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Edaphic arthropod communities provide valuable information about the prevailing status of soil quality to improve the functionality and long-term sustainability of soil management. The study aimed at evaluating the effect of plant and grass cover on the functional biodiversity and soil characteristics in a mature olive orchard (Olea europaea L.) managed for ten years by two conservation soil managements: natural grass cover (NC) and conservation tillage (CT). The trees under CT grew and yielded more than those under NC during the period of increasing yields (years 4–7) but not when they reached full production. Soil management did not affect the tree root density. Collecting samples underneath the canopy (UC) and in the inter-row space (IR), the edaphic environment was characterized by soil structure, hydrological properties, the concentration and storage of soil organic carbon pools and the distribution of microarthropod communities. The soil organic carbon pools (total and humified) were negatively affected by minimum tillage in IR, but not UC, without a loss in fruit and oil yield. The assemblages of microarthropods benefited, firstly, from the grass cover, secondly, from the canopy effect, and thirdly, from a soil structure ensuring a high air capacity and water storage. Feeding functional groups—hemiedaphic macrosaprophages, polyphages and predators—resulted in selecting the ecotonal microenvironment between the surface and edaphic habitat.
Sauro Simoni; Giovanni Caruso; Nadia Vignozzi; Riccardo Gucci; Giuseppe Valboa; Sergio Pellegrini; Giacomo Palai; Donatella Goggioli; Elena Gagnarli. Effect of Long-Term Soil Management Practices on Tree Growth, Yield and Soil Biodiversity in a High-Density Olive Agro-Ecosystem. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1036 .
AMA StyleSauro Simoni, Giovanni Caruso, Nadia Vignozzi, Riccardo Gucci, Giuseppe Valboa, Sergio Pellegrini, Giacomo Palai, Donatella Goggioli, Elena Gagnarli. Effect of Long-Term Soil Management Practices on Tree Growth, Yield and Soil Biodiversity in a High-Density Olive Agro-Ecosystem. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (6):1036.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSauro Simoni; Giovanni Caruso; Nadia Vignozzi; Riccardo Gucci; Giuseppe Valboa; Sergio Pellegrini; Giacomo Palai; Donatella Goggioli; Elena Gagnarli. 2021. "Effect of Long-Term Soil Management Practices on Tree Growth, Yield and Soil Biodiversity in a High-Density Olive Agro-Ecosystem." Agronomy 11, no. 6: 1036.
Sustainable agriculture largely depends on soil biodiversity and requires efficient methods to assess the effectiveness of agronomic planning. Knowledge of the landscape and relative pedosite is enriched by data on the soil microarthropod community, which represent useful bio-indicators for early soil-quality detection in land-use change (LUC). In the hilly Maremma region of Grosseto, Italy, two areas, a >10ys meadow converted into a vineyard and an old biodynamic vineyard (no-LUC), were selected for evaluating the LUC effect. For maintaining soil vitality and ecosystem services by meadow, the vineyard was planted and cultivated using criteria of the patented “Corino method”. The aim was to evaluate the LUC impact, within one year, by assessing parameters characterizing soil properties and soil microarthropod communities after the vineyard was planted. The adopted preservative method in the new vineyards did not show a detrimental impact on the biodiversity of soil microarthropods, and in particular, additional mulching contributed to a quick recovery from soil stress due to working the plantation. In the short term, the adopted agricultural context confirmed that the targeted objectives preserved the soil quality and functionality.
Elena Gagnarli; Giuseppe Valboa; Nadia Vignozzi; Donatella Goggioli; Silvia Guidi; Franca Tarchi; Lorenzo Corino; Sauro Simoni. Effects of Land-Use Change on Soil Functionality and Biodiversity: Toward Sustainable Planning of New Vineyards. Land 2021, 10, 358 .
AMA StyleElena Gagnarli, Giuseppe Valboa, Nadia Vignozzi, Donatella Goggioli, Silvia Guidi, Franca Tarchi, Lorenzo Corino, Sauro Simoni. Effects of Land-Use Change on Soil Functionality and Biodiversity: Toward Sustainable Planning of New Vineyards. Land. 2021; 10 (4):358.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena Gagnarli; Giuseppe Valboa; Nadia Vignozzi; Donatella Goggioli; Silvia Guidi; Franca Tarchi; Lorenzo Corino; Sauro Simoni. 2021. "Effects of Land-Use Change on Soil Functionality and Biodiversity: Toward Sustainable Planning of New Vineyards." Land 10, no. 4: 358.
