Artículos (Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/10829

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Influence of the quality of organic amendments on Mediterranean agricultural soils following a drought episode
(Elsevier, 2025-04) Morales Salmerón, Laura; Fernández Boy, María Elena; León, R.; Navarro Fernández, Carmen M.; Domínguez, M.T.; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; RNM365: Edafología Ambiental
Soil organic matter loss is a major concern in agricultural Mediterranean soils due to its influence on soil water retention and hence increased susceptibility to drought conditions. An experiment was conducted to study the influence of organic inputs’ quality on the resistance of a C-poor soil to drought. Four organic materials were added to the soil in a mesocosm experiment: 1) leonardite; 2) earthworm humus; 3) biosolid compost; and 4) dry biomass of Vicia faba, simulating the incorporation of a legume cover crop. Pots were sown with a forage mixture (Lolium perenne and Medicago polymorpha), and 45 days following C-addition a drought episode (30 % reduction in water inputs) was simulated in half of the replicates. Soil resistance was evaluated by measuring soil chemical properties, biological activity (enzyme activities and respiration rate), biomass and the fungi:bacteria ratio in the microbial community, and plant productivity. With the exception of earthworm humus, organic-C addition had positive effects on soil chemical properties and water retention. V. faba biomass was the most effective material for enhancing water retention (16.5 % higher than in the non-amended soil), microbial activity and abundance (2.5 and 8.4 times greater bacterial and fungal abundances than in the non-amended soil, respectively), and soil N and P availability. Soils enriched with V. faba biomass also had the highest fungi:bacteria ratio by the end of the experiment. Drought reduced plant productivity, but all soil function indices showed a high resistance to drought, regardless of the organic matter quality or the fungi:bacteria ratio.
Geochemical evolution and elemental behaviour of playa sediments: impacts of natural weathering and agricultural practices
(Springer Nature, 2025-09-15) Halmos, László; Delgado Rodríguez, Joaquín María; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Miguel; Jiménez Bonilla, Alejandro; Díaz Azpiroz, Manuel; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Junta de Andalucía; Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Playas are predominantly alkaline wetlands common in arid and semi-arid regions. These unique ecosystems are heavily influenced by climatic and hydrological processes, such as high evapotranspiration rates and negative water balance. Numerous studies have documented the ecological degradation of these saline ecosystems due to both anthropogenic and natural processes. The present research analyses the mineralogical and elemental changes in six representative playas at different degradation stages in the western External Betics. Chemical weathering and element fractionation were examined to identify the key geochemical factors involved in the degradation of these playa wetlands. A novel methodology for calculating the Fractionation Index (FI) has been developed and applied alongside established geochemical indices, such as the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW), and Vogt’s Residual Index (VRI), as well as analyses of elemental distribution. This approach allows for a comprehensive differentiation of the geochemical processes occurring in nonsaline-alkali, saline-alkali, and degraded playas. The study highlights the role of alkalinity in promoting clay mineral formation, with Na+ and Ca2+ dominating the cationic composition. These findings provide insights into the dynamics of playa ecosystems and inform conservation strategies for managing these vulnerable environments.
Geological constraints on the distribution of naturally occurring uranium and thorium in soils of southwestern Spain
(Springer Nature, 2025-07-04) Martín García, Domingo; Fernández Caliani, Juan Carlos; Romero Baena, Antonio; Delgado Rodríguez, Joaquín María; González Díez, María Isabel; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Naturally occurring uranium (U) and thorium (Th) concentrations in soils of southwestern Spain were explored to assess their spatial variability, establish regional geochemical baselines, and identify anomalies. A total of 505 soil and 95 bedrock samples were collected from distinct geological domains across the Iberian Massif, Betic Cordillera, and Guadalquivir Basin. Total U and Th concentrations (size fraction < 2 mm) were determined by ICP-OES, with median values of 2.30 mg kg−1 for U and 8.80 mg kg−1 for Th in topsoil, slightly exceeding those in subsoil and bedrock. Parent rock lithology was found to be the primary factor controlling U and Th concentrations in soils. The highest contents were observed in Cambisols developed on granitic rocks over the Central Iberian Zone and the Ossa-Morena Zone of the Iberian Massif. Geochemical baselines were established, with upper limits of 18.0 mg kg−1 for Th and 4.7 mg kg−1 for U in topsoil, and 16.1 mg kg−1 for Th and 4.2 mg kg−1 for U in subsoil. Anomalies exceeding these threshold values were mainly observed in samples from monzogranites of the Los Pedroches batholith and tonalites of the Santa Olalla stock. Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between Th and light rare earth elements, suggesting that Th is primarily hosted by monazite. The variability in U and Th concentrations could have environmental monitoring implications, as elevated levels may influence radiation exposure. Future work should integrate high-resolution mapping, mineralogical analysis, and radiological assessments to refine anomaly detection and evaluate potential risks.
