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Dr. Laura Zavattaro
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 2, Largo Paolo Braccini, IT10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy

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0 Fertilization
0 Nitrate Leaching
0 carbon cycling
0 nitrogen cycling
0 Forage Crops

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Research paper
Published: 25 January 2021 in Soil Use and Management
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Soil available P for crops, derived from P inputs and regulated by soil chemical, physical, and biological factors, represents a small fraction of the total P content. Soil P balance (P input minus P output) is potentially a good descriptor of fluctuations in the available P pool, making it possible to compare experiments that differ in management and duration. Using a dataset compiled from three long‐term experiments in NW Italy that tested different P fertilisation types (nil, mineral, organic and manures), cropping systems, and P balances in different soils, this paper focused on i) proposing an empirical exponential model to describe the relationship between variables, and on ii) providing an agronomical interpretation of optimised parameter values, to set the basis for a unified interpretation of long‐term dynamics of soil plant‐available P. The pooled data fit well in an exponential model that identified three factors supportive of an agronomic interpretation, two linked to soil attributes, and one that differentiated fertiliser types. Soil characteristics were found to affect minimum soil Olsen P values in depletion and response rates with additions, while fertiliser type had a multiplier effect on cumulative P balance. Farmyard manure was shown to build the available P pool better than other organic sources (bovine slurry, commercial organic fertilisers, green manure) and inorganic fertilisers, owing to a high C/P. The exponential model provided a good theoretical basis, but further studies are needed to correlate parameter values to soil (e.g. carbonates, Al and Fe oxides content) and fertiliser (e.g. C:P, lignin:P) characteristics, and to verify the model applicability to different conditions.

ACS Style

Michela Battisti; Barbara Moretti; Dario Sacco; Carlo Grignani; Laura Zavattaro. Soil Olsen P response to different phosphorus fertilization strategies in long‐term experiments in NW Italy. Soil Use and Management 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Michela Battisti, Barbara Moretti, Dario Sacco, Carlo Grignani, Laura Zavattaro. Soil Olsen P response to different phosphorus fertilization strategies in long‐term experiments in NW Italy. Soil Use and Management. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michela Battisti; Barbara Moretti; Dario Sacco; Carlo Grignani; Laura Zavattaro. 2021. "Soil Olsen P response to different phosphorus fertilization strategies in long‐term experiments in NW Italy." Soil Use and Management , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 28 October 2019 in Sustainability
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Tourism in inner areas, especially in the mountains, is a complex phenomenon due to the different tourist’s needs and to the specific local features that vary considerably from one destination to another. Consequently, a unique tourism development strategy cannot be defined and adopted anywhere. When considering tourism-based territorial development in mountain areas, it is crucial to take the vision of local stakeholders into consideration. To drive different and/or unexpressed opinions towards shared tools, this study analyses the local stakeholder’s point of view using a mixed method consisting of a Delphi method followed by a Group Nominal Technique. The research was performed in Soana Valley, a small mountain community in the Northwestern Italian Alps. It involved 17 local stakeholders divided into three main groups—local administrators (n = 3), hospitality operators (9) and retailers (5). Results show how operators converge on three common aspects—local food product offering, territorial promotion and collaboration among operators, on which the community should focus to build a territorial integrated tourism offering.

ACS Style

Stefano Duglio; Alessandro Bonadonna; Marilisa Letey; Giovanni Peira; Laura Zavattaro; Giampiero Lombardi. Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5997 .

AMA Style

Stefano Duglio, Alessandro Bonadonna, Marilisa Letey, Giovanni Peira, Laura Zavattaro, Giampiero Lombardi. Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (21):5997.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Duglio; Alessandro Bonadonna; Marilisa Letey; Giovanni Peira; Laura Zavattaro; Giampiero Lombardi. 2019. "Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach." Sustainability 11, no. 21: 5997.

Journal article
Published: 16 October 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Best management practices that could improve sustainability of dairy farming systems in northern Italy include crop rotation, green manure, sprinkler or drip irrigation, incorporation of crop residue, and adoption of a nutrient management plan. Despite the numerous advantages that scientific literature reports for these Best management practices, they are not always adopted by farmers, because other factors – of financial, technical, or social nature – limit their adoption. The theory of planned behaviour, based on the identification of outcomes, referents surrounding the farmers, and control factors, was applied through a detailed questionnaire to study individual farmer beliefs that influence the intention to adopt best practices. More than 50% out of the farms applied incorporation of crop residue, rotation with a grass or a legume meadow, sprinkler or drip irrigation, and adopted a nutrient management plan. Reasons for applying them were mainly related to soil sustainability (improvement of soil organic matter content, soil structure, fertility and yield) or to environmental sustainability (reduction of nitrogen losses, use of fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides). Among the main barriers to their adoption, the most important ones were an increase in direct or indirect costs. The only practice that was not adopted and, despite a limited number of barriers, will not be adopted by farmers, is green manure. Likely, our survey did not capture the real barriers against the adoption of this practice. Across all best management practices, the main difference between adopters and non-adopters was found in referents’ opinion on applying them. This means that it is very important, for the adoption of best management practices, that the community of family members, neighbor farmers, and various advisors, are in favour of adoption. This important finding should be used by public authorities to promote the development of focus groups, demonstration days, demonstration farms, and especially good and updated independent farm advisors who could substantially increase the adoption of best management practices by farmers.

ACS Style

Luca Bechini; Chiara Costamagna; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani; Jo Bijttebier; Greet Ruysschaert. Drivers and barriers to adopt best management practices. Survey among Italian dairy farmers. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 245, 118825 .

