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Dielectric sensors are useful instruments for measuring soil moisture and salinity. The soil moisture is determined by measuring the dielectric permittivity, while bulk electrical conductivity (EC) is measured directly. However, permittivity and bulk EC can be altered by many variables such as measurement frequency, soil texture, salinity, or temperature. Soil temperature variation is a crucial factor as there is much evidence showing that global warming is taking place. This work aims to assess how variations in the temperature and salinity of coconut fiber affect the output of EC5 (voltage) and GS3 (permittivity and bulk EC) Decagon sensors. The results showed that the effect of temperature and salinity on the output of the sensors can lead to substantial errors in moisture estimations. At low salinity values, permittivity readings decreased as temperature increased, while voltage readings were not affected, regardless of substrate moisture. The GS3 sensor underestimated the bulk EC when it is measured below 25 °C. The temperature dependence of the voltage of EC5 was not significant up to 10 dS m−1, and the permittivity of the GS3 was more affected by the interaction between temperature and salinity. The effect that salinity has on the permittivity of the GS3 sensor can be reduced if a permittivity–moisture calibration is performed with saline solutions, while the effect resulting from the interaction between temperature and salinity can be minimized using a regression model that considers such an interaction.
Sebastián Bañón; Jesús Ochoa; Daniel Bañón; María Ortuño; María Sánchez-Blanco. Assessment of the Combined Effect of Temperature and Salinity on the Outputs of Soil Dielectric Sensors in Coconut Fiber. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6577 .
AMA StyleSebastián Bañón, Jesús Ochoa, Daniel Bañón, María Ortuño, María Sánchez-Blanco. Assessment of the Combined Effect of Temperature and Salinity on the Outputs of Soil Dielectric Sensors in Coconut Fiber. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (16):6577.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSebastián Bañón; Jesús Ochoa; Daniel Bañón; María Ortuño; María Sánchez-Blanco. 2020. "Assessment of the Combined Effect of Temperature and Salinity on the Outputs of Soil Dielectric Sensors in Coconut Fiber." Sustainability 12, no. 16: 6577.
Seed is the dissemination unit of plants initiating an important stage in the life cycle of plants. Seed development, comprising two phases: embryogenesis and seed maturation, may define the quality of sown seed, especially under abiotic stress. In this review we have focused on the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms underlying these complex processes and how they are controlled by distinct environmental factors regulating ion homeostasis into the seed tissues. The role of transporters affecting seed embryogenesis and first stages of germination as imbibition and subsequent radicle protrusion and extension were revised from a molecular point of view. Seed formation depends on the loading of nutrients from the maternal seed coat to the filial endosperm, a process of which the efflux is not clear and where different ions and transporters are involved. The clear interrelation between soil nutrients, presence of heavy metals and the ion capacity of penetration through the seed are discussed in terms of ion effect during different germination stages. Results concerning seed priming techniques used in the improvement of seed vigor and radicle emergence are shown, where the use of nutrients as a novel way of osmopriming to alleviate abiotic stress effects and improve seedlings yield is discussed. Novel approaches to know the re-translocation from source leaves to developing seeds are considered, as an essential mechanism to understand the biofortification process of certain grains in order to cope with nutrient deficiencies, especially in arid and semiarid areas. Finally, the role of new genes involved in hormone-dependent processes, oxidative response and water uptake into the seeds during their development or germination, have been described as plant mechanisms to deal with abiotic stresses.
María Del Carmen Martínez-Ballesta; Catalina Egea-Gilabert; Encarnación Conesa; Jesús Ochoa; María José Vicente; Jose A. Franco; Sebastián Bañon; Juan J. Martínez; Juan A. Fernández. The Importance of Ion Homeostasis and Nutrient Status in Seed Development and Germination. Agronomy 2020, 10, 504 .
AMA StyleMaría Del Carmen Martínez-Ballesta, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Encarnación Conesa, Jesús Ochoa, María José Vicente, Jose A. Franco, Sebastián Bañon, Juan J. Martínez, Juan A. Fernández. The Importance of Ion Homeostasis and Nutrient Status in Seed Development and Germination. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (4):504.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Del Carmen Martínez-Ballesta; Catalina Egea-Gilabert; Encarnación Conesa; Jesús Ochoa; María José Vicente; Jose A. Franco; Sebastián Bañon; Juan J. Martínez; Juan A. Fernández. 2020. "The Importance of Ion Homeostasis and Nutrient Status in Seed Development and Germination." Agronomy 10, no. 4: 504.
