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Miscanthus × giganteus (M. × giganteus) is a perspective plant produced on marginal and contaminated lands with biomass used for energy or bioproducts. In the current study, M. × giganteus development was tested in the diesel-contaminated soils (ranged from 250 mg kg−1 to 5000 mg kg−1) and the growth dynamic, leaves quantity, plants total area, number of harvested stems and leaves, SPAD and NPQt parameters were evaluated. Results showed a remarkable M. × giganteus growth in a selected interval of diesel-contaminated soil with sufficient harvested biomass. The amendment of soil by biochar 1 (produced from wastewater sludge) and biochar 2 (produced from a mixture of wood waste and biohumus) improved the crop’s morphological and physiological parameters. Biochar 1 stimulated the increase of the stems’ biomass, while biochar 2 increased the leaves biomass. The plants growing in the uncontaminated soil decreased the content of NO3, pH (KCl), P2O5 and increased the content of NH4. Photosynthesis parameters showed that incorporating biochar 1 and biochar 2 to the diesel-contaminated soil prolonged the plants’ vegetation, which was more potent for biochar 1. M. × giganteus utilization united with biochar amendment can be recommended to remediate diesel-contaminated land in concentration range 250–5000 mg kg−1.
Valentina Pidlisnyuk; Andriy Herts; Volodymyr Khomenchuk; Aigerim Mamirova; Oleksandr Kononchuk; Sergey Ust’Ak. Dynamic of Morphological and Physiological Parameters and Variation of Soil Characteristics during Miscanthus × giganteus Cultivation in the Diesel-Contaminated Land. Agronomy 2021, 11, 798 .
AMA StyleValentina Pidlisnyuk, Andriy Herts, Volodymyr Khomenchuk, Aigerim Mamirova, Oleksandr Kononchuk, Sergey Ust’Ak. Dynamic of Morphological and Physiological Parameters and Variation of Soil Characteristics during Miscanthus × giganteus Cultivation in the Diesel-Contaminated Land. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (4):798.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValentina Pidlisnyuk; Andriy Herts; Volodymyr Khomenchuk; Aigerim Mamirova; Oleksandr Kononchuk; Sergey Ust’Ak. 2021. "Dynamic of Morphological and Physiological Parameters and Variation of Soil Characteristics during Miscanthus × giganteus Cultivation in the Diesel-Contaminated Land." Agronomy 11, no. 4: 798.
Bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus × giganteus are foreseeable as an alternative source to replace fossil fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are also assessed as an environment-friendly solution for polluted, marginal and low-quality agricultural soils. Several studies had been launched on soil organic carbon sequestration potentials of miscanthus culture along with its impacts on restoring soil functionality, most of which focus on the long-term basis of the plant’s cultivation. Nevertheless, information concerning the short term impacts as well as the situation in Czechia is still scarce. In this context, a field experiment was launched in 2017 in a poor-quality agricultural land in the city of Chomutov (North-Western Czechia) to compare the impacts of the perennial C4 miscanthus with an annual C3 forage crop (wheat) on the soil carbon stocks as well as enhancing its functionality. Results through the 0–30 cm soil profile examination showed that miscanthus plants played a role in improving the studied soil physico-chemical (bulk density and soil organic carbon concentrations) and biological (Phospholipid fatty acids stress indicator, basal respiration and fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity) parameters. The naturally occurring δ13C concentrations were used to evaluate the direct plant contribution to the total soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and revealed considerable miscanthus contribution all over the detected soil layers (1.98 ± 0.21 Mg C. ha−1 yr−1) after only 3 growing seasons. It is thus suggested that the C4 perennial miscanthus possess remarkable prospects for SOC sequestration and restoring degraded lands.
Karim Suhail Al Souki; Hana Burdová; Jakub Trubač; Jiří Štojdl; Pavel Kuráň; Sylvie Kříženecká; Iva Machová; Karel Kubát; Jan Popelka; Hana Auer Malinská; Diana Nebeská; Sergej Ust’Ak; Roman Honzík; Josef Trögl. Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in Marginal Land Upon Shift towards Perennial C4Miscanthus × giganteus: A Case Study in North-Western Czechia. Agronomy 2021, 11, 293 .
