Organic Farming as an Essential Tool of the Multifunctional Agriculture

This chapter aims at shedding light on the annals of organic farming and at defining its past and present meaning. Low-profile attempts were made in the first half of the last century when it comes to organic farming as it developed almost independently in the German and English speaking world. Organic farming has been established as a promising and innovative method of meeting agricultural needs and food production with respect to sustainability (climate change, food security and safety, biodiversity, rural development). Its value in terms of environmental benefits is also acknowledged. The differences between organic and conventional food stem directly from the farming methods that were used during the food items’ production. Many people are unaware of some of the differences between the two practices. Agriculture has a direct effect on our environment, so understanding what goes into it is important. There are serious differences between organic and conventional farming; one of the biggest differences that is observed very frequently across all research between the two farming practices is the effect on the land. Conclusively, organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity

Maize as Energy Crop

Maize is the predominant raw material (together with sugar cane) for the production of bioethanol, the most common and widespread biofuel, and at the same time the predominant raw material for biogas production, with the highest yields in Europe. The advantage of maize biomass over other energy plants is the fact that biomass occurs after harvesting the seed and does not require the use of a different area for its development. The main drawback of the use of maize biomass is the negative effects of removing crop residues on fertility and the physical properties of the soil. Bioethanol’s share of global biofuel production is over 94%, as many countries are replacing a portion of their fossil fuels with biofuels, according to international regulations. The choice of crops used as feedstock for the production of bioethanol is strongly associated with local climatic factors. About 60% of world bioethanol production is made with cane raw material in the Central and South American countries, with Brazil leading, while the remaining 40% from other crops with North America producing bioethanol almost exclusively from maize, and the EU uses as raw material raw starch (cereals and maize) as well as crops such as sugar beet and sweet sorghum

Brucellosis presenting as piriformis myositis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Myositis is a rare bacterial muscle infection. Involvement of the piriformis muscle has been rarely reported in the literature. In this report we describe a case of piriformis myositis due to <it>Brucella melitensis</it>, which to the best of our knowledge is the first such case presented in the literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 19-year-old Caucasian man who presented to our institution with fever and right hip pain. Brucellosis was suspected, but the clinical suspicion was for spondylodiscitis. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging scan allowed prompt diagnosis of inflammatory involvement of the right piriformis muscle. Blood culture results were positive for <it>B. melitensis</it>. Our patient was treated with antibiotics, and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans showed resolution of the inflammation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Brucellosis can present as piriformis myositis. The clinical diagnosis of piriformis myositis is difficult, as it can mimic other common entities such as referred back pain from spondylodiscitis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for establishing the diagnosis in the early stages of the disease, as late diagnosis can lead to abscess formation and the need for drainage.</p

