Effects of Fe-EDDHA Chelate Application on Evolution of Soil Extractable Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc

[EN] Up to date, soil application of synthetic chelates is the most effective mean of controlling iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis in many crops. The responses of three representative soils (I, II, and III) of a large orchard area (Ribbra Alta del Jucar) to the application of three commercial Fe-EDDHA chelates (Sequestrene 138 Fe G-100, Group Carla Val F.E.A 6 Superior and Ferrishell plus) at 100 (D1) and 200 mug Fe/kg of soil (132) were analyzed. Extractable concentrations of Fe, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were determined at 7, 14, 21, 42, and 71 days after the application. Data were subjected to multifactor ANOVA to analyze the effects of time, dose, soil, and chelate type on Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn concentrations. Soil type affected the recovery percentage of Fe by DTPA extraction. The extractable Fe increased to 40-60 mg Fe/kg of soil by the D1 dose and to 70-100 mg Fe/kg of soil by the D2 dose for soils I and II. However, in the case of soil III, recovery increased to 60-80 mg Fe/kg of soil for D1 and 100-140 mg Fe/kg of soil for D2. As the pH of the three soils was similar, this recovery difference is attributed to the differing textural compositions of the soils. The extractable concentrations of Fe increased In the sandy loam soil in contrast to-the clay loam soils. The Fe-EDDHA formula did not affect significantly, extractable Fe concentration. Increases in-the extract able Cu and Mn were observed after Fe-EDDHA soil application. These increases could be due to changes in the redox potential that alters the form and solubility of some metals, possibly affecting the metal-chelate equilibrium. In the case of Zn, the variation in Zn concentration is hardly appreciable, with Fe preventing effective Zn chelation. No difference in effectiveness has been found between the Fe-EDDHA formula brands used in this experiment.Gil-Ortiz, R.; Bautista, I. (2004). Effects of Fe-EDDHA Chelate Application on Evolution of Soil Extractable Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 35(3-4):559-570. https://doi.org/10.1081/CSS-120029732S559570353-4Aboulroos, S. A. (1981). Reaction of EDTA, DTPA, and EDDHA Complexes of Zinc, Copper, and Manganese with a Calcareous Soil. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde, 144(2), 164-173. doi:10.1002/jpln.19811440207Inskeep, W. P., & Bloom, P. R. (1987). Soil Chemical Factors Associated with Soybean Chlorosis in Calciaquolls of Western Minnesota 1. Agronomy Journal, 79(5), 779-786. doi:10.2134/agronj1987.00021962007900050005xLindsay , W.L. 1979.Chemical Equilibria in Soil449 ppNew York: Wiley-Interscience.Hernandez‐Apaolaza, L., Gárate, A., & Lucena, J. J. (1995). Efficacy of commercial Fe(III)‐EDDHA and Fe(III)‐EDDHMA chelates to supply iron to sunflower and corn seedlings. