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- Characterization of mineral composition and nutritional value of acacia green podsPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Antunes, Carlos Alberto Lopes; Monteiro, M.C.H. Carmo; Pitacas, F.I.; Gonçalves, Joana; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, OThe Acacia genus is considered one of the most invasive taxa in some habitats, namely coastal dunes, maritime calcareous soils, fresh lands in the valleys, mountainous areas, and the banks of watercourses and roadsides. In Portugal, the severity risk is very high, so this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and mineral contents of the green pods as a potential source for livestock feeds and soil fertilizer because, as far as we know, there is no use for this species. The seven different species of Acacia (Acacia mearnsii Link, Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd, Acacia melanoxylon R. Br., Acacia pycnantha Bentham, Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia retinodes Schlecht, and Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don fil) were evaluated. The results showed that Acacia green pods have a high protein, fibre and minerals content, especially in potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). All species present a different profile of the studied parameters, suggesting different potentials for their future use. Near-infrared spectroscopy was a potential tool to predict the earlier quality of the Acacia green pods to better select the raw material for the different applications.
- Use of acacia pods as a source of vegetal organic matter for soilPublication . Pedro, Soraia; Antunes, Carlos Alberto Lopes; Pitacas, F.I.; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Gominho, Jorge; Gallardo, Eugenia; Anjos, O.Incorporating vegetal organic matter into the soil releases nutrients and increases its contents in organic matter, which can provide higher soil productivity and lower susceptibility to compaction. Acacia is an invasive plant in Portugal, and the huge seed bank incorporated into the soil every year is problematic for their dissemination. Suppose the green pods can have a sustainable use contributing to soil fertility. In that case, it will be possible to reduce this seed bank and contribute to delaying the proliferation of this species. In this work, the value, and mineral elements contents of Acacia pycnantha, A. retinodes and A. longifolia green pods were evaluated concerning their potential use as soil fertilizers.