Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
REVISED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1009653
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
FLA-IRC-005517
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 4, 2016
Project End Date
Apr 30, 2021
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
He, Z.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Indian River Research and Education Center, Ft Pierce
Non Technical Summary
Land degradation, water resource depletion, and global warming pose a great challenge to the societies worldwide. The remediation of degraded and contaminated soil and water, beneficial uses of waste, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and promotion of food security and safety have become the frontiers of science and technology development. In this project, constructed wetland integrated with phytoremediation will be used to improve stormwater/runoff from agricultural field and urban areas, and the efficiency of the treatment system will be determined by the reduction in nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and contaminants (heavy metals) between and influent and effluent water. A novel activation technology will be employed to develop new types of slow release fertilizers using low grade phosphate rock. The success of this project is expected to significantly reduce produciton costs to the phosphate industry and agriculture, and minimize the impacts of agricultural practices on the environment, particularly water quality by reducing phosphorus loss. This project will also develop smart polymeric nanoparticles that can be used to deliver pesticides and nutrients directly to the targeted sites in plant. Compared to traditional application methods, the nano-delivery systems are expected to enhance use efficiency of pesticides and fertilizers by crops and thus reduce loss of chemicals into the environment. Therefore, the outputs of this project are overall expected to promote sustainable agriculture and protect natural resouces and the environment.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020330100060%
1010110107020%
1120320115020%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0320 - Watersheds; 0110 - Soil; 0330 - Wetland and riparian systems;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1000 - Biochemistry and biophysics; 1150 - Toxicology;
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goal of this project is to promote the sustainability of agriculture and the environment through development of novel technologies, thus improving living standards of the communities. This five-year project is a step towards this goal with the following specific objectives:To develop key technologies including nanotechnology, slow-release fertilizers, and biochars for enhancing use efficiency of fertilizers and pesticides, while maintaining or improving environmental quality.To examine the impact of newly-developed products on soil and water quality, food safety and security, and human health.To develop best management practices for sustainable production of food and improvement of soil, air, and water quality.
Project Methods
In this project, field survey, laboratory analysis, laboratory simultation/incubation and column leaching studies, greenhouse experiments and field trials will be conducted to test the hypotheses and newly developed products including slow release fertilizers, and smart nanodelivery systems for their expected performance/efficiency.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, professors, graduate students, senior undergraduate students, extension specialists, growers and government agencies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three graduate students and two postdoctoral fellow and five visiting scholars participated in the research and received trainings of relevant expertise and technologies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Parts of the results have been published in refereed journals and presented at the national and international professional conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Several projects are currently undertaken to accomplish the goals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. We developed activation technology with selected organic mocules for low- to medium-grade phosphate rock. This technology can significantly increase water-soluble phosphorus in dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) and subsequently the agronomic effectiveness of DPR. 2. We created smart-nanoparticles that have potential fordelivering pesticides and nutrients to the targeted sites in plants. 3. We also doscovered that polymeric nanoparticles and carbon nano-materials could enhance seed germination and mitigate metal stress of plants, especially at the seedling stage.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Sun, Y., Z. L. He, Q. Wu, J. Zheng, Y. Li, Y. Wang, T. Chen, D. Chi. 2020. Zeolite amendment enhances rice production, nitrogen accumulation and translocation in wetting and drying irrigation paddy field. Agricultural Water Management 235, 106126.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Wang, X., J. Xiong, and Z. L. He. 2020. Activated dolomite phosphate rock fertilizers to reduce leaching of phosphorus and trace metals as compared to superphosphate. Journal of Environmental Management 255: 109872.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xin, X., F. Zhao, J.Y. Rho, S.L. Goodrich, B.S. Sumerlin, and Z. L. He. 2020. Use of polymeric nanoparticles to improve seed germination and plant growth under copper stress. Science of The Total Environment 745, 141055.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xin, X. J. D. Judy, B. B. Sumerlin, and Z. L. He. 2020. Nano-enabled agriculture: from nanoparticles to smart nanodelivery systems. Environ. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN19254.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xin X., F. Zhao, H. Zhao, S. L. Goodrich, M. R. Hill, B. S. Sumerlin, P. J. Stoffella, A. L. Wright, and Zhenli He. 2020. Comparative assessment of polymeric and other nanoparticles impacts on soil microbial and biochemical properties. Geoderma 367, 114278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114278.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Yang,Y., J. Wang, Y. Wang, and Z. L. He. 2020. Biomass decay rate and influencing factors of four submerged aquatic vegetation in Everglades wetland. International Journal of Phytoremediation 22(9): 963-971 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2020.1774500.


