Research

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3340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Traceability in the EEC Market: Tunisian/Italian (Coratina) EVOOs Blend as a Case Study

by Chiara Roberta Girelli, Laura Del Coco and Francesco Paolo Fanizzi

Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081471 - 19 Aug 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5485

In order to check the reliability of an NMR-based metabolomic approach to evaluating blend composition (and declaration), a series of 81 Italian/Tunisian blends samples at different percentage composition (from 10/90 to 90/10% Coratina/Tunisian oil by 10% increase step) were prepared starting from five [...] Read more.

In order to check the reliability of an NMR-based metabolomic approach to evaluating blend composition (and declaration), a series of 81 Italian/Tunisian blends samples at different percentage composition (from 10/90 to 90/10% Coratina/Tunisian oil by 10% increase step) were prepared starting from five Coratina (Apulia) and five Tunisian extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) batches. Moreover, a series of nine binary mixtures blend oils were obtained, starting from the two batches’ oil sums. The models built showed the linear relationship between the NMR signals and the percentage composition of the blends. In particular, a high correlation with the percentage composition of blends was obtained from the partial least squares (PLS) regression model, when the two batches oil sums were used for the binary mixtures of blend samples. These proposed methods suggest that a multivariate analysis (MVA)-based NMR approach—in particular PLS regression (PLSR)—could be a very useful tool (including for trading purposes) to assess quantitative blend composition. This is important for the sustainability of the goods’ free movement, especially in the agrifood sector. This cornerstone policy of current common markets is also clearly linked to the availability of methods for certifying the origin of the foodstuffs and their use in the assembly of final product for the consumer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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2813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of the Suitability of Some American Grapevine Rootstocks as a New Edible Landscape Component of Vertical Gardens

by Atilla Cakir, Emrah Yalcinalp, Ezgi Dogan and Alperen Meral

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071275 - 19 Jul 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5064

Abstract

In this study, grapevine was used as the research material. This plant which epitomizes the opinion that vertical gardens can have a positive influence on human psychology with their beautiful view, e.g., the hanging gardens of Babylon about 2500 years ago. The study [...] Read more.

In this study, grapevine was used as the research material. This plant which epitomizes the opinion that vertical gardens can have a positive influence on human psychology with their beautiful view, e.g., the hanging gardens of Babylon about 2500 years ago. The study in question was conducted in 2016 at Bingol University, Faculty of Agriculture, the Department of Garden Plants research and application area. The offshoot growth was measured in a fertilizer experiment that formed the control, first application (200 g/100 L water, leaf) and second application (100 g/100 L water + 20% leaf + root). Moreover, the plant’s footprint in the vertical area was determined. The average offshoot growth of 1103 P American grapevine rootstock in the first and second applications was measured as 61.5 cm and 39.5 cm respectively, and it was 43.0 cm and 51.0 for C American grapevine rootstock. The average growth of 1103 P and 1616 C American grapevine in the control group was determined as 30.6 cm and 32.1 cm. The average growth of both American grapevine rootstocks used in the experiment was determined to be higher for the first and second applications than the controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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1375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Grey Water Footprint Assessment of Groundwater Chemical Pollution: Case Study in Salento (Southern Italy)

by Pier Paolo Miglietta, Pierluigi Toma, Francesco Paolo Fanizzi, Antonella De Donno, Benedetta Coluccia, Danilo Migoni, Francesco Bagordo and Francesca Serio

Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050799 - 11 May 2017

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6703

Abstract

The worsening of groundwater quality is a huge problem for some regions, especially where a karst aquifer system is the most important water resource because of the deficiency of a well-developed superficial water supply. In this study the chemical quality of a deep [...] Read more.

The worsening of groundwater quality is a huge problem for some regions, especially where a karst aquifer system is the most important water resource because of the deficiency of a well-developed superficial water supply. In this study the chemical quality of a deep aquifer of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), where a shallow aquifer and an extensive deep aquifer are exploited as a source of drinking water and irrigation water, was monitored. The indicator used to assess the sustainability of pollution produce by human activities is the “grey water footprint” (GWF) which measures the amount of water required to assimilate a polluting load produced from anthropic activity. The GWF, calculated for each chemical parameter, shows a widespread contamination by Mercury (Hg), Vanadium (V) and Ammonium (NH₄⁺) with concentrations above the limits (Lgs. D. 31/2001). The high Mercury and Vanadium concentrations may thus be associated with anthropic pressures on the aquifer, while Ammonium derives mainly from fertilizers used in agriculture. The situation that emerged involves reflections on the continuous human pressure on natural resources. Therefore, the management of groundwater quality requires a multidisciplinary approach focused on identifying the measures necessary to protect our water resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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1936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Redistributing Phosphorus in Animal Manure from a Livestock-Intensive Region to an Arable Region: Exploration of Environmental Consequences

by Ola Stedje Hanserud, Kari-Anne Lyng, Jerke W. De Vries, Anne Falk Øgaard and Helge Brattebø

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040595 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6117

Abstract

Specialized agricultural production between regions has led to large regional differences in soil phosphorus (P) over time. Redistribution of surplus manure P from high livestock density regions to regions with arable farming can improve agricultural P use efficiency. In this paper, the central [...] Read more.

