• Authors:
    • Proietti,P.
    • Federici,E.
    • Fidati,L.
    • Scargetta,S.
    • Massaccesi,L.
    • Nasini,L.
    • Regni,L.
    • Ricci,A.
    • Cenci,G.
    • Gigliotti,G.
  • Source: Web Of Knowledge
  • Volume: 207
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: A new type of solid oil mill waste (SOMW), produced by latest-generation decanter, and its derived compost were spread on land for three consecutive years in an olive grove to evaluate the soil chemical characteristics, bacterial abundance and community structure, plant growth and production and oil quality. After the third year of the experiment in both treatments, there was no increase in total organic C (TOC) in the upper layer, while a reduction of TOC concentration in the deeper layer was detected. Moreover, in the upper soil layer, the available P increased in both treated soils compared to control while exchangeable K increased only in SOMW treated soil. In both the treated soils, viable counts of different bacteria showed little or no differences compared with the control. Further, PCR-DGGE analysis of the soil bacterial community indicated the presence of a very high biodiversity that was not affected by the long-term treatment with either SOMW and composted-SOMW. The treated soils with both matrices showed an increase in the vegetative activity and olive yield such as a positive effect on oil quality by increasing phenol content. The overall results indicate that both SOMW and its derived-compost can be positively used as soil amendment, thus, contributing to the reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers.
  • Authors:
    • Guo,Miao
    • Li,Changsheng
    • Facciotto,Gianni
    • Bergante,Sara
    • Bhatia,Rakesh
    • Comolli,Roberto
    • Ferre,Chiara
    • Murphy,Richard
  • Source: Biotechnology for Biofuels
  • Volume: 8
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Background: Environmental issues, e.g. climate change, fossil resource depletion have triggered ambitious national/regional policies to develop biofuel and bioenergy roles within the overall energy portfolio to achieve decarbonising the global economy and increase energy security. With the 10 % binding target for the transport sector, the Renewable Energy Directive confirms the EU's commitment to renewable transport fuels especially advanced biofuels. Imola is an elite poplar clone crossed from Populus deltoides Bartr. and Populus nigra L. by Research Units for Intensive Wood Production, Agriculture Research Council in Italy. This study examines its suitability for plantation cultivation under short or very short rotation coppice regimes as a potential lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of ethanol as a transport biofuel. A life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to model the cradle-to-gate environmental profile of Imola-derived biofuel benchmarked against conventional fossil gasoline. Specific attention was given to analysing the agroecosystem fluxes of carbon and nitrogen occurring in the cultivation of the Imola biomass in the biofuel life cycle using a process-oriented biogeochemistry model (DeNitrification-DeComposition) specifically modified for application to 2G perennial bioenergy crops and carbon and nitrogen cycling. Results: Our results demonstrate that carbon and nitrogen cycling in perennial crop-soil ecosystems such as this example can be expected to have significant effects on the overall environmental profiles of 2G biofuels. In particular, soil carbon accumulation in perennial biomass plantations is likely to be a significant component in the overall greenhouse gas balance of future biofuel and other biorefinery products and warrants ongoing research and data collection for LCA models. We conclude that bioethanol produced from Imola represents a promising alternative transport fuel offering some savings ranging from 35 to 100 % over petrol in global warming potential, ozone depletion and photochemical oxidation impact categories. Conclusions: Via comparative analyses for Imola-derived bioethanol across potential supply chains, we highlight priority issues for potential improvement in 2G biofuel profiling. Advanced clones of poplar such as Imola for 2G biofuel production in Italy as modelled here show potential to deliver an environmentally sustainable lignocellulosic biorefinery industry and accelerate advanced biofuel penetration in the transport sector.
  • Authors:
    • Monti, A.
    • Fernando, A. L.
    • Schmidt, T.
    • Rettenmaier, N.
