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The current guidelines of waste management are aimed at the recovery and recycling of biowaste while respecting the protection of human health and the environment. The recent European legislation on fertilizers provides for the use of digestates derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). The objectives of this study were to verify the fertilizing effect of three types of OFMSW digestates on the ryegrass culture comparing mineral fertilization and to evaluate the nitrogen lost to leaching in soil diversely fertilized following simulated rainfall. The ryegrass was grown in pots. The soil was fertilized with mineral fertilizer or OFMSW digestates. For each treatment, five mowing procedures were performed on the crop, and the ryegrass biomass production and nitrogen concentration were determined from the ryegrass samples. During the experiment, six rains were simulated, and the leached nitrogen was analyzed. The results showed that: (i) the fertilizing effect of OFMSW digestates on nitrogen nutrition of ryegrass was similar to ammonium sulphate fertilization, confirming the agronomic validity of these by-products to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers; (ii) soil fertilization with OFMSW digestates had a positive effect limiting nitrogen loss due to leaching compared to mineral fertilization, highlighting the soil-improving properties of these by-products, in particular of the composted digestate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to verify the effect on plant growth and biomass production of a new olive mill by-products named "Patè Olive Cake" (POC) generated by a multi-phase decanter (MPD) technology. POC is an olive mill by-product consisting of olive pulp, olive skin and vegetative water. The POC was treated with Eco-sustainable Separation and Extraction Technologies according to the methods developed and standardized by the ENEA Casaccia Research Center. In CREA Research Center for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), methodologies and measurement protocols were applied both for the evaluation of different fractions of POC through biological laboratory assays to highlight their nutritional, biostimulant and toxic properties and trough experimental pot tests for the evaluation for agronomic use, from the perspective of the circular economy. Several studies have been carried out on the effects of oil mill products on the biological fertility of the soil but not on the POC. In the present work the first results obtained are reported and discussed for the adoption of protocols for the evaluation of different POC fractions through laboratory bioassays. This study was conducted within the Lazio Innova ABASA project, CUP B81G18000770002 (Agricultural By-products into valuable Assets for Sustainable Agriculture). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mediterranean area many organic farms oriented toward the marketing of fresh products or toward agro-food processing have been interested in the conversion of at least a part of their horticultural production to natural cultivation systems in order to supply "natural" food to satisfy a particular market demand. In this study, the role of natural agriculture has been investigated in order to evaluate its effects in environmental safeguarding and organic farm production, contrasting soil erosion and soil organic matter decline, maintaining general soil fertility on hilly farms and supporting income in the context of climate change. This study is a field trial on a hilly farm, which compared a natural plot to an organic one. It showed that in the plot conducted with natural farming, total soil organic C increased significantly compared to the organic plot, from 1.97% to 4.16%. In organic farming system a significant increase of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) at the lower part of plot was observed as a consequence of soil loss (+ 25%). An economic analysis of the two farming systems on four farms, carried out considering the average costs and the average revenues, highlighted for the first time the greater profitability of natural cultivation compared to organic farming (+43%). The balance between safe food production, natural resources management and economic performance, obtained by substituting the organic farming with natural techniques, provides new and effective resilient agricultural practices to the organic farm sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy is based on sustainable production and consumption. In terms of circular economy, sustainable agriculture is achieved through the effective use of internal resources to self-produce and use, without waste production, green preparations for the fertilization and protection of crops. In this context, the project of a certified organic farm aims to cultivate medicinal plants to self-produce aqueous extracts of thyme and tansy, for use in crop protection, and reuse residues for composting and mulching. Regarding the environmental and economic impact, a virtuous process of cultivation and defense of agricultural crops was carried out (three-year rotation of zucchini-cabbage-chicory), to respond to market demand and to implement safety and health protection policies for farm workers and consumers. In a preliminary germination test, a stimulating effect was observed on Vicia faba seeds treated with thyme extract in which the greater elongation of the primary roots, relative to the control, was statistically significant. The effects of the extracts on the crops (weight and chlorophyll content) have always been significant. In particular, the chlorophyll content of chicory is highly significant for the remaining parameters measured for all horticultural crops in the field trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with the Directive 2009/128/EC, the spreading of biological methods based on the sustainable use of pesticides is one of the main objective aimed at limiting the risks caused by the use of pesticides on environment and health. Plant extracts offer significant advantages in terms of sustainable agriculture and represent a feasible alternative against infestant weeds and pests for disease control of crops. