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At the CREA research facility of Treviglio (Bergamo, Italy), to provide farmers with valuable hints for the transition from conventional to precision agriculture, information on crop production dynamics (Maize and Triticale) has been obtained using real-time soil mapping (resistivity technique) and production quality and quantity monitoring with a commercial yield mapping apparatus. The geostatistical processing of data resulted in the same zoning for Triticale, meaning that the characteristics of soil influenced crop behavior more than the variability resulting from other factors, which suggests that improvements in product yields can be planned and achieved acting, for instance, on variable rate distribution of fertilizers. The importance of the acquired data can help farmers to manage factors that are external to their plots of land.
Massimo Brambilla; Elio Romano; Pietro Toscano; Maurizio Cutini; Marcello Biocca; Chiara Ferré; Roberto Comolli; Carlo Bisaglia. From Conventional to Precision Fertilization: A Case Study on the Transition for a Small-Medium Farm. AgriEngineering 2021, 3, 438 -446.
AMA StyleMassimo Brambilla, Elio Romano, Pietro Toscano, Maurizio Cutini, Marcello Biocca, Chiara Ferré, Roberto Comolli, Carlo Bisaglia. From Conventional to Precision Fertilization: A Case Study on the Transition for a Small-Medium Farm. AgriEngineering. 2021; 3 (2):438-446.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimo Brambilla; Elio Romano; Pietro Toscano; Maurizio Cutini; Marcello Biocca; Chiara Ferré; Roberto Comolli; Carlo Bisaglia. 2021. "From Conventional to Precision Fertilization: A Case Study on the Transition for a Small-Medium Farm." AgriEngineering 3, no. 2: 438-446.
Short rotation coppice (SRC) systems play an important role in producing renewable energy and contributing to soil organic carbon storage while providing potential mitigation for climate change. Our chronosequence study assessed the influence of 6 years of high-density (H) and very-high-density (VH) SRCs on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation in an alluvial area of Piedmont (Italy) by investigating the effects of agronomic management (fertilization, irrigation, fertilization and irrigation, no treatment) using a spatial survey approach. A first sampling was performed at 40 points to characterize the variability of the initial SOC and other soil properties; 6 years after, a total of 80 samplings were carried out to verify changes in SOC. A mixed effect model procedure was used to evaluate the impact of 6 years of SRC and agronomic management on SOC, testing for autocorrelation among the model residuals. The results showed: (i) a higher accumulation potential of H-SRC (0.076 kg m−2 year−1) compared to VH-SRC (0.037 kg m−2 year−1); (ii) a significant positive influence of the initial SOC value and of fertilization associated with irrigation on the SOC sequestration; (iii) the importance of considering spatial variability at sites with high particle-size diversity in evaluating the SOC changes.
Chiara Ferré; Gaia Mascetti; Roberto Comolli. High-Density Poplar SRC Accumulates More Soil Organic Carbon Than Very-High-Density SRC. Agronomy 2021, 11, 584 .
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Gaia Mascetti, Roberto Comolli. High-Density Poplar SRC Accumulates More Soil Organic Carbon Than Very-High-Density SRC. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (3):584.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Gaia Mascetti; Roberto Comolli. 2021. "High-Density Poplar SRC Accumulates More Soil Organic Carbon Than Very-High-Density SRC." Agronomy 11, no. 3: 584.
The spatial variability of hydrocarbon content and the physical and chemical properties of the soil were assessed by combining traditional soil sampling and proximal geophysical survey with the aim of planning a pilot phytoremediation experiment in an agricultural area west of Milan (Lombardy, Italy).
The area, an irrigated arable land of about 1 ha, was affected by a refined oil spillage from an underground pipeline in 2015. Contamination surveys were carried out with a continuous core drilling technique using an hydraulic probe (131 cm diameter core). Heavy (C>12) and light (C<12) alkanes and aromatic compounds (benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene and xilenes) were measured up to three meters depth. Results showed a predominance of heavy hydrocarbons (C>12) with respect to light hydrocarbons (C<12) and aromatic compounds. A map of heavy hydrocarbons soil concentration was obtained using geostatistical techniques.
