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Bona D, Bertoldi D, Borgonovo G, Mazzini S, Ravasi S, Silvestri S, Zaccone C, Giannetta B, Tambone F. Evaluating the potential of hydrochar as a soil amendment. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 159:75-83. [PMID: 36738588 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, hydrochar (HC), a carbon-rich product originated from hydrothermal conversion treatment (HTC), was obtained from wastes of the wine and dairy industries. The effect of mixing secondary char and compost was tested, before and after the aerobic mixing of compost (COM) and HC at increasing doses (from 15 to 75 Mg ha-1 DM), in an effort to lower the HC phytotoxicity due to potential phytotoxic compounds of secondary char. The results indicated that, after the aerobic stabilization, the mix HC/COM was able to double the plant growth in comparison to COM alone. The presence of easily degradable organic compounds probably led to poor stability of HC, increased microbial activity and, consequently, root anoxia when used at high doses. Chemical, spectroscopic and thermal investigation confirmed this hypothesis. In particular, HC shows a high content of dissolved organic matter, characterized by the presence of small molecules, which is negatively correlated with the growth index of lettuce. Furthermore, thermal characterization suggests a higher proportion of less complex and thermally stable molecular compounds in HC in comparison to COM. Therefore, co-composting of HC allows obtaining a useful amendment to support soil organic matter and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bona
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy.
| | - Daniela Bertoldi
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy
| | - Gigliola Borgonovo
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefania Mazzini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Ravasi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Silvestri
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy
| | - Claudio Zaccone
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Beatrice Giannetta
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Fulvia Tambone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy.
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Las Casas G, Ciaccia C, Iovino V, Ferlito F, Torrisi B, Lodolini EM, Giuffrida A, Catania R, Nicolosi E, Bella S. Effects of Different Inter-Row Soil Management and Intra-Row Living Mulch on Spontaneous Flora, Beneficial Insects, and Growth of Young Olive Trees in Southern Italy. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11040545. [PMID: 35214877 PMCID: PMC8874694 DOI: 10.3390/plants11040545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Conservation agriculture (i.e., minimized soil disturbance and permanent soil covering) and living mulches represent two agroecological practices that can improve soil fertility, spontaneous flora, and beneficial insect communities. This research studied the effect of these practices in a young olive orchard in the Mediterranean area. Two Sicilian olive cultivars ('Nocellara del Belice' and 'Nocellara etnea') were used for the field experiment; inter-row minimum and zero tillage and four species of aromatic plants as living mulch along the row were tested. Spontaneous flora and beneficial insect communities, as well as tree growth, were monitored. The inter-row management did not influence the spontaneous flora dynamics. The species adopted for living mulch showed a very different degree of development and soil cover; 69 insect species (pollinators and predators) belonging to five orders (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, and Coleoptera) and 17 families were recorded. The growth of the olive trees was not affected by the conservative strategies.: In the inter-row, the growth of the spontaneous flora was limited by the high temperatures during the summer. Among the living mulch species, sage and lemongrass guaranteed an almost full soil cover, reducing the need for weed management along the row, as well as increasing the beneficial insects without influencing the young tree growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Las Casas
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Corrado Ciaccia
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, Via della Navicella 4, 00184 Roma, Italy;
| | - Valeria Iovino
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Filippo Ferlito
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (E.M.L.); Tel.: +39-09571-63111 (F.F.)
| | - Biagio Torrisi
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Enrico Maria Lodolini
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Via Fioranello 52, 00134 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (E.M.L.); Tel.: +39-09571-63111 (F.F.)
| | - Alessio Giuffrida
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Roberto Catania
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Nicolosi
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), Università di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 5, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Bella
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Centro di Ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia 190, 95024 Acireale, Italy; (G.L.C.); (V.I.); (B.T.); (A.G.); (R.C.); (S.B.)
