Electrical Conductivity Measurements in Agriculture: The Assessment of Soil Salinity

Soil salinity is an important issue constraining the productivity of irrigation agriculture around the world. The standard method for soil salinity assessment is based on a laboratory method that is cumbersome and gives rise to limitations for data-intensive works. The use of sensors for the assessment of the apparent electrical conductivity (EC) of soils offers a way to overcome these constraints. These sensors are based on three electromagnetic phenomena, namely, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction, and reflectometry. Each class of sensors presents its own advantages and drawbacks. In the following chapter, these are presented along with the most popular commercial EC sensors used in nowadays agriculture, equations for the assessment of soil salinity on basis sensor measurements, some examples of application, and present and future development trends

Perception welfare assessment of water reuse in competitive categories

The supply of reclaimed water to ecosystems increases their ecosystem service flows, which is directly translated into terms of social welfare. This study explores the factors that determine the different perceptions of the welfare impact of supplying reclaimed water to different, and competitive, ecosystems in the Segura river basin (southern Spain): specifically, an agroecosystem (agricultural irrigation) and a river (higher river flow). the results of a contingent valuation exercise with the population of the Murcia region show four different groups of respondents, depending on their willingness to pay (WTP) preferences. the factors that identify differences among welfare impacts are the age, the gender, the education level, the monthly income, the nearness of the household to the river, and, above all, the degree of satisfaction with funding of water reclamation. this study broadens our knowledge of individuals’ heterogeneous preferences in water reuse options, which is crucial for policy makers in the development of socially accepted and sustainable water resource management strategies.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities [AGRISERVI: AGL2015-64411-R (MINECO/FEDER)], the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU 16/03473), and the ‘Fundación Seneca – Region de Murcia’ (19342/PI/14)

Rapid Prediction of Nutrient Concentration in Citrus Leaves Using Vis-NIR Spectroscopy

[EN] The nutritional diagnosis of crops is carried out through costly foliar ionomic analysis in laboratories. However, spectroscopy is a sensing technique that could replace these destructive analyses for monitoring nutritional status. This work aimed to develop a calibration model to predict the foliar concentrations of macro and micronutrients in citrus plantations based on rapid non-destructive spectral measurements. To this end, 592 'Clementina de Nules' citrus leaves were collected during several months of growth. In these foliar samples, the spectral absorbance (430-1040 nm) was measured using a portable spectrometer, and the foliar ionomics was determined by emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for macro and micronutrients, and the Kjeldahl method to quantify N. Models based on partial least squares regression (PLS-R) were calibrated to predict the content of macro and micronutrients in the leaves. The determination coefficients obtained in the model test were between 0.31 and 0.69, the highest values being found for P, K, and B (0.60, 0.63, and 0.69, respectively). Furthermore, the important P, K, and B wavelengths were evaluated using the weighted regression coefficients (BW) obtained from the PLS-R model. The results showed that the selected wavelengths were all in the visible region (430-750 nm) related to foliage pigments. The results indicate that this technique is promising for rapid and non-destructive foliar macro and micronutrient prediction.This work is co-financed by the PNDR and GVA-IVIA (projects 52203, 52204 and by the EU through the ERDF of GVA 2021-2027). Maylin Acosta thanks IFARHU-SENACYT for the Professional Excellence Scholarships, contract No. 270-2021-020. Sandra Munera thanks the Juan de la Cierva-Formación contract (FJC2021-047786-I) co-funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR.Acosta, M.; Quiñones, A.; Munera, S.; De Paz, JM.; Blasco, J. (2023). Rapid Prediction of Nutrient Concentration in Citrus Leaves Using Vis-NIR Spectroscopy. Sensors. 23(14):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23146530111231

Assessing the environmental sustainability of irrigation with oil and gas produced water in drylands

Produced water (PW) is the largest by-product of the oil and gas industry. Its management is both economically and environmentally costly. PW reuse for irrigation offers an alternative to current disposal practices while providing water to irrigators in drylands. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the environmental effects of irrigation with PW. The SALTIRSOIL_M model was used to simulate the irrigation of sugar beet with 15 PWs of a wide range of qualities in four climates of different aridity and on four contrasting soil types. The impacts on soil salinity, sodicity and pH as well as on crop yield and drainage water salinity were estimated. Well-drained soils with low water content at field capacity (Arenosol) are less sensitive to salinisation while a relatively high gypsum content (Gypsisol) makes the soil less vulnerable to both sodification and salinisation. On the contrary, clayey soils with higher water content at field capacity and lower gypsum content must be avoided as the soil structural stability as well as a tolerable soil electrical conductivity for the crop cannot be maintained on the long-term. Soil pH was not found to be sensitive to PW quality. Drainage water quality was found to be closely linked to PW quality although it is also influenced by the soil type. The impact of drainage water on the aquifer must be considered and reuse or disposal implemented accordingly for achieving sustainable irrigation. Finally, increasing aridity intensifies soil and drainage water salinity and sodicity. This investigation highlights the importance of adapting the existing irrigation water quality guidelines through the use of models to include relevant parameters related to soil type and aridity. Indeed, it will support the petroleum industry and irrigators, to estimate the risks due to watering crops with PW and will encourage its sustainable reuse in water-scarce areas