In 2019 it was decided to carry out a phytoremediation intervention to reclaim the first meter of contaminated soil where heavy hydrocarbons content ranges from 500 to 5000 mg/kg. The first step of the intervention consists in cultivating a wide variety of vegetal species in experimental plots with different pollution to verify their effectiveness for remediation in the specific environmental condition of that area. For the reclamation of deeper more contaminated layers, enhanced bioremediation have been planned to be used.
Soil properties, which are crucial for planning phytoremediation activities, were investigated using traditional methods and geophysical surveys. Traditional soil survey was performed describing the 23 drilling cores used to monitor pollutants and opening five profiles; the samples were collected from genetic soil horizons and analysed for organic carbon and the main nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) content, total carbonates, texture and pH in water. The distribution of Eutric Luvisols and Cambisols, developed mainly on sandy or sandy skeletal substrate, was represented in a soil map. A proximal geophysical survey was carried out using an electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor (GSSI Profiler EMP-400) by acquiring multiple frequencies; soil detailed conductivity maps for each frequency (15000, 9000 and 2000 kHz) were obtained. No significant relationships were found between soil electrical conductivity and hydrocarbon concentration, whereas there are relationships with the main soil characteristics: this allowed detailed maps of soil parameters to be obtained.
On the base of both the soil spatial characterization (traditional soil map and detailed soil property maps with geophysical approach) and the contaminant distribution (hydrocarbon map distribution using geostatistical approach), homogeneous areas were identified in which to set up experimental phytoremediation plots to test the most suitable species for reclamation, chosen among the most widespread crops in the region and considering their suitability for biomass and bio-oil production.
Chiara Ferré; Enrico Casati; Gabriele Cerutti; Rodolfo Gentili; Alberto Francioli; Roberto Comolli. Combining traditional and geophysical soil investigation for phytoremediation planning in a hydrocarbon polluted area. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Enrico Casati, Gabriele Cerutti, Rodolfo Gentili, Alberto Francioli, Roberto Comolli. Combining traditional and geophysical soil investigation for phytoremediation planning in a hydrocarbon polluted area. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Enrico Casati; Gabriele Cerutti; Rodolfo Gentili; Alberto Francioli; Roberto Comolli. 2021. "Combining traditional and geophysical soil investigation for phytoremediation planning in a hydrocarbon polluted area." , no. : 1.
Soil biodiversity is fundamental for ecosystems, ensuring many ecosystem functions, such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, soil formation, and organic carbon pool increase. Due to these roles, there is a need to study and completely understand how soil biodiversity is composed through different habitats. The aim of this study was to describe the edaphic soil community of the alpine environments belonging to the Gran Paradiso National Park, thus detecting if there are any correlation with environmental features. We studied soil fauna through environmental DNA metabarcoding. From eDNA metabarcoding, 18 families of arthropods were successfully detected, and their abundance expressed in terms of the relative frequency of sequences. Soil faunal communities of mixed coniferous forests were characterized by Isotomidae, Entomobriydae, Hypogastruridae, and Onychiuridae; while mixed deciduous forests were composed mostly by Isotomidae, Cicadidae, Culicidae, and Neelidae. Calcicolous and acidic grasslands also presented families that were not detected in forest habitats, in particular Scarabaeidae, Curculionidae, Brachyceridae, and had in general a more differentiated soil community. Results of the Canonical Component Analysis revealed that the main environmental features affecting soil community for forests were related to vegetation (mixed deciduous forests, tree basal area, tree biomass, Shannon index), soil (organic layers and organic carbon stock), and site (altitude); while for prairies, soil pH and slope were also significant in explaining soil community composition. This study provided a description of the soil fauna of alpine habitats and resulted in a description of community composition per habitat and the relation with the characteristic of vegetation, soil, and topographic features of the study area. Further studies are needed to clarify ecological roles and needs of these families and their role in ecosystem functioning.
Noemi Rota; Claudia Canedoli; Chiara Ferrè; Gentile Francesco Ficetola; Alessia Guerrieri; Emilio Padoa-Schioppa. Evaluation of Soil Biodiversity in Alpine Habitats through eDNA Metabarcoding and Relationships with Environmental Features. Forests 2020, 11, 738 .
