Development and Validation of a Box and Flux Model to Describe Major, Trace and Potentially Toxic Elements ({PTEs}) in Scottish Soils

The box and flux model is a mathematical tool used to describe and forecast the major and trace elements perturbations of the Earth biogeochemical cycles. This mathematical tool describes the biogeochemical cycles, using kinetics of first, second and even third order. The theory and history of the box and flux modeling are shortly revised and discussed within the framework of Jim Lovelok’s Gaia theory. The objectives of the investigation were to evaluate the natural versus anthropic load of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) of the Scottish soils, investigate the soil components adsorbing and retaining the PTEs in non-mobile species, evaluate the aging factor of the anthropic PTEs and develop a model which describes the leaching of PTEs in layered soils. In the Scottish land, the soil-to-rock enrichment factorinversely correlates with the boiling point of the PTEs. The same is observed in NW Italy and USA soils, suggesting the common source of the PTEs. The residence time in soils of the measured PTEs linearly correlates with the Soil Organic Matter (SOM). The element property which mostly explains the adsorption capacity for PTEs’ is the ionic potential (IP). The downward migration rates of the PTEs inversely correlate with SOM, and in Scottish soil, they range from 0.5 to 2.0 cm·year−1. Organic Bentoniteis the most important soil phase adsorbing cation bivalent PTEs. The self-remediation time of the polluted soil examined ranged from 50 to 100 years. The aging factor, the adsorption of PTEs’ into non-mobile species, and occlusion into the soil mineral lattice was not effective. The box and flux model developed, tested and validatedhere does not describe the leaching of PTEs following the typical Gaussian shape distribution of the physical diffusion models. Indeed, the mathematical model proposed is sensitive to the inhomogeneity of the layered soils

Ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities and their genetic regulation in plants subjected to drought and salinity stresses

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an important relatively stable non-radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) is produced by normal aerobic metabolism in plants. At low concentrations, H2O2 acts as a signal molecule involved in the regulation of specific biological/physiological processes (photosynthetic functions, cell cycle, growth and development, plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses). Oxidative stress and eventual cell death in plants can be caused by excess H2O2 accumulation. Since stress factors provoke enhanced production of H2O2 in plants, severe damage to biomolecules can be possible due to elevated and non-metabolized cellular H2O2. Plants are endowed with H2O2-metabolizing enzymes such as catalases (CAT), ascorbate peroxidases (APX), some peroxiredoxins, glutathione/thioredoxin peroxidases, and glutathione sulfo-transferases. However, the most notably distinguished enzymes are CAT and APX since the former mainly occurs in peroxisomes and does not require a reductant for catalyzing a dismutation reaction. In particular, APX has a higher affinity for H2O2 and reduces it to H2O in chloroplasts, cytosol, mitochondria and peroxisomes, as well as in the apoplastic space, utilizing ascorbate as specific electron donor. Based on recent reports, this review highlights the role of H2O2 in plants experiencing water deficit and salinity and synthesizes major outcomes of studies on CAT and APX activity and genetic regulation in droughtand salt-stressed plants

Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial Community Structure and Dynamics of a Digestate and a More Stabilized Digestate-Derived Compost from Agricultural Waste

Recycling of different products and waste materials plays a crucial role in circular economy, where the anaerobic digestion (AD) constitutes an important pillar since it reuses nutrients in the form of organic fertilizers. Knowledge about the digestate and compost microbial community structure and its variations over time is important. The aim of the current study was to investigate the microbiome of a slurry cow digestate produced on a farm (ADG) and of a more stabilized digestate-derived compost (DdC) in order to ascertain their potential uses as organic amendments in agriculture. The results from this study, based on a partial fragment of 16S bacterial rRNA NGS sequencing, showed that there is a greater microbial diversity in the DdC originated from agricultural waste compared to the ADG. Overall, the existence of a higher microbial diversity in the DdC was confirmed by an elevated number (1115) of OTUs identified, compared with the ADG (494 OTUs identified). In the DdC, 74 bacterial orders and 125 families were identified, whereas 27 bacterial orders and 54 families were identified in the ADG. Shannon diversity and Chao1 richness indexes were higher in DdC samples compared to ADG ones (Shannon: 3.014 and 1.573, Chao1: 68 and 24.75; p< 0.001 in both cases). A possible association between the microbiome composition at different stages of composting process and the role that these microorganisms may have on the quality of the compost-like substrate and its future uses is also discussed

