Determination of 15N stable isotope natural abundances for assessing the use of saline reclaimed water in grapefruit

We reported the results of an isotopic study aimed at evaluating the medium to long-term effects of different water qualities and deficit irrigation strategies on the ecophysiology of grapefruit in a 7-year-old plantation in SE Spain. For a better understanding of the interaction between nitrogen and salts from reclaimed water, RW, an experiment using natural abundance (δ) of 15N was conducted. This study showed that in grapefruit crop irrigated with RW leaf δ15N value increased. We concluded that: (i) causal links exist between leaf δ15N isotope and salt stress: positive correlation between values of this isotope and leaf salt content was showed; (ii) excess of nitrates provided by the reclaimed irrigation water were lost in the ecosystem through leaching, denitrification, etc., enriching the medium with δ15N and increasing δ15N values in plants. Therefore, the results of this study highlight the key role that salt content from RW can play in N uptake by plants and, hence, isotopic discrimination of leaf N. Consequently, it has been demonstrated the usefulness of isotopic discrimination measure to predict crop sustainability in the medium to long term when using water sources of different quality combined with deficit irrigation strategies

Effect of deficit irrigation and reclaimed water on yield and quality of grapefruits at harvest and postharvest

The aim of our research was to discover the effects of the long-term irrigation with saline reclaimed (RW) and transfer (TW) water and different irrigation strategies: control (C) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on yield and fruit quality of grapefruit at harvest and during cold storage. T W-RDI treatment decreased tree canopy (TC) and crop load, resulting in a 21% reduction of fruit yield. Regarding fruit quality, RW notably decreased peel thickness at harvest (about 8%); however, this difference was not remained during cold storage. Sugar/acid ratio was mainly increased by RDI, but also by RW, due to an important increase in soluble solid content (11% of average value for TW-RDI, RW-C and RW-RDI). In addition, RDI combined with RW, significantly increased the number of fruits in small category 5 at the end of cold storage. Finally, neither ratio yield/TC nor irrigation water productivity were affected by any irrigation treatments.This study was supported by two CICYT projects (AGL2010-17553 and AGL2013-49047-C2- 515 2-R) projects and SENECA-Excelencia Científica (19903/GERM/15)

Effects of saline reclaimed waters and deficit irrigation on Citrus physiology assessed by UAV remote sensing

The aim of our research was to discover the effects of the long-term irrigation with saline reclaimed (RW) and transfer (TW) water and different irrigation strategies: control (C) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on yield and fruit quality of grapefruit at harvest and during cold storage. TW-RDI treatment decreased tree canopy (TC) and crop load, resulting in a 21% reduction of fruit yield. Regarding fruit quality, RW notably decreased peel thickness at harvest (about 8%); however, this difference was not remained during cold storage. Sugar/acid ratio was mainly increased by RDI, but also by RW, due to an important increase in soluble solid content (11% of average value for TW-RDI, RW-C and RW-RDI). In addition, RDI combined with RW, significantly increased the number of fruits in small category 5 at the end of cold storage. Finally, neither ratio yield/TC nor irrigation water productivity were affected by any irrigation treatments.This study was supported by two CICYT (AGL2010-17553 and AGL2013-49047-C2-482 515 2-R) projects and SIRRIMED (KBBE-2009-1- 2-03, PROPOSAL N◦245159) 483 project. We are also grateful to SENECA–Excelencia Científica (19903/GERM/15) for 484 providing funds for this research

5th Workshop on Agri-food Research-WiA.16

[SPA] Este libro contiene los resúmenes trabajos presentados al V Workshop en Investigación Agroalimentaria (WiA. 16) organizado por el Programa de doctorado en Técnicas Avanzadas en Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (TAIDA) de la UPCT y celebrado en Cartagena del 9 al 10 de mayo de 2016. El programa científico se estructura en cuatro sesiones: Biotecnología Agroalimentaria, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Alimentos, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Producción Vegetal y Ingeniería Agroforestal y Económica. [ENG] The scientific manuscripts presented in the 5th Workshop on Agri-Food Research (WIA.16) are here presented. WiA.16 is an annual. Presentations showed a great scientific interest and reflect the high potential of the Research Groups that belong to the several departments and institutions integrated into our PhD Program (UPCT, CEBAS-CSIC, and IMIDA). We expect that during the celebration of this Workshop, the coexistence and exchange of ideas and experiences among PhD candidates, research groups, researchers, technicians, etc.. has been favored

