Cover crops and pruning in Bobal and Tempranillo vineyards have little influence on grapevine nutrition
ABSTRACT Cover crops may improve vineyard soil properties, grapevine nutrient status and berry composition, however, factors such as cover crop type, annual rainfall, climate and irrigation may change their effects on vineyards. From 2008 to 2011, the effects of a non-permanent cover crop and two pruning techniques on soil as well as vine nutrients and grapevine performance of two vineyards (cv. Tempranillo and cv. Bobal) were evaluated. For that purpose, two legumes were sown in inter-rows of hand-pruned vines in February and were tilled at flowering. Soil tillage, or cover cropping, was combined with either light pruning or severe pruning to study foliar nutrient variations. Soil N, P, K …
Determination and evaluation of cadmium, lead and nickel in greenhouse soils of Almerı́a (Spain)
This study determines total levels of three (Cd, Pb and Ni) potentially toxic trace elements in western Almería (Spain) greenhouse surface soil horizons using microwave digestion; it establishes the geochemical baseline concentration, and it investigates possible relationships between soil properties and elemental concentrations. The results show that the soil concentration of these heavy metals is lower than mentioned in the European and Spanish normative, but they are higher than those reported by other authors working on agricultural soils. The obtained geochemical baseline concentrations (mg kg(-1)) were: Cd 0.4-0.8, Pb 2.5-89.9 and Ni 16.1-30.7. Using the upper baseline criterion, 88% …
Influence of soil water content on the thermal infrared emissivity of bare soils. Implication for land surface temperature determination.
[1] The influence of soil water content in thermal infrared emissivity is a known fact but has been poorly studied in the past. A laboratory study for quantifying the dependence of emissivity on soil moisture was carried out. Six samples of surface horizons of different soil types were selected for the experiment. The gravimetric method was chosen for determining the soil moisture, whereas the emissivity was measured at different soil water contents using the two-lid variant of the box method. As a result, the study showed that emissivity increases from 1.7% to 16% when water content becomes higher, especially in sandy soils in the 8.2–9.2 μm range. Accordingly, a set of equations was deriv…
Characterisation of Bobal and Crujidera grape cultivars, in comparison with Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon: Evolution of leaf macronutrients and berry composition during grape ripening
Abstract We present characterisation data for two Spanish autochthonous grapevines, Bobal and Crujidera, in comparison with the well-known cultivars Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Microsatellite markers were used for the molecular characterisation of Crujidera grapevines. Leaf macronutrient contents of the four cultivars were evaluated, as well as their changes at different vine developmental stages, and veraison was seen as the most suitable time to evaluate the nutritional status. Quantitative changes in some physiological parameters and the phenolic composition of the four grape varieties were measured during the last month of ripening. Polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins increase…
Relation between reflectance of rice crop and indices of pollution by heavy metals in soils of albufera natural park (Valencia, Spain)
13 páginas, 3 figuras, 4 tablas, 1 foto.
Shoot accumulation of several trace elements in native plant species from contaminated soils in the Peruvian Andes
Abstract Metal mining gives access to very important resources but contributes to severe and diverse environmental problems. Until recently, little has been known about the remediation of mining sites in Latin America using metallophytes. The present study was designed to identify and characterize spontaneously growing heavy metal tolerant plant species in the area around the polymetallic Carolina mine in Hualgayoc (Cajamarca, Peru). The aim was to find species that are potentially useful for phytoremediation. Plants and soils were sampled and analysed for concentrations of As, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and Ti. The Translocation Factor (TF) and the Bioaccumulation Factor (BF) were determined and used …
Trends in soil mercury stock associated with pollution sources on a Mediterranean island (Majorca, Spain)
8 Pág. Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS, MINERAL NUTRIENTS, BIOMASS, AND CARDENOLIDE PRODUCTION INDIGITALIS OBSCURAWILD POPULATIONS
Mature leaves of wild-growing Digitalis obscura plants and soil samples were collected in four different regions. Soil and leaf mineral nutrient contents as well as biomass and cardenolide productions were determined. The soils in the four collection sites, basic and highly calcareous, showed significant interpopulation differences in phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Foliar mineral nutrients and cardenolides also varied among populations. Highest cardenolide yield was found in those Digitalis populations presenting a better development. The cardenolide content exhibited significant negative correlations with the levels …
Soil organic carbon stock on the Majorca Island: temporal change in agricultural soil over the last 10 years
