Artículos (Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola)

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

Examinar

Mostrando 1 - 20 de 115

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; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de 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.
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; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de 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; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de 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
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; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de 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.
From a marsh that was once sea: The geological evolution of Europe's largest biological reserve as told by its benthic foraminifera-a review
(Elsevier, 2025-02) González-Regalado, María Luz; Guerra, Liliana; Ruiz, Francisco; Veiga-Pires, Cristina; Abad, Manuel; Izquierdo, Tatiana; Rodríguez Vidal, Joaquín; Cáceres, Luis Miguel; Muñiz Guinea, Fernando; Carretero León, María Isabel; Tosquella, Josep; Muñoz, Adolfo Francisco; Pozo, Manuel; Muñoz Pichardo, Juan Manuel; Toscano, Antonio; Gómez, Paula; Romero, Verónica; Gómez, Gabriel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa; Junta de Andalucía
This paper presents an updated list of benthic foraminifera found in brackish and marine (paleo-)environments of the Doñana National Park (SW Spain) from the Lower Pliocene to the present-day. This list, based on published records, includes ninety-four species whose autoecology and temporal distribution in surface sections and continuous sediment cores allow us to infer the palaeogeographic evolution of this Biosphere Reserve over the last millions of years. During the Lower Pliocene, this area was occupied by a wide shallow bay with Nonion faba and Ammonia beccarii as the most representative species. During the Upper Pliocene, there was a transition to terrestrial environments, later dominated by fluvial dynamics for much of the Pleistocene and devoid of these aquatic microorganisms. During the Upper Pleistocene and part of the Holocene, the park was flooded during the MIS-1 transgression and a large lagoon was formed and progressively silted up. At this stage, benthic foraminiferal assemblages were dominated by the brackish species Ammonia morphogroup tepida and Haynesina germanica, which were occasionally replaced by marine species (mainly miliolids) during high-energy events. Currently, benthic foraminifera are mainly represented by Ammonia morphogroup tepida in the temporary lagoons and distributary channels, while Ammonia beccarii is dominant in their marginal marine areas. In summary, there is a clear correspondence between the palaeogeographic evolution of the park and its benthic foraminiferal associations, a review of which contributes to increase the knowledge of its remarkable present and past faunal diversity.
Managing climate change impacts on crops: The influence of soil tillage on a triticale crop under water stress conditions
(Wiley, 2024) Madejón, Paula; Fernández-Boy, Elena; Madejón, Engracia; Morales-Salmerón, Laura; Domínguez Núñez, María Teresa; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Domínguez Núñez, María Teresa; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Junta de Andalucía; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Universidad de Sevilla. RNM365: Edafología Ambiental
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 Methodological Approach for the Evaluation of Soil Pollution by Potentially Toxic Trace Elements
(Elsevier, 2019) Galán Huertos, Emilio; Romero Baena, Antonio; Aparicio Fernández, Patricia; González Díez, María Isabel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Risk assessment of soils polluted by potentially toxic trace elements generally is a complex procedure that includes many variables and parameters, many of them difficult to assess. The proposed methodological approach is an easier procedure to obtain reasonable security for the potential risk of a soil contaminated by trace elements. This approach can be successfully applied in most of the case studies, avoiding a sometimes flawed risk analysis procedure, which many times leads to an unnecessary declaration of soil pollution, resulting in mandatory and expensive reclamation actions. The protocol supposes that: a)high concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements exceeding generic reference levels are not always a risk to human health, and b)the mobile fractions of potentially toxic trace elements and their bioavailability are the key factors to consider in any sort of risk assessment, when such assessments are needed. The proposal consists of successive steps that ranges from a simple documentation and investigation of available information of the history, present state of the potential polluted site (PPS), mapping and field works to a detailed study that involves determination of local reference values, geoaccumulation factors, soil parameters, mobility, bioavailability, operational speciation, etc. For As, Hg, Cd, and Pb, particular procedures are also proposed. As can be deduced from the proposal, anomalously high concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements in a soil, although they may exceed the generic reference levels, do not always pose a health risk. Thus, risk assessment is only necessary in a very few cases.