Proceedings of the 9th Workshop on Agri-Food Research for young researchers. WIA. 2020

The scientific manuscripts presented in the 9th Workshop on Agri-Food Research (WIA.2020) are here reported. The WiA.2020 is an annual Scientific Workshop organized by the Doctoral Program in Advanced Techniques for Research and Development in Food and Agriculture (TAIDA) of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) in Spain, in where PhD candidates present their research works. This WIA edition was for first time virtually held on July 27th, 2020, with more than 50 TAIDA PhD candidates from the Agri-food sector who presented the main advances of their research activities. It was more international than ever, connecting our young researches from several countries. Presentations showed a great scientific interest and reflect the outstanding potential of the Research Groups involved in the TAIDA PhD Program belonging to several institutions of the Murcia Region (UPCT, CEBAS-CSIC and IMIDA), other Spanish Regions, and to several foreign institutions of Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Tunisia, Morocco and Greece. We expect that during the celebration of this virtual Workshop, the cohabitation and exchange of ideas and experiences among PhD candidates, research groups, researchers, technicians, etc. have been favored. The scientific program is structured into three sessions: three sessions: Food Technology & Engineering, Plant Production Technology & Engineering and Agrifood Biotechnology & Agroforestry Engineering. The Scientific Organizing Committee considers that it is necessary for TAIDA PhD candidates to undertake this formative training activity to acquire the typical skills of a PhD, remarking how to summarize their results, highlighting the main important results while presenting and disseminating clearly and concisely to a diverse audience in a limited time, as usually happens in the presentations at worldwide scientific conferences.The Organizing Committee acknowledges the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica -ETSIA- and the Institute of Plant Biotechnology -IBV- of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena – UPCT- their assistance in making possible this event. To Mare Nostrum Campus -CMN- the dissemination done. Funding received from the International Doctorate School of UPCT is also appreciated

7th Workshop on Agri-food Research-WiA.18

[SPA] Este libro contiene los resúmenes de los trabajos presentados al VII Workshop en Investigación Agroalimentaria (WiA. 18) organizado por el Programa de doctorado en Técnicas Avanzadas en Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (TAIDA) de la UPCT y celebrado en Cartagena del 7 al 8 de mayo de 2018. El programa científico se estructura en cuatro sesiones: Biotecnología Agroalimentaria, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Alimentos, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Producción Vegetal y Ingeniería Agroforestal y Económica.[ENG] The scientific manuscripts presented in the 7th Workshop on Agri-Food Research (WIA.18) are here reported. The WiA.18 is an annual Workshop organized by the Doctoral Program in Advanced Techniques for Research and Development in Food and Agriculture (TAIDA) of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena - UPCT (Spain) in where PhD candidates present their research works. Presentations showed a great scientific interest and reflect the high potential of the Research Groups that belong to the several departments and institutions integrated into our PhD Program (UPCT, CEBAS-CSIC, and IMIDA). We expect that during the celebration of this Workshop, the coexistence and exchange of ideas and experiences among PhD candidates, research groups, researchers, technicians, etc.. has been favored. The scientific program is structured into four sessions: Agrifood Biotechnology, Food Technology and Engineering, Plant Production Technology and Engineering and Agroforestry and Economy Engineering, depending on the topics of interest involved in our Program. We had also two general invited lectures to strengthen the knowledge that researchers are gaining in their formation during this stage and we consider very useful for other researchers. The Scientific Organizing Committee consider that it is necessary that PhD candidates undertake this type of formative training activities to acquire the typical skills of a PhD remarking how to summarize their results, highlight the importance of them, presenting and disseminating clearly and concisely to a diverse audience in a limited time, as usually happens in the presentations at worldwide scientific conferences.The Organizing Committee acknowledges the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica -ETSIA- and the Institute of Plant Biotechnology -IBV- of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena – UPCT- their assistance in making possible this event. To Mare Nostrum Campus -CMN- the dissemination done. Funding received from the International Doctorate School of UPCT is also appreciated