  • Source: Research Article
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Agricultural systems in the Mediterranean region are increasingly getting under pressure due to both global warming and the aggravating competition for agricultural land. Perennial grasses have the potential to tackle both challenges: they are drought-resistant crops and considered not to compete for high-productivity agricultural land because they can be grown on marginal land. This paper presents the outcome of a screening life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted as part of an integrated sustainability assessment within the EU-funded project ‘Optimization of Perennial Grasses for Biomass Production’ (OPTIMA). The project aims at optimised production of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) on marginal land in the Mediterranean region. Different cultivation and use options were investigated by comparing the entire life cycles of bioenergy and bio-based products to equivalent conventional products. The LCA results show that the cultivation of perennial grasses on marginal land and their use for stationary heat and power generation can achieve substantial greenhouse gas emission and non-renewable energy savings, with Miscanthus allowing for savings ranging up to 13 t CO2 eq./(ha · year) and 230 GJ/(ha · year), respectively. Negative environmental impacts are less pronounced. Significant parameters include irrigation needs and moisture content at harvest, which determines energy demand for technical drying. We conclude that the cultivation of perennial grasses on marginal land in the Mediterranean region provides potentials for climate change mitigation together with comparatively low other environmental impacts, if several boundary conditions and recommendations are met. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
  • Authors:
    • Calder, G.
  • Source: Climatic Change
  • Volume: 133
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: It is banal to say that different beliefs provide the basis for different conceptions of the good and diverse ways of life, the protection of which will seem to many to be paramount as a matter of justice. But what happens when those beliefs are about global processes of the magnitude of those involved in climate change, with the scale of their implications? How, and to what extent, should the diversity of local beliefs about factors relevant to climate change be factored into a normative response to the challenges it poses? This article is framed in response to the companion piece 'Local perceptions in climate change debates', which presents detailed contrasts between such beliefs in Peru and the South Tyrol. Focusing on perceptions of the nature/culture relationship as an example, I contrast 'globalist' and 'localist' normative responses to evidence of such diversity in belief. Both are limited, to the extent that they dwell on the fair treatment of beliefs. I argue that normatively speaking, what is crucial is not accommodating diversity in belief - as if beliefs about the factors implicated in climate change were on a par with other beliefs about the nature of the good - but acknowledging the requirement to make 'thick' commitments about which such beliefs are most adequate. Alongside their fascinating contributions in other respects, anthropological findings can be crucial in this one. They will help furnish the kind of understanding of human/nature relations on which a political philosophy of climate change must depend.
  • Authors:
    • Frassanito, A.
    • Gioia, G.
    • Londi, G.
    • Campedelli, T.
    • Florenzano, G.
  • Source: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
  • Volume: 213
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Steppe habitats are considered to be of great interest in terms of biodiversity conservation, specially for birds, with many rare and endangered species breeding in these habitats. The conversion to crops or other forms of cultivation, is universally recognised as the major threat for the conservation of these habitats and their biodiversity. During the 20th century, particularly in the Mediterranean basin, large areas of natural steppe habitats were plowed, causing a large decline in many bird species. Nowadays, although the economical and social context has deeply changed, many areas of steppe habitats are facing the same threat. In this paper we analysed the effects of different landscape mosaics of crops and steppes on breeding birds in the Alta Murgia National Park, one of the most important steppe areas in Italy. Specifically, we tested the effect of some landscape metrics, descriptive of crops-steppes spatial arrangement, on five Alaudidae species: Calandra lark, Skylark, Greater short-toed lark, Woodlark and Crested lark. Analysis were carried out using MaxEnt. The analyses did not find substantial differences between steppe and cropland, which would seem to be equally suitable habitats for these species. With the only exception of Greater short-toed lark, which shows a degree of ecological plasticity, all other species show a strong preference for landscapes with a high degree of connectivity and low fragmentation. Our results seem to suggest that the co-presence of crops and steppes, if the fragmentation degree at landscape scale is low, does not negatively affect the presence and abundance of steppe species, and represents a highly suitable habitat that can support nationally-important populations of endangered species such as the Calandra lark.
  • Authors:
    • Vincenzi, F.
    • Racchetti, E.
    • Soana, E.
    • Castaldelli, G.
    • Fano, E.
    • Bartoli, M.
