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Urban soil pollution by heavy metals (HMs) is a pressing problem in the development of urban agriculture (UA). In this context, the use of amendments, such as biochar, and phytoremediation are considered potentially cost-effective alternatives to conventional methods, and can be also combined to improve the remediation of soils from HMs. A pot experiment was performed to investigate the combined effect of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) and biochar amendment in remediating a sandy soil collected near a shooting range area co-contaminated with Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The biochar, obtained from a wood-chip gasifier fed with a mix of Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Mirb.) and Black Pine (Pinus nigra, J.F.Arnold) wood, was applied at two rates (0.8% and 1.6%, w/w). Eighteen weeks after sowing, all plants were harvested. The roots and aboveground tissues of the crops were separately collected and analyzed. The tested biochar effectively adsorbed the HMs (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) from the soil. Biochar increased DW production of aboveground and root tissues. Moreover, biochar significantly reduced the concentration of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the aboveground tissues of berseem clover, although a significant reduction was not detected for Cd and Zn. Results indicated that berseem clover was a Cr, Ni and Pb excluder. However, this species can be considered suitable for Cu phytoextraction and Cd and Zn phytostabilization of slightly polluted urban soil. Only the Cu levels in the aerial biomass were below the acceptable limit for use as fodder.
Antonio Pescatore; Chiara Grassi; Andrea Maria Rizzo; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. Effects of biochar on berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) growth and heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) accumulation. Chemosphere 2021, 131986 .
AMA StyleAntonio Pescatore, Chiara Grassi, Andrea Maria Rizzo, Simone Orlandini, Marco Napoli. Effects of biochar on berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) growth and heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) accumulation. Chemosphere. 2021; ():131986.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonio Pescatore; Chiara Grassi; Andrea Maria Rizzo; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. 2021. "Effects of biochar on berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) growth and heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) accumulation." Chemosphere , no. : 131986.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) needs to increase its food production to alleviate food insecurity exacerbated by climate variability and from increasing food demand. Balancing macronutrient inputs becomes essential for sustaining yields, increasing farmer's income and minimizing environmental costs deriving from fertilizer misuse. The present study calculates the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) mass balances by estimating macronutrient inputs and outputs of a quinoa field cultivated under full and deficit irrigation conditions (100 and 50 % crop evapotranspiration- ETc), in either the presence or absence of N fertilizer (100 and 0 kg ha-1 of N). The emerging findings show that to produce one ton of quinoa biomass (including seeds, stems and leaves) 12.7, 1.6 and 35.5 kg ha-1 of N, P and K, respectively, need to be added into the soil. While N and K are required at medium to fairly high amounts, P is needed in lower amounts. Hence, fertilizers in the form of potassium nitrate (KNO3) are more suitable than those with higher phosphorus concentrations, phosphate (PO43-). Overall, evidences from field experimentations are necessary for integrating farming input recommendations on crop agronomic guidelines, driven by national agricultural research institutions, and for promoting sustainable agriculture in SSA.
Jorge Alvar-Beltrán; Marco Napoli; Abdalla Dao; Amoro Ouattara; Leonardo Verdi; Simone Orlandini; Anna Dalla Marta. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mass balances in an irrigated quinoa field. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleJorge Alvar-Beltrán, Marco Napoli, Abdalla Dao, Amoro Ouattara, Leonardo Verdi, Simone Orlandini, Anna Dalla Marta. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mass balances in an irrigated quinoa field. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Alvar-Beltrán; Marco Napoli; Abdalla Dao; Amoro Ouattara; Leonardo Verdi; Simone Orlandini; Anna Dalla Marta. 2021. "Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mass balances in an irrigated quinoa field." Italian Journal of Agronomy , no. : 1.