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Torrisi B, Allegra M, Amenta M, Gentile F, Rapisarda P, Fabroni S, Ferlito F. Physico-chemical and multielemental traits of anaerobic digestate from Mediterranean agro-industrial wastes and assessment as fertiliser for citrus nurseries. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 131:201-213. [PMID: 34167040 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Previous researches have demonstrated the bioenergetic potential of agri-food Mediterranean wastes showing that anaerobic co-digestion is a valuable solution for Mediterranean areas. This implies a great interest for anaerobic digestates use in agriculture to replace fertilizers. The present study aimed at: i) producing knowledge on continuous anaerobic co-digestion of feedstock mixture composed by different Mediterranean agri-food wastes in terms of multielemental characterization and ii) assessing the agronomic value of industrial anaerobic digestate (AD) based on the potential as fertiliser in nursery condition for the citrus seedlings. Results have demonstrated that agro-industrial biomasses have great potentiality to be converted by anaerobic digestion in biofertilizer to be used in citrus nurseries as sustainable alternative to mineral fertilisers. Multielemental traits of the tested AD were valuable in terms of nutritional supply for the growth and development of the plant. AD was useful to replace the mineral fertilizers in terms of total N content (10.81 ± 0.32 %TS) and organic matter (43.32 ± 0.80 %TS). The seedlings nutritive status showed that no need for supplemental of nutrients was requested. Volkamer lemon highly benefited from the administration of liquid digestate, increasing the total chlorophyll level (2.97 ± 0.31 mg g-1 FW) presumably due to the higher ammonium content of the AD (59 ± 0.08 %TKN). Besides providing useful tools for citrus nurseries for conceiving new sustainable fertilization strategies, this study is a starting point for further in-depth works on physiological status and traits of citrus plants fertilized by using agro-industrial anaerobic digestate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biagio Torrisi
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
| | - Maria Allegra
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
| | - Margherita Amenta
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
| | - Fausto Gentile
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
| | - Paolo Rapisarda
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
| | - Simona Fabroni
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy.
| | - Filippo Ferlito
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Centro di ricerca Olivicoltura, Frutticoltura e Agrumicoltura, Corso Savoia, 190, 95024 Acireale (CT), Italy
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Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11020750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Digestate from biogas production can be recycled to the soil as conditioner/fertilizer improving the environmental sustainability of the energy supply chain. In a three-year maize-triticale rotation, we investigated the short-term effects of digestate on soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties and evaluated its effectiveness in complementing the mineral fertilizers. Digestate soil treatments consisted of combined applications of the whole digestate and its mechanically separated solid fraction. Digestate increased soil total organic C, total N and K contents. Soil bulk density was not affected by treatments, while aggregate stability showed a transient improvement due to digestate treatments. A decrement of the transmission pores proportion and an increment of fissures was observed in digestate treated soils. Soil microbial community was only transiently affected by digestate treatments and no soil contamination from Clostridiaceae-related bacteria were observed. Digestate can significantly impair seed germination when applied at low dilution ratios. Crop yield under digestate treatment was similar to ordinary mineral-based fertilization. Overall, our experiment proved that the agronomic recycling of digestate from biogas production maintained a fair crop yield and soil quality. Digestate was confirmed as a valid resource for sustainable management of soil fertility under energy-crop farming, by combining a good attitude as a fertilizer with the ability to compensate for soil organic C loss.
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Changes in Multi-Level Biodiversity and Soil Features in a Burned Beech Forest in the Southern Italian Coastal Mountain. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11090983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the context of global warming and increasing wildfire occurrence, this study aims to examine, for the first time, the changes in multi-level biodiversity and key soil features related to soil functioning in a burned Mediterranean beech forest. Two years after the 2017 wildfire, changes between burned and unburned plots of beech forest were analyzed for plant communities (vascular plant and cover, bryophytes diversity, structural, chorological, and ecological variables) and soil features (main chemical properties, microbial biomass and activity, bacterial community composition, and diversity), through a synchronic study. Fire-induced changes in the micro-environmental conditions triggered a secondary succession process with colonization by many native pioneer plant species. Indeed, higher frequency (e.g., Scrophularia vernalis L., Rubus hirtus Waldst. and Kit. group, and Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.) or coverage (e.g., Verbascum thapsus L. subsp. thapsus and Digitalis micrantha Roth ex Schweigg.) of the species was observed in the burned plots, whereas the typical forest species showed a reduction in frequency, but not in cover, except for Fagus sylvatica subsp. sylvatica. Overall, an increase in plant species and family richness was found in the burned plots, mainly in the herbaceous and bryophyte layers, compared to the unburned plots. Burned plots showed an increase in therophytes, chamaephytes, cosmopolites, steno-Mediterranean and Atlantic species, and a decrease in geophytes and Eurasiatic plants. Significant differences were found in burned vs. control soils for 10 phyla, 40 classes, 79 orders, 145 families, 342 genera, and 499 species of bacteria, with about 50% of each taxon over-represented and 50% under-represented in burned than in control. Changes in bacterial richness within several families (reduction in Acidobacteriaceae, Solibacteraceae, Rhodospirillaceae, and Sinobacteraceae; increase in Micrococcaceae, Comamonadaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Hymenobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Cytophagaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Opitutaceae, Solirubrobacteraceae, and Bacillaceae) in burned soil were related to fire-induced chemical changes of soil (pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity). No evident effect of the wildfire was found on organic C content, microbial biomass (total microbial carbon and fungal mycelium) and activity, and microbial indexes (fungal percentage of microbial C, metabolic quotient, and quotient of mineralization), suggesting that soil functions remained unchanged in the burned area. Therefore, we hypothesize that, without an additional disturbance event, a re-establishment of beech forest can be expected but with an unpredictable time of post-fire succession.
