Open Access
Effect of irrigation on carbonate dynamics in a calcareous soil using isotopic determinations
(Universia, 2019) De Soto García, Isabel Sonsoles; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Barré, Pierre; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias
Este artículo evalúa el efecto del regadío en la dinámica de los carbonatos en suelos agrícolas. Se ha estudiado la proporción y distribución de carbonatos pedogénicos en las fracciones granulométricas de un suelo en regadío y en secano, usando la firma isotópica de C de los carbonatos. El regadío puede alterar la distribución de los carbonatos del suelo y producir una acumulación preferencial de carbonatos pedogénicos (87% al 92% con riego frente a 61% al 74% sin riego) en las fracciones más finas.
Open Access
Soil quality evaluation following the implementation of permanent cover crops in semi-arid vineyards. Organic matter, physical and biological soil properties
(Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 2012) Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Imaz Gurruchaga, María José; Fernández Ugalde, Oihane; Urrutia Larrachea, Idoia; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Bescansa Miquel, Paloma; Ciencias del Medio Natural; Natura Ingurunearen Zientziak
El establecimiento de cubiertas vegetales permanentes (PGC) en viñedos de zonas semiáridas, con manejo tradicional de suelo desnudo mediante laboreo y aplicación de herbicidas, es controvertido, porque tiene ventajas agronómicas y ambientales, pero puede inducir cambios negativos en la calidad física del suelo. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: (i) avanzar en el conocimiento del efecto de la implantación de PGC en la calidad física y biológica del suelo, e (ii) identificar los indicadores de calidad del suelo más apropiados para suelos calizos de viñedo en una zona semiárida. Se determinaron propiedades físicas y biológicas clave en un Calcisol Cámbico con PGC de diferente edad (1 y 5 años), con un control manejado convencionalmente. El análisis de correlaciones mostró una relación directa entre la estabilidad estructural (WSA), la capacidad de retención de agua útil (AWC), la biomasa microbiana y las actividades enzimáticas del suelo bajo PGC. El contenido de C orgánico total (SOC) y lábil (POM-C) estuvo también correlacionado con los parámetros microbianos. Los indicadores de calidad del suelo más sensibles se identificaron mediante análisis factorial por componentes principales (PCA). La actividad de lombrices, AWC, WSA, SOC y POM-C mostraron el mayor peso en los dos factores obtenidos con PCA, por lo que estas propiedades pueden considerarse indicadores adecuados de la calidad del suelo en este agrosistema. Estos resultados indican que tanto los atributos físicos como biológicos del suelo son diferentes bajo PGC, y necesitan ser evaluados al estudiar las consecuencias de su introducción en suelos de viñedo.
Open Access
Soil water retention and soil compaction assessment in a regional-scale strategy to improve climate change adaptation of agriculture in Navarre, Spain
(MDPI, 2021) Antón Sobejano, Rodrigo; Ruiz Sagaseta de Ilurdoz, Alberto; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Arricibita Bidegáin, Francisco Javier; Enrique Martín, Alberto; De Soto García, Isabel Sonsoles; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the different agricultural management adaptive strategies considered in the framework of a regional climate change adaptation roadmap in Navarre (Spain), from the point of view of soil physical indicators associated to soil compaction and water retention. These indicators were chosen as representative of the potential of these strategies to improve the soil physical condition. That for, the effectiveness of conservation agriculture (CA), crop rotations (ROT), additions of organic matter (ExO), irrigation (IRR) and innovative grassland management (GSS) was assessed by monitoring soil bulk density (BD) and soil available water holding capacity (AWHC) in a network of 159 agricultural fields across homogeneous agro-climatic zones in the region. A sampling protocol designed to compare groups of plots with or without adaptive practices, and with equal soil characteristics within each zone, allowed to determine the effect size of each strategy (measured as response ratios, RR, calculated as the relative value of BD and AWHC in fields with adaptive management vs. without). Both parameters responded to soil and crop management, although the observed effect was highly variable. Only the ExO strategy showed an overall positive effect on BD. ROT, IRR and GSS displayed no effect and, in the case of CA, the effect was negative. In terms of AWHC, although the results within the zones were heterogeneous, the overall effect associated to the strategies ROT, ExO, IRR and GSS was neutral, and only CA resulted in an overall negative effect. The observed variability in terms of the effectiveness of the five strategies tested in this region highlights the need to understand the complexity of interrelationships between management and dynamic soil properties at the regional scale.
