The rootstock shape microbial diversity and functionality in the rhizosphere of Vitis vinifera L. cultivar Falanghina

The rhizosphere effect occurring at the root-soil interface has increasingly been shown to play a key role in plant fitness and soil functionality, influencing plants resilience. Here, for the first time, we investigated whether the rootstock genotype on which Vitis vinifera L. cultivar Falanghina is grafted can influence the rhizosphere microbiome. Specifically, we evaluated to which extent the 5BB and 1103P rootstocks are able to shape microbial diversity of rhizosphere environment. Moreover, we explored the potential function of microbial community and its shift under plant genotype influence. We investigated seven vineyards subjected to the same pedo-climatic conditions, similar age, training system and management and collected twelve rhizosphere soil samples for metagenomic analyses and composite soil samples for physical-chemical properties. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis to investigate the rhizosphere bacterial diversity and composition. Liner discriminant analysis effect size (LEFSe) was conducted for metagenomic biomarker discovery. The functional composition of sampled communities was determined using PICRUSt, which is based on marker gene sequencing profiles. Soil analyses involved the determination of texture, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CSC), Organic Carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) content, Phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N). The latter revealed that soil features were quite homogenous. The metagenomic data showed that the bacterial alpha-diversity (Observed OTUs) significantly increased in 1103P rhizosphere microbiota. Irrespective of cultivar, Pseudomonadota was the dominant phylum, followed by Actinomycetota > Bacteroidota > Thermoproteota. However, Actinomycetota was the major marker phyla differentiating the rhizosphere microbial communities associated with the different rootstock types. At the genus level, several taxa belonging to Actinomycetota and Alphaproteobacteria classes were enriched in 1103P genotype rhizosphere. Investigating the potential functional profile, we found that most key enzyme-encoding genes involved in N cycling were significantly more abundant in 5BB rootstock rhizosphere soil. However, we found that 1103P rhizosphere was enriched in genes involved in C cycle and Plant Growth Promotion (PGP) functionality. Our results suggest that the different rootstocks not only recruit specific bacterial communities, but also specific functional traits within the same environment

Status, sources and contamination levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in urban and agricultural areas: a preliminary review in central–southern Italian soils

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are synthetic chemicals commonly used in agricultural activities to kill pests and are persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They can be detected in different environmental media, but soil is considered an important reservoir due to its retention capacity. Many different types of OCPs exist, which can have different origins and pathways in the environment. It is therefore important to study their distribution and behaviour in the environment, starting to build a picture of the potential human health risk in different contexts. This study aimed at investigating the regional distribution, possible sources and contamination levels of 24 OCP compounds in urban and rural soils from central and southern Italy. One hundred and forty-eight topsoil samples (0–20 cm top layer) from 78 urban and 70 rural areas in 11 administrative regions were collected and analysed by gas chromatography–electron capture detector (GC–ECD). Total OCP residues in soils ranged from nd (no detected) to 1043 ng/g with a mean of 29.91 ng/g and from nd to 1914 ng/g with a mean of 60.16 ng/g in urban and rural area, respectively. Endosulfan was the prevailing OCP in urban areas, followed by DDTs, Drins, Methoxychlor, HCHs, Chlordane-related compounds and HCB. In rural areas, the order of concentrations was Drins > DDTs > Methoxychlor > Endosulfans > HCHs > Chlordanes > HCB. Diagnostic ratios and robust multivariate analyses revealed that DDT in soils could be related to historical application, whilst (illegal) use of technical DDT or dicofol may still occur in some urban areas. HCH residues could be related to both historical use and recent application, whilst there was evidence that modest (yet significant) application of commercial technical HCH may still be happening in urban areas. Drins and Chlordane compounds appeared to be mostly related to historical application, whilst Endosulfan presented a complex mix of results, indicating mainly historical origin in rural areas as well as potential recent applications on urban areas. Contamination levels were quantified by Soil Quality Index (SoQI), identifying high levels in rural areas of Campania and Apulia, possibly due to the intensive nature of some agricultural practices in those regions (e.g., vineyards and olive plantations). The results from this study (which is in progress in the remaining regions of Italy) will provide an invaluable baseline for OCP distribution in Italy and a powerful argument for follow-up studies in contaminated areas. It is also hoped that similar studies will eventually constitute enough evidence to push towards an institutional response for more adequate regulation as well as a full ratification of the Stockholm Convention