Effect of soil temperature and moisture on degradation of the oxyfluorfen herbicide
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-08-12) Paneque Macías, Patricia Isabel; Gómez Parrales, Isidoro Ángel; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Orts Gómez, José María; Tejada Moral, Manuel; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
We have studied the combined effect of temperature and moisture on a soil contaminated with the oxyfluorfen herbicide at a dose of 4 l ha−1 in terms of the biochemical activity (dehydrogenase activity and ergosterol content) of said soil, as well as on the concentration of said herbicide over a 90-day period in a laboratory setting. Two degrees of moisture were used: (1) irrigated soils maintained at 60% of their water retention capacity and (2) non-irrigated soils (non-watered soils, without irrigation). These treatments were subjected to three temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C, respectively). In all cases, the oxyfluorfen caused a toxic effect on both the dehydrogenase activity and ergosterol content of the soil. However, this toxic effect was greater in non-watered soils, possibly due to the combined effect of the herbicide toxicity and the soil drought conditions. With regard to temperature, the results indicate that dehydrogenase activity and ergosterol content in soil were more negatively affected when samples were incubated at higher temperatures (40 °C). Statistical analysis suggests that temperature may have a greater specific weight or influence than soil moisture, since a variation in temperature causes a variation in soil moisture.
Neanderthal coasteering and the first Portuguese hominin tracksites
(Springer Nature, 2025-07) Carvalho, Carlos Neto de; Cunha, Pedro Proença; Belo, João; Muñiz Guinea, Fernando; Baucon, Andrea; Cachão, Mário; Finlayson, Clive; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). Portugal
Multiple sources of evidence for the systematic use of coastal ecosystems and resources by Neanderthals are known. Fossil hominin footprints offer direct portraits of individual or social group presence and locomotor behavior, and interspecific interactions, in the coastal ecospace. Here we describe the first two hominin tracksites found in the southwestern most region of Europe. At Monte Clérigo, dated to 78 ± 5 ka, trackways of three individuals demonstrate how Neanderthals navigated dune landscapes. These behaviors suggest route planning, with dune systems serving as advantageous settings for ambush hunting or stalking prey. A single footprint at Praia do Telheiro site, dated to 82 ± 5 ka, sustains the presence of Neanderthals in the dune ecosystem during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a. Network analysis provided dietary preferences and ecological interactions of Neanderthals in coastal areas. A review of the Neanderthal coastal sites associated with faunal evidence shows that their diet was primarily centered on cervids, horses and hares. The consistent presence of these mammal taxa highlights their role as reliable food sources, irrespective of the varying environments inhabited by Neanderthals. In addition, the Neanderthal diet also incorporated animals from neighboring littoral habitats, indicating a broad foraging strategy that capitalized on local biodiversity.
Seafaring megaliths: A geoarchaeological approach to the Matarrubilla giant stone basin at Valencina (Spain)
(Elsevier, 2025) Cáceres Puro, Luis M.; Donaire Romero, Teodosio; Lozano Rodríguez, José Antonio; Díaz-Guardamino, Marta; Martínez-Sevilla, Francisco; Muñiz Guinea, Fernando; García Sanjuán, Leonardo; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Prehistoria y Arqueología; Riksbankens Jubileumsfon. Sweden
A broad multidisciplinary approach is deployed to study an exceptional megalithic feature: the stone basin that presides over the chamber of the Matarrubilla tholos, part of the Valencina Copper Age mega-site (Sevilla, Spain). The study, including geoarchaeological characterisation and sourcing of the stone, traceological analysis of its surfaces based on photogrammetry and morphometrics, digital image analysis as well as OSL dating, leads to a number of substantial findings of great relevance to understand the significance of this stone basin, the only of its kind documented to this date in the Iberian Peninsula, with parallels only in Ireland and Malta. Among the most relevant conclusions, it is worth noting the fact that the gypsiferous cataclasite block the basin was made of was brought from the other side of the marine bay that five thousand years ago extended across the south-east of Valencina, this is the first evidence of waterborne transport of a megalithic stone in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the basin appears to have been put where it stands today sometime in the first half of the 4th millennium BC, long before any tholoi were built at Valencina, which suggest a prior history of still poorly documented monumentality at this mega-site.
