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Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 44386

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Concetta Eliana Gattullo

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Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: soil hydrology; soil conservation
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Prof. Anna Maria Stellacci

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Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: precision agriculture; linear mixed effects models; spatial and temporal residual autocorrelation; sustainable agronomic management; soil physical quality indicators and soil quality indices computation
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Dr. Mirko Castellini

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Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Research Center for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: soil hydraulic conductivity; soil water retention; soil physical quality; soil management; soil conditioners
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Dr. Mariangela Diacono

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Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Research Center for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Via Celso Ulpiani 5, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: organic farming; agro-ecology; compost production, evaluation and application; sustainable agriculture assessment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil degradation is one of the most topical environmental threats. A number of processes causing soil degradation, specifically erosion, compaction, salinization, pollution, and loss of both organic matter and soil biodiversity, is also strictly connected to agricultural activity and its intensification. The development and adoption of sustainable agronomic practices able to preserve and enhance the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and improve agroecosystem function is a challenge for both scientists and farmers. In recent decades, much progress has been achieved in the development of sustainable practices based on minimal soil disturbance, use of cover crops, organic mulching, crop rotations, water and nutrients conservation, recycling of crop residues and livestock manure for soil amendment, and precision agriculture. Several natural mechanisms of plants and microorganisms have also been usefully applied for the control of weeds and pests, as well as for the abatement of soil pollution. Furthermore, collaboration among different scientific disciplines has increased the ability to investigate problems and find practical solutions. In particular, the availability of innovative methodologies for rapid and accurate soil–plant system monitoring (proximal sensors, expeditious methods) and for data analysis has improved the understanding of soil processes and the adoption of sustainable management options. In addition, the sustainability assessment of agricultural systems performed by different methodologies, such as energy analysis and carbon footprint evaluation, is a crucial step in facing environmental threats like greenhouse gas (GHG) emission that lead to global warming.

This Special Issue welcomes original research papers and reviews focusing on recent advances and novelties in the field of sustainable and conservative agriculture. Multidisciplinary investigations are strongly encouraged.

Dr. Concetta Eliana Gattullo
Dr. Anna Maria Stellacci
Dr. Mirko Castellini
Dr. Mariangela Diacono
Guest editors

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Keywords

Soil fertility and nutrient cycling
Carbon sequestration
Soil degradation
Cover crops
Soil biodiversity
Soil pollution and remediation
Water conservation practices
Soil monitoring and characterization
Proximal sensing for precision input applications
Sustainability assessment

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation

by Mirko Castellini, Mariangela Diacono, Concetta Eliana Gattullo and Anna Maria Stellacci

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4146; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094146 - 01 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3221

Abstract

Soil degradation is one of the most topical environmental threats. A number of processes causing soil degradation, specifically erosion, compaction, salinization, pollution, and loss of both organic matter and soil biodiversity, are also strictly connected to agricultural activity and its intensification. The development and adoption of sustainable agronomic practices able to preserve and enhance the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and improve agroecosystem functions is a challenge for both scientists and farmers. This Special Issue collects 12 original contributions addressing the state of the art of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. The papers cover a wide range of topics, including organic agriculture, soil amendment and soil organic carbon (SOC) management, the impact of SOC on soil water repellency, the effects of soil tillage on the quantity of SOC associated with several fractions of soil particles and depth, and SOC prediction, using visible and near-infrared spectra and multivariate modeling. Moreover, the effects of some soil contaminants (e.g., crude oil, tungsten, copper, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are discussed or reviewed in light of the recent literature. The collection of the manuscripts presented in this Special Issue provides a relevant knowledge contribution for improving our understanding on sustainable agriculture and soil conservation, thus stimulating new views on this main topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

Research

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20 pages, 1048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling Biogas Digestate from Energy Crops: Effects on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity

by Roberta Pastorelli, Giuseppe Valboa, Alessandra Lagomarsino, Arturo Fabiani, Stefania Simoncini, Massimo Zaghi and Nadia Vignozzi

