Water-saving techniques for restoring desertified lands: some lessons from the field

In the light of the current climate crisis, one of the most serious ecological threats is the increase of desertification. In this context, restoration projects are necessary for reverting land degradation, and nature-based solutions could help them. The Cocoon™ has been designed as a new ecotechnology for improving seedling establishment. The Cocoon consists of a donut-shaped container made out of recycled cardboard that provides water and shelter to the seedling, at least during its first year, which is the most critical for plant establishment. The Cocoon was tested on a variety of soils, Mediterranean mesoclimates, vegetation and land uses that allowed testing the effectiveness of this ecotechnology under different conditions. Six planting trials, five of them in Spain (Canary Islands, Almería, Catalonia and two in Valencia), and one in Ptolemais (Greece), were performed. With the objective of studying its functionality, the survival of the seedlings, their vigor and growth were monitored along two years. In general, the Cocoon has proven its effectiveness by increasing seedling survival compared to the conventional planting system, especially under dry growing conditions (low rainfall, soils with low water holding capacity). The Cocoon also allowed for higher growth of some species (olive trees, olm oaks and Aleppo pines). Moreover, a positive correlation between the rainfall on the site and the degradation degree of the Cocoon device was observed. Overall, the Cocoon becomes more efficient the more arid the climate or the more difficult the growing conditions are.

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The influence of girdling on flower type, number, inflorescence density, fruit set, and yields in three different olive cultivars (Barnea, Picual, and Souri)

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar04094 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 56 (8) ◽

pp. 827 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

A. G. Levin ◽

S. Lavee

Keyword(s):

Fruit Set ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Young Age ◽

First Year ◽

Saline Irrigation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Olive Cultivars ◽

Flower Type ◽

Olive Trees ◽

Growing Conditions

The influence of girdling on flower type and number, inflorescence density, and fruit set in 3 different olive cultivars (Barnea, Picual, and Souri) under intensive growing conditions using saline irrigation water was studied for 3 years. The density of inflorescences on the branches was not affected by girdling in any of the 3 cultivars during any of the 3 consecutive years studied. Also, no clear relation between the number of flowers and girdling was found in any of the 3 cultivars tested. The percentage of perfect flowers on the girdled scaffolds of cvv. Barnea and Picual increased significantly, except for Picual in 2002 where no differences were observed. However, no such difference between the non-girdled and girdled scaffolds was observed in cv. Souri. Comparison of fruit set on non-girdled and girdled scaffolds showed a similar and generally positive response to the treatment in the examined cultivars. However, in the third year of the study, no significant difference between the non-girdled and girdled scaffolds was observed. A significantly higher yield of the girdled trees was measured in the 3 cultivars during the first year after the winter girdling. Due to the young age of the trees the effect of girdling on yield was not further recorded. Fruit size on the girdled scaffolds was smaller than those from the non-girdled ones, as a consequence a higher percentage of fruit set was observed on the first ones. The results presented in this study point to different varietal responses of olive trees to girdling. However, this might also be due to the young age of the trees in this study as well as the peculiar agronomic condition of the trees.

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Effect of Low Zeolite Doses on Plants and Soil Physicochemical Properties

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14102617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 2617

Author(s):

Alicja Szatanik-Kloc ◽

Justyna Szerement ◽

Agnieszka Adamczuk ◽

Grzegorz Józefaciuk

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Physicochemical Properties ◽

Cation Exchange ◽

Surface Area ◽

Cation Exchange Capacity ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

First Year ◽

Soil Physicochemical Properties ◽

Water Holding

Thousands of tons of zeolitic materials are used yearly as soil conditioners and components of slow-release fertilizers. A positive influence of application of zeolites on plant growth has been frequently observed. Because zeolites have extremely large cation exchange capacity, surface area, porosity and water holding capacity, a paradigm has aroused that increasing plant growth is caused by a long-lasting improvement of soil physicochemical properties by zeolites. In the first year of our field experiment performed on a poor soil with zeolite rates from 1 to 8 t/ha and N fertilization, an increase in spring wheat yield was observed. Any effect on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), surface area (S), pH-dependent surface charge (Qv), mesoporosity, water holding capacity and plant available water (PAW) was noted. This positive effect of zeolite on plants could be due to extra nutrients supplied by the mineral (primarily potassium—1 ton of the studied zeolite contained around 15 kg of exchangeable potassium). In the second year of the experiment (NPK treatment on previously zeolitized soil), the zeolite presence did not impact plant yield. No long-term effect of the zeolite on plants was observed in the third year after soil zeolitization, when, as in the first year, only N fertilization was applied. That there were no significant changes in the above-mentioned physicochemical properties of the field soil after the addition of zeolite was most likely due to high dilution of the mineral in the soil (8 t/ha zeolite is only ~0.35% of the soil mass in the root zone). To determine how much zeolite is needed to improve soil physicochemical properties, much higher zeolite rates than those applied in the field were studied in the laboratory. The latter studies showed that CEC and S increased proportionally to the zeolite percentage in the soil. The Qv of the zeolite was lower than that of the soil, so a decrease in soil variable charge was observed due to zeolite addition. Surprisingly, a slight increase in PAW, even at the largest zeolite dose (from 9.5% for the control soil to 13% for a mixture of 40 g zeolite and 100 g soil), was observed. It resulted from small alterations of the soil macrostructure: although the input of small zeolite pores was seen in pore size distributions, the larger pores responsible for the storage of PAW were almost not affected by the zeolite addition.