Compost and vegetation cover drive soil fertility, microbial activity, and community in organic farming soils
(Springer Nature, 2025-06-26) Gil Martínez, Marta; Madejón, Paula; Madejón, Engracia; Sosa, Laura L. de; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Aims Organic amendments and vegetation cover enhance soil health, biodiversity, and resilience in organic farming. However, their differential effects on microbial biomass, activity, and community structure vary, requiring tailored management. This study examines compost and vegetation interactive effects on soil quality, fertility, and microbes over short (4 months) and medium (12 months) periods, evaluating their combined impact over time. Methods A pot experiment was conducted using soil from an organic olive farm. A 2×3 factorial design was applied to 36 pots, testing for interactive effects between two factors: (1) compost application (~50 t ha−1), and (2) three vegetation covers: Herbaceous, Herbaceous+shrub, and Natural. Soil properties,microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and community structure were measured at both times. Results Compost significantly increased total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and microbial biomass, with stronger effects after 12 months. Initially, it reduced dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity (by 50% and 20%), though this effect lessened over time. Compost enhanced bacterial diversity and evenness but slightly reduced fungal diversity and markedly decreased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi richness. Compost-amended soils had higher plant pathogen abundance, likely due to pre-existing populations. Vegetation cover had a smaller effect but influenced fungal community composition, with spontaneous vegetation promoting saprotrophic and mycoparasitic fungi. Conclusions Compost and vegetation cover combined application did not consistently produce synergistic or non-additive effects across all evaluated parameters. Alone, compost presented the highest impact on soil properties highlighting the need to monitor biological quality of amendments, while vegetation cover presented moderately effects mainly on fungi. These results stress integrated management that balances benefits and potential microbial tradeoffs in organic farming.
Lupin-barley Intercropping: Root to Root Interactions Drive Nitrogen Transfer from Legume to Cereal
(Elsevier, 2025) Massa, Anna; Gil Martínez, Marta; Michelsen, Anders; Dresbøll, Dorte Bodin; Kjøller, Rasmus; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Intercropping cereals and legumes is a means to reduce fertilizer input in agriculture. Transfer of biologically fixed N often occurs in cereal-legume intercropping and this study aims to understand the mechanism behind. Lupins are legumes of agronomical interest due to their high protein content and effective soil P extraction. However, as lupins are commonly described as non-mycorrhizal the transfer route of N from lupin to barley remains to be elucidated. We investigated the growth and nutrient content of barley intercropped with lupins, to test whether transfer of symbiotically fixed N from lupins to barley occurs, with focus on any role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in this transfer. Lupin species and barley were grown in pots (as sole crop or intercropped) ± mesh enclosures restricting mycelial and/or root growth between compartments. Plant growth and AM fungal root colonization were recorded, and plant 15N natural abundance was measured to determine potential transfer routes of fixed N from lupin to barley. Intercropped treatments showed increased barley growth and N contents, most pronounced if root-root intermingling of the two species was allowed. Also, 15N natural abundance in plants corroborated N transfer from lupins to barley. As lupin roots remained non-mycorrhizal, even in presence of a mycorrhizal donor plant, hyphal translocation of N was unlikely. We conclude that N transfer from non-mycorrhizal lupins to mycorrhizal barley primarily occurred through bulk flow, stimulated by interspecific root-to-root contact. This may contribute to the success of lupin and barley intercropping.
Does an Enhanced Microbial Diversity Promote the Resistance of Soil Multifunctionality against Drought Events in Amended Soils?
