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A column experiment with five different pore densities (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pores column−1) and two varying moisture regimes (comparatively dry and comparatively moist regime) in the subsoil part of the columns was established. In each pore, Lumbricus terrestris was introduced for 28 days before sowing wheat plants. After 40 days of plant growth, watering was stopped to induce progressive topsoil drying. Parameters describing the shoot hydration, mineral uptake, and aboveground biomass were quantified. Root biomass and root length densities (RLD) were measured separately for six soil layers. Under dry subsoil conditions, plants grown under increasing biopore density showed an increase of the RLD and an improved shoot hydration but the aboveground biomass was unaffected. Since RLD but not root biomass was enhanced, it is assumed that roots were able to explore a larger volume of soil with the same amount of root biomass. Thereby, subsoil water likely was used more efficiently leading to an improved hydration. Under moist subsoil conditions, plants grown with increasing biopore density revealed enhanced shoot biomasses and nutrient uptake while the belowground biomass was unaffected. The improved nutrient uptake can be ascribed to, first, the higher subsoil water availability favoring mass flow driven nutrient uptake, and second, to direct and indirect effects of earthworms on the availability of soil nutrients. It is concluded that high biopore abundancies have the potential to improve not only the belowground but also the aboveground biomass. This, however, largely depends on subsoil moisture., Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010571, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1034), Peer Reviewed

Combining no-till and cover crops (NT + CC) as an alternative to conventional tillage (CT) is generating interest to build-up farming systems’ resilience while promoting climate change adaptation in agriculture. Our field study aimed to assess the impact of long-term NT + CC management and short-term water stress on soil microbial communities, enzymatic activities, and the distribution of C and N within soil aggregates. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) revealed the positive impact of NT + CC on microbial biodiversity, especially under water stress conditions, with the presence of important rhizobacteria (e.g., Bradyrhizobium spp.). An alteration index based on soil enzymes confirmed soil depletion under CT. C and N pools within aggregates showed an enrichment under NT + CC mostly due to C and N-rich large macroaggregates (LM), accounting for 44% and 33% of the total soil C and N. Within LM, C and N pools were associated to microaggregates within macroaggregates (mM), which are beneficial for long-term C and N stabilization in soils. Water stress had detrimental effects on aggregate formation and limited C and N inclusion within aggregates. The microbiological and physicochemical parameters correlation supported the hypothesis that long-term NT + CC is a promising alternative to CT, due to the contribution to soil C and N stabilization while enhancing the biodiversity and enzymes.

Alternative strategies to control weeds are required at field level to reduce herbicides and derived pollution. Rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivation as cover crop is adopted mainly because of its allelopathic weed control, which takes place throughout a strong inhibition of germination and seedling growth in several grass and broad-leaved weeds. The present study consisted of: i) a field trial, focused on evaluation of biomass production and allelochemical concentration in the biomass, and in situ weed control at 30 days after termination (with two termination timings: T1 - heading phase and T2 - 10 days later) of 8 rye varieties; ii) a pot experiment, focused on the inhibition effect of mulches derived by those 8 rye varieties on four summer weeds: velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Med.), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L). Results showed that biomass production was the highest with Protector, closely followed by Primizia, Sito 70, Hellvus, Forestal, and Hymonta. In any case, rye mulching always reduced the weed biomass, especially with Fasto and Forestal. The allelochemical concentration in the biomass was the highest with Fasto and Forestal, and decreased on average from T1 to T2 (-38% for total BX and -57% for isovitexin). Conversely, the rye biomass production increased (on average + 77%) passing from T1 to T2. We found also that the reduction of weed biomass, compared with the control, is highly correlated with the allelochemical content in rye biomass in the case of T1 termination, while with the biomass production in the case of T2. In pots, a strong inhibitory effect on seedling growth due to rye mulching was observed for C. album (-76%), A. retroflexus (-56%), and P. olearcea (-84%), while not for A. theophrasti. We concluded that, whatever the variety, adopting rye as cover crop may be considered as a suitable practice to reduce weed pressure at the field level. Among

