1,721,050 research outputs found
Investigating the carbon sequestration potential in vineyard soils – The SUSTAIN project
No full textThe SUSTAIN project aims at assessing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and vulnerability in vineyard in a climate change scenario. The accumulation and stabilization mechanisms of SOC and its relative distribution between pools having a different turnover are investigated.
Three experimental vineyards located in the Valpolicella area (Veneto region, North of Italy) were investigated to understand of how parent material and plant cultivar interactively control SOC accumulation and stabilization. These sites were characterized by the same climatic conditions, and by soils developed from different parent materials.
Three additional study areas were also selected and, in each of them, a randomized block design, consisting of 3 blocks composed of 8 plots each, and two factors, i.e., digestate application (amendment, cover crop, bare soil) and climate manipulation (ambient temperature, warming), was set up. In order to increase the temperature by ~2 °C (SSP2-4.5), open top chambers (OTC) were used. Soil samples are collected at four times (i.e., after 0, 6, 12 and 18 months from the OTC placement) and at 3 depths (i.e., 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 cm), and characterized from the physical, chemical and biological point of view. SOC storage and potential vulnerability to climate change were achieved by separating SOC into functionally defined fractions, namely particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). In fact, being more protected from microbial degradation by soil minerals, MAOM is generally expected to be less prone to disturbance compared to POM.
The results of this project will help implementing agro-environmental management practices supported by the new common agricultural policy (CAP), including carbon farming payment schemes based not only on the quantity of SOC stocked, but also on its turnover or susceptibility to global warming. Moreover, such a study will provide highlights on vineyard vulnerability and possible changes in wine quality in a climate change scenario
Carbon sequestration in vineyard: biomass utilization in a climate change scenario – The SUSTAIN project
No full textThe SUSTAIN project aims at assessing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and vulnerability in vineyard in a climate change scenario. The accumulation and stabilization mechanisms of organic carbon, both native that exogenous, as well as its relative distribution between SOC pools having a different turnover will be investigated. Three study areas within the Veneto region (North of Italy) have been selected and will represent true Living Labs. The experiment is set up as a randomized block design, consisting of 3 blocks composed of 8 plots each, and two factors, i.e., digestate application (amendment, cover crop, bare soil) and climate manipulation (ambient temperature, warming). In order to obtain a temperature increase of ~2 °C (SSP2-4.5), open top chambers (OTC) are used. Soil samples will be collected at four times (i.e., after 0, 6, 12 and 18 months from the OTC placement) and at 3 depths (i.e., 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 cm), and characterized from the physical, chemical and biological point of view. A more in-depth evaluation of SOC storage and potential vulnerability to climate change will be achieved by separating SOC into functionally defined fractions, namely particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). In fact, being more protected from microbial degradation by soil minerals, MAOM is generally expected to be less prone to disturbance compared to POM. The results of this project will help implementing agro-environmental management practices supported by the new common agricultural policy (CAP), including carbon farming payment schemes based not only on the quantity of SOC stocked, but also on its turnover or susceptibility to global warming
Uncovering European home gardens. their human and biological features and potential contribution to the conservation of agro-biodiversity. In (Bailey A., Eyzaguirre P., Maggioni L., eds)
No full textInfluence of reduced water flooding and increased temperature on SOM dynamics and crop yield in amended paddy soils
No full textPaddy soils represent a globally significant agroecosystem, not only as the primary environment for irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, but also as extensive anthropogenic wetlands, playing a key role in soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. In the context of climate change, rising temperatures and reduced water availability threaten soil health and fertility, as well as the whole resilience of this agroecosystem.
This study evaluates how anaerobic digestate application influences soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and crop yield in paddy soils under simulated climate stresses. A factorial field experiment tested three factors: amendment application (digestate, DS; unamended control, UN), temperature (ambient, AM; warming, ~2 °C, WR), and water regime (normal flooding, NF; reduced flooding, -30%, RF). SOM was fractionated into particulate (POM) and mineral-associated (MAOM) pools to assess C stabilization.