Notwithstanding that indoor farming is claimed to reduce the environmental pressures of food systems, electricity needs are elevated and mainly associated with lighting. To date, however, no studies have quantified the environmental and economic profile of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lighting in indoor farming systems. The goal of this study is to quantify the effect of varying the red (R) and blue (B) LED spectral components (RB ratios of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4) on the eco-efficiency of indoor production of lettuce, chicory, rocket and sweet basil from a life cycle perspective. The functional unit of the assessment was 1 kg of harvested fresh plant edible product, and the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) method was employed for impact assessment. Even though most of the materials of the LED lamp and electronic elements were imported from long distances (14,400 km), electricity consumption was the largest contributor to the environmental impacts (with the LED lamps being the main electricity consumers, approximately 70%), apart from the resources use indicator, where the materials of the lamps and the mineral nutrients were also relevant. RB0.5 was the most energy-efficient light treatment but had the lowest eco-efficiency scores due to the lower crop yields.
Giuseppina Pennisi; Esther Sanyé-Mengual; Francesco Orsini; Andrea Crepaldi; Silvana Nicola; Jesús Ochoa; Juan Fernandez; Giorgio Gianquinto. Modelling Environmental Burdens of Indoor-Grown Vegetables and Herbs as Affected by Red and Blue LED Lighting. Sustainability 2019, 11, 4063 .
AMA StyleGiuseppina Pennisi, Esther Sanyé-Mengual, Francesco Orsini, Andrea Crepaldi, Silvana Nicola, Jesús Ochoa, Juan Fernandez, Giorgio Gianquinto. Modelling Environmental Burdens of Indoor-Grown Vegetables and Herbs as Affected by Red and Blue LED Lighting. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (15):4063.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppina Pennisi; Esther Sanyé-Mengual; Francesco Orsini; Andrea Crepaldi; Silvana Nicola; Jesús Ochoa; Juan Fernandez; Giorgio Gianquinto. 2019. "Modelling Environmental Burdens of Indoor-Grown Vegetables and Herbs as Affected by Red and Blue LED Lighting." Sustainability 11, no. 15: 4063.
Urban gardens are spreading in many cities across Europe, with community gardening being a fundamental form of urban agriculture. While the literature reveals the essential role that community gardens can play in terms of learning and education, no studies have investigated the training needs for participants in community gardens to ensure their successful development. The goal of this article is to evaluate the training requirements of urban community gardens to ensure their successful implementation and their contribution to sustainability in European cities. Two questionnaires of users’ needs analysis were designed and implemented in Berlin, Bologna, Budapest, and Cartagena. The results unveiled the need to re-enforce the training in the formation and community building phases of community gardens towards ensuring the creation of an engaged gardening community to maintain activity, particularly for top-down activities (e.g., research-related gardens). Users claimed their need for being trained on crop management skills (e.g., maintenance, bed preparation, organic practices) and on communication skills to further disseminate their activity, thereby increasing the potential for citizen engagement. Such requirements could be overcome with the creation of urban gardens networks, where experiences and knowledge are shared among practitioners. Policy recommendations are provided based on the outputs of this study.
Jesus Ochoa; Esther Sanyé-Mengual; Kathrin Specht; Juan A. Fernández; Sebastián Bañón; Francesco Orsini; Francesca Magrefi; Giovanni Bazzocchi; Severin Halder; Doerte Martens; Noemi Kappel; Giorgio Gianquinto. Sustainable Community Gardens Require Social Engagement and Training: A Users’ Needs Analysis in Europe. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3978 .
AMA StyleJesus Ochoa, Esther Sanyé-Mengual, Kathrin Specht, Juan A. Fernández, Sebastián Bañón, Francesco Orsini, Francesca Magrefi, Giovanni Bazzocchi, Severin Halder, Doerte Martens, Noemi Kappel, Giorgio Gianquinto. Sustainable Community Gardens Require Social Engagement and Training: A Users’ Needs Analysis in Europe. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (14):3978.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJesus Ochoa; Esther Sanyé-Mengual; Kathrin Specht; Juan A. Fernández; Sebastián Bañón; Francesco Orsini; Francesca Magrefi; Giovanni Bazzocchi; Severin Halder; Doerte Martens; Noemi Kappel; Giorgio Gianquinto. 2019. "Sustainable Community Gardens Require Social Engagement and Training: A Users’ Needs Analysis in Europe." Sustainability 11, no. 14: 3978.