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Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis essential oils on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Laboratory trials were carried out to characterize Rosmarinus officinal and Salvia officinalis essential oils and to evaluate their pesticidal activities against Tetranychus urticae. Slide-dip and leaf-disk bioassays were employed to study the mortality caused by these plant oils on two-spotted spiders. Different dilutions of both essential oils (0.10-0.25%, v/v) caused acute contact toxicity, although the sage extract showed greater acaricidal activity than rosemary oil. Mortality rates of 95-100% were observed at all the sage oil dosages and when rosemary emulsions contained at least 0.20% of essential oil. In the residual contact experiments (leaf-disk assays), 0.15-0.25% of sage oil or …
Incidence of heavy metals in the application of inorganic fertilizers to rice farming soils (Valencia, Spain)
The presence of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn in different inorganic fertilizers (urea, calcium superphosphate, iron sulphate and copper sulphate) are evaluated and the contribution of these metals to the soils in this way is estimated. The studied zone corresponds to rice farming and is at the north of Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). The results obtained show that Superphosphate is the fertilizer that contains the highest levels of Cd, Co, Cu and Zn as impurities. Copper sulphate and iron sulphate have the most significant contents of Pb, and are the only fertilizers in which Ni is detected. The most significant additions of impurities that the soil received by agricultural pr…
Assessment of the soil organic carbon stock in Spain
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Impact of 70 years urban growth associated with heavy metal pollution
Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determined Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Na, P, K, S, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contents in leaves of eight specimens collected in 1941. To assess changes, we collected the same plants from a botanical garden in 2012. The concentrations of major elements showed large species variability. However, temporal trends were predominately detected for heavy metals. The Cd, Ni and Cr contents in the 2012 leaves were 10, 13 and 16 times higher, respectively, than in 1941. Urban activities have substantially raised the levels of these metals in urban atmospheres due to changes in human activities over 70 years of urban …
Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of soil organic matter extracted from a Brazilian mangrove and Spanish salt marshes
The soil organic matter (SOM) extracted under different vegetation types from a Brazilian mangrove (Pai Matos Island, São Paulo State) and from three Spanish salt marshes (Betanzos Ría and Corrubedo Natural Parks, Galícia, and the Albufera Natural Park, Valencia) was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The chemical variation was larger in SOM from the Spanish marshes than in the SOM of the Brazilian mangroves, possibly because the marshes included sites with both tidal and nontidal variation, whereas the mangrove forest underwent just tidal variation. Thus, plant-derived organic matter was better preserved under permanently anoxic environments. Moreove…
Environmental cadmium, lead and nickel contamination: possible relationship between soil and vegetable content
The cadmium, lead and nickel content of soils of four agricultural areas exposed to different degrees of environmental pollution and vegetables grown there were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). In order to ascertain the possible relationship between the heavy metal content of soils (total and extractable) and of vegetables grown in them, the correlation between the two was calculated. The highest correlation values between metal content of soil and vegetables are these corresponding to nickel: the total metal content in soils and leaves-stems are linear (p<0.01). The extractable metal content of soils and leaves-stems are linear (p<0.1). Therefore, soil seems to be the…
Selenium and heavy metals content in some Mediterranean soils
Abstract The study of metal contents in industrial, agricultural or/and polluted soils compared with natural or unpolluted soils is currently necessary to obtain reference values and to assess soil contamination. Nonetheless, very few works published appear in international journals on elements like Se, Li and Sr in Spanish soils. This study determines the total levels of Se, Li, Sr, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ba in 14 natural (unpolluted) soils (Gypsisols, Leptosols, Arenosols and Acrisols), 14 agricultural soils (Anthrosols, Fluvisols and Luvisols), and 4 industrial–urban affected-surface soil horizons (Anthrosols and Fluvisols) of Eastern Spain. The geochemical baselin…
Soil‐plant relationships, micronutrient contents, and cardenolide production in natural populations of Digitalis obscura
