1. LCA of Arundo donax L. lignocellulosic feedstock production under Mediterranean conditions

• Authors:
  • Fierro, A.
  • Basosi, R.
  • Bastianoni, S.
  • Fagnano, M.
  • Zucaro, A.
  • Forte, A.
• Source: BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
• Volume: 73
• Year: 2015
• Summary: The cultivation of giant reed lignocellulosic feedstock on marginal land, appears of great interest in the Mediterranean basin, due to its high production potential under drought conditions. Starting from a three years field survey, in this paper a LCA was applied to the overall 15 years life cycle of a Mediterranean giant reed cultivation in Southern Italy, including Direct Field Emissions (DFE) and non-productive phases of cultivation. Agricultural practices performed yearly for field maintenance (FM-urea fertilization) and harvest operation (HO) shared the largest part of total burdens, nonetheless, the impact of crop establishment and final removal appeared significant. FM was strongly affected by DFE of soil biogenic N2O and fossil CO2 (about 23% and 9% of total Climate change, respectively) and volatilized NH3 (about 69%, 42% and 35% of total impact for Terrestrial acidification, Particulate matter formation and Marine eutrophication, respectively). For Marine eutrophication, also nitrate leaching in the plantation year, affected significantly the overall life cycle. Differently DFE linked to field application of K-P fertilizers for seedbed preparation (P and heavy metal emissions) and pest for final eradication (glyphosate emission), appeared more circumscribed. The study highlighted the need to carefully approach to soil carbon storage, and disclosed to be sensitive to uncertainty linked to DFE and crop yield pattern estimation.

2. Biochar increases vineyard productivity without affecting grape quality: results from a four years field experiment in Tuscany.

• Authors:
  • Baronti, S.
  • Miglietta, F.
  • Genesio, L.
  • Vaccari, F. P.
• Source: AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
• Volume: 201
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Biochar application to agricultural soils has proved to substantially modify the plant-soil-water relationship and lead mostly to a quantitative increase in agricultural production through physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. Nevertheless, the impact of biochar on qualitative traits of agricultural production needs to be further assessed. The effect of biochar application on vine yield and grape quality parameters is here investigated in a non-irrigated vineyard in Tuscany (central Italy). Results from four harvest-years showed a higher productivity, up to 66%, of treated plots with respect to their controls, while no significant differences were observed in grape quality parameters. The observed increase in productivity was inversely correlated with rainfall in the vegetative period, confirming the key role of biochar in regulating plant water availability. These findings support the feasibility of a biochar-based strategy as an effective adaptation measure to reduce the impact of water stress periods with no negative effects on grape quality.

3. Application of Carbon Footprint to an agro-biogas supply chain in Southern Italy

• Authors:
  • Lombardi, M.
  • Tricase, C.
  • Rana, R.
  • Ingrao, C.
• Source: Applied Energy
• Volume: 149
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Over the last few years, agro-biogas has been receiving great attention since it enables replacement of natural gas, thereby representing a tool which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. In this context, this paper is aimed at the application of the Carbon Footprint (CF) to an agro-biogas supply chain (SC) in Southern Italy, according to ISO/TS 14067:2013, so as to calculate the related 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP100). The topic was addressed because agro-biogas SCs, though being acknowledged worldwide as sustainable ways to produce both electricity and heat, can be source of GHG emissions and therefore environmental assessments and improvements are needed. Additionally, the performed literature review highlighted deficiencies in PCF assessments, so this study could contribute to enriching the international knowledge on the environmental burdens associated with agro-biogas SCs. The analysis was conducted using a life-cycle approach, thus including in the assessment: functional unit choice, system border definition and inventory analysis development. The primary data needed was provided by a farm located in the province of Foggia (Apulia region in Southern Italy), already equipped with anaerobic digestion and cogeneration plant for biogas production and utilisation. Results from this study are in agreement with those found by some of the most relevant studies in the sector. Indeed, it was possible to observe that GWP100 was almost entirely due to cropland farming and, in particular, to the production of ammonium nitrate in the amount required for fertilisation. Furthermore, environmental credits were observed thanks to: carbon sequestration enabled by no-tillage practice; and avoided production of chemical fertiliser thanks to 50% organic farming. Based upon the results obtained, a sensitivity analysis was carried out, thus highlighting reduced environmental impacts if ammonium nitrate was replaced with urea.Finally, thanks to this study, all the target stakeholders will learn more about the input/output flows involved in the system analysed, the related environmental impacts and the improvements needed to reduce them. In this way, it could be possible to compare the analysed agro-biogas SC with others of equal functionality, and so to enable considerations to be made on the resulting similarities and differences in terms of methodological approach, inventory flows and environmental impact.