Specialized agricultural production between regions has led to large regional differences in soil phosphorus (P) over time. Redistribution of surplus manure P from high livestock density regions to regions with arable farming can improve agricultural P use efficiency. In this paper, the central research question was whether more efficient P use through manure P redistribution comes at a price of increased environmental impacts when compared to a reference system. Secondly, we wanted to explore the influence on impacts of regions with different characteristics. For this purpose, a life cycle assessment was performed and two regions in Norway were used as a case study. Several technology options for redistribution were examined in a set of scenarios, including solid–liquid separation, with and without anaerobic digestion of manure before separation. The most promising scenario in terms of environmental impacts was anaerobic digestion with subsequent decanter centrifuge separation of the digestate. This scenario showed that redistribution can be done with net environmental impacts being similar to or lower than the reference situation, including transport. The findings emphasize the need to use explicit regional characteristics of the donor and recipient regions to study the impacts of geographical redistribution of surplus P in organic fertilizer residues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Ex-Post Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Programs for Reducing Fertilizer Input in Shaanxi, China

by Chunlin Hua, Richard T. Woodward and Liangzhi You

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040566 - 07 Apr 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6474

Abstract

It is difficult to control agricultural Non-point Source (NPS) pollution, caused by overusing of chemical fertilizer, through laws alone. An agricultural extension program is an alternative way to reduce fertilizer input. This paper estimates the average change in fertilizer use of farmers, which [...] Read more.

It is difficult to control agricultural Non-point Source (NPS) pollution, caused by overusing of chemical fertilizer, through laws alone. An agricultural extension program is an alternative way to reduce fertilizer input. This paper estimates the average change in fertilizer use of farmers, which is attributable to their participation in the agricultural extension program. The Inverse-Probability Weighted matching method is used to evaluate the average treatment effect for the farmers who engaged in the program and, to a limited extent, evaluate the impact of individual elements of the program. Surprisingly, we find that farmer-to-farmer training may have had a counterproductive effect while the posters may be the most effective program element in reducing fertilizer use in the context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

1087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Respiration between Soybean Crop Rows as Measured Continuously over a Growing Season

by Xiaohan Wang and Tusheng Ren

Sustainability 2017, 9(3), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9030436 - 16 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3425

Abstract

An improved understanding of temporal and spatial variations in soil respiration is essential for measuring soil CO₂ effluxes accurately. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of soil respiration between adjacent crop rows in [...] Read more.

An improved understanding of temporal and spatial variations in soil respiration is essential for measuring soil CO₂ effluxes accurately. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of soil respiration between adjacent crop rows in a soybean (Glycine max L.) field. Soil CO₂ concentration, water content, and temperature at a 7.5 cm depth were recorded continuously at 0 cm, 12 cm, 24 cm, and 35 cm from the plant row during the growing season. Root biomass at the corresponding locations was collected from the 0 to 10 cm and 10 to 20 cm soil layers at three growth stages. Seasonal CO₂ efflux data showed that the minimum value appeared at the seeding stage, increased gradually, reached the maximum at the flowering and grain-filling stages, and then dropped steadily at the mature stage. Within a growth stage, CO₂ effluxes related positively to soil temperature, but negatively to soil water content. In the early and vigorous growing stages of soybean crop, soil respiration showed apparent diurnal variations, and was most significant at the crop row location. Except for the seeding stage, CO₂ effluxes at the crop row were larger than that of other locations, and effluxes at 35 cm from the row were representative of the mean CO₂ efflux between adjacent rows. We concluded that the spatial heterogeneity of CO₂ efflux between crop rows should be taken into consideration when measuring soil respiration in agricultural ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Farmers’ Intention to Adopt Water Saving Measures: Evidence from Italy

by Giovanni Pino, Pierluigi Toma, Cristian Rizzo, Pier Paolo Miglietta, Alessandro M. Peluso and Gianluigi Guido

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010077 - 08 Jan 2017

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 7930

Abstract

The present research is aimed at establishing how farmers can be encouraged to adopt irrigation water saving measures. By developing and implementing an extended version of the well-known Theory of Planned Behavior, we considered farmers’ propensity to adopt innovations and their water footprints. [...] Read more.

The present research is aimed at establishing how farmers can be encouraged to adopt irrigation water saving measures. By developing and implementing an extended version of the well-known Theory of Planned Behavior, we considered farmers’ propensity to adopt innovations and their water footprints. In a sample of 150 Italian farmers, we found that favorable attitudes towards water saving measures, and the orientations of environmental associations and public bodies favorably influence farmers’ intentions to adopt water saving measures. Farmers’ innovativeness and water footprints also exert a significant influence on their adoption intentions. The paper also discusses the contribution of these results to the previous literature and highlights practical implications for policy makers interested in promoting the adoption of irrigation water saving measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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Review

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217 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Pathology and Information Technology: Opportunity for Management of Disease Outbreak and Applications in Regulation Frameworks

by Andrea Luvisi, Yiannis G. Ampatzidis and Luigi De Bellis

Sustainability 2016, 8(8), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080831 - 22 Aug 2016

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 6024

Abstract

In many European rural areas, agriculture is not only an economic activity, but it is strictly linked to environmental and social characteristics of the area. Thus, sometimes, a pathogen can become a social threat, as in the case of Xylella fastidiosa and olive [...] Read more.

In many European rural areas, agriculture is not only an economic activity, but it is strictly linked to environmental and social characteristics of the area. Thus, sometimes, a pathogen can become a social threat, as in the case of Xylella fastidiosa and olive trees (Olea europaea L.) in Salento. Fast and systemic response to threats represents the key to success in stopping pest invasions, and proves a great help in managing lots of data in a short time or coordinating large-scale monitoring coming from applying Information Technology tools. Regarding the field of applications, the advantages provided by new technologies are countless. However, is it the same in agriculture? Electronic identification tools can be applied for plant health management and certification. Treatments, agrochemical management or impact assessment may also be supported by dematerialization of data. Information Technology solution for urban forestry management or traceability of commodities belonging to “Food from Somewhere” regimes were analyzed and compared to protection from pests of a unique tree heritage such as olive trees in Salento. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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