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 18(6), 1209-1223. doi:10.1080/01904169509364973De Liñan , C. 2000.Vademecum de Productos Fitosanitarios y Nutricionales,, 17th Ed. 655 ppMadrid, Spain: Ediciones Agrotécnica.Álvarez-Fernández , A. 2000.Calidad y Eficacia de Quelatos Férricos (FeEDDHA, FeEDDHMA, FeEDDHSA y FeEDDCHA) Como Fertilizantes655 ppMadrid, Spain: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Tesis DoctoralAlva, A. K. (1992). Solubility and iron release characteristics of iron chelates and sludge products. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 15(10), 1939-1954. doi:10.1080/01904169209364449Lindsay, W. L., & Norvell, W. A. (1978). Development of a DTPA Soil Test for Zinc, Iron, Manganese, and Copper. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 42(3), 421-428. doi:10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200030009xFollett, R. H., & Lindsay, W. L. (1971). Changes in DTPA-Extractable Zinc, Iron, Manganese, and Copper in Soils Following Fertilization. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 35(4), 600-602. doi:10.2136/sssaj1971.03615995003500040034xAndréu, J. S., Jordá, J., & Juárez, M. (1991). Reactions of FeEDTA and FeEDDHA applied to calcareous soils. Iron Nutrition and Interactions in Plants, 57-62. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-3294-7_6Belly, R. T., Lauff, J. J., & Goodhue, C. T. (1975). Degradation of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid by Microbial Populations from an Aerated Lagoon. Applied Microbiology, 29(6), 787-794. doi:10.1128/aem.29.6.787-794.1975Jones, S. S., & Long, F. A. (1952). Complex Ions from Iron and Ethylenediaminetetraacetate: General Properties and Radioactive Exchange. The Journal of Physical Chemistry, 56(1), 25-33. doi:10.1021/j150493a007HILL-COTTINGHAM, D. G. (1955). Photosensitivity of Iron Chelates. Nature, 175(4451), 347-348. doi:10.1038/175347a0Wallace, A., & Lunt, O. R. (1956). Reactions of Some Iron, Zinc, and Manganese Chelates in Various Soils1. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 20(4), 479. doi:10.2136/sssaj1956.03615995002000040009xBarona, A., Aranguiz, I., & Elias, A. (1999). Zinc and copper distribution in soils and their removal by chelating extraction. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 74(7), 700-708. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-4660(199907)74:73.0.co;2-fNabhan, H. M., Vanderdeelen, J., & Cottenie, A. (1977). Chelate behaviour in saline-alkaline soil conditions. Plant and Soil, 46(3), 603-618. doi:10.1007/bf00015919Hill-Cottingham, D. G., & Lloyd-Jones, C. P. (1957). Behaviour of iron chelates in calcareous soils. Plant and Soil, 8(3), 263-274. doi:10.1007/bf01666161Norvell, W. A., & Lindsay, W. L. (1969). Reactions of EDTA Complexes of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu with Soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 33(1), 86-91. doi:10.2136/sssaj1969.03615995003300010024