Sustainable management for increasing soil microbial diversity in a Mediterranean agro-ecosystem

Olive can be considered a paradigm species for Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. In conventional olive growing, adopted by the majority of the farmers, frequent soil tillage has reduced soil microbial diversity and microbiota complexity that strongly contribute to the overall soil fertility. Therefore, the conventional agronomic practices should evolve in a more sustainable olive management addressed to improve soil microbial diversity. A better understanding of the ecology of soil microorganisms could lead to identify agricultural management practices that stimulate and select the soil microorganisms having beneficial purposes in agriculture, such those interested in nitrogen cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sustainable practices (grass cover and pruning residues recycling) on soil microbioligical quality in a Mediterranean olive orchard. The trials were carried out in a mature olive grove (Olea europaea L. – cv Maiatica) located in Basilicata Region (Southern Italy.) and managed for 13 years (medium-term) according to two different soil management systems: the sustainable treatment (ST) and the conventional treatment (CT). Soil microorganisms in the two systems were monitored by both microbiological cultural-dependent and molecular methods, and by microscopy. In the ST olive orchard, soil microbiota showed a higher complexity and metabolic diversity. The adoption of ‘innovative’, sustainable, agricultural practices had positive effects on soil microbiota and its biodiversity, which in turn can influence soil fertility and plant growth by increasing nutrients availability and turnover. The results of this study encourage the use of sustainable agricultural practices able to enhance physico-chemical and microbial soil fertility and promote good-quality fruit production without detrimental effects on water and soil resources. The role of the identified microorganisms in the soil microbial netwo rk is discussed, in order to provide a detailed view of the impact that man-made selection had on soil microorganisms of agricultural relevance in a typical Mediterranean agronomic biosystem

Synergistic effect of Trichoderma and chitosan application in tomato for the control of Cucumber mosaic virus infection

Soil and plant environment is characterized by a wide range of microorganisms able to interact with host plants and, in some cases, to differentially induce susceptibility or resistance to pathogens. Plant viruses cause chlorosis and necrosis, so decreasing plant growth and productivity. Differently, many fungi are able to trigger a beneficial relationship with plants. Trichoderma spp. are endophytic symbionts able to modify plants metabolism, increasing nutrient uptake by plants and photosynthetic efficiency, and protecting them from pathogens. A biopolymer able to elicit plant-immunity is chitosan, derived by the deacetylation of chitin, a component of some fungal cell walls. Chitosan improves the host hypersensitive response by the expression of pathogenesis-related proteins and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Trichoderma harzianum T-22 (T22) induces defense responses against Cucumber mosaic virus Fny (CMV) in Solanum lycopersicum. On this basis, the aim of this work was to determine if the combination T22-chitosan has an antiviral activity against CMV in tomato plants. Plant physiological parameters (gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence) were followed throughout the experiment. Furthermore, ELISA test was employed to detect CMV. Results indicate that plants treated with T22 and chitosan had a strong attenuation of viral load, a higher chlorophyll content and a better photosynthetic performance compared to the untreated plants. Further investigations are in progress to determine plant antioxidant responses. In conclusion, combined treatment based on T22 and chitosan represents a highly effective strategy against CMV, embracing the criteria of sustainable agricultural practice and public health protection

Toxic effects of four sulphonylureas herbicides on soil microbial biomass

The effect of four triazinyl-sulfonylurea herbicides (cinosulfuron, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron methyl, triasulfuron) on soil microbial biomass, soil respiration, metabolic activity, metabolic quotient, and some enzymatic activities (acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, arylsulphatase, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) were monitored under controlled conditions over 30 days. The herbicides were applied at the normal field dose (FD) and at ten-fold (10 FD) the field dose, in order to mimic a long term toxic effect. The measured soil microbial parameters showed that the FD had slight effects on soil microflora, while at 10 FD the tested herbicides exerted a stronger detrimental effect on soil microbial biomass and its biochemical activities