Agricultural land set up systems comprise those agronomic structures able to preserve the soil fertility from water erosion, such as: ditching, contouring, earth-riser and stonewall terracing, draining, and channelization, etc.. However, in the past 60 years, agricultural mechanization has led to an expansion of the field size and reduction in land set up system intensity to make machine operation more feasible and cheaper. As a consequence, these transformations have made sloping fields less resilient to the storms and accelerated the soil erosion processes. Based on an 8- year field study in ‘Chianti Classico’ area (Tuscany, Central Italy), this research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the land set up systems such as diversion ditch, earth-riser and stonewall terracing on reducing water erosion from field crops, olive orchards, and vineyards. The results showed that diversion ditches were effective on herbaceous crop fields with slope steepness lower than 9%. While, for higher slopes, diversion ditches were not sufficient to contain the soil loss within OECD 2008 tolerable limits in none of the considered land uses. On the opposite, in steep slopes, earth-riser terraces and stonewall terraces have shown their value as land set up system capable of reducing the erosive process. Their greatest drawback is the reduction of the cultivable surface deriving from the presence of the riser and the walls. However, their added value as a precious element characterizing the local landscape was of considerable importance for the local economy linked to tourism. Highlights - Diversion ditches reduce soil erosion on herbaceous crop fields with slope lower than 9%. - Diversion ditches did not contain the soil loss within acceptable limits on steep slopes. - Earth-riser terraces and stonewall terraces reduced soil losses within acceptable limits. - Terraces reduced soil loss by 4.7-12.3 times with respect to diversion ditches. - The analysis was performed on measured average annual soil loss data from 695 fields.
Marco Napoli; Filiberto Altobelli; Simone Orlandini. Effect of land set up systems on soil losses. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2020, 15, 306 -314.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Filiberto Altobelli, Simone Orlandini. Effect of land set up systems on soil losses. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2020; 15 (4):306-314.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Filiberto Altobelli; Simone Orlandini. 2020. "Effect of land set up systems on soil losses." Italian Journal of Agronomy 15, no. 4: 306-314.
According to European Landscape Convention, the term Landscape means an area whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and human factors. The equilibrium between these forces is mandatory to preserve this heritage implementing a good land protection and conservation policy that implies many professional figures like agronomists and soil scientists. Italian territory includes different physiographic regions in which many human activities, especially agriculture, differently operated through the time...
Filiberto Altobelli; Marco Napoli; Anna Benedetti; Ronald Vargas; Giuseppe Corti. Land set up systems and beyond: Influence of soil management on water and soil conservation sewed up to a variety of pedoclimatic environments and farming systems. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2020, 15, 261 -261.
AMA StyleFiliberto Altobelli, Marco Napoli, Anna Benedetti, Ronald Vargas, Giuseppe Corti. Land set up systems and beyond: Influence of soil management on water and soil conservation sewed up to a variety of pedoclimatic environments and farming systems. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2020; 15 (4):261-261.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFiliberto Altobelli; Marco Napoli; Anna Benedetti; Ronald Vargas; Giuseppe Corti. 2020. "Land set up systems and beyond: Influence of soil management on water and soil conservation sewed up to a variety of pedoclimatic environments and farming systems." Italian Journal of Agronomy 15, no. 4: 261-261.
It is essential to investigate to which extent and how specifically soil–plant–microbe interactions can be conditioned by different agricultural practices. Legumes such as Vicia faba is one of the essential functional group in intercropping and crop rotations due to its higher N fixing capacity. Hence, it is important to study the living microbial community of this legume. Further, it is also expected that fluctuations in soil microbial diversity and composition could be complemented by plant phenological stages and different fertilizer amendments. Thus, we investigated bacterial community composition in soil treated with phosphate-based inorganic and organic fertilizers, in the presence of Vicia faba plants at flowering and fruiting time using NGS 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Further, the evaluation of plant biomass parameters under different fertilizer treatments was also carried out. The presence of the Vicia faba plant increased the abundance of N fixing bacterial such as Bardyrhizobium, Microvirga (Rhizobiales), Arthrobacter, and Psuedoarthrobacter (Actinomycetales) in soil. Fluctuation in composition and diversity of bacterial community was further supplemented by plant phenological stages. These alterations could be due to changes that occurred in the plant nutrient requirement and varied root exudation patterns at a specific phenological stage. Further, fertilizer treatments also have a profound effect on the diversity and structure of the bacterial community. Organic fertilizers, especially vegetable tanned leather waste (VTLW), have a stronger effect on the composition and diversity of bacterial community compared to inorganic fertilizer (PT—triple superphosphate). Alpha-diversity was significantly decreased by both organic and inorganic amendments, especially a species evenness because each fertilizer tends to stimulate the growth of distinctive microbes that dominated the community of amended soil. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria were the most abundant phyla, and Chelatococcus, Cyanobacteria, Sphingomonas, and Microvirga were a most abundant genus that contributed most in co-occurrence pattern, which suggests that these generalists are adapted to a variety of environments. These indicate that plant presence was a key, dominating factor, followed by fertilizers and time, in affecting soil bacterial diversity and composition. Plant recruits system (fertilization and time) -specific taxa due to differences in available nutrients and energy sources among different treatments during different growth stages. Further, fertilizer treatments did not have a stronger effect on plant production as compared to the effect on microbial community, which highlights that organic fertilizers did not tend to increase plant production. Thus, organic and inorganic amendments with matched macronutrients could have a similar impact on crop yields.