Assessing the effects of soil liming with dolomitic limestone and sugar foam on soil acidity, leaf nutrient contents, grape yield and must quality in a Mediterranean vineyard

[EN] Aluminium toxicity has been recognized as one of the most common causes of reduced grape yields in vineyard acid soils. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two liming materials, i.e. dolomitic lime and sugar foam, on a vineyard cultivated in an acid soil. The effects were studied in two soil layers (0-30 and 30-60 cm), as well as on leaf nutrient contents, must quality properties and grape yield, in an agricultural soil dedicated to Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Mencía’ cultivation. Data management and analysis were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). As liming material, sugar foam was more efficient than dolomitic limestone because sugar foam promoted the highest decrease in soil acidity properties at the same calcium carbonate equivalent dose. However, potassium contents in vines organs, including leaves and berries, seemed to decrease as a consequence of liming, with a concomitant increase in must total acidity. Soil available phosphorus also decreased as a consequence of liming, especially with sugar foam, though no effects were observed in plants. For these reasons fertilization of this soil with K and P is recommended along with liming. Grape yields in limed soils increased, although non-significantly, by 30%. This research has therefore provided an important opportunity to advance in our understanding of the effects of liming on grape quality and production in acid soils.SIWe are especiallly grateful to “Losada Vinos de Finca, S.A.”, for its assistance in the research project. The authors would also like to thank the editor and the two anonymous reviewers for their comments and remarks that were of much help to improve the article

The social wellbeing of irrigation water. A demand-side integrated valuation in a Mediterranean agroecosystem

Irrigation water is a vital input for agricultural production. The supply of irrigation water to crops enhances land productivity and affects the agroecosystem functioning. Agroecosystems co-provide a wide range of agroecosystem services and disservices, which contribute positively and negatively, respectively, to human wellbeing. Therefore, irrigated agroecosystems produce several positive and negative outcomes in relation to society, and agricultural water management is key to the provision of adequate incentives for the enhancement of social wellbeing. In such a context, the aim of this work was to value the contribution of water to the provision of agroecosystem services and disservices, as a way to summarise the contribution of irrigation to social wellbeing. To this end, a demand-side integrated valuation of agroecosystem services and disservices was carried out for both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture in two different agroecosystems of the Region of Murcia (south-eastern Spain), a semi-arid western Mediterranean region characterised by water scarcity. In addition, the intensity of the agricultural water use was considered by distinguishing traditional and highly-intensive irrigated agroecosystems. Almond and lemon, two woody crops, were employed to develop the economic valuation in rain-fed and irrigated agroecosystems, respectively. The assessment of biophysical indicators to quantify the provision of services and disservices and their economic valuation, using market and non-market methods, were used. The results show that the contribution of water to social wellbeing is valued at 9000–12,300 €/ha/year, being greater when the intensive use of agricultural water is promoted. The net economic value of all categories of agroecosystem services and disservices increases when irrigation water is supplied. Notwithstanding, the greatest contribution is due to the increase in provisioning services, mainly food provision in the case of the highly-intensive agroecosystem. Traditional irrigated agroecosystems make a greater contribution to regulating and cultural agroecosystem services. Hence, agricultural water management should focus on increasing the contribution of irrigated agroecosystems to human wellbeing.This work was supported by the AgriCambio project (Grant PID2020-114576RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033). José A. Zabala, Víctor Martínez-García and José A. Albaladejo-García acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Personal Training (FPU 16/03473; FPU19/05143; FPU 16/03562)

Defining a set of standardised outcome measures for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma using the Delphi consensus method: the IMPORTA project

Objective: To define a standard set of outcomes and the most appropriate instruments to measure them for managing newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: A literature review and five discussion groups facilitated the design of two-round Delphi questionnaire. Delphi panellists (haematologists, hospital pharmacists and patients) were identified by the scientific committee, the Spanish Program of Haematology Treatments Foundation, the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacies and the Spanish Community of Patients with MM. Panellist's perception about outcomes' suitability and feasibility of use was assessed on a seven-point Likert scale. Consensus was reached when at least 75% of the respondents reached agreement or disagreement. A scientific committee led the project. Results: Fifty-one and 45 panellists participated in the first and second Delphi rounds, respectively. Consensus was reached to use overall survival, progression-free survival, minimal residual disease and treatment response to assess survival and disease control. Panellists agreed to measure health-related quality of life, pain, performance status, fatigue, psychosocial status, symptoms, self-perception on body image, sexuality and preferences/satisfaction. However, panellist did not reach consensus about the feasibility of assessing in routine practice psychosocial status, symptoms, self-perception on body image and sexuality. Consensus was reached to collect patient-reported outcomes through the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Core questionnaire 30 (C30), three items from EORTC-QLQ-Multiple Myeloma (MY20) and EORTC-QLQ-Breast Cancer (BR23), pain Visual Analogue Scale, Morisky-Green and ad hoc questions about patients' preferences/satisfaction. Conclusions: A consensual standard set of outcomes for managing newly diagnosed patients with MM has been defined. The feasibility of its implementation in routine practice will be assessed in a future pilot study

