Individual municipal waste streams of Kaunas (Lithuania) in the period 2012-2015 period was found that mixed municipal waste collected in the city of Kaunas municipality, prefabricated containers, compared to the 2012 decreases. 2015. Collect points mixed municipal waste are reduced from 118,065.56 tons to 100,470.6 tons, accounting for 15%. Biodegradable (green waste) quantities of green waste collection a site does not increase compared in 2012 and 2015. (in 2014 these waste was not collected). The decrease may be affected by that green waste is used boiler house that green waste for energy recovery. The recyclable waste separate secondary maximum (4.5 times) Increased quantities of collected waste paper, plastic positive capture an increase of 1.5 times. Glass collection containers steadily decreasing (from 2.46 tons 2012 to 1094 tons 2015). The trend to rise only noticeable only after complementary systems and DGASA (deposit system). In particular increased textile waste collection (up to 10 times). Toxic waste collection Kaunas City Municipality is constantly increasing tire (up to 2 times); waste containing mercury and packages containing hazardous substances (up to 3 times.). Electrical and electronic waste collection throughout the 2012 -2015 year. Period effective complementary systems (collected 99 % of such waste), but the amounts vary from year to year, and substantial growth was observed. Population change shows that especially affect the population of secondary separate paper (r= 0.994, p = 0.04), plastic (r=0.923, p =0, 0.047), tires (r=0.960, p =0, 0.040), and toxic waste (lamps, and hazardous materials) collection. According to the results it can be said that some of the waste (green, glass, electrical equipment) gathers a group of people decided to lead.

Agricultural machinery manufacturers historically referred to the intermediate players for selling, maintenance, customer service and/or training of equipment appear to interact with farmers and end-users. Intermediate players have therefore faced the burden to master the technology, in constant evolution, and the associated training needs at the interface between a sophisticated equipment and the end-user and its sociological characteristics (age, education, background, etc.). However, the effective deployment of agricultural technologies data augmented equipment demands well trained players. How to ensure that the intermediate players have the required skills to integrate the use of agtech in the farm? This paper will discuss the role of educational and ongoing vocational training for the mastery of agtech. We will start from a comparative review of some key national and European technical reports in the agricultural equipment and innovation domains. On these bases, we will focus on France to describe the role of intermediate players of the agricultural equipment sector to realize their agricultural and digital transitions.

. Alkaline soil additives used in this study, as cement kiln dust and lime mud, resulted in significant rise of the pH in contaminated soil and sludge mixtures, while buffering capacity of the sludge appeared to be much stronger than that of the soil. Total concentrations of the investigated trace elements in the tested samples in most cases were above limit values given in Lithuanian environmental normative documents HN 60:2015 and LAND 20:2005; Cd, Zn and Pb concentrations exceeding MPCs by 2-10 times. Nickel, cadmium and copper in the sludge appeared to be the most mobile elements, their EDTA-extractable fraction reaching 30-50% from the total. The tested industrial by-products in most cases significantly reduced trace element mobility. Immobilizing effect in the contaminated soil was from low to moderate, while impact on the reduction of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, Se, Hg mobility in the sludge was much stronger. Alkaline treatment was not so effective to reduce mobility of Cu and As in the soil, but immobilising effect of lime mud on these elements in the sludge was significant. A multivariate data analysis model with two principle components explained 94% of the data variation. The most distinctive factor, separating samples, was the origin of the two tested metal-rich substrates: contaminated soil and sewage sludge. Contaminated soil could be distinguished by high concentrations of As, Tl, Hg and Pb. Both alkaline treatments on sewage sludge were more effective, thus scores are further from the origin, although, difference between kiln dust and lime mud immobilising effectiveness was not so significant. Application of alkaline amendments: cement kiln dust and lime mud, proved to have strong immobilizing effect on the most of the investigated trace elements, and usage of local by-products for contaminated soil (sludge) remediation purposes could be seen as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and safe disposal alternative.

Heavy metal extraction study was performed using five chelating agents with different biodegradability: EDTA, EDDS, MGDA, SCLC and citric acid. Aminopolycarboxylic acids EDDS and MGDA showed high heavy metal extraction capability from sewage sludge and sludge-soil mixtures. According to heavy metal removal efficiency investigated chelants can be ranked in the following order: EDTA≈ EDDS≈ MGDA> CA> SCLC. Extraction efficiency from sludge mixtures with clay soil was markedly lower than from the mixtures with sandy soil. Biodegradability of EDTA, MGDA, EDDS and CA was evaluated measuring BOD in water environment over 28 day period. According to the results of biodegradability test after 28 days the ranking order of the chelants was following: EDDS (99%)> CA (32.4%)> MGDA (29.2%)> EDTA (14.9%). Results showed that significantly easier than EDTA biodegradable chelating agents, such as EDDS and MGDA, can be successfully used for heavy metal removal from sewage sludge as well as metal-contaminated soil.  