  • Source: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
  • Volume: 212
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Within irrigated agricultural watersheds, canal networks may play a crucial role as nitrogen (N) sink. This is due to the intertwined action of macrophytes and microbial communities occurring in the dense net of small watercourses. We hypothesize that vegetated canals may buffer relevant fractions of excess N from agriculture via microbial denitrification, and that vegetation provides multiple interfaces that greatly support the activity of bacteria. To test these hypotheses, we measured net dinitrogen (N 2) fluxes in bare sediments and at the reach-scale in vegetated ditches. As study areas we selected canals subjected to diffuse N pollution, laying in a lowland sub-basin of the Po River (northern Italy). Denitrification was evaluated on the basis of changes in dissolved N 2:Ar, measured by Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry. Complementary data were obtained via upstream-downstream inorganic N balances and intact core incubations targeting sedimentary N fluxes. Denitrification was the major pathway for N removal, with rates at the reach-scale (5-25 mmol N m -2 d -1) up to one order of magnitude higher than in sediment alone (3-7 mmol N m -2 d -1). Results highlighted that N uptake by macrophyte stands was quantitatively small; however, aquatic vegetation provided multiple interfaces for microbial growth and N-related processes. Our data suggest that 1 ha of vegetated canal may remove between 150 and 560 kg N yr -1. In the study area, an average canal density of ~0.05 linear km ha -1 of agricultural land has the potential to buffer 5-17% of the excess N from agriculture (~60 kg N ha -1 yr -1). The results of this study suggest the central role of emergent vegetation in promoting microbial N-transformation and canal self-depuration. Innovative management of the canal networks should couple hydraulic needs with the maintenance of emergent vegetation.
  • Authors:
    • Ventrella, D.
    • Palumbo, A.
    • Niedda, M.
    • Giglio, L.
    • Castellini, M.
  • Source: Soil and Tillage Research
  • Volume: 154
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Biochar represents a soil conditioner that can change the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil. To date, little information is available about the biochar-induced changes on physical and hydraulic properties of fine textured soils. Therefore, an evaluation of its effects before the field use is advisable. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of biochar addition on saturated (Kfs) and unsaturated (K(h)) hydraulic conductivity, water retention, capacitive indicators such as macroporosity (Pmac), air capacity (AC), plant available water (PAWC) and relative field capacity (RFC, equal to the ratio between field capacity and saturated soil water content), dry bulk density (ρb) of a repacked clay soil. Biochar effects on simulated wheat yields were also evaluated using the DSSAT model. Five levels of amendments (0-5-10-20-30g biochar per kg-1 soil) were used and the soil columns remained in the field for about 30 months until undisturbed soil conditions were reached. No significant differences of the Kfs values were detected between amended and unamended soils and the ratio between Kfs values was, on average, equal to a factor of 1.01-0.93-0.98-1.25 (respectively for C5-C10-C20-C30). In the same way, biochar did not affect appreciably the K(h) values. Depending on the applied pressure head or the biochar concentration, the differences were within a factor of 0.83-0.39. On the contrary, significant increases of soil water retention were detected close to water saturation (0 values was, on average, equal to a factor of 1.01-0.93-0.98-1.25 (respectively for C5-C10-C20-C30). In the same way, biochar did not affect appreciably the K(h) values. Depending on the applied pressure head or the biochar concentration, the differences were within a factor of 0.83-0.39. On the contrary, significant increases of soil water retention were detected close to water saturation (0 values was, on average, equal to a factor of 1.01-0.93-0.98-1.25 (respectively for C5-C10-C20-C30). In the same way, biochar did not affect appreciably the K(h) values. Depending on the applied pressure head or the biochar concentration, the differences were within a factor of 0.83-0.39. On the contrary, significant increases of soil water retention were detected close to water saturation (0b values, our results confirm that small decreases in bulk density (on average, 0.014gcm-3) may result in appreciable modifications in soil water retention close to water saturation. The simulations carried out with DSSAT suggested that a moderate addition of biochar to a clay soil (not higher than 10gkg-1) has the potential to increase the production of durum wheat (mean increase±standard deviation, 236±126kgha-1). These findings will have to be verified under field conditions. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
  • Authors:
    • Baudino, C.
    • Peano, C.
    • Girgenti, V.
    • Tecco, N.
  • Source: Science of the Total Environment
  • Volume: 473
  • Year: 2014
  • Summary: In this study, we analysed the environmental profile of the strawberry industry in Northern Italy. The analysis was conducted using two scenarios as reference systems: strawberry crops grown in unheated plastic tunnels using currently existing cultivation techniques, post-harvest management practices and consumption patterns (scenario I) and the same strawberry cultivation chain in which some of the materials used were replaced with bio-based materials (scenario 2). In numerous studies, biodegradable polymers have been shown to be environmentally friendly, thus potentially reducing environmental impacts. These materials can be recycled into carbon dioxide and water through composting. Many materials, such as Mater-BI (R) and PLA (R) are also derived from renewable resources. The methodology chosen for the environmental analysis was a life cycle assessment (LCA) based on a consequential approach developed to assess a product's overall environmental impact from the production system to its usage and disposal. In the field stage, a traditional mulching film (non-biodegradable) could be replaced with a biodegradable product. This change would result in waste production of 0 kg/ha for the bio-based product compared to 260 kg/ha of waste for polyethylene (PE). In the post-harvest stage, the issue addressed was the use and disposal of packaging materials. The innovative scenario evaluated herein pertains to the use of new packaging materials that increase the shelf life of strawberries, thereby decreasing product losses while increasing waste management efficiency at the level of a distribution platform and/or sales outlet. In the event of product deterioration or non-sale of the product, the packaging and its contents could be collected together as organic waste without any additional processes because the packaging is compostable according to EN13432. Scenario 2 would achieve reductions of 20% in the global warming potential and non-renewable energy impact categories. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  • Authors:
    • Mauro, R.