6th Workshop on Agri-food Research-WiA.17

[SPA] Este libro contiene los resúmenes trabajos presentados al VI Workshop en Investigación Agroalimentaria (WiA. 17) organizado por el Programa de doctorado en Técnicas Avanzadas en Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (TAIDA) de la UPCT y celebrado en Cartagena del 8 al 9 de mayo de 2017. El programa científico se estructura en cuatro sesiones: Biotecnología Agroalimentaria, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Alimentos, Tecnología e Ingeniería de Producción Vegetal y Ingeniería Agroforestal y Económica.[ENG] The scientific manuscripts presented in the 6th Workshop on Agri-Food Research (WIA.17) are here reported. The WiA.17 is an annual Workshop organized by the Doctoral Program in Advanced Techniques for Research and Development in Food and Agriculture (TAIDA) of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena - UPCT (Spain) in where PhD candidates present their research works. Presentations showed a great scientific interest and reflect the high potential of the Research Groups that belong to the several departments and institutions integrated into our PhD Program (UPCT, CEBAS-CSIC, and IMIDA). We expect that during the celebration of this Workshop, the coexistence and exchange of ideas and experiences among PhD candidates, research groups, researchers, technicians, etc., has been favored. The scientific program is structured into four sessions: Agrifood Biotechnology, Food Technology and Engineering, Plant Production Technology and Engineering and Agroforestry and Economy Engineering, depending on the topics of interest involved in our Program. We also had three general invited lectures to strengthen the knowledge that researchers are gaining in their formation during this stage and we consider very useful for other researchers. The Scientific Organizing Committee consider that it is necessary that PhD candidates undertake this type of formative training activities to acquire the typical skills of a PhD remarking how to summarize their results, highlight the importance of them, presenting and disseminating clearly and concisely to a diverse audience in a limited time, as usually happens in the presentations at worldwide scientific conferences.The Organizing Committee acknowledges the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica -ETSIA- and the Institute of Plant Biotechnology -IBV- of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena – UPCT- their assistance in making possible this event. To Mare Nostrum Campus -CMN- the dissemination done. Funding received from the International Doctorate School of UPCT is also appreciated

Effect of different quality irrigation water on the growth, mineral concentration and physiological parameters of Viburnum tinus plants

Treated wastewater may be considered an alternative source of water and fertilizer nutrients for landscape plants. However, NaCl, the principal compound in this water, can be detrimental to plants. Viburnum tinus plants were submitted for 4 months to 4 irrigation treatments with water from different sources: control (Control) (EC < 0.9 dS m-1); NaCl solution (NaCl) (EC = 4 dS m-1); irrigation water normally used in the area (IW) (EC = 1.2-1.8 dS m-1) and reclaimed water (RW) (EC = 4 dS m-1). During a recovery period of two months, all the plants were irrigated with the control water. The results showed that biomass was affected in NaCl, IW and RW treatments, both leaf area and height decreased at the end of saline period. These changes were more pronounced in the NaCl treatment, which also caused a decrease in stem diameter and root/shoot ratio. The similar growth alterations founded after the recovery period showed that salts continued to be present in the substrate. Compared with the control, NaCl and RW plants showed a greater rate of Na+ and Cl- absorption by roots. Stem water potential was mainly affected by the NaCl treatment in the last weeks of the saline period. Through the experiment, the stomatal conductance and photosynthesis values were the lowest in plants that received the highest amount of salts, especially NaCl treatment which was the only treatment that did not recover at the end of experiment. Plants of the IW treatment showed slight changes in stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate with respect to the control, although the reduction in the growth and size of these plants suggests that slight increases in EC could be very toxic for this species. Hence, using different sources of water with similar EC, (NaCl and RW) it is important to know the exact composition, since the toxic effects produced by high concentrations of Na+ and Cl- might be offset by the effect of other ions like magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. In the physicochemical analysis of water, the highest concentrations of these ions were observed in RW and as consequence, their concentrations in plants were not reduced by the Na+ and Cl- effect, phosphorus even increased, improving the plant nutritional balance.This work was supported by the projects: CICYT (AGL 2008- 05258-CO2-1-2- AGR and AGL 2011-30022-CO2-01-02), Fundación Séneca (15356/PI/10) and Vías y Construcción, S. A. (CDTI IDI-20101191).Peer Reviewe

La degradación ambiental y sus efectos en la contaminación de las aguas superficiales en la cuenca del río Conchos (Chihuahua - México)