With the advancement of technologies, there are attempts to automate the majority of processes for various reasons, for instance, to improve and optimize production or to perform actions that may cause risk to people’s health, etc. Therefore, the use of mobile autonomous robots is becoming increasingly important as the limits of the potential of the use of autonomous mobile robots in the industry have not yet been reached. The attempts have been made to achieve this by developing optimum trajectory calculation algorithms which enable the robot to move freely in both static and dynamic environments and use an optimum trajectory. Therefore, the subject of study in this article was movement of a mobile robot in an unknown environment using a multi-agent device system and fuzzy logics, and the goal of the study was to prepare the methods for development of intelligent systems for planning mobile robot movement in an unknown environment using multi-agent device and fuzzy logics ensuring the robot will accomplish the planned and adjusted on the go safe trajectory in the environment with unknown obstacles. Based on this, the robot arm model has been developed after calculating in the article the missing parameters of the experimental mobile robot in order to analyze the peculiarities of using the multi-agent device as well as the specifics and challenges of using fuzzy logics. As a result of the study performed in the article, significant data were obtained based on which a method was offered for an intelligent system for planning mobile robot movement in an unknown static environment using a multi-agent system, which was characterized by the use of fuzzy blocks corresponding each agent, and localization of each solution to the task of planning robot movement in each specific situation, which enables to improve the accuracy and efficiency of movement planning.

This study was performed to evaluate use of zeolite  for water quality management in cold water recirculating aquaculture system. The system was reared Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and Hybrid char (Salvelinus fontinalis × Salvelinus alpinus) fry. Fish biomass in the reservoirs was distributed as follows: Arctic charr accounted for 7.32 kg at a density of 23.74 kg∙m-3, and hybrid charr accounted for 7.78 kg at a density of 26.91 kg∙m-3.  After increasing the feed rate and documenting water quality studies, a vast increase of ammonium and nitrite concentration was noticed in the rearing tanks. Natural zeolite, known as clinoptilolite with a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 1.20–1.50 mol.∙kg-1, was used to reduce the amounts of these hazardous substances in the rearing tanks.   Zeolite was used to decrease the increased concentration of ammonia and nitrites, which were reduced by 22.7% and 16.7%, respectively, during the study period. These results suggest that zeolite is suitable for water quality management in cold water recirculating aquaculture system with as little of an investment as possible.

The scientific and methodological basis for increasing the efficiency of geothermal ventilation, making it possible to use thermal energy of the Earth’s surface layers for cooling (heating) an incoming air stream are created. Mathematical modeling is performed based on the equations of hydrodynamics, heat transfer and thermal conductivity, along with a computational experiment carried out using the finite volume method.  A mathematical model of the process of heat exchange between the flow of air in a heat exchanger and a soil mass is developed. This model describes a relationship between efficiency indicators of the horizontal ground heat exchanger and its performance parameters, and also natural climatic conditions. The determination of thermal fields in incoming cooled air and a soil mass at various depth locations of the horizontal ground heat exchanger is performed. The relationship between thermal efficiency and operation time of the horizontal heat exchanger, located at different depths, is proved. The energy comparison of a horizontal ground heat exchanger, located at different depths, with a vertical one, is made. he depth of the horizontal heat exchanger has been established, for which the loss of thermal energy in comparison with the vertical is insignificant (less than 7.5%). The operating time was determined, starting from which there are practically no differences in the level of thermal energy for all the studied models (> 107 s). The developed mathematical model allows to predict the energy efficiency indicators of a horizontal ground heat exchanger on the basis of its performance parameters and natural climatic conditions, that makes possible determining the economically optimal depth of the heat exchanger location under specific conditions.