4. Agronomic performance of experimental fertilizers on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in organic farming

• Authors:
  • Montemurro,Francesco
  • Tittarelli,Fabio
  • Lopedota,Ornella
  • Verrastro,Vincenzo
  • Diacono,Mariangela
• Source: Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
• Volume: 102
• Issue: 2
• Year: 2015
• Summary: In organic farming, soil application of processed agro-industrial by-products could sustain soil fertility for vegetables, which have short cropping cycles. Therefore, the objectives of this 2-year research on organic spinach crop were to assess the productive performance of different experimental fertilizers, the effects on soil fertility, and investigate the dynamics of some soil properties and the N balance. Two types of olive pomace mixtures, with a different initial C/N ratio, were composted and both stopped at the active phase (A1 and B1) and processed until maturation (A2 and B2). Also an anaerobic digestate (DA), and the B2 applied as amendment (B2A) were studied. The four composts, DA, and B2A were compared with a commercial organic fertilizer (Org), and a control (N0). The Org resulted as not sustainable in maintaining soil fertility in the long-term, mainly due to reduction in the soil of total organic carbon by 32 %, compared to the average of the other treatments. Conversely, choosing stage of maturity and adequate C/N of starting mixtures was among the best practices for compost use in spinach crop. The great content of nutrients (N and K higher by 102 and 86 % than Org, respectively), and N surplus (1431 kg ha(-1)) in the B2A plots would suggest that they could accumulate after subsequent soil applications, with the risk of losses in the environment. The DA appeared to be the most suitable fertilizer to get a favorable trade-off among yield, quality and N-use efficiency, when applied according to best agronomic practices.

5. Environmentally Sustainable Biogas? The Key Role of Manure Co-Digestion with Energy Crops

• Authors:
  • Agostini,Alessandro
  • Battini,Ferdinando
  • Giuntoli,Jacopo
  • Tabaglio,Vincenzo
  • Padella,Monica
  • Baxter,David
  • Marelli,Luisa
  • Amaducci,Stefano
• Source: Desarrollo Tecnológico - Institut De Reconeixement Molecular I Desenvolupament Tecnològic
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 6
• Year: 2015
• Summary: We analysed the environmental impacts of three biogas systems based on dairy manure, sorghum and maize. The geographical scope of the analysis is the Po valley, in Italy. The anaerobic digestion of manure guarantees high GHG (Green House Gases) savings thanks to the avoided emissions from the traditional storage and management of raw manure as organic fertiliser. GHG emissions for maize and sorghum-based systems, on the other hand, are similar to those of the Italian electricity mix. In crop-based systems, the plants with open-tank storage of digestate emit 50% more GHG than those with gas-tight tanks. In all the environmental impact categories analysed (acidification, particulate matter emissions, and eutrophication), energy crops based systems have much higher impacts than the Italian electricity mix. Maize-based systems cause higher impacts than sorghum, due to more intensive cultivation. Manure-based pathways have always lower impacts than the energy crops based pathways, however, all biogas systems cause much higher impacts than the current Italian electricity mix. We conclude that manure digestion is the most efficient way to reduce GHG emissions; although there are trade-offs with other local environmental impacts. Biogas production from crops; although not providing environmental benefits per se; may be regarded as an option to facilitate the deployment of manure digestion.