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Evaluation of Conifer Wood Biochar as Growing Media Component for Citrus Nursery. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10051618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: The commercial sustainability of the citrus nursery industry involves cutting costs by using alternative planting substrates to replace (or partially replace) the conventional black peat. Conifer wood biochar was evaluated as a component of the growth medium in a commercial citrus nursery for Carrizo citrange seedlings. (2) Methods: Seven growth media mixtures (A–G) were tested. Each mixture consisted of 50% sandy volcanic soil with the remaining 50% made up as follows: A = black peat and perlite 1:1; B = biochar 1; C = black peat, perlite, and biochar 0.5:1:0.5; D = black peat and biochar 1:1; E = black peat, compost, and biochar 0.5:0.5:1; F = black peat, perlite, compost, and biochar 0.5:0.5:0.5:0.5; G = black peat and lapillus 1:1, this substrate, previously adopted by the hosting nursery, was the control. (3) Results: The best media for the rootstock studied here were those containing 25% biochar (mixtures D and E). In the deeper layers the substrate was more compact, and the roots were limited to the shallow layers of the pot. (4) Conclusions: Conifer wood biochar can be partly added in place of peat in growth media mixtures, thus reducing costs and ameliorating sustainability.
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Soil Microbial Diversity, Biomass, and Activity in Two Pine Plantations of Southern Italy Treated with Prescribed Burning. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f11010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbial diversity plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes, including organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. This research explores the effect of prescribed burning (PB) on soil microbial diversity, as well as biomass and activity in Mediterranean pine plantations. In burned and adjacent unburned plots of Pinus pinea and P. pinaster plantations of Southern Italy protected areas, the fermentation layer and the 5 cm thick layer of mineral soil underneath were sampled at intervals during the first year after PB. The experimental protocol encompassed measurements of total microbial abundance (Cmic and soil DNA), fungal mycelium, fungal fraction of Cmic, microbial activity, bacterial genetic diversity (16S rDNA PCR-DGGE), microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), and C mineralization rate (CMR), as well as physical and chemical soil properties. PB caused only temporary (up to 3 h–32 d) reductions in Cmic, DNA amount, fungal mycelium, respiration, and CMR in the P. pinaster plantation, and had no appreciable negative effect on the microbial community in P. pinea plantation, where fire intensity was lower because of less abundant litter fuel. In either plantation, PB did not generally reduce bacterial genetic diversity (evaluated as band richness, Shannon index, and evenness), thus, also accounting for the fast recovery in microbial growth and activity after high-intensity PB in P. pinaster plantation. While confirming PB as a sustainable practice to reduce wildfire risk, also supported by data on plant community obtained in the same plantations, the results suggest that an integrated analysis of microbial diversity, growth, and activity is essential for an accurate description of PB effects on soil microbial communities.
