35 research outputs found
Fate of selenium in soil: A case study in a maize (Zea mays L.) field under two irrigation regimes and fertilized with sodium selenite
No full textSelenium (Se) is a trace element necessary for both human and livestock nutrition. To increase Se human intake, soil Se fertilizations were performed but the fate of the added Se remains unclear. The present research aims to: (1) determine the influence of Se fertilization on the fractionation of Se in soil; (2) assess the influence of water availability on the distribution of soil Se chemical fractions; and (3) monitor the Se content in soil, leachates and plants. To reach these goals, 200 g Se ha−1 was applied to soil as sodium selenite in maize crops under two irrigation regimes, and the Se content in plant, soil chemical fractions and leachates were analyzed. Se application increased the total Se content of the soil, specifically it increased the Se content of the soluble, exchangeable and organic fractions with more pronounced effect in the soils with higher water availability. These differences disappeared over time likely due to the Se loss through volatilization. The hypothesis of Se volatilization is confirmed by the absence of both leachates during the maize growing season and differences among the treatments of Se content in sub-soil samples. Also, although the Se treated plants showed higher Se content than the untreated ones, overall 1% of the added Se was assimilated by plants. Hence, this study demonstrated that the addition of selenite to the soil increased the Se contents of the plants, but the Se does not accumulate in the soil because it is likely lost via volatilization. Further, leaching of Se into groundwater is avoided due to its association with both the soil organic matter and positively charged binding sites of soil, and due to its loss via volatilization. Therefore, soil Se fertilization could increase the nutritional value of plants without consequences on the environment
Rinaturalizzazione mediante l'impiego di compost da RSU di un terreno antropogenico di copertura di una discarica controllata
No full textImpact of Na-selenite fertilization on the microbial biomass and enzymes of a soil under corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation
No full textWe tested the over time effect of different selenium doses [50 (D50) and 100 (D100) g ha−1 of Se as Na2SeO3] on a soil under corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation. The soil was sampled 18 (t1), 48 (t2) and 59 (t3) days after the addition of Se and analysed for total Se, organic carbon and nitrogen, water-extractable organic carbon, available P, microbial biomass-C (Cmic) contents, the cumulative basal respiration (ΣCO2-C) and some enzymatic activities. Our findings showed Se fertilization increased the total soil Se content, although the differences between the treated and the untreated soils disappeared over time. Se fertilization had a negligible effect on the selected soil chemical and biochemical properties, with the exception of the ΣCO2-C, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and dehydrogenase activity. Indeed, these parameters showed lower values at t3 in the treated than in the untreated soils without significant decrease of the Cmic suggesting a less energy demanded by the soil microorganisms for their own maintenance. This finding suggested a better adaptation of the microbial community to the modified conditions in the treated soils, where Se fertilization might have caused a shift in soil microbial community structure and/or promoted the survival of selected microorganisms. Overall, the obtained data highlighted that Se fertilization with Na-selenite, at the rate of 50 and 100 g ha−1, had no negative impact on soil chemical and biochemical parameters, at least on a short term
Investigating the genetic basis of salt-tolerance in common bean: a genome-wide association study at the early vegetative stage
No full textSalinity poses a significant challenge to global crop productivity, affecting approximately 20% of cultivated and 33% of irrigated farmland, and this issue is on the rise. Negative impact of salinity on plant development and metabolism leads to physiological and morphological alterations mainly due to high ion concentration in tissues and the reduced water and nutrients uptake. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a staple food crop accounting for a substantial portion of consumed grain legumes worldwide, is highly susceptible to salt stress resulting in noticeable reduction in dry matter gain in roots and shoots even at low salt concentrations. In this study we screened a common bean panel of diversity encompassing 192 homozygous genotypes for salt tolerance at seedling stage. Phenotypic data were leveraged to identify genomic regions involved in salt stress tolerance in the species through GWAS. We detected seven significant associations between shoot dry weight and SNP markers. The candidate genes, in linkage with the regions associated to salt tolerance or harbouring the detected SNP, showed strong homology with genes known to be involved in salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Our findings provide valuable insights onto the genetic control of salt tolerance in common bean and represent a first contribution to address the challenge of salinity-induced yield losses in this species and poses the ground to eventually breed salt tolerant common bean varieties
Agronomic potential of two different glass-based materials as novel inorganic slow-release iron fertilizers
