Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2025
Authors
C. Chiodi G. Zardinoni P. Stevanato L. Giagnoni P. Carletti N. Oustrière Arne Sæbø Tomas Persson W. Szulc B. Rutkowska M. Mench G. RenellaAbstract
Background Soil contamination with metal(loid)s and organic pollutants creates environmental and health concerns, driving the need for sustainable remediation strategies. Organic amendments can mitigate contamination effects, enhancing soil quality, and potentially increasing biomass production; however, their long-term influence remains an open question. In a five-year field experiment at a former wood-preservation site, this study evaluates the effects of five organic amendments—fresh pig manure (PM), biodigested pig manure (PD), compost (C), compost pellets (Pt), and green waste compost (G)—on Cu-contaminated soils. Here, we evaluated their impacts on physico-chemical soil properties, metal bioavailability, microbial community structure, plant growth and soil fertility. Results All amendments led to an overall soil improvement, including enhanced physico-chemical properties, increased enzyme activities. The amendments promoted the concentration of soil 16S bacterial genes and improved the yield of winter barley cultivated in the plots. The most abundant phyla detected across soil samples were Actinobacteriota , Proteobacteria , and Firmicutes , with Bacillus , Streptomyces , and Bradyrhizobium among the dominant genera. Compost-based amendments at 5% w/w addition rate (C5 and Pt5) showed the most promising results, significantly increasing soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents, while reducing bioavailability of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn compared with untreated control plots ( p < 0.01). A decrease in Cu availability was observed but it was not significant. The Pt5 soils exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene copy number ( p < 0.01). Both compost and compost pellets amendments enriched microbial communities associated with soil quality and plant yield, leading to significant improvements in soil fertility and barley yield (+ 200% on average). Conclusion This integrative approach identified organic amendments, notably compost and pelleted compost, that effectively contribute to soil remediation from multiple perspectives: chemical properties (pH, organic content, nutrients), reduction of bioavailable soil Cd and Zn, enzyme activities, microbial abundance and diversity (16S rRNA), and winter barley yield. The study evidenced signature biomarkers characteristic of healthy soils ( Paenibacillus , Lysinibacillus , and Agromyces ) and polluted soils ( Candidatus Solibacter and Mycobacterium ). Our findings support the use of compost (raw and pelleted) as a balanced approach for phyto-managing metal-contaminated soils, reducing 1 M NH 4 NO 3 -extractable soil Cd and Zn while enhancing microbial activity and soil fertility. Graphical Abstract
Authors
Shimelis Gizachew Raji Bimrew Asmare Yohannes Ewunetu Tesema Dangura Marit Jørgensen Yonas BerhanuAbstract
Context Tropical forages can improve livestock productivity while reducing methane emissions in smallholder crop–livestock systems. Aims This study evaluated forage mass, forage quality, methane mitigation potential of 12 tropical species at two contrasting sites in the Ethiopian highlands: Hawassa in the south and Bahir Dar in the north. Methods Field experiments were conducted from 2021 to 2023, with two to four cuts per year by using a randomized complete block design. Plant samples were also evaluated for chemical composition and in vitro methane production. Key results Results showed significant site-specific variations, with desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) demonstrating consistently high forage mass production (27.3 Mg ha−1 at Hawassa; 17.58 Mg ha−1 at Bahir Dar) across these environments. Legumes, particularly sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus L.), exhibited the highest crude protein yield (590–1300 kg ha−1 year−1) but lower forage production, highlighting their role as supplemental feed sources. Methane mitigation potential also exhibited variations, with lablab, Mombasa (Megathyrsus maximus) and desho producing the lowest emissions (<16%), whereas high-emission species such as Greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum) (>27%) warrant further evaluation. Conclusions The study identified desho and Mombasa as promising options for site-specific forage development because of their dual benefits of productivity and in vitro methane mitigation. Legumes such as sunnhemp and lablab are recommended as high-quality supplements to existing feeding strategies. Implications These findings have provided actionable insights for extension officers, policy makers and researchers seeking to balance livestock productivity with environmental sustainability in Ethiopian highlands. Future research should focus on validating methane mitigation potential under in vivo conditions and addressing challenges in legume establishment.