AMA StyleNoemi Rota, Claudia Canedoli, Chiara Ferrè, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Alessia Guerrieri, Emilio Padoa-Schioppa. Evaluation of Soil Biodiversity in Alpine Habitats through eDNA Metabarcoding and Relationships with Environmental Features. Forests. 2020; 11 (7):738.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNoemi Rota; Claudia Canedoli; Chiara Ferrè; Gentile Francesco Ficetola; Alessia Guerrieri; Emilio Padoa-Schioppa. 2020. "Evaluation of Soil Biodiversity in Alpine Habitats through eDNA Metabarcoding and Relationships with Environmental Features." Forests 11, no. 7: 738.
We explored the effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and other soil properties by sampling paired plots in a hilly area of Monferrato (Piedmont, Italy).
The study area is located at Rosignano Monferrato (AL) and includes a vineyard (VY) and a nearby 30-years-old tree plantation (TP) for wood production that replaced an existing vineyard, where eight poplar clones were consociated with other timber species (wild cherry, European ash, manna ash, deodar cedar). The area under study covers 3 ha and extends along a slighty-wavy slope with an average gradient of 15%; according to the WRB classification, soils are Calcaric Cambisols (Loamic).
The impact of land use change on soil properties was evaluated considering the spatial variability of soil characteristics, testing for autocorrelation among the model residuals. Soil sampling was performed from 3 layers (0-10 cm, 10-40 cm and 40-70 cm) at 61 and 69 points in the VY and the TP respectively, to characterize soil pH in water, organic carbon content and SOC stock, C:N ratio, soil texture and total carbonates. The common pedological origin of soils within the study area was verified and confirmed by comparability of soil texture and carbonates content of the deeper layer.
At TP the humus forms were described and classified; the organic horizons were sampled and analyzed for OC content determination.
Statistical analyses showed significant (p-value < 0.05) differences for all the investigated layers between the considered land uses with regard to pH, SOC stock and C:N ratio.
Our study provided evidence that: (1) the conversion from vineyard to tree plantation resulted in the appearance of organic horizons: the main humus forms in TP were Mull and Amphi; (2) 30 years of tree plantation strongly modified SOC stock, resulting in an increase of 26% in the first 70 cm, which became 42% if the organic layers were included; (2) soil acidification (pH difference of 0.4) and change in SOC type (C:N increase of 1) were also observed in TP compared to VY; and (3) the spatial distribution of soil properties in the VY were affected by erosive and depositional dynamics unlike the TP where vegetation counterbalance erosion.
Chiara Ferré; Gianni Facciotto; Sara Bergante; Roberto Comolli. Effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon stock and other soil properties. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Gianni Facciotto, Sara Bergante, Roberto Comolli. Effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon stock and other soil properties. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Gianni Facciotto; Sara Bergante; Roberto Comolli. 2020. "Effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon stock and other soil properties." , no. : 1.
Besides the well-known effects on the native plant community, red oak may also impact the soil; the effects of afforestation with red oak involve both organic layers and mineral soil, resulting in changes in organic carbon quantity and quality and in soil acidification. Many alien species have become widespread in Europe; among these, red oak is a common invader of temperate forests. The effects of substitution of natural mixed forest by red oak forest on humus forms and soil properties were investigated in two paired plots: a 50-year-old (Bosco Vacaressino) and 80-year-old (Bosco Ginestre) forest stand. Soil sampling was performed from 3 layers at 40 and 49 points in Bosco Vacaressino and Bosco Ginestre respectively to determine humus forms, soil pH, organic carbon stock, carbon-nitrogen ratio (C:N), available phosphorus, and texture. Red oak resulted in a shift from Mull to Moder humus forms; soil acidification, higher C:N ratio, and soil organic carbon stock were observed compared with mixed forests. The major changes were reflected in a change toward less active humus forms; the effects of vegetation conversions were also visible in mineral layers; many of the modifications were more evident with increasing stand age.
Chiara Ferré; Roberto Comolli. Effects of Quercus rubra L. on soil properties and humus forms in 50-year-old and 80-year-old forest stands of Lombardy plain. Annals of Forest Science 2020, 77, 1 -19.