No full textBACKGROUND: Large amounts of chemical fertilizers are still currently used to compensate the soil nutrients scarcity in order to increase and sustain crop yield with consequent rising of environmental pollution and health problems. To mitigate these environmental risks, fertilizers with slow-release behaviours have been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic potential of two different glass-based materials (by-products from the ceramic sector) as inorganic slow-release iron (Fe) fertilizers. RESULTS: The X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the presence of amorphous structure and the richness in Fe of the investigated materials. The solubility analysis highlighted the slow Fe release from the glassy network and that the maximum of the Fe release was at alkaline pH suggesting their potential use as slow-release Fe fertilizers, especially in calcareous soils. The pot and leaching experiments demonstrated that although the glass-based materials increased the amount of soil available Fe, we did not observe Fe leaching and plant toxicity. This fact would suggest their reliability to increase soil fertility without negative effects on the environment. CONCLUSION: The use of glass-based materials, specifically by-products from the ceramic sectors, as inorganic slow-release Fe fertilizers can be sustained. The tests performed at three different pH conditions testified the slow-release behaviour of the tested materials and underlined that the Fe release increases at alkaline environment. Therefore, the present study pointed out the glass-based materials by products from the ceramic sector as novel slow-release and environmental-friendly fertilizers in agriculture
Acidi umici da suolo e da compost e loro Acidi umici da suolo e loro complessi con il Piombo analizzati in spettroscopia infrarossa, spettroscopia di fluorescenza e calorimetria a scansione differenziale
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Aumento del contenido de selenio en aceites de oliva virgen extra: implicaciones cuantitativas y cualitativas
No full textThe biofortification of food crops for human consumption is a direct strategy increasing dietary intake of selenium (Se). The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of increasing the Se content of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by spraying the olive tree canopy with sodium selenate and the effect of the increase in Se on the chemical properties and sensory characteristics of the EVOO. Se treatments were up to 50 times more effective in enhancing Se content in the EVOO compared with the untreated controls. Se concentration in all the EVOO samples can be considered adequate and useful for providing the human diet with the correct dose of Se. Se-enriched EVOO showed a significant increase in pigment and phenol content. Also, Se treatment does not produce negative effects on fruit characteristics or the sensory quality of EVOO.La biofortificación de cultivos alimenticios para el consumo humano es una estrategia directa para aumentar la ingesta de selenio (Se) en la dieta. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la posibilidad de aumentar el contenido de Se en aceites de oliva virgen extra (AOVE) pulverizando la copa de los olivos con selenato de sodio y el efecto del aumento en el contenido de Se en las propiedades químicas y características sensoriales del AOVE. Los tratamientos con Se fueron muy eficaces consiguiendo aumentar el contenido de Se en el AOVE hasta 50 veces más en comparación con los controles no tratados. La concentración de Se en todas las muestras EVOO puede considerarse adecuada y útil para proporcionar a la dieta humana con la dosis correcta de Se. EVOO-Se enriquecido mostró un aumento significativo en pigmentos y contenido de fenoles. Además, el tratamiento de Se no implica efectos negativos sobre caracteristicas frutales ni sobre la calidad sensorial de AOVE
Urban Waste Compost: Effects on Physical, Chemical, and Biochemical Soil Properties
No full textA long-term field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the additions of urban waste compost on the physical and chemical properties and enzymatic activities in a calcareous soil (Fluventic Xerochrept). Total porosity (pores >50 μm measured on thin soil sections from undisturbed samples by image analysis) was greater in the plots treated with compost than the control plots due to a larger amount of elongated pores. In the amended plots total and humified organic C, Pb, Cu, and Zn showed a significant increase compared with nonamended plots. Enzymatic activities (L-asparaginase, arylsulphatase, dehydrogenase, phosphodiesterase, and alkaline phosphomonoesterase) were significantly enhanced by the compost addition thus indicating no inhibiting influence of the heavy metals present. The increased levels of the arylsulphatase, dehydrogenase, phosphodiesterase, and phosphomonoesterase activities were significantly correlated with total porosity: the first three with pores ranging from 50 to 1000 μm, mainly with pores 50 to 200 μm in size, and phosphomonoesterase only with pores whose size was <500 μm. L-asparaginase activity was not correlated with porosity. Only arylsulphatase, dehydrogenase, and phosphodiesterase were negatively correlated with bulk density
In vitro evaluation of the inhibitory activity of different selenium chemical forms on the growth of a fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice seedlings
No full textIn this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a Fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice were investigated. A concentration‐dependent effect was detected. Se reduced fungal growth starting from 10 mg kg−1 and increasing the concentration (15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1 ) enhanced the inhibitory effect. Se bioactivity was also chemical form dependent. Selenocystine was found to be the most effective at the lowest concentration (5 mg kg−1 ). Complete growth inhibition was observed at 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystine. Se speciation analysis revealed that fungus was able to change the Se speciation when the lowest Se concentration was applied. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed an alteration of the fungal morphology induced by Se. Considering that the inorganic forms have a higher solubility in water and are cheaper than organic forms, 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite can be suggested as the best combination suitable to inhibit F. proliferatum strain. The addition of low concentrations of Se from selenite to conventional fungicides may be a promising alternative approach for the control of Fusarium species
