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This study represents the first investigation of soil ciliate diversity and community structure in the Marche region, Italy, encompassing both natural sites and agro-ecosystems. The main aims were (i) to assess the ability of ciliates to discriminate between different types of land uses, i.e., arable lands and possible farming management practices [organic (ORG) vs. conventional (CON)], and forest (FOR) sites; and (ii) to investigate the relationships among ciliate communities and abiotic parameters at the studied sites. Soil samples were collected twice from 10 sites (5 forest (FOR) (natural soils) and 5 arable lands under different agricultural management systems (3 ORG (minimum tillage) and 2 CON (sod seeding)). Ciliate communities were studied using qualitative (non-flooded Petri dish) and quantitative methods (ciliate counts from permanent slides). Soil chemical–physical (texture, CEC, N, OM, C/N) parameters were also measured. Qualitative ciliate analysis allowed us to identify a total of 59 species representing 33 genera, 20 families, 13 orders, and 7 classes. ORG sites were the richest in species followed by CON and FOR. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between natural sites (FOR) and agricultural sites, and between ORG and CON management farming systems. CCA analysis revealed a positive correlation between the ciliate species and silt, clay, and pH in ORG sites, and sand, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and CEC (cation exchange capacity) in FOR sites, suggesting the significance of these parameters in shaping the ciliate communities. Altogether, these results showed the bioindicative potential of ciliate communities in discriminating between natural sites (FOR) and arable lands, and their capacity to discriminate, at least preliminarily, between different soil management systems (ORG vs. CON). Furthermore, this study highlights the high diversity of soil ciliates and their response to habitat variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BEST (Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer parameters) method was used to compare the hydraulic properties of the soils in two Long-term Agroecosystem Experiments (LTAEs) located at the FIELDLAB experimental site of the University of Perugia (central Italy). The LTAE "NewSmoca" consists of a biennial maize-durum wheat crop rotation under integrated low-input cropping systems with (i) inversion soil tillage (INT) or (ii) no-tillage (INT+) and (iii) under an organic cropping system with inversion soil tillage (ORG). ORG and INT+ involve the use of autumn-sown cover crops (before the maize cycle). Pure stand durum wheat was grown in INT and INT+, while a faba bean–wheat temporary intercropping was implemented in ORG. The LTAE "Crop Rotation" consists of different crop rotations and residue management, a continuous soft winter wheat and biennial rotations of soft winter wheat with maize or faba bean. Each rotation is combined with two modes of crop residue management: removal or burial. For INT+, despite the high-bulk density (>1.50 g/cm3), we found that conductivity, sorptivity and available water are comparable to those of INT, probably due to a more structured and efficient micropore system. ORG soils show the highest conductivity, sorptivity and available water content values, probably due to the recent spring tillage occurring in the wheat inter-row with the faba bean incorporation into the soil. For LTAE Rotation, the residue burial seems to influence the capacity-based indicators positively. However, the differences in the removal treatment are minor, and this could be due to the inversion soil tillage, which limits the progressive accumulation of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to climate change projections, global temperatures would increase by 2°C by 2070, and agriculture is expected to be among the most affected sectors, particularly intensive field crops like cereals. Therefore, researchers need to investigate the most cost‐effective agricultural strategies that can prevent production losses and ensure global food security. This study aimed to identify the limiting factors of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum (Desf.) Husn.) yield production under Mediterranean conditions. Durum wheat yield data of over 5 years (2017–2022), from a 30‐year rainfed long‐term experiment conducted in the 'Pasquale Rosati' experimental farm of the Polytechnic University of Marche in Agugliano, Italy (43°32' N, 13°22′ E, 100 a.s.l.) on Calcaric Gleyic Cambisols with a silt‐clay texture, were analysed and compared with the recorded thermo‐pluviometric trend. The field trial included two soil managements (no tillage vs. conventional tillage) and three Nitrogen (N) fertilization levels (0, 90, and 180 kg N ha−1). The most important driver for durum wheat production was N fertilization. However, in the absence of N fertilization, no tillage showed a higher yield (+1.2 t ha−1) than conventional tillage due to the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. When wheat was fertilized with 90 kg N ha−1, no tillage resulted in 25% yield more than conventional tillage (+1.2 t ha−1), but this occurred only when the increase in temperatures was constant from January until harvest (this happened in 3 of 5 years of monitoring). The non‐constant increase in temperature from January to wheat harvest may hamper crop phenological development and reduce the potential yield. The highest fertilization rate (180 Kg N ha−1) resulted in the highest wheat yields regardless of soil management and thermo‐pluviometric trends (5.78 t ha−1). After N fertilization and soil management, the minimum and maximum temperature in February and the maximum temperature in April were crucial for durum wheat production under Mediterranean condition. When there is non‐constant increase in temperature from January to wheat harvest no‐tillage should be preferred over conventional tillage because wheat yields did not reduce under no tillage. Thus, agricultural policies that support the switch from conventional tillage to no‐tillage management should be promoted to enable food security in Mediterranean environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering future tasks in soil health, resource management, and environmental protection, farmers are challenged to develop sustainable strategies for managing soil and land resources. In this study, the long-term sustainability of two fertilization strategies—current, with synthetic fertilizers (SYN) vs. conservative, with organic sources of nitrogen (organic amendments plus green manure with a legume, CONS)—was assessed in a processing tomato/durum wheat rotation. The EPIC model was used, validated with field data, and then run to simulate the management for 30 years under three current and future climates. Yield, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock change, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrate leaching were considered sustainability indicators. Under all of the future climate scenarios, tomato yield increased with CONS, remaining almost stable with SYN. Wheat yield increased both with CONS and SYN; however, the average yield with CONS was considerably lower than with SYN. NUE and nitrate leaching followed the same trend, both decreasing with CONS, while WUE was higher with CONS compared to SYN. The effect of CONS on SOC was always positive. Thus, the alternative N fertilization strategy proposed can be a favorable option for maintaining soil health and sustainable crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil quality, nitrogen, and organic matter content are increasingly being researched due to their impact on the environment. We assessed the effects of different soil management practices on the distribution and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in a durum wheat–faba bean rotation system cultivated in a Mediterranean-type area of Southern Italy, over six years. The effects of three levels of soil disturbance—conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (RT), and no tillage—(NT) on the SOC and nitrogen (N) content at soil depths of 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm were compared in a long-term experiment starting in the 2009–2010 growing season. The three soil management systems showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the surface layer (0–15 cm depth) in SOC content and total nitrogen, with the largest accumulation occurring in the conservation system (NT). In the deep layers (30–60 and 60–90 cm), however, no significant differences were found between the three tillage systems. The ascending order of the tendency to accumulate SOC and N in the soil in the 0–15 cm layer was NT > CT > RT. In addition, the C/N ratio showed a more equilibrated rate in the NT system. The conservation tillage (NT) gave the best results in terms of the physical characteristics of the soil, showing a higher stability index compared to CT and RT. Conservation tillage is therefore recommended for wheat cultivation in the dry areas of Southern Italy, due to its benefits in terms of both crop yield improvements and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy represents the world leading producer of globe artichoke, and Puglia (Southern Italy) supplies about one-third of the nation's production. In this research, the influence of mulching (both living mulch with subterranean clover and biodegradable mulch film) on both weed infestation and globe artichoke yield in comparison with conventional tillage was evaluated. Two globe artichoke genotypes (Capriccio—hybrid cultivar—and Brindisino—sanitized local variety) were tested in an open field located in Puglia. The following parameters were evaluated: weed infestation, yield and canopy of globe artichoke, and biomass and canopy of subterranean clover. Yield of globe artichoke (on average 16 buds plant−1) was not influenced by soil management although the total weed cover was lower by using conventional tillage. Mean canopy of T. subterraneum was higher under Brindisino (about 65%) in comparison with Capriccio (about 45%). Dry weight was higher in Brindisino (about 12 g m−2) than Capriccio (about 6 m−2) without differences among soil management treatments. Subterranean clover showed a good ability to control weed cover especially under Brindisino genotype (weed infestation always less than 1%) highlighting its particularly suitability for local varieties of globe artichoke instead of hybrid cultivars (weed infestation up to 5%). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest the positive effects of living mulch with subterranean clover for a sustainable weed management in globe artichoke as annual cropping in Puglia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Super-high density olive orchards are spreading in Italy to reduce production costs and increase yields per hectare. The objective of this study was to assess the orchards' effect on the soil nematode community in five sites located in the main Italian olive cultivation areas compared to the adjacent traditional olive orchard system. Super-high density olive orchard management combined with conventional tillage and mineral fertilization decreased total organic carbon compared to traditional management. The soil nematode community was affected by the depletion of organic matter, especially for plant-parasitic nematodes, which increased. Moreover, this investigation evidenced that the Super-high density olive orchard management system could change the soil plant-parasitic nematode composition of olive orchards. In fact, the families Telotylenchidae, Paratylenchidae, Meloidogynidae, and Criconematidae were favored in the Super-high density olive orchard system, while Longidoridae, Heteroderidae, and Pratylenchidae were disadvantaged. However, conservative and sustainable soil management might maintain or improve the soil nematode community functionality and reduce plant-parasitic nematodes. The soil nematode community plays an important role in ecosystem services. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Super-high density (SHD) olive orchards on the nematode community in five sites with different soils, climates, and cultivars. At each site, the SHD management system was compared to the adjacent olive orchard traditional (TRAD) system, in which the same soil management and phytosanitary measures were applied. Soil management was assessed by total organic carbon content (TOC), while the soil nematode community was evaluated using the nematode taxa abundances and soil nematode indicators. TOC was significantly decreased in the SHD olive orchard system compared to TRAD in the sites characterized by conventional tillage and mineral fertilization. The two-way ANOSIM analysis on nematode abundance showed no difference between the two olive management methods, instead showing only a significant difference per site mainly due to variabilities in plant-parasitic nematode assemblage. However, a negative impact of SHD management was evident in environments stressed by summer droughts and conventional tillage: the ratio of obligate plant-parasites to bacterivores and fungivores (Pp/(B+F)) was significantly higher in SHD than in the TRAD olive orchard system, and the prey-to-predator θ mass ratio showed the lowest values in the sites under organic fertilization or green manure. The canonical correspondence analysis showed that the free-living nematodes were only slightly affected by SHD olive orchards; instead, the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes families such as Telotylenchidae, Paratylenchidae, Meloidogynidae, and Criconematidae was favored, in comparison to Longidoridae, Heteroderidae, and Pratylenchidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to develop a meta-machine learning model to optimize soil and nitrogen management for durum wheat in Italy. It addresses the challenges of increased food production on limited land amidst rising input costs, geopolitical changes, and climate change. The goal is to aid decision-makers in achieving maximum crop yield and income margins through effective agronomic strategies.The study developed a meta-machine learning model, integrating classification and regression models, and tested it at four sites in Marche and Basilicata, Italy, over several years. The model incorporated data from remote sensing, crop phenology, soil chemical properties, weather data, soil management, and nitrogen levels. A Random Forest model was used to classify crop phenology, while a Neural Network model predicted yield. Eleven nitrogen levels were compared across these sites.The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 0.98, kappa of 0.96, and recall of 0.98 for predicting crop phenology. The Neural Network model for yield prediction had an R squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.59 t ha-1. Key factors identified for model accuracy were temperature, precipitation, NDVI, and nitrogen input. Simulations of 30 soil management and fertilization combinations revealed that no-tillage management increased grain yield. The Marginal Fertilizer Yield Index determined optimal nitrogen application.The meta-machine learning model accurately predicted durum wheat yield and identified effective agronomic strategies, demonstrating the potential for broader application in field conditions. The model offers a promising approach to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation by utilising publicly available spatial datasets.Methods: This research aims to develop a meta-machine learning model to optimize soil and nitrogen management for durum wheat in Italy. It addresses the challenges of increased food production on limited land amidst rising input costs, geopolitical changes, and climate change. The goal is to aid decision-makers in achieving maximum crop yield and income margins through effective agronomic strategies.The study developed a meta-machine learning model, integrating classification and regression models, and tested it at four sites in Marche and Basilicata, Italy, over several years. The model incorporated data from remote sensing, crop phenology, soil chemical properties, weather data, soil management, and nitrogen levels. A Random Forest model was used to classify crop phenology, while a Neural Network model predicted yield. Eleven nitrogen levels were compared across these sites.The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 0.98, kappa of 0.96, and recall of 0.98 for predicting crop phenology. The Neural Network model for yield prediction had an R squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.59 t ha-1. Key factors identified for model accuracy were temperature, precipitation, NDVI, and nitrogen input. Simulations of 30 soil management and fertilization combinations revealed that no-tillage management increased grain yield. The Marginal Fertilizer Yield Index determined optimal nitrogen application.The meta-machine learning model accurately predicted durum wheat yield and identified effective agronomic strategies, demonstrating the potential for broader application in field conditions. The model offers a promising approach to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation by utilising publicly available spatial datasets.Results: This research aims to develop a meta-machine learning model to optimize soil and nitrogen management for durum wheat in Italy. It addresses the challenges of increased food production on limited land amidst rising input costs, geopolitical changes, and climate change. The goal is to aid decision-makers in achieving maximum crop yield and income margins through effective agronomic strategies.The study developed a meta-machine learning model, integrating classification and regression models, and tested it at four sites in Marche and Basilicata, Italy, over several years. The model incorporated data from remote sensing, crop phenology, soil chemical properties, weather data, soil management, and nitrogen levels. A Random Forest model was used to classify crop phenology, while a Neural Network model predicted yield. Eleven nitrogen levels were compared across these sites.The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 0.98, kappa of 0.96, and recall of 0.98 for predicting crop phenology. The Neural Network model for yield prediction had an R squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.59 t ha-1. Key factors identified for model accuracy were temperature, precipitation, NDVI, and nitrogen input. Simulations of 30 soil management and fertilization combinations revealed that no-tillage management increased grain yield. The Marginal Fertilizer Yield Index determined optimal nitrogen application.The meta-machine learning model accurately predicted durum wheat yield and identified effective agronomic strategies, demonstrating the potential for broader application in field conditions. The model offers a promising approach to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation by utilising publicly available spatial datasets.Conclusions: This research aims to develop a meta-machine learning model to optimize soil and nitrogen management for durum wheat in Italy. It addresses the challenges of increased food production on limited land amidst rising input costs, geopolitical changes, and climate change. The goal is to aid decision-makers in achieving maximum crop yield and income margins through effective agronomic strategies.The study developed a meta-machine learning model, integrating classification and regression models, and tested it at four sites in Marche and Basilicata, Italy, over several years. The model incorporated data from remote sensing, crop phenology, soil chemical properties, weather data, soil management, and nitrogen levels. A Random Forest model was used to classify crop phenology, while a Neural Network model predicted yield. Eleven nitrogen levels were compared across these sites.The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 0.98, kappa of 0.96, and recall of 0.98 for predicting crop phenology. The Neural Network model for yield prediction had an R squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.59 t ha-1. Key factors identified for model accuracy were temperature, precipitation, NDVI, and nitrogen input. Simulations of 30 soil management and fertilization combinations revealed that no-tillage management increased grain yield. The Marginal Fertilizer Yield Index determined optimal nitrogen application.The meta-machine learning model accurately predicted durum wheat yield and identified effective agronomic strategies, demonstrating the potential for broader application in field conditions. The model offers a promising approach to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation by utilising publicly available spatial datasets.Graphical abstract: This research aims to develop a meta-machine learning model to optimize soil and nitrogen management for durum wheat in Italy. It addresses the challenges of increased food production on limited land amidst rising input costs, geopolitical changes, and climate change. The goal is to aid decision-makers in achieving maximum crop yield and income margins through effective agronomic strategies.The study developed a meta-machine learning model, integrating classification and regression models, and tested it at four sites in Marche and Basilicata, Italy, over several years. The model incorporated data from remote sensing, crop phenology, soil chemical properties, weather data, soil management, and nitrogen levels. A Random Forest model was used to classify crop phenology, while a Neural Network model predicted yield. Eleven nitrogen levels were compared across these sites.The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy of 0.98, kappa of 0.96, and recall of 0.98 for predicting crop phenology. The Neural Network model for yield prediction had an R squared of 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.59 t ha-1. Key factors identified for model accuracy were temperature, precipitation, NDVI, and nitrogen input. Simulations of 30 soil management and fertilization combinations revealed that no-tillage management increased grain yield. The Marginal Fertilizer Yield Index determined optimal nitrogen application.The meta-machine learning model accurately predicted durum wheat yield and identified effective agronomic strategies, demonstrating the potential for broader application in field conditions. The model offers a promising approach to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation by utilising publicly available spatial datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation agriculture (i.e., minimized soil disturbance and permanent soil covering) and living mulches represent two agroecological practices that can improve soil fertility, spontaneous flora, and beneficial insect communities. This research studied the effect of these practices in a young olive orchard in the Mediterranean area. Two Sicilian olive cultivars ('Nocellara del Belice' and 'Nocellara etnea') were used for the field experiment; inter-row minimum and zero tillage and four species of aromatic plants as living mulch along the row were tested. Spontaneous flora and beneficial insect