Shamina Pathan; Silvia Scibetta; Chiara Grassi; Giacomo Pietramellara; Simone Orlandini; Maria Ceccherini; Marco Napoli. Response of Soil Bacterial Community to Application of Organic and Inorganic Phosphate Based Fertilizers under Vicia faba L. Cultivation at Two Different Phenological Stages. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9706 .
AMA StyleShamina Pathan, Silvia Scibetta, Chiara Grassi, Giacomo Pietramellara, Simone Orlandini, Maria Ceccherini, Marco Napoli. Response of Soil Bacterial Community to Application of Organic and Inorganic Phosphate Based Fertilizers under Vicia faba L. Cultivation at Two Different Phenological Stages. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (22):9706.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShamina Pathan; Silvia Scibetta; Chiara Grassi; Giacomo Pietramellara; Simone Orlandini; Maria Ceccherini; Marco Napoli. 2020. "Response of Soil Bacterial Community to Application of Organic and Inorganic Phosphate Based Fertilizers under Vicia faba L. Cultivation at Two Different Phenological Stages." Sustainability 12, no. 22: 9706.
A preliminary study was conducted to analyze the sustainability of barley production through: (i) investigating sensor-based nitrogen (N) application on barley performance, compared with conventional N management (CT); (ii) assessing the potential of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at different growth stages for within-season predictions of crop parameters; and (iii) evaluating sensor-based fertilization benefits in the form of greenhouse gasses mitigation. Barley was grown under CT, sensor-based management (RF) and with no N fertilization (Control). NDVI measurements and RF fertilization were performed using a GreenSeeker™ 505 hand-held optical sensor. Gas emissions were measured using a static chamber method with a portable gas analyzer. Results showed that barley yield was not statistically different under RF and CF, while they both differed significantly from Control. Highly significant positive correlations were observed between NDVI and production parameters at harvesting from the middle of stem elongation to the medium milk stage across treatments. Our findings suggest that RF is able to decrease CO2 emission in comparison with CF. The relationship between N fertilization and CH4 emission showed high variability. These preliminary results provide an indication of the benefits achieved using a simple proximal sensing methodology to support N fertilization.
Carolina Fabbri; Marco Napoli; Leonardo Verdi; Marco Mancini; Simone Orlandini; Anna Dalla Marta. A Sustainability Assessment of the Greenseeker N Management Tool: A Lysimetric Experiment on Barley. Sustainability 2020, 12, 7303 .
AMA StyleCarolina Fabbri, Marco Napoli, Leonardo Verdi, Marco Mancini, Simone Orlandini, Anna Dalla Marta. A Sustainability Assessment of the Greenseeker N Management Tool: A Lysimetric Experiment on Barley. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (18):7303.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarolina Fabbri; Marco Napoli; Leonardo Verdi; Marco Mancini; Simone Orlandini; Anna Dalla Marta. 2020. "A Sustainability Assessment of the Greenseeker N Management Tool: A Lysimetric Experiment on Barley." Sustainability 12, no. 18: 7303.
The present study developed a method to use RapidEye satellite information for N management in durum wheat cultivation. The estimation of the N status was based on the development of Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI), referred to as the ratio between actual N concentration (Nac) and the minimum N content required to obtain maximum biomass (critical N concentration (Nc)). Nc was then calculated by means of a Nc dilution curve, which was calibrated through the use of durum wheat experimental fields (the number varying per year) in Val D’Orcia area (Tuscany) over three consecutive growing seasons from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012, respectively. The data (Nac and biomass) to produce estimated NNI were obtained by matching the available field samples with information obtained from remote sensing. Statistical analysis indicated that both modified chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index (MCARI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI2) were the best vegetation indices (VIs) for estimating Nac and biomass, respectively. The validation, attained using the 2012/2013 experimental field data, showed that the proposed model was very reliable. This could be an effective method in advising farmers on the application of midseason N fertilization treatments, through precision farming operations.