(Springer, 2025) Morales Salmerón, Laura; Fernández Boy, María Elena; Herrador, B.; León, R.; Domínguez Núñez, María Teresa; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
A large fraction of the Mediterranean soils is threatened by losses of organic matter and biodiversity, which could compromise the provision of soil ecosystem services and the stability of ecosystems in the face of climate change. In this work we explore several hypotheses related to the role of C inputs and microbial diversity on soil multifunctionality and its resistance to drought in degraded Mediterranean soils. We designed a factorial experiment to test the effect of the addition of an organic amendment and of microbial diversity (using four inoculants with different abundance and diversity of soil microbiota), on the resistance of soil functionality against drought in pot mesocosms. Pots were sown with a forage mixture (Lolium rigidum and Medicago polymorpha), and plant productivity, soil chemical properties, and microbial activity and diversity were measured before and after a simulated drought event. The amendment favored soil moisture, enhancing the stability of the productivity of M. polymorpha. In contrast, the manipulation of inoculation load had a limited effect on the resistance of microbiological activity. Indeed, microbial functioning was highly resistant to reduced water inputs, probably related to the prevalence of Gram positive bacteria. Besides, the effect of microbial diversity on soil multifunctionality was limited. Structural equation modelling confirmed that the enhancement of multifunctionality after soil amendment was attributed to the direct effect of organic C on soil moisture and chemical fertility. In these degraded soils, physico-chemical limitations are the major drivers of soil multifunctionality rather than bacterial or fungal diversity.
Assessing the Impact of Groundwater Extraction and Climate Change on a Protected Playa-Lake System in the Southern Iberian Peninsula: La Ratosa Natural Reserve
(MDPI, 2025-05-08) Rodríguez Rodríguez, Miguel; Halmos, László; Jiménez Bonilla, Alejandro; Díaz Azpiroz, Manuel; Gázquez, Fernando; Delgado Rodríguez, Joaquín María; Yanes, José Luis; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO). España; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; Junta de Andalucía
We modeled the water level variations in a protected playa-lake system (La Ratosa Natural Reserve, S Spain) comprising two adjacent playa-lakes: La Ratosa and Herriza de los Ladrones. For this purpose, daily water balances were applied to reconstruct the water level. Model results were validated using actual water level monitoring over the past 20 years. We surveyed post-Pliocene geological structures in the endorheic watershed to investigate lake nucleation and to improve the hydrogeological model. Additionally, we investigated the groundwater level evolution in nearby aquifers, which have been profusely affected by groundwater exploitation for domestic and agricultural use. Then, the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate change scenarios were applied to forecast the future of this lake system. We found that the playa-lake hydroperiod will shorten, causing the system to shift from seasonal to ephemeral, which appears to be a general trend in this area. However, the impact on the La Ratosa-Herriza de los Ladrones system would be likely more severe due to local stressors, such as groundwater withdrawal for urban demand and agriculture, driving the system to complete desiccation for extended periods. These results highlight the sensitivity of these protected ecosystems to changes in the watershed’s water balance and underscore the urgent need to preserve watersheds from any form of water use, other than ecological purposes. This approach aims to support informed decision-making to mitigate adverse impacts on these fragile ecosystems, ensuring their ecological integrity in the context of climate change and increasing water demand for various uses.
Polyurethane wastes conversion into a plant biostimulant via ozonolytic attack: An innovative strategy for waste management and sustainable agriculture
(Elsevier, 2025-06-07) Orts Gómez, José María; Orts Gómez, Ángel; Naranjo Fernández, Emilia; Castaño Navarro, Angélica; Tejada Moral, Manuel; Gómez Parrales, Isidoro Ángel; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE)
A novel, non-toxic plant biostimulant has been developed through the depolymerization of polyurethane (PU) foams via an aqueous ozonolysis process. This method yields a water-based extract rich in small, soluble molecules, referred to as oxidized liquid extract (OLE), which acts as a growth-promoting substrate for pepper plants (Capsicum annuum). This approach not only enables the conversion of PU waste into plant biomass but also represents an innovative model for circular economy implementation. When applied at low concentrations (diluted 1:5 and 1:10), OLE elicits a hormetic response, enhancing photosynthetic performance, protein content, and photosynthetic pigment levels. Additionally, it stimulates the accumulation of industrially relevant secondary metabolites such as terpenoids and capsaicinoids an effect likely linked to the extract’s high nitrate content. Although short-chain polyols were detected in the fruits of plants treated with the 1:5 dilution, these compounds are biodegradable and widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Moreover, OLE induces favorable shifts in rhizospheric microbial communities, promoting the enrichment of biofertilizing bacterial genera capable of transforming extract derived compounds and enhancing the adsorption of biomolecules secreted by plant roots. This sequential chemical and biological transformation facilitates the complete valorization of a highly recalcitrant polymeric waste, resulting in a bioactive extract that supports plant growth and development. Taken together, this strategy offers a promising and sustainable solution that integrates waste management with agricultural productivity, aligning with the core principles of the circular bioeconomy.