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience: Scientists, professors, graduate students, senior undergraduate students, extension specialists, growers and government agencies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two graduate students, two visiting graduate students and six postdoctoral visiting scholars were trained while working on this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Parts of the results have been published in refereed journals and presented at the national and international professional conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Several projects are currently undertaken to accomplish the goals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Great interest has been generated in the application of nanotechnology in agricultural and food systems and understanding ecotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) is imperative for ecosystem health and food safety. This study compared the dose-effects of four representative NPs, polysuccinimide NPs (PSI-NPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nano-Ag and nano-TiO2, on soil microbiological and biochemical processes. The results showed that effects of NPs varied largely with the type and dose of NPs as well as soils properties. Of the tested NPs, PSI-NPs had no significant inhibition or lightly stimulated soil respiration, microbial biomass, as well as enzyme activities. MWCNTs, nano-Ag and nano-TiO2 significantly decreased soil respiration rate and microbial biomass, and resulted in a significant increase in microbial C: N. The activities of dehydrogenase, urease and acid phosphatase were significantly compromised by MWCNTs, Nano-Ag and Nano-TiO2, especially at higher application rates, whilst some stimulations were observed at low doses of MWCNTs. Irrespective of the types and doses of the NPs, the inhibitory effects were greater in Spodosols than Alfisols, the latter being more fertile with higher pH, organic matter and clay content. Principle component analysis (PCA) also suggested that most of the measured variables were positively influenced by PSI-NPS and low doses of MWCNT but negatively affected by nano-Ag and nano-TiO2. These results may serve as an important guideline in regulating the application of NPs in agroecosystem and highlight the advantages of PSI-NPs over the other NPs for agricultural applications. ?

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hamid, Y., L. Tang, M. Yaseen, B. Hussain, A. Zehra, M. Z. Aziz, Z. L. He, and X. E. Yang. 2019. Comparative efficacy of organic and inorganic amendments for cadmium and lead immobilization in contaminated soil under rice-wheat cropping system. Chemosphere 214: 259-268. He, S., H. Guo, Z. L. He, C. P. Yang, T. Yu, Q. Chai, and L. Lu. 2019. Interaction of Lolium perenne and Hyphomicrobium sp. GHH enhances the removal of 17?-ethinyestradiol (EE2) from soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-2116-y Zhao, H. M., H. Du, C. Q. Huang, S. Li, X. H. Zeng, X. J. Huang, L. Xiang, H. Li, Y. W. Li, Q. Y. Cai, C. H. Mo, Z. L. He. 2019. Bioaugmentation of Exogenous Strain Rhodococcus sp. 2G Can Efficiently Mitigate Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Contamination to Vegetable Cultivation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 67: 6940-6949. Xiong, J., L. Zang, J. F. Zha, Q. Mahmood, Z. L. He. 2019. Phosphate Removal from Secondary Effluents Using Coal Gangue Loaded with Zirconium Oxide. Sustainability 11 (9) 2453; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092453 Yu, Y. J. Xiong, R. L. Liu, Z. L. He. 2019. Release of Heavy Metals from Dolomite Phosphate Rock after Activation with Organic Agent. Journal of Environmental Quality 48: 694-700.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, professors, graduate students, senior undergraduate students, extension specialists, growers and government agencies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four graduate students and five postdoctoral visiting scholars were trained while working on this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Parts of the results have been published in refereed journals and presented at the national and international professional conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Several projects are currently undertaken to accomplish the goals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The results from greenhouse experiments indicate that the activated DPR fertilizers have a significantly greater P-supply capacity than the original DPR materials, but are comparable with water soluble fertilizers such as SP made from the same DPR materials and DAP in term of biomass yields though plant P concentration was slightly lower. Column leaching study showed that the activated DPR fertilizers had much lower leaching loss of nutrients (P, Ca, Mg) than water soluble P fertilizers (SP-DPR1, SP-DPR5, SP-DPR7) or DAP, but similar to the original DPR. This results indicate that the activated DPR fertilizers are more environmentally friendly and suitable for use in agriculture even in the environmentally sensitive soils such as sandy soils Leaching potential of toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni) was lower, as compared to SP-DPR fertilizers. Economic feasibility studies indicated that activated DPR fertilizers are moderately profitable.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Li, L., Z. L.He, M. M.Tfaily, P. Inglett, P. J. Stoffella. 2018. Spatial-temporal variations of dissolved organic nitrogen molecular composition in agricultural runoff water. Water Research 137: 375-383.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Xin, X. P., Z. L. He, M. R. Hill, R. P. Niedz, X. Jiang, and B. S. Sumerlin. 2018. Efficiency of biodegradable and pH?responsive polysuccinimide nanoparticles (PSI?NPs) as smart nanodelivery systems in grapefruit: In vitro cellular investigation. Macromolecular Bioscience. https://doi.org/10.1002/mabi.201800159
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Zhou, X. H., Z. L. He, F. Ding, L. Li, and P. J. Stoffella. 2018. Biomass decaying and elemental release of aquatic macrophyte detritus in waterways of the Indian River Lagoon basin, South Florida, USA. Science of the Total Environment 635: 878-891.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Li, L., Z. L. He, M. R. Shields, T. S. Bianchi, A. Pain, and O. J. Stoffella. 2018. Partial least squares analysis to describe the interactions between sediment properties and water quality in an agricultural watershed. Journal of Hydrology 566: 386-395.