Steaming effects on selected wood properties of Turkey oak by spectral analysis

Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) is characterized by some technological and aesthetical factors limiting its market value from its great potential. In this study, the effect of direct and indirect steaming on reduction in equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and colour variations was evaluated using a hyperspectral radiometer. Steaming treatments were carried out at 80C for 48 h, and 120C for 18 and 24 h, showing a reduction in EMC in the order of 8.1, 28.5 and 13.5, respectively, as well as very significant lightness (L*) and hue (h) modifications in comparison with untreated specimens. The spectral signature analysis confirmed that hydrothermal treatments modify wood sensibility to the light source in the entire spectrum range. The study supports the validity of hydrothermal treatments for improving technological and aesthetical properties of Turkey oak

Growth patterns of tomato plants subjected to two non-conventional abiotic stresses: UV-C irradiations and electric fields

Ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C = 100-280 nm) is strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the amount of this radiation reaching the Earth's surface is extremely low. In the future, UV-C radiation is expected to increase as the result of stratospheric ozone depletion due to atmospheric pollution, with strong negative effects on economically important crops. High UV-C doses determine irreversible damages both at plant physiological and morphological levels, leading plants to death. Also electric fields (EFs) can determine changes at morphological and physiological levels in plants. Electro-culture can accelerate growth rates, increase yields, improve crop quality and plant protection against from diseases, insects and frost. This chapter is focused on the effects of the exposition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), one of the most economically important crop, to UV-C radiation and DC-electric field, able to determine important and significant alterations in plant growth. The protection of tomato plants against UV-C, combined with the growth-promoting effects of electro-culture, could allow farmers to grow bigger and better crops in less time, with less effort, and at a lower cost

Assay of riboflavin in sample wines by capillary zone electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection

To routinely assay the concentration of riboflavin (RF) in wines, a rapid and sensitive method was developed and evaluated. The method is based on a simple sample preparation, capillary zone electrophoretic separation and laser-induced fluorescence detection (CZE-LIF). Sample-preparation required only dilution and filtration. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection of riboflavin was 0.5 mug/L, using a hydrodynamic sample introduction of 10 s at 54 mbar. The method was fully validated: the recovery of RF in wines was >95%. The concentrations of RF within the three sample types of Italian wines investigated here ranged from 69 to 151 mug/L with a mean value(+/-SD) of 112 +/- 25 mug/L, from 74 to 193 mug/L with a mean value of 115 +/- 45,ug/L, and from 156 to 292 mug/L with a mean value of 226 +/- 40 mug/L, for white, rose and red wines, respectively. Such an accurate and highly sensitive CZE-LIF method represents a powerful improvement over previous methods in terms of sensitivity, simplicity, and efficiency. It is well suited to satisfy the demands for accurate and sensitive detection with minimal sample preparation and cleanup

Effects of UV-C radiation on common dandelion and purple coneflower: First results

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light (100 ≤ λ ≤ 280 nm) is a ionizing radiation that can damage living organisms. An experiment was conducted on plants of common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber, T. Densleonis Desf.) and purple coneflower [Echinacea purpurea, (L.) Moench] irradiated with UV-C at different exposition times, under controlled conditions and grown in self-produced characterized compost, to assess the effect of different doses UV-C radiation on some physiological parameters. Trials have been carried out using a black chamber equipped with an UV-C lamp in which plants were divided in four groups on the basis of UV-C irradiation period (10, 30, 60, and 120 min). Non-irradiated plants were kept as controls. Plant photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll content (SPAD) and some morphologic traits were recorded before, immediately after irradiations and 20 days weeks later. The effects on photosynthetic performances and chlorophyll contents (SPAD) were evaluated and compared with data obtained in similar experiments where tomato plants were irradiated at different times with UVC light. In both species, SPAD values decreased as the irradiation period became longer. The two species showed different gas exchange dynamics, depending on the UV-C exposure time. Two months after the UV-C irradiation, plant dry weight measured at 120-min UV-C exposure was significantly lower than the control