From the jaws of the 'Leviathan': A sperm whale tooth from the Valencina Copper Age Megasite
(Public Library of Science, 2025-05-14) Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo, S.; Luciañez-Triviño, Miriam; Muñiz Guinea, Fernando; Cáceres Puro, L. M.; Toscano Grande, Antonio; Díaz-Guardamino, Marta; Rodríguez Vidal, Joaquín; García Sanjuán, Leonardo; Prehistoria y Arqueología; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento; HUM694: Atlas. Territorios y Paisajes en la Prehistoria Reciente de Andalucía
During the excavations undertaken in 2018 at the Nueva Biblioteca sector of the Valencina Copper Age mega-site, in south-west Spain, an exceptional sperm-whale tooth was found inside a non-burial pit. This remarkable object is the first of its kind ever found for Late Prehistoric Iberia. Due to its rarity and importance, a multidisciplinary study was carried out, including photogrammetric 3D modelling, as well as taphonomic, paleontological, technological and contextual analysis. This led to a full characterisation of the artefact through the analysis of its bioerosion traces, anthropogenic marks, depositional context and socio-cultural background. The ensuing discussion covers the history and processes the tooth went through from the death of the animal and disposal on the seabed, through the disarticulation of the tooth to its collection in a coastal environment and its subsequent use and deposition in the pit.
Non-Toxic Increases in Nitrogen Availability Can Improve the Ability of the Soil Lichen Cladonia rangiferina to Cope with Environmental Changes
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2022-03-22) Morillas Viñuales, Lourdes; Roales Batanero, Javier; Cruz, Cristina; Munzi, Silvana; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; European Union (UE)
Climate change and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on drylands are greatly threat-ening these especially vulnerable areas. Soil biocrust-forming lichens in drylands can provide early indicators of these disturbances and play a pivotal role, as they contribute to key ecosystem services. In this study, we explored the effects of different long-term water availability regimes simulating climate changes and their interaction with N addition on the physiological response of the soil lichen Cladonia rangiferina. Three sets of this lichen were subjected to control, reduced watering, and reduced watering and N addition (40 kg NH4 NO3 ha−1 year−1) treatments for 16 months. Finally, all samples were subjected to daily hydration cycles with N-enriched water at two levels (40 and 80 kg NH4 NO3 ha−1 year−1) for 23 days. We found that reduced watering significantly decreased the vitality of this lichen, whereas N addition unexpectedly helped lichens subjected to reduced watering to cope with stress produced by high temperatures. We also found that long-term exposure to N addition contributed to the acclimation to higher N availability. Overall, our data suggest that the interactions between reduced watering and increased N supply and temperature have an important potential to reduce the physiological performance of this soil lichen.
