Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marton Mucsi, Gergely Krett, Tibor Szili-Kovacs, Janos Moga, Andrea K. Borsodi
Summary: This study conducted a comparative analysis of soil microbial profiles in a doline located at Aggtelek, Hungary, revealing that vegetation type influences the composition of soil bacterial communities, and seasonality has a significant impact on substrate usage.
FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Ibrahim, Ali Noman, Jianying Shang, Abid Mahmood, Muhammad Mubashir, Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Hui Suan Ng, Pau Loke Show
Summary: This research investigated the use of goethite-modified biochar (GMBC) in immobilizing arsenic in paddy soil and reducing its accumulation in rice grains. The results showed that GMBC supplementation significantly improved rice plant biomass and reduced arsenic content in rice grains. The application of GMBC also enhanced soil enzyme activity, bacterial abundance, and decreased arsenic mobility in the soil.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carolina Picchi, Lucia Giorgetti, Elisabetta Morelli, Marco Landi, Irene Rosellini, Martina Grifoni, Elisabetta Franchi, Gianniantonio Petruzzelli, Meri Barbafieri
Summary: Phytoremediation using Cannabis sativa and Brassica juncea showed potential in the sustainable remediation of heavily arsenic-contaminated soil. While the plants showed no symptoms in arsenic-contaminated soil, biomass reduction was observed. Phosphate treatment did not affect arsenic uptake but significantly improved plant performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Manuella Strukelj, William Parker, Emmanuel Corcket, Laurent Augusto, Rim Khlifa, Herve Jactel, Alison D. Munson
Summary: This study found that under high water availability conditions, tree species richness significantly increased soil microbial biomass and had some effects on soil microbial activity. However, under low water availability conditions, the effects of tree species richness on microbial processes were not significant, indicating that environmental conditions can impact the role of tree diversity in soil biological processes.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yudi M. Lozano, Timon Lehnert, Lydia T. Linck, Anika Lehmann, Matthias C. Rillig
Summary: The research revealed that microplastics of different shapes, polymers, and concentrations have varying effects on soil properties and plant performance. Fibers can increase plant biomass, films decrease soil density, and foams and fragments may enhance soil aeration. However, microplastics also decrease soil aggregation and microbial activity, indicating potential negative impacts on soil health.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Shafiqur Rahman, Ismail M. M. Rahman, Hiroshi Hasegawa
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzes and evaluates geogenic arsenic contamination in excavated soils worldwide, and provides an overview of management and mitigation methods. The study found that arsenic levels in excavated soils exceed regulatory limits, posing a threat to the environment and human health. While there are numerous arsenic remediation techniques, specific measures are required for geogenic arsenic contamination in excavated soils. Furthermore, the suitability and effectiveness of most conventional and advanced remediation techniques need further exploration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. S. M. Fazle Bari, Dane Lamb, Geoff R. MacFarlane, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
Summary: This study investigated the remediation of arsenic-contaminated abandoned mine soils. Oxalic acid was found to be the most effective washing reagent. Washing reduced the leachability and bioaccessibility of arsenic and iron in the treated soil, but it still exceeded the remediation criteria. Soil washing and subsequent solidification/stabilization could be an alternative option for remediating extremely contaminated abandoned mine soils.