AMA Style

Luca Bechini, Chiara Costamagna, Laura Zavattaro, Carlo Grignani, Jo Bijttebier, Greet Ruysschaert. Drivers and barriers to adopt best management practices. Survey among Italian dairy farmers. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 245 ():118825.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Bechini; Chiara Costamagna; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani; Jo Bijttebier; Greet Ruysschaert. 2019. "Drivers and barriers to adopt best management practices. Survey among Italian dairy farmers." Journal of Cleaner Production 245, no. : 118825.

Journal article
Published: 28 March 2019 in Environmental Modelling & Software
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Several techniques for automatic parameterisation are explored using the software PEST. We parameterised the biophysical systems model APSIM with measurements from a maize cropping experiment with the objective of finding algorithms that resulted in the least distance between modelled and measured data (φ) in the shortest possible time. APSIM parameters were optimised using a weighted least-squares approach that minimised the value of φ. Optimisation techniques included the Gauss-Marquardt-Levenberg (GML) algorithm, singular value decomposition (SVD), least squares with QR decomposition (LSQR), Tikhonov regularisation, and covariance matrix adaptation-evolution strategy (CMAES). In general, CMAES with log transformed APSIM parameters and larger population size resulted in the lowest φ, but this approach required significantly longer to converge compared with other optimisation algorithms. Regularisation treatments with log transformed parameters also resulted in low φ values when combined with SVD or LSQR; LSQR treatments with no regularisation tended to converge earliest. In addition to an analysis of several PEST algorithms, this study provides a narrative on how methodologies presented here could be generalised and applied to other models.

ACS Style

Matthew Tom Harrison; Pier Paolo Roggero; Laura Zavattaro. Simple, efficient and robust techniques for automatic multi-objective function parameterisation: Case studies of local and global optimisation using APSIM. Environmental Modelling & Software 2019, 117, 109 -133.

AMA Style

Matthew Tom Harrison, Pier Paolo Roggero, Laura Zavattaro. Simple, efficient and robust techniques for automatic multi-objective function parameterisation: Case studies of local and global optimisation using APSIM. Environmental Modelling & Software. 2019; 117 ():109-133.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matthew Tom Harrison; Pier Paolo Roggero; Laura Zavattaro. 2019. "Simple, efficient and robust techniques for automatic multi-objective function parameterisation: Case studies of local and global optimisation using APSIM." Environmental Modelling & Software 117, no. : 109-133.

Original article
Published: 07 February 2019 in European Journal of Soil Science
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Evidence is accumulating that belowground crop residues contribute more efficiently to the build‐up and maintenance of native soil organic carbon (SOC) than aboveground plant parts. We corroborated previous testing of the hypothesis that root‐C would preferentially accumulate in soil microaggregates where it is physically protected against microbially mediated decomposition. In three European field trials with C3 to C4 crop transitions, we compared the content of maize‐C (Zea mays L.) in soil from rotations with grain maize (MG) or silage maize (MS), i.e. with incorporation of roots and shoots or roots only. After decades of maize cultivation, SOC content did not differ within three out of four MS–MG pairs, although obviously larger amounts of shoot biomass were added to soil in the case of MG. We found that relative contribution of roots was on average 3.5 times more than shoots to the build‐up of SOC per equivalent mass of residue C added to soils. Preferential occlusion of root‐C as silt‐sized intra‐microaggregate particulate organic matter (iPOM) was not observed. There were much larger effects from shoot incorporation on maize‐C in the >53‐μm fraction and free silt and clay. Storage of root‐C as sand‐sized iPOM was not quantified here, but first estimates suggested that physical entrapment at this level could only partly explain the longevity of root‐C in soil. We reconfirm the relative stability of root‐C in soil, but do not conclude that this stems from preferential physical entrapment over shoot‐C. Future work should investigate the cause of preferential root‐C association with the clay‐sized fraction and if this occurs before or after microbial processing.

ACS Style

Hui Xu; Bart Vandecasteele; Laura Zavattaro; Dario Sacco; Matthias Wendland; Pascal Boeckx; Geert Haesaert; Steven Sleutel. Maize root‐derived C in soil and the role of physical protection on its relative stability over shoot‐derived C. European Journal of Soil Science 2019, 1 .

AMA Style

Hui Xu, Bart Vandecasteele, Laura Zavattaro, Dario Sacco, Matthias Wendland, Pascal Boeckx, Geert Haesaert, Steven Sleutel. Maize root‐derived C in soil and the role of physical protection on its relative stability over shoot‐derived C. European Journal of Soil Science. 2019; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hui Xu; Bart Vandecasteele; Laura Zavattaro; Dario Sacco; Matthias Wendland; Pascal Boeckx; Geert Haesaert; Steven Sleutel. 2019. "Maize root‐derived C in soil and the role of physical protection on its relative stability over shoot‐derived C." European Journal of Soil Science , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 29 January 2019 in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
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Soil organic matter (SOM) in agricultural soils builds up via – among others - the use of organic inputs such as straw, compost, farmyard manure or the cultivation of green manures or cover crops. SOM has benefits for long-term soil fertility and can provide ecosystem services. Farmer behaviour is however known to be motivated by a larger number of factors. Using the theory of planned behaviour, we aimed to disentangle these factors. We addressed the following research question: What are currently the main drivers and barriers for arable farmers in Europe to use organic inputs? Our study focuses on six agro-ecological zones in four European countries (Austria, Flanders [Belgium], Italy and the Netherlands) and four practices (straw incorporation, green manure or cover crops, compost and farmyard manure). In a first step, relevant factors were identified for each practice with farmers using 5 to ten semi-structured interviews per agro-ecological zone. In a second step, the relevance of these factors was quantified and they were classified as either drivers or barriers in a large scale farm survey with 1263 farmers. In the semi-structured interviews, 110 factors that influenced farmer decisions to use an organic input were identified. In the larger farm survey, 60% of the factors included were evaluated as drivers, while 40% were evaluated as barriers for the use of organic inputs. Major drivers to use organic inputs were related to the perceived effects on soil quality (such as improved soil structure or reduced erosion) and the positive influence from social referents (such as fellow farmers or agricultural advisors). Major barriers to use organic inputs were financial (increased costs or foregone income) and perceived effects on crop protection (such as increased weeds, pests and diseases, or increased pesticide use). Our study shows that motivating farmers to use organic inputs requires specific guidance on how to adapt cultivation practices to reduce weeds, pests and diseases for specific soil types, weather conditions, and crops. In addition, more research is needed on the long-term financial consequences of using organic inputs.