Generic competences acquisition through classroom activities in first-year agricultural engineering students

[EN] Generic skills need to be developed by university students to prepare them for lifelong learning. Higher education institutions play a key role in developing appropriate strategies for a competences-based approach with learning activities defined in terms of knowledge and skills. Although current knowledge assessments focus on individual grading, skill acquisition assessments require a social context. This paper proposes that generic skills can, and should, be developed from year 1 at university through active learning methods. The assessment of generic competences acquisition at university relies on the design and performance of useful activities rather than on specific outcomes in competence subjects of university programmes. Several active learning methods were applied to a first-year agricultural engineering course on Soil Science in the Polytechnic University of Valencia; these methods are described and their usefulness for students skills acquisition is analysed.This work has been supported by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (PIME Project A20-14). The author also thanks Dr. Herrera and the anonymous reviewers for the critical review of the manuscript.Bautista, I. (2016). Generic competences acquisition through classroom activities in first-year agricultural engineering students. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-016-0028-89131Atienza, J., Bautista, I., Climent, M. J., Gómez, B., Iborra, S., Labrador, M. J., Morera, I., Olmo, F., & Ribes, A. (2014). Evaluación de la implementación de estrategias participativas en primeros cursos de ingeniería [Evaluation of the implementation of participatory strategies in first-course of engineering]. XI Foro de la evaluación de la calidad de la Investigación y de la Educación Superior (FECIES 2014).Barrie, S. C. (2006). Understanding what we mean by the generic attributes of graduates. Higher Education, 51, 215–241. doi: 10.1007/s10734-004-6384-7 .Bautista, I., Lidón, A., Lull, C., & Serrano, A. (2011). Impacto de la Evaluación Formativa en el aprendizaje del alumno [Impact of formative assessment on student learning]. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia: IV Jornada de Innovación Docente (JIDINF’11).Biggs, J. (2003). Aligning teaching for constructive learning. The higher education academy, https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/resources/id477_aligning_teaching_for_constructing_learning.pdf .Boud, D., & Falchicov, N. (2006). Aligning assessment with long-term learning. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education., 31(4), 399–413. doi: 10.1080/02602930600679050 .Crebert, G., Bates, M., Bell, B., Patrick, C. J., & Cragnolini, V. (2004). Developing generic skills at university, during work placement and in employement: graduates’ perceptions. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.460.4757&rep=rep1&type=pdf .González, J., & Wagenaar, R. (Eds.). (2003). Tuning educational structures in Europe. Final report pilot project phase I. Retrieved from, http://www.unideusto.org/tuningeu/images/stories/Publications/Tuning_phase1_full_document.pdf .Hounsell, D. (2003). Student feedback, learning and development. In M. Slowey & D. Watson (Eds.), Higher education and the lifecourse (pp. 67–78). Buckingham: SRHE and Open University Press.Jones, A. (2007). Multiplicities or manna from heaven? Critical thinking and the disciplinary context. Australian Journal of Education, 51, 84–103. doi: 10.1177/000494410705100107 .Jonhson, T., Archibal, T., & Tenembaum, G. (2010). Individual and team annotation effect on students’ reading, comprehension, critical thinking and meta-cognitive skills. Computers in human behaviour, 26, 1496–1507.Lull, C., Bautista, I., Lidón, A., Llinares, J. V., & Serrano, A. (2009). Utilización de una hoja de cálculo para la autocorrección y evaluación de prácticas a través de la plataforma poliformaT [Using a spreadsheet for self-correction and evaluation of practices across the platform PoliformaT]. Universitat Politécnica de València: I Jornadas de Innovación.Morera, I., Atienza, J., Bautista, I., Climent, M. J., Gómez, B., Iborra, S., Labrador, M. J., Olmo, F., & Ribes, M. D. (2012). Análisis de la aplicación de metodologías activas en la asignatura de Química en las titulaciones de Ingeniería (Analysis of the application of active methodologies in the subject of Chemistry in Engineering degrees) (VII Congreso Internacional Docencia Universitaria e Innovación (CIDUI2012)).Morera, I., Iborra, S., Climent, M. J., Pardo, T., Atienza, J., Bautista, I., Gabernet, M. L., Lizondo, J., Ribes, A., Plá, M., Andreu, M. A., Sánchez, E., Coll, C., Torrilla, E., Pérez, C., Ferrer, J. R., Ruíz, T., Labrador, M. J., González, J. A., Quintanilla, I., Fernández, N., & Bru, R. (2005). La convergencia europea en la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia [European convergence at the Polytechnic University of Valencia] (II Jornades sobre Didàctica i Organització d’Assignatures basades en l’Experimentació, pp. 45–51).Nicols, D. (2009). Assessment for learner self-regulation: enhancing achievement in the first years using learning technologies. Assessment and evaluation in higher education, 34(3), 335–352.Ramsden, P. (2003). Learning to teach in higher education (2nd ed.). Falmer: Routledge.Thomas, T. (2011). Developing first year students’ critical thinking skills. Asian social science, 7(4), 26–35.Thomas, T., Davis, T., & Kazlauskas, K. (2007). Embedding critical thinking in an IS curriculum. Journal of Information Technology Education, 6, 327–346.Vicerrectorado de Estudios, Calidad y Acreditación (VECA) de la Universitat Politécnica de Valencia. (2013). Dimensiones competenciales UPV. http://www.upv.es/contenidos/ICEP/info/DimensionesCompetenciales.pdf .Wingate, U. (2010). The impact of formative feedback in the development of academic writing. Assessment and evaluation in higher education, 35(5), 519–533. doi: 10.1080/02602930903512909 .Yorke, M. (2003). Formative assessment in higher education: moves towards theory and the enhancement of pedagogic practice. Higher Education, 45, 477–501

Mid-Term Effects of Forest Thinning on N Mineralization in a Semi-Arid Aleppo Pine Forest