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Preparation of Organic Crystal Seed and Its Application in Improving the Functional Period of Biodegradable Agricultural Film

Crystals ◽

10.3390/cryst11070826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 826

Author(s):

Runmeng Qiao ◽

Xin Wang ◽

Guangjiong Qin ◽

Qi Liu ◽

Jialei Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Degradation Rate ◽

Low Cost ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Growth Period ◽

Nucleating Agent ◽

Degree Of Crystallinity ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Agricultural Films ◽

Degradation Degree ◽

Water Holding

White pollution caused by agricultural films has recently attracted great attention. In some areas, the content of micro plastic in the soil has reached 30 kg/ha. The most effective way to solve this problem is to replace traditional polyethylene agricultural films with degradable agricultural films. The consistency between the degradation rate and the crop growth period has become the biggest obstacle for the wide application of such novel agricultural films. In this paper, crystallinity regulation is used to adjust the functional period of degradable agricultural films. In addition, an organic nucleating agent of polyethylenimine (PEI) is selected by doping it to poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) polymers using a double-screw extruder. The PBAT doped with 1 wt% PEI films revealed a significant increase in mechanical properties, water holding capacity, and crystallinity compared with the pure PBAT film. There was a 31.9% increase in tensile strength, a 30.5% increase in elongation at break, a 29.6% increase in tear resistance, a 30.9% decrease in water vapor permeability, and a 3.1% increase in crystallinity. Furthermore, the induction period of PBAT doped with 1 wt% PEI under photoaging (without soil) was about 160 h longer than PBAT film, and the experienced biodegradation in soil (without light) was 1 week longer than PBAT film. Experimental results exhibited that the change of degradation degree was linearly proportional to the degree of crystallinity. This study proposes a convenient, low-cost, and effective method to adjust the crystallinity and change the degradation rate.

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Variation in vegetation cover and seedling performance of tree species in a forest-savanna ecotone

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467418000469 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 74-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hamza Issifu ◽

George K. D. Ametsitsi ◽

Lana J. de Vries ◽

Gloria Djaney Djagbletey ◽

Stephen Adu-Bredu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Cover ◽

Seedling Recruitment ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Tree Cover ◽

First Year ◽

Transplant Experiment ◽

Tree Seedling ◽

Savanna Woodland ◽

Specific Effects ◽

Species Specific

AbstractDifferential tree seedling recruitment across forest-savanna ecotones is poorly understood, but hypothesized to be influenced by vegetation cover and associated factors. In a 3-y-long field transplant experiment in the forest-savanna ecotone of Ghana, we assessed performance and root allocation of 864 seedlings for two forest (Khaya ivorensis and Terminalia superba) and two savanna (Khaya senegalensis and Terminalia macroptera) species in savanna woodland, closed-woodland and forest. Herbaceous vegetation biomass was significantly higher in savanna woodland (1.0 ± 0.4 kg m−2 vs 0.2 ± 0.1 kg m−2 in forest) and hence expected fire intensities, while some soil properties were improved in forest. Regardless, seedling survival declined significantly in the first-year dry-season for all species with huge declines for the forest species (50% vs 6% for Khaya and 16% vs 2% for Terminalia) by year 2. After 3 y, only savanna species survived in savanna woodland. However, best performance for savanna Khaya was in forest, but in savanna woodland for savanna Terminalia which also had the highest biomass fraction (0.8 ± 0.1 g g−1 vs 0.6 ± 0.1 g g−1 and 0.4 ± 0.1 g g−1) and starch concentration (27% ± 10% vs 15% ± 7% and 10% ± 4%) in roots relative to savanna and forest Khaya respectively. Our results demonstrate that tree cover variation has species-specific effects on tree seedling recruitment which is related to root storage functions.