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is known for its stimulating properties on plant growth and also protects plants due to its bactericidal and fungicidal activity. In this study, the antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of garlic were evaluated by DPPH method, for the ability to provide stress resistance in plants. Moreovere, the bio-stimulant and repellent effect of 1 % (w/v) aqueous extract was evaluated on plants of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) in an open field test, under the spontaneous attack of parasites and pathogens. The vegetative conditions of plants were assessed by measuring the chlorophyll content in vivo using the fluorimeter SPAD 5200. To evaluate the antioxidant properties of fruits, generallly stimulated by abiotic environmental stress, we determined the antioxidant activity on zucchini harvested, using the same DPPH method. The results showed a higher fruit yield in treated plants due to higher vegetative vigour, higher chlorophyll content in their leaves and better flower induction compared to control plants. The zucchini plants seemed to have taken advantage from the repellent effect against insect vectors and the preventive effect of garlic extract used. Moreover we found that zucchini fruits had lower antioxidant activity in treated plants than in control plants, due to their better physiologic conditions. The introduction of plant extracts to replace conventional chemicals, could provide significant benefits on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidoptera are the phytophagous group most at risk of impact by insect-resistant genetically modified (GM) plants since most of these crops have been developed to express toxins to specifically target lepidopteran pests. In the case of Bt-maize cultivation, pollen grains released by GM plants could dust larval host plants growing inside or nearby maize fields, thus leading to the exposure of caterpillars to the Cry toxins. This way of exposure has been studied mainly for butterflies, whereas moths, in spite of their great diversity and abundance, were rarely considered. To evaluate the potential exposure of moth species to maize pollen in absence of Cry-expressing plants, macro-moths were sampled by means of light traps in three protected areas of Northern, Central and Southern Italy where conventional maize is among the main crops. Light traps were activated in two consecutive years (2010- 11) from the beginning of June to the end of July, a period that encompasses the anthesis of most maize cultivars grown in Italy. Overall, 11446 individuals belonging to 201 species and nine families were collected. Given that larvae of several sampled species are likely to match the criteria of potential exposure to maize pollen and susceptibility to Cry toxins, macro-moths might be considered among the potential assessment endpoints for environmental risk assessment of GM plants, especially in the vicinity of protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very limited number of field studies have addressed the suitability of Cynara cardunculus L. genotypes to local environmental conditions in terms of productive aptitude. Four genotypes of Cardoon, under low input conditions (reduced nitrogen fertilization and rainfed conditions) were compared in a marginal land of Central Italy during the 2012–2014 period: two cultivated (CDL07 and Gigante) and two wild cardoon genotypes (RCT10 and Tolfa). At the ripening stage of capitula, all plant components were weighed separately, yields were calculated, and biometric traits were measured. Genotypes showed different productive aptitudes and suitability to the pedo-climatic conditions of growth. The total aboveground dry biomass per plant ranged between 114.4 and 353.6 g with variable values within genotypes and years, whereas the partition of the aboveground biomass was strongly affected by genotypes only. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a general prevalent influence of the genotype factor on crop yields. Capitula components were of greatest importance in cultivated cardoons, but strongly affected by the annual climatic trends. The maximum achenes yield was in 2012 with 3.2 t ha −1 as a mean of the cultivated cardoons, whereas the wild genotype Tolfa reached a mean production of 2.1 t ha −1 . In general the wild genotype RCT10 demonstrated a poor adaptability to the conditions of the experimental site. On the other hand, wild genotype Tolfa might be incorporated into the local cropping systems as an industrial or bioenergy crop, due the low management inputs required, its adaptability to the local conditions, and the fairy good aboveground biomass and achenes production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on an alluvial soil with winter lettuce [Lactuca sativa (L.) cv. Bacio] plants to study, in the second year of testing and in both field and laboratory conditions, the effects of fertilizers—compost by farm residues [(FC, 2.0% nitrogen (N)], mineral (MIN, 21% N), organomineral (OM, 10% N), mycorrhizas inoculum (MYC), wine-production residue [distiller's residue (DR, 3.6% N), anaerobic digestate (AD), and mycorrhizas (ADM)—on soil physical and mechanical parameters. Application of DR plus mycorrhizas improved the available phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu) contents of the surface (0–0.20 m) soil. The soil surface macroporosity increased significantly (>20%) in treatments FC, MYC, and OM, compared to the control. Results of the oedemeter test showed that with a load of 10 daN the compression susceptibility was greater in the compost treatment compared to other fertilizers, whereas with a load of 200 daN this parameter was lower in FC, AD, MYC, and ADM treatments. The least penetration resistance in the 0- to 20-cm layer of AD and MYC treatments showed lesser values and only in treatment AD in the 20- to 40-cm layer. Hydraulic conductivity values were enhanced in AD, MYC, and ADM plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic element and its presence in food is a matter of concern for the well-being of both animals and humans. Arsenic-contaminated groundwater is used in agriculture to irrigate crops for food and animal consumption with a potential contamination of the food chain. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of arsenic effect on radish tuber (Raphanus sativus L.). Experimental plots with sandy and clay-loamy soil were cultivated with radish and treated with three different concentrations of As water solution: 19, 44 and 104 µg/L. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to visualize the tuber structural changes, and the content of elements and the As amount were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The data obtained demonstrate that As contamination in radish tuber is underlined with the dual approach. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The scope of this research is the evaluation of the effects on the toxicology and the morphology because of the arsenic (As) uptake by edible plants. The focus is on the contamination of the plant, which has implications for food safety and human health. The results obtained by magnetic resonance imaging and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy show that several changes of the internal structure occurred and that some parameters can be used as indicators of the As contamination in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the relation between concentration or release of phosphorus (P) into soil solution (CaCl 2 ‐P, determined by 0.01 M CaCl 2 extraction of soils) and soil test phosphorus (Olsen P, or 0.5 N NaHCO 3 ‐extractable soil phosphorus) for 10 widely ranging and variously managed soils from central Italy, a change point was evident where the slopes of two linear relationships meet. In other words, it was possible to distinguish two sections of the plots of CaCl 2 ‐P against Olsen P, for which increases of CaCl 2 ‐P per unit of soil test P increase were significantly ( p -1 Olsen P and were very closely correlated ( p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of application of different fertilizer phosphorus (P) sources (diammonium phosphate—DAP, single super phosphate—SSP, phosphate rock—PR, partially acidulated phosphate rock—PAPR, basic slag phosphate—BSP, and humo phosphate—HP), and time (up to three years of soil-fertilizer P equilibration) on soil extractable P was studied on two representative Italian soils, principally differing in pH values and the capacity to retain P. Phosphorus extractability was measured by seven chemical and two nonconventional soil P test methods based on the use of anion exchange resin membranes and iron oxide coated paper strips. The increases in the amount of extracted P following soil P fertilization were practically in the same order for both Ravenna and Paliano soils: DAP > SSP > HP > BSP > PAPR > PR; that order reflecting the corresponding scale of P water solubility. More P tended, however, to be dissolved from PR treatment in more acidic soil. On an average, the effectiveness of the different soil P test procedures in extracting P from two soils was in the order: Egner-P > Bray2-P > Olsen-P > Mehlich3-P > resin-P > iron oxide-strip-P > Bray1-P > water-P > CaCl2-P. The Egner soil P test method appeared to overestimate P bioavailability of all P treatments in the calcareous soil, while both the Egner and Bray2 soil tests overestimated the amount of extractable P of the PR treatment in the other soil. Data of P extracted by the Olsen and Mehlich3 procedures resulted the most closely correlated with the corresponding data obtained with the nonconventional soil P test procedures, currently considered with potential for use in widely ranging soils fertilized with water soluble as well as water insoluble P fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Olive oil is the most common vegetable oil used for human nutrition, and its production represents a major economic sector in Mediterranean countries. The milling industry generates large