Open Access
Effect of the long-term application of sewage sludge to a calcareous soil on its total and bioavailable content in trace elements, and their transfer to the crop
(MDPI, 2021-03-30) Zaragüeta, Armelle; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Antón Sobejano, Rodrigo; Urmeneta Martín-Calero, Henar; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika
Sewage sludge (SS) can be used as an organic amendment in agricultural soils, provided they comply with the relevant legislation. This use can incorporate traces of metals into the soil, which can cause environmental or human health problems. In the study period between 1992 and 2018 (26 years), it was observed that the use of SS as an organic fertilizer significantly increased the total concentration of Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Hg of this study between 55.6% (Hg) and 7.0% (Ni). The concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd extracted with DTPA, also increased between 122.2% (Zn) and 11.3% (Cd). In contrast, the Mn concentrations extracted with Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid (DTPA)were 6.5% higher in the treatments without SS. These changes in the soil had an impact on the crop, which showed a significant increase in the concentration of Zn, Cu and Cr in the grain, between 15.0% (Cr) and 4.4% (Cu), and a decrease in the concentration of Mn, Cr and Ni in the barley straw when SS was added to the soil between 32.2% (Mn) and 29.6% (Ni). However, the limits established by current legislation on soil protection and food were not exceeded. This limited transfer to the crop, is likely due to the high content of carbonates and organic matter in the soil, which limit the bioavailability of most of the trace metals (TM) in the soil. As a conclusion, we observe that the use of SS as an organic amendment increased the concentration of some TM in the soil, in its bioavailable forms, and in the crop.
Open Access
A fertilisation strategy combining mineral fertiliser and biosolid improves long-term yield and carbon storage in a calcareous soil
(MDPI, 2023) Zaragüeta, Armelle; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Portell Canal, Xavier; Antón Sobejano, Rodrigo; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
At a strategic moment for agricultural soils, which are expected to contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon storage while safely feeding a growing world population, the fertiliser strategies used will be key. In a calcareous soil with extensive rainfed agricultural use and straw removal, different fertiliser strategies were evaluated with the aim of determining their effects on crop yield, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, and the storage of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soil. Different doses of mineral fertiliser, expressed as kg of mineral nitrogen ha−1 year−1 (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 nitrogen fertilising units (NFUs)), were applied to plots with and without biosolid amendment. The biosolid, applied at a rate of 40 Mg ha−1 every 3 years for 18 years, complied with national and European regulations to be applied on agricultural soil. The use of combined fertilisation reduced the amount of mineral fertiliser applied between 33 and 67% and the total fertiliser units between 7 and 40%, while maintaining similar yields to the reference mineral fertilisation (180 NFUs). These results could be related to a higher nitrogen agronomic efficiency in the combined fertilisation treatments that do not exceed the total NFUs required by the crop. Combined fertilisation was also an effective fertiliser technique to store total nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil. However, compared to the reference mineral fertilisation (180 NFUs), no significant changes in the soil organic carbon were observed, probably due to the crop management method in which the straw is removed and to higher gas emissions. Our results support the need to assess the efficacy of each agricultural technique at local scales in order not to overestimate or underestimate the potential of each agricultural technique to store soil organic carbon.
Open Access
Soil quality assessment after 25 years of sewage sludge vs. mineral fertilization in a calcareous soil
(MDPI, 2021) Simoes da Mota, Ana Claudia; Poch, Rosa María; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The aim of this work was to identify the most sensitive soil quality indicators and assess soil quality after long-term application of sewage sludge (SS) and conventional mineral fertilization for rainfed cereal production in a sub-humid Mediterranean calcareous soil. The treatments included six combinations of SS at different doses (40 t ha−1 and 80 ha−1) and frequencies (every 1, 2 and 4 years), plus a control with mineral fertilization, and a baseline control without fertilization. Twenty-five years after the onset of the experiment, 37 pre-selected physical, chemical and biological soil parameters were measured, and a minimum data set was determined. Among these indicators, those significantly affected by treatment and depth were selected as sensitive. A principal component analysis (PCA) was then performed for each studied depth. At 0–15 cm, PCA identified three factors (F1, F2 and F3), and at 15–30 cm, two factors (F4 and F5) that explained 71.5% and 67.4% of the variation, respectively, in the soil parameters. The most sensitive indicators (those with the highest correlation within each factor) were related to nutrients (P and N), organic matter, and trace metals (F1 and F4), microporosity (F2), earthworm activity (F3), and exchangeable cations (F5). Only F3 correlated significantly (and negatively) with yield. From these results, we concluded that soil quality can be affected in opposite directions by SS application, and that a holistic approach is needed to better assess soil functioning under SS fertilization in this type of agrosystem.
