Rapid Response Indicators for Predicting Changes in Soil Properties Due to Solarization or Biosolarization on an Intensive Horticultural Crop in Semiarid Regions

Abstract

Agriculture practices developed since the middle of the last century have led to the degradation of different resources and made it necessary to promote agricultural models that are less aggressive towards nature. Sustainable agricultural growth requires a more efficient use of land. An experimental model was designed with four treatments in the Campo de Cartagena area (SE Spain): biosolarization with manure (BSM), biosolarization with brassicas (BB), solarization (S), and a pilot test (PT). The general objective was to determine by means of rapid response indicators the changes occurring in soil properties as a consequence of the implementation of these solarization or biosolarization practices and their influence on the quality and yield of a lettuce crop. The results show that there was no significant response in the physical and biological properties of the soil. Physicochemical properties such as pHw, and electrical conductivity (ECe), as well as chemicals such as total nitrogen (TN) and the content of some macro and micronutrients, can be considered as rapid response indicators. The highest yields (Yc) and highest commercial quality (Mc) of lettuce were obtained in the BB and BSM treatments (Yc > 23,000 kg ha−1; Mc > 413 g). These treatments resulted in biological NO3− sequestration and, in the case of BB, salt immobilization (ECe: 6 dS m−1). According to these results, BSM and BB can be recommended for sustainable agriculture and even as valid methods for the recovery of soils affected by salts and NO3−. Our results should increase the feasibility of these techniques in semiarid areas.

Agro-Ecological Impact of Irrigation and Nutrient Management on Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Grown in Semi-Arid Conditions

“…The most soluble ions (NO 3 − , Cl − , Na + , etc.) were concentrated in these leachates, similar to the results reported by Li-Xan et al [59] Finally, the increase in pH observed in some treatments has been attributed by some authors [60] to the alkalinizing effect of the organic amendments added and to the high concentration of Na + in the irrigation water, which may induce the alkalinization of the exchange complex and, therefore, an increase in soil pH.…”

“…The vertical dynamics of chlorides in the soil horizons is due to the washing process, typical in these soils under both natural and cultivated conditions, which justifies the generalized decrease in the concentration of Cl − at the surface that stabilizes as the cycle progresses, as has also been shown by Sánchez-Navarro et al and Fontela et al [60,64], among others, who point to a process of soil salinization. However, the dynamics of SO 4 −2 in the soil are affected, as is NO 3 − , by the processes of absorption by the crop and washing, which should cause a decrease in concentration at the soil surface as vegetative development progresses; however, the significant contribution by irrigation water compensates for these processes and, together with its low solubility, justifies the increase in concentration in the surface horizons.…”

“…In this mode of agriculture, sustainable soil management is practiced, which generates jobs and ensures the sustainable development of rural agroecosystems. On the other hand, the use of poor-quality irrigation water causes a considerable increase in salts in the soil, some of which cause salinization and alkalinization processes, as has been shown by different authors [60], which can lead to the loss of its productive potential and even make it unviable for agricultural use. This conclusion was reached by the authors of [75], who indicated that by 2050, these types of degradation could reduce arable land by between 8 and 20%, especially in arid and semi-arid areas such as the Mediterranean basin.…”

A Comprehensive Review of Plastics in Agricultural Soils: A Case Study of Castilla y León (Spain) Farmlands

“…In Spain, plastic padding is widely practiced in many areas, such as Almeria and Murcia [85][86][87][88][89][90]. The representation of greenhouses in relation to arable land in 2013 was Land 2023, 12, 1888 6 of 21 0.4% in Spain, 1.3% in Andalusia, 16.6% in the province of Almería, 15.8% in the Canary Islands, and 1.4% in the Region of Murcia [87].…”

Geodesy, Cartography and Aerial Photography

“…Spanish scientists A. Sanches-Navarro, R. Jimenez-Ballesta, A. Jirona-Ruiz and others. proposed rapid response indicators for predicting changes in soil properties due to solarization or biosolarization on intensive horticultural crops in semi-arid regions Sánchez-Navarro et al, 2022]. These authors developed an experimental model with four treatments in the Campo de Cartagena area (Spain).…”