Geochemical Anomalies of Critical Elements (Be, Co, Hf, Sb, Sc, Ta, V, W, Y and REE) in Soils of Western Andalusia (Spain)
(Elsevier, 2020) Fernández Caliani, Juan Carlos; Romero Baena, Antonio; González Díez, María Isabel; Galán Huertos, Emilio; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
A collection of 694 soil samples was taken from 367 sites (at a density of 1 site per 120 km2) in the western of Andalusia (SW Spain) to establish regional geochemical background of emerging critical elements on the < 2 mm soil fraction, and provide threshold values for anomaly detection to support mineral exploration in the survey area. The spatial distribution pattern of the soil geochemical anomalies is primarily influenced by the occurrence of magmatic alignments and metallogenic belts in the southern zones of the Iberian Massif. Soils over granitic parent materials are marked by W, Be, Ta and REE anomalies, whereas those derived from mafic igneous rocks contain anomalous concentrations of Sc, Co and V. Most of the threshold exceedances for Hf and Sb appear to be linked to soils on pelitic metasediments. The distribution of Sb and Co outliers is also related to sulfide ore occurrences in the bedrock and could be affected by anthropogenic influences. The Santa Olalla igneous complex, the granodioritic pluton of the Los Pedroches batholith and the magmatic alignment of Villaviciosa de Córdoba-La Coronada may represent exploration opportunities for high-tech elements, mainly for REE, although the identification of promising areas requires further investigation.
Mobility of Potentially Toxic Elements in Family Garden Soils of the Riotinto Mining Area
(Elsevier, 2021) Romero Baena, Antonio; Barba Brioso, Cinta; Ross, Alicia; González Díez, María Isabel; Aparicio Fernández, Patricia; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Junta de Andalucía
Agricultural soils in mining areas usually accumulate potentially toxic elements (PTEs) that can become a health risk to humans by entering the trophic chain. In this study, five small agricultural plots close to Riotinto mines (SW Spain) were studied, with the aims of comparing the concentration of PTEs with respect to the regional (South Portuguese Zone) baseline and conducting availability studies in order to determine the contamination of soils. Chemical composition, total and clay mineralogy, and edaphic parameters were determined in topsoil and subsoil samples to characterize the soils, and single extractions were conducted to assess the mobility. The mineralogy of the soils was composed of quartz and phyllosilicates, with small amounts of feldspars and occasionally containing hematite and calcite. The texture ranged from sandy to silty loam, the pH was slightly acidic, and high contents of organic matter were found. Total concentrations of trace elements correlated with the texture, the content in iron oxy-hydroxides and the pH. The values of As, Pb, Cu, and Zn exceeded the regional baseline even in sites unaffected by mining. The results suggest that a widespread sampling is necessary to determine the local background. The most water-soluble element was As, due to the competition of organic matter for sorption sites. The content of Cu, Cr and Zn extracted with different methods were higher in sandy soils with low iron oxy-hydroxides content. Monoammonium phosphate and EDTA extractions seemed to remove elements from organic matter and iron oxy-hydroxides. The extracted fractions of As and metals reached up to 10–30 wt%. Despite the high total concentrations of the element in soils, they generally showed low available proportions, especially with water and ammonium acetate extractants. The results suggest that the soils are not necessarily a risk to humans and higher investigation efforts are necessary to assess the availability of PTEs and their transfer to plants.
Accelerated carbonation of ceramic materials. Application to bricks from Andalusian factories (Spain)
(Elsevier, 2018-06-15) Martín García, Domingo; Aparicio Fernández, Patricia; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Junta de Andalucía
This research explores the possibility of CO2 sequestration in ceramic building materials, namely, bricks. The bricks used are rich in calcium and magnesium. The reaction with CO2 was carried out in a sealed reactor with a 0.3 L volume in a CO2 atmosphere at a pressure of 10 bars. The solid-water ratio was 4:1, and the reaction time ranged from 24 h to 30 days. The results show that the carbonation was proportional to the reaction time. These results open new future possibilities of using brick waste to capture CO2 at ambient temperatures and low pressures
Estimation of the cooling rate of six olive cultivars using thermal imaging
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2021-02-17) Plasquy, Eddy; García, José M.; Florido Fernández, María del Carmen; Sola‐Guirado, Rafael R.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Bringing the olive harvest period forward leads to storing fruit in field temperatures that risk jeopardizing its quality. Knowledge about the bio‐thermal characteristics of olives is crucial when considering their cooling, although published research on the subject is limited. In this work, the cooling rate of the fruit of six olive cultivars has been empirically determined by measuring the evolution of their low temperature under controlled conditions by thermal imaging. Based on these data, the cooling time needed to cool the fruit to 22 °C was estimated, considering the biometric characteristics of the individual fruit, a field temperature from 26 to 42 °C, and a room cooling temperature from −8 to −20 °C. The results showed differences among the cultivars and the need to further investigate the specific heat requirements for small varieties and the impact of the conduction factor on the heavier ones. The simulation suggests that between 2 min (for the light Arbequina and Koroneiki cultivars) and 5 min (for the heavier Verdial and Gordal cultivars) suffice to cool the fruit to the desired temperature with a room temperature of −16 °C. These results show the feasibil-ity of developing technological solutions for cooling olives before their industrial processing with industrial applications such as cooling tunnels on individual fruit.