AMA StyleKarim Suhail Al Souki, Hana Burdová, Jakub Trubač, Jiří Štojdl, Pavel Kuráň, Sylvie Kříženecká, Iva Machová, Karel Kubát, Jan Popelka, Hana Auer Malinská, Diana Nebeská, Sergej Ust’Ak, Roman Honzík, Josef Trögl. Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in Marginal Land Upon Shift towards Perennial C4Miscanthus × giganteus: A Case Study in North-Western Czechia. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (2):293.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarim Suhail Al Souki; Hana Burdová; Jakub Trubač; Jiří Štojdl; Pavel Kuráň; Sylvie Kříženecká; Iva Machová; Karel Kubát; Jan Popelka; Hana Auer Malinská; Diana Nebeská; Sergej Ust’Ak; Roman Honzík; Josef Trögl. 2021. "Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in Marginal Land Upon Shift towards Perennial C4Miscanthus × giganteus: A Case Study in North-Western Czechia." Agronomy 11, no. 2: 293.
Hybrid sorrel is a perennial crop whose benefits include good wintering, early ripening, and relatively high biomass and energy yields. The average yields are usually in the range from 4 to 10 t ha−1 dry matter (DM) per year. Based on a long‐term study, a significant fertilization effect on hybrid sorrel yield was found. The crop establishment in spring is preceded by plowing in autumn. Hybrid sorrel can be harvested in the year following the establishment. As a perennial crop, hybrid sorrel provides ecosystem services to a greater extent than first‐generation annual crops. They are, for example, habitat functioning, air regulation, biodiversity conservation, anti‐erosion effect, and groundwater protection. After cultivation, it can leave up to 60 t ha−1 of slightly mineralizable organic matter in the soil. Hybrid sorrel's drawbacks include low resistance against weeds and sensitivity to drought damage. According to the available data, this hybrid sorrel is one of the most promising energy crops in the temperate zone. It is suitable for both combustion and biogas production. In biogas production, sorrel produces a total methane yield of about 2500 to 3500 mN3 ha−1, and as a biofuel for combustion it shows a relatively high DM calorific value, of about 18 MJ kg−1. Alongside its use for energy and fodder purposes, it can be cultivated to produce medicines and unique building materials. It can also be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Sergej Ust'ak; Jan Šinko; Jakub Muňoz. Hybrid sorrel: cultivation potential and use as a novel non‐food multipurpose crop. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining 2020, 15, 131 -149.
AMA StyleSergej Ust'ak, Jan Šinko, Jakub Muňoz. Hybrid sorrel: cultivation potential and use as a novel non‐food multipurpose crop. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 2020; 15 (1):131-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergej Ust'ak; Jan Šinko; Jakub Muňoz. 2020. "Hybrid sorrel: cultivation potential and use as a novel non‐food multipurpose crop." Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining 15, no. 1: 131-149.
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is a perennial fast-growing C3 plant belongs to family Poaceae with an early season growth, a wide physiological tolerance and with large possibilities of utilization. Recently, the use for bioenergy has become very perspective mainly because its high yield (5–10 t dry matter ha/year) and very good properties for combustion. The mean calorific value is about 16–18 MJ/kg dry matter. It can be usually harvested twice a year at lower cultivation inputs and shows the ability to grow in wide range of soil conditions including on land, which is not appropriate for other agricultural purposes. It has also the potential for different industrial applications, for example for biogas, ethanol, pulp and paper production, or for the production of chemical raw materials, too. The cultivation area rapidly increases, mainly in North Europe, where it is cultivated on thousands of hectares. The cultivation for energy or other industrial purposes has also benefits to the environment because of low intensity on agricultural management, supporting biodiversity and soil preservation against erosion.
Sergej Usťak; Jan Šinko; Jakub Muňoz. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) as a promising energy crop. Journal of Central European Agriculture 2019, 20, 1143 -1168.
AMA StyleSergej Usťak, Jan Šinko, Jakub Muňoz. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) as a promising energy crop. Journal of Central European Agriculture. 2019; 20 (4):1143-1168.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergej Usťak; Jan Šinko; Jakub Muňoz. 2019. "Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) as a promising energy crop." Journal of Central European Agriculture 20, no. 4: 1143-1168.
Growing a second generation energetic plant Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg) in former military sites appears to be a promising way to use such areas with synergic phytoremediation of contaminants (organic pollutants, potential toxic metals). Effect of Mxg growth on soil microbial communities during a two-year pot experiment with real post-military soil (Sliač, Slovakia) and the effect of potential toxic metal concentration was studied by analyses of microbial activities and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA). Year-on-year positive changes in microbial community structure and state were detected (higher ratios of G+/G− bacteria and fungal/bacterial PLFA, and a decrease of stress indicators trans/cis and cy/pre PLFA). Portion of gram-positive bacteria correlated negatively with potential toxic metal concentrations; however, the concentration of potential toxic metals was not identified as the main stress factor—the access to bioavailable nutrients was more important. Overall, Mxg growth generally exhibited a positive effect on soil microorganisms.