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Effects of Douglas Fir Stand Age on Soil Chemical Properties, Nutrient Dynamics, and Enzyme Activity: A Case Study in Northern Apennines, Italy. FORESTS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/f9100641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a Douglas fir plantation along a stand chronosequence in the North Apennine (Italy) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, as well as on soil chemical and biochemical properties involved in the nutrients biogeochemical cycle. In 2014, three sites of Douglas fir stands, aged 80, 100, and 120 years, were selected in Vallombrosa forest to study the dynamics of soil nutrients in the ecosystem. Along the Douglas fir chronosequence, general evidence of surface element accumulation was found, including a conspicuous increase of alkaline element with respect to Al, which was attributed to the increase of soil pH along the Douglas fir stand age classes. A general increase of specific enzyme activity (per unit of organic carbon) and functional diversity were observed in the epipedon of the Douglas fir stand over 100 years of age. Moreover, the (chitinase + leucine aminopeptidase) to acid phosphatase ratio progressively increased from 0.15 to 0.31 in the epipedon of the chrononsequence, while the β-glucosidase to (chitinase + leucine aminopeptidase) ratio decreased from 1.45 to 0.83, suggesting nitrogen limitation with respect to carbon. In fact, the soil carbon stock progressively increased along the chronosequence, in the epipedon from 17 to 53 Mg C ha−1 and in the endopedon from 17 to 37 Mg C ha−1. Conversely, the soil nitrogen stock increased from 1.2 to 2.4 Mg N ha−1, but not over the 100-year-old stand class. In conclusion, soil organic matter accumulation became sufficient to define the umbric horizon in the Northern Apennines when the Douglas fir plantation reached the age of 100 years. Over this age class of plants, a limitation of soil nitrogen may occur, affecting enzyme activities regulating the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients.
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Trinchera A, Baratella V, Benedetti A. Defining soil quality by different soil bio-indexes: the Castelporziano reserved area experience. RENDICONTI LINCEI 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-014-0369-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Sciubba L, Cavani L, Grigatti M, Ciavatta C, Marzadori C. Relationships between stability, maturity, water-extractable organic matter of municipal sewage sludge composts and soil functionality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:13393-403. [PMID: 25940492 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4611-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Compost capability of restoring or enhancing soil quality depends on several parameters, such as soil characteristics, compost carbon, nitrogen and other nutrient content, heavy metal occurrence, stability and maturity. This study investigated the possibility of relating compost stability and maturity to water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) properties and amendment effect on soil quality. Three composts from municipal sewage sludge and rice husk (AN, from anaerobic wastewater treatment plants; AE, from aerobic ones; MIX, from both anaerobic and aerobic ones) have been analysed and compared to a traditional green waste compost (GM, from green manure, solid waste and urban sewage sludge). To this aim, WEOMs were characterized through chemical analysis; furthermore, compost stability was evaluated through oxygen uptake rate calculation and maturity was estimated through germination index determination, whereas compost impact on soil fertility was studied, in a lab-scale experiment, through indicators as inorganic nitrogen release, soil microbial biomass carbon, basal respiration rate and fluorescein di-acetate hydrolysis. The obtained results indicated that WEOM characterization could be useful to investigate compost stability (which is related to protein and phenol concentrations) and maturity (related to nitrate/ammonium ratio and degree of aromaticity) and then compost impact on soil functionality. Indeed, compost stability resulted inversely related to soil microbial biomass, basal respiration rate and fluorescein di-acetate hydrolysis when the products were applied to the soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Sciubba
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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Multisensoral Topsoil Mapping in the Semiarid Lake Manyara Region, Northern Tanzania. REMOTE SENSING 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/rs70809563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Alteration of bacterial communities and organic matter in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) supplied with soil and organic fertilizer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:1299-315. [PMID: 22290652 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-3906-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The alteration of the organic matter (OM) and the composition of bacterial community in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) supplied with soil (S) and a composted organic fertilizer (A) was examined at the beginning and at the end of 3 weeks of incubation under current-producing as well as no-current-producing conditions. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed a significant alteration of the microbial community structure in MFCs generating electricity as compared with no-current-producing MFCs. The genetic diversity of cultivable bacterial communities was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 106 bacterial isolates obtained by using both generic and elective media. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes of the more representative RAPD groups indicated that over 50.4% of the isolates from MFCs fed with S were Proteobacteria, 25.1% Firmicutes, and 24.5% Actinobacteria, whereas in MFCs supplied with A 100% of the dominant species belonged to γ-Proteobacteria. The chemical analysis performed by fractioning the OM and using thermal analysis showed that the amount of total organic carbon contained in the soluble phase of the electrochemically active chambers significantly decreased as compared to the no-current-producing systems, whereas the OM of the solid phase became more humified and aromatic along with electricity generation, suggesting a significant stimulation of a humification process of the OM. These findings demonstrated that electroactive bacteria are commonly present in aerobic organic substrates such as soil or a fertilizer and that MFCs could represent a powerful tool for exploring the mineralization and humification processes of the soil OM.