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of strawberry grey mold, has become a severe problem of horticultural farms due to its genetic variability and growing resistance to frequently used fungicides. Plant disease could induce significant losses of yields and plants thus it is necessary to discover and apply novel approaches to control strawberry pathogens. In addition, chemical plant protection products can leave undesirable residues in fruits and the environment. Plant protection should be more friendly to the environment and human than already used chemical measures. One of the alternatives could be plant-based extracts, produced from aromatic and medicinal herbs, spices, fruits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the in vitro effect of cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia L.) and clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum L.) extracts on B. cinerea colony growth. Experiments were carried out at LAMMC Institute of Horticulture, Lithuania. Both extracts were obtained from dried material by extraction with CO2. For in vitro assay, extracts were separately mixed with potato dextrose agar in concentrations from 200 to 1000 μl/l, poured into Petri dishes, then each dish was inoculated with 6 mm diameter B. cinerea disc and incubated at 22±2 oC in the dark for 7 days. The diameter of the pathogen colony was measured 2, 4 and 7 days after inoculation. Concentrations of the extracts, which demonstrated reduced growth of the pathogen, were considered to have an antifungal effect. The results showed that extracts of cinnamon bark and clove bud had a similar antifungal effect on B. cinerea and suppressed the growth of 100% from 600 μl/l concentrations 4 days after inoculation. At 600-1000 μl/l, no growth of the pathogen was detected for both extracts 7 days after inoculation. However, clove bud extract considered to be more effective, as the diameter of B. cinerea colonies was smaller compared to cinnamon bark extract at 200-400 μl/l concentrations. To conclude, spice extracts of cinnamon bark and clove bud demonstrated antifungal effect on B. cinerea in vitro and could possibly be applied for control of strawberry grey mold.

Biodegradable and compostable tableware is significantly more environment and nature friendly than disposable tableware and drinkware made of plastic. Tableware made of wheat bran, but also corn and rice bran is already commercially available. It is reasonable to use the by-products of the milling of also other cereals, like rye bran, barley bran and oat bran, for the production of tableware. The aim of this research was to explore the possibilities for the production of tableware and drinkware from the by-products of the milling of wheat and also other cereals like rye and oat bran. In order to achieve the aim, compacts were moulded from rye bran and oat bran and mixtures of bran (wheat bran and rye bran) using various work modes. The moulding of the compacts included different temperatures of the mould, moulding durations and compressive forces. The mechanical properties like density and flexural strength of the compacts were determined and the compostability of the compacts was studied. The test bodies were placed inside a compost bin to check their compostability and to determine the duration of composting.Biodegradable and compostable tableware is significantly more environment and nature friendly than disposable tableware and drinkware made of plastic. Tableware made of wheat bran, but also corn and rice bran is already commercially available. It is reasonable to use the by-products of the milling of also other cereals, like rye bran, barley bran and oat bran, for the production of tableware. The aim of this research was to explore the possibilities for the production of tableware and drinkware from the by-products of the milling of wheat and also other cereals like rye and oat bran. In order to achieve the aim, compacts were moulded from rye bran and oat bran and mixtures of bran (wheat bran and rye bran) using various work modes. The moulding of the compacts included different temperatures of the mould, moulding durations and compressive forces. The mechanical properties like density and flexural strength of the compacts were determined and the compostability of the compacts was studied. The test bodies were placed inside a compost bin to check their compostability and to determine the duration of composting.

Silage for animal feeding can be made from different plants. One of the most important feed crops from which silage is made is maize. Special choppers can be used for cutting and chopping these coarse-stem plants. The most widespread silage preparation is done in trenches, where good quality silage can last for several years, making it one of the best feeds in winter. Incorrect picking and unloading of silage from trenches may result in secondary fermentation and may cause forage losses. Various types of equipment are used for silo unloading from storage. This work researches maize plants, the quality of maize silage and the process of silage making and unloading. The research was carried out in the laboratories of Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University and in a farmer’s farm. Tests have been performed with three different silo unloaders and a mobile feed mixer. The established average corn plant yield in 2018 was 31.8 t ha-1; for silage making, the plants were chopped with the drum chopper. After evaluation of the fractional composition of chopped mass, the chopped maize slices were found to meet the silage production requirements, as even 82.6% of the chopped particles were 3.15-16 mm long. Maize slice moisture was also found to be suitable for silage – 66.12±7.3%. The density of prepared silage was high enough and reached 699.89±19.04 kg m-3 or 230.55±6.27 kg m-3 DM (dry matter). Silage unloaders test results showed that one sample of silage could be unloaded in 31–43 s. The bucket type device could take the maximum weight sample – 567.8±77.0 kg, but the maximum density of the silage sample (30.41±1.95 kg m-3) could be taken by a block-cutting unit. Also, this unloader left the smallest unevenness on the feed surface. Distribution of feed in the farm for the animal was fairly even and this indicated that the silage-unloading device had no significant impact on the quality of feed distribution.