Diana Nebeská; Josef Trögl; Valentina Pidlisnyuk; Jan Popelka; Petra Veronesi Dáňová; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík. Effect of Growing Miscanthus x giganteus on Soil Microbial Communities in Post-Military Soil. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4021 .
AMA StyleDiana Nebeská, Josef Trögl, Valentina Pidlisnyuk, Jan Popelka, Petra Veronesi Dáňová, Sergej Usťak, Roman Honzík. Effect of Growing Miscanthus x giganteus on Soil Microbial Communities in Post-Military Soil. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (11):4021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiana Nebeská; Josef Trögl; Valentina Pidlisnyuk; Jan Popelka; Petra Veronesi Dáňová; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík. 2018. "Effect of Growing Miscanthus x giganteus on Soil Microbial Communities in Post-Military Soil." Sustainability 10, no. 11: 4021.
The study was focused on the assessment of cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) as a potential feedstock for biogas production in comparison to reference maize related to the balance needs of nutrients and some microelements for their cultivation, especially with use of digestate for fertilization. Field experiments were carried out in areas of the Czech Republic with less favorable conditions for the cultivation of maize. Obtained results confirmed that cup-plant can be considered a promising novel crop for biogas production due to high yields of biomass (12–18 t/ha DM) and methane (3600–4250 Nm3/ha) competing with reference maize grown under the same soil and climatic conditions. The biochemical analyses characterizing the feed value of phytomass were conclusively better with maize than cup-plant. This corresponds with specific methane yields, which is about 5–10% higher in maize (269–319 Nm3/t VS) than in cup-plant (254–298 Nm3/t VS). On the basis of chemical analyses of tested crops, the uptake of basic nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and selected trace elements (microelements B, Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni and Zn) was determined. Then, using the element contents and average yields, it was possible to calculate the annual removal of each element from the field with cup-plant and reference maize as the basis value for the evaluation of compensatory fertilization needs. With respect to the cultivation of tested crops for biogas production, the possibilities of their compensatory fertilization were evaluated using digestate from biogas plants. The uptake of different nutrients and microelements on tested crops was verified. The experiment showed that cup-plant has higher requirements on all tested nutrients, except N, and microelements, except Cu and Zn. In the case of nutrients, the highest uptake differences between cup-plant and maize were at B (about 11× higher), followed by Mg (3.5×) and K (1.8×). In the case of microelements, the highest uptake differences were B at (about 9× higher), followed by Co (5×), Fe, and Mn (2×). Therefore, increasing yields of cup-plant after using these nutrients and microelements for compensative fertilizing can be expected. For the mixture of maize and cup-plant (1:1 of VS weight), the higher specific methane yield was obtained (292 Nm3/t VS). It was more than expected of the average value (286 Nm3/t VS). It cannot be explained by the improvement in the feed value of cup-plant and maize mixture, but a possible explanation could be the positive synergistic effect of cup-plant due to the better supply with biologically active essential nutrients and microelements. In any case, this phenomenon deserves more detailed research in the future.
Sergej Ustak; Jakub Munoz. Cup-plant potential for biogas production compared to reference maize in relation to the balance needs of nutrients and some microelements for their cultivation. Journal of Environmental Management 2018, 228, 260 -266.
AMA StyleSergej Ustak, Jakub Munoz. Cup-plant potential for biogas production compared to reference maize in relation to the balance needs of nutrients and some microelements for their cultivation. Journal of Environmental Management. 2018; 228 ():260-266.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergej Ustak; Jakub Munoz. 2018. "Cup-plant potential for biogas production compared to reference maize in relation to the balance needs of nutrients and some microelements for their cultivation." Journal of Environmental Management 228, no. : 260-266.
In the Protected Landscape Area “Labské pískovce” (Czech Republic), there are many sandstone caves accessible by permission only and where climbing equipment is commonly required. The tradition of visiting the caves dates back to turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and visitors traditionally record their visits in log-books. We have gathered attendance data from 12 caves from log-books and via survey (2-year form collection period). The attendance varied from less than 10 to ~650 visitors annually. Signs of inadequate behavior of visitors were observed, especially waste disposal and smoking in the caves. Sediment step-compression increased significantly the ratios of fungi/bacteria and gram-positive to gram-negative (G+/G−) phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) as well as PLFA of actinobacteria and activities of sediment phosphatases, glucosidases, and peroxidases. The number of visitors was correlated positively with the G+/G− ratio and sediment nutrients but negatively with sediment moisture and the activity of peroxidases. The results indicate a significant effect of attendance on sediment microbial communities, most likely caused by the import of nutrients into caves. Hence, reconsideration of the cave attendance policy is recommended.