Digestate from biogas production can be recycled to the soil as conditioner/fertilizer improving the environmental sustainability of the energy supply chain. In a three-year maize-triticale rotation, we investigated the short-term effects of digestate on soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties and evaluated its effectiveness in complementing the mineral fertilizers. Digestate soil treatments consisted of combined applications of the whole digestate and its mechanically separated solid fraction. Digestate increased soil total organic C, total N and K contents. Soil bulk density was not affected by treatments, while aggregate stability showed a transient improvement due to digestate treatments. A decrement of the transmission pores proportion and an increment of fissures was observed in digestate treated soils. Soil microbial community was only transiently affected by digestate treatments and no soil contamination from Clostridiaceae-related bacteria were observed. Digestate can significantly impair seed germination when applied at low dilution ratios. Crop yield under digestate treatment was similar to ordinary mineral-based fertilization. Overall, our experiment proved that the agronomic recycling of digestate from biogas production maintained a fair crop yield and soil quality. Digestate was confirmed as a valid resource for sustainable management of soil fertility under energy-crop farming, by combining a good attitude as a fertilizer with the ability to compensate for soil organic C loss.
Roberta Pastorelli; Giuseppe Valboa; Alessandra Lagomarsino; Arturo Fabiani; Stefania Simoncini; Massimo Zaghi; Nadia Vignozzi. Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 750 .
AMA StyleRoberta Pastorelli, Giuseppe Valboa, Alessandra Lagomarsino, Arturo Fabiani, Stefania Simoncini, Massimo Zaghi, Nadia Vignozzi. Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (2):750.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberta Pastorelli; Giuseppe Valboa; Alessandra Lagomarsino; Arturo Fabiani; Stefania Simoncini; Massimo Zaghi; Nadia Vignozzi. 2021. "Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity." Applied Sciences 11, no. 2: 750.
The diffusion of tree crops has continuously increased during the last decades all over the world. The market boost has favored the adoption of intensive and highly mechanized cultivation, often triggering the degradation of the soil physical-hydrological qualities, mainly through enhanced soil erosion and compaction. Several papers have been published on soil degradation and restoration strategies in specific perennial crops and environments. This review paper collects such studies showing the sensitivity of soil under tree crops to the degradation of their physical-hydrological qualities. Then it reports the state of the art on the methodologies used for the evaluation of the physical-hydrological qualities in the field and in the laboratory, also suggesting an improved methodology for estimating the actual available water capacity. Some updated and promising experiences to recover the physical-hydrological qualities of soil are then illustrated. In particular, subsoiling and placement of drainages, spreading of organic amendments, compost, biochar, using of cover crops, and biological inoculants. A key point in applying the restoration practices is that they should not only be specific for the soil and tree rooting system, but also tailored according to the ecosystem functions that need to be improved besides plant health and yield.
Simone Priori; Sergio Pellegrini; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo A. C. Costantini. Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions. Agronomy 2020, 11, 68 .
AMA StyleSimone Priori, Sergio Pellegrini, Nadia Vignozzi, Edoardo A. C. Costantini. Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions. Agronomy. 2020; 11 (1):68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Priori; Sergio Pellegrini; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo A. C. Costantini. 2020. "Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions." Agronomy 11, no. 1: 68.
The long-term effects of two different soil management practices, natural grass cover (NC) and conservation tillage (CT), on soil functions (carbon sequestration, habitat for organisms, and water movement and retention) were determined in a high-density, mature olive orchard (Olea europaea L. cv. Frantoio) growing in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haploxeralf) in a Mediterranean environment. Ten years after the beginning of the different soil management, soil samples were collected at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth and at two distances from the trunk, underneath the olive canopy (UC) and in the inter-row (IR). There were no differences in fruit yield, oil yield, and yield efficiency between the two soil management systems during the 2011–2013 period. CT negatively affected soil organic carbon pools (total and humified), but only at the IR position. The distance from the plant did not significantly influence soil structure and hydrological properties, while NC treatment increased water movement and retention. Tillage reduced the microarthropod abundance, in particular Collembola and eu-edaphic forms, which were the most sensitive groups to soil perturbation. We conclude that natural grass cover was more effective than conservation tillage in maintaining or improving elements of soil functionality.
Nadia Vignozzi; Alessandro Elio Agnelli; Giorgio Brandi; Elena Gagnarli; Donatella Goggioli; Alessandra Lagomarsino; Sergio Pellegrini; Stefania Simoncini; Sauro Simoni; Giuseppe Valboa; Giovanni Caruso; Riccardo Gucci. Soil ecosystem functions in a high-density olive orchard managed by different soil conservation practices. Applied Soil Ecology 2018, 134, 64 -76.