ACS Style

R. Hijbeek; A.A. Pronk; M.K. van Ittersum; A. Verhagen; G. Ruysschaert; J. Bijttebier; L. Zavattaro; L. Bechini; N. Schlatter; H.F.M. Ten Berge. Use of organic inputs by arable farmers in six agro-ecological zones across Europe: Drivers and barriers. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 2019, 275, 42 -53.

AMA Style

R. Hijbeek, A.A. Pronk, M.K. van Ittersum, A. Verhagen, G. Ruysschaert, J. Bijttebier, L. Zavattaro, L. Bechini, N. Schlatter, H.F.M. Ten Berge. Use of organic inputs by arable farmers in six agro-ecological zones across Europe: Drivers and barriers. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 2019; 275 ():42-53.

Chicago/Turabian Style

R. Hijbeek; A.A. Pronk; M.K. van Ittersum; A. Verhagen; G. Ruysschaert; J. Bijttebier; L. Zavattaro; L. Bechini; N. Schlatter; H.F.M. Ten Berge. 2019. "Use of organic inputs by arable farmers in six agro-ecological zones across Europe: Drivers and barriers." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 275, no. : 42-53.

Journal article
Published: 02 November 2018 in Applied Soil Ecology
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Common soil characteristics, nutrients and microbial activity at deeper soil depths are topics seldom covered in agricultural studies. Biogeochemical cycles in deep soils are not yet fully understood. This study investigates the effect of different mineral and organic fertilisation on soil organic matter dynamics, nutrients and bacterial community composition in the first meter of the soil profiles in the long-term maize cropping system experiment Tetto Frati, near the Po River in northern Italy. The following treatments have been applied since 1992: 1) crop residue removal (CRR), 2) crop residue incorporation (CRI), 3) crop residue removal with bovine slurry fertilisation (SLU), 4) crop residue removal with farmyard manure fertilisation (FYM). A total of 250 kg N ha−1 were applied annually as mineral fertiliser in the first two and as organic fertilizer in the latter two treatments. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly higher in the treatments with organic amendments (CRI, SLU and FYM) compared to CRR in 0–25 cm (11.1, 11.6, 14.7 vs. 9.8 g kg−1, respectively), but not in the deeper soil. At 75–100 cm soil depth, SLU and FYM had the highest potential N mineralisation. Bacterial diversity decreased down the soil profile much less than microbial biomass. Incorporation of crop residues alone showed no positive effects on either biomass or diversity, whereas fertilisation by FYM instead of mineral fertilizer did. Bacterial community composition showed depth-related shifts: Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria dominated the topsoil, whereas Chloroflexi, Nitrospira and Thermotogae were relatively more abundant deeper in the soil profile. Although the main factor determining soil bacterial community composition in the entire dataset was soil depth, both the size and diversity of bacterial community, as well as several discriminating taxa, were affected by organic N fertilisation down to 1 m depth. This calls for continued efforts to study the deeper soil depths in the numerous long-term field experiments, where mostly topsoils are currently studied in detail.

ACS Style

Taru Sandén; Laura Zavattaro; Heide Spiegel; Carlo Grignani; Hans Sandén; Andreas Baumgarten; Marja Tiirola; Anu Mikkonen. Out of sight: Profiling soil characteristics, nutrients and bacterial communities affected by organic amendments down to one meter in a long-term maize experiment. Applied Soil Ecology 2018, 134, 54 -63.

AMA Style

Taru Sandén, Laura Zavattaro, Heide Spiegel, Carlo Grignani, Hans Sandén, Andreas Baumgarten, Marja Tiirola, Anu Mikkonen. Out of sight: Profiling soil characteristics, nutrients and bacterial communities affected by organic amendments down to one meter in a long-term maize experiment. Applied Soil Ecology. 2018; 134 ():54-63.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Taru Sandén; Laura Zavattaro; Heide Spiegel; Carlo Grignani; Hans Sandén; Andreas Baumgarten; Marja Tiirola; Anu Mikkonen. 2018. "Out of sight: Profiling soil characteristics, nutrients and bacterial communities affected by organic amendments down to one meter in a long-term maize experiment." Applied Soil Ecology 134, no. : 54-63.