Effects of management practices in succession of olive groves ecosystems

The present study was conducted in olive groves of Magnesia Prefecture in which two trends have been observed regarding their management: a) abandonment and b) a low rate turn, but with an increasing tendency, towards organic olive-farming. The main objective of the study was to investigate the mechanisms and the direction to which the evolution (change) of the ecosystems of olive groves is led by the management practices (conventional, organic, abandonment), as well as the consequences these practices may have on the biodiversity. Specifically, the objectives of the study focused on the comparative study of the representative: 1) conventional, 2) organic, 3) abandoned olive groves and 4) the neighbouring natural ecosystems (maquis) as regards the chosen components of the biodiversity, that is a) plant diversity, b) structure, density, and diversity of bird communities, earthworms and earthly coleoptera and isopoda, as well as the following soil parameters: a) physiochemical characteristics and b) soil erosion. Moreover, another aim of the study was the establishment of rural and environmental indices of flora and fauna richness, and the yield of the olive groves under different management systems. Furthermore, the study aimed at establishing “species-indices” favoured by specific management systems of the olive groves so as they could be used as tools for watching ecosystems of olive groves during their future management. Data analysis revealed that the conventional olive groves, in both productive and non productive years, produced not significantly higher average produce in relation to the organic olive groves, not only regarding the production of olive oil but also the production of edible olives. As regards the total financial income, it was higher in the organic olive groves in relation to the conventional ones, in the study area. The effect of the management system in olive groves was proved to be significant for specific physiochemical characteristics of the soil (cation exchange capacity, phosphorous, organic matter, nitrates and ammonium salts, total nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio and soil bulk density). The cation exchange capacity, the concentration of phosphorous, the organic matter ratio and C/N ratio of the soil was found to be higher in maquis and in organic olive groves, while the concentrations of total N, NO3-, NH4+ and the soil bulk density were found to be higher in conventional ones. The type of erosion observed was superficial interrill erosion in the conventional olive groves and locally in the organic and abandoned olive groves. Twofold quantity of erodible materials was recorded in conventional olive groves in comparison with the organic and abandoned ones, and threefold in comparison with the maquis. On the contrary, the quantity of erodible materials observed in the organic olive groves, was similar to that in the abandoned ones and the maquis.The present study highlighted the significance of the application of the organic management system in olive groves as regards the enhancement of the biodiversity. Specifically, a tendency for an increase in the diversity and density of the following components of biodiversity was observed in the organic olive groves: herbaceous plants during winter and spring period, woody plants, winter and breeding bird species, invertebrates (earthworms, insects in the families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae, isopoda). To some extent, this tendency simulates the organic olive groves with the neighbouring natural ecosystems (maquis). It was found out that the intensification of olive trees cultivation with the application of pesticides and inorganic chemical fertilizers degrades the soil and decreases the biodiversity. The composition, layout and physiognomy of the abandoned, for at least 12 years, olive groves simulates with that of the adjacent natural ecosystems (maquis), though there are some basic differences regarding the plant and fauna density and diversity. Moreover, for the management systems under the study, and the maquis, species-indices for the winter and spring herbaceous and woody plants, worms, Carabidae, Tenebrionidae and isopoda, as well as for the hibernant and reproduced bird species were established, which can constitute the base for drawing useful conclusions and making decisions which will contribute to sustainable management of olive tree cultivation.Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματοποιήθηκε σε ελαιώνες του Νομού Μαγνησίας, στη διαχείριση των οποίων παρατηρούνται δυο τάσεις: α) εγκατάλειψη και β) μικρού βαθμού στροφή, αλλά με αυξητική τάση, προς τη βιολογική (οργανική) ελαιοκαλλιέργεια. Αντικείμενο της έρευνας αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση των μηχανισμών και η κατεύθυνση προς την οποία οι πρακτικές διαχείρισης (συμβατική, βιολογική, εγκατάλειψη) κατευθύνουν την εξέλιξη (μεταβολή) των οικοσυστημάτων των ελαιώνων, καθώς και των επιπτώσεων αυτών των πρακτικών στη βιοποικιλότητα.Οι ειδικότεροι στόχοι της έρευνας αφορούσαν στη συγκριτική μελέτη αντιπροσωπευτικών 1) συμβατικών, 2) βιολογικών, 3) εγκαταλειμμένων ελαιώνων και 4) γειτονικών φυσικών οικοσυστημάτων (μακί) όσο αφορά σε επιλεγμένα συνθετικά της βιοποικιλότητας, ήτοι α) φυτική ποικιλότητα, β) δομή, πυκνότητα και ποικιλότητα των κοινοτήτων πουλιών, των γαιοσκωλήκων, των επίγειων κολεόπτερων, των ισόποδων, καθώς και παραμέτρων του εδάφους, όπως α) φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά και β) εδαφική διάβρωση. Επίσης, στόχο αποτέλεσε η ανάδειξη αγροτικών και περιβαλλοντικών δεικτών του πλούτου της χλωρίδας, της πανίδας και των αποδόσεων των ελαιώνων κάτω από διαφορετικό σύστημα διαχείρισης. Επιπλέον, η έρευνα στόχευε στο να αναδείξει «είδη-δείκτες» που ευνοούνται από συγκεκριμένα συστήματα διαχείρισης των ελαιώνων, ώστε να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως εργαλεία παρακολούθησης των οικοσυστημάτων των ελαιώνων στη μελλοντική τους διαχείριση. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων που συγκεντρώθηκαν έδειξε ότι σε μια παραγωγική αλλά και σε μια μη παραγωγική χρονιά, οι συμβατικοί ελαιώνες απέφεραν ελαφρώς μη σημαντικά υψηλότερες κατά μέσο όρο αποδόσεις σε σχέση με τους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, τόσο στην παραγωγή ελαιόλαδου όσο και στην παραγωγή βρώσιμης ελιάς. Αναφορικά με τη συνολική οικονομική πρόσοδο, αυτή ήταν υψηλότερη στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες σε σχέση με τους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες της περιοχής έρευνας. Η επίδραση του συστήματος διαχείρισης των ελαιώνων αποδείχθηκε σημαντική σε συγκεκριμένα φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά του εδάφους (Ικανότητα Ανταλλαγής Κατιόντων, φώσφορος, οργανική ουσία, νιτρικά άλατα, αμμωνιακά άλατα, ολικό άζωτο, αναλογία άνθρακα προς άζωτο και φαινομενική πυκνότητα εδάφους). Η Ικανότητα Ανταλλαγής Κατιόντων, η συγκέντρωση φωσφόρου, το ποσοστό οργανικής ουσίας και η αναλογία C/N του εδάφους βρέθηκε να υπερέχουν στα μακί και στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, ενώ οι συγκεντρώσεις του ολικού Ν, των NO3-, των NH4+ και της φαινομενικής πυκνότητας του εδάφους διαπιστώθηκε να υπερέχουν στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες. Το είδος της διάβρωσης που παρατηρήθηκε ήταν η επιφανειακή κατά στρώσεις διάβρωση (interrill erosion) στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες και κατά τόπους στους βιολογικούς και τους εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες. Στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες καταγράφηκε διπλάσια ποσότητα αποσπώμενων (διαβρούμενων) υλικών από ότι στους βιολογικούς και εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες, και τριπλάσια σε σχέση με τα μακί. Αντίθετα, στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες παρατηρήθηκε ίση ποσότητα διαβρούμενων υλικών με τους εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες και τα μακί. Η παρούσα έρευνα ανέδειξε τη σημαντικότητα της εφαρμογής του βιολογικού συστήματος διαχείρισης στους ελαιώνες αναφορικά με την ενίσχυση της βιοποικιλότητας. Συγκεκριμένα στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, διαπιστώθηκε μια τάση για αύξηση της ποικιλότητας και της πυκνότητας των εξής συνιστωσών της βιοποικιλότητας: ποώδη φυτά κατά τη χειμερινή και εαρινή περίοδο, ξυλώδη φυτά, διαχειμάζοντα και αναπαραγόμενα είδη πουλιών, ασπόνδυλα (γαιοσκώληκες, έντομα των οικογενειών Carabidae και Tenebrionidae, ισόποδα). Η τάση αυτή προσομοιάζει τους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες ως ένα βαθμό, με τα γειτονικά φυσικά οικοσυστήματα (μακί). Διαπιστώθηκε ότι η εντατικοποίηση της ελαιοκαλλιέργειας υποβαθμίζει το έδαφος με την εφαρμογή φυτοφαρμάκων και ανόργανων χημικών λιπασμάτων και μειώνει τη βιοποικιλότητα. Η σύνθεση, η δομή και η φυσιογνωμία, των τουλάχιστον για 12 έτη εγκαταλειμμένων ελαιώνων, προσομοιάζει με αυτή των γειτονικών φυσικών οικοσυστημάτων (μακί), αν και υπάρχουν κάποιες βασικές διαφορές ως προς την φυτική και πανιδική πυκνότητα και ποικιλότητα.Επιπλέον, για τα μελετηθέντα συστήματα διαχείρισης ελαιώνων και τα μακί αναδείχθηκαν είδη-δείκτες των χειμερινών και εαρινών ποωδών και ξυλωδών φυτών, των γαιοσκωλήκων, των Carabidae, των Tenebrionidae, των ισοπόδων, των διαχειμαζόντων και αναπαραγόμενων ειδών πουλιών, οι οποίοι μπορούν να αποτελέσουν τη βάση για εξαγωγή χρήσιμων συμπερασμάτων και λήψη αποφάσεων που θα συμβάλλουν στην αειφορική διαχείριση της ελαιοκαλλιέργειας