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Roberto Comolli. Effects of Quercus rubra L. on soil properties and humus forms in 50-year-old and 80-year-old forest stands of Lombardy plain. Annals of Forest Science. 2020; 77 (1):1-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Roberto Comolli. 2020. "Effects of Quercus rubra L. on soil properties and humus forms in 50-year-old and 80-year-old forest stands of Lombardy plain." Annals of Forest Science 77, no. 1: 1-19.
A detailed assessment of a pasture’s functioning based on soil properties characterization, floristic composition, and ‘functional summary’ by evaluating competitor–stress tolerator–ruderal (CSR) strategies is provided for a doline in Central Italian Alps. A floristic survey was carried out at 35 sampling points, representative of the main topographic features, soil and vegetation types; the functional profile at the community level was evaluated by assessing for each species its Grime’s CSR strategy; each point was characterized through soil profiles and topsoil (0–10 cm) sampling; pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, available P, soil humus fraction, root density, bulk density, water content, and available water capacity were determined. Our study showed i) a strong relationship between vegetation, soil properties, topography, and grazing; ii) a prevalence of stress-tolerant strategies; iii) the ability of plant strategy variation to reflect the ecological parameters; and iv) the vegetation potentiality to be an indicator of environmental spatial variability.
Chiara Ferré; Marco Caccianiga; Magda Zanzottera; Roberto Comolli. Soil–plant interactions in a pasture of the Italian Alps. Journal of Plant Interactions 2020, 15, 39 -49.
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Marco Caccianiga, Magda Zanzottera, Roberto Comolli. Soil–plant interactions in a pasture of the Italian Alps. Journal of Plant Interactions. 2020; 15 (1):39-49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Marco Caccianiga; Magda Zanzottera; Roberto Comolli. 2020. "Soil–plant interactions in a pasture of the Italian Alps." Journal of Plant Interactions 15, no. 1: 39-49.
The introduction of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) can modify plant-soil feedback, resulting in an alteration of the abiotic and biotic characteristics of ecosystems. Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia are IAPS of European temperate forests, where they can become dominant and suppress the native biodiversity. Assuming that the establishment of these invasive species may alter native forest ecosystems, this study comparatively assessed their impact on ecosystems. This study further investigated plant communities in 12 forest stands, dominated by the three IAPS and native trees, Quercus robur and Carpinus betulus (three plots per forest type), in Northern Italy, and collected soil samples. The relationships between the invasion of the three IAPS and modifications of humus forms, soil chemical properties, soil biological quality, bacterial activity and plant community structure and diversity (α-, β-, and γ-diversity) were assessed using one-way ANOVA and redundancy analyses (RDA). Our comparative study demonstrated that invaded forests often had unique plant and/or soil properties, relative to native forests, and the degree of dissimilarity depended on the invasive species. Particularly, Q. rubra is related to major negative impacts on soil organic horizons and low/modified levels of microarthropod and plant biodiversity. R. pseudoacacia is associated with an altered base content of soil and, in turn, with positive feedback to the soil biological quality (QBS-ar) and plant diversity, but with a high cover compared with other alien plant species. P. serotina is associated with intermediate impacts and exhibits a plant species assemblage that is more similar to those of native forest stands. Our work suggests impact-based management decisions for the three investigated IAPS, since their effects on the diversity and composition of resident ecosystems are very different.
Rodolfo Gentili; Chiara Ferrè; Elisa Cardarelli; Chiara Montagnani; Giuseppe Bogliani; Sandra Citterio; Roberto Comolli. Comparing Negative Impacts of Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia on Native Forest Ecosystems. Forests 2019, 10, 842 .
AMA StyleRodolfo Gentili, Chiara Ferrè, Elisa Cardarelli, Chiara Montagnani, Giuseppe Bogliani, Sandra Citterio, Roberto Comolli. Comparing Negative Impacts of Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia on Native Forest Ecosystems. Forests. 2019; 10 (10):842.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRodolfo Gentili; Chiara Ferrè; Elisa Cardarelli; Chiara Montagnani; Giuseppe Bogliani; Sandra Citterio; Roberto Comolli. 2019. "Comparing Negative Impacts of Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia on Native Forest Ecosystems." Forests 10, no. 10: 842.