Exploring uni-element geochemical data under a compositional perspective

Different features of geochemical information were studied by comparing spatial distribution of concentration values and compositional data values. Geochemical data are compositional and should be treated as such to avoid spurious correlations and misleading interpretations. However, geochemists are also interested to discuss in terms of elemental concentrations. In this work the spatial distribution of Fe, Mn, Ti, Co, Cr, Ni and V based on 3535 topsoil samples collected in Campania region (Southern Italy) and analysed by ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion, is studied. Unielement maps and CoDA based maps, namely of ilr-transformed data and of two subcompositions of 3 components have been produced and interpreted. Results show that the ilr maps often show different geochemical patterns from those provided by the maps based on raw concentrations, namely for V, Fe and Co. This is not surprising as each studied ilr is a (log)ratio of an element against the others and account for the compositional variability. Nevertheless, the geochemical patterns of both raw and ilr based maps relate mostly with the geolithological features of the region: (1) (Ti, Ni, Cr)log-ratio variables are the best pathfinder in differentiating between volcanic (relative enrichment in Ti) and non-volcanic (relative enrichment in Ni and Cr) areas. (2) Soil alteration phenomena could locally enhance log-ratios of Ti due its high geochemical stability. (3) The spatial analysis of ilr-Fe and ilr Mn variables amplifies their relative degree of enrichment in correspondence of silici-clastic formations suggesting that Mn-Fe oxides of clay minerals mainly dominate the geochemical composition of the soils of the survey area. (4) Local enrichments of Cr and Ni at the main rivers' mouths and in the metropolitan areas of Naples and Salerno, possibly of anthropogenic origin, are highlighted in the 3-part subcomposition analysis. The developed exploration methodology of uni-element geochemical data under a compositional perspective leads to deeper insight and the gain is a more accurate interpretation of processes controlling soils geochemical variability

Recovery and Valorization of Bioactive and Functional Compounds from the Discarded of <i>Opuntia ficus-indica</i> (L.) Mill. Fruit Peel

This work focused on the recovery and application of bioactive and functional compounds (BFC) from a waste matrix, the Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller fruit peel (OFP), using different extraction methods: maceration and Extractor Naviglio®. The presence of BFC was initially evaluated by following the extraction yields and antioxidant activity using the Folin-Ciocȃlteu reagent and the DPPH method, respectively. The quali-quantitative content of BFC was also verified with UHPLC/UV-ESI-HRMS profile of OFP extracts. The evaluation of the BFC yields is aimed at using extract components, such as betanins, in the technological application as textile dye based on natural pigments: we evaluated the stability of the extracted dyes, tested the dyeing power and assessed the stability of the dye on the textile material. The results showed different compositions depending on the polarities of the solvents. The ethanol-water mixture extracts obtained using Naviglio method revealed an important presence in terms of total phenolic compound yields. Wool, linen and cotton fibers were chosen for the dyeing tests. Rock alum and lemon juice, two etching methods, were used. Results suggest that the OFP may be of great interest as a natural source of BFC for food, nutraceutical and technological applications in the sustainability context

Geochemical atlas of agricultural and grazing land soil of Italy (The GEMAS project in Italy)

Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural Soils (GEMAS) is a cooperation project between the Geochemistry Expert Group of EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) and Eurometaux. The GEMAS project aim was to produce soil geochemical data at the continental-scale consistent with the EU regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals). All GEMAS project samples were analysed by variety of methods, including ICP-AES and ICP-MS following an aqua regia extraction, XRF and an MMI leach. The Italian Atlas contains colour surface maps displaying interpolated data and graduated dots, maps for regional variability of factor scores of elemental associations, and 15 baseline maps of selected elements following the Italian statutory intervention criteria. The maps in the Italian Geochemical Atlas show that the spatial distribution of chemical elements in the agricultural and grazing land soil is governed mostly by geogenic factors, even though the concentration levels of many of the investigated elements are well above the intervention limits set by the Italian environmental law (D.L. 152/2006). Regional-scale maps show that the element distribution patterns reflect the geochemistry of the major lithological units and structural lineaments, even using a very low sampling density grid of 1 sample site/2500 km2. Areas are easily detectable on the produced maps

Soil geochemical follow-up in the Cilento World Heritage Park (Campania, Italy) through exploratory compositional data analysis and C-A fractal model

Campania Region (southern Italy) is characterized by several elemental soil anomalies both geogenic and anthropogenic. Parts of these anomalies occur into the World Heritage Territory known as "National Park of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano", where this follow-up study has been carried out. In this paper, a methodology based on compositional data analysis (CoDA) and factor score C-A fractal model was applied on geochemical data from the above study in order to identify geochemical signatures associated anomalies. Eighty-one top soil samples were collected over an area of 98km2, and analyzed by ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion. Frequency based method (edaplots, classical and robust compositional biplot) and frequency space-method (factor score maps) were applied to visualize the correlation between variables and their main features into the survey areas. The different geochemical patterns were distinguished by a multivariate analysis combined with Concentration-Area (C-A) fractal method. Results show that geochemical data should be transformed under a compositional perspective to avoid artefacts, prior to statistical computations. Indeed, ilr-transformed data show a distinct bimodal distribution for several elements. This type of distribution appears masked considering raw and lognormal data. A "robustification" of the variables dataset permits to found a more clear relationship between variables. Factor score maps based on ilr-transformed variables and C-A plot cut off threshold displayed different geochemical patterns. In our survey area soil alteration phenomena could mask the nature of parental rock. The factor scores maps highlight an antithetic behaviour of many elements. Elements characterized by elevated geochemical mobility, such as Ca and Mg, are negatively correlated with Chemical Alteration Index values. Instead, Sn, Th, Be, Al are characterized by elevated geochemical stability; for this reason they are found where high-weathered soils occurs. The presence of elements such as Co, Cu Fe, Ni, Cr, Zn, K, Mn is mainly controlled by terrigenous flysch deposition. As, Pb (exceeding the CSC) and Sb association mainly occur in correspondence of urban areas and where traffic jams are frequent