AMA StyleNadia Vignozzi, Alessandro Elio Agnelli, Giorgio Brandi, Elena Gagnarli, Donatella Goggioli, Alessandra Lagomarsino, Sergio Pellegrini, Stefania Simoncini, Sauro Simoni, Giuseppe Valboa, Giovanni Caruso, Riccardo Gucci. Soil ecosystem functions in a high-density olive orchard managed by different soil conservation practices. Applied Soil Ecology. 2018; 134 ():64-76.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNadia Vignozzi; Alessandro Elio Agnelli; Giorgio Brandi; Elena Gagnarli; Donatella Goggioli; Alessandra Lagomarsino; Sergio Pellegrini; Stefania Simoncini; Sauro Simoni; Giuseppe Valboa; Giovanni Caruso; Riccardo Gucci. 2018. "Soil ecosystem functions in a high-density olive orchard managed by different soil conservation practices." Applied Soil Ecology 134, no. : 64-76.
87Sr/86Sr was determined on fresh red and white grapes, soils and rocks from three selected vineyards to verify the isotopic relationships between the fruit of the vine and geologic substrata of vineyards. 87Sr/86Sr were determined on sampled grapes of four different harvest years and different grape varieties, on bioavailable fraction of soils, on whole soils, and on bedrocks from the geo-pedological substratum of the vineyards. The vineyards chosen for the experimental works belong to an organic farming winery and thus cultivation procedures were strictly controlled. Grapes were sampled during the harvests of four different but consecutive years with 87Sr/86Sr that does not change reflecting the values of the soil bioavailable fraction. No variations among grapes from different vine cultivars were observed. A strict isotope relationship with soil bio-available fraction was observed. These findings demonstrate the reliability of 87Sr/86Sr, even at a very small scale, for food products geographic origin assessment.
Ines Tescione; Sara Marchionni; Martina Casalini; Nadia Vignozzi; Massimo Mattei; Sandro Conticelli. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopes in grapes of different cultivars: A geochemical tool for geographic traceability of agriculture products. Food Chemistry 2018, 258, 374 -380.
AMA StyleInes Tescione, Sara Marchionni, Martina Casalini, Nadia Vignozzi, Massimo Mattei, Sandro Conticelli. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopes in grapes of different cultivars: A geochemical tool for geographic traceability of agriculture products. Food Chemistry. 2018; 258 ():374-380.
Chicago/Turabian StyleInes Tescione; Sara Marchionni; Martina Casalini; Nadia Vignozzi; Massimo Mattei; Sandro Conticelli. 2018. "87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopes in grapes of different cultivars: A geochemical tool for geographic traceability of agriculture products." Food Chemistry 258, no. : 374-380.
The restoration of soils affected by mining activities depends on the improvement of soil physical quality. This study aimed to determine the medium‐term effects of organic amendments and mulches on soil physical properties and soil hydrological response. The experimental restoration was conducted in a homogeneous slope using a factorial design (organic amendments × mulches). The organic amendments consisted of compost from domestic organic residues, sewage sludge from an urban water treatment facility, and a control without amendment. The mulches consisted of gravel, woodchips, and a control without mulch. Modifications of the soil structure induced by the combinations of techniques were quantified by micromorphometric analysis of 2D porosity. Undisturbed soil cores were collected to determine the soil bulk density. Soil hydrological behaviour was determined by rainfall simulations. Samples from natural undisturbed soils surrounding the quarry were also taken as a reference. Restored soils with organic amendments have a higher total porosity than did nonamended substrates. Each restoration treatment combination resulted in a different pore system with very diverse hydrological responses. Organic amendments resulted in infiltration improvement and water erosion reduction. The woodchip mulch was more effective at trapping runoff and sediment, although this type of mulch did not favour vertical water movement towards deeper horizons. Therefore, the use of organic amendments should be encouraged in mine soil restoration and should be strongly recommended for its proven environmental benefits (enhancement of soil structure and infiltration and reduction of soil losses). However, the mulches did not produce the expected results in the tested arid–semiarid area.
Lourdes Luna; Nadia Vignozzi; Isabel Miralles; Albert Solé-Benet. Organic amendments and mulches modify soil porosity and infiltration in semiarid mine soils. Land Degradation & Development 2017, 29, 1019 -1030.
AMA StyleLourdes Luna, Nadia Vignozzi, Isabel Miralles, Albert Solé-Benet. Organic amendments and mulches modify soil porosity and infiltration in semiarid mine soils. Land Degradation & Development. 2017; 29 (4):1019-1030.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLourdes Luna; Nadia Vignozzi; Isabel Miralles; Albert Solé-Benet. 2017. "Organic amendments and mulches modify soil porosity and infiltration in semiarid mine soils." Land Degradation & Development 29, no. 4: 1019-1030.
Somayyeh Razzaghi; Nadia Vignozzi; Selim Kapur. Mineralogical and micromorphological characteristics of red pineand oak root zone soils in southern Turkey. TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY 2017, 41, 233 -241.
AMA StyleSomayyeh Razzaghi, Nadia Vignozzi, Selim Kapur. Mineralogical and micromorphological characteristics of red pineand oak root zone soils in southern Turkey. TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 2017; 41 ():233-241.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSomayyeh Razzaghi; Nadia Vignozzi; Selim Kapur. 2017. "Mineralogical and micromorphological characteristics of red pineand oak root zone soils in southern Turkey." TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY 41, no. : 233-241.