Although there is greater awareness of spatial variability of factors affecting plant growth, regression methods with residuals independently and identically distributed, are still used. Thus, we compared spatial and non-spatial regression models in evaluating the relationships between tree growth of different species and clones and environmental factors in a polycyclic tree plantation of Italy (about 20-ha size). Soil samples were collected at 106 georeferenced locations and analyzed for the main soil parameters; trunk diameter was measured for 2513 trees and used as a proxy of plant growth; geostatistical procedures were applied to soil data so as to map soil characteristics. Poplar and alder cover indices and altitude as a proxy of groundwater depth were estimated at each tree location. The study provides evidence that considering spatial correlation can: (i) reduce the possibility of falsely declaring significant effects (Type I errors), and (ii) perform more precise predictions. Overall the model choice influenced the identification of significant regressors and the trunk diameter predictions, leading to implications on management decisions, quantitative estimation of wood productions and species comparisons. The spatial model showed which specific factors had a significant impact on plant growth and for which of them spatial variability might be worth investigating: the impact of soil texture on tree growth was evident, with difference among the investigated species and clones; soil organic carbon content affected poplar tree growth but not that of the valuable species; alder cover promotes development of trees; unlike the poplar trees, the trunk growth of the valuable species was limited by carbonate content.
Chiara Ferré; Annamaria Castrignanò; Roberto Comolli. Comparison between spatial and non-spatial regression models for investigating tree–soil relationships in a polycyclic tree plantation of Northern Italy and implications for management. Agroforestry Systems 2018, 93, 2181 -2196.
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Annamaria Castrignanò, Roberto Comolli. Comparison between spatial and non-spatial regression models for investigating tree–soil relationships in a polycyclic tree plantation of Northern Italy and implications for management. Agroforestry Systems. 2018; 93 (6):2181-2196.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Annamaria Castrignanò; Roberto Comolli. 2018. "Comparison between spatial and non-spatial regression models for investigating tree–soil relationships in a polycyclic tree plantation of Northern Italy and implications for management." Agroforestry Systems 93, no. 6: 2181-2196.
Bioenergy crops are considered to have the potential for climate mitigation and socio-economic benefits owing to their capacity to sequester C and partially replace the consumption of fossil fuels. In this study, the effects on soil respiration of a recent conversion of arable land to high (H) and very high (VH) density short-rotation coppices (SRCs), as well as of agronomic treatments (fertilization with or without irrigation) and lane/row location, were investigated in an alluvial area in Italy. A survey of soil variability was carried out by collecting soil cores (0-60 cm depth) at 67 points to characterize surface and subsurface spatial distributions of pH, organic carbon, nitrogen and carbonates and identify comparable points for monitoring soil respiration. Soil CO2 emissions were monitored over the period April 2010-November 2011 at 27 locations covering the whole study site. The influence of land use (H-SRC, VH-SRC, corn and alfalfa) or treatments on soil respiration was evaluated considering both factors as fixed effects in a linear mixed model. Our results showed that (i) the high variability of soil properties even at small spatial scale has to be considered when selecting points for monitoring soil respiration in the field; (ii) the cumulative soil respiration over the study period at the VH-SRC was lower (1299 ± 30 g C m-2) than in croplands (1600 ±145 g C m-2) and higher along the rows than in the lanes; (iii) no significant differences in soil respiration were found between the H-SRC and corn field; (iv) two years after VH-SRC establishment, agronomic treatments did not appear to influence soil respiration; (v) land-use change affected the vertical soil organic carbon distribution and soil surface temperature, as reflected in soil respiration differences. Keywords: Land-use Change, Soil Spatial Variability, Soil Respiration, Short-rotation Coppice, Cropland, Mixed Model
C. Ferré; R. Comolli. Comparison of soil CO2 emissions between short-rotation coppice poplar stands and arable lands. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry 2018, 11, 199 -205.
AMA StyleC. Ferré, R. Comolli. Comparison of soil CO2 emissions between short-rotation coppice poplar stands and arable lands. iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry. 2018; 11 (2):199-205.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Ferré; R. Comolli. 2018. "Comparison of soil CO2 emissions between short-rotation coppice poplar stands and arable lands." iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry 11, no. 2: 199-205.