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020750 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3001

Abstract

Digestate from biogas production can be recycled to the soil as conditioner/fertilizer improving the environmental sustainability of the energy supply chain. In a three-year maize-triticale rotation, we investigated the short-term effects of digestate on soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties and evaluated its effectiveness in complementing the mineral fertilizers. Digestate soil treatments consisted of combined applications of the whole digestate and its mechanically separated solid fraction. Digestate increased soil total organic C, total N and K contents. Soil bulk density was not affected by treatments, while aggregate stability showed a transient improvement due to digestate treatments. A decrement of the transmission pores proportion and an increment of fissures was observed in digestate treated soils. Soil microbial community was only transiently affected by digestate treatments and no soil contamination from Clostridiaceae-related bacteria were observed. Digestate can significantly impair seed germination when applied at low dilution ratios. Crop yield under digestate treatment was similar to ordinary mineral-based fertilization. Overall, our experiment proved that the agronomic recycling of digestate from biogas production maintained a fair crop yield and soil quality. Digestate was confirmed as a valid resource for sustainable management of soil fertility under energy-crop farming, by combining a good attitude as a fertilizer with the ability to compensate for soil organic C loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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16 pages, 2835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Partial Least Squares Improved Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines for Visible and Near-Infrared-Based Soil Organic Matter Estimation Considering Spatial Heterogeneity

by Xiaomi Wang, Can Yang and Mengjie Zhou

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020566 - 08 Jan 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1632

Abstract

Under the influence of complex environmental conditions, the spatial heterogeneity of soil organic matter (SOM) is inevitable, and the relationship between SOM and visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectra has the potential to be nonlinear. However, conventional VNIR-based methods for soil organic matter estimation cannot simultaneously consider the potential nonlinear relationship between the explanatory variables and predictors and the spatial heterogeneity of the relationship. Thus, the regional application of existing VNIR spectra-based SOM estimation methods is limited. This study combines the proposed partial least squares–based multivariate adaptive regression spline (PLS–MARS) method and a regional multi-variable associate rule mining and Rank–Kennard-Stone method (MVARC-R-KS) to construct a nonlinear prediction model to realize local optimality considering spatial heterogeneity. First, the MVARC-R-KS method is utilized to select representative samples and alleviate the sample global underrepresentation caused by spatial heterogeneity. Second, the PLS–MARS method is proposed to construct a nonlinear VNIR spectra-based estimation model with local optimization based on selected representative samples. PLS–MARS combined with the MVARC-R-KS method is illustrated and validated through a case study of Jianghan Plain in Hubei Province, China. Results showed that the proposed method far outweighs some available methods in terms of accuracy and robustness, suggesting the reliability of the proposed prediction model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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20 pages, 2704 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Orchard Floor Management Affects Tree Functionality, Productivity and Water Consumption of a Late Ripening Peach Orchard under Semi-Arid Conditions

by Pasquale Losciale, Liliana Gaeta, Luigi Manfrini, Luigi Tarricone and Pasquale Campi

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8135; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10228135 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2241

Abstract

Semi-arid conditions are favorable for the cultivation of late ripening peach cultivars; however, seasonal water scarcity and reduction in soil biological fertility, heightened by improper soil management, are jeopardizing this important sector. In the present two-year study, four soil managements were compared on a late ripening peach orchard: (i) completely tilled (control); (ii) mulched with reusable reflective plastic film; (iii) mulching with a Leguminosae cover-crop flattened after peach fruit set; (iv) completely tilled, supplying the water volumes of the plastic mulched treatment, supposed to be lower than the control. Comparison was performed for soil features, water use, tree functionality, fruit growth, fruit quality, yield and water productivity. Even receiving about 50% of the regular irrigation, reusable reflective mulching reduced water loss and soil carbon over mineralization, not affecting (sometimes increasing) net carbon assimilation, yield, and fruit size and increasing water productivity. The flattening technique should be refined in the last part of the season as in hot and dry areas with clay soils and low organic matter, soil cracking increased water evaporation predisposing the orchard at water stress. The development and implementation of appropriate soil management strategies could be pivotal for making peach production economically and environmentally sustainable. Full article