6. Application of Carbon Footprint to an agro-biogas supply chain in Southern Italy

• Authors:
  • Ingrao,Carlo
  • Rana,Roberto
  • Tricase,Caterina
  • Lombardi,Mariarosaria
• Source: Applied Energy
• Volume: 149
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Over the last few years, agro-biogas has been receiving great attention since it enables replacement of natural gas, thereby representing a tool which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. In this context, this paper is aimed at the application of the Carbon Footprint (CF) to an agro-biogas supply chain (SC) in Southern Italy, according to ISO/TS 14067:2013, so as to calculate the related 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP(100)). The topic was addressed because agro-biogas SCs, though being acknowledged worldwide as sustainable ways to produce both electricity and heat, can be source of GHG emissions and therefore environmental assessments and improvements are needed. Additionally, the performed literature review highlighted deficiencies in PCF assessments, so this study could contribute to enriching the international knowledge on the environmental burdens associated with agro-biogas SCs. The analysis was conducted using a life-cycle approach, thus including in the assessment: functional unit choice, system border definition and inventory analysis development. The primary data needed was provided by a farm located in the province of Foggia (Apulia region in Southern Italy), already equipped with anaerobic digestion and cogeneration plant for biogas production and utilisation. Results from this study are in agreement with those found by some of the most relevant studies in the sector. Indeed, it was possible to observe that GWP100 was almost entirely due to cropland farming and, in particular, to the production of ammonium nitrate in the amount required for fertilisation. Furthermore, environmental credits were observed thanks to: carbon sequestration enabled by no-tillage practice; and avoided production of chemical fertiliser thanks to 50% organic farming. Based upon the results obtained, a sensitivity analysis was carried out, thus highlighting reduced environmental impacts if ammonium nitrate was replaced with urea. Finally, thanks to this study, all the target stakeholders will learn more about the input/output flows involved in the system analysed, the related environmental impacts and the improvements needed to reduce them. In this way, it could be possible to compare the analysed agro-biogas SC with others of equal functionality, and so to enable considerations to be made on the resulting similarities and differences in terms of methodological approach, inventory flows and environmental impact. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights

7. Cereal straw management: A trade-off between energy and agronomic fate

• Authors:
  • Monteleone,M.
  • Garofalo,P.
  • Cammerino,A. R. B.
  • Libutti,A.
• Source: Italian Journal of Agronomy
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Climate change mitigation is the most important driving force for bioenergy development. Consequently, the environmental design of bioenergy value chains should address the actual savings of both primary energy demand and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. According to the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC), no direct impacts and no GHG emissions should be attributed to crop residues (like cereal straws) when they are removed from agricultural land for the purpose of bioenergy utilisation. The carbon neutral assumption applied to crop residues is, however, a rough simplification. Crop residues, indeed, should not be viewed simply as a waste to be disposed, because they play a critical role in sustaining soil organic matter and therefore have an inherent C-capturing value. Moreover, considering straws as an energy feedstock, its status of co-product is clearly recognised and its availability could be obtained according to different cropping systems, corresponding to different primary energy costs and GHG emissions. This paper highlights some hidden features in the assessment of agricultural energy and carbon balance, still very difficult to be detected and accounted for. Although they are frequently disregarded, these features (such as long term dynamic trend of soil organic carbon and annual nitrous oxide emissions from the soil) should be carefully considered in assembling the energy and emission balance. By using a crop simulation model, the long-term soil organic matter and annual N2O soil emissions were estimated. Consequently, a comprehensive energy and GHG balance was determined in accordance with the life cycle assessment methodology. Contrasting methods of straw management and wheat cultivation were compared: straw retention vs removal from the soil; conventional vs conservation tillage; wheat cropping system as a single-crop or in rotation. The resulting carbon footprint of straws has different magnitudes with respect to the several experimental conditions. By selecting the best agricultural practices, energy from straw can be optimally coupled with grain productions, without detrimental effects on soil fertility. An improved and specifically tailored cropping system is designed to obtain an optimal trade-off. © M. Monteleone et al., 2015.

