Application of nitrogen-rich sunflower husks biochar promotes methane oxidation and increases abundance of Methylobacter in nitrogen-poor soil.

The area of sunflower crops is steadily increasing. A beneficial way of managing sunflower waste biomass could be its use as a feedstock for biochar production. Biochar is currently being considered as an additive for improving soil parameters, including the ability to oxidise methane (CH4) - one of the key greenhouse gases (GHG). Despite the high production of sunflower husk, there is still insufficient information on the impact of sunflower husk biochar on the soil environment, especially on the methanotrophy process. To fill this knowledge gap, an experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of addition of sunflower husk biochar (produced at 450-550 °C) at a wide range of doses (1-100 Mg ha-1) to Haplic Luvisol. In the presented study, the CH4 oxidation potential of soil with and without sunflower husk biochar was investigated at 60 and 100% water holding capacity (WHC), and with the addition of 1% CH4 (v/v). The comprehensive study included GHG exchange (CH4 and CO2), physicochemical properties of soil (pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), WHC), and the structure of soil microbial communities. That study showed that even low biochar doses (5 and 10 Mg ha-1) were sufficient to enhance pH, SOC, DOC and NO3--N content. Importantly, sunflower husk biochar was significant source of NO3--N, which soil concentration increased from 9.40 ± 0.09 mg NO3--N kg-1 for the control to even 19.40 ± 0.26 mg NO3--N kg-1 (for 100 Mg ha-1). Significant improvement of WHC (by 11.0-12.4%) was observed after biochar addition at doses of 60 Mg ha-1 and higher. At 60% WHC, application of biochar at a dose of 40 Mg ha-1 brought significant improvements in CH4 oxidation rate, which was 4.89 ± 0.37 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1. Higher biochar doses were correlated with further improvement of CH4 oxidation rates, which at 100 Mg ha-1 was seventeen-fold higher (8.36 ± 0.84 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1) than in the biochar-free control (0.48 ± 0.28 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1). CO2 emissions were not proportional to biochar doses and only grew circa (ca.) twofold from 3.16 to 6.90 mg CO2-C kg-1 d-1 at 100 Mg ha-1. Above 60 Mg ha-1, the diversity of methanotrophic communities increased, with Methylobacter becoming the most abundant genus, which was as high as 7.45%. This is the first, such advanced and multifaceted study of the wide range of sunflower husk biochar doses on Haplic Luvisol. The positive correlation between soil conditions, methanotroph abundance and CH4 oxidation confirmed the multifaceted, positive effect of sunflower husk biochar on Haplic Luvisol. Sunflower husk biochar can be successfully used for Haplic Luvisol supplementation. This additive facilitates soil protection against degradation and has the potential to mitigate GHG emissions.

Biochar dose determines methane uptake and methanotroph abundance in Haplic Luvisol.

Biochar promotes C sequestration and improvement of soil properties. Nevertheless, the effects of biochar addition on soil condition are poorly understood, especially with respect to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A large proportion of GHG emissions derive from agriculture and, thus, recognition of the effect of biochar addition to soil on GHG emissions from terrestrial ecosystems is an important issue. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of biochar application on soil in aspects of: GHG exchange (CH4 and CO2), basic physicochemical soil properties and structure of microbial communities in Haplic Luvisol. Soil was collected from fallow fields enriched with three doses of wood offcuts biochar (10, 20 and 30 Mg ha-1) and incubated at two moisture levels (60 and 100% WHC) with the addition of 1% CH4. To evaluate the influence of biochar aging in soil, the samples were analysed directly (short-term response) and five years (long-term response) after amendment. Generally, biochar addition increased soil pH, redox potential (Eh), organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents. Under 60% WHC, direct biochar application to the soil resulted in a clear improvement in the CH4 uptake rate. In contrast to that (at 100% WHC) methane uptake rates were twofold decreased. The positive effect was reduced due to biochar aging in the soil, but five years after application, at 60% WHC and the highest biochar dose (30 Mg ha-1) still significantly enhanced CH4 oxidation. From a short-term perspective, biochar application increased CO2 emissions, but after five years this effect was not observed. Microbial tests confirmed that the improvement in CH4 oxidation was correlated with methanotroph abundance in the soil. Moreover, an increase of Methylocystis abundance in the soil enriched with biochar along with enhanced CH4 uptake rates confirm the positive biochar influence on methanotrophic communities.

Structural and functional microbial diversity of sandy soil under cropland and grassland.