[EN] In order to assess the sustainability of silvicultural treatments in semiarid forests, it is necessary to know how they affect the nutrient dynamics in the forest. The objective of this paper is to study the effects of silvicultural treatments on the net N mineralization and the available mineral N content in the soil after 13 years following forest clearings. The treatments were carried out following a randomized block design, with four treatments and two blocks. The distance between the two blocks was less than 3 km; they were located in Chelva (CH) and Tuéjar (TU) in Valencia, Spain. Within each block, four experimental clearing treatments were carried out in 1998: T0 control; and T60, T75 and T100 where 60%, 75% and 100 of basal area was eliminated, respectively. Nitrogen dynamics were measured using the resin tube technique, with disturbed samples due to the high stoniness of the plots. Thirteen years after the experimental clearings, T100, T75 and T60 treatments showed a twofold increase in the net mineralization and nitrification rates with respect to T0 in both blocks (TU and CH). Within the plots, the highest mineralization was found in sites with no plant cover followed by those covered by undergrowth. These results can be explained in terms of the different litterfall qualities, which in turn are the result of the proportion of material originating from Pinus halepensis Mill. vs. more decomposable undergrowth residuesThis work has been supported by a fellowship from the Generalitat Valenciana, Consellería de Educación, Formación y Empleo awarded to L. Lado-Monserrat (BFPI/2008/041). Silvicultural treatments were carried out by the Mediterranean Centre for Environmental Studies (CEAM) through programme ¿I+D en relación con la restauración de la cubierta vegetal y otros aspectos de investi-gación forestal¿ (R&D in relation to the restoration of vegetation cover and other aspects of forestry research). Dataloggers and probes were provided by the Generalitat Valenciana through Project ¿Efecto de diferentes sistemas de aclareo de masa forestal sobre la disponibilidad de agua, nutrientes y la regeneración de la masa arbórea y arbustiva en parcelas de pinar¿ (Effect of different forest thinning systems on the availability of water, nutrients and trees and understory regeneration in pine forest plots) (GV06/126)Bautista, I.; Lado-Monserrat, L.; Lull, C.; Lidón, A. (2021). Mid-Term Effects of Forest Thinning on N Mineralization in a Semi-Arid Aleppo Pine Forest. Forests. 12(11):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12111470S116121

Cálculo de la radiación solar extraterrestre en función de la latitud y la declinación solar

En este artículo se presentan los conceptos teóricos que explican la radiación solar extraterrestre, su variación geográfica y su ciclo anual. Se describen los procedimientos de cálculo de la radiación extraterrestre, en función de la ubicación geográfica y la fecha del año. Se analizan las diferencias geográficas mediante simulaciones de la variación diaria de altura solar y la radiación solar extraterrestre.Bautista Carrascosa, MI. (2016). Cálculo de la radiación solar extraterrestre en función de la latitud y la declinación solar. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/68296DE

Relación entre la consistencia y la humedad del suelo

En este artículo se van a desarrollar los conceptos del estado mecánico del suelo y de la consistencia y su relación con la humedad del suelo. El conocimiento de estas propiedades permitirá al alumno evaluar las condiciones óptimas de humedad para realizar las labores del suelo.Bautista Carrascosa, MI. (2022). Relación entre la consistencia y la humedad del suelo. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/185001DE

Radiación extraterrestre sobre una superficie inclinada en función de la latitud, la declinación solar y las características de la pendiente

En este artículo se exponen los conceptos teóricos que describen el efecto de la orientación e inclinación de una superficie sobre la radiación incidente en la parte exterior de la atmósfera. Se presentan los procedimientos de cálculo de la radiación extraterrestre incidente sobre superficies inclinadas, en función de la situación geográfica y la fecha. También se compara la variación anual de la radiación incidente sobre una superficie en pendiente respecto a la que incide sobre una superficie horizontal.Bautista Carrascosa, MI. (2016). Radiación extraterrestre sobre una superficie inclinada en función de la latitud, la declinación solar y las características de la pendiente. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/68297DE

Increasing environmental sciences students' awareness of the link between soil and Sustainable Development Goals