Open Access
Cubierta vegetal bajo las cepas: una alternativa al control de las malas hierbas en los viñedos
(INTIA (Tecnologías e Infraestructuras Agroalimentarias), 2023) Abad Zamora, Francisco Javier; Cibriain Sabalza, Félix; Sagüés Sarasa, Ana; Santesteban García, Gonzaga; Lezáun San Martín, Juan Antonio; Fabo Boneta, Jesús María; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Imbert Rodríguez, Bosco; Marín Arroyo, Remedios; Garbisu Crespo, Carlos; Ciencias; Zientziak; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
En este artículo se presentan los resultados obtenidos con una cubierta vegetal de trébol sembrada bajo las cepas para competir con las malas hierbas, de manera que no sea necesario recurrir al empleo de herbicidas o laboreos intercepas.
Open Access
Irrigation and SOC sequestration in the region of Navarre in Spain
(FAO, 2021) Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Antón Sobejano, Rodrigo; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Arias Fariñas, Nerea; Ciencias; Zientziak
The project REGADIOX, funded by the European Commission LIFE Program was based on the establishment of a regional-scale network of representative agricultural plots in three irrigation districts in Navarre (NE Spain). The project allowed for a rational evaluation of soil organic C (SOC) sequestration and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions balances by using paired comparisons in terms of soil characteristics in irrigated vs rainfed plots. The results showed a clear influence of irrigation in soil condition, arising from greater SOC storage. The net effect was however modulated by soil characteristics and management practices, in so far as the different agricultural strategies did have different potential to sequester SOC and/or reduce GHG emissions. While permanent crops with green cover (which was possible thanks to irrigation) or semi-permanent crops as alfalfa were win-win strategies with positive C balances, intensive systems with two crops per year, although they also contributed to SOC gains, represented increased GHG emissions. The observed changes in SOC associated to irrigation with different managements also showed that irrigation adoption can alter the soils’ capacity to provide key ecosystem services beyond biomass production, as changes in soils properties related to SOC, such as water-holding capacity or soil erodibility were also observed. These changes were, however, not straightforward and varied depending on soil type, climate and time under irrigation.
Open Access
Tillage effects on soil quality after three years of irrigation in Northern Spain
(MDPI, 2017) Apesteguía Barberena, Marcos; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Orcaray Echeverría, Luis; Bescansa Miquel, Paloma; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Imaz Gurruchaga, María José; Karlen, Douglas; Ciencias del Medio Natural; Natura Ingurunearen Zientziak
Irrigation is being initiated on large areas of traditionally rainfed land to meet increasing global demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel. However, the consequences of this transition on soil quality (SQ) have scarcely been studied. Therefore, after previously identifying the most tillage-sensitive SQ indicators under long-term rainfed conditions, conversion of a research site on a Haplic Calcisol in Navarre, in northeast Spain provided an ideal location to reevaluate those SQ indicators after three years of irrigated management. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was used to test our hypothesis that adopting irrigation could change the sensitivity and importance of non-irrigated SQ indicators. Several soil physical, chemical, and biological indicators along with crop yields were used to evaluate SQ three years after initiating irrigation on a long-term conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT) study where either barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was being grown. The results confirmed our hypothesis that irrigation would change the relative importance of various SQ indicators and suggested that some SMAF algorithms, such as those used to assess bulk density, needed to be recalibrated for these Mediterranean soils.
Open Access
Changes in the soil inorganic carbon dynamics in the tilled layer of a semi-arid Mediterranean soil due to irrigation and a change in crop: uncertainties in the calculation of pedogenic carbonates
(Elsevier, 2024) De Soto García, Isabel Sonsoles; Barré, Pierre; Zamanian, Kazem; Urmeneta Martín-Calero, Henar; Antón Sobejano, Rodrigo; Enrique Martín, Alberto; Virto Quecedo, Íñigo; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) accounts for more than one-third of the total soil carbon pool, but the effect of agricultural management on carbonates dynamics in Mediterranean semi-arid calcareous soils has largely been ignored and remains unclear. However, SIC plays a key role in physical, chemical and, biological properties of soils, which in turn can affect plant growth and productivity. Based on a 7-year field experiment in a paired irrigated and non-irrigated trial, with two different crops (maize and wheat), we investigated the effects of the land use change (from non-irrigated wheat to irrigated maize) on the SIC dynamics in the topsoil (0¿30 cm) of a carbonate-rich soil in Navarre, northern Spain. The results obtained using the accepted equation for determining carbonate type showed that during the 7-year study period, irrigation application and the crop change modified the carbonate typology (lithogenic and pedogenic) in a very short period, without affecting the total SIC content. The main drivers of pedogenic carbonate formation in this case appear to be the water volume and the type of organic matter entering the soil (from C3 plants or C4 plants). However, the equation seems to be strongly dependent on the type of soil organic carbon, which can introduce uncertainties when used to determine the proportion of pedogenic carbonates in soils experiencing a crop change from C3 to C4 plants.