8. More plant growth but less plant defence? First global gene expression data for plants grown in soil amended with biochar

• Authors:
  • Viger,M.
  • Hancock,R. D.
  • Miglietta,F.
  • Taylor,G.
• Source: GCB Bioenergy
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 4
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Biochar is a carbon (C)-rich solid formed when biomass is used to produce bioenergy. This 'black carbon' has been suggested as a solution to climate change, potentially reducing global anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases by 12%, as well as promoting increased crop growth. How biochar application to soil leads to better crop yields remains open to speculation. Using the model plant Arabidopsis and the crop plant lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), we found increased plant growth in both species following biochar application. Statistically significant increases for Arabidopsis in leaf area (130%), rosette diameter (61%) and root length (100%) were observed with similar findings in lettuce, where biochar application also increased leaf cell expansion. For the first time, global gene expression arrays were used on biochar-treated plants, enabling us to identify the growth-promoting plant hormones, brassinosteroid and auxin, and their signalling molecules, as key to this growth stimulation, with limited impacts on genes controlling photosynthesis. In addition, genes for cell wall loosening were promoted as were those for increased activity in membrane transporters for sugar, nutrients and aquaporins for better water and nutrient uptake and movement of sugars for metabolism in the plant. Positive growth effects were accompanied by down-regulation of a large suite of plant defence genes, including the jasmonic acid biosynthetic pathway, defensins and most categories of secondary metabolites. Such genes are critical for plant protection against insect and pathogen attack, as well as defence against stresses including drought. We propose a conceptual model to explain these effects in this biochar type, hypothesizing a role for additional K+ supply in biochar amended soils, leading to Ca2+ and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) -mediated signalling underpinning growth and defence signalling responses. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

9. Alternative nitrogen management practices to reduce carbon footprint of maize production

• Authors:
  • Fumagalli,Mattia
• Source: Italian Journal of Agrometeorology
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 1
• Year: 2015
• Summary: Intensive maize production in Lombardy region (northern Italy) is widespread and requires big amounts of input, especially nitrogen (N), thus leading to potential environmental risks. Starting from farm survey data the current work aims to evaluate how alternative N management options for reducing losses can be effective in climate change mitigation. Under current management (ACT) of typical continuous maize cropping systems across the region, the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from the production of inorganic fertilisers and from direct and indirect N2O released after N application accounted for, on average, 67% of the total GHG emissions. The adoption of the best N management plans (FERT scenario), reduced GHG emissions and C-footprint (expressed per unit of agricultural product) by 27 and 26%, respectively. Furthermore, the double cropping system (two crops harvested in 12 months - ROT scenario) strongly increased GHG emissions in comparison with the only cultivation of a summer crop. However, the high productivity of this system, led to a C-footprint lower than the ACT one and still higher than the FERT one. The current work highlights the opportunities for carbon mitigation offered by changes on field N management, without significantly impact the yield.

10. A more comprehensive greenhouse gas accounting methodology for peach productive chain: Toward a certification of low-carbon fruits

• Authors:
  • Fiore,A.
  • Dichio,B.
  • Celano,G.
  • Modarelli,A.
  • Palese,A. M.
  • Quinto,G.
  • Pergola,M. T.
  • Xiloyannis,C.
• Source: Acta Horticulturae
• Volume: 1084
• Year: 2015
• Summary: The most recent and recognised standards for carbon footprint (CFP) ISO 14067:2013 requires the inclusion of land based emissions (CO2 fluxes from soil organic carbon change and field emissions from fertilization) into greenhouse gas accounting. These two categories of emissions are often disregarded from CFP studies of fruit products. In the present paper a simple methodology to include land-based emissions into greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting of fruit product from perennial crops is tested on a case study, and the results compared to experimental measurement from literature in order to evaluate its point of strength and weakness; this methodology is based on IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories (IPCC, 2006). All fossil (anthropogenic) and biogenic emissions arising from all agricultural operations during orchard life cycle have been accounted according ISO 14067:2013. Fertilization resulted to be the most impacting agricultural operation, together with the production of materials constituting the irrigation pipe system and its supporting structure (metal and cement poles, wire). The most innovative aspect of the tested methodology consists in considering the sink role of soil in fruit orchards managed according to sustainable agronomical practices (increasing of internal and external carbon input to soil). Comparison with measurements data from literature revealed that the simple methodology tested can be improved in order to improve the accuracy of the estimates according to pedoclimatic conditions and crop specificities. © 2015 ISHS.