Organic and mineral fertilizers are important sources of ammonia (NH3) emissions from agricultural fields. The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate how different cover crop (CC) residues (i.e., rye [Secale cereale L.], white mustard [Sinapis alba L.], and bare soil as control) in combination with different application methods of digestate (surface broadcast vs. shallow injection) affect NH3 volatilization before planting maize (Zea mays L.) and (b) to assess the residual effect of previous CCs on NH3 volatilization after urea top-dress application at the V5-V6 phonological stage of maize. Ammonia volatilization was measured using semi-static chambers for 14 d (335 h) after planting and for 6 d (150 h) at the V5-V6 stage. Overall, NH3 emissions decreased by 67–77% with digestate injection compared with surface broadcasting. However, the reduction in NH3 volatilization using the injection method was significantly lower with mustard residue (6.72 kg NH3–N ha–1) than with rye residue (14.15 kg NH3–N ha–1), which allowed for more volatilization by increasing the exposure of digestate to the air. Broadcast digestate method did not affect the cumulative NH3–N losses obtained with different CC types. After urea top-dressing at the V5-V6 stage of maize, the cumulative losses of NH3 (during 150 h) were 2.99 kg NH3–N ha–1 with rye as previous CC and 2.49 kg NH3–N ha–1 with mustard. Our study shows that digestate injection before maize planting and urea top-dressing application followed immediately by irrigation (15 mm) could be considered as useful strategies to mitigate NH3 volatilization and increase N use efficiency in maize.

Introducing no-till and cover crops in arable agro-ecosystems leads to the restoration of soil fertility, through the increase of soil organic matter (SOM), soil total nitrogen (STN), and available phosphorus (P), therefore maintaining or enhancing crop yield and reducing costs. Although the effects of those practices have been widely examined, many studies show conflicting results and little is known about the combined effects of no-till (NT) and cover crops (CCs) under intensive arable cropland in the Po Valley (Northern Italy). The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate if NT management coupled with CCs negatively affects yields during the transition period and how yields evolve; (ii) to assess SOM, STN, and P dynamics in the 60-cm soil depth layer; and (iii) to evaluate the effects of different types of winter cover crops on yield and soil parameters. A six-year field experiment was established in Piacenza, on a silty-clay soil under temperate climate conditions. The crop sequence was: winter wheat, maize, maize, soybean, winter wheat, and maize. The four experimental treatments were: (1) conventional tillage (CT) as control; (2) NT with CC of rye (NT-R); (3) NT with CC of hairy vetch (NT-V); and (4) NT with a mixture of CCs (rye, hairy vetch, crimson clover, Italian rye-grass and radish) [NT-M]). Dry biomass yield of CCs ranged between 2.2 and 3.1 Mg ha−1 for rye; 1.9 and 3.0 Mg ha−1 for hairy vetch; and 1.9 and 3.2 Mg ha−1 for mixture. In the present study, yields of winter wheat, maize, and soybean were generally not reduced with NT-CCs since the first year after conversion. The different composition and thickness of cover crop mulch showed an opposite yield response to rainfall pattern: under NT-R, a negative correlation was observed between grain yield and rainfall, while under NT-V this correlation was positive. After six years, SOM and STN concentrations in the 0-30 cm soil layer increased in NT-CCs. SOM concentration was +30%, +23% and +20% highe

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a leading greenhouse-grown vegetable. However, nitrate (NO3) accumulation in leaves remains a major issue. The aims of this research were: (i) to test the modified intermittent Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) in the cultivation of soilless lettuce in which plants are grown on peat blocks in trays and supplied with an intermittent flow of nutrient solution, and (ii) to calibrate the fertilization scheme to increase yield performance, while keeping NO3 concentration under control. Two greenhouse trials were performed between autumn 2013 and spring 2014. Results showed that a 30-day cycle is the optimum duration in terms of fresh biomass yield, both for autumn and spring cultivation. Reducing N fertilization in the last cropping days never aected NO3 concentration in leaves during autumn trial, due to unfavourable growing conditions. Conversely, suspension of fertilization 2 days before harvest had a consistent eect during the spring trial, when NO3 concentration in leaves was highly reduced (from 20 to 36%) without yield penalties. Thus, suspending fertilization 2–4 days before harvesting in intermittent NFT may reduce, on average, NO3 accumulation by 29–58% and the fertilization rate by 7–16%, respectively. Yet, growing conditions are crucial to make this system eective.

