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Compost stability was quantified using dissolved oxygen (D. 0.) respirometry during composting of municipal solid waste (MSW) in a pilot-scale system. Changes in stability of samples taken at various times during the composting process were verified with chemical and physical tests. Rates of change of oxygen level in air over a compost sample incubated in a flask at 37°C were converted to a rate of 0, uptake/(g volatile solids . hour). Oxygen uptake, determined with D. 0. respirometry and converted to rates of dry matter loss, was correlated with actual rates, calculated from energy balances observed in the pilot-scale system. The method can be used either as a simple quality control measure or in a more complex way to calculate rates so that efficiency within or among composting facilities can be compared.

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This paper reviews artificial intelligent noses (or electronic noses) as a fast and noninvasive approach for the diagnosis of insects and diseases that attack vegetables and fruit trees. The particular focus is on bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and insect damage. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from plants, which provide functional information about the plant’s growth, defense, and health status, allow for the possibility of using noninvasive detection to monitor plants status. Electronic noses are comprised of a sensor array, signal conditioning circuit, and pattern recognition algorithms. Compared with traditional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques, electronic noses are noninvasive and can be a rapid, cost-effective option for several applications. However, using electronic noses for plant pest diagnosis is still in its early stages, and there are challenges regarding sensor performance, sampling and detection in open areas, and scaling up measurements. This review paper introduces each element of electronic nose systems, especially commonly used sensors and pattern recognition methods, along with their advantages and limitations. It includes a comprehensive comparison and summary of applications, possible challenges, and potential improvements of electronic nose systems for different plant pest diagnoses.

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