The production of secondary metabolites by plants growing in natural populations is conditioned by environmental factors. In the present study, we have investigated the relationships among soil properties, micronutrients in soils and plants, and cardenolide production from wild Digitalis obscura (Scrophulariaceae) populations. Young and mature leaves and soil samples were collected in ten different populations, corresponding to three Mediterranean bioclimatic belts (Thermo-, Meso-, and Supramediterranean belts). Soil (total and EDTA-extractable) and leaf micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu), and leaf cardenolide accumulation have been determined. Significant negative correlations were observ…
Background levels and baseline values of available heavy metals in Mediterranean greenhouse soils (Spain)
Abstract This study determines extractable levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Co in western Almeria (Spain) greenhouse surface soil horizons using EDTA solution, which is identified as the fraction available for organisms and plants. It also establishes background levels, geochemical baseline concentration and reference values (RV), and investigates the possible relationships between soil properties and elemental concentrations. The results show that the soil concentration of these extractable heavy metals was high as those reported by other authors for Spanish agricultural soils. The available RV concentrations obtained (mg kg −1 ) were: Cd 0.17, Cu 1.6, Pb 13.8, Zn 5.0 Ni 1.7 and Co 2.9. Us…
Relationships among soil characteristics, plant macronutrients, and cardenolide accumulation in natural populations of Digitalis obscura
In the present study, we have investigated relationships among several soil parameters (pH, organic matter, total carbonate, macronutrients, electrical conductivity, cation-exchange capacity) and macronutrient and cardenolide contents in leaves of wild Digitalis obscura plants. Young and mature leaves and soil samples were collected in ten different areas, corresponding to three Mediterranean bioclimatic belts (thermo-, meso-, and supramediterranean belts). Soil and leaf macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) contents and leaf cardenolide contents were determined. Bioclimatic conditions influenced the development of D. obscura, biomass being lowest in plant populations of the supramediterranea…
Soil Moisture Effect on Thermal Infrared (8–13-μm) Emissivity
Thermal infrared (TIR) emissivities of soils with different textures were measured for several soil moisture (SM) contents under controlled conditions using the Box method and a high-precision multichannel TIR radiometer. The results showed a common increase of emissivity with SM at water contents lower than the field capacity. However, this dependence is negligible for higher water contents. The highest emissivity variations were observed in sandy soils, particularly in the 8-9-μm range due to water adhering to soil grains and decreasing the reflectance in the 8-9-μm quartz doublet region. Thus, in order to model the emissivity dependence on soil water content, different approaches were st…
Characteristics of rice straw and sewage sludge as composting materials in Valencia (Spain).
This work supports the idea that composting can be useful for minimizing the rice straw and sewage sludge environmental impact. Several physical, chemical and microbiological properties of these raw materials were analyzed. The characteristics of the rice straw were complementary to those of the sewage sludge for the application of composting. The C/N ratios suitable for a rapid increased in microbial activity were the lowest (17-24). A temperature of 62 degrees C during 48 h removed pathogenic microorganisms from rice straw and sewage sludge mixture. The results obtained in the present work suggested that these materials could be use in the composting process.
Influence of parent material and soil use on arsenic forms in soils A case study in the Amblés Valley (Castilla-León, Spain)
Abstract The total, water soluble and extractable concentrations with EDTA of As from topsoils from the Ambles Valley (Avila, Spain) were determined. The geochemical baseline concentrations of total As were established, and the relationships between the concentration of the different As forms and soil properties were investigated. Total As content in soils was related with parent material, whereas anthropogenic activities affected its mobility. Iron, aluminium, clay content, soil organic matter and soil pH were the main controlling factors for As soil concentrations. The geochemical baseline concentrations obtained (mg kg − 1 ) were 7.3–35 in soils on granite parent material and 2.2–6.8 in …
Direct and indirect exogenous contamination by pesticides of rice-farming soils in a Mediterranean wetland.
It is known that the sources of soil contamination can be endogenous or exogenous and that exogenous contamination may be direct or indirect. In this work, an environmental pesticide fate study was conducted in soil profiles collected from 23 rice field sites in an important Mediterranean wetland (Albufera Natural Park, Valencia, Spain) from April 1996 to November 1997. Temporal and spatial distribution of 44 pesticide residues in an alluvial Mediterranean soil (gleyic-calcaric Fluvisol, Fluvaquent) were monitored. During this period, the levels of pesticide residues in different soil horizons (Ap1 0–12 cm, Ap2 12–30 cm, ApCg 30–50 cm, C1gr 50–76 cm, and C2r 76–100 cm) were investigated. In…
Determination and assessment of mercury content in calcareous soils.
