Maize/peanut rotation intercropping improves ecosystem carbon budget and economic benefits in the dry farming regions of China

Monoculture is widely practiced to increase crop productivity, but long-term adaptation has drawbacks as it increases the depletion of soil nutrients and reduces soil quality, especially in dryland areas. Conversion from traditional maize monoculture to intercropping improves sustainable production. However, maize/peanut intercropping, especially rotation of planting strips impacts of maize/peanut intercropping in dryland on carbon […]

Carboxyl-functionalized biochar derived from walnut shells with enhanced aqueous adsorption of sulfonamide antibiotics.

The novel HNO3-modifitied biochar (NBC) was synthesized from walnut shell. The NBC was characterized from scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectrum. The NBC was then used in the adsorption of sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine and sulfachloropyridazine from aqueous solution. The material surface has carbon/oxygen-contained groups, which is benefit […]

Influence of cadmium on the symbiotic interaction established between peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and sensitive or tolerant bradyrhizobial strains

Heavy metals in soil are known to affect rhizobia–legume interaction reducing not only rhizobia viability, but also nitrogen fixation. In this work, we have compared the response of the symbiotic interaction established between the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and a sensitive (Bradyrhizobium sp. SEMIA6144) or a tolerant (Bradyrhizobium sp. NLH25) strain to Cd under exposure […]

A sustainable approach to controlling oil spills

As a result of the huge economic and environmental destruction from oil spills, studies have been directed at improving and deploying natural sorbents which are not only the least expensive but also the safest means of spill control. This research reviews the limitations and environmental impact of existing cleanup methods. It also justifies the need […]

Almond tree and organic fertilization for soil quality improvement in southern Italy

The semi-arid Mediterranean region; characterized by long dry periods followed by heavy bursts of rainfall; is particularly prone to soil erosion. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the soil quality under different practices of bio-physical amelioration which involve the soil-plant system (almond trees) and microorganism-manure. This study; carried out in the South […]