Articles publicats (Química, Física i Ciències Ambientals i del Sòl)
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- ItemOpen AccessA tribute to Jaume Porta Casanellas and his influence on soil science(Frontiers Media, 2024-11-14) Alcañiz Baldellou, Josep Maria; Aran Mayoral, Miquel; Boixadera Llobet, Jaume; García Calderón, Norma E.; García Rodeja, Eduardo; Martínez Casasnovas, José Antonio; Ortiz Bernad, Irene; Poch, Rosa M.; Villar Mir, Josep Ma.This article provides personal and professional assessments from disciples, colleagues and friends of Jaume Porta Casanellas (Barcelona, 1944; Lleida, 2023), a prominent soil scientist. He began his agricultural engineering studies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) where he met Marta López-Acevedo, his wife and outstanding collaborator. At UPM, he started his early work in soil science under the guidance of Professor Carlos Roquero who became his mentor and friend. Jaume Porta was a dedicated, passionate soil scientist who engaged extensively in teaching and research in Soil Science, while also excelling as a manager. He emerged as a leader due to his initiatives in promoting Soil Science in Catalonia and Spain, and for his forward-thinking vision, evident in his decisions as Rector of the University of Lleida, which have significantly contributed to the city's development. From the beginning, he advocated for detailed (1:25,000) soil mapping of Catalonia to enhance territorial planning and agricultural progress. His primary research focus was on salt-affected soils and soils with gypsum, alongside soil erosion and conservation. Porta devoted a lot of effort to improve soil field descriptions with his Agenda de campo. He played a key role in standardizing soil analytical methods, establishing large series laboratories in Spain, notably the LAF in Sidamon (Lleida), and aligning Spanish soil labs with the international GLOSOLAN network. As president of the SECS, he energized activities and encouraged member participation. His educational publications, mainly his comprehensive textbook Edafología, are considered fundamental in Soil Science across Spanish-speaking countries, as is the Multilingual Dictionary of Soil Science, representing the pinnacle of his efforts to rigorously disseminate soil science concepts and terms in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. He contributed significantly to international Soil Science courses in Mexico and played a key role in establishing the JADE postgraduate training program. He facilitated the creation and international visibility of the Spanish Journal of Soil Science. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of the Soil Sciences Documentation Centre (Ce.SECS) to preserve historical publications and the legacy of soil scientists. Jaume Porta's enduring impact, both professionally and personally, will be felt for years to come.
- ItemOpen AccessHost–Pest Interactions: Investigating Grapholita molesta (Busck) Larval Development and Survival in Apple Cultivars under Laboratory and Field Conditions(MDPI, 2024) Amat Gómez, Carles; Bosch Serra, Àngela D.; Avilla Hernández, Jesús; Escudero Colomar, L. AdrianaPhenology models are widely used in Decision Support Systems to predict the phenology of pests. Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a polyphagous pest, has a high prevalence in apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) (Rosales: Rosaceae) in certain areas, despite the fact that apple trees are considered secondary hosts. Its natural behavior of feeding inside plant tissue at the larval stage makes monitoring and planning methods of control critical for Integrated Pest Management. The development times and survival rates of two field populations of G. molesta larvae on apple cultivars ‘Gala’, ‘Golden’, and ‘Fuji’ were determined under different temperature (constant versus field fluctuation) and feeding conditions (diet versus apples attached to the tree and detached from the tree). The results showed that G. molesta fitness in apples is affected by fluctuating temperature regimes in the field, the condition of the fruit, whether or not the fruit is attached to the tree, and the cultivar. The temperature was the main cause of the differences in the studied parameters. Larvae developme–nt time was delayed due to fluctuating field temperatures. Larvae had a shorter development time in fruits detached from the tree compared to attached fruits, and apple cultivars influenced development time in both laboratory and field conditions, with the ‘Golden’ cultivar having better fitness and a higher rate of larvae survival in the fruits attached to the tree. These factors need to be considered to properly adjust the phenology models and improve the Integrated Pest Management system of apples.
- ItemOpen AccessAssessment of nitrogen and phosphorus losses due to erosion in compost-treated and non-treated vineyard soils: effect of rainfall intensity(Springer, 2024) Ramos Martín, Ma. C. (Ma. Concepción)Vineyards in Mediterranean areas suffer from significant soil degradation through erosion, due to rainfall and soil characteristics, as well as soil management practices. Previous studies pointed out the nutrient losses produced by erosion and the benefits that some management practices could have on reducing erosion. This research tried to evaluate the effect of events of different intensities and to assess whether the beneficial effect of compost amendment may pose a potential risk of nutrient loss and environmental pollution in particular under high-intensity events. The study compared soil and nutrient losses in compost-treated and non-treated vineyard soils after rainfall events of different intensities analyzed over 2 years in two vineyards. Runoff samples were collected by triplicate in treated and non-treated soils. Sediment and nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in the runoff samples were analyzed. The results reveal a reduction in runoff rates and an increase in soil water content in compost-treated soils, which represents a benefit for rainfed vineyards. Both nitrogen and phosphorus losses depended on rainfall characteristics. Although for low intensities there were no significant differences in the amount of nutrient lost by runoff in both treated and non-treated soils, nitrogen and phosphorus losses were higher after high-intensity rainfall events in compost-treated soils. With the expected increase in high-intensity rainfall events associated with climate change in the Mediterranean region, organic amendments should be applied in several splits or incorporated into the soil to avoid increased nutrient loss to water bodies.
- ItemOpen AccessAdvances in Nanostructured Metallic Materials—A Pathway to Future Innovations(MDPI, 2024) Wojnicki, Marek; Escribà i Gelonch, Marc; Hessel, VolkerThe development of civilization has always been deeply intertwined with advancements in metallurgy [1]. Metals have played a critical role in shaping our world, from the tools of the earliest civilizations to the sophisticated materials that drive today’s industries [2]. However, as our technological needs evolve, traditional pure metals and simple alloys are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of modern applications [3]. This has led to a relentless pursuit of materials with enhanced properties, culminating in groundbreaking developments in nanostructured metallic materials [3]. These materials offer unprecedented opportunities due to their unique characteristics at the nanoscale which enable innovations that were previously unimaginable.
- ItemOpen AccessStatus of the World's Soils(Annual Reviews, 2024) Smith, Pete; Poch, Rosa M.; Lobb, David A.; Bhattacharyya, Ranjan; Alloush, Ghiath; Eudoxie, Gaius D.; Anjos, Lucia H. C. dos; Castellano,, Michael; Ndzana, Georges M.; Chenu, Claire; Naidu, Ravi; Vijayanathan, Jeyanny; Muscolo, Adele M.; Studdert, Guillermo Alberto; Rodríguez Eugenio, Natalia; Calzolari, Constanza; Amuri, Nyambilila; Hallett, PaulHealthy soils contribute to a wide range of ecosystem services and virtually all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but most of the world's soil resources are in only fair, poor, or very poor condition, and conditions are getting worse in more cases than they are improving. A total of 33% of all soils are moderately to highly degraded as a result of erosion, loss of organic matter, poor nutrient balance, salinization and alkalinization, contamination, acidification, loss of biodiversity, sealing, compaction, and poor water status. Best management practices are available to limit or mitigate threats to soil health, and many of them mitigate multiple soil threats. In many regions of the world, policies or initiatives to protect or enhance the status of soils are in place, and they need to be strengthened and enforced. The Food and Agriculture Organisation will publish its second comprehensive assessment of the status of the world's soils in 2025, and this review provides an interim update on world soil status and offers an accessible overview of the topic.