Comparing data obtained in 2024 and 2023, a SOC decline has been observed in both DS plots (~13.8 to 12.0 g/kg) and UN plots (~18.2 to 14.8 g/kg), with WR plots losing up to 15% more SOC than AM. At the same time, digestate application under NF conditions partially mitigated SOC losses. The C/N ratio also declined more in DS (11 to 9) than in UN (15 to 11), reflecting enhanced N availability.
Rice yield trends over the two-year period demonstrated clear responses to both organic amendment and climate stresses. In 2023, increased temperature and reduced flooding level resulted in a crop yield loss around 60-70%, whereas digestate application did not seem to mitigate the observed differences. By 2024, yields declined across all treatments, with warming reducing productivity by 40-60% compared to ambient conditions. This highlights the strong negative effect of elevated temperature on rice yield. While digestate improved N availability and supported higher yields under favorable conditions, its benefits were markedly constrained under warming, especially in combination with normal flooding. These findings indicate that digestate can enhance productivity and nutrient cycling under current climates, while its use needs to be integrated with tailored water management to sustain yields under warming scenarios
Digestato e stress climatici: effetti sulla dinamica del carbonio e sulla resa colturale nei suoli di risaia
No full textI suoli di risaia rappresentano un agroecosistema di importanza globale, fondamentale per la produzione di riso (Oryza sativa L.) e per la loro capacità di immagazzinare carbonio organico (SOC). Tuttavia, làumento delle temperature e la riduzione della disponibilità idrica, indotti dai cambiamenti climatici, compromettono la fertilità e la resilienza di tali sistemi, con possibili ripercussioni sulla produttività e sulla sostenibilità ambientale. Questo studio ha valutato gli effetti dell'applicazione di digestato anaerobico sulla dinamica della sostanza organica del suolo e sulla resa produttiva del riso, in condizioni di stress termico e idrico simulato. È stato condotto un esperimento in campo che ha considerato tre fattori: ammendamento (digestato, DS; controllo non ammendato, UN), temperatura (ambiente, AM; aumento della temperatura +2 °C, WR) e
regime idrico (inondazione normale, NF; ridotta del 30%, RF). Nel periodo 2023–2024 è stata osservata una riduzione del SOC sia nei suoli DS (da ∼13,8 a 12,0 g/kg) che nei suoli UN (da ∼18,2 a 14,8 g/kg), con perdite fino al 15% superiori nei trattamenti sottoposti a stress termico. L'applicazione di digestato ha tuttavia attenuato parzialmente tali perdite, in particolare in condizioni di inondazione normale. Il rapporto C/N è diminuito, indicando una maggiore disponibilità di azoto, mentre la resa del riso è calata in tutte le condizioni sperimentali, con riduzioni del 40–60% dovute allo stress termico; anche in questo caso, il digestato ha mostrato un certo effetto “tampone”. Nel complesso, i risultati hanno evidenziato che l'impiego del digestato può contribuire all'attuazione delle politiche italiane ed europee per la gestione sostenibile del suolo, quali il Piano Strategico PAC 2023–2027, la Strategia Nazionale per il Suolo e il PNRR,
promuovendo pratiche sostenibili e circolari per il miglioramento della fertilità del suolo e la resilienza climatica dei sistemi agroalimentari
Influence of digestate application on rice yield and soil organic matter pools in a climate change scenario
No full textIncreasing temperature and decreasing precipitation represent a serious threat to the agricultural sustainability of paddy soils, not only because rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the main irrigated crop worldwide, but also because they represent the largest anthropogenic wetland which, as such, is involved in carbon (C) sequestration. The application of anaerobic digestate represents an enormous potential to increase both soil C accrual, and thus mitigate climate change, and soil fertility. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the relative distribution of digestate into soil organic matter (SOM) pools under increasing temperatures. The main aims of our research are: a) to investigate the effects of increased temperature (~2°C) and reduced water levels (by 30%) on the amount and quality of SOM pools; and b) to determine how digestate application affects organic C (OC) stability and distribution into SOM fractions, with or without climate manipulation. The ability of digestate to mitigate the negative influence of climate changes on rice yields will be also assessed. The experimental design consists of 3 factors - amendment application (unamended control, UN; digestate, DS), climate manipulation (ambient temperature, AM; warming, WM) and water management (normal flooding, NF; reduced flooding, RF). To capture SOM protection mechanisms, soil samples were fractionated by size following aggregate dispersion, thus resulting in a particulate (POM) and a mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) fraction. Preliminary results reveal that, in AM and NF conditions, digestate application slightly increased rice yield compared to UN. In general, increased temperature and reduced water supply result in a crop yield loss ranging between 60 and 70%. Moreover, while in UN the water regime (NF vs. RF) seems to have no effect on rice yield in both AM and WM conditions, in DS the NF results in significantly higher rice yield. The main differences in the POM fraction are observed between DS and UN; in particular, reduced flooding conditions in UN decrease the OC content by ca. 3× compared to normal flooding. In the MAOM pool, OC is not significantly affected by flooding level and digestate application, while both digestate application and