communities, as well as tree growth, were monitored. The inter-row management did not influence the spontaneous flora dynamics. The species adopted for living mulch showed a very different degree of development and soil cover; 69 insect species (pollinators and predators) belonging to five orders (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, and Coleoptera) and 17 families were recorded. The growth of the olive trees was not affected by the conservative strategies.: In the inter-row, the growth of the spontaneous flora was limited by the high temperatures during the summer. Among the living mulch species, sage and lemongrass guaranteed an almost full soil cover, reducing the need for weed management along the row, as well as increasing the beneficial insects without influencing the young tree growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of two improved tillage systems (conventional tillage combined with the incorporation of solid anaerobic digestate, no-tillage) on the prokaryotic community composition in two tree orchard (olive, citrus) soils with contrasting texture, carbonate content, and pH, located in Southern Italy. Soil samples were taken over a 5-month period to assess immediate (2 days) vs short-term (7 and 18 weeks) responses. Phylogenetic diversity and compositional shifts of both total and metabolically active soil prokaryotic communities were assessed by next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene templates from soil-extracted DNA/RNA. In both digestate-treated soils, copiotrophic α-Proteobacteria and oligotrophic Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia showed an immediate (2 days) but short-lived (7 weeks) shift in their relative abundance similar in persistence but not in magnitude; whereas selective soil type-dependent responses were observed for Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Planctomycetes. The autochthonous soil microbiota demonstrated resilience to the addition of the anaerobic digestate, which was dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, and Euryarchaeota (Methanomicrobia). Likewise, a temporary increase in the relative abundances of copiotrophic taxa (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Thaumarchaeota) was observed under conventional tillage, especially in the sandy loam (citrus) soil. Conversely, no-tillage favored the establishment of oligotrophic Chloroflexi and Verrucomicrobia in both soils. The active and the total prokaryotic communities differed from each other only in physically disturbed soils. Soil management induced compositional shifts in the predominant microbial copiotrophic/oligotrophic community balance, whose persistence was linked to the tillage system, while magnitude depended on soil type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing climate change, which is threatening grassland agroecosystems throughout Europe, is also evident in the Italian grasslands. These systems, often located in marginal areas, are species-rich ecosystems characterized by variable, and often unreliable, grass and forage production and strongly dependent on interactions between climate, soil and agricultural management practices (e.g. land abandonment, lack of investments on innovation, stocking rates reduction, etc.), making them very sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. This review draws from the scientific literature the impacts of current and expected climatic changes on grassland and forage crop systems framed in three different bio-climatic zones of Italy, namely the Alpine, Continental and Mediterranean, and focussing on: i) grassland biodiversity and vegetation; and ii) forage production and quality. The main aims of this review are to: i) revise the existing literature in the domain, highlighting different or common trends among different Italian biogeographical regions; ii) provide information on the main climatic impacts analysed and drivers involved in the studied evolutions; and iii) point out the knowledge gaps currently pending in order to hypothesize the future scenarios of research in this sector. Even if this review has pointed out differences in approaches, adopted methodologies and purposes of conducted researches, some common trends can be highlighted, though located in three different environments. Expected warming and modification on rainfall pattern will produce deep changes in vegetation of grassland types, with reduction or the disappearance of cold tolerant species and a spread of xeric/thermophilus ones and shrubby vegetation and with a general upward shift of vegetation types in mountain areas. Moreover, a general reduction of aboveground biomass is expected, as summer droughts is considered a main driver able to force grassland productivity. Finally, warming and rainfall reduction are considered the main factors able to reduce forage quality and palatability of grasslands, as a consequence of reduction of nitrogen content in the available biomass and of the higher spread of less unpalatable species and shrubs. The hypothesis is that the information gained from this review can provide insights on the current level of knowledge on the expected impacts of climate change on Italian grassland systems, and support the development of policy strategies for adaptation at national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased to unprecedented levels during last decades, raising concerns about their effect on climate change. Agriculture and land use change play an important role in atmospheric CO2 emission and fixation, especially by affecting the soil carbon (C) storage. In this context, agroforestry systems (AFSs) could play an important role contributing to climate change mitigation. Given the importance of olive cultivation in the Mediterranean region, it is important to investigate soil C stock in olive groves, and to assess which agronomic practices could improve the soil C stock in these systems. For this reason, a study was conducted in different olive groves, including conventional and organic management, and a typical silvopastoral AFS. Furthermore, an abandoned olive grove and nearby forest were examined as a comparison. Soil samples were collected in each farm and analysed for C content and physico-chemical characteristics. This study indicates that, irrespective of the management, olive groves in the Umbria region of Italy are characterised by a high level of soil C stock if compared to those growing in other areas and to forest ecosystems, indicating that the practices adopted in the area are not negatively affecting soil C storage. A slightly lower soil C stock was measured in the silvopastoral AFS in comparison to the other farms, while high soil C stock was associated with the use of pomace, suggesting that this practice can be used to further increase soil C stock in olive orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, understory vegetation along the tree row is considered a vital source of agroecosystem services and functional biodiversity improvement in the fruit orchard. Hence, current orchard floor management systems encourage practicing a more sustainable approach that supports vegetation cover rather than keeping bare soil herbicide use, or tillage. A two-year field trial was conducted using two different ground management techniques; integrated mowing (mower and brush or disc) and herbicide (glyphosate) in two commercial apple and peach orchards in a nitrogen vulnerable zone (NVZ) of the Marche region, Italy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these practices on soil N status, weed abundance, percent of soil cover, and dry weed biomass production. Weed management systems had no significant effect on soil organic matter and N availability; however, an improvement was noticed under integrated mowing when compared to the one treated with herbicides. Integrated mowing had a significant effect on species richness, soil coverage, and weed biomass production, which was approximately 2-times higher than in the herbicide-treated plots. The overall results showed that integrated mowing maintained a balance in the soil N status of both orchards, while supporting above-ground weed biodiversity and soil protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vineyards' soils are especially threatened by the risk of soil compaction and soil erosion, with negative consequences for wine production and provisioning of ecosystem services. The adopted inter-rows soil management influences the response of vineyard to different types of rainfall events, in terms of runoff and soil erosion. Actually, the use of cover crops in vineyards is widely considered as an effective measure for conservation of water and soil. A 3-years study was carried out in Piedmont (NW Italy) to evaluate the effectiveness of grass cover as a soil water conservation measure, compared with tillage, and particularly the influence of different types of rainfall events and tractor traffic in determining hydrological and erosive response of the vineyard. During the investigation period (November 2016 - December 2019), climate variables, runoff, and soil losses were continuously monitored along with vineyard management operations. Very different yearly precipitation characterized the observed period, including the driest and wettest year in the last 20 years. Runoff and soil erosion caused by different types of rainfall events (long-lasting, intense and normal) in two vineyard's plots managed with permanent grass cover and tillage, respectively, have been compared. In addition, the influence of the number of tractor traffic was taken into account. Runoff volume was principally affected by soil management, while sediment yield was influenced by the type of event. Both were higher in the tilled plot than in the grassed one, for all types of events, even if differences were not always significant. Grass cover reduced by 65% the runoff, with the highest efficiency during intense events. Soil losses were reduced on average by 72%, with 74% efficiency during the most erosive intense events and the lowest protection (56%) during long-lasting rainfall. Moreover, the response of grass cover plot was less influenced by traffication. The study demonstrates the efficiency of grass cover in reducing water and soil losses also during extreme events, that are predicted to be more frequent in the climate change scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in cover crops for orchards and vineyards to help control weeds and thereby reduce the need for tillage or herbicide applications. However, there is concern that cover crops may compete with the vines for mineral nutrition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to study how two different soil management practices (tillage and cover crop) affected the nutrient content of clusters and leaves of table grape vines. METHODS: In 2015 and 2016, the effect of soil management practices on the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur in leaves and clusters of Italia table grape vines (Vitis vinifera L.) in a vineyard located in Puglia (South-eastern Italy) was determined, throughout the growing season. RESULTS: Nutrient concentrations in leaves and clusters varied during phenological stages each growing season, and there were significant differences induced by the two soil management practices. The presence of cover crop increased the content of calcium and sodium in clusters and phosphorous and sulphur in leaves. No deficiencies were noticed in the two years and yields were similar regardless of soil management practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study, carried out in