Journal article
Published: 19 July 2018 in Land Use Policy
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Non-inversion tillage (NIT) is often recommended as a soil conservation measure, protecting soil structure and soil life and preventing erosion. As the adoption of this measure is still below policy targets in many European regions, this study aimed at gaining insights in constraints and drivers of implementing NIT to understand how to stimulate behavioural change. This study uses the theory of planned behaviour as a framework for understanding farmers’ decisions on applying NIT. This framework was applied in 8 case studies from 8 Farm Type Zones (FTZ) spread over 4 European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy). We used a sequential mixed method, starting with qualitative semi-structured interviews followed by a quantitative survey. Our results show varying adoption rates ranging from 19% to more than 80% across the FTZs. There are large differences between FTZs and even more between countries regarding the number and nature of enabling and hampering factors identified. Although our results do reveal some widely acknowledged advantages and constraints (such as less labour/fuel needs and more weeds), several of them are restricted to one or only some of the FTZs. Some of the conditions favouring or discouraging NIT are related to biophysical characteristics of the FTZs. Besides these biophysical characteristics, agricultural specialization and especially the crops cultivated influence the decision whether or not to plough. Also timing of sowing and harvest of particular crops influences farmers’ perceptions on the ease or difficulty to apply NIT. Finally, cultural, political and socio-economic conditions of the regions are influencing adoption behaviour of the farmers, e.g. good results with ploughing, having nice-looking fields, availability of equipment, the existence of subsidies and the opinion of referents influence the decision whether or not to implement NIT in the singular FTZs. These insights in context-specific enabling and disabling conditions are helpful in defining targeted actions to stimulate adoption in a given region. This paper concludes with an overview of how the resulting insights in farmers’ behaviour might contribute in addressing effective intervention strategies to increase adoption of NIT.

ACS Style

J. Bijttebier; G. Ruysschaert; R. Hijbeek; M. Werner; A.A. Pronk; L. Zavattaro; L. Bechini; C. Grignani; H. Ten Berge; F. Marchand; E. Wauters. Adoption of non-inversion tillage across Europe: Use of a behavioural approach in understanding decision making of farmers. Land Use Policy 2018, 78, 460 -471.

AMA Style

J. Bijttebier, G. Ruysschaert, R. Hijbeek, M. Werner, A.A. Pronk, L. Zavattaro, L. Bechini, C. Grignani, H. Ten Berge, F. Marchand, E. Wauters. Adoption of non-inversion tillage across Europe: Use of a behavioural approach in understanding decision making of farmers. Land Use Policy. 2018; 78 ():460-471.

Chicago/Turabian Style

J. Bijttebier; G. Ruysschaert; R. Hijbeek; M. Werner; A.A. Pronk; L. Zavattaro; L. Bechini; C. Grignani; H. Ten Berge; F. Marchand; E. Wauters. 2018. "Adoption of non-inversion tillage across Europe: Use of a behavioural approach in understanding decision making of farmers." Land Use Policy 78, no. : 460-471.

Review paper
Published: 26 June 2018 in Soil Use and Management
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Alternative management practices such as no‐tillage compared to conventional tillage are expected to recover or increase soil quality and productivity, even though all of these aspects are rarely studied together. Long‐term field experiments (LTEs) enable analysis of alternative management practices over time. This study investigated a total of 251 European LTEs in which alternative management practices such as crop rotation, catch crops, cover crops/green manure, no‐tillage, non‐inversion tillage and organic fertilization were applied. Response ratios of indicators for soil quality, climate change and productivity between alternative and reference management practices were derived from a total of 260 publications. Both positive and negative effects of alternative management practices on the different indicators were shown and, as expected, no alternative management practice could comply with all objectives simultaneously. Productivity was hampered by non‐inversion tillage, FYM amendments and incorporation of crop residues. SOC contents were increased significantly following organic fertilizers and non‐inversion tillage. GHG emissions were increased by slurry application and incorporation of crop residues. Our study showed that alternative management practices beneficial to one group of indicators (e.g. organic fertilizers for biological soil quality indicators) are not necessarily beneficial to other indicators (e.g. increase of crop yields). We conclude that LTEs are valuable for finding ways forward in protecting European soils as well as finding evidence‐based alternative management practices for the future; however, experiments should focus more on biological soil quality indicators as well as GHG emissions to enable better evaluation of trade‐offs and mutual benefits of management practices.

ACS Style

T. Sandén; Heide Spiegel; H.-P. Stüger; N. Schlatter; H.-P. Haslmayr; Laura Zavattaro; C. Grignani; L. Bechini; T. D′hose; L. Molendijk; Alicja Pecio; Zuzanna Jarosz; G. Guzmán; K. Vanderlinden; Juan Giraldez; J. Mallast; H. Ten Berge. European long-term field experiments: knowledge gained about alternative management practices. Soil Use and Management 2018, 34, 167 -176.

AMA Style

T. Sandén, Heide Spiegel, H.-P. Stüger, N. Schlatter, H.-P. Haslmayr, Laura Zavattaro, C. Grignani, L. Bechini, T. D′hose, L. Molendijk, Alicja Pecio, Zuzanna Jarosz, G. Guzmán, K. Vanderlinden, Juan Giraldez, J. Mallast, H. Ten Berge. European long-term field experiments: knowledge gained about alternative management practices. Soil Use and Management. 2018; 34 (2):167-176.

Chicago/Turabian Style

T. Sandén; Heide Spiegel; H.-P. Stüger; N. Schlatter; H.-P. Haslmayr; Laura Zavattaro; C. Grignani; L. Bechini; T. D′hose; L. Molendijk; Alicja Pecio; Zuzanna Jarosz; G. Guzmán; K. Vanderlinden; Juan Giraldez; J. Mallast; H. Ten Berge. 2018. "European long-term field experiments: knowledge gained about alternative management practices." Soil Use and Management 34, no. 2: 167-176.

Article
Published: 17 January 2018 in Land Degradation & Development
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Facing an exploding population growth with consequent increase of agriculture intensification, new chemical technologies are being sought to limit organic matter losses and reduce land degradation. Here we report that an effective organic carbon sequestration in different cropped soils of Italy is obtained by an in situ photo-oxidative coupling among soil humic molecules, when catalysed under solar irradiation by a water-soluble biomimetic iron-porphyrin catalyst amended to field soils. A three-years long field study showed that the catalyst-assisted in situ photochemical polymerization of humic matter enabled a yearly sequestration of soil organic carbon that ranged from 2.2 to 3.9 t ha-1 y-1, despite the periodical soil disturbance due to a conventional tillage management. This significant stabilization of organic matter was observed not only in bulk soils but also in water-stable aggregates, whose loss of organic carbon during separation was limited in catalyst-treated soils. While crop yields were the same in treated and control soils, measurements of phospholipids fatty acids (PLFA) and soil enzyme activities indicated that the catalysed in situ photo-oxidative coupling of humic molecules did not alter the structure and activity of microbial communities and the biological functions of soils. This innovative and ecologically safe catalytic technology may be developed as an useful soil management practice to stabilize organic matter in situ in arable soils, while concomitantly ensuring soil functions and sustainability of crop production.