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Biochar Improves Plant Growth and Reduces Nutrient Leaching in Red Clay Loam and Sandy Loam

Hydro Nepal Journal of Water Energy and Environment ◽

10.3126/hn.v11i1.7221 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 86-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kalpana Pudasaini ◽

Nanjappa Ashwath ◽

Kerry Walsh ◽

Thakur Bhattarai

Keyword(s):

Sandy Loam ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Plant Establishment ◽

Clay Loam Soil ◽

Red Clay ◽

Green Waste ◽

Loam Soil ◽

Shoot Weight ◽

Water Holding

A factorial pot experiment was conducted using two types of soils (sandy loam and red clay loam) that are commonly used for commercial vegetable production in Bundaberg, region of Central Queensl and Australia. The soils were amended with 0, 25, 50 and 75 t/ha of green waste biochar and minimum doses of N, P and K (30 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha and 40 kg/ha respectively). After two weeks of plant establishment, the pots were leached with 1.5 litres of deionised water at week intervals, and cation concentrations of the leachate were determined. In 25 t/ha biochar treatment, there was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in K and Ca leaching by 40% and 26% respectively from sandy loam, and of Ca by 23% from the red clay loam. Soil water holding capacity and soil organic carbon were also increased in both biochar treated soils. After 12 weeks of growth, shoot weight was signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher in 25 t/ha biochar-treated sandy loam and red clay loam (32% and 31% respectively). These results clearly demonstrated that a higher yield of capsicum can be achieved from green waste biochar application in sandy loam and red clay loam at 25 t/ha biochar.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v11i1.7221 Hydro Nepal Special Issue: Conference Proceedings 2012 pp.86-90

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Different habitats, different pressures? Analysis of escape behaviour and ectoparasite load in Podarcis sicula (Lacertidae) populations in different agricultural habitats

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853809789647068 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 453-461 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Claudia Corti ◽

Marta Biaggini ◽

Roberto Berti

Keyword(s):

Habitat Structure ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Olive Tree ◽

Tree Plantations ◽

Land Uses ◽

Escape Behaviour ◽

Podarcis Sicula ◽

Long Time ◽

Olive Trees ◽

Ectoparasite Load

AbstractHuman agricultural activities can deeply alter the environment thus provoking major impacts on a variety of organisms. Agricultural habitats however can be very different from one another in terms of habitat structure and management intensity, presenting varying pressures and/or benefits for different species. Agro-ecosystems can have opposing effects on reptiles and in some circumstances the presence of a species can even been enhanced by agricultural practices. We focused our study on Podarcis sicula, a relatively widespread lacertid lizard commonly present in agro-environments in Italy. We examined escape behaviour, caudal autotomy rates and ectoparasite load (tick infestation) in populations living in two different land uses, olive tree plantations and vineyards. All three aspects seemed to be deeply influenced by habitat structure. Predation pressure, as evaluated by tail break frequency, was lower in olive tree plantations, the most structurally complex habitats. In this type of habitat lizard escape behaviour was characterised by a clear preference for olive trees as refuges: individuals ran farther distances on average to reach the trees and hid inside them for a relatively long time. In vineyards, on the contrary, a less clear escape strategy was observed, showing a use of more temporary refuges. Also tick (Ixodes ricinus) infestation differed among land uses, being higher in olive tree plantations, probably in relation to vegetation cover features. Differences were found also between managements (with a higher tick load in traditional cultivations) and sexes, with males being more parasitized.

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Determination of optimal sowing dates and densities of winter wheat under Quebec growing conditions

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2018-0165 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

pp. 221-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francis Allard ◽

Anne Vanasse ◽

Denis Pageau ◽

Gilles Tremblay ◽

Julie Durand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Winter Survival ◽

Seeding Density ◽

Good Survival ◽

First Year ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Yield Gain ◽

Growing Conditions

The objective of this project was to determine the optimal sowing dates and densities for winter wheat to increase winter survival and yield under Quebec growing conditions. The trials were carried out from 2014 to 2016 at four sites, representing three cereal production zones (zones 1, 2, and 3). Three cultivars were assessed using four sowing dates and four seeding densities (250, 350, 450, and 550 seeds m−2). In the first year, the wheat at two of the four sites survived (82%–100%), and in the second year, all the sites showed good survival rates (69%–99%). In zone 2, winter survival was higher for the early sowing dates compared with later dates. Sowing date and seeding density had no effect on survival in zones 1 and 3. Maximum yields were attained with sowing dates from mid- to late September in zone 1; from early to mid-September in zone 2; and from mid-August to mid-September in zone 3. An increase in seeding density from 250 to 550 seeds m−2 led to an average yield gain of 9% in zones 2 and 3, but no gain in zone 1. Winter survival rates and yield differ between cultivars.