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15 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical and Spectroscopic Investigation of Different Soil Fractions as Affected by Soil Management

by Francesco De Mastro, Claudio Cocozza, Gennaro Brunetti and Andreina Traversa

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2571; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072571 - 09 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2059

Abstract

The interaction of organic matter with the finest soil fractions (<20 μm) represents a good way for its stabilization. This study investigates the effects of conventional (CT), minimum (MT), and no (NT) tillage, fertilization, and non-fertilization, and soil depth (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm) on the amount of organic carbon (OC) in four soil fractions. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT) was performed to obtain information about the OC quality and the mineralogical composition of these fractions. The CT shows the highest amount of the finest fraction while the fertilization enhances the microbial community with the increase of soil micro-aggregates (250–53 μm). The coarse fraction (>250 μm) is highest in the upper soil layer, while the finest fraction is in the deepest one. The greatest OC content is observed in the topsoil layer and in the finest soil fraction. DRIFT analysis suggests that organic components are more present in the finest fraction, calcite is mainly localized in the coarse fraction, quartz is in micro-aggregates and 53–20 μm fraction, and clay minerals are in the finest fraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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14 pages, 2983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Water Infiltration and Soil Water Repellency in Brazilian Atlantic Forest Soils

by Sergio Esteban Lozano-Baez, Miguel Cooper, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz, Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Laurent Lassabatere, Mirko Castellini and Simone Di Prima

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(6), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10061950 - 12 Mar 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3593

Abstract

This study presents the results of the soil hydraulic characterization performed under three land covers, namely pasture, 9-year-old restored forest, and remnant forest, in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Two types of infiltration tests were performed, namely tension (Mini-Disk Infiltrometer, MDI) and ponding (Beerkan) tests. MDI and Beerkan tests provided complementary information, highlighting a clear increase of the hydraulic conductivity, especially at the remnant forest plots, when moving from near-saturated to saturated conditions. In addition, measuring the unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity with different water pressure heads allowed the estimation of the macroscopic capillary length in the field. This approach, in conjunction with Beerkan measurements, allowed the design better estimates of the saturated soil hydraulic conductivity under challenging field conditions, such as soil water repellency (SWR). This research also reports, for the first time, evidence of SWR in the Atlantic Forest, which affected the early stage of the infiltration process with more frequency in the remnant forest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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11 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Spent Grain Biochar Impact on Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Growth by Multivariate Image Analysis

by Tiziana Amoriello, Simona Fiorentino, Valerio Vecchiarelli and Mauro Pagano

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(2), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020533 - 10 Jan 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3572

Abstract

Biochar is generally considered as an effective soil amendment, which can improve soil organic matter and nutrients content and enhance crop productivity. In this study, biochar derived from brewers’ spent grain (BSG) was used in a pot and field experiment to assess whether its addition to soil could affect hop plant growth. The experiment was conducted in Central Italy during the period March–August 2017. Three different German cultivars of hop plant (Hallertau Magnum, Perle, Spalter spalt) were considered. Biochar was added to the pot soil at 20% level. Its effect on the roots was evaluated using multivariate image analysis (MIA) and the statistical technique of general linear models (GLM), whereas the shoots, bines length and yield using GLM. Results showed that biochar significantly improved root growth (p < 0.0001). Regarding shoots, no variability for the genotypes was observed during the vegetative period, whereas slight differences resulted before plant dormancy, especially for the Hallertau Magnum cultivar. No differences in the number of leaves or bines length were observed between the two treatments for all cultivars. The addition of biochar to the soil significantly improved yield (number of cones). These results highlighted that BSG-derived biochar can be useful to improve hop plant growth and cones production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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15 pages, 1856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organic Vegetable Crops Managed with Agro-Ecological Practices: Environmental Sustainability Assessment by DEXi-met Decision Support System

by Francesco Montemurro, Alessandro Persiani and Mariangela Diacono

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(19), 4148; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9194148 - 03 Oct 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2137