The first step to restoring degraded mine soils from calcareous quarries in semiarid environments, usually without soil structure, mainly consists in creating a structured topsoil with suitable physical, chemical and biological properties. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of organic amendments and mulches on soil aggregate stability and aggregation-associated soil characteristics, six years after beginning experimental restoration in the Gádor Mountains (Almería, SE Spain). Experimental plots were set up to test two organic amendments (sludge and compost) and two mulches (gravel and woodchip) and their respective control plots. Soil samples from neighboring undisturbed soils were used as the quality reference threshold. The tested variables were total organic C (TOC), glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP) and water aggregate stability evaluated by both wet sieving (WS) and water-drop test (WDT). Relationships among the measured soil properties were checked in order to assess the best indicators for the most suited restoration practices. After 6 years, the results showed that the combination of organic amendments and mulches enhanced soil aggregate stability and the content of aggregate binding agents such as TOC and glomalin. Nevertheless, the role of organic amendments, especially compost, was more important than mulch treatments in increasing TOC and glomalin, showing the closest values to the undisturbed reference soils (over 30 g kg−1 for TOC and 3.5 g kg−1 for GRSP). Despite the considerable improvement in water stable aggregates found in sludge-amended plots (average mean weight diameter of 2.13 mm in WS, and 25-drop impacts in WDT), the reference soils provided the highest values (average mean weight diameter of 3.32 mm in WS, and 99-drop impacts in WDT). The lack of a good correlation between soil structure-related variables restricted the evaluation of the real effects of restoration treatments, and suggested considering other soil properties (e.g., hydrophobicity, hardening) associated to aggregate stability.
Lourdes Luna; Isabel Miralles; Maria Costanza Andrenelli; Maria Gispert; Sergio Pellegrini; Nadia Vignozzi; Albert Solé-Benet. Restoration techniques affect soil organic carbon, glomalin and aggregate stability in degraded soils of a semiarid Mediterranean region. CATENA 2016, 143, 256 -264.
AMA StyleLourdes Luna, Isabel Miralles, Maria Costanza Andrenelli, Maria Gispert, Sergio Pellegrini, Nadia Vignozzi, Albert Solé-Benet. Restoration techniques affect soil organic carbon, glomalin and aggregate stability in degraded soils of a semiarid Mediterranean region. CATENA. 2016; 143 ():256-264.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLourdes Luna; Isabel Miralles; Maria Costanza Andrenelli; Maria Gispert; Sergio Pellegrini; Nadia Vignozzi; Albert Solé-Benet. 2016. "Restoration techniques affect soil organic carbon, glomalin and aggregate stability in degraded soils of a semiarid Mediterranean region." CATENA 143, no. : 256-264.
Sergio Pellegrini; Gregorio Garcia; Jose Matias Peñas Castejon; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo A.C. Costantini. Pedogenesis in mine tails affects macroporosity, hydrological properties, and pollutant flow. CATENA 2016, 136, 3 -16.
AMA StyleSergio Pellegrini, Gregorio Garcia, Jose Matias Peñas Castejon, Nadia Vignozzi, Edoardo A.C. Costantini. Pedogenesis in mine tails affects macroporosity, hydrological properties, and pollutant flow. CATENA. 2016; 136 ():3-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Pellegrini; Gregorio Garcia; Jose Matias Peñas Castejon; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo A.C. Costantini. 2016. "Pedogenesis in mine tails affects macroporosity, hydrological properties, and pollutant flow." CATENA 136, no. : 3-16.
The field application of pelletized biochar is seldom employed and its effect on soil hydrological behavior scarcely investigated. Biochar is usually added in powdered or granular form to improve the homogeneity of distribution, meanwhile favoring its interaction with soil matrix. In this paper we evaluated the possibility of applying pelletized biochar as soil conditioner during a single cropping season of a tomato cultivation. For that purpose, the water retention curves (WRCs) were determined three months after the addition of two differently pyrolysed biochars (B1 and B2), at the rate of 14 Mg ha−1, to a silty clay loam soil prone to compaction. Starting from the WRCs the pore size distribution was determined. The gravimetric water content at both field capacity (FC) and wilting point (WP) was also measured on biochar samples to assess their available water capacity (AWC). In both the treatments, soil bulk density (BD) was significantly lower compared to control (Co), apparently as direct consequence of the addition of low density pellets. Actually, excluding the intrinsic biochar porosity from soil bulk density calculation, BD values of the treated soils remain lower of around 10% over Co. Such findings suggest that a modification of soil structural characteristics might have been induced by pellet addition. Data of the SWRCs indicate a significant increase in transmission (500–50 μm), storage (50–0.5 μm) and AWC pores (30–0.2 μm) for the amended soils. The pyrolysis process seemed to differentiate the extent of direct biochar contribution expressed by AWC values The addition of pelletized biochar was able to enhance the soil water retention properties even in the short term, and such improvement might be correlated to both the inherent biochar retention capacity and to a more functional rearrangement of soil aggregates/particles with pellets.