amounts of liquid and solid residues, whose disposal is complicated and costly due to their polluting properties. However, olive mill waste (OMW) may also be seen as a source of valuable biomolecules including plant nutrients, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds. This review describes recent advances and multidisciplinary approaches in the identification and isolation of valuable natural OMW-derived bioactive molecules. Such natural compounds may be potentially used in numerous sustainable applications in agriculture such as fertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides in alternative to synthetic substances that have a negative impact on the environment and are harmful to human health. Olive oil production generates high amounts of liquid and solid wastes. For a long time, such complex matrices were considered only as an environmental issue, due to their polluting properties. On the other hand, olive mill wastes (OMWs) exert a positive effect on plant growth when applied to soil due to the high content of organic matter and mineral nutrients. Moreover, OMWs also exhibit antimicrobial activity and protective properties against plant pathogens possibly due to the presence of bioactive molecules including phenols and polysaccharides. This review covers the recent advances made in the identification, isolation, and characterization of OMW-derived bioactive molecules able to influence important plant processes such as plant growth and defend against pathogens. Such studies are relevant from different points of view. First, basic research in plant biology may benefit from the isolation and characterization of new biomolecules to be potentially applied in crop growth and protection against diseases. Moreover, the valorization of waste materials is necessary for the development of a circular economy, which is foreseen to drive the future development of a more sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardoon yields and quality under low input conditions (reduced nitrogen fertilization and rainfed conditions) in a marginal land of Central Italy are presented. During 2011–2013, two cultivated and two wild cardoons were compared for the lignocellulosic biomass production, grain yield, and their chemical composition. The results showed a 3-year average aboveground biomass and grain yield in the range 8–18 and 1.2–2.8 t ha −1 dry matter respectively, significantly higher in the cultivated genotypes. The grain lipid contents were not significantly different as average, but the wild genotype Tolfa achieved the highest content (20.3%) in the last year of research. Average oil yields were 0.45 and 0.23 t ha −1 in cultivated and wild genotypes respectively. ANOVA showed a general prevalent influence of the genotype factor (G) on crop yields, and grain lipid and protein contents; on the other hand, the nitrogen factor (N) never showed significant effects on the different parameters. The chemical composition of the lignocellulosic biomass showed slight differences among the genotypes, but not always significant. Cardoon cultivation improved soil fertility parameters, even if differences were not always statistically different. Considering the results, dedicated production chains could be implemented in many Italian Regions taking advantage also from the availability of wild cardoon genotypes. The production costs and revenues analysis of cardoon in comparison with other herbaceous annual crops, demonstrated the low cultivation costs per hectare, the higher total revenues deriving from the yield outcomes, and its suitability for the inclusion in arable cropping systems in marginal lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of GMPs in Europe raises many questions about the environmental risks, in particular about their ecological impact on non-target organisms and on soil properties. The aim of a multidisciplinary group engaged in a LIFE + project (MAN-GMP-ITA) was to validate and improve an existing environmental risk assessment (ERA) methodology on GMPs within the European legislative framework on GMOs. Given the impossibility of evaluating GMO impact directly, as GMPs are banned in Italy, GMPs have not been used at any stage of the project. The project thus specifically focused on the conditions for the implementation of ERA in different areas of Italy, with an emphasis on some sensitive and protected areas located in the North, Centre, and South of the country, in order to lay the necessary baseline for evaluating the possible effects of a GMP on soil communities. Our sub-group carried out soil analyses in order to obtain soil health and fertility indicators to be used as baselines in the ERA model. Using various methods of chemical, biochemical, functional and genetic analysis, our study assessed the changes in diversity and functionality of bacterial populations, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The results show that plant identity and growth, soil characteristics, and field site climatic parameters are key factors in contributing to variation in microbial community structure and diversity, thus validating our methodological approach. Our project has come to the conclusion that the uneven composition and biological-agronomical quality of soils need to be taken into consideration in a risk analysis within the framework of ERA for the release of genetically modified plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]