Carolina Fabbri; Marco Mancini; Anna Dalla Marta; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. Integrating satellite data with a Nitrogen Nutrition Curve for precision top-dress fertilization of durum wheat. European Journal of Agronomy 2020, 120, 126148 .
AMA StyleCarolina Fabbri, Marco Mancini, Anna Dalla Marta, Simone Orlandini, Marco Napoli. Integrating satellite data with a Nitrogen Nutrition Curve for precision top-dress fertilization of durum wheat. European Journal of Agronomy. 2020; 120 ():126148.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarolina Fabbri; Marco Mancini; Anna Dalla Marta; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. 2020. "Integrating satellite data with a Nitrogen Nutrition Curve for precision top-dress fertilization of durum wheat." European Journal of Agronomy 120, no. : 126148.
Agricultural intensification and soil mismanagement have been recognized among the main causes of soil erosion in Mediterranean climate areas such as the Arbia stream basin (Tuscany, Italy). This study aims at predicting soil loss from agricultural fields as it is essential for providing reliable information for prioritizing soil conservation measures. Thus, measured soil loss from 243 agricultural fields within the Arbia stream basin during the period 2007–2010 were used to calibrate and validate the ArcSWAT 2012 model at hydrological response units (HRU) scale. Analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey honest significant test was used to assess significant measured soil loss differences between slope steepness classes and land covers. Soil loss estimation was always “very good” for irrigated field crops, olive groves, and vineyards, “good” for unirrigated field crops, and “unsatisfactory” for broad-leaved forest. The model succeeded in the quantitative assessment of erosive processes at HRU scales. Its application to the whole Arbia stream basin estimated that 31% of the total surface is subjected to higher erosion levels. This approach might help facilitate the identification of priority areas that need the implementation of conservation measures.
Luciano Massetti; Chiara Grassi; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. Modelling Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Areas with Complex Topography. Agronomy 2020, 10, 750 .
AMA StyleLuciano Massetti, Chiara Grassi, Simone Orlandini, Marco Napoli. Modelling Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Areas with Complex Topography. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (5):750.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuciano Massetti; Chiara Grassi; Simone Orlandini; Marco Napoli. 2020. "Modelling Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Areas with Complex Topography." Agronomy 10, no. 5: 750.
Flour from old varieties are usually considered very weak flours, and thus difficult to use in breadmaking especially when processed as Italian “Tipo 2” flour. Hence, the aim of our study was to understand if agronomic treatments can be used to improve flour processability and the quality of three old wheat varieties. An experimental strip-plot scheme was used: three old wheat varieties (Andriolo, Sieve, Verna), two seeding densities, three levels of nitrogen fertilization (N35, N80, and N135), and two levels of foliar sulfur fertilization. Analyzed parameters related to kernel composition, dough rheology and bread quality. Sulfur and nitrogen treatments significantly affected protein composition and dough alveograph strength, which increased by about 34% with nitrogen fertilization, and by about 14% with the sulfur treatment. However, only nitrogen fertilization affected bread characteristics. Crumb density significantly decreased from N35 to N135, while springiness and cohesiveness increased. On the other hand, sulfur did not improve breads. This highlight the importance of performing breadmaking tests in addition to the rheological determinations. The poor technological performance of old wheat flours can be improved with agronomical treatments designed to obtain higher-quality bread.
Lorenzo Guerrini; Marco Napoli; Marco Mancini; Piernicola Masella; Alessio Cappelli; Alessandro Parenti; Simone Orlandini. Wheat Grain Composition, Dough Rheology and Bread Quality as Affected by Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization and Seeding Density. Agronomy 2020, 10, 233 .
AMA StyleLorenzo Guerrini, Marco Napoli, Marco Mancini, Piernicola Masella, Alessio Cappelli, Alessandro Parenti, Simone Orlandini. Wheat Grain Composition, Dough Rheology and Bread Quality as Affected by Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization and Seeding Density. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (2):233.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorenzo Guerrini; Marco Napoli; Marco Mancini; Piernicola Masella; Alessio Cappelli; Alessandro Parenti; Simone Orlandini. 2020. "Wheat Grain Composition, Dough Rheology and Bread Quality as Affected by Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization and Seeding Density." Agronomy 10, no. 2: 233.