The social wellbeing of irrigation water. A demand-side integrated valuation in a Mediterranean agroecosystem

[EN] Irrigation water is a vital input for agricultural production. The supply of irrigation water to crops enhances land productivity and affects the agroecosystem functioning. Agroecosystems co-provide a wide range of agroecosystem services and disservices, which contribute positively and negatively, respectively, to human wellbeing. Therefore, irrigated agroecosystems produce several positive and negative outcomes in relation to society, and agricultural water management is key to the provision of adequate incentives for the enhancement of social wellbeing. In such a context, the aim of this work was to value the contribution of water to the provision of agroecosystem services and disservices, as a way to summarise the contribution of irrigation to social wellbeing. To this end, a demand-side integrated valuation of agroecosystem services and disservices was carried out for both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture in two different agroecosystems of the Region of Murcia (south-eastern Spain), a semi-arid western Mediterranean region characterised by water scarcity. In addition, the intensity of the agricultural water use was considered by distinguishing traditional and highly-intensive irrigated agroecosystems. Almond and lemon, two woody crops, were employed to develop the economic valuation in rain-fed and irrigated agroecosystems, respectively. The assessment of biophysical indicators to quantify the provision of services and disservices and their economic valuation, using market and non-market methods, were used. The results show that the contribution of water to social wellbeing is valued at 9000-12,300 euro/ha/year, being greater when the intensive use of agricultural water is promoted. The net economic value of all categories of agroecosystem services and disservices increases when irrigation water is supplied. Notwithstanding, the greatest contribution is due to the increase in provisioning services, mainly food provision in the case of the highly-intensive agroecosystem. Traditional irrigated agroecosystems make a greater contribution to regulating and cultural agroecosystem services. Hence, agricultural water management should focus on increasing the contribution of irrigated agroecosystems to human wellbeing.This work was supported by the AgriCambio project (Grant PID2020- 114576RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033). Jos¿e A. Zabala, Víctor Martínez-García and Jos¿e A. Albaladejo-García acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Personal Training (FPU 16/03473; FPU19/05143; FPU 16/ 03562)Alcon, F.; Zabala, J.; Matínez-García, V.; Albaladejo, J.; López-Becerra, E.; De Miguel, MD.; Martínez-Paz, JM. (2022). The social wellbeing of irrigation water. A demand-side integrated valuation in a Mediterranean agroecosystem. Agricultural Water Management. 262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.10740026

Mortandad por enfermedades modernas en función del consumo de productos ultraprocesados: caso México.

Modern diseases occupy the first places as cause of death in Mexico due to changes in the food consumption habits and lifestyles of the population. This study measures and projects the impact of per capita consumption of ultra-processed products on mortality from modern illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease through first-order differential equations. It is estimated that by 2030, with data from 1960-2014 for a population of 135 million inhabitants, the per capita consumption of ultra-processed products will be 295 kg and the mortality from modern diseases will be 363 people for every 100 thousand inhabitants. With data from 2000-2014, the per capita consumption of ultra-processed products will be 300 kg and the mortality 421 people. The impact on the mortality rate in Mexico by 2030 from consuming ultra-processed products will continue rising if the per capita consumption of these products is not intervened to prevent these diseases.Las enfermedades modernas ocupan los primeros lugares como causa de muerte en México debido a cambios en los hábitos de consumo de alimentos y estilos de vida de la población. Esta investigación mide y proyecta el impacto del consumo percápita de productos ultraprocesados en la mortandad por enfermedades modernas como diabetes, cáncer y enfermedades del corazón mediante ecuaciones diferenciales de primer orden. Se estima que para 2030, con datos de 1960-2014, para una población de 135 millones de habitantes, el consumo percápita de productos ultraprocesados será de 295 kg y la mortandad por enfermedades modernas será de 363 personas por cada 100 mil habitantes. Con datos de 2000-2014, el consumo percápita de productos ultraprocesados será de 300 kg y la mortandad de 421 personas. El impacto en la mortandad en México al 2030 por consumir productos ultraprocesados seguirá al alza si el consumo percápita de estos productos no se intervienen para prevenir estas enfermedades