Geochemical atlas of agricultural and grazing land soil of Italy

Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural Soils (GEMAS) is a cooperation project between the Geochemistry Expert Group of EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) and Eurometaux. The GEMAS project aim was to produce soil geochemical data at the continental-scale consistent with the EU regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals). All GEMAS project samples were analysed by variety of methods, including ICP-AES and ICP-MS following an aqua regia extraction, XRF and an MMI leach. The Italian Atlas contains colour surface maps displaying interpolated data and graduated dots, maps for regional variability of factor scores of elemental associations, and 15 baseline maps of selected elements following the Italian statutory intervention criteria. The maps in the Italian Geochemical Atlas show that the spatial distribution of chemical elements in the agricultural and grazing land soil is governed mostly by geogenic factors, even though the concentration levels of many of the investigated elements are well above the intervention limits set by the Italian environmental law (D.L. 152/2006). Regional-scale maps show that the element distribution patterns reflect the geochemistry of the major lithological units and structural lineaments, even using a very low sampling density grid of 1 sample site/2500 km2. Areas are easily detectable on the produced maps

GEMAS: Spatial distribution of chemical elements in agricultural and grazing land soil of Italy

This work was carried out as the Italian contribution to the EuroGeoSurveys GEMAS project, the objective of which was the geochemical characterisation of agricultural and grazing land soil in Europe. Soil samples were collected at an average sampling density of 1 site per 2500km2. Two different sample types were collected in Italy: (1) 121 samples of agricultural soil (Ap) on regularly ploughed land to a depth of 20cm, and (2) 121 samples of grazing land soil (Gr) (land under permanent grass cover) to a depth of 10cm. All soil samples were air dried, sieved to <2mm, homogenised and finally split into 10 sub-samples. Both sample types (Ap and Gr) were analysed after an aqua regia (AR) extraction by a combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS for 53 elements. In addition, other parameters were determined: pH, TOC, total carbon and total sulphur, LOI, CEC, Sr-isotopes, Pb-isotopes, and MIR-spectra. In this paper, the results of only aqua regia extraction on agricultural soil samples (Ap) and Pb-isotope determinations are presented and discussed.By means of a GIS software, georeferenced data of the Italian territory were used to produce the geochemical maps of all analysed parameters. This work shows that the spatial distribution of chemical elements is governed mostly by geogenic factors, although the concentration levels of many of the investigated elements are well above the corresponding statutory Italian intervention limits. The anomalies of Be and Sn in some areas are absolutely geogenic, as well as the anomalous values of Cr, Co and Ni that characterise the north-western regions. In other areas, the work has instead highlighted high element concentrations related to anthropic activities. This is the case of high Pb concentration near the urbanised and industrialised cities of Roma and Napoli. Lead isotope investigation has corroborated the hypothesis that road traffic is the main source of this contamination.Finally, the continental-scale geochemical maps of Italy show that the element distribution patterns identify clearly the presence of the major geolithological structures and lineaments, even using such a very low sampling density grid. \ua9 2014 Elsevier B.V

Why Consumers Prefer Green Friariello Pepper: Changes in the Protein and Metabolite Profiles Along the Ripening

Fruit ripening is a physiologically complex process altering texture, color, flavor, nutritional value, and aroma. However, some fruits are consumed at an early stage of ripening due to the very peculiar characteristics varying during ripening. An example is a particular ecotype of pepper, the Friariello pepper, among the most important representatives of Campania (Southern Italy) agro-alimentary culture. In this study, for the first time, the physiological variations during Friariello ripening (green, veraison, and fully ripe) were evaluated by hyphenated mass spectrometric techniques in a proteomic and metabolomic approach. We found that Lutein and Thaumatin are particularly abundant in the green Friariello. Friariello at an early stage of ripening, is rich in volatile compounds like butanol, 1 3 5-cycloheptatriene, dimethylheptane, a-pinene, furan-2- penthyl, ethylhexanol, 3-carene, detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, which give it the peculiar fresh and pleasant taste. The detected features of Friariello may justify its preferential consumption in the early ripening stage and outline new knowledge aimed at preserving specific agro-cultural heritage