Enrichment of peat with a protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant obtained from wine lees: effect on pepper plants
(Taylor & Francis AS, 2025) Tejada Moral, Manuel; López-Rodríguez, Jesús; Gómez Parrales, Isidoro Ángel; Paneque Macías, Patricia Isabel; Navarro Torre, Salvadora; Orts Gómez, José María; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Microbiología y Parasitología; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE)
Currently, the use of biostimulants is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers. In this work, we investigated the use of a biostimulant obtained from winemaking sludge by enzymatic hydrolysis processes in peat enrichment. The aim was to observe how this biostimulant affects the growth and development of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Italian) seedlings. The biostimulant was applied in three doses (1, 2, and 3 g/L) for a total of four applications. Seedlings were harvested at a height of 8–16 cm and with 5–7 leaves. Plant height, weight of aboveground and belowground parts, macro- and micronutrient contents, photosynthetic pigments in leaves, and enzymes related to plant stress were determined. The results obtained indicated that plant height, weight of the aboveground and belowground parts, and macro- and micronutrient content in the aboveground and root parts were higher in plants treated with the highest dose of biostimulant. Compared with the control treatment (without amendments), the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total carotenoids increased by 57%, 51.9%, and 53.1%, respectively, in plants treated with the highest dose of biostimulant. These results suggest that peat enrichment with this biostimulant could be useful for improving bell pepper quality
Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in the Marine Estuary of the Guadalquivir River (SW Spain): A Preliminar
(Juniper Publishers, 2019) González Regalado, María Luz; Carro, Berta; Arroyo, Marta; Ruiz, Francisco; Borrego, José; Abad, Manuel; Izquierdo, Tatiana; Tosquella, Josep; Prudencio, María Isabel; Dias, María Isabel; Monge Gómez, Mª Guadalupe; Carretero León, María Isabel; Mara García, Edith Xío; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Junta de Andalucía
Three zones are differentiated in the marine sector of the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain), according to a multidisciplinary analysis (water, sediment, foraminifera). Both salinities and pH increase from the innermost areas (zone 1: Ammonia tepida) to the mouth (zone 3: Ammonia beccarii), with an intermediate zone 2 (Ammonia beccarii-Triloculina trigonula). Both density and diversity are low to very low, except near the transition between zones 2 and 3. Planktonic foraminifera decrease sea Ward from zone 1 to zone 3.
Evaluation of a Manual Olive Fruit Harvester for Small Producers
(Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2019) Plasquy, Eddy; Sola Guiraldo, Rafael R.; Florido Fernández, María del Carmen; García, José M.; Blanco Roldán, Gregorio; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Harvest facilities limit the possibilities of small producers to produce a high-quality olive fruit. This paper discusses the efficiency of a newly designed manual picking device as a possible solution to these specific challenges as confronted in most regions of the Mediterranean basis. The efficiency and cost of the picking method were compared to traditional olive picking using nets, taking a different number of operators and branch shakers into account.
Interactive Effects of Climate Change and Pathogens on Plant Performance: A Global Meta-Analysis
(Wiley, 2024-09-24) Gallego Tevar, Blanca; Gil Martínez, Marta; Perea, Antonio; Pérez Ramos, Ignacio M.; Gómez Aparicio, Lorena; Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Plant health is increasingly threatened by abiotic and biotic stressors linked to anthropogenic global change. These stressors arefrequently studied in isolation. However, they might have non-additive (antagonistic or synergistic) interactive effects that affectplant communities in unexpected ways. We conducted a global meta-analysis to summarize existing evidence on the joint effectsof climate change (drought and warming) and biotic attack (pathogens) on plant performance. We also investigated the effectof drought and warming on pathogen performance, as this information is crucial for a mechanistic interpretation of potentialindirect effects of climate change on plant performance mediated by pathogens. The final databases included 1230 pairwisecases extracted from 117 recently published scientific articles (from 2006) on a global scale. We found that the combined negativeeffects of drought and pathogens on plant growth were lower than expected based on their main effects, supporting the exist-ence of antagonistic interactions. Thus, the larger the magnitude of the drought, the lower the pathogen capacity to limit plantgrowth. On the other hand, the combination of warming and pathogens caused larger plant damage than expected, supportingthe existence of synergistic interactions. Our results on the effects of drought and warming on pathogens revealed a limitation oftheir growth rates and abundance in vitro but an improvement under natural conditions, where multiple factors operate acrossthe microbiome. Further research on the impact of climate change on traits explicitly defining the infective ability of pathogenswould enhance the assessment of its indirect effects on plants. The evaluated plant and pathogen responses were conditionedby the intensity of drought or warming and by moderator categorical variables defining the pathosystems. Overall, our findingsreveal the need to incorporate the joint effect of climatic and biotic components of global change into predictive models of plantperformance to identify non-additive interactions.