Zinc (Zn) is naturally present in soils and constitutes an essential micronutrient for plants. Mining, industrial, as well as various agricultural activities all contribute to increasing the Zn concentrations in soils to levels that are toxic for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of field crops to remove Zn from contaminated soils. The experimental design included 28 treatments, comprising seven field crops (Hordeum vulgare L., Ricinus communis L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Brassica juncea Czem., Sorgum vulgare L., Spinacea oleracea L., Solanum lycopersicum L.) and four Zn levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg kg−1) applied to soils. The dry weight (DW) of the aboveground biomass of R. communis and S. lycopersicum increased significantly as the Zn concentration in the soil increased, whereas the DW significantly decreased in P. vulgaris, B. juncea and S. vulgare. Results indicated that S. oleracea was the most efficient in concentrating Zn in the aboveground tissues, followed in decreasing order by H. vulgare, S. lycopersicum, R. communis, S. vulgare, P. vulgaris, and B. juncea. H. vulgare resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn both in fruit and in leaves and stems, whereas S. lycopersicum resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn in roots. The BAF and TF values indicated that H. vulgare and S. oleracea resulted being suitable for Zn phytoextraction, whereas the remaining crops being suitable for Zn phytostabilization. These results highlight the phytoremediation potential of the seven analysed crops.
Chiara Grassi; Stefano Cecchi; Ada Baldi; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini; Andrea Pardini; Marco Napoli. Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil. Chemosphere 2019, 246, 125706 .
AMA StyleChiara Grassi, Stefano Cecchi, Ada Baldi, Camillo A. Zanchi, Simone Orlandini, Andrea Pardini, Marco Napoli. Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil. Chemosphere. 2019; 246 ():125706.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Grassi; Stefano Cecchi; Ada Baldi; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini; Andrea Pardini; Marco Napoli. 2019. "Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil." Chemosphere 246, no. : 125706.
Predicting the availability and quality of freshwater resources is a pressing concern in the Mediterranean area, where a number of agricultural systems depend solely on precipitation. This study aims at predicting streamflow and nonpoint pollutant loads in a temporary river system in the Mediterranean basin (Sulcis area, Sardinia, Italy). Monthly discharge, suspended sediment, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen, mineral phosphorus, and dissolved oxygen in-stream monitoring data from gauge stations were used to calibrate and validate the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model for the period 1979–2009. A Sequential Uncertainty Fitting procedure was used to auto-calibrate parameter uncertainties and model evaluation. Monthly simulation during the validation period showed a positive model performance for streamflow with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and percent bias values of 0.7% and 18.7%, respectively. The simulation results at a watershed level indicate that the sediment load was 1.13 t ha−1 year−1, while for total nitrogen and total phosphorus, the simulated values were 4.8 and 1.18 kg ha−1 year−1, respectively. These results were consistent with the values of soil and nutrient losses observed in the Mediterranean area, although hot-spot areas with high nutrient loadings were identified. The calibrated model could be used to assess long-term impacts on water quality associated with the simulated land use scenarios.
Giuseppe Pulighe; Guido Bonati; Marco Colangeli; Lorenzo Traverso; Flavio Lupia; Filiberto Altobelli; Anna Dalla Marta; Marco Napoli. Predicting Streamflow and Nutrient Loadings in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Watershed with Ephemeral Streams Using the SWAT Model. Agronomy 2019, 10, 2 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Pulighe, Guido Bonati, Marco Colangeli, Lorenzo Traverso, Flavio Lupia, Filiberto Altobelli, Anna Dalla Marta, Marco Napoli. Predicting Streamflow and Nutrient Loadings in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Watershed with Ephemeral Streams Using the SWAT Model. Agronomy. 2019; 10 (1):2.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Pulighe; Guido Bonati; Marco Colangeli; Lorenzo Traverso; Flavio Lupia; Filiberto Altobelli; Anna Dalla Marta; Marco Napoli. 2019. "Predicting Streamflow and Nutrient Loadings in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Watershed with Ephemeral Streams Using the SWAT Model." Agronomy 10, no. 1: 2.
C. Fabbri; M. Napoli; M. Mancini; G. Brandani; R. Vivoli; S. Orlandini. Adopting precision agriculture to improve the cultivation of old wheat varieties in Tuscany (Italy). Precision agriculture ’19 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleC. Fabbri, M. Napoli, M. Mancini, G. Brandani, R. Vivoli, S. Orlandini. Adopting precision agriculture to improve the cultivation of old wheat varieties in Tuscany (Italy). Precision agriculture ’19. 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Fabbri; M. Napoli; M. Mancini; G. Brandani; R. Vivoli; S. Orlandini. 2019. "Adopting precision agriculture to improve the cultivation of old wheat varieties in Tuscany (Italy)." Precision agriculture ’19 , no. : 1.