Environmental issues, e.g. climate change, fossil resource depletion have triggered ambitious national/regional policies to develop biofuel and bioenergy roles within the overall energy portfolio to achieve decarbonising the global economy and increase energy security. With the 10 % binding target for the transport sector, the Renewable Energy Directive confirms the EU's commitment to renewable transport fuels especially advanced biofuels. Imola is an elite poplar clone crossed from Populus deltoides Bartr. and Populus nigra L. by Research Units for Intensive Wood Production, Agriculture Research Council in Italy. This study examines its suitability for plantation cultivation under short or very short rotation coppice regimes as a potential lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of ethanol as a transport biofuel. A life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to model the cradle-to-gate environmental profile of Imola-derived biofuel benchmarked against conventional fossil gasoline. Specific attention was given to analysing the agroecosystem fluxes of carbon and nitrogen occurring in the cultivation of the Imola biomass in the biofuel life cycle using a process-oriented biogeochemistry model (DeNitrification-DeComposition) specifically modified for application to 2G perennial bioenergy crops and carbon and nitrogen cycling. Our results demonstrate that carbon and nitrogen cycling in perennial crop-soil ecosystems such as this example can be expected to have significant effects on the overall environmental profiles of 2G biofuels. In particular, soil carbon accumulation in perennial biomass plantations is likely to be a significant component in the overall greenhouse gas balance of future biofuel and other biorefinery products and warrants ongoing research and data collection for LCA models. We conclude that bioethanol produced from Imola represents a promising alternative transport fuel offering some savings ranging from 35 to 100 % over petrol in global warming potential, ozone depletion and photochemical oxidation impact categories. Via comparative analyses for Imola-derived bioethanol across potential supply chains, we highlight priority issues for potential improvement in 2G biofuel profiling. Advanced clones of poplar such as Imola for 2G biofuel production in Italy as modelled here show potential to deliver an environmentally sustainable lignocellulosic biorefinery industry and accelerate advanced biofuel penetration in the transport sector.
Miao Guo; Changsheng Li; Gianni Facciotto; Sara Bergante; Rakesh Bhatia; Roberto Comolli; Chiara Ferrè; Richard Murphy. Bioethanol from poplar clone Imola: an environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuel? Biotechnology for Biofuels 2015, 8, 134 .
AMA StyleMiao Guo, Changsheng Li, Gianni Facciotto, Sara Bergante, Rakesh Bhatia, Roberto Comolli, Chiara Ferrè, Richard Murphy. Bioethanol from poplar clone Imola: an environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuel? Biotechnology for Biofuels. 2015; 8 (1):134.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiao Guo; Changsheng Li; Gianni Facciotto; Sara Bergante; Rakesh Bhatia; Roberto Comolli; Chiara Ferrè; Richard Murphy. 2015. "Bioethanol from poplar clone Imola: an environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuel?" Biotechnology for Biofuels 8, no. 1: 134.
An adequate sampling strategy for the estimation of soil respiration depends on spatial heterogeneity in soil and plant characteristics. The objective of this work was the assessment of the spatial soil-plant interactions to define a sampling strategy of soil CO2 efflux. In a long-term poplar plantation in Italy, a joint analysis of spatial variability of soil and plant properties was performed using geostatistical data fusion techniques. Soil samples were collected at 64 points and analyzed for pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, available phosphorous and texture. Trunk diameter was measured for 446 trees. The analysis of the whole data set (soil and plant properties) revealed the presence of three main scales of variation: a nugget effect (micro-scale), 30 and 100 m. Most spatial variation (71 %) was observed at the longer range scale; soil spatial variability was reflected in the differences in plant growth and affected soil CO2 emissions significantly. The joint analysis of soil and plant properties allowed to model their spatial scale-dependent relationships. A map of a synthetic indicator of joint soil-plant variation can be used to choose the most representative plots for soil respiration monitoring.
Chiara Ferré; Annamaria Castrignanò; Roberto Comolli. Assessment of multi-scale soil-plant interactions in a poplar plantation using geostatistical data fusion techniques: relationships to soil respiration. Plant and Soil 2015, 390, 95 -109.