Polyurethane Waste Valorization: A Two-Phase Process Using Ozonization and Rhodococcus Pyridinivorans Fermentation for Biofertilizer Production
(Elsevier, 2025) Orts Gómez, José María; Naranjo Fernández, Emilia; Pina Martin, Susana; Orts, Ángel; Muñoz Martí, Marta; Tejada Moral, Manuel; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
A circular economy process has been developed to convert polyurethane waste into biofertilizing microorganisms through a sequential chemical/biological process. The chemical phase involves the complete depolymerization of polyurethane using ozone attack, generating an aqueous extract (OLE) composed of small, bioavailable molecules such as polyols, isocyanate derivatives, and carboxylic acids. The biological phase utilizes OLE for the generation of biomass with biofertilizing functional activity through Rhodococcus pyridinivorans fermentation. The metabolic-proteomic expression during the biodegradation of OLE involves the synthesis of numerous enzymes such as cutinases, hydrolases, proteases, esterases and oxidoreductases, which participate in the degradation of chemical compounds like benzene derivatives, phenols, or plastic polymers. OLE has been converted into microorganisms with biofertilizing properties, including nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production and siderophores. This process contributes to sustainability by diverting polyurethane waste from landfills, reducing the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers and promoting a more sustainable agricultural system.
Managing Climate Change Impacts on Crops: The Influence of Soil Tillage on a Triticale Crop under Water Stress Conditions
(Wiley, 2025) Madejón, Paula; Fernández Boy, María Elena; Madejón, Engracia; Morales Salmerón, Laura; Domínguez Núñez, María Teresa; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Water limitations for agriculture will likely become crucial in the next decades in some regions such as the Mediterranean basin with the current climate change projections. In this context, recent evidence suggests that the application of conservation agriculture, which reduces the frequency and intensity of soil tillage, could confer a higher stability of agricultural systems against climate variability. However, not many experiments have addressed the interaction between tillage type and the resistance to drought in rainfed crops. In this work, we evaluated the resistance to drought of triticale (Triticale hexaploide L.) crops managed with different tillage systems: traditional tillage (TT), reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT). A rainfall exclusion experiment was carried out in a typical wheat/legume Mediterranean rotation in SW Spain, in a long-term experiment established in 2008 comparing the three tillage systems. Grain yield and different variables related to plant ecophysiology, root development, biomass allocation and colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were evaluated over one crop cycle. Tillage type had a significant influence on soil water storage (SWS), such that soils under NT had, on average, a 16% greater SWS than soils under RT or TT. Grain yield was significantly reduced by rainfall exclusion, in particular in the TT, where drought reduced grain yield by 31%. Gas exchange data also showed that plants in the TT system were more sensitive to drought, such that maximum photosynthesis rates were reduced by 25% because of rainfall exclusion in this tillage system. Drought had a negative impact on root biomass across the three tillage systems, especially in the RT, where a reduction in the root:shoot ratio was observed. The effect of tillage on mycorrhizal colonisation was more evident than the effect of drought; in general, conservation tillage systems (RT and NT) tended to have higher values for all AMF traits compared to the TT. In summary, the NT system tended to exhibit more favourable performance in terms of soil water retention, grain yield stability under drought conditions and mycorrhizal symbiosis, which suggests enhanced resource use efficiency in this system.
A Neanderthal's Specialised Burning Structure Compatible with tar Obtention
(Elsevier, 2024) Ochando, Juan; Jiménez Espejo, Francisco J.; Giles Guzmán, Francisco; Neto de Carvalho, Carlos; Carrión, Jose S.; Muñiz Guinea, Fernando; Rubiales, Juan Manuel; Cura, Pedro; Belo, João; Finlayson, Stewart; Finlayson, Clive; Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Fundación Séneca. Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología. Murcia; European Union (UE); Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Generalitat de Catalunya; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Portugal
Here we present multiproxy evidence of a new type of Neanderthal hearth discovered in Vanguard Cave (VC) (Gibraltar), which is dated ∼ 65 kyr, and associated with Middle Paleolithic stone artefacts. The hearth structure coincides with predictions from theoretical studies which require the use of heating structures for obtaining birch tar, commonly used in hafting. We propose that the structure was used for heating rockroses (Cistaceae) under anoxic conditions by burning herbs and shrubs, over a guano mixed with sand layer. We tested this hypothesis experimentally with success. The presence of levoglucosan and retene in the structure's matrix points to combustion of higher resinous plant-derived material. Our results advance our understanding of Neanderthal behaviour, as the ability to organize activities related with the use of fire.

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