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Campanelli G, Canali S. Crop Production and Environmental Effects in Conventional and Organic Vegetable Farming Systems: The Case of a Long-Term Experiment in Mediterranean Conditions (Central Italy). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/10440046.2011.646351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Faggian V, Bini C, Zilioli DM. Carbon stock evaluation from topsoil of forest stands in NE Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2012; 14:415-428. [PMID: 22567721 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2011.620656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Gas emissions from anthropic activities, particularly CO2, are responsible for global warming. Soil is a major carbon sink on a planetary level, thereby contributing to mitigate greenhouse effect. In the present work, the objectives were: 1) to evaluate the topsoil carbon stock of different forest stands in NE Italy, and 2) to outline the relationships among humus forms, soil organic matter dynamics, and actual carbon stock under different vegetation coverage, with reference to climate change. Five forest stands and the related topsoils, were selected in the Dolomites area. The humus forms were examined in the field and samples were carried to the lab for further physical-chemical analyses. The carbon stock for each soil was calculated by means of pedotransfer functions. The less developed humus forms, as the Dysmull and the Hemimoder, presented the highest carbon storage capacity (168 t/y and 129 t/y), followed by Lithoamphimus (123 t/y) and Eu-amphimus (96 t/y), and by Oligomull (86 t/y). Organic horizons proved to recover 36% of the total carbon stocked along the soil profile, and this points to humus layers as a fundamental tool in carbon stock evaluation. Positive correlations between elevation, humus forms and soil carbon pools were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Faggian
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Venice, Italy.
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Trinchera A, Allegra M, Rea E, Roccuzzo G, Rinaldi S, Sequi P, Intrigliolo F. Organo-mineral fertilisers from glass-matrix and organic biomasses: a new way to release nutrients. A novel approach to fertilisation based on plant demand. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2011; 91:2386-2393. [PMID: 21604278 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A glass-matrix fertiliser (GMF), a by-product from ceramic industries, releases nutrients only in the presence of complexing solutions, similar to those exuded by plant roots. This ensures a slow release of nutrients over time, limiting the risk of their loss in the environment. With the aim to improve fertiliser performance, GMF was mixed with vine vinasse (DVV), pastazzo (a by-product of the citrus processing industry, PAS) or green compost (COMP) and nutrient release was evaluated by citric and chloridric acid extraction, at different concentrations. RESULTS Theoretical and actual nutrients release were compared to evaluate possible synergistic effects due to the organic component added to the mineral fertiliser: phosphorus (+7.1%), K (+4.8%), Fe (+8.5%) and Zn (+5.5%) were released more efficiently by 2% citric acid from GMF + DVV, while Ca availability was increased (+5.3%) by 2% citric acid from GMF + PAS mixture. Both DVV and COMP increased by 12-18% the Fe release from GFM matrix. CONCLUSION Organic biomasses added to GMF increased the release of some macro and micronutrients through an 'activation effect', which suggests the employment of these organo-mineral fertilisers also in short-cycle crops production. Moreover, the re-use of some agro-industrial organic residues gives another 'adding value' to this novel organo-mineral fertilfertilisers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Trinchera
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura-Centro di ricerca per lo studio delle Relazioni tra Pianta e Suolo (CRA-RPS), Rome, Italy.