A UV exclusion experiment was conducted on durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. var. Claudio) grown in pots. Plants were grown under three different radiative treatments in greenhouses covered with plastic filters: Teflon, transparent to the entire region of natural UV‐visible sunlight (TEF); polyester, transparent above 312 nm (MYL, excluding UVB) and Lee, transparent above 400 nm (LEE, excluding both UVA and UVB). Analyses have been carried out to determine the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in leaves, UV‐absorbing compounds, nitrogen and carbon in leaves, culms and spikes and proteins and gluten in grains. In particular, plants grown under UV exclusion showed a reduction in protein and dry gluten content (consequently without variation in the ratio dry gluten/protein), but at the same time, a significant increase of gluten index, which is a parameter to define the quality of gluten, was observed. The results highlighted the influence played by UV radiation on some biochemical parameters, mainly UV‐absorbing compounds, leaf nitrogen and grain protein characteristics of durum wheat cultivated under Mediterranean conditions. In particular, natural level of UV in the Mediterranean improves the characteristics of durum wheat flour important for pasta production (high dry gluten level), while the UV exclusion could improve characteristics of flour important for bread production (high gluten index).
Daniele Grifoni; Marco Napoli; Francesco Sabatini; Simone Orlandini; Marco Mancini; Gaetano Zipoli; Anna Dalla Marta. Productive and biochemical responses of durum wheat to UV filtration. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 2019, 205, 422 -432.
AMA StyleDaniele Grifoni, Marco Napoli, Francesco Sabatini, Simone Orlandini, Marco Mancini, Gaetano Zipoli, Anna Dalla Marta. Productive and biochemical responses of durum wheat to UV filtration. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 2019; 205 (4):422-432.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniele Grifoni; Marco Napoli; Francesco Sabatini; Simone Orlandini; Marco Mancini; Gaetano Zipoli; Anna Dalla Marta. 2019. "Productive and biochemical responses of durum wheat to UV filtration." Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 205, no. 4: 422-432.
More than half of the world population lives nowadays in urban areas and that’s the reason why the quality of the urban environment has become a key issue for human health. In this context, it is important to estimate and document any action that contributes to improving thermal comfort and air quality. The aim of this paper is to present a system for the design of urban spaces developed in the framework of the SMARTUrban project. Such a system aims at giving a strategic tool to administrators and design professionals for sustainable management and urban planning. SMARTUrban is a prototype of an urban space design software that estimates the effect of design modification or of new design on thermal comfort, carbon sequestration and air pollutant removal.
Luciano Massetti; Martina Petralli; Giada Brandani; Marco Napoli; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini; David Pearlmutter; Simone Orlandini; Alberto Giuntoli. Modelling the effect of urban design on thermal comfort and air quality: The SMARTUrban Project. Building Simulation 2019, 12, 169 -175.
AMA StyleLuciano Massetti, Martina Petralli, Giada Brandani, Marco Napoli, Francesco Ferrini, Alessio Fini, David Pearlmutter, Simone Orlandini, Alberto Giuntoli. Modelling the effect of urban design on thermal comfort and air quality: The SMARTUrban Project. Building Simulation. 2019; 12 (2):169-175.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuciano Massetti; Martina Petralli; Giada Brandani; Marco Napoli; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini; David Pearlmutter; Simone Orlandini; Alberto Giuntoli. 2019. "Modelling the effect of urban design on thermal comfort and air quality: The SMARTUrban Project." Building Simulation 12, no. 2: 169-175.