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Reforestation with Abies cephalonica Loudon: a five-year study of seedling survival

Management of Environmental Quality An International Journal ◽

10.1108/meq-01-2015-0013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 136-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vassilis Detsis ◽

Georgios Efthimiou ◽

Olga Theodoropoulou ◽

Stavroula Siorokou

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

First Year ◽

Seedling Height ◽

Content Type ◽

Abies Cephalonica ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Statistical Relationships ◽

Artificial Shading ◽

Seedling Characteristics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish the effects on the survival of outplanted Abies cephalonica Loudon seedlings of seedling characteristics, site characteristics and management practices. Design/methodology/approach – The study was carried out by repeatedly monitoring survival of seedlings during a five-year period as well as establishing statistical relationships with a set of variables belonging to the aforementioned categories. It took place in plots reforested after a wildfire in the Parnitha Mt. National Park, near Athens, Greece. Findings – The odds of survival were found to be affected by bedrock type, dominant vegetation, initial seedling height and use of shading implements. Artificial shading was most important during the first year, site-related characteristics gained importance with increasing age and seedling height was of relatively constant importance. Shifts in temporal patterns of mortality and damage symptoms occurrence suggest that the mechanisms causing mortality changed with increasing age. Practical implications – The use of large seedlings in reforestation projects involving A. cephalonica should be preferred. Shading improves survival but due to the high costs this technique could be reserved for unfavorable plots, e.g. on limestone. Planting A. cephalonica in marginal sites should be avoided. Originality/value – The knowledge of the performance of A. cephalonica outplanted seedlings is very limited, while the need is increasing due to the spread of wildfires in this previously unaffected habitat.

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Yield and Economic Return Estimates for Eight Blueberry Cultivars Grown in Kentucky

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.4.556e ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 556E-556d

Author(s):

Tim Woods ◽

Dwight Wolfe ◽

Gerald R. Brown

Keyword(s):

Fruit Ripening ◽

Net Present Value ◽

The Other ◽

First Year ◽

Yield Data ◽

Market Prices ◽

Present Value Model ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Research And Education ◽

Value Model

Yield data from a highbush blueberry planting established in 1993 at the Univ. of Kentucky Research and Education Center, Princeton, Ky., was collected over a 5-year period for eight cultivars. The economic impact of yield of each cultivar was calculated for each cultivar using a net present value model based on prevailing market prices and costs of production. These returns were compared across cultivars and an assessment of the economic potential for Kentucky growing conditions was considered. `Duke' and `Sierra' produced the most fruit over the 5-year period of this study. `Duke' was also the earliest ripening cultivar in the planting, with 14.3% of `Duke's fruit ripening during the first week of June. Sunrise also ripened early, with 7.7% of its fruit ripening during the first week of June. Picking for the other cultivars (`Sierra', `Bluecrop', `Blue Gold', `Toro', `Nelson', and `Patriot'), began during the second week of June and was finished for all cultivars by the end of the fourth week of June. An exception was `Nelson', which was picked through the first week of July. Despite relatively low yields observed in the first year of production, `Duke' had the highest net present values for the assumed 12-year life of the planting. The ranking of the other seven cultivars from highest to lowest in terms of their respective net present values was: `Sierra', `Blue Gold', `Bluecrop', `Toro', `Nelson', `Sunrise', and `Patriot'.

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Response to Fertilization of Different Tree Species in the Urban Environment

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry ◽

10.48044/jauf.2006.012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 93-99

Author(s):

F. Ferrini ◽

M. Baietto

Keyword(s):

Urban Environment ◽

Mineral Content ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Leaf Gas Exchange ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

First Year ◽

Limited Extent ◽

Plant Establishment ◽

Leaf Chlorophyll ◽

Urban Sites

The influence of fertilization on shoot growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and mineral content was monitored on sweetgum (Liquidambar stryraciflua L.), Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum Schott), and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) over a 3-year period after planting in the urban environment. The research was carried out on newly planted trees that were placed in different urban sites and fertilized after planting. Fertilization was repeated for 2 years after planting at the beginning of the spring. There were contrasting results according to the species and the year of measurements. Fertilization was to a limited extent effective in the first year after planting but failed to provide better results in the following years. Thus, the results of this research do not support the utility of fertilizer application as a method to improve plant establishment, growth, or physiology after transplanting in the urban environment.

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