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Annamaria Castrignanò, Roberto Comolli. Assessment of multi-scale soil-plant interactions in a poplar plantation using geostatistical data fusion techniques: relationships to soil respiration. Plant and Soil. 2015; 390 (1-2):95-109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Annamaria Castrignanò; Roberto Comolli. 2015. "Assessment of multi-scale soil-plant interactions in a poplar plantation using geostatistical data fusion techniques: relationships to soil respiration." Plant and Soil 390, no. 1-2: 95-109.
Most of the plants employed to remove metals from contaminated soils are annuals and have a seed-to-seed life cycle of a few months, usually over spring and summer. Consequently, for most of the year, fields are not actively cleaned but are completely bare and subject to erosion by water and wind. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of using Lupinus albus as a winter crop in a rotation sequence with a summer crop ideally selected for phytoextraction, such as industrial hemp. Lupin plants were grown in two alkaline soil plots (heavy metal-contaminated and uncontaminated) of approximately 400m2 each after the cultivation and harvest of industrial hemp. A smaller-scale parallel pot experiment was also performed to better understand the lupin behavior in increasing concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. White lupin grew well in alkaline conditions, covering the soil during the winter season. In few months plants were approximately 40–50cm high in both control and contaminated plots. In fields where the bioavailable fraction of metals was low (less than 12%), plants showed a high tolerance to these contaminants. However, their growth was affected in some pot treatments in which the concentrations of assimilable Cu, Zn and Ni were higher, ranging from approximately 40–70% of the total concentrations. The lupin's ability to absorb heavy metals and translocate them to shoots was negligible with respect to the magnitude of contamination, suggesting that this plant is not suitable for extending the period of phytoextraction. However, it is entirely exploitable as green manure, avoiding the application of chemical amendments during phytoremediation. In addition, in polluted fields, white lupin cultivation increased the soil concentration of live bacteria and the bioavailable percentage of metals. On average live bacteria counts per gram of soil were 65×106±18×106 and 99×106±22*106 before and after cultivation, respectively. The percentages of bioavailable Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr, which were 5.7±0.7, 5.3±1.7, 1.2±0.1, 12±1.5 and 0.1±0.02%, respectively, before lupin growth, increased to 9.6±1.6, 7±2, 2±0.3, 14±1.5 and 0.1±0.02% after lupin harvest.On the whole, our results indicate that the winter cultivation of white lupin in sequence with a metal-accumulator summer crop can improve the recovery of soil quality during the phytoextraction period. It improves the safety of the area, limiting additional ecological and human health problems, and enhances soil health by avoiding the use of chemical amendments and by increasing the levels of viable microorganisms
Pietro Fumagalli; Roberto Comolli; Chiara Ferrè; Alessandra Ghiani; Rodolfo Gentili; Sandra Citterio. The rotation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) with metal-accumulating plant crops: A strategy to increase the benefits of soil phytoremediation. Journal of Environmental Management 2014, 145, 35 -42.
AMA StylePietro Fumagalli, Roberto Comolli, Chiara Ferrè, Alessandra Ghiani, Rodolfo Gentili, Sandra Citterio. The rotation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) with metal-accumulating plant crops: A strategy to increase the benefits of soil phytoremediation. Journal of Environmental Management. 2014; 145 ():35-42.
Chicago/Turabian StylePietro Fumagalli; Roberto Comolli; Chiara Ferrè; Alessandra Ghiani; Rodolfo Gentili; Sandra Citterio. 2014. "The rotation of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) with metal-accumulating plant crops: A strategy to increase the benefits of soil phytoremediation." Journal of Environmental Management 145, no. : 35-42.
Effects of forest conversion to poplar plantation on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were investigated by sampling paired plots in an alluvial area of the Ticino River in Northern Italy. According to land registers and historical aerial photographs, the two sites were part of a larger area of a 200 yr old natural forest that was partly converted to poplar plantation in 1973. The soil sampling of three layers down to a depth of 100 cm was performed at 90 and 70 points in the natural forest (NF) and in the nearby poplar plantation (PP) respectively. The substitution of the natural forest with the poplar plantation strongly modified soil C stock down to a depth of 55 cm, although the management practices at PP were not intensive. After calculation of equivalent soil masses and of SOC stocks in individual texture classes, the comparison of C stocks showed an overall decrease in SOC of 5.7 kg m−2 or 40% in consequence of 37 years of poplar cultivation. Our case study provides further evidence that (i) spatial heterogeneity of SOC is an important feature in paired plot studies requiring a careful sampling strategy and high enough number of samples; (ii) land use changes through tillage are creating a more homogeneous spatial structure of soil properties and may require the application of dedicated spatial statistics to tackle eventual problems of pseudo-replicates and auto-correlation; (iii) short rotation forests are not properly represented in current reporting schemes for changes of SOC after land use change and may better be considered as cropland.
