Agronomic potential of two different glass-based materials as novel inorganic slow-release iron fertilizers.

BACKGROUND: Large amounts of chemical fertilizers are still currently used to compensate the soil nutrients scarcity in order to increase and sustain crop yield with consequent rising of environmental pollution and health problems. To mitigate these environmental risks, fertilizers with slow-release behaviours have been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic potential of two different glass-based materials (by-products from the ceramic sector) as inorganic slow-release iron (Fe) fertilizers. RESULTS: The X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the presence of amorphous structure and the richness in Fe of the investigated materials. The solubility analysis highlighted the slow Fe release from the glassy network and that the maximum of the Fe release was at alkaline pH suggesting their potential use as slow-release Fe fertilizers, especially in calcareous soils. The pot and leaching experiments demonstrated that although the glass-based materials increased the amount of soil available Fe, we did not observe Fe leaching and plant toxicity. This fact would suggest their reliability to increase soil fertility without negative effects on the environment. CONCLUSION: The use of glass-based materials, specifically by-products from the ceramic sectors, as inorganic slow-release Fe fertilizers can be sustained. The tests performed at three different pH conditions testified the slow-release behaviour of the tested materials and underlined that the Fe release increases at alkaline environment. Therefore, the present study pointed out the glass-based materials by products from the ceramic sector as novel slow-release and environmental-friendly fertilizers in agriculture. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring the canal environment in terms of water, bed sediments and vegetation in a reclaimed floodplain of Northern Italy.

The Po plain (Italy) is one of the largest floodplains in Europe that needs environmental restoration. To achieve this goal, the knowledge of the 'environment' (water, bed sediments and vegetation) of the canals crossing such floodplain is necessary. The water flow of the canals was kept low for hydraulic safety purposes from October to March (NIR), and high for irrigation purposes from April to September (IR). Within this framework, this study aimed to assess in 9 sites of the east part of Po plain 1) the canals' environment quality in terms of vegetation diversity, and water and bed sediment physicochemical properties; and 2) how these features are influenced by canal managements and landscape properties. Water was monthly sampled both in NIR and IR periods, the bed sediments were sampled in summer and winter periods, while the vegetation was recorded in spring and autumn. The low water flow during NIR worsened the water quality by increasing the concentrations of nutrients and salts. A higher salt and nutrient concentrations were observed both in water and bed sediments of canals crossing areas with fine texture alluvial deposits than in those flowing through medium texture alluvial deposits. Further, higher nutrient and salt concentrations were observed for the canals used as collectors of the water coming from other canals. Despite the differences observed for the bed sediments and water quality, the vegetation type and biodiversity did not show differences among the study sites probably because affected by the land use of the surrounding landscape. Indeed, the canals cross agricultural land which limit the developments of natural vegetation and do not promote plant biodiversity. Overall, the present study found out the key role of landscape properties and canal managements on 'canal environment' quality which need to be considered to perform an appropriate reclamation of such environments.

Zea mays L. Grain: Increase in Nutraceutical and Antioxidant Properties Due to Se Fortification in Low and High Water Regimes.

This work aimed to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) and irrigation on the grain yield, on the forms of Se, phenols, and carotenes, and on some antioxidant activities of maize ( Zea mays L.) grains. To reach this goal, a 2 year experiment was undertaken. Maize was fertigated with sodium selenite at the rate of 200 g of Se ha-1 and grown under two water regimes. While the irrigation did not show a clear effect on the selected parameters, Se fertigation increased the contents of inorganic and organic Se forms, xanthophyll, and salicylic acid. Furthermore, while Se fertigation decreased the hydroxycinnamic acid content, generally higher antioxidant activities were found in Se-treated grains than in the control. These findings suggest that Se fertigation increases most of the nutraceutical values of maize grains, which therefore might improve human and livestock health and could increase the maize grain shelf life and its byproducts.

Geese Reared in Vineyard: Soil, Grass and Animals Interaction.

Agroforestry systems aim at increasing the productivity and the environmental sustainability of both crop and animal productions. The integration of small animals such as geese in the vineyard could represent an opportunity to improve farm income and reduce land use for grazing. The main objective of this work was to study the impact of geese rearing in an organic vineyard on the chemical and biochemical properties of the soil and the effect of Copper (Cu) supplied with the fungicide treatments. Furthermore, the amount of Cu in the animal tissues was also investigated. Three experimental areas within the vineyard were selected: High Geese Density (HGD-240 geese ha-1), Low Geese Density (LGD-120 geese ha-1) and Without Geese used as control soil (WG). The results indicated that both HGD and LGD did not affect the main chemical properties of the vineyard soils. LGD increased the amount and the efficiency of the microbial biomass in the upper soil horizons. Moreover, geese through the grazing activity reduced the Cu content in the vineyard soils, accumulating this element in their liver. However, the content of Cu in the breast and drumstick of vineyard geese did not show any significant difference in respect the meat of the control ones.

The Selenium Supplementation Influences Olive Tree Production and Oil Stability Against Oxidation and Can Alleviate the Water Deficiency Effects.

Foliar fertilization with selenium (Se) may well be beneficial in increasing the nutritional and qualitative values of food in Se-deficient regions such as the Mediterranean Basin, and may contribute to an increase in drought resistance in plants. The present study has considered detachment force, flesh firmness, pigmentation, fresh and dry weight, and oil content of olive drupes from Se fertilized olive orchards (Olea europaea L.) under drought stress and well-watered conditions. This study has also evaluated the total Se, Se amino acid, phenol, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents of EVOO, plus its oxidative stability against oxidation. While there was no change in the ripening indexes and the production of olives generally, Se application did increase the total Se, Se methionine, phenol, and carotenoid and chlorophyll contents. The higher concentration of these (bio) chemical compounds in EVOO obtained from Se fertilized plants might well suggest enhanced antioxidant activity. Consequently, EVOO obtained from Se fertilized trees possesses a higher nutritional value and, as indicated by the greater oxidative stability against oxidation, longer shelf life. In addition, under water deficient conditions, a higher fresh olive weight corresponds to a higher level of phenol, carotenoid and chlorophyll, and the chlorophyll-to-carotenoid ratio in Se fertilized trees would appear to confirm the positive role of selenium in alleviating damage caused by drought stress conditions.