[EN] Education must prepare students to find solutions for the global and local challenges of today and the future, by conferring students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to address them, including environmental degradation. Soils perform a number of key environmental, social and economic functions (e.g. production of food and biomass, nutrient cycling, water filter, climate control). Various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are connected with soil. Sustainable soil use is crucial for many SDGs. Target 2.4 of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) mentions the implementation of resilient agricultural practices to improve land and soil quality. Target 3.9 of the SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) indicates that the number of deaths and illnesses from soil pollution and contamination must be substantially reduced. Target 12.4 of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) mentions reducing the release of chemicals to soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Target 15.3 of SDG 15 (Life on Land) includes the restoration of degraded soil. Although soil is not mentioned in other SDG targets, it is related to other SDGs. We present the results of the analysis of the activity performed by the students related to soil and SDGs and the transversal competence ¿knowledge of contemporary problems¿. In the activity, the students were asked to write down with reasons the SDGs that soil is related to. Afterward, they were asked to write down soil degradation processes and their consequences for people lives and the environment. Next the students worked in groups on the link between soil functions and soil degradation processes using communication material designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Finally, they answered a questionnaire, and five open questions to explain the link between soil and the SDGs 2, 3, 6, 13 and 15. The students gave a value of 9.1 out of 10 to the importance of knowledge toward an integrated approach to the environment. The students rated the importance of studying Soil Science to increase their ability to perceive and realize the existence and uniqueness of soils with 8.7 out of 10. The need to raise awareness about soils among people who are not in direct contact with soils was rated with 9.2 out of 10. The students who knew that the SDGs have 169 targets were 85%. The students related the statement ¿Women remain a minority in soil science¿ to SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced inequalities). Ninety-five percent of the students stated that "zero hunger" is not only a question of crop production, but it is also related to the quality of education, malnutrition, etc. All the students stated that there is now scientific evidence that healthy soils support nutritious and healthy food and, therefore, contribute to people's health. When students were asked about the origin of toxicity in the soil that can affect human health, 50% named heavy metals, 35% radioactive elements, 35% organic chemicals, and 15% diseases due to exposure to soil organisms. The students were asked if they knew that zinc deficiency is the fifth leading cause of death and disease in the developing world; only 52% said that they did. Soil science has important links to several SDGs and students must know them to advance in their achievement.Lull, C.; Llinares Palacios, JV.; Bautista, I.; Lidón, A. (2022). Increasing environmental sciences students' awareness of the link between soil and Sustainable Development Goals. IATED. 5708-5717. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2022.1344S5708571

HPLC-DAD-ESI+-MS PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILES OF SEVERAL ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS ACCESSIONS FROM SPAIN AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CONDITIONS

[EN] Rosemary, a native Mediterranean plant is a well-known source of phytochemicals with antioxidant activity attributed mainly to diterpenoids and flavonoids. The aim of the study was to establish an accurate evaluation of the rosemary metabolite profiles from several accessions under changing environmental conditions (water stress and soil salinity) comparing two sampling seasons (summer vs. spring) from four different habitats in Eastern Spain. The methodology was based on the identification and the quantitative evaluation of phytochemicals (phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, diterpenes and triterpenes) by HPLC coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI+-MS). Phytochemical profiles were statistically compared by factorial ANOVA, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and univariate analysis (Pearson correlations), that allowed the discrimination between the extract composition in correlation to their hábitat and stress conditions. Out of twenty-three compounds identified, the major ones were represented by diterpenoids (carnosic acid, carnosol and oxidized metabolites rosmanol, epirosmanol, rosmadial, rosmanol methyl ether) and flavonoids, which showed significant metabolic regulation induced by wáter stress. The main conclusion of the work is that the diterpene derivatives and their oxidized metabolites may be considered as optimal biomarkers of the environmental stress in Rosmarinus officinalis.We acknowledge the contribution of our collaborators from the Applied Biotechnology Centre BIODIATECH-Proplanta SRL, as well the funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CGL2008- 00438/BOS) and the contribution of European Regional Development FundBoscaiu, M.; Vicente, O.; Bautista, I.; Ranga, F.; Socaciu, C. (2019). HPLC-DAD-ESI+-MS PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILES OF SEVERAL ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS ACCESSIONS FROM SPAIN AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CONDITIONS. Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia. LXIV(3):163-180. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbchem.2019.3.14163180LXIV