BACKGROUND: Land use change significantly alters soil organic carbon content and the microbial community. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of changing cropland to grassland on structural and functional soil microbial diversity was evaluated. The specific aims were (i) to identify the most prominent members of the fungal communities and their relevant ecological guild groups; (ii) to assess changes in the diversity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea; (iii) to determine the relationships between microbial diversity and selected physical and chemical properties. METHODS: We investigated microbial diversity and activity indicators, bulk density and the water-holding capacity of sandy soil under both cropland and 25-year-old grassland (formerly cropland) in Trzebieszów, in the Podlasie Region, Poland. Microbial diversity was assessed by: the relative abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea, fungal community composition and functional diversity. Microbial activity was assessed by soil enzyme (dehydrogenase, ß-glucosidase) and respiration tests. RESULTS: It was shown that compared to cropland, grassland has a higher soil organic carbon content, microbial biomass, basal respiration, rate of enzyme activity, richness and diversity of the microbial community, water holding capacity and the structure of the fungal and ammonia-oxidizing archaea communities was also altered. The implications of these results for soil quality and soil health are also discussed. The results suggest that grassland can have a significant phytosanitary capacity with regard to ecosystem services, due to the prominent presence of beneficial and antagonistic microbes. Moreover, the results also suggest that grassland use may improve the status of soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics, thereby increasing the relative abundance of fungi and ammonia-oxidizing archaea.

Activity of selected enzymes and phosphorus content in soils of former sulphur mines.

This paper presents phosphorus content, the activity of enzymes, and relationships between chemical properties in former sulphur mine soil ecosystems. Soil sampled 16 years after the completion of open-pit mining works at Machów, and 7 years after sulphur mining by the "melting" method was abandoned in the Jeziórko mine. In these soil samples were determined content of total (TP), mineral (MP), organic (OP), available (AP) phosphorus, the activity of catalase (CAT), dehydrogenases (DHA), alkaline (AlP) and acid (AcP) phosphatase, and metabolic metabolic quotient (qCO2). Total phosphorus content in samples from the Machów mine ranged from 0.297 to 0.392 g kg-1. In the soil from the vicinity Jeziórko, TP content was in the range 0.329-0.460 g kg-1. The content of AP in soil from the vicinity of Machów range from 10.77 to 43.44 mg kg-1, and near the Jeziórko mine from 5.73 to 18.03 mg kg-1. Availability factor (AF) for phosphorus was calculated, which was higher in soil under the impact of the Machów mine compared to the soil near the of Jeziórko mine. The activity of AlP in soil around the Jeziórko mine was lower than in soils sampled near the Machów mine. Enzymatic activity and total carbon content were used to calculate the biochemical activity index (BA12), which was higher in soils under the impact of the Machów mine. The value of metabolic quotient (qCO2) was low in the upper layers of the clarifier (Machów) and also 10 and 40 m from the borehole Jeziórko. The highest value of this parameter was observed in soil from the post-process waste dump at Machów (3.6 µgCO2 [µgC mic]-1 h-1). A long-term human impact significantly affected the soil phosphorus under study and the physico-chemical properties, which led to a change in the enzymatic activity of soil.

Effect of silicon on barley growth and N2O emission under flooding.

The global climate change is related with greenhouse gas emission from cultivated soils - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The emissions of N2O also have negative influence on ozone layer of our planet. The major source of the nitrous oxide is denitrification process in soil, which controlled by specific soil microbe society. The pot experiment with flooding to accelerate the denitrification process and the application of the monosilicic acid as a source of soluble form of Si was carried out with barley. Several forms of nitrous oxide emission (unlimited carbon denitrification and potential denitrification with or without ethylene application) were measured. The obtained data showed that the application of monosilicic acid to brown soil when growing barley under conditions of soil flooding has a significant effect on nitrogen emission and can change the N2O:N2 ratio. The application of the monosilicic acid reduced the uC-D N2O emission, while increased the PD N emission. Generally the application of the water soluble Si decreased the N2O:N2 ratio. We suggested that the presence of monosilicic acid in the system provides a more complete denitrification process with the formation of N2 in the NO3- → NO2- → NO→N2O → N2 reaction sequence, while the deficiency of bioactive Si mainly provides the formation and emission of N2O. Considering that N2 is not a greenhouse gas, we can conclude that application of monosilicic acid to the soil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impact of global climate change on agricultural activity.

Linking Microbial Enzymatic Activities and Functional Diversity of Soil around Earthworm Burrows and Casts.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of earthworms (Lumbricidae) on the enzymatic activity and microbial functional diversity in the burrow system [burrow wall (BW) 0-3 mm, transitional zone (TZ) 3-7 mm, bulk soil (BS) > 20 mm from the BW] and cast aggregates of a loess soil under a pear orchard. The dehydrogenase, ß-glucosidase, protease, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, and acid phosphomonoesterase enzymes were assessed using standard methods. The functional diversity (catabolic potential) was assessed using the Average Well Color Development and Richness Index following the community level physiological profiling from Biolog Eco Plates. All measurements were done using soil from each compartment immediately after in situ sampling in spring. The enzymatic activites including dehydrogenase, protease, ß-glucosidase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase were appreciably greater in the BW or casts than in BS and TZ. Conversely, acid phosphomonoesterase had the largest value in the BS. Average Well Color Development in both the TZ and the BS (0.98-0.94 A590 nm) were more than eight times higher than in the BWs and casts. The lowest richness index in the BS (15 utilized substrates) increased by 86-113% in all the other compartments. The PC1 in principal component analysis mainly differentiated the BWs and the TZ. Utilization of all substrate categories was the lowest in the BS. The PC2 differentiated the casts from the other compartments. The enhanced activity of a majority of the enzymes and increased microbial functional diversity in most earthworm-influenced compartments make the soils less vulnerable to degradation and thus increases the stability of ecologically relevant processes in the orchard ecosystem.