an irrigated table grape vineyard, showed that cover crops could be used as sustainable soil management strategies without significant influence on yield and fruit quality with respect to vines subjected to traditional tillage. Moreover, nutrient concentrations in leaves and clusters was almost similar in the two treatments with only few exceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil CO 2 emissions are critical for climate change modelling. Although there is a consensus about the linear or exponential relations between soil respiration and climate factors, some works have shown this abstraction to be invalid under arid and semiarid conditions, especially those in the Mediterranean-type climate. In this work, the latest empirical models were tested on previously published data from three sites representing different agricultural areas under Mediterranean conditions and contrasting soil uses. Soil heterotrophic respiration, soil temperature and volumetric water content were monitored on average every two weeks in each site over at least one year. With the findings in the three sites in Spain and Italy, it can be concluded that soil temperature was the main driver of soil respiration, as in temperate sites. However, owing to the extreme variability in climate variables, soil moisture modulates the response of soil respiration to temperature changes, and is thus another key for modelling soil respiration in Mediterranean conditions. Irrigation practices with high water inputs also substantially modify the soil respiration pattern, causing it to become similar to temperate soils. Finally, the results indicate that annual extreme values may be especially relevant in the relationship between climate variables and soil CO 2 emissions. • Different approaches were studied for soil respiration modelling. • Soil temperature is the main factor controlling Mediterranean soil CO 2 emissions. • High irrigation inputs caused the soil respiration dynamics to be similar to in temperate climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae; Linnaeus, 1758), is considered the main vector in the ongoing Xylella fastidiosa outbreak in the olive groves of southern Italy. Identifying the factors driving the spatial distribution of P. spumarius is of primary importance to determine X. fastidiosa infection risk in healthy olive groves. Here, we investigated the local and landscape factors shaping the occurrence and abundance of P. spumarius by sampling 182 olive groves over 2 years in the Abruzzo region. We found the occurrence and abundance of the vector to be positively associated with the proportion of olive groves in the landscape and negatively with the cover of vineyards. Philaenus spumarius best responded to landscape processes at small spatial scale (125–250 m) confirming the available information regarding its dispersal ability. At the local scale, soil management and pesticide application did not affect the vector probably because both interventions were not timed according to the vector biology and ecology. Our findings suggest that the management of agricultural landscape mosaics can drive the spatial distribution of P. spumarius. In particular, the landscape composition of the close surrounding of the olive groves may potentially influence the emergence probability of local X. fastidiosa epidemics through its effects on the vector spatial distribution and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In conventional olive growing, frequent soil tillage strongly reduces the complexity and diversity of the agro-ecosystem. Here, a metabolomic analysis was carried out on the xylem sap (XS) of olive plants (Olea europaea L.) from a grove located in Southern Italy (Basilicata region). The orchard has been divided in two plots that have been managed for 18 years with two different systems: a) 'sustainable management' (S mng), with no-tillage, fertigation and internal C-inputs (spontaneous weeds and pruning residues), and b) an adjacent rainfed 'conventional management' (C mng), that included soil tillage and mineral fertilization. The XS was extracted from olive shoots in two sampling times (ST1: May; ST2: October) using a Sholander pressure chamber, and its metabolome analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to a hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF-MS). The discriminating compounds were 94 at ST1 and 119 at ST2, and 35 of them were in common between the two sampling times. The majority of the discriminating metabolites (73 on 94 at ST1, and 109 on 119 at ST2) were found at higher concentration in the XS of S mng plants, compared to that of C mng ones. Most of the discriminating metabolites found in XS (about 80%, both at ST1 and ST2) were involved in plant secondary metabolism, mainly for plant chemical defense, growth regulation and signal transduction. The most prevailing class of compounds included terpenoids, phytohormones, alkaloids, sterols/steroids, retinols/retinoids, tocopherols and carotenoids. For the first time, we have demonstrated that the XS of a tree crop significantly responds to a shift of soil management. Generally, the plants of the S mng plot showed an up-regulated secondary metabolism. The results of our study encourage the use of a set of sustainable agricultural practices in a productive orchard, in order to enhance plant physiological status, increase yield quantity/quality, safeguard the environment and ameliorate human health. • Olive plants were managed by a sustainable (S mng) or a conventional (C mng) system. • A metabolomic analysis (UHPLC/QTOF-MS) of extracted xylem sap was conducted. • Deep differences in xylem sap composition were observed between S mng and C mng. • The plants from the S mng showed an up-regulated secondary metabolism. • The xylem sap of olive trees responded to a shift of soil management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beneficial bacteria-plant interactions play an important role in agriculture, positively affecting plant status and improving product quality. Bacterial endophytes contribute to host plant protection and survival. Aim: This study characterised the bacterial communities present in soil, leaf surface and xylem sap of olive trees, and investigated their response under a sustainable (Smng) or a conventional (Cmng) management system in an olive grove located in southern Italy. The aims are: (a) to understand if soil bacteria enter xylem and reach leaves and (b) to verify if the bacterial communities in the two management systems deeply differ due to the different agronomic practices applied in Smng and in Cmng. Methods: Therefore, a metagenomic approach was used to detect microorganisms, in order to estimate bacterial diversity and abundance, and to identify the bacterial taxa in the three analysed compartments in plants subjected to Smng and Cmng systems. Results: Bacterial communities came from the soil and reached aerial plant parts through xylem sap. The application of different agronomic practices influenced the composition of soil bacterial communities. Conclusions: The potential benefits of the specific bacterial taxa detected under the Smng system could improve plant growth protection and provide a higher crop quality in fruit plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil abiotic properties represent important framing conditions of ecosystems and soil microbiological biomass and microbial activity are the biological driving forces that respond sensitive to environmental impacts. In environmental research and monitoring programmes, approaches for spatial classification were elaborated poorly. Therefore, soil abiotic and microbiological indicators were clustered for a 2965 km 2 region in northern Italy with the aim to identify the key spatial characteristics. Forty one sampling points for 30 cm soil depth were selected at the European Grid of the Land Use Cover Area frame Statistical survey (LUCAS). Soil abiotic indicators included physical (clay content and soil bulk density) and chemical (Cd, Pb and Hg content, organic carbon and total nitrogen) properties. The values varied between 3–47 g clay 100 g −1 soil, 1.27–1.62 Mg m −3 , 0.69–3.47 g organic C 100 g −1 soil and 0.07–0.31 g total N 100 g −1 soil. Our cluster analysis with the abiotic characteristics separated two core classes derived from four clusters. In contrast, soil microbiological indicators including microbial carbon, respiration values and microbial energetic quotients, separated three well-defined core classes derived from five clusters. The microbial properties values ranged between 24–431 μg microbial C g −1 soil and 0.08–1.82 μg CO 2 -C g −1 soil h −1 and corresponded to those in other European agricultural soils. The three soil microbiological classes separated low, typical and high ranges for soil microbial biomass (values <120, 50–250 and >320 μg microbial C g −1 soil), for soil respiration rates (values <0.4, 0.4–0.7, and >1.4 μg CO 2 -C g −1 soil h −1 ) for metabolic quotient (values <3.5, 3.5–5.0, >5.0, mg CO 2 -C g −1 C mic h −1 ) and for microbial C to organic C ratio (values <0.7, 0.5–1.7 and >1.0%). The soil microbiological indicators responded more evidently to land cover and soil management practices while soil abiotic indicators that referred mainly to the framing conditions such as geology and climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil management in vineyard inter-rows has a great influence on soil hydraulic conductivity and bulk density, and, consequently, on runoff and soil erosion processes at the field scale. The maintenance of bare soil in vineyard inter-rows with tillage, as well as the tractor traffic, are known to expose the soil to compaction, reduction of soil water holding capacity and increase of runoff and erosion. The use of grass cover is one of the most common and effective practices in order to reduce such threats. It is therefore important to relate rainfall characteristics, soil properties and response in terms of runoff and soil erosion, from yearly to seasonal and to single event temporal scales. The objective of this work is to quantify the temporal variability of the effects of two different kind of inter-row management on soil hydrological properties, runoff and erosion in vineyards. For this reason two vineyard field-scale plots in the Alto Monferrato vine-growing area (Piedmont, NW Italy) were monitored in two years. The inter-rows were managed with conventional tillage (CT) and grass cover (GC), respectively. Fifteen series of infiltration tests were carried out during a 2-year period of observation (October 2012 to November 2014). In order to take into account the effect of tractors traffic, the tests were done on the track, and outside the track. Furthermore, a dataset of 29 rainfall-runoff events covering a wide range of topsoil characteristics was collected in the two plots, along with soil water content and runoff discharge monitoring, and determination of sediment yield in case of erosive events. An optical disdrometer installed in the plots provided also 1-min rainfall intensity data. In summer, just one month after tillage, CT soil showed very low hydraulic conductivity, so storms were able to cause Hortonian runoff and soil losses up to 5.7 Mg ha −1 . In autumn and winter very high saturation-excess runoff was observed in CT, that reached 83% of the precipitation. Runoff in the grass cover plot was mainly due to saturation of the topsoil, and the annual reduction of runoff in the GC plot was about 63%. Soil erosion up to 1.2 Mg ha −1 in a single event was observed in the GC vineyard in winter. In each year of observation, most of the erosion occurred during a single event, while the total annual erosion was up to 9 times higher in the CT treatment than in the GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in controlling the growth of annual and perennial weeds. An increasing number of studies have highlighted the environmental risk resulting from the use of this molecule in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of the study was to determine the transport of glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), through runoff and transported sediment from a vineyard under two different soil management systems: harrowed inter-row (HR) and permanent grass covered inter-row (GR). The study was performed over a period of 4 yr. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations were found to be higher in runoff and in transported sediment from HR compared with GR, regardless of the amount of runoff and transported sediment. The mean annual percentages of glyphosate loss, via runoff and transported sediment, were about 1.37 and 0.73% for HR and GR, respectively. Aminomethylphosphonic acid represented approximately 30.9 and 40.0% of the total glyphosate losses in GR and HR, respectively. Moreover, results suggested that rains occurring within 4 wk after treatment could cause the transport of glyphosate and AMPA in high concentrations. Soil analyses indicated that glyphosate content was below detection within 1 yr, whereas AMPA remained in the soil profiles along the vine row and in the inter-row. Results indicated that GR can reduce soil and herbicide loss by runoff in vineyard cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The intensification of agricultural systems has caused a noticeable impact on agro-ecosystem services. Thus, the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices such as crop diversification and reduction of external inputs represent an alternative strategy to minimize the impacts of intensive agricultural systems to the environment. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of crop rotation, conservation tillage, and low-input strategies on soil quality and farming performance using a set of 7 indicators based on a fuzzy logic approach. Data were collected from three Mediterranean long-term field experiments (LTEs) mostly oriented on cereal-based and vegetables cropping systems, located in Spain and Italy. The selected agro-environmental indicators clearly discriminated both from a geographical point of view and between monoculture and diversification, showing their suitability for the evaluation of diversified cropping systems. Such indicators highlighted that implementing crop diversification and reducing soil disturbance and chemical inputs enhanced soil quality. In this context, the most significant effects of diversified cropping strategies were the increase of crucial variables such as soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P av), and bulk density (BD) maintaining a stability of yields in all the three LTEs. These results provide strong evidence for the benefits of crop diversification in Mediterranean areas, highlighting that diversification represents a very promising strategy for more sustainable land management. Simple and composite indicators calculated using fuzzy method can be proposed as tool to assess the effects of diversification strategies on cropping systems performance. This approach can be used to define local solutions to help the re-design of cropping system through crop diversification transition across Europe. • This study assesses the crop diversification effects in 3 Mediterranean areas. • Indicators based on a fuzzy logic approach to evaluate crop diversification effects. • Rotation, no-tillage, biodynamic vegetable systems enhanced soil quality. • All the measured indicators are affected by soil management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is an environmental threat strongly amplified by agricultural activity and, in the last decade, by climate change; it affects many European countries and in particular Italy. Water erosion is currently considered the most important cause of soil degradation. The vegetation cover represents a natural soil protection against water erosion phenomena as it reduces the rainfall impact energy, hinders surface runoff and promotes soil infiltration. For these reasons, identifying appropriate crop systems able to reduce soil loss is a key issue for proposing economical solutions in management planning. This work reports the results of a long-term study (12 years) aimed at determining the vegetation cover effectiveness, diversified by structure and duration of the crops in rotation, and the soil tillage impact on erosion and surface runoff. The C-factor determination, without resorting to very detailed measures, is provided by the indirect application of Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Five different soil managements were included in this study. Four experimental plots were cultivated with different cropping systems and intensification tillage degree (CS), and a standard plot (SP) maintained in bare conditions by up and down slope tillage operations. The annual value of soil loss, calculated as mean for the five treatments, was 35.84 t ha-1, and ranged between 4.11 and 72.07 t ha-1. The results showed that CS 4 and CS 1 presented, on average, the lowest soil loss values of 9.38 and 13.93 t ha-1, respectively. The soil conservative management (minum tillage, strip tillage, shredded crop residues and grassy crops) allowed, in these two CS, to reach, on average, a soil cover degree (≥ 50 %) for 260 and 210 days and to obtain a C-factor of 0.12 and 0.14, respectively. In the CS 3 (mixed conservative and conventional) with a soil cover degree ≥ 50 % for 182 days and a C-factor of 0.19, the soil loss was equal to 18.65 t ha-1. The conventional farming system (CS 2) recorded an average value of soil loss of 55.04 t ha-1 with a maximum value of 138.20 t ha-1 in 2015/16; this CS also presented the lowest number of days (135) with a land cover level ≥ 50 % and the highest C value (0.50). The analysis allowed consolidating previous information and identifying strategies to be adopted in the Mediterranean hillside environment to significantly reduce soil losses due to water erosion. • Conservative cropping systems as important tool for water erosion containment. • Increased rainfall erosivity during summer in Mediterranean environment. • C -factors calculated as a criterion to select a suitable crop rotation system. • Good ability of CS 4 to reduce the erosion. • Permanent grass, and his key role in soil protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floor management in organic viticulture plays a key role as weed suppression and soil health must be warranted through practices that minimise the recourse to extensive tillage and herbicides, while any resident vegetation or sown cover crop should exert moderate competition for water and nutrients towards the consociated vines. Lack of knowledge exists about the fraction of soil cover crop coverage (S cc) which might represent the best compromise between the above needs. A four-year study (2017–2020) was conducted in an organically managed cv. Barbera/420 A vineyard in the North-West of Italy, comparing five floor management treatments each having light tillage as the practice chosen to control the under trellis weed growth. Inter-row treatments were permanent grass (PG), tillage (T), alternate tillage and permanent grass every second mid-row (AGT), a variant of this last treatment, where the tilled mid-row was used for growing a temporary winter cover crop terminated in spring (AGC) and temporary grass (TG) where grass was disked post-harvest (mid-October) until natural growth resumption in late winter (mid-February). An assessment was made for soil profile and physicochemical composition, floristic analyses performed in T, PG, and TG treatments, vegetative growth, yield components, grape maturity at harvest, single leaf gas exchange as well as midday and pre-dawn leaf water potentials. While overall scant, mostly season-related differences were found for leaf function and water status, soil management heavily impacted vine performance. Year-round soil cover crop coverage (S cc) regressed towards total pruning weight/vine and yield/vine showed high linear correlation (R2 = 0.93) for pruning weight/vine (to be reduced by 38% at 75% S cc vs. 0% S cc of the T treatment), whereas yield/vine was quite poorly correlated (R2 = 0.21) showing a 15% decrease in PG vs. T. Regressing S cc vs total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), total anthocyanins and phenolics concentration disclosed mild linear correlation (R2 = 0.52) for the two technology ripening parameters and a much tighter fit for colour and phenolics (R2 = 0.79 and 0.90, respectively). AGT had an intermediate behaviour between its two extremes (i.e. T and PG) without assuring any significant marginal gain. Conversely, modulating PG into TG through a temporary removal of the resident vegetation in the fall and AGT into AGC by growing a winter cover crop terminated in the spring as mulching, gave the highest yield at adequate technological and phenolic ripeness. PG assured maximum grapes total soluble solids and total anthocyanin concentration at harvest; however, due to its low vigour, several shortcomings also followed, such as low yeast available nitrogen and malic acid concentration, as well as a tendency to accumulate high amounts of flavonols. Our work led to the conclusion that AGC and TG treatments are quite valuable choices under the specific environment for successful soil management in organic vineyards. • Soil cover crop coverage was highly correlated with vegetative growth parameters. • Mid row temporary grass and alternate tillage/grass plus winter crop gave best yield/quality balance. • Leaf function and water status were overall mildly affected. • Permanent mid-row grass has shortcomings such as low YAN and malate and excessive flavonols at harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European "Green Deal" strategy is aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through integrated actions relying on healthier agricultural systems grounded in (environmental and economic) sustainable practices, including soil carbon management and biodiversity enhancement. In this vein, the present study contrasts the economic-environmental performances of conventional (deep tillage) and conservative (no-tillage and soil ripping) practices for two varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum), namely a modern (Anco Marzio) and an ancient landrace (Saragolla Lucana) variety in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). Field and laboratory analysis (granulometry, mineralogy, and geochemistry) as well as satellite data (RapidEye) were used to characterize the soil and vegetation patterns. The empirical results indicate a higher biomass production and vegetative potential together with higher grain yields in soils managed with conventional deep tillage compared with soil managed with conservative practices. Similarly, the modern wheat variety exhibited better performance with respect to the old landrace. The soils managed with conventional practices had a distribution of exchangeable macro-nutrients characterized by a reduction in Ca+ and an increase in Mg2+ and K+ between pre-sowing and post-harvesting. Such a distribution was also genotype-dependent, with a higher variability for Saragolla Lucana than Anco Marzio, showing a diverging adsorption of macro-elements between the modern and ancient landrace varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study aims to assess the evolution of different proto-horizons as embryonic soils built by pedotechnologies for the reclamation and management of derelict and damaged lands, such as abandoned quarries. The model proto-horizons were assembled by utilizing coarse limestone gravel or zeolitized Phlegraean Yellow Tuff (PYT) as mineral components and commercial compost-amendments or a phosphorite-poultry manure mixture as organic matrices for growth of a pasture-grass under controlled conditions. The evolution of the model proto-horizons was followed by an evaluation of the stability and modification of the organic matter (OM) with reference to plant development. The results suggest that the natural carbonatic substrate occurring in limestone quarries was unable to sustain significant plant growth, while the PYT was suitable and efficient as a pedogenic substrate because it supported plant growth and induced a conspicuous accumulation of OM due to root activity. In particular, OM, including humic and non-humic components, greatly increased in the PYT treatment with the phosphorite-poultry manure mixture showing a concurrent trend toward humification. Conversely, an overall tendency toward degradation of OM was detected in the PYT model proto-horizon treated with commercial compost. Feasibility estimates show that quarry restoration costs appear reasonable where environmental impacts are high. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this work was to perform a spatially explicit simulation of the potential increase in C storage in compost-amended agricultural soils at the national scale in Italy under a changing climate. The simulation was performed with a widely used dynamic model of soil organic C (SOC) turnover. Modelling runs were performed with the RothC model for 12 different climate scenarios and two management options: business as usual scenario and annual addition of 10tha−1 compost, corresponding to 1.1tCha−1 yr−1, to all agricultural soils. Results of the simulations for the 12 climate scenarios and business as usual management showed, on average, a loss of SOC for the whole of Italy during the period 2001–2100 period of 99Mt (range 48–153Mt) corresponding to 7.4% of the initial SOC content. Amendment of all agricultural land in Italy with compost resulted in a potential gain of SOC, averaged for the different climate scenarios, of 210Mt (range 199–220Mt) corresponding to an increase of 29.9% with respect to baseline. The annual rate of C sequestration that can be obtained in Italy, taking account of the predicted, feasible compost production for 2020, is about 0.023MtCyr−1. However, regional modelling identifies areas with a major potential for increasing SOC by means of adding compost and is useful for quantifying the importance of factors such as soil characteristics, land use and climate in predicting changes in SOC. In the present study, climate parameters and land use had a major impact on determining SOC accumulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For many years, farmers across Italy have struggled to convert rocky landforms into farmlands. Recently, expensive, heavy machineries have been widely used for these activities, exaggerating costs on land preparation. Subsidised by the Italian authorities, nearly 20% of Apulia lands in southern Italy have been converted to farmland through these methods. Recent evidence shows that in the short term, rock grinding enriches the soil with nutrients and improves soil quality. However, over the long run, land degradation and ecosystem service deterioration become prominent, resulting in the abandonment of extensive lands. This Italian case study should be considered as an alarming example of the possible detrimental effects of the national subsidies policy that supports the conversion of natural landforms into agricultural lands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which assessed the soil quality in the Asa-Picentino-Tusciano rivers basin in Italy using geostatistics. The proposed approach has allowed partitioning an area in south Italy into zones with different soil properties. The global quality index should be coupled with individual indicators for useful information about the main causes of a poor soil quality performance. The definition of quality indices for a given land area are critical for characterising the area and for establishing the best management to exploit the soil potential.

Vineyards represent complex Mediterranean agrosystems that deliver significant ecosystem services to society. Yet, many vine-growers still need to assimilate the importance of crop and soil management to the conservation of soil and water resources. The main objective of this study was to evaluate water use and the water balance terms in rainfed and irrigated vineyards in Italy and Portugal, respectively, in both cases aiming at the sustainability of natural resources use. The SIMDualKc model is used for both sites after calibration and validation by fitting soil water content measurements. The Italian case study focused on the impacts of inter-row conservation management in hillslope vineyards while the Portuguese case study analyzed irrigation water management under scarcity in flat vineyards. For the Italian vineyards, the model results focused on the evapotranspiration fluxes and their partition, control of surface runoff, and soil water recharge provided by the inter-row soil management using cover crops. Model results of the Portuguese case study showed the need for improving irrigation water use and the terms of water balance, namely referring to percolation and soil water evaporation. Both case studies further demonstrated the advantages of using computational tools to better cope with climate variability in the Mediterranean region and made evident the benefits of improved crop and soil management practices in counteracting land degradation and valuing the use and conservation of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examine the efficiency of energy use of three conservation tillage practices (SST – sub-soil tillage; MT – minimum tillage; and NT – no tillage) performed within two management zones, previously identified in a field according to the stability of yield variability. Experiments were carried out in 2003 in NE Italy, on a farm near Rovigo, on a 8-ha field with clay soil, in maize (Zea mays, L.). The purpose of the paper is (i) to investigate the energy variability due to these tillage practices performed spatially within two management zones and (ii) to analyze the long-term energetic efficiency for each tillage practice. The energy balance was highest for SST with respect to MT and NT, due to labor and fuel consumption rates. The energy balance was influenced by the spatial pattern of yield, with appreciable differences between practices in terms of both the conversion index of energy for tillage (9.0, 12.6 and 22.8GJha−1 for SST, MT and NT, respectively) and the energy use efficiency for tillage (8.0, 11.6, 21.8GJha−1 for SST, MT and NT, respectively). Based on the simulated data and the calibration results, SALUS model proved to be a good tool for analyzing long-term effects of tillage practices on yield. The NT treatment showed the best efficiency over years, due to the low inputs in comparison with the output level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite possible agronomic and environmental benefits, the diffusion of soil conservation tillage systems in Italy is currently rather low. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of different soil tillage techniques, in an effort to identify suitable soil management options for irrigated crops in Central Italy. An experiment was carried out on maize and soybean from April to October in two consecutive years (1993 and 1994) in Maccarese (a coastal location near Rome). The systems compared were: conventional mouldboard ploughing (CT), minimum tillage, ridge tillage and no-tillage (NT). In 1993, actual crop evapotranspiration was measured throughout the growing season on NT and CT soybean, using a micrometeorological technique. No significant differences due to soil tillage were found for grain yield and yield irrigation water use efficiency (IWUEy), except for soybean in 1994, in which yields and IWUEy were 59 % higher on conservation tillage treatments compared with CT. In 1994 soybean yield water use efficiency was 10.1 and 9.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 for NT and CT respectively. The results suggest that the adoption of soil conservation tillage is feasible, for the specific cropping system, with equivalent or better performances as conventional tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Due to its food production and environmental buffering functions, soil is considered a strategic target by the European Union and its quality evaluation could be used as an effective index of sustainability. The evolution of some soil chemical parameters has been studied in two long-term trials established in the early 1960s in north-eastern Italy: one (SF) comparing nutrient management treatments (i.e. organic, mineral and mixed fertilizers) in lysimeters containing widely contrasting soil types (i.e. sand, clay and peat) and the other (CR) involving a field study with crop rotation, nutrient (organic vs. mineral fertilizers), and management intensity variables. Soil was analysed for Olsen phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable cations (Kex, Naex, Mgex and Caex) and salinity, evaluated by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC). A bi-factorial quality index based on fuzzy logic was then tested and applied to assess the overall soil quality and its evolution in the cropping systems. A minimum dataset of chemical (pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, Pav and Kex) and physical parameters (available water content and water-filled porosity) was used to elaborate the index. In general, the use of organic fertilizer resulted in higher Pav, Kex and Mgex concentrations than the mineral treatments at the same levels, whereas no differences for Naex and Caex were observed. Salinity level was not influenced by the organic treatments probably because the consistent water drainage in the area prevented salt accumulation. The soil quality index represented the soil productivity function, explaining up to 74% of yield variability. Index comparison highlighted the positive role of organic and mixed fertilizations in increasing and maintaining the soil quality. The bi-factorial index of soil quality based on a minimum dataset is a good tool for the policy maker to evaluate the effects of management practices. However, standardization and accuracy of the soil analyses are important to reduce sources of variability that could have a strong influence on the soil quality evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses a modification of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for use at short time scales in Sicily. According to the authors, variability of the soil erodibility factor is high. They developed an event erosivity index equal to the runoff times the single storm erosion index. They concluded that only a few replicates are needed to estimated the mean and that the USLE is useful for estimating the order of magnitude for the mean soil loss. Predicting event soil loss is essential for soil conservation management.