Article
Plant Sciences
Koser Bano, Bharty Kumar, Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni, Parvaiz Ahmad
Summary: This study examined the role of elemental sulfur in protecting Brassica napus plants from arsenic toxicity. The results showed that the application of sulfur alleviated the negative impacts of arsenic on plant growth and photosynthesis. Sulfur also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of plants and strengthened their defense capability against arsenic stress. The study suggests that sulfur could be used to promote the growth of B. napus plants in polluted agricultural soils.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rafael G. Lacalle, Maria T. Gomez-Sagasti, Carlos Garbisu, Jose M. Becerril
Summary: This study investigated the degradation dynamics of commercially-available biodiesel blends in soil polluted with metals, and found that biodiesel had a lower impact on soil health compared to diesel. Soil health was improved when bio-stabilized municipal solid waste was added as organic amendment, enhancing FAME degradation and microbial activity while reducing phytotoxicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kwang Mo Yang, Toemthip Poolpak, Prayad Pokethitiyook, Maleeya Kruatrachue
Summary: This study investigates the rhizosphere effect of cowpea on microbial activities, population, and community structure in crude oil contaminated soil, with or without the plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) M. luteus WN01. Results demonstrate that the interaction between cowpea and PGPB plays a positive role in promoting rhizodegradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in oil contaminated soil.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. L. Matzen, G. P. Lobo, S. C. Fakra, A. Kakouridis, P. S. Nico, C. E. Pallud
Summary: Plant-soil interactions play a crucial role in the availability of arsenic and nutrients in arsenic-contaminated soils, affecting the uptake, tolerance, and leaching of arsenic in plants. The availability of arsenic was higher and nutrient content was lower in coarse-textured soil, resulting in greater arsenic uptake, lower biomass, and higher leaching of arsenic from the soil. Pteris vittata hyperaccumulated arsenic from coarse-textured soil, but not from medium-textured soil. Arsenic uptake by the fern was always greater than the loss through leaching.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shyna Bhalla, Neera Garg
Summary: Arsenic pollution in soil affects plant growth and reproduction negatively. Silicon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can enhance soil properties, increase plant nutrient absorption, biomass, and chlorophyll content, and improve reproductive attributes, mitigating arsenic toxicity in pigeonpea plants under stress.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Feng Gao, Haoxin Fan, Stephen J. Chapman, Huaiying Yao
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the factors influencing substrate induced respiration (SIR) profiles and to revisit the assumptions of the MicroResp(TM) method. Two different soils were analyzed using the MicroResp(TM) assay and high-throughput sequencing. The results indicated that SIR profiles were determined by microbial community characteristics, incubation duration, and soil type. Prolonged incubation (> 6 h) could alter microbial structure through growth and community alteration.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiangtao Qiao, Jingyu Liu, Alejandro Palomo, Benjamin C. C. Bostick, Kongkea Phan, Yan Zheng, Fangbai Li
Summary: Microbially mediated inorganic-methylated arsenic transformation is crucial to rice safety. Bacteria harbor the most genes related to arsenic biotransformation, and some bacteria contain both arsM and arsI genes. The presence of the methylated arsenic pool and the arsenic methylation-demethylation cycle should be considered in paddy fields for rice safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hanhao Li, Yongtao Li, Xing Li, Xun Wen Chen, Aoyu Chen, Li Wu, Ming Hung Wong, Hui Li
Summary: Cabbage grown in contaminated soils can accumulate high levels of arsenic, which poses serious health risks. The efficiency of arsenic uptake varies among different cabbage cultivars, and this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. By comparing low (HY) and high As accumulating cultivars (GD), it was found that HY showed reduced As uptake and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, as well as increased shoot biomass, under low As concentration. At high As concentration, HY exhibited thicker root cell walls and higher protein content, which reduced arsenic damage and increased shoot biomass compared to GD. Therefore, factors such as higher protein content, root activity, and thickened root cell walls contribute to lower As accumulation in HY compared to GD.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mauro Scungio, Silvia Crognale, Davide Lelli, Eleonora Carota, Giuseppe Calabro
Summary: The research was conducted in a natural cave in Viterbo, Italy, where aerosol and bioaerosol characterization revealed that the cave's aerosols consist mainly of larger particles with low microbial load, leading to a low risk of infection.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alessandro Cammerata, Rosita Marabottini, Viviana Del Frate, Enrica Allevato, Samuela Palombieri, Francesco Sestili, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: In this study, micronisation and air classification technologies were used to reduce organic and inorganic contaminants in durum wheat samples. The results showed that this technology is effective in manufacturing unrefined products with lower levels of contaminants.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Rita Stazi, Enrica Allevato, Rosita Marabottini, Leonardo Digiesi, Andrea Vannini, Gabriele Chilosi
Summary: The study showed that fertilization with compost can effectively increase soil organic matter content and reduce arsenic accumulation in Swiss chard leaves, leading to improved crop yield and soil fertility in a volcanic area.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Veronica Santoro, Michela Schiavon, Ivan Visentin, Maria Martin, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Francesca Cardinale, Luisella Celi
Summary: This study reveals the role of strigolactones (SLs) in modulating tomato plants' acclimation to phosphorus deficiency. SL-depleted tomato plants were more efficient in phosphorus acquisition than wild-type plants, although the phosphorus acquisition efficiency did not significantly increase. This highlights the central role of SLs in controlling phosphorus uptake and optimizing the cost/benefit ratio of phosphorus acquisition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Capobianco, Giuseppe Bonifazi, Silvia Serranti, Rosita Marabottini, Maria Luisa Antenozio, Maura Cardarelli, Patrizia Brunetti, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: In this study, benchtop micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (mu XRF) was evaluated as a green and cost-effective multielemental analytical technique for P. vittata. The results show that mu XRF can provide comparable arsenic (As) content values as inductively coupled plasma-optical emissions spectrometry (ICP-OES), as well as reliable results for micro- and macronutrient concentrations. Positive correlations between As and potassium (K) contents, and negative correlations between As and iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) contents were found at both high and moderate As concentrations.