ACS Style

Alessandro Piccolo; Riccardo Spaccini; Vincenza Cozzolino; Assunta Nuzzo; Marios Drosos; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani; Edoardo Puglisi; Marco Trevisan. Effective carbon sequestration in Italian agricultural soils by in situ polymerization of soil organic matter under biomimetic photocatalysis. Land Degradation & Development 2018, 29, 485 -494.

AMA Style

Alessandro Piccolo, Riccardo Spaccini, Vincenza Cozzolino, Assunta Nuzzo, Marios Drosos, Laura Zavattaro, Carlo Grignani, Edoardo Puglisi, Marco Trevisan. Effective carbon sequestration in Italian agricultural soils by in situ polymerization of soil organic matter under biomimetic photocatalysis. Land Degradation & Development. 2018; 29 (3):485-494.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessandro Piccolo; Riccardo Spaccini; Vincenza Cozzolino; Assunta Nuzzo; Marios Drosos; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani; Edoardo Puglisi; Marco Trevisan. 2018. "Effective carbon sequestration in Italian agricultural soils by in situ polymerization of soil organic matter under biomimetic photocatalysis." Land Degradation & Development 29, no. 3: 485-494.

Article
Published: 15 January 2018 in Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Many scientific disciplines are currently experiencing a 'reproducibility crisis' because numerous scientific findings cannot be repeated consistently. A novel but controversial hypothesis postulates that stringent levels of environmental and biotic standardization in experimental studies reduce reproducibility by amplifying the impacts of laboratory-specific environmental factors not accounted for in study designs. A corollary to this hypothesis is that a deliberate introduction of controlled systematic variability (CSV) in experimental designs may lead to increased reproducibility. To test this hypothesis, we had 14 European laboratories run a simple microcosm experiment using grass (Brachypodium distachyon L.) monocultures and grass and legume (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) mixtures. Each laboratory introduced environmental and genotypic CSV within and among replicated microcosms established in either growth chambers (with stringent control of environmental conditions) or glasshouses (with more variable environmental conditions). The introduction of genotypic CSV led to 18% lower among-laboratory variability in growth chambers, indicating increased reproducibility, but had no significant effect in glasshouses where reproducibility was generally lower. Environmental CSV had little effect on reproducibility. Although there are multiple causes for the 'reproducibility crisis', deliberately including genetic variability may be a simple solution for increasing the reproducibility of ecological studies performed under stringently controlled environmental conditions.

ACS Style

Alexandru Milcu; Ruben Puga-Freitas; Aaron M. Ellison; Manuel Blouin; Stefan Scheu; Grégoire T. Freschet; Laura Rose; Sebastien Barot; Simone Cesarz; Nico Eisenhauer; Thomas Girin; Davide Assandri; Michael Bonkowski; Nina Buchmann; Olaf Butenschoen; Sebastien Devidal; Gerd Gleixner; Arthur Gessler; Agnès Gigon; Anna Greiner; Carlo Grignani; Amandine Hansart; Zachary Kayler; Markus Lange; Jean-Christophe Lata; Jean-François Le Galliard; Martin Lukac; Neringa Mannerheim; Marina E. H. Müller; Anne Pando; Paula Rotter; Michael Scherer-Lorenzen; Rahme Seyhun; Katherine Urban-Mead; Alexandra Weigelt; Laura Zavattaro; Jacques Roy. Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2018, 2, 279 -287.

AMA Style

Alexandru Milcu, Ruben Puga-Freitas, Aaron M. Ellison, Manuel Blouin, Stefan Scheu, Grégoire T. Freschet, Laura Rose, Sebastien Barot, Simone Cesarz, Nico Eisenhauer, Thomas Girin, Davide Assandri, Michael Bonkowski, Nina Buchmann, Olaf Butenschoen, Sebastien Devidal, Gerd Gleixner, Arthur Gessler, Agnès Gigon, Anna Greiner, Carlo Grignani, Amandine Hansart, Zachary Kayler, Markus Lange, Jean-Christophe Lata, Jean-François Le Galliard, Martin Lukac, Neringa Mannerheim, Marina E. H. Müller, Anne Pando, Paula Rotter, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Rahme Seyhun, Katherine Urban-Mead, Alexandra Weigelt, Laura Zavattaro, Jacques Roy. Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 2018; 2 (2):279-287.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alexandru Milcu; Ruben Puga-Freitas; Aaron M. Ellison; Manuel Blouin; Stefan Scheu; Grégoire T. Freschet; Laura Rose; Sebastien Barot; Simone Cesarz; Nico Eisenhauer; Thomas Girin; Davide Assandri; Michael Bonkowski; Nina Buchmann; Olaf Butenschoen; Sebastien Devidal; Gerd Gleixner; Arthur Gessler; Agnès Gigon; Anna Greiner; Carlo Grignani; Amandine Hansart; Zachary Kayler; Markus Lange; Jean-Christophe Lata; Jean-François Le Galliard; Martin Lukac; Neringa Mannerheim; Marina E. H. Müller; Anne Pando; Paula Rotter; Michael Scherer-Lorenzen; Rahme Seyhun; Katherine Urban-Mead; Alexandra Weigelt; Laura Zavattaro; Jacques Roy. 2018. "Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study." Nature Ecology & Evolution 2, no. 2: 279-287.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2017 in Ecological Indicators
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ACS Style

R. Hijbeek; A. Cormont; G. Hazeu; Luca Bechini; Laura Zavattaro; B. Janssen; M. Werner; N. Schlatter; Gema Guzmán; J. Bijttebier; Annette Pronk; M. van Eupen; Martin van Ittersum. Do farmers perceive a deficiency of soil organic matter? A European and farm level analysis. Ecological Indicators 2017, 83, 390 -403.