M.C. Andrenelli; Anita Maienza; Lorenzo Genesio; F. Miglietta; Sergio Pellegrini; F.P. Vaccari; N. Vignozzi. Field application of pelletized biochar: Short term effect on the hydrological properties of a silty clay loam soil. Agricultural Water Management 2016, 163, 190 -196.
AMA StyleM.C. Andrenelli, Anita Maienza, Lorenzo Genesio, F. Miglietta, Sergio Pellegrini, F.P. Vaccari, N. Vignozzi. Field application of pelletized biochar: Short term effect on the hydrological properties of a silty clay loam soil. Agricultural Water Management. 2016; 163 ():190-196.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM.C. Andrenelli; Anita Maienza; Lorenzo Genesio; F. Miglietta; Sergio Pellegrini; F.P. Vaccari; N. Vignozzi. 2016. "Field application of pelletized biochar: Short term effect on the hydrological properties of a silty clay loam soil." Agricultural Water Management 163, no. : 190-196.
G. Valboa; A. Lagomarsino; G. Brandi; A.E. Agnelli; S. Simoncini; R. Papini; N. Vignozzi; Sergio Pellegrini. Long-term variations in soil organic matter under different tillage intensities. Soil and Tillage Research 2015, 154, 126 -135.
AMA StyleG. Valboa, A. Lagomarsino, G. Brandi, A.E. Agnelli, S. Simoncini, R. Papini, N. Vignozzi, Sergio Pellegrini. Long-term variations in soil organic matter under different tillage intensities. Soil and Tillage Research. 2015; 154 ():126-135.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Valboa; A. Lagomarsino; G. Brandi; A.E. Agnelli; S. Simoncini; R. Papini; N. Vignozzi; Sergio Pellegrini. 2015. "Long-term variations in soil organic matter under different tillage intensities." Soil and Tillage Research 154, no. : 126-135.
Land use influences the abundance and diversity of soil arthropods. The evaluation of the impact of different management strategies on soil quality is increasingly sought, and the determination of community structures of edaphic fauna can represent an efficient tool. In the area of Langhe (Piedmont, Italy), eight vineyards characterized for physical and chemical properties (soil texture, soil pH, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, calcium carbonate) were selected. We evaluated the effect of two types of crop management, organic and integrated pest management (IPM), on abundance and biodiversity of microarthropods living at the soil surface. Soil sampling was carried out in winter 2011 and spring 2012. All specimens were counted and determined up to the order level. The biodiversity analysis was performed using ecological indexes (taxa richness, dominance, Shannon–Wiener, Buzas and Gibson's evenness, Margalef, equitability, Berger–Parker), and the biological soil quality was assessed with the BSQ-ar index. The mesofauna abundance was affected by both the type of management and sampling time. On the whole, a higher abundance was in organic vineyards (N = 1981) than in IPM ones (N = 1062). The analysis performed by ecological indexes showed quite a high level of biodiversity in this environment, particularly in May 2012. Furthermore, the BSQ-ar values registered were similar to those obtained in preserved soils.
E. Gagnarli; D. Goggioli; F. Tarchi; S. Guidi; R. Nannelli; Nadia Vignozzi; G. Valboa; M. R. Lottero; L. Corino; S. Simoni. Case study of microarthropod communities to assess soil quality in different managed vineyards. SOIL 2015, 1, 527 -536.
AMA StyleE. Gagnarli, D. Goggioli, F. Tarchi, S. Guidi, R. Nannelli, Nadia Vignozzi, G. Valboa, M. R. Lottero, L. Corino, S. Simoni. Case study of microarthropod communities to assess soil quality in different managed vineyards. SOIL. 2015; 1 (2):527-536.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Gagnarli; D. Goggioli; F. Tarchi; S. Guidi; R. Nannelli; Nadia Vignozzi; G. Valboa; M. R. Lottero; L. Corino; S. Simoni. 2015. "Case study of microarthropod communities to assess soil quality in different managed vineyards." SOIL 1, no. 2: 527-536.