warming, as well as their interaction, affect total N content. This research has the potential to generate soil management recommendations required to address global change challenges and recycle organic wastes while improving SOM content
Home gardens: neglected hotspots of agro-biodiversity and cultural diversity
No full textOver the last two decades, the importance of conserving genetic resources has
received increasing attention. In this context the role of home gardens as repositories of
biological diversity has been acknowledged but still a comprehensive, interdisciplinary
investigation of their agro-biodiversity is lacking. Home gardens, whether found in rural or
urban areas, are characterized by a structural complexity and multifunctionality which
enables the provision of different benefits to ecosystems and people. Studies carried out in
various countries demonstrate that high levels of inter- and intra-specific plant genetic
diversity, especially in terms of traditional crop varieties and landraces, are preserved in
home gardens. Families engage in food production for subsistence or small-scale marketing
and the variety of crops and wild plants provides nutritional benefits. At the same
time, home gardens are important social and cultural spaces where knowledge related to
agricultural practices is transmitted and through which households may improve their
income and livelihoods. The present article summarizes available literature on the biological
and cultural significance of agro-biodiversity in home gardens. It discusses future
constraints and opportunities in home garden research, in the prospect of defining and
promoting their role in conservation of agricultural biodiversity and cultural heritage
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Organic carbon sequestration along a soil chronosequence on fluvial terraces (Adige river, Italy)
No full textThe aim of this work is to investigate the mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration as a function of two factors, namely climate and time. Two-to-three chronosequences, located along a climate gradient and consisting of 3 sites each, will be investigated. The first chronosequence soils were studied in two orders (T1 and T2) of fluvial terraces of the Adige river (Veneto region, North of Italy). The highest and oldest terrace (T1) is situated at Montalto di Gaium, at an altitude of 125 m above the Adige riverbed level. This terrace was presumably formed during the last interglacial (ca. 125,000 years BP) and was characterized by paleudalf soils. On the opposite, T2, situated at 15 m above the actual riverbed level, represents the youngest order of terrace in this area, and probably formed during early Holocene. These fluvial terraces have different age but a common land use. From each site along this chronosequence, soil samples have been collected (1 profile and 2 cores per site) by soil horizon, and each horizon then sub-sampled by depth (each 5 cm). Five-cm thick sub-samples have been characterized for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic C, total N and texture. Particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) have been isolated and will be characterized by elemental analysis (CHNS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and other spectroscopic techniques (i.e., ICP-MS, FTIR, NMR). The average organic C content in the topsoil (20 cm) is quite constant in the three sites (27.4 mg/g), whereas the average total N concentration ranges between 2.7 and 3.1 mg/g. SOC stock in the topsoil increases with soil age, being 30% higher in soils from T1 than from T2. Although SOC accumulation decreases with depth, soils along the chronosequence recorded approximately the same average C stock around 35 cm (76-85 Mg/ha). At the same time, in the site showing the deepest soil profile, the SOC accumulated between 35 and 80 cm represents ca. 30% of the total. TGA-DSC data suggest that the thermal stability/recalcitrance of SOM generally increases with depth. While most of the studies on SOC sequestration and stabilization focused on topsoils (10-20 cm), our preliminary data highlight the importance of investigating also deeper layers. Future data will help to better understand the effects of climate and time on SOM distribution among different pools and as a function of depth
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