Contrasted Impacts of Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) on Plant Diversity in Tidal Wetlands within Its Native and Invaded Distribution Ranges
(MDPI, 2022) Gallego Tévar, Blanca; Grewell, Brenda J.; Whitcraft, Christine R.; Futrell, Joy C.; Bárcenas Moreno, G.; Castillo Segura, Jesús Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
We conducted an intercontinental biogeographic survey to analyze the effects of an invasive plant species in its native and invaded ranges. Our study system included tidal wetlands colonized by Iris pseudacorus L. (yellow flag iris, Iridaceae) along salinity gradients in two estuaries in its native European (Guadalquivir Estuary) and invaded North American (San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary) ranges. We hypothesized I. pseudacorus would impart more negative community-level impacts on plant species diversity in the invaded range compared to the native range. Our results show that the colonization of Iris pseudacorus has very different effects on the diversity of tidal plant communities in its native and invaded ranges. In the native range, I. pseudacorus promoted plant diversity by increasing evenness and species richness. On the contrary, I. pseudacorus greatly reduced plant diversity in the invaded range, being this reduction higher in those communities with higher species richness and diversity levels. In view of these results, urgent management practices are needed to control and eradicate I. pseudacorus from the inland Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary since this invasive macrophyte is reducing plant diversity at local and landscape scales.
Pre-cooling and cold storage of olives (cv Picual) in containers with a capacity of 400 kg
(Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC, 2022) Plasquy, E.; Florido Fernández, María del Carmen; Sola Guirado, Rafael Rubén; García Martos, J. M.; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
The cooling of olives stored in containers with a capacity of 400 kg risk accumulation of respiration heat and subsequent fruit deterioration. Pre-cooling the fruit to 5 °C before cold storage was studied as a possible solution to overcome this obstacle. The fruit temperature within the containers was recorded daily for 14 days and oil was extracted at days 0, 4, 8, and 14. A second experiment eval-uated a rapid pre-cooling procedure at -18 °C for 3 min. No significant alterations at the level of the examined parameters were recorded. The internal temperature of the control container declined and stabilized at around 12 °C. The temperature of the pre-cooled fruit in-creased to up to 8 °C. The examined parameters showed no significant alterations in either experiment and the rapid pre-cooling treatment did not lead to any visible ‘chill injuries’. A pre-cooling treatment at 5 °C was successfully introduced at the farm of a small producer.
Physicochemical characteristics of playa-lake sediments located in the western External Betics
(Sociedad Geológica de españa, 2022) Halmos, László; Delgado Rodríguez, Joaquín María; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Miguel; Jiménez Bonilla, Alejandro; Díaz Azpiroz, Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Universidad Pablo de Olavide
In the western External Betics several temporal saline water bodies (playa-lakes) constitute singular environments that are pro- tected due to their ecological and hydrological values. Changes in their hydrological status due to both natural and human-induced changes alter the characteristics of their sediments. A detailed de- termination of the pH and electrical conductivity in the sediments of six playa-lakes within a range of degradation statuses was made in this study. The detailed examination of such geochemical variables has allowed us to establish three categories of degradation in the studied systems. Our results highlight the extreme vulnerability of this playa-lakes caused mainly by human activities, particularly tho- se related to land-use change for agriculture, as well as the necessity of its protection based on scientific criteria.
Capacidad amortiguadora de la contaminación minera en los sedimentos holocenos del estuario del Guadiana (SW España)
(Sociedad Geológica de España, 2022) Moreno Moreno, Ángel; Delgado Rodríguez, Joaquín María; Barba Brioso, Cinta; Nieto Liñán, José Miguel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
El estuario del río Guadiana se encuadra en el Sur de la Península Ibérica, concretamente en la frontera entre España y Portugal; el río atraviesa en su último tramo la Faja Pirítica Ibérica, donde se localizan importantes yacimientos mineros que han sido explotados en los últimos 5000 años. Ante el peligro que los drenajes ácidos, producidos por este tipo de actividades, suponen para el medio ambiente, se ha realizado un estudio mediante la extracción de testigos, a los que se les han aplicado diferentes métodos (estudio de su química, datación por C14, y estudio mineralógico) que han permitido obtener resultados que dejan al descubierto un sistema capaz de amortiguar de una forma natural muy eficiente los aportes que han llegado de la parte alta de la cuenca durante los últimos 13000 años, protegiendo así un ecosistema con un alto valor ecológico.