Cultivation of grassland presents a high risk of nitrate leaching. This study aimed to determine if leaching could be reduced by growing spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) as a green crop for silage with undersown Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) compared with barley grown to maturity with or without an undersown conventional catch crop of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.). All treatments received 0, 60 or 120 kg of ammonium-N ha−1 in cattle slurry. In spring 2003, two grass-clover fields (3 and 5 years old, respectively, with different management histories) were ploughed. The effects of the treatments on yield and nitrate leaching were determined in the first year, while the residual effects of the treatments were determined in the second year in a crop of spring barley/perennial ryegrass. Nitrate leaching was estimated in selected treatments using soil water samples from ceramic cups. The experiment showed that compared with treatments without catch crop, green barley/Italian ryegrass reduced leaching by 163–320 kg N ha−1, corresponding to 95–99%, and the perennial ryegrass reduced leaching to between 34 and 86 kg N ha−1, corresponding to a reduction of 80 and 66%. Also, in the second growing season, leaching following catch crops was reduced compared with the bare soil treatment. It was concluded that the green barley/Italian ryegrass offers advantages not only for the environment but also for farmers, for whom it provides a fodder high in roughage and avoids the difficulties with clover fatigue increasingly experienced by Danish farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - An extensive knowledge of soil characteristics and an awareness of the type and amount of pollutants present are essential to evaluate the utilization potential of soil resources for various land uses. On the other hand, for management and decision-making purpose, there is a need to develop concise indices in order to adequately express the overall quality of soil resources. The aim of this study was to introduce a flexible soil quality index system, mainly based on fertility and the presence of pollutants. Design/methodology/approach - A tree-structured approach was adopted, leading to a concise final index from various intermediate sub-indices. More specifically, a number of physical-chemical-biological parameters lead to an agronomic quality index (AQI). Another group of parameters referring to polluting substances of various origins are combined to give a multifunctional quality index (MQI). AQI and MQI are then coupled into an overall general quality index. The proposed model was implemented by using a set of data concerning various specific sites throughout Italy. Findings - The proposed methodology proved useful in providing valuable and quick information about the overall soil quality performance and its main sources, and in helping to balance the contrasting needs of obtaining concise quantitative information, on the one hand, and of minimizing the inevitable loss of information inherent in every process of synthesis, on the other hand. Originality/value - This paper presents an innovative quality index structure for the environmental and multifunctional management of soil, whose main value is related to its flexibility (e.g. different number and kind of parameters, various levels of aggregation) which makes it applicable to various contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management practices can have significant implications for both soil quality and carbon (C) sequestration potential in agricultural soils. Data from two long-term trials (one at field scale and the other at lysimeter scale), underway in north-eastern Italy, were used to evaluate the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and estimate the impact of recommended management practices (RMPs) on soil carbon sequestration. Potential SOC sequestration was calculated as the differences between the change in SOC of treatments differing only for the specified RMP for a period of at least 25 years. The trials compared the following situations: (a) improved crop rotations versus monoculture; (b) grass versus improved crop rotations; (c) residue incorporation versus residue removal; (d) high versus low rates of inorganic fertilizers; (e) integrated nutrient management/organic manures versus inorganic fertilizers. At the lysimeter scale, some of these treatments were evaluated in different soils. A general decrease in SOC (1.1 t C ha−1 year−1) was observed after the introduction of intensive soil tillage, evidencing both the worsening of soil quality and the contribution towards global CO2 emissions. Initial SOC content was maintained only in permanent grassland, complex rotations and/or with the use of large quantities of livestock manure. SOC sequestration reached a maximum rate of 0.4 t C ha−1 year−1 comparing permanent grassland with an improved crop rotation. Crop residue incorporation and rates of inorganic fertilizer had less effect on SOC sequestration (0.10 and 0.038 t C ha−1 year−1, respectively). The lysimeter experiment highlighted also the interaction between RMPs and soil type. Peaty soil tended to be a source of C independent of the amount and quality of C input, whereas a proper choice of tillage practices and organic manures enhanced SOC sequestration in a sandy soil. The most promising RMPs in the Veneto region are, therefore, conversion to grassland and use of organic manures. Although some of these RMPs are already supported by the Veneto Region Rural Development Plan, their more intensive and widespread implementation requires additional incentives to become economically feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the effect of land use on forest floor and soil, two adjacent sites with different land use were investigated in Gallura (northern Sardinia, Italy). One site is a Quercus suber L. forest mainly used for cork production and the other is an open Quercus suber L. forest where livestock is put out to graze. In each site one soil profile was studied to characterize the mineral soil, and five humus profiles were opened along a vegetation transect, were studied to characterize the forest floor. Samples of L, F and H horizons of the forest floor and of the A mineral horizons were collected and analysed for each profile. In the site mainly used for cork production well-developed ectorganic (L, F and H) horizons are always present, with a total thickness ranging from 5·2 to 9·5 cm. Humus profile is of the Moder type, while mineral soils have an A–C profile, generally 50 cm deep. Organic matter content in the forest floor ranges from 1·76–3·72 kg m−2 and nutrients content in the mineral soil is high. In the site used chiefly for grazing the ectorganic horizons are very poorly developed, with a total thickness ranging from 1–3 cm, except for some islands under the Quercus suber L. canopy where the total thickness may reach 5·3 cm. Humus profile is of the Mull type, but the used classification system seems not appropriate when the tree density is below a critical limit. Mineral soils have an A–C profile 20–25 cm deep. The organic matter content in the forest floor ranges from 0·45 to 1·84 kg m−2, while nutrient content in the mineral soil maintains at high level, even higher than in the former case for C, N and Ca, probably in relation with higher supply of cattle excreta. Sheet erosion is evident in the site. It is concluded that cork production will maintain a sustainable forest floor development in cork–oak forest ecosystem, whereas cattle grazing, fires and ploughing in cork–oak forests may be considered to trigger off severe soil degradation processes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird damage to maize crops is an important cause of economic loss for maize growers in Italy. Consequently, the objectives of this study were to identify main species of birds attacking maize in north-eastern Italy and quantify the effects of agronomic characteristics, cultivation practices, landscape variables, and management practices on the incidence of bird damage to maize at establishment. A systematic survey of 5065 ha of maize cultivated land (Zea mays L.) at early plant stages was performed from 1986 to 2020, resulting in a dataset of 1619 records. Corvids (Corvus cornix) were found to be the main culprits of damage to maize fields. A multifactorial model was applied to assess the impact of potential risk factors. The presence of nearby roosting areas, such as hedgerows and woodlands with trees higher than 7 m, was associated with a five-fold increased risk of damage by birds. No-tillage soil management was associated with a higher risk of bird damage when compared with minimum tillage and conventional tillage systems. The probability of damage to a field with no risk factors was always low (<1%). The application of naturally derived bird repellents incorporated in seed coatings (i.e., ScudoSeed® and Eurodif®) decreased the risk of damage to maize by birds below the threshold value of 15%, yet they were slightly outperformed by their synthetic counterparts (i.e., Methiocarb and Ziram). Our results further suggest that it is possible to implement IPM principles for pest birds in maize. • The risk of bird damage to maize at establishment increased with the presence of bordering roosting areas (woody species). • No-tillage systems were associated with an increased risk of bird damage to early growth of maize. • Bird repellents reduced the risk of bird damage to maize below 15%. • Over a 35-yr study period, the overall risk of economic damage to early growth of maize by birds was low (<1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing climate changes and increased human pressure, Mediterranean regions are considered representative hotspots of desertification. However, relatively few studies have been devoted to quantify the individual impact of different factors shaping land sensitivity to desertification in these contexts. Our study contributes to this deserving (positive and normative) issue with a diachronic analysis of the impact of multiple drivers of desertification risk on six indicators of land sensitivity based on the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) approach. Indicators (average and maximum ESA score, coefficient of variation and normalized range in the ESA scores, share of 'fragile' and 'critical' areas in total landscape) were calculated in 777 rural districts of Italy at three time points (early-1960s, early-1990s, and early-2010s). Multivariate models were used to determine the impact of 12 predictors (climate, soil, vegetation, and land management quality) on each indicator of land sensitivity. Results of the analysis identified two non-redundant dimensions respectively associated with the average level of land sensitivity and its intrinsic variability across space. Impacts of climate and vegetation qualities on the level of land sensitivity were high, decreasing over time, and more intense respectively in Northern and Southern Italy. Impacts of soil and land management qualities were moderate, increasing over time, and involving almost all the country's area. Our study emphasizes the role of context-based measures promoting sustainable land management. The 'local' dimension proved to be crucial in any strategy of risk mitigation undertaken at disaggregated spatial scales. • Mediterranean regions are regarded as a representative hotspot of desertification. • Six indicators of land sensitivity to desertification were tested for stability and redundancy. • Impacts of climate and vegetation on the level of land sensitivity were high. • Impacts of soil and land management qualities were moderate. • We emphasize the role of context-based actions promoting sustainable land management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the