[Vegetarian diets in the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women]. / Diety wegetarianskie w zywieniu kobiet ciezarnych i karmiacych.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women who eat vegetarian are a source of much controversy. This is the result of concern that eliminating some or all animal produce may lead to nutritional deficiencies and thus adversely affect the mother's and child's health. The American Dietetic Association's position is that appropriately planned vegan, lacto-vegetarian and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets ensure a normal course of pregnancy and lactation. However, in practice the balancing of such a diet can pose certain difficulties, especially for individuals without the necessary experience or knowledge about nutrition. Nutrients to which particular attention needs to be paid to ensure their sufficient supply include: protein (essential amino acids), Omega-3 essential fatty acids, iron and calcium as well as vitamins D and B(12). The proper adherence to recommendations can be attained with a varied diet containing suitable plant products compensating for the nutritional value of the eliminated animal products. Supplementation with vitamin D and vitamin B(12) is also necessary. Research shows that infants born to vegetarian mothers are born at term and have normal birth weight. There is an increased risk of hypospadias in boys. The main difference in the composition of vegetarian mothers' milk compared to non-vegetarians' is lower content of docosahexaenoic acid and higher content of Linoleic and α-Linolenic acid.

Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview.

Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant that was already used as a 'panacea' 3000 years ago. The active compounds include pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. We have conducted an overview to summarize current knowledge on the results of scientific in vitro and in vivo experiments focused on the improvement of the healing process of small wounds, hypertrophic scars and burns by C. asiatica. In this paper, we discuss the data on constituents, recommended preparations and the potential side effects of C. asiatica.

Centella asiatica in cosmetology.

Centella asiatica known as Gotu Kola is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years as well as in scientifically oriented medicine. The active compounds include pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids. Centella asiatica is effective in improving treatment of small wounds, hypertrophic wounds as well as burns, psoriasis and scleroderma. The mechanism of action involves promoting fibroblast proliferation and increasing the synthesis of collagen and intracellular fibronectin content and also improvement of the tensile strength of newly formed skin as well as inhibiting the inflammatory phase of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Research results indicate that it can be used in the treatment of photoaging skin, cellulite and striae.

Methane production and consumption in loess soil at different slope position.

Methane (CH(4)) production and consumption and soil respiration in loess soils collected from summit (Top), back slope (Middle), and slope bottom (Bottom) positions were assessed in laboratory incubations. The CH(4) production potential was determined under conditions which can occur in the field (relatively short-term flooding periods with initially ambient O(2) concentrations), and the CH(4) oxidation potential was estimated in wet soils enriched with CH(4). None of the soils tested in this study emitted a significant amount of CH(4). In fact, the Middle and Bottom soils, especially at the depth of 20-40 cm, were a consistent sink of methane. Soils collected at different slope positions significantly differed in their methanogenic, methanotrophic, and respiration activities. In comparison with the Top position (as reference soil), methane production and both CO(2) production and O(2) consumption under flooding were significantly stimulated in the soil from the Middle slope position (P < 0.001), while they were reduced in the Bottom soil (not significantly, by 6 to 57%). All upper soils (0-20 cm) completely oxidized the added methane (5 kPa) during 9-11 days of incubation. Soils collected from the 20-40 cm at the Middle and Bottom slope positions, however, consumed significantly more CH(4) than the Top soil (P < 0.001).

Assessing levels of knowledge on the principles of pain management during post-graduate education of physicians in Poland.

UNLABELLED: Treating chronic pain forms an integral part of patient care where a doctor's level of expertise is important for ensuring an adequately pain-free life. The aim of the study, therefore, was to assess the level of knowledge in pain management among doctors during their post-graduate education; some of whom were already qualified in various branches of medical specialisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was performed on doctors undergoing post-graduate training unrelated to the treatment of pain at the Post-Graduate Education Centre at the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Poland. The questionnaire comprised of demographic and factual sections, the latter consisting of nine multiple choice questions on symptomatology and pharmacology of pain, including opioid treatment and neuropathic pain. RESULTS: From the 271 respondents, 203 (74.9%) filled in the questionnaire properly, of whom 131 (64.5%) were female. The mean age was 35.5 years (SD=6.3). The average number of correct replies received were 5.75 or 63.9%, (SD=0.51); of the total of 9 questions set, correct answers were seen most frequently for questions No. 2 and question No. 4 (83.7 and 78.3%, respectively). Only 7 fully correct sets of answers were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Significant shortcomings in knowledge about pain management were therefore observed from the sample of doctors' taken in the presented study. It is suggested that alternative/modified methods of education are required to address this issue, especially for doctors who do not have to deal with pain on a daily basis.