AMA Style

R. Hijbeek, A. Cormont, G. Hazeu, Luca Bechini, Laura Zavattaro, B. Janssen, M. Werner, N. Schlatter, Gema Guzmán, J. Bijttebier, Annette Pronk, M. van Eupen, Martin van Ittersum. Do farmers perceive a deficiency of soil organic matter? A European and farm level analysis. Ecological Indicators. 2017; 83 ():390-403.

Chicago/Turabian Style

R. Hijbeek; A. Cormont; G. Hazeu; Luca Bechini; Laura Zavattaro; B. Janssen; M. Werner; N. Schlatter; Gema Guzmán; J. Bijttebier; Annette Pronk; M. van Eupen; Martin van Ittersum. 2017. "Do farmers perceive a deficiency of soil organic matter? A European and farm level analysis." Ecological Indicators 83, no. : 390-403.

Review
Published: 01 October 2017 in European Journal of Agronomy
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Laura Zavattaro; Luca Bechini; Carlo Grignani; Frits K. van Evert; Janine Mallast; Heide Spiegel; Taru Sandén; Alicja Pecio; Juan Vicente Giráldez Cervera; Gema Guzmán; Karl Vanderlinden; Tommy D’Hose; Greet Ruysschaert; Hein F.M. Ten Berge. Agronomic effects of bovine manure: A review of long-term European field experiments. European Journal of Agronomy 2017, 90, 127 -138.

AMA Style

Laura Zavattaro, Luca Bechini, Carlo Grignani, Frits K. van Evert, Janine Mallast, Heide Spiegel, Taru Sandén, Alicja Pecio, Juan Vicente Giráldez Cervera, Gema Guzmán, Karl Vanderlinden, Tommy D’Hose, Greet Ruysschaert, Hein F.M. Ten Berge. Agronomic effects of bovine manure: A review of long-term European field experiments. European Journal of Agronomy. 2017; 90 ():127-138.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Zavattaro; Luca Bechini; Carlo Grignani; Frits K. van Evert; Janine Mallast; Heide Spiegel; Taru Sandén; Alicja Pecio; Juan Vicente Giráldez Cervera; Gema Guzmán; Karl Vanderlinden; Tommy D’Hose; Greet Ruysschaert; Hein F.M. Ten Berge. 2017. "Agronomic effects of bovine manure: A review of long-term European field experiments." European Journal of Agronomy 90, no. : 127-138.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in Land Use Policy
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Nadine Turpin; Hein Ten Berge; Carlo Grignani; Gema Guzmán; Karl Vanderlinden; Horst-Henning Steinmann; Grzegorz Siebielec; Heide Spiegel; Eric Perret; Greet Ruysschaert; Ana Laguna; Juan Giraldez; Magdalena Werner; Isabell Raschke; Laura Zavattaro; Chiara Costamagna; Norman Schlatter; Helen Berthold; Taru Sandén; Andreas Baumgarten. An assessment of policies affecting Sustainable Soil Management in Europe and selected member states. Land Use Policy 2017, 66, 241 -249.

AMA Style

Nadine Turpin, Hein Ten Berge, Carlo Grignani, Gema Guzmán, Karl Vanderlinden, Horst-Henning Steinmann, Grzegorz Siebielec, Heide Spiegel, Eric Perret, Greet Ruysschaert, Ana Laguna, Juan Giraldez, Magdalena Werner, Isabell Raschke, Laura Zavattaro, Chiara Costamagna, Norman Schlatter, Helen Berthold, Taru Sandén, Andreas Baumgarten. An assessment of policies affecting Sustainable Soil Management in Europe and selected member states. Land Use Policy. 2017; 66 ():241-249.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadine Turpin; Hein Ten Berge; Carlo Grignani; Gema Guzmán; Karl Vanderlinden; Horst-Henning Steinmann; Grzegorz Siebielec; Heide Spiegel; Eric Perret; Greet Ruysschaert; Ana Laguna; Juan Giraldez; Magdalena Werner; Isabell Raschke; Laura Zavattaro; Chiara Costamagna; Norman Schlatter; Helen Berthold; Taru Sandén; Andreas Baumgarten. 2017. "An assessment of policies affecting Sustainable Soil Management in Europe and selected member states." Land Use Policy 66, no. : 241-249.

Journal article
Published: 27 March 2017 in Italian Journal of Agronomy
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Biochar (BC) from biomass waste pyrolysis has been widely studied due to its ability to increase carbon (C) sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enhance both crop growth and soil quality. This review summarizes the current knowledge of BC production, characterization, and types, with a focus on its positive effects on crop yield and soil properties versus the unintended risks associated with these effects. Biochar-amended soils enhance crop growth and yield via several mechanisms: expanded plant nutrient and water availability through increased use efficiencies, improved soil quality, and suppression of soil and plant diseases. Yield response to BC has been shown to be more evident in acidic and sandy soils than in alkaline and fine-textured soils. Biochar composition and properties vary considerably with feedstock and pyrolysis conditions so much that its concentrations of toxic compounds and heavy metals can negatively impact crop and soil health. Consequently, more small-scale and greenhouse-sited studies are in process to investigate the role of BC/soil/crop types on crop growth, and the mechanisms by which they influence crop yield. Similarly, a need exists for long-term, field-scale studies on the effects (beneficial and harmful) of BC amendment on soil health and crop yields, so that production guidelines and quality standards may be developed for BCs derived from a range of feedstocks.