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Cocozza C, Parente A, Zaccone C, Mininni C, Santamaria P, Miano T. Comparative management of offshore posidonia residues: composting vs. energy recovery. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2011; 31:78-84. [PMID: 20888211 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Residues of the marine plant posidonia (Posidonia oceanica, PO) beached in tourist zones represent a great environmental, economical, social and hygienic problem in the Mediterranean Basin, in general, and in the Apulia Region in particular, because of the great disturb to the bathers and population, and the high costs that the administrations have to bear for their removal and disposal. In the present paper, Authors determined the heating values of leaves and fibres of PO, the main offshore residues found on beaches, and, meantime, composted those residues with mowing and olive pruning wood. The final composts were characterized for pH, electrical conductivity, elemental composition, dynamic respiration index, phytotoxicity, fluorescence and infrared spectroscopic fingerprints. The aim of the paper was to investigate the composting and energy recovery of PO leaves and fibres in order to suggest alternative solutions to the landfill when offshore residues have to be removed from recreational beaches. The fibrous portion of PO residues showed heating values close to those of other biofuels, thus suggesting a possible utilization as source of energy. At the same time, compost obtained from both PO wastes showed high quality features on condition that the electrical conductivity and Na content are lowered by a correct management of wetting during the composting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Chimica Agro-forestale ed Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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Sampedro I, Cajthaml T, Marinari S, Petruccioli M, Grego S, D’Annibale A. Organic matter transformation and detoxification in dry olive mill residue by the saprophytic fungus Paecilomyces farinosus. Process Biochem 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2008.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Einfluß der Kaliumdüngung auf die Verfügbarkeit des Kaliums in K‐fixierenden Böden im Verlaufe der Vegetationszeit. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19781410205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Tittarelli F, Petruzzelli G, Pezzarossa B, Civilini M, Benedetti A, Sequi P. Chapter 7 Quality and agronomic use of compost. COMPOST SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1478-7482(07)80010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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Francaviglia R, Gataleta L, Marchionni M, Trinchera A, Aromolo R, Benedetti A, Nisini L, Morselli L, Brusori B, Olivieri P, Bernardi E. Soil quality and vulnerability in a Mediterranean natural ecosystem of Central Italy. CHEMOSPHERE 2004; 55:455-466. [PMID: 14987944 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2003.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2003] [Revised: 10/20/2003] [Accepted: 10/30/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Wet and dry atmospheric depositions and soil chemical and microbiological properties were determined in a Mediterranean natural ecosystem of Central Italy near Rome (Castelporziano Estate). The monitoring of depositions permitted us to quantify the exceedances of S and N compounds (expressed as eqH(+)ha(-1)year(-1)) over the critical loads of acidity. Critical loads, i.e. the quantity of a substance which a part of the environment can tolerate without adverse effects occurring, were determined adopting the level 0 methodology following the UN/ECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Deposition data were available for the period 1992-1997, and acidity exceedances were referred to the main vegetation types present in the area. Results showed that most part of the Estate has a medium degree of vulnerability to acidification, and the corresponding risk of acidification deriving from the exceedances of atmospheric deposition was rather low. The study of soil chemical and microbiological properties included mainly total soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass-C, biomass-C/SOC, soil respiration, and metabolic quotient (qCO2). Soil organic C metabolism has been discussed on the basis of the results from eight sampling sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Francaviglia
- Istituto Sperimentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante, Via della Navicella 2-4, I 00184 Rome, Italy.
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22
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Ceccon L, Turello A, Mocellin G, Colugnati L. Liquid desorption of organic solvents from industrial sludges. Anal Chim Acta 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/0003-2670(93)80090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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23
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Ciavatta C, Sequi P. Evaluation of chromium release during the decomposition of leather meal fertilizers applied to the soil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1989. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01080680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Beck T. Mikrobiologische und biochemische Charakterisierung landwirtschaftlich genutzter Böden. II. Mitteilung. Beziehungen zum Humusgehalt. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1984. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19841470404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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25
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Ivanov P, Sauerbeck D. Festlegung, Umwandlung und Aufnehmbarkeit von Phytin-Phosphor im Boden. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1971. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19711290205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Blume HP. Die Charakterisierung von Humuskörpern durch Streu- und Humus-Stoffgruppenanalysen unter Berücksichtigung ihrer morphologischen Eigenschaften. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1965. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19651110205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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27
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Seeler G. Untersuchungen �nber den oxydativen Abbau von Alkanen durch Nocardia petroleophila. Arch Microbiol 1962. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00405965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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28
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Untersuchungen �ber die Aktivit�t der Mikroorganismen in Mull, Moder und Rohhumus. Arch Microbiol 1959. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00408622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Frercks W, Puffe D. Untersuchungen über die Zersetzung der organischen Substanz in Moorböden und Sandmischkulturen mittels der Stoffgruppenanalyse, insbesondere unter dem Einfluß der Kalkung. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1958. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19580830103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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30
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Springer U, Klee J. Feststellung der optimalen Reaktionsverhältnisse beim reduktometrischen Chromschwefelsäureverfahren zur Schnellbestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Vorschlag einer verbesserten Arbeitsweise. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1955. [DOI: 10.1002/jpln.19550710302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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