Abstract This paper provides the first available information on the determination of the total mercury content in different Mediterranean calcareous soils by thermal decomposition, amalgamation and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Fifty-three samples from five soil use groups (natural, dry land, greenhouse, irrigated and rice farming soils) were analysed. The results show that the levels of mercury in these soils were 9.4–1585 μg kg −1 . Soil organic matter and the zinc equivalent index have been related to Hg content in soils, suggesting that Cu, Ni, Zn and Hg are of a similar origin. The background level (BL), geochemical baseline concentrations (GBC) and the reference value (RV) were…
Seasonal Variation in Nutrient Status of Foxglove Leaves
The seasonal variation of mineral elements and the relationships among them were studied in natural populations of foxglove (Digitalis obscura). Young and mature leaves were collected in 10 different populations and on four sample dates (May, July, October, and February). Leaf mineral elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)] were determined. The highest concentrations of N, P, and K in young leaf were recorded in May, followed by a decrease in the other months, while in contrast Ca and Fe showed the lowest concentration in May. Mature leaves showed differential seasonal behavior. Besides seaso…
Soil plate bioassay: an effective method to determine ecotoxicological risks.
Heavy metals have become one of the most serious anthropogenic stressors for plants and other living organisms. Having efficient and feasible bioassays available to assess the ecotoxicological risks deriving from soil pollution is necessary. This work determines pollution by Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in two soils used for growing rice from the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia (Spain). Both were submitted to a different degree of anthropic activity, and their ecotoxicological risk was assessed by four ecotoxicity tests to compare their effectiveness: Microtox test, Zucconi test, pot bioassay (PB) and soil plate bioassay (SPB). The sensitivity of three plant species (barley, cress and…
Determination of pesticides in soil samples by solid phase extraction disks
A systematic study comparing the methodology and analytical results obtained in an investigation of seven pesticide residues (Molinate, Atrazine, Carbofuran, Pirimicarb, Prometryn, Malathion and Tetrachlorvinphos) in soil samples is reported. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) using glass columns and 47 mm disks of octyl and octadecyl-bonded silica was used in the pesticide analysis. The best extraction efficiency and clearest extracts are obtained with C8 disks. The analyses were carried out by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen and phosphorus detection. Recovery experiments were performed at ppb levels in spiked soil samples. The average recoveries of the compounds were 53–77%. Detectio…
Effects of traditional and light pruning on viticultural and oenological performance of bobal and tempranillo vineyards
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Aim</strong>: Light pruning may improve vine yield and quality although vineyard responses are variable. We assessed the effects of traditional manual pruning and mechanical light pruning on the viticultural and oenological performance of <em>Vitis vinifera </em>cv. Bobal and cv. Tempranillo.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods and results</strong>: During 2008-2011, Bobal and Tempranillo vineyards underwent traditional pruning or light pruning. The effects of both pruning techniques were determined in vine vigour and yield, and grape and wine characteristics. Both cultivars responde…
Assessing soil contamination and temporal trends of heavy metal contents in greenhouses on semiarid land
Information about the behavior and temporal evolution of heavy metals in agricultural soils is limited, particularly about greenhouse soils on semiarid lands, indeed it nonexistent. Western Almería (Southern Spain) is a semiarid land where some 30,000 ha are occupied by greenhouses with high productivity. As these greenhouses are fundamental to the socioeconomic development of this area, they should be maintained and well conserved. However, there are indications that long-term intensive agriculture with considerable agrochemicals use can deteriorate soil quality, which in turn, would reduce productivity and food quality. This study was conducted to investigate soil contamination and the te…
Analysis of pharmaceutical biodegradation of WWTP sludge using composting and identification of certain microorganisms involved in the process.
Pharmaceuticals (PhCs) are organic contaminants that have been detected in wastewater, surface water, and soils throughout the world. The presence of 10 commonly used PhCs in Spain (azithromycin, benzylpenicillin, citalopram, fluconazole, fluoxetine, ibuprofen, irbesartan, olanzapine, telmisartan, and venlafaxine) was analysed at four wastewater treatment plants, and the changes in their concentrations during treatment were assessed. Although certain some PhCs were degraded in the treated water, their presence in sewage sludge increased in all cases. The sewage sludge was composted using rice straw to degrade the PhCs, and the composting efficiency was modified by changes in the relative C/…
Spatial relations of heavy metals in arable and greenhouse soils of a Mediterranean environment region (Spain)
This study characterises and compares Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd (HMs) contents and the main edaphic parameters in arable soils (AS) from western areas of the Andalusian Autonomous Community (SE Spain) with greenhouse soils (GS) from the province of Almería, one of the most productive agricultural systems in Europe. We explored 199 GS and 142 AS, representing local and regional scales of variation in this important Mediterranean area. The hazardousness of HMs was particularly relevant in GS where agricultural practices, which centre on maximising production, end up with products that finally enter the human food chain directly. Despite their similar edaphic characteristics, the main differen…