mid-term influence of minimum tillage (MT) combined with early leaf removal (ELR) on the performance of the black grapevine variety Nerello Mascalese (Vitis vinifera L.). The research was carried out from 2015 to 2018 in a vineyard located in the Mount Etna area, East Sicily, Southern Italy. An average of about 8000 cm2 of leaves were removed from the ELR vines, corresponding to a canopy defoliation of 44% in 2017 and 30% in 2018. As for the stem water potential of both primary and lateral leaves, ELR-MT treatment showed the best performance (up to −0.4 MPa) among the four combinations. In 2017, no differences in yield/vine were found among treatments, whereas in 2018 the yield was significantly lower in ELR treatments. Among the different treatments performed, the ELR-MT showed the best results both in terms of physiological plant parameters (water status and photosynthetic activity) and fruit quality (higher concentration of sugars and total anthocyanins and polyphenols). ELR-MT treatment is also associated with a lower incidence of tillage operations from four to only one per year (−60–70 h/ha). In contrast to what was observed in the first 3 years of application (i.e., from 2015 to 2017), yield was heavily penalized during the fourth year of application (2018), probably due to the excessive depletion of nutritional reserves, the reduction of bud fertility and the unfavorable meteorological condition. For these reasons, the ELR-MT combination might require an interruption every 2–3 years of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the impact of land use on the erodibility of dispersive clay soils in central and southern Italy. Creation of badlands characterized by calanchi; Use of wet aggregate strength to assess physical and chemical properties of land.

During the last 50 years substantial tracts of the Italian badlands have been reclaimed for arable cultivation. It is a process that involves modelling the degraded clay landscape with bulldozers, often resulting in steep, unstable slopes. This work investigates the stability of reclaimed land in these erosion susceptible environments. Aggregate stability is used to assess the soil's erodibility with the aim of determining those physicochemical properties that govern the potential for erosion. Regression analysis demonstrates that the most significant variables in determining soil erodibility are the percentage of organic matter and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Threshold values of 1–2 per cent organic matter and 15 per cent ESP are presented above and below which, respectively, the soils attain a degree of stability. Reclaimed land is on the borderline of these thresholds and therefore represents a potential erosion hazard. However, the stability of reclaimed land was significantly higher than that of the badland parent material, ascribable to a decline in the ESP. The results are supported by a series of soil crust experiments using simulated rainfall in the laboratory. This investigation has implications for land management and landscape conservation. If the organic matter content of reclaimed land is maintained and the ESP reduced, then, when used in combination with other soil conservation techniques, erosion will be minimized. However, this implies that the badland landscape, and its diverse ecology and morphology, may have been permanently lost to agriculture and, as such, should be recognized as a threatened Mediterranean landscape. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• White clover reduced the vegetative activity of Italia table grape. • Yield and quality of grape were not affected by the cover crop. • Activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme increased in the cover cropped vineyard. • Irrigation volumes were similar for both tilled and cover cropped vines. Researchers, farmers and viticulturists have focused on the development and adoption of alternative management strategies that are more environmentally and economically sustainable. One strategy could be cover crops, which are often sowed as a mix of non-leguminous and leguminous species, with positive effects on nitrogen nutrition of the vines. Irrigation of cover cropped vineyards can be managed with the use of wireless soil sensors. Nitrogen (N) is the most important soil mineral nutrient for plant growth and glutamine synthetase (GS) is not only responsible for N assimilation, but is also involved in different responses to both biotic or abiotic stresses. Therefore, the aims of this this study were to determine the effects of two different soil management practices (cover crops and tillage) on the vegetative activity of Italia table grape, as well as on fruit yield and quality and on the GS enzyme activity at different phenological stages of the grapevine. White clover reduced the canopy of Italia vines but increased the GS activity; no effects were reported for yield and quality of harvested clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of two soil managements and training systems on yield and wine aroma compounds of Negroamaro variety grown in a warm climate region (southern Italy). Cover crop (CC) and soil tillage (ST) as soil management, whilst bilateral Guyot (BG) and monolateral Guyot (MG) as training systems were compared. Free and bound volatile fractions were evaluated by GC-MS. ST and CC as well as BG and MG significantly affected yield parameters. In particular, yield was higher in ST and BG than in CC and MG, respectively; moreover, it was found to be positively influenced by interaction between BG and ST. Regarding aroma compounds, significant interactions between soil management and training system factors were observed. In case of free volatiles, the most positive interaction was found between BG and ST, whereas, for bound volatiles, the best interaction was represented by MG with both soil tillage and cover crop. Vine leaf area and development over vine growth stages along with water stress levels played an important role in determining the aroma profile as well as yield parameters. In conclusion, the training system significantly interacted with soil management and affected most of important aroma compounds in Negroamaro wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Organic carbon stock was estimated to 90 cm depth in different soils and crop systems. • Soil layers below tillage showed organic carbon stocks of at least 59 % of the total. • Permanent meadow had the highest soil organic carbon stocks along the full profile. • In croplands, coupling manure input and minimum tillage was the most effective practice. • Sandy soils with initial low organic carbon showed high reactivity to its storage. The significant contribution to the global carbon budget made by soil organic carbon (SOC) inspired the "4 per 1000" initiative. It promotes agricultural practices aimed at raising SOC stocks 0.4 % annually over 20 years. However, the response of topsoil and deep soil profiles to agroecosystem changes is largely unknown at present. Our work aims to quantify deep SOC accumulations in stabilized croplands and grasslands of northeast Italy and identify the best management practices to increase those stores. Soil profiles were collected to 70 and 90 cm depths from three well-established long-term experiments. A total of 1242 soil samples were analyzed for SOC concentrations as a function of soil type, soil management practice, and cropping system. SOC stocks were quantified using the equivalent soil mass method. Results show that SOC stocks averaged 23.2 Mg ha−1 in sandy Arenosol, 59.3 Mg ha−1 in silty loam Cambisol, 111.6 Mg ha−1 in clay loam Gleysol, and 383.5 Mg ha−1 in peaty Histosol. Substantial SOC stocks were found in the subsoil beneath the tilled layer, ranging between 59 % and 74 % in sandy and clay loam soils. Among the considered managements, the SOC accumulation rate of permanent meadow topsoil was higher than croplands (0.299 Mg ha−1 yr−1), which fell to 0.256 Mg ha−1 yr−1 when estimated along the full soil profile. In contrast, organic carbon added through manures and residues, coupled with minimum tillage practices, led to increased average SOC stock rates in the topsoil (0.205 Mg ha−1 yr−1) and throughout the full soil profile (0.386 Mg ha−1 yr−1), suggesting that some translocation dynamics occurred. The long-term adoption of permanent meadow, along with manure or residue addition under minimum tillage, made it possible to achieve "4 per 1000" goals to great depths in naturally poor-SOC sandy and silty loam soils. In SOC-rich soil, only in the topsoil layer achieved this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops are increasingly adopted in viticulture to enhance soil quality and balance the vegetative and reproductive growth of vines. Nevertheless, this sustainable practice has been only recently used for table grape viticulture, with results often contrasting. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a fescue (Festucaarundinacea Schreb.) cover crop on soil quality, yield, and grape qualitative parameters in a table grape vineyard (cv "Italia") located in southern Italy, comparing results with the conventional tillage. Soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), microbial biomass C (MBC), β-glucosidase (BGLU) and alkaline phosphomonoesterase (APME) activities were assessed during three growing seasons (2012–2014) and three phenological stages. The trend of soil chemical and microbiological properties was jointly influenced by the soil management system, growing season and phenological stage. Compared to conventional tillage, cover crops increased, on average, soil organic C, total N, MBC, BGLU and APME by 136%, 93%, 112%, 100% and 62%, respectively. Slight or no effects of cover crops were observed on grape quality and yield, except for 2012 (the driest season), when a yield reduction occurred. This study reveals that cover crops strongly enhance soil quality in the short-term, with potential advantages for grape production in the long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of permanent cover crops is becoming a common practice in vineyard floor management. Turfgrass science may provide species and techniques with a high potential for improving the sustainability of vineyard floor management. Based on this assumption, an experiment was carried out during 2018 and 2019 at the Donna Olimpia Vineyard, Bolgheri, Italy. The trial aimed at comparing an innovative floor management system based on a turf-type cultivar of bermudagrass mown with an autonomous mower with a conventional floor management system. Ground cover percentage, energy consumption, CO2 emissions, grapevine water status, leaf nitrogen content, fruit yield and must composition have been assessed in order to perform the comparison. The innovative vineyard floor management produced an almost complete ground cover (98%) at the end of the second growing season, with the resident species reduced to a small percentage (4%). Resident species growing under-trellis were efficiently controlled without herbicide applications. A lower primary energy consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions were observed for the innovative management system compared to the conventional management system. Grapevine water status, leaf chlorophyll content, soil–plant analyses development (SPAD), fruit yields and must composition were similar between the different soil management systems. Based on results obtained in this trial, turf-type bermudagrass and innovative mowing machines may contribute to enhance the sustainability of vineyard floor management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]