The objective of the work was to evaluate, by using the micromorphometric method, the effects of reclamation on porosity of two different clay loam soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters. Soil samples of the Ap horizon were put in cylindrical containers and irrigated with 9 types of saline-sodic waters (3 levels of salinity combined with 3 levels of sodicity). After a 4-year period, correction treatments were initiated by addition of calcium sulphate and leaching until electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio values of the drainage water matched 3 dS m-1 and 9, respectively. After 2 years of correction treatments, undisturbed soil samples were taken from the surface layer and soil thin sections for porosity measurements. Both soils did not show critical macroporosity values (> 10%, below this threshold a soil is classified as compact). Nevertheless, the soils exhibited a different behaviour: total porosity of the Pachic Haploxeroll soil was not affected by difference in water salinity and alkalinity; on the contrary, the Udertic Ustochrept soil showed a lower porosity associated with higher salt concentration in the irrigation waters. This may be due to the different iron and aluminium sesquioxides content and, as a consequence, a different effect on soil aggregate stability.
Giovanna Cucci; Giovanni LaColla; Marcello Pagliai; Nadia Vignozzi. Effect of reclamation on the structure of silty-clay soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters. International Agrophysics 2015, 29, 23 -30.
AMA StyleGiovanna Cucci, Giovanni LaColla, Marcello Pagliai, Nadia Vignozzi. Effect of reclamation on the structure of silty-clay soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters. International Agrophysics. 2015; 29 (1):23-30.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Cucci; Giovanni LaColla; Marcello Pagliai; Nadia Vignozzi. 2015. "Effect of reclamation on the structure of silty-clay soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters." International Agrophysics 29, no. 1: 23-30.
Mechanical tillage represents the most common technique of soil management in olive orchards within the Mediterranean Basin. Such practice may result in soil structure degradation which can significantly reduce water infiltration causing runoff and erosion processes. An alternative opportunity is given by the use of cover crops which eliminates most of the disadvantages of conventional tillage. An experiment was carried out from 2007 to 2009 in a mature and rainfed olive grove located in Southern Italy with the aim to evaluate the effect of different soil management techniques on soil structure and soil water content and storage along the profile. The experimental site was characterised by a slope gradient ranging from 0 to 16%. Since 2000, the olive grove was subjected to two different management systems: sustainable system, SS (no-tillage, spontaneous vegetation cover, annual recycling of pruning material) and conventional system, CS (tillage, no recycling of pruning material). Modifications of soil structure induced by the two different management systems were quantified by micromorphometric analysis of macroporosity. Soil hydrological behavior was determined by field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) measurements. Soil water content was measured at 10/15-day intervals by gypsum resistivity blocks placed in flat and steep areas (summit, backslope, and footslope) of both systems at different soil depths (25, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 cm).\ud \ud In the SS soil macroporosity was not very high (about 10%) but homogeneously distributed along the profile which favored the vertical water movement down to deeper horizons. In the CS the occurrence of soil crusting and of compacted layers along the profile hindered infiltration and percolation of rainfall water influencing the soil water content below the 100 cm layer. The SS was able to better store water from rainfall, received during the autumn–winter period, especially in the deepest soil layer (from 100 to 200 cm). This was evident especially in the steep area at the summit position, where the water amounts stored by SS were 45 and 17% higher than those retained by the CS in 2007 and 2009, respectively. During summer such reserves were available for the olive root systems which usually, under the driest conditions, explore the deep soil zone in search of water. Under our experimental conditions, no yield reduction was observed due to the prompt mowing of the spontaneous cover crops. Therefore, the suitable use of cover crops should be communicated to the olive farmers and strongly recommended within agricultural policy strategies for its evident agronomical and environmental benefits (increase of soil organic carbon, soil structure improvement, reduction of soil and water losses, carbon sequestration)
A.M. Palese; Nadia Vignozzi; Giuseppe Celano; A.E. Agnelli; M. Pagliai; Cristos Xiloyannis. Influence of soil management on soil physical characteristics and water storage in a mature rainfed olive orchard. Soil and Tillage Research 2014, 144, 96 -109.
AMA StyleA.M. Palese, Nadia Vignozzi, Giuseppe Celano, A.E. Agnelli, M. Pagliai, Cristos Xiloyannis. Influence of soil management on soil physical characteristics and water storage in a mature rainfed olive orchard. Soil and Tillage Research. 2014; 144 ():96-109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.M. Palese; Nadia Vignozzi; Giuseppe Celano; A.E. Agnelli; M. Pagliai; Cristos Xiloyannis. 2014. "Influence of soil management on soil physical characteristics and water storage in a mature rainfed olive orchard." Soil and Tillage Research 144, no. : 96-109.