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists. professors, graduate students, senior undergraduate students, extension specialists, growers and government agencies. Changes/Problems:N/A What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three graduate students, two postdoctoral scientists, and seven visiting scholars were trainined while working on this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Parts of the results have been published in five refereed journal articles. In addition, seven papers were presented at the national and internaitonal professional conferneces. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Several projects are currently undertaken to accomplish the goals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The research findings from this project improve our understanding regarding molecular composition of dissolved organic nitrogen in runoff water from agricultural production systems, sources of heavy metals for soil pollution, plant-soil relationship of cadmium in contaminated soils, provide guidance for development of best management practices to reduce loss of nutrients from agricultural production systems and to control heavy metal sources and to remediate contaminated soils.

Publications

  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Phosphorus Management in Crop Production
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ar�valo-Gardini, E., M. E. Obando-Cerpa, L. B. Z��iga-Cernades, C. O. Ar�valo-Hern�ndez, V. C. Baligar, and Z. L. He. 2017. Heavy metals in soils of cocoa plantations (theobroma cacao l.) in three regions of Peru. Ecologia Applicada 15 (2): 81-89.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ar�valo-Gardini, E., C. O. Ar�valo-Hern�ndez, V. C. Baligar, and Z.L. He. 2017. Heavy metal accumulation in leaves and beans of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in major cacao growing regions in Peru. Science of the Total Environment 605-606: 792-800
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Li, L. G., Z. L. He, Z. G. Li, S. L. Li,; Y. S. Wan, and P. J. Stoffella. 2017. Spatiotemporal change of phosphorous speciation and concentration in stormwater in the St. Lucie Estuary watershed, South Florida. Chemosphere 172: 488-495
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ding, F. H., Z. L. He, S. X. Liu, S. H. Zhang, F. L. Zhao, Q. F. Li, and P. J. Stoffella. 2017. Heavy metals in composts of China: historical changes, regional variation, and potential impact on soil quality. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24 (3): 3194-3209.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 3. Baligar, V. C., M. Elson, Z. L. He, Y. C. Li, A. Q. Paiva, D. Ahnert, A. F. Almeida,and N. K. Fageria. 2017. Ambient and elevated carbon dioxide on growth, physiological and nutrient uptake parameters of perennial leguminous cover crops under low light intensities. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 15(4): 1-16.