Use of a Biostimulant Obtained from Slaughterhouse Sludge in a Greenhouse Tomato Crop
(MDPI, 2022) Ávila Pozo, Paloma; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Caballero Jiménez, Pablo; Tejada Moral, Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Bioquímica Vegetal y Biología Molecular; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Junta de Andalucía; European Union (UE). H2020; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICINN). España
Currently, the use of biostimulants is widespread in sustainable agriculture because they represent an alternative to chemical fertilizers. In this manuscript, we investigate the response of a greenhouse tomato crop grown in pots to a biostimulant obtained from slaughterhouse sludge applied continuously to the substrate under which the tomato crop was grown or applied directly via the foliar route. Two doses of biostimulant (0.7 and 1.4 g L−1), applied four times throughout the crop growth period (120 days), were used. During this period, the height of the plants, number of flowers and number of fruits obtained were measured. After 90 days of the growth period, the nutrient contents in leaves as well as the chlorophyll a and b contents were analyzed. For fruits, nutrient and lycopene contents were determined, and the equatorial diameter and average fresh and dry weight were measured. The results indicate a higher content of nutrients and chlorophyll a and b in the leaves of plants treated with the highest dose of biostimulant and applied continuously to the substrate. This higher content of photosynthesis pigments in the plant is possibly responsible for a greater absorption of N by the plant and, consequently, for better growth.
Suitability of Volcanic Ash, Rice Husk Ash, Green Compost and Biochar as Amendments for a Mediterranean Alkaline Soil
(MDPI, 2023-04) Rosa, José María de la; Pérez Dalí, Sara María; Campos Díaz de Mayorga, Paloma; Sánchez Martín, Águeda; González-Pérez, José Antonio; Almeida de França e Miller, Ana Zelia; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; European Union (UE). H2020
Today’s agriculture has the challenge of ensuring food supply for a growing population while human activity has already deteriorated about 40% of the world’s soils, reducing productive capacity and increasing reliance on mineral fertilizers. In this context, valorizing and recycling mineral and agricultural waste for use as substrates or soil supplements enhance a sustainable economy, as well as the development of activities focused on finishing the soil nutrients’ cycle. Looking for an effective solution to the massive waste generation and to enhance the agronomic qualities of soils, this study investigates the agronomic impact of contrasting inorganic and organic materials such as green compost (GC), wood biochar (WB), rice husk ash (RA), and volcanic ash (VA) as amendments to an alkaline Luvisol under controlled conditions. In this sense, barley seeds were planted and grown in a greenhouse under controlled conditions for 60 days on a soil amended with the aforementioned materials. The amendments demonstrated appropriate attributes for improving soil agronomic properties, enhancing the soil’s nutritional content with no effect on barley germination. The WB showed high aromaticity and abundance of refractory organic C. Both ash-rich amendments showed high P and K contents, which are important elements for plant development. The GC has high water retention capacity and an adequate C and N balance. Although the application of the amendments had no effect on barley yields, the plants from the ash-amended pots showed an increase of Photosystem II efficiency, indicative of a better physiological status. In terms of toxicological safety, the abundance of trace elements in soils and plants was investigated. All soils met the maximum allowable limits for these persistent pollutants. Nevertheless, longer-term tests on plants are required to determine the risk of Pb accumulation, particularly in soils amended with GC and compost-ash mixtures. The simultaneous combination of organic and inorganic amendments showed adequate agronomic attributes. WB analysis revealed its great recalcitrance and carbon sequestration potential.
