Crop residue recycling for economic and environmental sustainability: The case of India

Meena

et al. 2020

CLEAN Soil Air Water

Crop residue burning and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers in intensive cereal–cereal rotations are present ecological threats in any agro‐ecosystem of the world. Therefore, identification of best suitable agricultural practices can be a feasible option. The present experiment was initiated in 2013 and consisted of four residue levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha−1) and five potassium (K) levels (0, 50, 100, 150% recommended dose of K and 50%RDK+K solubilizing bacteria, KSB). Crop residue (CR) and K management significantly improve crop and soil quality associated parameters. Among the treatments, maximum increase in crop growth, physiological parameters, grain yield, quality aspects, and water productivity are recorded with the application of 4–6 Mg ha−1 CR. Application of 50%RDK+KSB also significantly increases crop and soil related parameters. Soil quality indicators (bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, and available micronutrients) do not vary significantly with CR and K management. Change in soil organic carbon status, soil enzymes, and potassium‐solubilizing bacterial count are significantly increased with 4–6 Mg ha−1 CR and application of 50%RDK+KSB, and this is in accordance with correlation study carried out. Therefore, it is concluded that CR retention (4–6 Mg ha−1) and reduction of inorganic K fertilizer by 50% and inoculation of KSB enhance the soil quality indicators and thereby improve crop growth, physiological parameters, grain yield, and quality aspects along with water productivity under zero till maize–wheat rotation.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potassium and Residue Management Options to Enhance Productivity and Soil Quality in Zero Till Maize–Wheat Rotation

Madar

Meena

et al. 2020

CLEAN Soil Air Water

“…A large amount of husk and other biomass is also generated after farm yield processing in the agro industries. After being used in various traditional alternatives such as cattle feed, bedding in cattle sheds, other animal bedding, domestic fuel, organic manure, etc., nearly 234 million tonnes (Mt) per year (i.e., >30% of gross residue generated) is available as surplus in India (Devi, Gupta, Jat, & Parmar, ). The disposal of these huge quantities of farm yield residue is a far‐reaching problem for the farmers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paddy and wheat stubble blazing in Haryana and Punjab states of India: A menace for environmental health

Environmental Quality Mgmt

2018

Paddy and wheat cropping is a widespread farming practice in northwestern parts of India, primarily in the riverine plains of Haryana and Punjab. These fertile lands are well known for extensive agricultural fields; however, they are equally infamous for the burning of paddy and wheat straw and stubble by farmers after the harvesting season. In India, it is reckoned that 22,289 gigagrams (Gg) of paddy stubble biomass is generated annually, and of this 13,915 Gg (62.42%) is set ablaze in the agricultural fields. Haryana and Punjab alone produce 48% of the whole straw production in India, which is openly burned in situ. Burning of farm residue emits various trace gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and sulfur oxides (SOX), as well as huge quantities of particulate matter (PM), including PM of 10 microns or less (PM10) and 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5), into the atmosphere, causing negative impacts on human health and exacerbating global warming. It is estimated that the burning of one metric tonne (2,204.6 pounds) of straw releases 3 kilograms (kg) of PM, 60 kg of CO, 1,460 kg of CO2, 199 kg of ash, and 2 kg of SO2, causing significant global warming and acid rain. The major problems faced by the local people are eye irritation, dryness of eyes, lung diseases, and chest congestion. The National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab faced a disastrous smog impact during October 2016, and November 2017. These incidents led to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumoconiosis, bronchitis, cataract, corneal opacity, blindness, and air pollution (smog), especially indoor air pollution, which is also a risk factor for developing pulmonary tuberculosis. Because of severe air pollution, Delhi NCR alone experiences approximately 20,000 premature deaths annually. Cases of road accidents also increase during periods of stubble burning due to poor visibility. The emissions also contribute to haze, global warming, and climate change. In India, the National Green Tribunal prohibited this antediluvian farm practice of straw burning in the pollution‐racked city of New Delhi and the adjacent state of Haryana and, just to the northwest, Punjab. One of the methods that can be used to reduce this menace is incorporation of the straw into the soil, which eventually enhances soil fertility. The crop residue material can also be used for compost formation as a traditional approach. In addition, alternate energy resources can be generated from this agro‐biomass. Further, over the past decades, many conversion processes were developed to produce alternate biofuels in different forms (pellets, briquettes) from crop residues. An integrated crop residue management approach is the need of the hour to control this human‐induced catastrophe.

“…Greater than 2 Gt of unused crop residues are dumped in municipal landfills or burned by households in developing countries 32 . These activities contribute to 18% of total global CO 2 emissions [33][34][35][36] .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Valorisation of agricultural biomass-ash with CO2

Hills

Tripathi

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

This work is part of a study of different types of plant-based biomass to elucidate their capacity for valorisation via a managed carbonation step involving gaseous carbon dioxide (co 2). the perspectives for broader biomass waste valorisation was reviewed, followed by a proposed closed-loop process for the valorisation of wood in earlier works. the present work newly focusses on combining agricultural biomass with mineralised co 2. Here, the reactivity of selected agricultural biomass ashes with co 2 and their ability to be bound by mineralised carbonate in a hardened product is examined. three categories of agricultural biomass residues, including shell, fibre and soft peel, were incinerated at 900 ± 25 °C. The biomass ashes were moistened (10% w/w) and moulded into cylindrical samples and exposed to 100% CO 2 gas at 50% RH for 24 h, during which they cemented into hardened monolithic products. the calcia in ashes formed a negative relationship with ash yield and the microstructure of the carbonate-cementing phase was distinct and related to the particular biomass feedstock. this work shows that in common with woody biomass residues, carbonated agricultural biomass ash-based monoliths have potential as novel low-carbon construction products. This paper discusses environmental issues that are of relevance to the sustainable use of resources and protection of the environment. By re-using abundantly available agricultural biomass residues, and by reducing the amount of cement used in construction and their associated carbon emissions, significant potential sustainability gains can be realised. In consideration of this, a low carbon management option for biomass residues is proposed. Agricultural activities generate huge volumes of biomass residues, with crop derived waste accounting for 94% of global biomass production 1. These include cereals (wheat, rice, maize, and barley), sugarcane, soybean, and some oil crops, fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, and sugar beet 1. These residues are expected to increase as the world's population exceeds 11 Billion by 2,100 2. It is estimated that globally 140 Gt of agricultural residues are generated each year 3,4. According to Lal (2019) 5 , the total annual amount of crop residue produced globally is estimated at 2.8 Gt for cereal crops, 3.1 Gt for 17 major cereals and legumes, and 3.8 Gt for 27 common food crops. The IEA CCC (2015) 6 reports the global resource for unexploited cereal crop residues amounts to 517 Mt. The FAO (2002) 7 projects that from 1999 to 2030, the agricultural sector of developing countries will increase by 13% or 120 M ha. Predictions for global cereal yield suggest an increase in the range 0.9% per annum over the period 2005/2007-2050, continuing a trend of long-term declining yield growth (20 y average yield increase declined from ~ 3% pa in 1982, to ~ 1% by 2005) 8,9. The intensification of agricultural and increased crop yield (producing more per unit of land) will undoubtedly raise crop residue production 10. A positive correlation exists betw...