C. Ferré; Roberto Comolli; Adrian Leip; Gunther Seufert. Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock. Biogeosciences 2014, 11, 6483 -6493.
AMA StyleC. Ferré, Roberto Comolli, Adrian Leip, Gunther Seufert. Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock. Biogeosciences. 2014; 11 (22):6483-6493.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Ferré; Roberto Comolli; Adrian Leip; Gunther Seufert. 2014. "Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock." Biogeosciences 11, no. 22: 6483-6493.
Effects of forest conversion to poplar plantation on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were investigated by sampling paired plots in an alluvial area of the Ticino river in Northern Italy. According to land registers and historical aerial photographs, the two sites were part of a larger area of a 200 years-old natural forest that was partly converted to poplar plantation in 1973. The soil sampling of three layers down to a depth of 100 cm was performed at 90 and 70 points in the natural forest (NF) and in the nearby poplar plantation (PP), respectively. The substitution of the natural forest with the poplar plantation strongly modified soil C stock down to a depth of 55 cm, although the management practices at PP were not intensive. By evaluation of equivalent soil masses, the comparison of C stocks (organic layer included) between the different land uses showed a decrease in SOC of 5.7 kg m−2 after 37 years of poplar cultivation, corresponding to more than 1/3 of the initial organic carbon content. The land use change from NF to PP not only affected the stock but also the vertical distribution of SOC: ploughing led to the transfer of SOC from soil surface into the deeper layers resulting in a more uniform allocation of organic carbon in the ploughed layer and disappearance of the SOC stratification observed in the forest.
C. Ferré; R. Comolli; A. Leip; G. Seufert. Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock. Biogeosciences Discussions 2014, 1 .
AMA StyleC. Ferré, R. Comolli, A. Leip, G. Seufert. Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock. Biogeosciences Discussions. 2014; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Ferré; R. Comolli; A. Leip; G. Seufert. 2014. "Forest conversion to poplar plantation in a Lombardy floodplain (Italy): effects on soil organic carbon stock." Biogeosciences Discussions , no. : 1.
Soil microbial community structure and gas exchange (CH4, N2O) were investigated in a rice paddy field, located in the Po plain, Italy. At eight sampling dates—representative for different soil conditions and crop stages—microbial community structure was characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Principal component analyses revealed differences in community composition as well as in soil fluxes during the monitored year. The vertical distribution of PLFAs was investigated by sampling at 0–15 and 15–30 cm; the uniformity in soil properties through the soil profile resulted in a vertical homogeneity of microbial biomass and community composition. Only temporary variations of soil conditions led to a distinction in microbial populations with depth. The ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria was higher in flooded than in non-flooded soils. The saturated and methyl-branched fatty acids typically present in Gram-positive bacteria appeared to be indicators of flooded and waterlogged conditions, which were favourable for CH4 emission as well as for N2O consumption. Gram-negative bacteria were instead most important for characterization of aerobic conditions and for the decomposition of fresh residues. In terms of microbial processes, the 16:1ω9 fatty acid appeared to be correlated with N2O fluxes.
Chiara Ferré; Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern; Roberto Comolli; Michael Andersson; Günther Seufert. Soil microbial community structure in a rice paddy field and its relationships to CH4 and N2O fluxes. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2012, 93, 35 -50.
AMA StyleChiara Ferré, Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Roberto Comolli, Michael Andersson, Günther Seufert. Soil microbial community structure in a rice paddy field and its relationships to CH4 and N2O fluxes. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2012; 93 (1):35-50.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Ferré; Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern; Roberto Comolli; Michael Andersson; Günther Seufert. 2012. "Soil microbial community structure in a rice paddy field and its relationships to CH4 and N2O fluxes." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 93, no. 1: 35-50.