Soil contaminated with hazardous waste materials at Rio Tinto mine (Spain) is a persistent secondary source of acid and heavy metals to the environment
(MDPI, 2023-03-23) Fernández Landero, Sandra; Fernández Caliani, Juan Carlos; Giráldez, María Inmaculada; Morales, Emilio; Barba Brioso, Cinta; González Díez, María Isabel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Junta de Andalucía; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)
Mineralogical analysis and laboratory-based leaching tests coupled with speciation modeling were undertaken to quantify the potential for short-term acid generation and the release of trace elements from soils heavily contaminated with mine waste at Rio Tinto. Three different waste materials were considered as case studies: roasted pyrite, copper slags, and leached sulfide ores. The results showed elevated values of net acid generation (up to 663 mmol H+/kg), the major pools being potential sulfidic acidity and acidity retained in jarosite. Remarkable contents of As and toxic heavy metals were found especially in the slag-contaminated soil. Copper, Zn, and Pb were the most abundant metals in the acid leach solutions resulting from mine soil-water interaction, with peak values of 55.6 mg L−1 , 2.77 mg L−1 , and 2.62 mg L−1 , respectively. Despite the high total contents of trace elements occurring in soil, the mobile fraction was limited to maximum release values of 12.60% for Cd and 10.27% for Cu, according to the test leaching. Speciation calculations indicated that free metal ions (M2+) and sulfate species (MSO4 0 ) accounted for most of the dissolved load. Acid soil drainage is a secondary source of acid and heavy metals in the mine site and, therefore, an effective land reclamation program should ensure that acidity and metal mobility are reduced to environmentally sustainable levels.
Study of the biochemical activity and plant growth promoting bacteria in soils polluted with oxyfluorfen
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-08-13) Navarro Torre, Salvadora; Aguilera Salas, María; Ávila Pozo, Paloma; Parrado Rubio, Juan; Tejada Moral, Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; Universidad de Sevilla. RNM365: Edafologia Ambiental
There is currently a great deal of information available about the toxic effects of oxyfluorfen on soil biochemical activity and microbial biodiversity. However, there is no information about how this herbicide affects plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) or their properties, such as biofilm formation, nitrogen fixation, siderophore and auxin production, and phosphate solubilisation. As such in this study an agricultural soil was polluted with the oxyfluorfen herbicide every 30 days at a dose of 4 L ha−1 for a total period of 90 days. During this experimental period, the dehydrogenase activity was determined, a count and isolation of cultivable bacteria was performed, and the PGPB and their properties were characterized. The results indicated that oxyfluorfen inhibits the dehydrogenase activity, with this inhibition increasing with herbicide concentration in the soil (69.9% compared to non-polluted soil). It also causes changes in the population diversity of cultivable bacteria in soils. Regard to the evolution of isolated PGPB, it was found that oxyfluorfen induces the growth of nitrogen-fixing, biofilm-forming, and siderophore-producing bacteria, while negatively affecting the growth of auxin-producing and phosphate-solubilising bacteria. These results suggest that oxyfluorfen modulates the properties of PGPB in a concentration-dependent manner.
Phenotypic trait differences between Iris pseudacorus in native and introduced ranges support greater capacity of invasive populations to withstand sea level rise
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2023-07) Grewell, Brenda J.; Gallego Tévar, Blanca; Bárcenas Moreno, G.; Whitcraft, Christine R.; Thorne, Karen M.; Buffington, Kevin J.; Castillo Segura, Jesús Manuel; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología; Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Cristalografía, Mineralogía y Química Agrícola
Aim: Tidal wetlands are greatly impacted by climate change, and by the invasion of alien plant species that are being exposed to salinity changes and longer inundation periods resulting from sea level rise. To explore the capacity for the invasion of Iris pseudacorus to persist with sea level rise, we initiated an intercontinental study along estuarine gradients in the invaded North American range and the native European range. Location: San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary; California, USA and Guadalquivir River Estuary; Andalusia, Spain. Methods: We compared 15 morphological, biochemical, and reproductive plant traits within populations in both ranges to determine if specific functional traits can predict invasion success and if environmental factors explain observed phenotypic differences. Results: Alien I. pseudacorus plants in the introduced range had more robust growth than plants in the native range. The vigour of the alien plants was reflected by expression of higher leaf water content, fewer senescent leaves per leaf fan, and more carbohydrate storage reserves in rhizomes than plants in the native range. Moreover, alien plants tended to show higher specific leaf area and seed production than native plants. I. pseudacorus plants in the introduced range were less affected by increasing salinity and were exposed to deeper inundation water along the estuarine gradient than those in the native range. Main Conclusions: Functional trait differences suggest mature populations of I. pseudacorus in the introduced range have greater adapted capacity to adjust to environmental stresses induced by rising sea level than those in the native range. Knowledge of these trait responses can be applied to improve risk assessments in invaded estuaries and to achieve climate-adapted conservation goals for conservation of the species in its native range.

Examinar

Envíos recientes