Jaroslav Kukla; Michal Holec; Josef Trögl; Diana Holcová; Dagmar Hofmanová; Pavel Kuráň; Jan Popelka; Jan Pacina; Sylvie Kříženecká; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík. Tourist Traffic Significantly Affects Microbial Communities of Sandstone Cave Sediments in the Protected Landscape Area “Labské Pískovce” (Czech Republic): Implications for Regulatory Measures. Sustainability 2018, 10, 396 .
AMA StyleJaroslav Kukla, Michal Holec, Josef Trögl, Diana Holcová, Dagmar Hofmanová, Pavel Kuráň, Jan Popelka, Jan Pacina, Sylvie Kříženecká, Sergej Usťak, Roman Honzík. Tourist Traffic Significantly Affects Microbial Communities of Sandstone Cave Sediments in the Protected Landscape Area “Labské Pískovce” (Czech Republic): Implications for Regulatory Measures. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (2):396.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaroslav Kukla; Michal Holec; Josef Trögl; Diana Holcová; Dagmar Hofmanová; Pavel Kuráň; Jan Popelka; Jan Pacina; Sylvie Kříženecká; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík. 2018. "Tourist Traffic Significantly Affects Microbial Communities of Sandstone Cave Sediments in the Protected Landscape Area “Labské Pískovce” (Czech Republic): Implications for Regulatory Measures." Sustainability 10, no. 2: 396.
Jirí Hermuth; Dagmar Janovska; Petra Hlásná Čepková; Sergej Usťak; Zdenek Strašil; Zdislava Dvoráková. Sorghum and Foxtail Millet—Promising Crops for the Changing Climate in Central Europe. Alternative Crops and Cropping Systems 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleJirí Hermuth, Dagmar Janovska, Petra Hlásná Čepková, Sergej Usťak, Zdenek Strašil, Zdislava Dvoráková. Sorghum and Foxtail Millet—Promising Crops for the Changing Climate in Central Europe. Alternative Crops and Cropping Systems. 2016; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJirí Hermuth; Dagmar Janovska; Petra Hlásná Čepková; Sergej Usťak; Zdenek Strašil; Zdislava Dvoráková. 2016. "Sorghum and Foxtail Millet—Promising Crops for the Changing Climate in Central Europe." Alternative Crops and Cropping Systems , no. : 1.
Petr Heděnec; David Novotný; Sergej Ust'ak; Roman Honzík; Vojtěch Váňa; Vlasta Petříková; Jan Frouz. Effect of long term cropping hybrid sorrel (Rumex patientia x Rumex tianshanicus) on soil biota. Biomass and Bioenergy 2015, 78, 92 -98.
AMA StylePetr Heděnec, David Novotný, Sergej Ust'ak, Roman Honzík, Vojtěch Váňa, Vlasta Petříková, Jan Frouz. Effect of long term cropping hybrid sorrel (Rumex patientia x Rumex tianshanicus) on soil biota. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2015; 78 ():92-98.
Chicago/Turabian StylePetr Heděnec; David Novotný; Sergej Ust'ak; Roman Honzík; Vojtěch Váňa; Vlasta Petříková; Jan Frouz. 2015. "Effect of long term cropping hybrid sorrel (Rumex patientia x Rumex tianshanicus) on soil biota." Biomass and Bioenergy 78, no. : 92-98.
Petr Hedenec; David Novotný; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík; Monika Kovářová; Hana Šimáčková; Jan Frouz. Allelopathic effect of new introduced biofuel crops on the soil biota: A comparative study. European Journal of Soil Biology 2014, 63, 14 -20.
AMA StylePetr Hedenec, David Novotný, Sergej Usťak, Roman Honzík, Monika Kovářová, Hana Šimáčková, Jan Frouz. Allelopathic effect of new introduced biofuel crops on the soil biota: A comparative study. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2014; 63 ():14-20.
Chicago/Turabian StylePetr Hedenec; David Novotný; Sergej Usťak; Roman Honzík; Monika Kovářová; Hana Šimáčková; Jan Frouz. 2014. "Allelopathic effect of new introduced biofuel crops on the soil biota: A comparative study." European Journal of Soil Biology 63, no. : 14-20.