Copper (Cu) is among the main contaminant of agricultural soil. The reclamation of Cu polluted soils can be achieved with phytoextraction even if, in general, plants are Cu-excluders and uncommon are Cu-accumulators. The research objectives were to establish the Cu removal capacity by arable and vegetable crops and to investigate the distribution of Cu in their roots, stems and leaves, and fruits. Pot trials were conducted for two subsequent years in Tuscany (Italy). Cu was added into soil in four levels (0, 200, 400, 600 mg kg−1 of Cu). At harvesting, the crops roots, stems and leaves, and fruits or seeds were separately collected, oven dried, weighted, milled and separately analyzed. The results show that the GDUs value to reach the physiological maturity for barley, common bean, Indian mustard, and ricinus was significantly positively correlated with Cu concentration in soil in contrast with observed in sorghum, spinach, and tomato. Leaves and stems of spinach and ricinus have a good storage capacity in contrast with common bean, tomato, Indian mustard sorghum and barley. Tomato storage Cu mainly in fruits and roots which show a remarkable concentration of Cu that increases progressively with the increase of Cu concentration in the soil. In addition, the roots of common bean and ricinus showed a very high concentration of Cu. All species can be considered Cu-excluders because of their low capacity to uptake high quantity of Cu. Indian mustard can be considered a plant able to translocate the metal from root to epigeal tissue.
Marco Napoli; Stefano Cecchi; Chiara Grassi; Ada Baldi; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. Phytoextraction of copper from a contaminated soil using arable and vegetable crops. Chemosphere 2018, 219, 122 -129.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Stefano Cecchi, Chiara Grassi, Ada Baldi, Camillo A. Zanchi, Simone Orlandini. Phytoextraction of copper from a contaminated soil using arable and vegetable crops. Chemosphere. 2018; 219 ():122-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Stefano Cecchi; Chiara Grassi; Ada Baldi; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. 2018. "Phytoextraction of copper from a contaminated soil using arable and vegetable crops." Chemosphere 219, no. : 122-129.
Marco Napoli; Luciano Massetti; Simone Orlandini. Hydrological response to land use and climate changes in a rural hilly basin in Italy. CATENA 2017, 157, 1 -11.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Luciano Massetti, Simone Orlandini. Hydrological response to land use and climate changes in a rural hilly basin in Italy. CATENA. 2017; 157 ():1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Luciano Massetti; Simone Orlandini. 2017. "Hydrological response to land use and climate changes in a rural hilly basin in Italy." CATENA 157, no. : 1-11.
Marco Napoli; Anna Dalla Marta; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. Assessment of soil and nutrient losses by runoff under different soil management practices in an Italian hilly vineyard. Soil and Tillage Research 2017, 168, 71 -80.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Anna Dalla Marta, Camillo A. Zanchi, Simone Orlandini. Assessment of soil and nutrient losses by runoff under different soil management practices in an Italian hilly vineyard. Soil and Tillage Research. 2017; 168 ():71-80.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Anna Dalla Marta; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. 2017. "Assessment of soil and nutrient losses by runoff under different soil management practices in an Italian hilly vineyard." Soil and Tillage Research 168, no. : 71-80.
The issue of soil erosion is considered highly important by local administrators of the Chianti region. Thus, a methodology for predicting the long-term average annual soil loss, by using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in a Geographical Information System framework was developed and assessed. The rainfall and runoff erosivity factor was calculated using 35 raingauges with an acquisition interval of 15 min in the period from 1996 to 2010. The soil erodibility factor was estimated using a soil map at a scale of 1:50,000. The topographic factor was calculated from a 10 m digital elevation model. Moreover, a methodology was proposed that took into account the vineyard row direction and slope. Soil loss field data (566 field sites) were measured over 6 years using a topographical approach, and used to validate the model results. The statistical indices for the evaluation of the model were, respectively, the mean percent error (M%E), − 0.1%, the ratio of the RMSE to the standard deviation of the observations (RSR), 23.7%; and the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (NCS), 0.9. Statistics indicated good predictions of long-term average annual soil losses at a field scale. The average annual soil loss for the study area was predicted up to 6.4 t·ha− 1·y− 1. Approximately 13% of the study area was classified as high erosion (≥ 22 t·ha− 1·y− 1). The identification of areas with the greatest erosion risk supports the possibility of using the model for land-use and land-management planning purposes. Moreover, this assists in the identification of those areas towards which conservation measures can be directed.
Marco Napoli; Stefano Cecchi; Simone Orlandini; Gabriele Mugnai; Camillo A. Zanchi. Simulation of field-measured soil loss in Mediterranean hilly areas (Chianti, Italy) with RUSLE. CATENA 2016, 145, 246 -256.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Stefano Cecchi, Simone Orlandini, Gabriele Mugnai, Camillo A. Zanchi. Simulation of field-measured soil loss in Mediterranean hilly areas (Chianti, Italy) with RUSLE. CATENA. 2016; 145 ():246-256.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Stefano Cecchi; Simone Orlandini; Gabriele Mugnai; Camillo A. Zanchi. 2016. "Simulation of field-measured soil loss in Mediterranean hilly areas (Chianti, Italy) with RUSLE." CATENA 145, no. : 246-256.