Aim: To evaluate the relationship between carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) and wine grape viticultural and oenological performance in organic farming.Methods and results: The study was carried out for four years in the Chianti Classico wine production district (Central Italy), on five non irrigated vineyards conducted in organic farming. The reference variety was Sangiovese. Eleven sites were chosen for vine monitoring and grape sampling. The performance parameters were alcohol and must sugar content, sugar accumulation rate, mean berry weight, and extractable polyphenols. δ13C, stem water potential, and soil water availability were also monitored. Finally, soil nitrogen as well as yeast available nitrogen in the must were measured. δ13C was directly related to stem water potential and soil water deficit, and indicated a range of water stress conditions from none and moderate to strong. However, its relationship with viticultural and oenological results was contrary to expectation, that is, performance linearly increased along with soil moisture. On the other hand, the worst performance was obtained where both water and nitrogen were more limiting.Conclusions: The unexpected relationship between δ13C and Sangiovese performance was caused by low nitrogen availability. The studied sites all had low-fertility soils with poor or very poor nitrogen content. Therefore, in the plots where soil humidity was relatively higher, nitrogen plant uptake was favoured, and Sangiovese performance improved. Macronutrient being the main limiting factor, the performance was not lower in the plots where soil water availability was relatively larger. Therefore, the best viticultural result was obtained with no water stress conditions, at low rather than at intermediate δ13C values.Significance and impact of the study: Water nutrition is crucial for wine grape performance. δ13C is a method used to assess vine water status during the growing season and to estimate vine performance. A good performance is expected at moderate stress and intermediate δ13C values. A better knowledge of the interaction between water and nutrient scarcity is needed, as it can affect the use of δ13C to predict vine performance.
Edoardo Antonio Costantino Costantini; Alessandro Agnelli; Pierluigi Bucelli; Aldo Ciambotti; Valentina Dell’Oro; Laura Natarelli; Sergio Pellegrini; Rita Perria; Simone Priori; Paolo Storchi; Christos Tsolakis; Nadia Vignozzi. Unexpected relationships between δ13C and wine grape performance in organic farming. OENO One 2013, 47, 269 -285.
AMA StyleEdoardo Antonio Costantino Costantini, Alessandro Agnelli, Pierluigi Bucelli, Aldo Ciambotti, Valentina Dell’Oro, Laura Natarelli, Sergio Pellegrini, Rita Perria, Simone Priori, Paolo Storchi, Christos Tsolakis, Nadia Vignozzi. Unexpected relationships between δ13C and wine grape performance in organic farming. OENO One. 2013; 47 (4):269-285.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEdoardo Antonio Costantino Costantini; Alessandro Agnelli; Pierluigi Bucelli; Aldo Ciambotti; Valentina Dell’Oro; Laura Natarelli; Sergio Pellegrini; Rita Perria; Simone Priori; Paolo Storchi; Christos Tsolakis; Nadia Vignozzi. 2013. "Unexpected relationships between δ13C and wine grape performance in organic farming." OENO One 47, no. 4: 269-285.
M.C. Andrenelli; S. Magini; Sergio Pellegrini; Rita Perria; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo Costantini. The use of the ARP© system to reduce the costs of soil survey for precision viticulture. Journal of Applied Geophysics 2013, 99, 24 -34.
AMA StyleM.C. Andrenelli, S. Magini, Sergio Pellegrini, Rita Perria, Nadia Vignozzi, Edoardo Costantini. The use of the ARP© system to reduce the costs of soil survey for precision viticulture. Journal of Applied Geophysics. 2013; 99 ():24-34.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM.C. Andrenelli; S. Magini; Sergio Pellegrini; Rita Perria; Nadia Vignozzi; Edoardo Costantini. 2013. "The use of the ARP© system to reduce the costs of soil survey for precision viticulture." Journal of Applied Geophysics 99, no. : 24-34.
Conservation agricultural practices, such as no-tillage, crops rotation and balanced fertilization are increasingly adopted for maintaining soil fertility, improving crops health and reducing soil erosion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the long-term adoption of contrasting tillage (no-tillage or conventional tillage) and N-fertilization (0 or 90 kg/ha N) practices on soil porosity and active bacterial communities in cropping system plots (sunflower–wheat or maize–wheat rotation) established on a clayish soil and under Mediterranean climate. Soil porosity was evaluated by micromorphological observations of soil thin sections. The composition and structure of the active bacterial communities were estimated by a culture-independent approach (reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction – denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR-DGGE) exploiting the 16S rRNA of bacteria and nirK, nirS and nosZ transcripts of denitrifiers. Finally, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to correlate microbial data with soil physical and chemical characteristics. When repeated for a long period, no-tillage has significantly increased soil compaction compared to the conventional tilled soil. Soil compaction was likely responsible for creating a selective environment for active bacterial species. On the other hand, tillage favoured the richness and diversity of active soil bacteria by increasing the rate of diffusion of O2 and the energy sources availability. A wide variability of active nirK denitrifiers was found in each soil management, while nirS denitrifiers were more closely related to lower porosity conditions. N fertilizer management seemed to affect mainly the active nosZ denitrifiers. Our results suggested that conservation tillage practices on heavy clayish soils are not free of relevant side effects on soil porosity and bacterial soil communities.