ACS Style

Raghunath Subedi; Chiara Bertora; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani. Crop response to soils amended with biochar: expected benefits and unintended risks. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2017, 11, 1 .

AMA Style

Raghunath Subedi, Chiara Bertora, Laura Zavattaro, Carlo Grignani. Crop response to soils amended with biochar: expected benefits and unintended risks. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2017; 11 (2):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Raghunath Subedi; Chiara Bertora; Laura Zavattaro; Carlo Grignani. 2017. "Crop response to soils amended with biochar: expected benefits and unintended risks." Italian Journal of Agronomy 11, no. 2: 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2016 in Acta Horticulturae
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N. Fiorentino; M. Fagnano; V. Ventorino; O. Pepe; C. Bertora; L. Zavattaro; C. Grignani. Using soil incubations to interpret and predict soil-plant nitrogen dynamics under real field conditions. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 97 -102.

AMA Style

N. Fiorentino, M. Fagnano, V. Ventorino, O. Pepe, C. Bertora, L. Zavattaro, C. Grignani. Using soil incubations to interpret and predict soil-plant nitrogen dynamics under real field conditions. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1146):97-102.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Fiorentino; M. Fagnano; V. Ventorino; O. Pepe; C. Bertora; L. Zavattaro; C. Grignani. 2016. "Using soil incubations to interpret and predict soil-plant nitrogen dynamics under real field conditions." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1146: 97-102.

Journal article
Published: 29 October 2016 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Manure treatment technologies have been developed in Europe to better use animal manures and to reduce their environmental impact, but the adoption of these technologies in practice is regionally diverse and still limited. Also, little is known about the opinions of stakeholders towards manure treatment. This study aimed to identify stakeholder perceptions of (1) which factors can facilitate and hinder the implementation in practice, (2) which technologies have the most potential for successful adoption, and (3) how farm characteristics and scale of treatment operations affect priorities for technology adoption. This analysis used data from a survey of various stakeholders engaged in manure treatment in four European countries (Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) that have large areas of high animal density, but diverse socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Pressure from governmental regulations was perceived as a key factor that stimulated manure treatment in all four countries (70% of respondents). Processing manure to produce bioenergy was considered important in Denmark and Italy, but less important in Spain and the Netherlands. The major barriers to technology adoption were related to economic factors -lack of investment capital (60% of respondents), high processing cost (52%) and a long payback period (45%), while there was relatively little concern regarding transport and noise burden and health risks. Slurry separation and anaerobic digestion were perceived to have the greatest potential for a common adoption. Other preferred technologies were more country-specific (e.g. acidification in Denmark, composting in Spain, and drying and reverse osmosis in Netherlands). Manure treatment was considered to be less applicable at small livestock farms. Separation, composting and acidification were perceived to be more applicable at farm scale, while drying, anaerobic digestion, reverse osmosis at large, industrial scales. Our results imply that manure treatment will remain a regional activity. Policy measures and outreach strategies to alleviate the main barriers to the adoption of manure treatment are suggested.

ACS Style

Y. Hou; Gerard Velthof; Sean Case; M. Oelofse; C. Grignani; P. Balsari; Laura Zavattaro; F. Gioelli; Maria Pilar Bernal; D. Fangueiro; H. Trindade; L.S. Jensen; O. Oenema. Stakeholder perceptions of manure treatment technologies in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Journal of Cleaner Production 2016, 172, 1620 -1630.

AMA Style

Y. Hou, Gerard Velthof, Sean Case, M. Oelofse, C. Grignani, P. Balsari, Laura Zavattaro, F. Gioelli, Maria Pilar Bernal, D. Fangueiro, H. Trindade, L.S. Jensen, O. Oenema. Stakeholder perceptions of manure treatment technologies in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2016; 172 ():1620-1630.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Y. Hou; Gerard Velthof; Sean Case; M. Oelofse; C. Grignani; P. Balsari; Laura Zavattaro; F. Gioelli; Maria Pilar Bernal; D. Fangueiro; H. Trindade; L.S. Jensen; O. Oenema. 2016. "Stakeholder perceptions of manure treatment technologies in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain." Journal of Cleaner Production 172, no. : 1620-1630.

Other
Published: 10 October 2016
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Many scientific disciplines currently are experiencing a “reproducibility crisis” because numerous scientific findings cannot be repeated consistently. A novel but controversial hypothesis postulates that stringent levels of environmental and biotic standardization in experimental studies reduces reproducibility by amplifying impacts of lab-specific environmental factors not accounted for in study designs. A corollary to this hypothesis is that the deliberate introduction of controlled systematic variability (CSV) in experimental designs can increase reproducibility. We tested this hypothesis using a multi-laboratory microcosm study in which the same ecological experiment was repeated in 14 laboratories across Europe. Each laboratory introduced environmental and genotypic CSV within and among replicated microcosms established in either growth chambers (with stringent control of environmental conditions) or glasshouses (with more variable environmental conditions). The introduction of genotypic CSV led to lower among-laboratory variability in growth chambers, indicating increased reproducibility, but had no significant effect in glasshouses where reproducibility also was lower. Environmental CSV had little effect on reproducibility. Although there are multiple causes for the “reproducibility crisis”, deliberately including genetic variation may be a simple solution for increasing the reproducibility of ecological studies performed in controlled environments.