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniel Said-Pullicino, Rodolfo Lizcano Toledo, Cristina Lerda, Maria Martin, Flavio Fornasier, Emilia Fernandez-Ondono, Luisella Celi
Summary: Phosphorus is a limiting nutrient in agroecosystems and affects biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by leguminous plants. This study found that adding inorganic phosphorus significantly improved the growth and BNF capacity of hairy vetch, while the effect of organic phosphorus was limited.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Rodolfo Lizcano Toledo, Cristina Lerda, Barbara Moretti, Eleonora Miniotti, Veronica Santoro, Emilia Fernandez-Ondono, Maria Martin, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Marco Romani, Luisella Celi
Summary: This study found that planting and incorporation of hairy vetch can significantly increase rice grain yield and reduce nitrogen fertilizer use in temperate cropping systems. Hairy vetch also provides readily available nitrogen and phosphorus sources for rice, allowing for better synchronization of soil nutrient availability and crop nutrient demand, resulting in improved rice grain yield and quality performance.
Review
Agronomy
Valentina Quintarelli, Emanuele Radicetti, Enrica Allevato, Silvia Rita Stazi, Ghulam Haider, Zainul Abideen, Safia Bibi, Aftab Jamal, Roberto Mancinelli
Summary: Cover cropping is a promising and sustainable agronomic practice that improves soil health and crop performance by regulating ecosystem services. Careful selection of species, cultivation period, and termination method is crucial for achieving desired effects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonio Pannico, Giuseppe Carlo Modarelli, Silvia Rita Stazi, Matteo Giaccone, Raffaele Romano, Youssef Rouphael, Chiara Cirillo
Summary: Foliar nutrition is used globally to address microelement deficiencies and optimize yield performances, but it can also positively impact hazelnut nut quality and kernel composition. Recent studies emphasize the importance of managing not only micronutrients, but also major components like nitrogen for sustainable orchard nutrition. In our research, various foliar fertilizers were tested to understand their effectiveness in supporting hazelnut productivity and improving nut and kernel quality. The results showed that foliar fertilization influenced tree growth, increased kernel weight, and reduced blank incidence compared to the control. Treatment differences were also observed in fat, protein, and carbohydrate concentration, with fertilized treatments showing higher fat concentrations and total polyphenol content. The composition of oil in the kernels was also improved through foliar fertilization, although the response of fatty acid composition to nutrient spray varied. Oleic acid concentration increased while palmitic acid concentration decreased in fertilized plants. Additionally, CD and B trees exhibited a higher ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids compared to untreated trees. Finally, foliar spraying improved lipid stability by increasing total polyphenol concentration.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hafeez Ur Rahim, Enrica Allevato, Francesco Primo Vaccari, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: This study investigates the aging process of biochar (BC) with humic substances (HSs), and the impact of BC and HSs on soil properties, nutrient pools, microbial communities, metal ion immobilization, and plant performance. The results show that the co-application of aged BC with HSs is more effective in enhancing nutrient pools, accessibility to plants, pollutant amelioration, and microbial activities, leading to improved plant performance.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Hafeez Ur Rahim, Enrica Allevato, Emanuele Radicetti, Francesco Carbone, Silvia Rita Stazi
Summary: The copious amounts of data generated through publications have played a crucial role in advancing Science, Technology, and Policy, providing valuable information on research topics and emerging trends. Biochar has greatly contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, with extensive research on modified or functionalized biochar. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analysis on aging biochar for agro-environmental applications, which this study aims to address.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Andrea Conte, Patrizia Brunetti, Enrica Allevato, Silvia Rita Stazi, Maria Luisa Antenozio, Laura Passatore, Maura Cardarelli
Summary: This article presents an attempt to link phytomanagement, art, and social involvement. The Remediation Project in Rome aimed to find sustainable solutions for a riparian area and involved citizens in a preliminary survey and a demonstrative experiment on phytoremediation. The project also organized social and cultural events, demonstrating the potential of art to raise curiosity on scientific issues.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Rosario Paolo Mauro, Silvia Rita Stazi, Miriam Distefano, Francesco Giuffrida, Rosita Marabottini, Leo Sabatino, Enrica Allevato, Claudio Cannata, Federico Basile, Cherubino Leonardi
Summary: This experiment investigated the effects of two phosphorus regimes and grafting on yield and composition of eggplant fruits. The results showed that reducing phosphorus supply and grafting could effectively enhance fruit yield and nutritional traits in eggplant, but led to a decrease in Fe concentration.