Contribution of Agro-Environmental Factors to Yield and Plant Diversity of Olive Grove Ecosystems (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) in the Mediterranean Landscape

Olive cultivation (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most significant sources of income for agricultural areas in the Mediterranean basin, and the olive oil industry as well as the environmental protection are an important part of the Greek agricultural sector. Generalized Linear Models were applied in order to investigate the predictive strength of several biodiversity components and agro-environmental factors for yield and herbaceous plant diversity (species richness) in organic and conventional olive groves of Greece. Our study highlights an increase in yields of organic olive groves by increasing manure application and the earthworms’ density. In the conventional olive groves, yields increase by increasing soil organic matter and the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Also, the herbaceous plant species richness increases with increasing the Shannon diversity index of herbaceous plants, the field area, the application of organic fertilizer K and the manure in organic olive groves. As for the conventional ones, herbaceous plant species richness increases with the increase of the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Moreover, some plant species could be regarded as indicators of the differently managed olive groves. Conclusively, this study contributes to the integration of biodiversity conservation with ecologically sustainable agriculture and conservation of agroecosystem. Finally, it could be utilized as a decision and management tool to the scientific and agricultural community reinforcing the knowledge about the agro-environmental impact in olive grove management systems

Contribution of Agro-Environmental Factors to Yield and Plant Diversity of Olive Grove Ecosystems (Olea europaea L.) in the Mediterranean Landscape

Olive cultivation (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most significant sources of income for agricultural areas in the Mediterranean basin, and the olive oil industry as well as the environmental protection are an important part of the Greek agricultural sector. Generalized Linear Models were applied in order to investigate the predictive strength of several biodiversity components and agro-environmental factors for yield and herbaceous plant diversity (species richness) in organic and conventional olive groves of Greece. Our study highlights an increase in yields of organic olive groves by increasing manure application and the earthworms&rsquo; density. In the conventional olive groves, yields increase by increasing soil organic matter and the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Also, the herbaceous plant species richness increases with increasing the Shannon diversity index of herbaceous plants, the field area, the application of organic fertilizer K and the manure in organic olive groves. As for the conventional ones, herbaceous plant species richness increases with the increase of the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Moreover, some plant species could be regarded as indicators of the differently managed olive groves. Conclusively, this study contributes to the integration of biodiversity conservation with ecologically sustainable agriculture and conservation of agroecosystem. Finally, it could be utilized as a decision and management tool to the scientific and agricultural community reinforcing the knowledge about the agro-environmental impact in olive grove management systems

Terrestrial isopods as bioindicators for environmental monitoring in olive groves and natural ecosystems

Solomou, Alexandra D., Sfugaris, Athanassios I., Sfendourakis, Spyros (2019): Terrestrial isopods as bioindicators for environmental monitoring in olive groves and natural ecosystems. Journal of Natural History 53 (27): 1721-1735, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.165882

Extent of silent cerebral infarcts in adult sickle-cell disease patients on magnetic resonance imaging: is there a correlation with the clinical severity of disease?

The aim of this paper is to correlate the extent of silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the clinical severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) in adult patients. Twenty-four consecutive adult asymptomatic SCD patients (11 male and 13 female) with a mean age of 38.4 years (range 20-59) were submitted to brain MRI on a 1 Tesla Gyroscan Intera, Philips MR scanner with a dedicated head coil. The protocol consisted of TSE T2-weighted and FLAIR images on the axial and coronal planes. MRI readings were undertaken by two radiologists and consensus readings. Patients were compound heterozygotes (HbS/β-thal). The extent of SCIs was classified from 0-2 with 0 designating no lesions. Clinical severity was graded as 0-2 by the hematologist, according to the frequency and severity of vaso-occlusive crises. There was no statistically significant correlation between the severity of clinical disease and the extent of SCIs on MR imaging. The extent of SCI lesions did not differ statistically between younger and older patients. Patients receiving hydroxyurea had no statistically significant difference in the extent of SCI lesions. The extent of SCIs in heterozygous (HbS/β-thal) SCD patients is not age related and may be quite severe even in younger (&lt;38.4 years) patients. However the extent of SCIs is not correlated with the severity of clinical disease

Micrometeorological and Hydraulic Properties of an Urban Green Space on a Warm Summer Day in a Mediterranean City (Attica–Greece)

Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) are considered the most effective tool to mitigate Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). The optical properties of the materials and the vegetation types of the UGSs affect their surface temperatures, directly influencing their cooling ability. The hydraulic properties of urban soils are also affected by the vegetation coverage. The aim of this study is to investigate the temperature and reflected radiation (albedo) differences between UGS’s elements, around noon on a warm summer day, in Greece. The results indicate that green elements have smaller surface temperatures and higher reflectance compared to the artificial or the dry bare soil, presenting differences with the direct air temperature (measured above the surfaces with unshielded thermometers) −5.5 °C (shrubs), −3.8 °C (grass), +7.8 °C or +8.7 °C (paved surfaces inside or outside the UGS), +10.8 °C (dry bare soil), +12.2 °C (concrete) and +12.5 °C (asphalt), and albedo values 0.14 (grass and shrubs), 0.15 (dry bare soil), 0.27 (concrete), 0.21 (asphalt) and 0.20 (paved surfaces). The tree shades also produce great surface differences. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of the urban soil is greater than the surfaces covered with grass compared to the shrub-covered or bare soil, presenting values of 27.6, 10.8 and 11.4 mm h−1, respectively