Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in Mediterranean crops

Abstract

-Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean crops I Abstract: Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean cropsThis research approaches the question of weed control sustainability, from the point of view of soil quality maintenance and enhancing.A big choice of practices and products for weed control are available nowadays, but the actual definition of "sustainable practice" not always considers soil fertility. Soil processes timescale is wider than the productive, commercial and legislative ones. Also the definition of survey protocols is a process slower than the evolution of weed control methods.The faster reaction in the soil ecosystem after an external pressure is given by the organisms living in it, and the microbial community is finally the most effective agent in nutrient recycling processes.In this investigation, the same soil analysis protocol was applied on soil samples exposed to different weed management and control methods. Using soil quality indexes and bioindicators, soil properties variations after the different weed control treatments were compared. In particular soil carbon pool and how microbial community recycles was surveyed. A standard protocol to both find variations in long-term soil quality and survey the short-term impact of weed control practices on soil biological processes was defined.Weed management practices can interact with the nutrients recycling processes performed by the microorganisms living in the soil. These processes have a central role in maintaining soil fertility, one of the most important resources for agriculture.Three weed management practices were compared: the use of synthetic (oxyfluorfen) or natural (essential oils and aqueous extracts) herbicides and two mechanical methods (tillage and mulching).Soil fertility was monitored measuring soil physical-chemical values and elaborating soil quality indexes and bioindicators.Effects of different weed control practices on soil quality in mediterranean crops II Riassunto: Effetti di diverse tecniche di gestione delle erbe infestanti dei coltivi mediterranei sulla qualità del suolo Questa ricerca si occupa di un ramo della sostenibilità ambientale del controllo delle arvensi infestanti, dal punto di vista del mantenimento e del miglioramento della qualità del suolo. Oggi è disponibile sul mercato una vasta gamma di prodotti e di tecniche, ma la stessa definizione di "pratica sostenibile" non sempre tiene in considerazione la fertilità del suolo.I processi che avvengono nel suolo hanno infatti scale temporali più ampie rispetto a quelli produttivi, commerciali e legislativi. Anche la definizione dei protocolli di indagine è un processo più lento rispetto all'evoluzione commerciale dei metodi di controllo delle infestanti. In seguito ad una pressione esterna, la parte dell'ecosistema suolo che reagisce più velocemente sono gli organismi che in esso vivono, e la comunità microbica è in definitiva l'operatore più efficace nel riciclare i nutrienti del suolo.In...

Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Water Stress and Salinity of the Invasive Moth Plant, Araujia sericifera Brot., during Seed Germination and Vegetative Growth

“…The seeds of Araujia sericifera were separated from fruits that were collected from an organic tangerine orchard that is situated at the coordinates 39.6235090, −0.2905290 (39°37 24.6 N 0°17 25.9 W), in Puçol, Valencia province, Spain. The soil has a loam texture with 30.60% sand, 47.55% silt, and 21.85% clay, and the pH is basic [29]. Figure 1 depicts the mature fruits (a) and seeds (b) of one of the moth plants that was sampled.…”