Roberta Pastorelli; Nadia Vignozzi; Silvia Landi; Raimondo Piccolo; Roberto Orsini; Giovanna Seddaiu; Pier Paolo Roggero; Marcello Pagliai. Consequences on macroporosity and bacterial diversity of adopting a no-tillage farming system in a clayish soil of Central Italy. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2013, 66, 78 -93.
AMA StyleRoberta Pastorelli, Nadia Vignozzi, Silvia Landi, Raimondo Piccolo, Roberto Orsini, Giovanna Seddaiu, Pier Paolo Roggero, Marcello Pagliai. Consequences on macroporosity and bacterial diversity of adopting a no-tillage farming system in a clayish soil of Central Italy. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2013; 66 ():78-93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberta Pastorelli; Nadia Vignozzi; Silvia Landi; Raimondo Piccolo; Roberto Orsini; Giovanna Seddaiu; Pier Paolo Roggero; Marcello Pagliai. 2013. "Consequences on macroporosity and bacterial diversity of adopting a no-tillage farming system in a clayish soil of Central Italy." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 66, no. : 78-93.
The clearing of Mediterranean maquis along with the creation of new pasture land has been an important factor of soil and land degradation in the Mediterranean region. The present research compared soil aggregates and their intraporosity in paired pasture/maquis plots in central E Sardinia (Italy), to study the impact of land use change on soil structure.
Claudio Zucca; Nadia Vignozzi; Salvatore Madrau; Mahmut Dingil; Franco Previtali; Selim Kapur. Shape and intraporosity of topsoil aggregates under maquis and pasture in the Mediteranean region. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 2013, 176, 529 -539.
AMA StyleClaudio Zucca, Nadia Vignozzi, Salvatore Madrau, Mahmut Dingil, Franco Previtali, Selim Kapur. Shape and intraporosity of topsoil aggregates under maquis and pasture in the Mediteranean region. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 2013; 176 (4):529-539.
Chicago/Turabian StyleClaudio Zucca; Nadia Vignozzi; Salvatore Madrau; Mahmut Dingil; Franco Previtali; Selim Kapur. 2013. "Shape and intraporosity of topsoil aggregates under maquis and pasture in the Mediteranean region." Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 176, no. 4: 529-539.
Long-term effects of plant covers on yield and oil quality in olive orchards are poorly known. We compared performance of Olea europaea trees grown under either tillage (CT) or permanent natural cover (NC) in a sandy-loam soil over five years and determined changes in soil properties. The soil was tilled from the year of planting until the end of the second growing season, when both soil management treatments were established. The CT treatment was kept weed-free using a harrow with vertical blades (0.10. m depth), whereas the NC was obtained by letting the natural flora grow. Trees were fully irrigated until year 3 after planting, when deficit irrigation (about 50% of full) was started for both soil treatments. Trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) of NC trees was 77 and 87% to that of CT trees at the end of the 2006 and 2010 growing seasons, respectively. Fruit yield and oil yield of NC trees were 65 and 69% to those of CT ones, respectively (means of five years), however, when expressed on a TCSA basis, they resulted 87 and 95%, respectively. The fruit number of NC trees was lower than CT ones, whereas the oil content was similar. There were no differences in free acidity, peroxide value, spectrophotometric indexes, and fatty acid composition, but phenolic concentrations of the NC treatment were slightly higher than those of CT oils. Soil macroporosity in the topsoil was 5.2 and 2% for the NC and CT treatments, respectively. Water infiltration rate in CT plots was lower than in NC ones because of soil surface crusting; NC had higher values of total organic carbon and total extractable carbon than CT, whereas the humic carbon content was unaffected
Riccardo Gucci; Giovanni Caruso; Claudio Bertolla; Stefania Urbani; Agnese Taticchi; Sonia Esposto; Maurizio Servili; Maria Isabella Sifola; Sergio Pellegrini; Marcello Pagliai; Nadia Vignozzi. Changes of soil properties and tree performance induced by soil management in a high-density olive orchard. European Journal of Agronomy 2012, 41, 18 -27.
AMA StyleRiccardo Gucci, Giovanni Caruso, Claudio Bertolla, Stefania Urbani, Agnese Taticchi, Sonia Esposto, Maurizio Servili, Maria Isabella Sifola, Sergio Pellegrini, Marcello Pagliai, Nadia Vignozzi. Changes of soil properties and tree performance induced by soil management in a high-density olive orchard. European Journal of Agronomy. 2012; 41 ():18-27.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRiccardo Gucci; Giovanni Caruso; Claudio Bertolla; Stefania Urbani; Agnese Taticchi; Sonia Esposto; Maurizio Servili; Maria Isabella Sifola; Sergio Pellegrini; Marcello Pagliai; Nadia Vignozzi. 2012. "Changes of soil properties and tree performance induced by soil management in a high-density olive orchard." European Journal of Agronomy 41, no. : 18-27.