Abstract

In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in sustainable agricultural techniques and the environmental evaluation of the effects of agricultural practices. In the present study, we evaluated both the production capacity of organic horticultural systems, and the ex-post sustainability through a new multi-attribute decision model named “DEXi-met”. This qualitative model is able to estimate the environmental sustainability of cropping systems managed with different agro-ecological approaches. In particular, we compared the following three horticultural systems: (i) ECO, an organic system with full implementation of agro-ecological strategies (agro-ecological services crops (ASC), strip cultivation, and organic amendment); (ii) GM, an organic system with the introduction of the ASC; (iii) NO ASC, an organic system without ASC. The treatments with ASC presence (ECO and GM) showed similar total energy outputs (substantially higher than the NO ASC), indicating the positive effect of this agro-ecological practice. The findings pointed out that the ECO system, which followed the principles of natural ecosystems, can contribute to building up more complex agro-ecosystems, increasing both resilience and biodiversity. This management strategy reached a good compromise between the production of vegetable cropping systems and environmental sustainability achievement. Then, it is possible to optimize the use of natural resources, support climate adaptation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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11 pages, 1042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stomatal Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Crude Oil Contamination in Soils

by Chaolan Zhang, He Huang, Yongxin Zhou, Haiying Lin, Tian Xie and Changjun Liao

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(19), 4074; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9194074 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2374

Abstract

In this study, maize plant was cultured in soil contaminated with different levels of crude oil. The purpose was to investigate the change of soil properties, leaf physiological and chemical parameters, and phenanthrene content in the leaf. Results showed that soil water content significantly increased when the levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons were 3700–17,800 mg/kg in soil, and soil electrical conductivity significantly increased compared with the control. In maize leaf, stomatal length and density, as well as K and Na contents decreased in contaminated treatments compared with the control. Stomatal length has a significant positive correlation with K content in leaf (r = 0.92, p < 0.01), while stomatal density was negatively correlated to the crude oil level in soil (r = −0.91, p < 0.05). Accumulation of phenanthrene in maize leaf was mainly through the foliar uptake pathway. Phenanthrene concentrations of maize leaf in oil-treated soil were less than that of the control, which exhibited a significant positive relationship with stomatal length (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that the stomata structure of maize could be influenced by crude oil and thus possibly controlling the accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aerial tissues. Based on these results, controlling stomata movement will be beneficial to phytoremediation of contaminated soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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15 pages, 2009 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Influence of Increasing Tungsten Concentrations and Soil Characteristics on Plant Uptake: Greenhouse Experiments with Zea mays

by Gianniantonio Petruzzelli and Francesca Pedron

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(19), 3998; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9193998 - 24 Sep 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

Tungsten is largely used in high-tech and military industries. Soils are increasingly enriched in this element, and its transfer in the food chain is an issue of great interest. This study evaluated the influence of soil characteristics on tungsten uptake by Zea mays grown on three soils, spiked with increasing tungsten concentrations. The soils, classified as Histosol, Vertisol, and Fluvisol, are characteristic of the Mediterranean area. The uptake of the element by Zea mays was strictly dependent on the soil characteristics. As the pH of soils increases, tungsten concentrations in the roots and shoots of the plants increased. Also, humic substances showed a great influence on tungsten uptake, which decreased with increasing organic matter of soils. Tungsten uptake by Zea mays can be described by a Freundlich-like equation. This soil-to-plant transfer model may be useful in promoting environmental regulations on the hazards of this element in the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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Review

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21 pages, 1984 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Smart and Sustainable Future for Viticulture Is Rooted in Soil: How to Face Cu Toxicity

by Stefano Cesco, Youry Pii, Luigimaria Borruso, Guido Orzes, Paolo Lugli, Fabrizio Mazzetto, Giulio Genova, Marco Signorini, Gustavo Brunetto, Roberto Terzano, Gianpiero Vigani and Tanja Mimmo