Rice Straw Mulch Installation in a Vineyard Improves Weed Control and Modifies Soil Characteristics

[EN] After harvesting rice paddy fields, rice straw is a significant problem due to uncontrolled CO2 emissions when the straw is burned. One solution to this problem is to use this rice by-product for mulching planting lines of fruit trees or vineyards with the purpose of controlling weeds and improving soil characteristics. A 3-year experiment was conducted at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) demonstration vineyard, where rice-straw mulch was installed at three rates in 2021, 24.0, 43.1, and 63.1 t ha¿1, and in 2022, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0 t ha¿1. Weeds were mainly controlled with the highest treatment rate (50.0¿63.1 t ha¿1), as the time of the year for mulch installation is decisive for achieving different weed control rates. On average, mulch decreased soil bulk density (5.4%), and increased the soil organic carbon (24.3%) and water-soluble organic carbon (24.3%) compared to bare soil. Soil temperature changes were observed due to the mulch treatment, with soil temperature lower in bare soil than in mulched soil during the cold season, and higher during the warm season. This effect was highly dependent on the mulch application rate. Soil moisture content was also higher under the mulch treatment, showing a mulch-rate response during the four seasons of the year. The changes in the physical and biological soil properties induced a higher soil respiration rate when mulched soil was compared to bare soil. This study concludes that the use of rice straw as a mulch had positive effects on weed control and soil properties, although three factors concerning mulch management were paramount: rate, the timing of installation, and replacement rate.This research was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, grant number RTC-2017-6249-2 titled ¿Desarrollo de un nuevo insumo para la agricultura sostenible: mulch de paja de arroz con incorporación de bacterias promotoras del crecimiento de las plantas (PGPB) y mecanización integral de procesos (SMART MULCH)¿.Gómez De Barreda, D.; Bautista, I.; Castell-Zeising, V.; Lidón, A. (2023). Rice Straw Mulch Installation in a Vineyard Improves Weed Control and Modifies Soil Characteristics. Agronomy. 13(12):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123068112131

Soluble Carbohydrates as Osmolytes in Several Halophytes from a Mediterranean Salt Marsh

Compartmentalization of toxic ions in the vacuole and accumulation of osmolytes in the cytoplasm is a common response of halophytes to high soil salinity. Soluble carbohydrates, such as sugars and polyols, are some of the compatible solutes used for osmotic adjustment and osmoprotection. Major carbohydrates were identified and quantified by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, combined with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), in five halophytic species from a Mediterranean salt marsh (Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus, Plantago crassifolia, Inula crithmoides and Sarcocornia fruticosa). Sucrose, followed by glucose and fructose were the more representative sugars detected in J. acutus and J. maritimus, and sorbitol the only soluble carbohydrate present at significant levels in P. crassifolia. In the other two taxa analyzed, no clearly predominant carbohydrates were observed: polyols (myo-inositol and glycerol) seemed to be the most representative in I. crithmoides, albeit at relatively low concentrations, and sugars (sucrose and glucose) in S. fruticosa. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to correlate soil properties and meteorological conditions increasing soil salinity, with seasonal changes in carbohydrate contents, to establish their possible function as osmolytes and their contribution to salt tolerance in the investigated species. The obtained results confirmed sorbitol as the major functional osmolyte in P. crassifolia-as it has been described previously for other species of the genus-and suggested the participation of sucrose and, to a lesser extent, glucose and fructose in osmoregulatory mechanisms in J. acutus and J. maritimus.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project CGL2008-00438/BOS), with contribution from the European Regional Development Fund.Peer reviewe