Worldwide, glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in controlling the growth of annual and perennial weeds. An increasing number of studies have highlighted the environmental risk resulting from the use of this molecule in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of the study was to determine the transport of glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), through runoff and transported sediment from a vineyard under two different soil management systems: harrowed inter-row (HR) and permanent grass covered inter-row (GR). The study was performed over a period of 4 yr. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations were found to be higher in runoff and in transported sediment from HR compared with GR, regardless of the amount of runoff and transported sediment. The mean annual percentages of glyphosate loss, via runoff and transported sediment, were about 1.37 and 0.73% for HR and GR, respectively. Aminomethylphosphonic acid represented approximately 30.9 and 40.0% of the total glyphosate losses in GR and HR, respectively. Moreover, results suggested that rains occurring within 4 wk after treatment could cause the transport of glyphosate and AMPA in high concentrations. Soil analyses indicated that glyphosate content was below detection within 1 yr, whereas AMPA remained in the soil profiles along the vine row and in the inter-row. Results indicated that GR can reduce soil and herbicide loss by runoff in vineyard cropping system.
Marco Napoli; Anna Dalla Marta; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. Transport of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid under Two Soil Management Practices in an Italian Vineyard. Journal of Environmental Quality 2016, 45, 1713 -1721.
AMA StyleMarco Napoli, Anna Dalla Marta, Camillo A. Zanchi, Simone Orlandini. Transport of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid under Two Soil Management Practices in an Italian Vineyard. Journal of Environmental Quality. 2016; 45 (5):1713-1721.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Napoli; Anna Dalla Marta; Camillo A. Zanchi; Simone Orlandini. 2016. "Transport of Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid under Two Soil Management Practices in an Italian Vineyard." Journal of Environmental Quality 45, no. 5: 1713-1721.
The urban population growth, together with the contemporary deindustrialization of metropolitan areas, has resulted in a large amount of available land with new possible uses. It is well known that urban green areas provide several benefits in the surrounding environment, such as the improvement of thermal comfort conditions for the population during summer heat waves. The purpose of this study is to provide useful information on thermal regimes of urban soils to urban planners to be used during an urban transformation to mitigate surface temperatures and improve human thermal comfort. Field measurements of solar radiation, surface temperature (), air temperature (), relative humidity, and wind speed were collected on four types of urban soils and pavements in the city of Florence during summer 2014. Analysis of days under calm, clear-sky condition is reported. During daytime, sun-to-shadow differences for , apparent temperature index (ATI), and were significantly positive for all surfaces. Conversely, during nighttime, differences among all surfaces were significantly negative, whereas ATI showed significantly positive differences. Moreover, was significantly negative for grass and gravel. Relative to the shaded surfaces, was higher on white gravel and grass than gray sandstone and asphalt during nighttime, whereas gray sandstone was always the warmest surface during daytime. Conversely, no differences were found during nighttime for ATI and measured over surfaces that were exposed to sun during the day, whereas showed higher values on gravel than grass and asphalt during nighttime. An exposed surface warms less if its albedo is high, leading to a significant reduction of during daytime. These results underline the importance of considering the effects of surface characteristics on surface temperature and thermal comfort. This would be fundamental for addressing urban environment issues toward the heat island mitigation considering also the impact of urban renovation on microclimate.
Giada Brandani; Marco Napoli; Luciano Massetti; Martina Petralli; Simone Orlandini. Urban Soil: Assessing Ground Cover Impact on Surface Temperature and Thermal Comfort. Journal of Environmental Quality 2016, 45, 90 -97.
AMA StyleGiada Brandani, Marco Napoli, Luciano Massetti, Martina Petralli, Simone Orlandini. Urban Soil: Assessing Ground Cover Impact on Surface Temperature and Thermal Comfort. Journal of Environmental Quality. 2016; 45 (1):90-97.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiada Brandani; Marco Napoli; Luciano Massetti; Martina Petralli; Simone Orlandini. 2016. "Urban Soil: Assessing Ground Cover Impact on Surface Temperature and Thermal Comfort." Journal of Environmental Quality 45, no. 1: 90-97.