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11030907 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5087

Abstract

In recent decades, agriculture has faced the fundamental challenge of needing to increase food production and quality in order to meet the requirements of a growing global population. Similarly, viticulture has also been undergoing change. Several countries are reducing their vineyard areas, and several others are increasing them. In addition, viticulture is moving towards higher altitudes and latitudes due to climate change. Furthermore, global warming is also exacerbating the incidence of fungal diseases in vineyards, forcing farmers to apply agrochemicals to preserve production yields and quality. The repeated application of copper (Cu)-based fungicides in conventional and organic farming has caused a stepwise accumulation of Cu in vineyard soils, posing environmental and toxicological threats. High Cu concentrations in soils can have multiple impacts on agricultural systems. In fact, it can (i) alter the chemical-physical properties of soils, thus compromising their fertility; (ii) induce toxicity phenomena in plants, producing detrimental effects on growth and productivity; and (iii) affect the microbial biodiversity of soils, thereby influencing some microbial-driven soil processes. However, several indirect (e.g., management of rhizosphere processes through intercropping and/or fertilization strategies) and direct (e.g., exploitation of vine resistant genotypes) strategies have been proposed to restrain Cu accumulation in soils. Furthermore, the application of precision and smart viticulture paradigms and their related technologies could allow a timely, localized and balanced distribution of agrochemicals to achieve the required goals. The present review highlights the necessity of applying multidisciplinary approaches to meet the requisites of sustainability demanded of modern viticulture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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20 pages, 1051 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioremediation of PAH-Contaminated Soils: Process Enhancement through Composting/Compost

by Tahseen Sayara and Antoni Sánchez

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 3684; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10113684 - 26 May 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 5660

Abstract

Bioremediation of contaminated soils has gained increasing interest in recent years as a low-cost and environmentally friendly technology to clean soils polluted with anthropogenic contaminants. However, some organic pollutants in soil have a low biodegradability or are not bioavailable, which hampers the use of bioremediation for their removal. This is the case of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which normally are stable and hydrophobic chemical structures. In this review, several approaches for the decontamination of PAH-polluted soil are presented and discussed in detail. The use of compost as biostimulation- and bioaugmentation-coupled technologies are described in detail, and some parameters, such as the stability of compost, deserve special attention to obtain better results. Composting as an ex situ technology, with the use of some specific products like surfactants, is also discussed. In summary, the use of compost and composting are promising technologies (in all the approaches presented) for the bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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Other

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9 pages, 1490 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperTechnical Note

A Standardized Method for Estimating the Functional Diversity of Soil Bacterial Community by Biolog^® EcoPlates^TM Assay—The Case Study of a Sustainable Olive Orchard

by Adriano Sofo and Patrizia Ricciuti

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(19), 4035; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9194035 - 26 Sep 2019

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5961

Abstract

Biolog^® EcoPlates™ (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA, USA) were developed to analyse the functional diversity of bacterial communities by means of measuring their ability to oxidize carbon substrates. This technique has been successfully adopted for studying bacterial soil communities from different soil environments, polluted soils and soils subjected to various agronomic treatments. Unfortunately, Biolog^® EcoPlates™ assay, especially working on soil, can be difficult to reproduce and hard to standardize due to the lack of detailed procedures and protocols. The main problems of this technique mainly regard soil preparation, bacterial inoculum densities and a correct definition of blank during the calculation of the diversity indices. On the basis of our previous research on agricultural soils, we here propose a standardized and accurate step-by-step method for estimating the functional diversity of a soil bacterial community by Biolog^® EcoPlates^TM assay. A case study of soils sampled in a Mediterranean olive orchard managed accordingly to sustainable/conservation practices was reported for justifying the standardized method here used. The results of this methodological paper could be important for correctly evaluating and comparing the microbiological fertility of soils managed by sustainable/conservation or conventional/non-conservation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation)

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