    • Agnello, M.
    • Pesce, G.
    • Sortino, O.
    • Mauromicale, G.
  • Source: Industrial Crops and Products
  • Volume: 57
  • Year: 2014
  • Summary: Increasing the use of renewable energies as biomass offers significant opportunities for Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emission and secure its energy supply. To ensure that bioenergy develops in environmentally-compatible way, the availability of crops, such as perennials, adapted to cropping systems based on minimal production inputs and marginal lands with medium-low soil fertility, is strongly needed. To examine the potential ability in terms of biomass, achenes, and energy yield and the possible role in soil fertility conservation of two botanical varieties (cultivated and wild cardoon) of the C-3 Asteraceae, Cynara cardunculus L, a long-term experiment (seven cropping seasons) was carried out in a marginal farmland of Sicily (Southern Italy), with low soil fertility and without external inputs as fertilization, irrigation, weed and pest control from the second season onward. Under these conditions C. cardunculus improved soil fertility by increasing the soil organic matter content, organic C content, total nitrogen, assimilable P2O5 and exchangeable K, giving an annual harvestable biomass and energy yield of 14.6 t ha(-1) and 275 GJ ha(-1) (cultivated cardoon) and 7.4 t ha(-1) and 138 GJ ha(-1) (wild cardoon). The harvest time, in the third 10-day of August, allowed a very low biomass moisture, about 11% in cultivated cardoon and 7% in wild cardoon. Cultivated cardoon was capable of producing high yields until fifth season, therefore is indicated for medium long-time cropping systems. Wild cardoon showed a most stable yield pattern and plant survival over seasons, suggesting its particular suitability for perennial cropping systems of Mediterranean marginal areas. For these reasons, we have undertaken a breeding program aimed to improve the crop performances in terms of both biomass and energy yield (wild cardoon) and to stabilize the biomass production characteristics during crop ageing (cultivated cardoon). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  • Authors:
    • Cocco, S.
    • Dixon, L.
    • Trumbore, S. E.
    • Bol, R.
    • Agnelli, A.
    • Corti, G.
  • Source: Agriculture Ecosystems and Enviroment
  • Volume: 193
  • Year: 2014
  • Summary: To examine the effects of vineyard soil management on soil C and N content and quality, we studied harrowed and grass-covered vineyards on a soil developed on plio-pleistocene, marine sediments. A soil naturally covered by grasses adjacent to the vineyards served as control. To reach this goal, we assessed (1) the distribution of C and N and their 13C and 15N signatures in different soil organic matter pools, (2) the amount of C and N as live and dead vine fine roots and their 13C, 15N and 14C signatures, and (3) the stocks of C and N forms accumulated at two soil-depth intervals (0-50 and 50-100 cm). Independent of the soil management, the vines increased the total organic C and total N content in the deeper soil horizons because of root turnover and rhizodeposition processes. In the upper horizons, a greater organic matter accumulation was fostered by the presence of the grass cover and the absence of tillage. The grass cover favoured the organic C storage mainly in the form of particulate and highly stabilised organic matter (humic acids and humin), and reduced the soil N content by plant uptake, whereas the harrowing produced a greater abundance of fulvic acids, which were mainly ascribed to oxidative processes enhanced by the soil tillage. In both vineyard soils, decaying vine roots represented an important source of organic C and N, especially in the deepest horizons. Indeed, isotope analyses revealed a more intense degradation of the dead vine roots in the deeper soil portion, where they likely constituted the main substrate for soil microorganisms. In the deepest horizons of the grass-covered vineyard, the greater mean residence time of the decaying vine roots and the lower root production were attributed to the easily available energetic substrates supplied by grass root turnover and rhizodeposition, which were preferentially used by microorganisms. This fact fostered a larger C accumulation in the grass-covered than in the harrowed vineyard.