The development of human activities has led a perceptible environmental degradation in the Conchos river basin. Several factors, such as deforestation, changes of land uses, overgrazing and chemical water pollution from agricultural activities, have influenced this damage. However, the main source of degradation of the surface water of this basin is discharges of urban and industrial waste water. Results from the water analyses show very low values of dissolved oxygen, with average level of 4.06 mg L-1, and high rates of turbidity, which in some cases reached the 980 NTU. In conclusion, the findings of this study show the need of a change in agricultural management and the improvement of integrated management system in the treatment of urban and industrial wastewater, in order to reach more appropriate levels of water quality, which currently they pose a serious risk to public health.El desarrollo de las actividades humanas ha provocado un notable deterioro ambiental en la cuenca del río Conchos. La deforestación, los cambios de uso del suelo, el sobrepastoreo y la contaminación química de las aguas originada por las actividades agrícolas han contribuido a esta degradación, pero el principal factor de deterioro ambiental lo constituye la contaminación de las aguas superficiales provocada por los vertidos de aguas residuales urbanas y de desechos industriales. Los resultados más relevantes obtenidos en los análisis de agua ofrecen unos valores de oxígeno disuelto muy bajos, con niveles medios de 4.06 mg L-1. También se han constatado elevadas tasas de turbidez, que en algunos casos han superado los 980 NTU. El estudio concluye poniendo de manifiesto la necesidad de adoptar cambios sustanciales en los usos y prácticas agrícolas, y de reformar los sistemas de gestión integral relacionados con el tratamiento de los efluentes urbanos e industriales, con el fin de mejorar la calidad de las aguas y evitar posibles riesgos para la salud pública

Master in advanced techniques for research and development in food and agriculture

[SPA] El Máster de Técnicas Avanzadas en Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, tiene como principal objetivo la formación de investigadores en el ámbito del desarrollo agrario y alimentario, pues todos los indicadores actuales muestran que es necesario un aumento de la masa crítica de investigadores en éste área en la UE; a pesar de que la agricultura, desde la fase de producción hasta la de procesado y fabricación tiene un campo muy amplio en el que se puede investigar e innovar, existen determinadas herramientas horizontales de trabajo que permiten formar alumnos con unas capacidades técnicas excelentes y de aplicación a ámbitos tan variados como el medio ambiente, genética y mejora animal y vegetal, procesado de alimentos o control de las plagas. Estos antecedentes nos han llevado a formular un programa de Máster que tiene cuatro módulos definidos, uno de cursos metodológicos y tres de cursos fundamentales. [ENG] The Master in Advanced Techniques in Agricultural and Food Research and Development intends to introduce university students into the research in such field. The programme is based on research carried out by the Higher Technical School of Agriculture Engineer on the one hand, and on the other hand on the technological development of the Spanish agricultural and food sector. This Master programme has as its main goal the qualifying of researchers in the area of agricultural and food development, since all the present indicators point at the need for an increase in the critical mass of researchers in this area in the EU; despite the fact that agriculture, from production to processing and manufacturing, is a wide field in which to research and innovate. There exist some horizontal tools that allow us to train students with excellent technical skills, and that can be applied to a wide range of areas such as environment, genetics, animal and vegetal improvement, food processing or pest control. On these grounds we have been led to draw up a Master programme that has four clearly defined modules: one with methodology courses and three with basic courses. The students who follow the proposed Master programme should become university experts in research and development in the agricultural and food field.[ENG] The Master in Advanced Techniques in Agricultural and Food Research and Development intends to introduce university students into the research in such field. The programme is based on research carried out by the Higher Technical School of Agriculture Engineer on the one hand, and on the other hand on the technological development of the Spanish agricultural and food sector. This Master programme has as its main goal the qualifying of researchers in the area of agricultural and food development, since all the present indicators point at the need for an increase in the critical mass of researchers in this area in the EU; despite the fact that agriculture, from production to processing and manufacturing, is a wide field in which to research and innovate. There exist some horizontal tools that allow us to train students with excellent technical skills, and that can be applied to a wide range of areas such as environment, genetics, animal and vegetal improvement, food processing or pest control. On these grounds we have been led to draw up a Master programme that has four clearly defined modules: one with methodology courses and three with basic courses. The students who follow the proposed Master programme should become university experts in research and development in the agricultural and food field