for harvesting, and very long durations of flowering might mislead the operator in judging the proper time for mowing. In this article, a large dataset of flowering time and duration for different monoecious and dioecious varieties was studied and the effect of sowing time and genotype on flowering duration is discussed. Minimal flowering duration was observed when the time from emergence to flowering was short. This, was related however, to low yields. Dynamics of flowering was accurately described by a bi-logistic curve that indicates the presence of two underlying logistic processes.

Fibre Development in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as Affected by Agrotechnique

Abstract This paper reports the preliminary results of a microscopic study carried out on stem cross sections of hemp. Stems were harvested from two field experiments carried out in 2001 and 2002 in the north of Italy to compare the monoecious genotype Futura 75 over four plant populations. Fibre characteristics such as cell shape, diameter, maturation and quantity of secondary fibre tended to vary with harvest time, plant density, and between and within internodes. After the end of internode elongation, fibre cells changed from oblong to round shaped and fibre maturation started and progressed to a maximum level. At various moments of the growing cycle, fibre maturity and presence of secondary fibre seemed higher at lower internodes and plant densities.

Drought tolerance strategies highlighted by two Sorghum bicolor races in a dry-down experiment

Drought stress is the major environmental stress that affects more and more frequently plant growth and productivity due to the current climate change scenario. Unravelling the physiological mechanism underlying the response of plants to water stress and discover traits related to drought tolerance provide new and powerful tools for the selection in breeding programmes. Four genotypes of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench were screened in a dry-down experiment using different approaches to discover physiological and molecular indicators of drought tolerance. Different strategies were identified in response to drought among the four genotypes and the two Sorghum race allowing to state the tolerance of durra race compared to the caudatum one and, within the durra race, the drought tolerance of the genotype IS22330. It retained high biomass production and high tolerance index, it had a low threshold of fraction of transpirable soil water and high capacity to recover leaf apparatus after drought stress. Furthermore in this study, the expression levels of four genes highlighted that they could be used as proxy for drought tolerance. Dehdrine (DHN) could be used for screening drought tolerance both in durra and in caudatum races. NADP-Malic Enzyme, Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) and Plasma membrane Intrinsic Protein (PIP2-5), being up-regulated by drought stress only in durra race, have a more limited, though nonetheless useful application. In the tolerant durra genotype IS22330 in particular, the regulation of stomatal openings was strongly related to NADP-Malic Enzyme expression.

Empirical Estimation of Leaf Chlorophyll Density in Winter Wheat Canopies Using Sentinel-2 Spectral Resolution

A comparison between the sensitivities to leaf chlorophyll density at the canopy scale of several vegetation indices (VIs) obtained at different spectral resolutions was carried out using spectral reflectance collected in winter wheat field trials with different nitrogen fertilization levels. A total of 350 spectra were collected from experimental plots at Feekes growth stages 5, 6, and 9 using a portable spectroradiometer (ASD FieldSpec HH), along with Minolta SPAD measurements of leaf optical thickness as a proxy for leaf chlorophyll density. Indices based on visible and near-infrared (NIR) bands were obtained from average reflectance in spectral ranges corresponding to SPOT HRG and Sentinel-2 (S2) bands. Indices requiring a red-edge band were obtained from reflectance at the originally proposed VI wavelengths using the 1.6-nm nominal spectral resolution bandwidth of the spectroradiometer and from average reflectance in the S2 red-edge bands with the closest spectral position to VI originally proposed wavelengths. Among VIs obtained from Sentinel-2 bands MERIS terrestrial chlorophyll index, red-edge position and triangular chlorophyll index/optimized soil adjusted VI ratio (TCI/OSAVI) indices, obtainable at 20-m spatial resolution from future S2 red-edge bands, and chlorophyll VI (CVI), obtainable at 10 m from visible and NIR bands, were the best estimators of winter wheat leaf chlorophyll density. The sensitivity of the best-performing indices obtained from S2 bands to winter wheat with other conditions was addressed by the analysis of a large synthetic data set obtained using the PROSPECT-SAILH model in the direct mode. Analysis of the synthetic data set using Sentinel-2 spectral resolution indicates that the two leaf area index normalized (TCI/OSAVI and CVI) indices are better leaf chlorophyll estimators.