Heavy Metals Accumulation in Topsoils from the Wine-growing Regions Part 1. Factors which Control Retention

The problem of exposure of agricultural soils to different anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals has been investigated in soils from two wine-producing subregions in northwestern Croatia. The aim of this study was to explore :(i) the main soil properties and topsoil accumulation of heavy metals in vineyards under long-term cultivation, and (ii) the origin and the preferential feature of metal retention in vineyard topsoil using the multivariate statistical method. The investigated area was marked on regular square grid with 1-km spacing. Topsoil samples (0-10 cm) were collected from each sampling point and analyzed for soil chemical properties, particle size distribution and heavy metal concentrations after aqua region digestion. All soil data were incorporate into the GIS base. Summary statistics of the data set were first calculated to evaluate the distributions, and afterward processed by means of R-mode factor analysis, applying the varimax-raw rotational technique. Anthropogenic input of metals in soils of the studied wine-growing regions mostly originates from agrochemicals, since the direct influence of the urban environment or industry is almost negligible. Accumulation of copper and zinc in topsoil, determined in this research, is the most common effect of continuing fertilization and protection against diseases and pests in vineyards

Editoria Note

The CASEE Network, funded in 2010, is aimed to support the development and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube region by strengthening research, education and University development within the region. In this context, the annual CASEE conferences bring together Central and South Eastern European Higher Education institutions relating to the Life Science disciplines. Rural areas in Europe and specifically the Danube region are more and more under pressure. The rural areas urgently need economic chances for development. One of the opportunities could be the implementation of the bio-based economy. Driven by scientific and educational challenges, we aimed at discussing the potentials and options of biomass and food production in the Danube region, seeking for new concepts and technologies, knowing that agricultural intensification alone cannot be the solution. Preserving soil and water resources and their sustainable use is one of the great challenges when increasing biomass production. The 4th Conference “Food and Biomass Production – Basis for a Sustainable Rural Development” was held in Zagreb at the University of Zagreb, organized by Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Forestry, Croatia, 1-3 July 2013. It was a great pleasure to host our dear colleagues and friends in the occasion of Croatia’s entry into the European Union and hereby we give thanks for their support again. The conference program consisted of four main workshops focused on the issues of soil protection and the Danube perspectives, food and biomass production as a challenge and chance for rural development, agriculture, water use and protection in the Danube region, and last but not least, education. As much as 130 participants from 11 countries attended the conference and 64 lectures were presented. The main idea of the network is to develop contacts among young scientists, and thereby spread knowledge, experience and friendliness within the region. Organizing and Scientific committees wish to express cordial gratitude to everyone that participated in the program with oral or poster presentations. Our sincere gratitude is expressed to the reviewers for time and effort devoted in the manuscripts that are published in this special issue of Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus. Finally, special thanks must go to all members of the CASEE team for their enthusiasm and support of the network activities, and particularly to Martin Gerzabek, the president of the CASEE Network for his engagement and support. Davor ROMIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Organizing Committee Milan MESIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Scientifi c Committe

Editoria Note

The CASEE Network, funded in 2010, is aimed to support the development and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube region by strengthening research, education and University development within the region. In this context, the annual CASEE conferences bring together Central and South Eastern European Higher Education institutions relating to the Life Science disciplines. Rural areas in Europe and specifically the Danube region are more and more under pressure. The rural areas urgently need economic chances for development. One of the opportunities could be the implementation of the bio-based economy. Driven by scientific and educational challenges, we aimed at discussing the potentials and options of biomass and food production in the Danube region, seeking for new concepts and technologies, knowing that agricultural intensification alone cannot be the solution. Preserving soil and water resources and their sustainable use is one of the great challenges when increasing biomass production. The 4th Conference “Food and Biomass Production – Basis for a Sustainable Rural Development” was held in Zagreb at the University of Zagreb, organized by Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Forestry, Croatia, 1-3 July 2013. It was a great pleasure to host our dear colleagues and friends in the occasion of Croatia’s entry into the European Union and hereby we give thanks for their support again. The conference program consisted of four main workshops focused on the issues of soil protection and the Danube perspectives, food and biomass production as a challenge and chance for rural development, agriculture, water use and protection in the Danube region, and last but not least, education. As much as 130 participants from 11 countries attended the conference and 64 lectures were presented. The main idea of the network is to develop contacts among young scientists, and thereby spread knowledge, experience and friendliness within the region. Organizing and Scientific committees wish to express cordial gratitude to everyone that participated in the program with oral or poster presentations. Our sincere gratitude is expressed to the reviewers for time and effort devoted in the manuscripts that are published in this special issue of Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus. Finally, special thanks must go to all members of the CASEE team for their enthusiasm and support of the network activities, and particularly to Martin Gerzabek, the president of the CASEE Network for his engagement and support. Davor ROMIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Organizing Committee Milan MESIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Scientifi c Committe

Comparison of Transpiration Models in Tomato Soilless Culture

A two-year greenhouse study was performed to determine the possibility of estimating the transpiration rate in hydroponically grown tomato on the basis of climate parameters. Transpiration rate, determined by the water balance method on different substrates, was compared to the transpiration rate calculated using the Penman Monteith equation. Regression analysis of the comparison of two different approaches to water consumption determination confirmed that the transpiration rate of greenhouse grown tomato for the studied area can be estimated with high accuracy (R2 > 0.95)

Strawberry Growth and Fruit Yield in a Saline Environment

Up to 20% of irrigated arable land in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide is salt-affected. The problem of salt-affected soils is also present in the Croatian Mediterranean coastal region where seawater intrudes through porous media into calcareous aquifers, mixes with freshwater and salinizes both ground and surface waters. Climatic conditions enable continuous growing of several crops throughout a year, but increasing demand for irrigation water forces the growers to utilize water of poor quality. In 2005, the effect of rising salinity levels (control, 4, 6, and 8 dS m-1) on strawberry vegetative growth and fruit yield was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Salinity treatments had a negative effect on total fresh fruit yield (29-59%), total number of fruits (24-45%), fruit size, as well as on the number of runners (23-86%) and the length of the longest runner (1.3-2.6 times). Furthermore, NaCl salinity stress accelerated leaf senescence and reduced the strawberry growing period by 12-22 days

Heavy Metals Accumulation in Topsoils from the Wine-growing Regions Part 2. Relationships between soil properties and extractable copper contents

The present study analyses the effects of high copper concentrations on its mobility in the soils from the wine-growing regions of the Northwestern Croatia. The aims of this study were to determine the copper distribution in vineyard soils by single extraction procedures, and to relate the total, mobile and mobilisable copper content to several chemical soil characteristics using multiple regression analysis. The total Cu concentrations were determined by an aqua regia procedure. Two other methods were used for evaluating soil available copper: DTPA extraction and calcium chloride extraction. The physical and chemical characteristics (texture, organic C, pH, CaCO3, total P, CEC) were determined as well. Both DTPA- and CaCl2-extractable copper were largely explained by the total copper contents, and they were also highly correlated to each other. It was found that the DTPA-extractable copper decreased with increasing cation exchange capacity, but concentrations of CaCl2-extractable copper mainly depend on pH