ACS Style

Alexandru Milcu; Ruben Puga-Freitas; Aaron M. Ellison; Manuel Blouin; Stefan Scheu; Thomas Girin; Grégoire T. Freschet; Laura Rose; Michael Scherer-Lorenzen; Sebastien Barot; Jean-Christophe Lata; Simone Cesarz; Nico Eisenhauer; Agnès Gigon; Alexandra Weigelt; Amandine Hansart; Anna Greiner; Anne Pando; Arthur Gessler; Carlo Grignani; Davide Assandri; Gerd Gleixner; Jean-François Le Galliard; Katherine Urban-Mead; Laura Zavattaro; Marina E.H. Müller; Markus Lange; Martin Lukac; Michael Bonkowski; Neringa Mannerheim; Nina Buchmann; Olaf Butenschoen; Paula Rotter; Rahme Seyhun; Sebastien Devidal; Zachary Kayler; Jacques Roy. Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study. 2016, 080119 .

AMA Style

Alexandru Milcu, Ruben Puga-Freitas, Aaron M. Ellison, Manuel Blouin, Stefan Scheu, Thomas Girin, Grégoire T. Freschet, Laura Rose, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Sebastien Barot, Jean-Christophe Lata, Simone Cesarz, Nico Eisenhauer, Agnès Gigon, Alexandra Weigelt, Amandine Hansart, Anna Greiner, Anne Pando, Arthur Gessler, Carlo Grignani, Davide Assandri, Gerd Gleixner, Jean-François Le Galliard, Katherine Urban-Mead, Laura Zavattaro, Marina E.H. Müller, Markus Lange, Martin Lukac, Michael Bonkowski, Neringa Mannerheim, Nina Buchmann, Olaf Butenschoen, Paula Rotter, Rahme Seyhun, Sebastien Devidal, Zachary Kayler, Jacques Roy. Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study. . 2016; ():080119.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alexandru Milcu; Ruben Puga-Freitas; Aaron M. Ellison; Manuel Blouin; Stefan Scheu; Thomas Girin; Grégoire T. Freschet; Laura Rose; Michael Scherer-Lorenzen; Sebastien Barot; Jean-Christophe Lata; Simone Cesarz; Nico Eisenhauer; Agnès Gigon; Alexandra Weigelt; Amandine Hansart; Anna Greiner; Anne Pando; Arthur Gessler; Carlo Grignani; Davide Assandri; Gerd Gleixner; Jean-François Le Galliard; Katherine Urban-Mead; Laura Zavattaro; Marina E.H. Müller; Markus Lange; Martin Lukac; Michael Bonkowski; Neringa Mannerheim; Nina Buchmann; Olaf Butenschoen; Paula Rotter; Rahme Seyhun; Sebastien Devidal; Zachary Kayler; Jacques Roy. 2016. "Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study." , no. : 080119.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2016 in European Journal of Agronomy
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Laura Zavattaro; Davide Assandri; Carlo Grignani. Achieving legislation requirements with different nitrogen fertilization strategies: Results from a long term experiment. European Journal of Agronomy 2016, 77, 199 -208.

AMA Style

Laura Zavattaro, Davide Assandri, Carlo Grignani. Achieving legislation requirements with different nitrogen fertilization strategies: Results from a long term experiment. European Journal of Agronomy. 2016; 77 ():199-208.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Zavattaro; Davide Assandri; Carlo Grignani. 2016. "Achieving legislation requirements with different nitrogen fertilization strategies: Results from a long term experiment." European Journal of Agronomy 77, no. : 199-208.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2016 in Science of The Total Environment
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This study evaluates the potential of manure-derived biochars in promoting plant growth and enhancing soil chemical and biological properties during a 150day pot experiment. Biochars from pyrolysis of poultry litter (PL) and swine manure (SM) at 400 and 600°C, and a commonly available wood chip (WC) biochar produced at high temperature (1000°C) were incorporated to silt-loam (SL) and sandy (SY) soils on a 2% dry soil weight basis. Ryegrass was sown and moisture was adjusted to 60% water filled pore space (WFPS). The PL400 and SM400 biochars significantly increased (p<0.05) shoot dry matter (DM) yields (SL soil) and enhanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake by the plants in both soils, compared to the Control. All biochars significantly increased the soil carbon (C) contents compared to the Control. Total N contents were significantly greater for PL400 and PL600 treatments in both soils. The dehydrogenase activity (DA) significantly increased for PL400 and SM400 treatments and was positively correlated with the volatile matter (VM) contents of the biochars, while β-glucosidase activity (GA) decreased for the same treatments in both soils. All biochars significantly shifted (p≤0.05) the bacterial community structure compared to the Control. This study suggests that pyrolysis of animal manures can produce a biochar that acts as both soil amendment and an organic fertilizer as proven by increased NPK uptake, positive liming effect and high soil nutrient availability, while WC biochar could work only in combination with fertilizers (organic as well as mineral).

ACS Style

R. Subedi; N. Taupe; Israel Ikoyi; Chiara Bertora; Laura Zavattaro; Achim Schmalenberger; James J. Leahy; C. Grignani. Chemically and biologically-mediated fertilizing value of manure-derived biochar. Science of The Total Environment 2016, 550, 924 -933.

AMA Style

R. Subedi, N. Taupe, Israel Ikoyi, Chiara Bertora, Laura Zavattaro, Achim Schmalenberger, James J. Leahy, C. Grignani. Chemically and biologically-mediated fertilizing value of manure-derived biochar. Science of The Total Environment. 2016; 550 ():924-933.

Chicago/Turabian Style

R. Subedi; N. Taupe; Israel Ikoyi; Chiara Bertora; Laura Zavattaro; Achim Schmalenberger; James J. Leahy; C. Grignani. 2016. "Chemically and biologically-mediated fertilizing value of manure-derived biochar." Science of The Total Environment 550, no. : 924-933.