Petr Heděnec; David Novotný; Sergej Usťak; Tomáš Cajthaml; Antonín Slejška; Hana Šimáčková; Roman Honzík; Monika Kovářová; Jan Frouz. The effect of native and introduced biofuel crops on the composition of soil biota communities. Biomass and Bioenergy 2014, 60, 137 -146.
AMA StylePetr Heděnec, David Novotný, Sergej Usťak, Tomáš Cajthaml, Antonín Slejška, Hana Šimáčková, Roman Honzík, Monika Kovářová, Jan Frouz. The effect of native and introduced biofuel crops on the composition of soil biota communities. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2014; 60 ():137-146.
Chicago/Turabian StylePetr Heděnec; David Novotný; Sergej Usťak; Tomáš Cajthaml; Antonín Slejška; Hana Šimáčková; Roman Honzík; Monika Kovářová; Jan Frouz. 2014. "The effect of native and introduced biofuel crops on the composition of soil biota communities." Biomass and Bioenergy 60, no. : 137-146.
Improving the quality of reclaimed soils requires an active population of microorganisms which can promote plant growth. Increasing the activity of microorganisms can be done by adding nutrients, making agrotechnical soil improvements and by the inoculation of beneficial microorganisms. We investigated the role of fertilizer treatments on plant growth and nitrogen fixation in a pot experiment conducted under green house conditions. Influence of the fertilizer type on numbers of bacteria was also investigated. The seeds were inoculated with the mixture of Azotobacter spp. and Rhizobium spp. The pot experiment was set up with the substrate from the mine spoil (North Bohemia coal basin, the Czech Republic) using Medicago sativa as test plants. The following treatments were used: compost 0, 20, 40, 120, 400, 800 t/ha and mineral fertilizer – ammonium sulphate. The doses of ammonium sulphate were calculated to be equivalent (in nitrogen content) to those doses of compost. Control variants without bacteria inoculation and fertilizers were also included. Inoculation with the mixture of AzotobacterRhizobium spp. significantly increased plant growth and nitrogenase activity. The nitrogenase activity was inhibited by mineral fertilizers in all doses used. The results of the study have proved that compost application stimulated the growth of Azotobacter spp. and Rhizobium spp.
O. Mikanová; S. Usťak; A. Czakó. Utilization of microbial inoculation and compost for revitalization of soils. Soil and Water Research 2009, 4, 126 -130.
AMA StyleO. Mikanová, S. Usťak, A. Czakó. Utilization of microbial inoculation and compost for revitalization of soils. Soil and Water Research. 2009; 4 (No. 3):126-130.
Chicago/Turabian StyleO. Mikanová; S. Usťak; A. Czakó. 2009. "Utilization of microbial inoculation and compost for revitalization of soils." Soil and Water Research 4, no. No. 3: 126-130.
The aim of the work was to compare two different biological methods for hydrogen production: fermentative and photosynthetic based upon the modality of batch cultures. For testing of fermentative bio-hydrogen production four mixed cultures representing anaerobic microorganisms (dominant strain Clostridium) were selected. The kinetic parameters on the intensity of bio-hydrogen production were established. The efficiency coefficient of transformation ranged from 1.65 mol H2/mol glucose in the pectin culture up to 2.45 in the mixed culture. The bio-hydrogen concentration never exceeded 30%. The carbon dioxide was produced in a ratio of CO2 to H2 (0.5–0.67)/1. The testing of green algae proved that the most effective was the algae species Scenedesmus. High bio-hydrogen purity was analytically verified. The fermentative method of H2 production is more efficient; it does not need light, has a longer efficiency of one charge and enables effective use of different biological wastes.
Sergej Ust’Ak; Bohumil Havrland; Jaime O.J. Muñoz; Eloy C. Fernández; Jaromir Lachman. Experimental verification of various methods for biological hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2007, 32, 1736 -1741.
AMA StyleSergej Ust’Ak, Bohumil Havrland, Jaime O.J. Muñoz, Eloy C. Fernández, Jaromir Lachman. Experimental verification of various methods for biological hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2007; 32 (12):1736-1741.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergej Ust’Ak; Bohumil Havrland; Jaime O.J. Muñoz; Eloy C. Fernández; Jaromir Lachman. 2007. "Experimental verification of various methods for biological hydrogen production." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 32, no. 12: 1736-1741.