Authors
Sissel Torre Martin Knoop Knut Asbjørn Solhaug Emil Joakim Wolff Anthony Henk Maessen Shailaja Thapa Michel VerheulAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
presentation Sludge network meeting, 2025
Authors
Mette ThomsenAbstract
Angelica a hardy biennial herb, native to Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Greenland, the Faeroes, Finland, Russia, and eastern parts of continental Europe. Two subspecies are found in the Nordic wild flora A. archangelica ssp. archangelica (mountain subspecies) and A. archangelica ssp. litoralis (lowland subspecies). It is the mountain form that traditionally has been used both wild picked as well as cultivated. All parts of the angelica plant can be used and contain essential oil that gives it a strongly aromatic fragrance and a powerful flavor, and the plant also contains larger or smaller amounts of sugar. Angelica was a commodity in Norway even before the year 1000 and is the only vegetable, of Nordic origin. It has been used both as a vegetable, a spice and a medicinal plant. Interest as well as need for locally and regionally produced products is constantly increasing, Angelica, with its multifunctionality into more uses, could be an important plant for self-sufficiency and business creation in the arctic. In a cultivation trial in Norway looking into the fertilizer effect on yield and oil content in Angelica we found that 120 kg N/Ha gave a significantly higher yield of leaves, in one year old plants, than 40 or 0 kg N, 14-ton fresh weight/Ha compared to 11 ton and 5,6 ton respectively, 80 kg N/Ha gave 13t /Ha. The same was found in three-year-old plants. For root yield we did not see any significant effect of fertilizer treatment. The yield in essential oils was unaffected by fertilizer treatments but varied between plant parts, seeds 1,1%, roots 0,5% and leaves 0,2% oil. The dominating oils in the seeds were beta-phellandrene (69%) and alpha-pinene (13%), in roots and leaves alpha-pinene (43%, 20% resp.) and Sabinene (9%, 34% resp.) were the major compounds. In these trials only one variety of Angelica has been tested. More varieties should be studied and cultivation trials in more areas performed. Also considering that, several aromatic plants produce higher level of essential oils and chemical compounds when growing under long daylight hours. Angelica has a high potential for increased use and value creation through cultivation and processing in the Arctic region.
Authors
Mette Thomsen Liina Edesi Cecilie Thonar Marta Aranguren Margot Dulais Cagri Akyol Jingsi Zhang Astrid Solvåg NesseAbstract
Presentaion at SEA2LAND -NOVAFERT Final Conference 5 June 2025
Abstract
Carrageenophytes such as Eucheuma and Kappaphycus play a vital role in supporting coastal economies and supplying the global hydrocolloid industry, with Indonesia producing over 75% of the world’s supply. However, the unregulated use of chemical liquid fertilisers (CLF) in seaweed farming poses serious ecological and socio-economic threats. In Sikka Regency, Indonesia, CLF use contributed to a decade-long collapse in cultivation, worsened by destructive fishing practices. Although efforts to revive farming began in 2018, current monitoring data are limited and fragmented. Nutrient over-enrichment from fertilisers has been linked to harmful algal blooms, epiphyte overgrowth, and diseases like ice-ice. While countries like the Philippines have introduced standards such as the GAqP for seaweeds, Indonesia still lacks formal regulation on fertiliser use. Misleading scientific claims and social media endorsements further promote detrimental practices. This article highlights the urgent need for public awareness, science-based guidelines, and coordinated policy to safeguard sustainable seaweed aquaculture. Extension services, farmer cooperatives, and social media can raise awareness, but added resources are required for guidelines, stronger policies, and market incentives discouraging CLF use.
Authors
Magda KarloAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Gerhard Grüll Gry Alfredsen Geir Wæhler Gustavsen Boris Forsthuber Jonas Niklewski Philip Bester van Niekerk Lone Ross Christian BrischkeAbstract
A survey including 3112 responses from individual end users of wood cladding, from Norway, Sweden and Germany, was conducted with questions related to their experience and preferences regarding cladding with and without coatings. Based on these results and established scientific understanding of Service Life Prediction (SLP) of wood cladding, two decision trees were provided to guide end users in selecting a suitable material to meet their expectations when planning a new cladding. This approach makes the users reflect on maintenance requirements and aesthetic changes rather than choosing a product solely based on initial aesthetic appeal.
Authors
Gry Alfredsen Geir Wæhler Gustavsen Lone Ross Jonas Niklewski Philip Bester van Niekerk Christian BrischkeAbstract
To optimise the use of renewable materials in construction, it is essential to understand the factors influencing decisions throughout their design and service life. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) supports sustainable development by aiming to minimise long-term costs through informed planning of service life, maintenance, and replacement. Central to this is the engineering concept of limit states - Ultimate Limit States (ULS) for structural safety and Serviceability Limit States (SLS) for functionality. However, in non-loadbearing applications such as cladding, maintenance is often driven by aesthetic deterioration rather than structural concerns. These aesthetic limit states are subjective and influenced by user preferences, personality traits, and cultural background. In practice, undesired aesthetic changes are among the main reasons for cladding replacement in Europe, alongside fungal decay and modernisation. Premature replacement due to insufficient communication about weathering effects and maintenance needs remains under-addressed. By accounting for variation in user preferences, material selection can be tailored to support a longer service life. This study presents multi-country variation in climate-related perceptions of wood and user preferences for wooden cladding.