Soil features in rookeries of Antarctic penguins reveal sea to land biotransport of chemical pollutants
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Seasonal cardenolide production and Dop5βr gene expression in natural populations of Digitalis obscura
Productivity variations and seasonal fluctuations of cardenolides have been studied in 10 natural populations of Digitalis obscura distributed in three bioclimatic belts. Main cardenolides in D. obscura plants are those of the series A and such predominance (ca. 80-85%) over the series B metabolites is independent of the population studied or the degree of maturity of the leaves. Primary glycosides represent ca. 50-60% of total cardenolides; this percentage did not vary among populations or with the leaf age but increased in summer and decreased in winter. A correlation analysis between plant biomass and cardenolide content showed a positive relationship of these parameters, which, accordin…
Accumulation of Pb and Zn in Bidens triplinervia and Senecio sp. spontaneous species from mine spoils in Peru and their potential use in phytoremediation
Abstract Heavy metal toxicity has become a global concern due to the ever-increasing contamination of soil, water and crops. Until recent decades little has been known about the remediation of mining sites using spontaneous plants in Latin America. Soil and plant samples were taken in Peru, at a polymetallic mine (mainly silver, lead and copper) in Cajamarca Province, Hualgayoc district. Top soils (0–20 cm) were analyzed for physical and chemical properties by standard methods. Total Pb and Zn concentrations in top soils were determined by ICP-OES. Similar metals in plants were analyzed separately (aerial and root system). Ti content was used as an indicator for contamination of plant sampl…
Relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and vegetables
The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables grown in them is discussed. Samples of soil and edible vegetables were taken from 15 different sites, corresponding to four agricultural areas exposed to different degrees of environmental pollution: high industrial and traffic, high industrial and urban, and low industrial and urban pollution. Elements were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied to cobalt, copper and zinc content of vegetables and soils in order to detect significant differences among soils of different areas and the vegetables grown there. The possible relationship between the heavy metal conte…
Determination of enzymatic activities using a miniaturized system as a rapid method to assess soil quality
Summary Soil quality determination requires the analysis of a number of soil attributes using different approaches. In recent years, one of the most promising approaches has been the determination of enzymatic activities. Generally, only a few enzymes have been analysed and related to other soil properties such as total carbon, nitrogen content or microbial biomass carbon. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible use of the API ZYM strip, a semi-quantitative miniaturized system that determines 19 enzymatic activities, to study soil quality. To this end, we tested the system in different soil types, including albic Arenosols, mollic Leptosols, rendzic Leptosols, haplic Leptosols …
Screening for new accumulator plants in potential hazards elements polluted soil surrounding Peruvian mine tailings
Abstract Tailings usually provide an unfavorable substrate for plant growth because of their multi-stress environment. Plants growing on naturally metal-enriched soils are of particular interest in this perspective, since they are genetically tolerant to high metal concentrations and have an excellent adaptation to extreme conditions. Soil and plant samples were taken in Peru, at a polymetallic mine (mainly Ag, Pb and Cu) in Cajamarca Province, Hualgayoc district. Top soils (0–20 cm) were analyzed for physical and chemical properties by standard methods. Total As, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in top soils were determined by ICP–OES. Similar metals in plants were analyzed separately (aerial …
Dissipation and distribution of atrazine, simazine, chlorpyrifos, and tetradifon residues in citrus orchard soil.
An environmental fate study was conducted in a citrus orchard plot in Valencia (Spain) in the fall of 1993. Dissipation and distribution of atrazine, simazine, chlorpyrifos and tetradifon residues following their controlled addition for agricultural purposes in a mediterranean red soil (Luvic Calcisol, Rhodoxeralf) were evaluated. During a two-month period, the amounts of applied pesticides in different soil layers (0-0.05, 0.05-0.22, 0.22-0.42, and 0.42-0.52 m) were monitored. In addition, information on soils, weather and agricultural practice were collected. Degradation half-lives were calculated, assuming zero-order kinetics: 11 days for atrazine, 12 days for simazine, 10 days for chlor…
Composting rice straw with sewage sludge and compost effects on the soil-plant system.
Composting organic residue is an interesting alternative to recycling waste as the compost obtained may be used as organic fertilizer. This study aims to assess the composting process of rice straw and sewage sludge on a pilot-scale, to evaluate both the quality of the composts obtained and the effects of applying such compost on soil properties and plant development in pot experiments. Two piles, with shredded and non-shredded rice straw, were composted as static piles with passive aeration. Throughout the composting process, a number of parameters were determined, e.g. colour, temperature, moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, C/N ratio, humification index, cation exchang…