Le tecniche di microirrigazione (sia superficiale, sia sotterranea) garantiscono su mais e pomodoro un evidente risparmio della risorsa idrica e rese agronomiche paragonabili o superiori all’irrigazione per aspersione. Anche sul fronte della concentrazione di nitrati nel terreno i vantaggi sono indiscutibili

Per contenere il compattamento del terreno senza rinunciare all’utilizzo di macchine agricole di alta potenza e quindi pesanti, dobbiamo considerare soluzioni che consentano di aumentare la superficie di contatto tra macchina e suolo. Le cingolature di moderna concezione se correttamente usate possono favorire la riduzione del compattamento e quindi il rispetto del suolo. Il compattamento del terreno agrario rappresenta uno dei principali problemi dell’agricoltura moderna, intensificatosi negli ultimi anni a causa dell’utilizzo di cantieri di lavorazione sempre più grandi e pesanti in risposta alla richiesta di una maggiore capacità di lavoro nell’unità di tempo. In questa nota si riportano i risultati agronomici dei test e in particolare degli effetti dell’utilizzo di cingoli e pneumatici sul compattamento del terreno.

Il capitolo esemplifica i motivi del successo del pomodoro da industria nel territorio piacentino attraverso 7 casi-studio, identificandone un denominatore comune nella capacità innovativa dei protagonisti. Da questa breve analisi condotta sulle esperienze personali degli imprenditori, nasce facilmente la necessità di puntare proprio sull'innovazione tecnica per rilanciare il pomodoro piacentino, nel rispetto della sostenibilità., The chapter exemplifies the reasons for the success of processing tomato in the province of Piacenza, through 7 study-cases, identifying the innovation ability of the protagonists as a common denominator. From this brief analysis of entrepreneurs' personal experiences, it is easy to see that focusing on technical innovations is necessary to revive tomato production system in Piacenza, while respecting sustainability.

A field trial was carried out to compare two agricultural management systems in the Po Valley (Northern Italy): Conventional tillage (CT) vs. No-tillage (NT). The different management of the experimental field had been established since 2011. In 2014 the trial was cropped with maize and CT system was compared with NT system concerning crop yields, soil characteristics and operating costs. Experimental trial was set up as randomized complete block design with four replicates. The soil is a fine, mixed, mesic, Udertic Haplustalf. The software C.E.M.A. was used to determine operating costs and fuel consumption of the two agro-ecosystems. In term of net income it was observed a difference of about 100 € per hectare in favor of NT system. Regarding greenhouse gases emissions NT saved about 360 kg per hectare of CO2.

L'orobanche del pomodoro (Phelipanche ramosa L. Pomel) è in costante aumento nel Nord Italia. Mentre in provincia di Piacenza la presenza è ancora sporadica, nel Parmense l’orobanche è molto più diffusa, soprattutto nelle zone di Collecchio, Corcagnano, Carignano e Vigatto. Probabilmente, questa maggiore incidenza è dovuta alla presenza dell’infestante da più lungo tempo in questo territorio. Nelle prove condotte nel 2015 in provincia di Parma è stata valutata l’effi cacia di diverse strategie per il controllo di orobanche del pomodoro (Phelipanche ramosa), pianta parassita in grado di limitare pesantemente la produzione. Il doppio trattamento con solfoniluree (rimsulfuron, già registrato su pomodoro, sulfosulfuron e halosulfuron metile) ha garantito un contenimento dell’infestazione superiore al 70% rispetto al testimone non trattato.

livello nazionale, la diffusione delle infestazioni di orobanche sta interessando un numero sempre maggiore di areali agricoli, vocati storicamente alla coltivazione del pomodoro da industria. Questa rapida espansione viene senz’altro favorita dalla facilità di diffusione dei semi, di piccolissime dimensioni (inferiori a 0,5 mm), prodotti in notevolissima quantità (da 5.000 fi no a 500.000 per pianta). La prova condotta in provincia di Parma nel 2014 ha evidenziato che la Solfonilurea SS2452 (sostanza attiva ancora in fase di registrazione) ha garantito un controllo pressoché completo di Phelipanche ramosa, limitando fortemente il numero dei turioni per metro quadro (sempre inferiore a 10). Il glifosate ha mostrato un discreto controllo dell’infestazione (50-100 turioni/m2) ma ha ridotto drasticamente la produzione. Tutte le altre tesi di trattamento, invece, hanno fatto segnalare un leggero controllo, ma non si sono discostate significativamente dalla classe d’infestazione media delle parcelle testimone.