•No-till and high C input are key to avoid soil degradation in newly irrigated areas.•Lower stability of aggregates led to soil crusting under conventional tillage.•Long-term no-till led to greater ...soil organic carbon content.•Long-term no-till enhanced aggregate stability and early corn development.•No-till avoids soil crust formation, securing corn yield, in newly irrigated areas.
The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate soil management to reduce the structural degradation of soils susceptible to crusting in Mediterranean areas recently transformed into irrigation. A long-term field experiment (LTE) under rainfed conditions was established in 1996 in NE Spain to compare three tillage systems (no-tillage, NT; reduced tillage, RT; conventional tillage, CT). The experiment was transformed to irrigated corn in 2015. In 2015, an adjacent experiment with the same layout was created (short-term experiment, STE) in an area previously managed under long-term NT. The study was carried out during the second corn growing season (i.e. year 2016). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 5cm depth at different dates during corn season. Dry and water-stable macroaggregates and their C concentration, soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile C concentration, soil respiration, bulk density, penetration resistance (PR), water infiltration, macroporosity, microporosity, amount of crop residues and ground cover, corn development, aerial biomass, and grain yield were measured. In LTE and STE tillage led to a breakdown of dry sieved aggregates (of 2–4 and 4–8mm size) in RT and CT, being slowly reconsolidated throughout the corn growing season. However, macroaggregate water-stability did not increase in CT and RT compared to NT due to a lower SOC concentration, making the soil more susceptible to its degradation by the action of water. SOC differences between treatments were more pronounced in LTE than STE given the long-term differential management in the first, which allowed greater accumulation of SOC under NT. In LTE, PR between corn rows was greater under NT than CT and RT and non-significantly different between treatments within the row. In the case of STE, PR increased over time after tillage (CT and RT) to match NT in the last sampling. Crop establishment was slower in CT than NT in LTE highlighting the impact of soil surface degradation on crop development. However, contrarily to the differences in corn yield in 2015, a careful planting in 2016 led to a lack of differences between tillage systems on corn yield. Our results indicate that in areas transformed into irrigation intensive tillage leads to greater susceptibility to soil structural degradation. Thus, in these areas the adoption of conservation agriculture practices such RT and NT enhances soil resilience to degradation processes and ensures an adequate development of the crop.
In Europe, most of vineyards are managed under rainfed conditions, where water deficit has become increasingly an issue. The flowering-veraison phenophase represents an important period for vine ...response to water stress, which is known to depend on variety characteristics, soil and climate conditions. In this paper, we have carried out a retrospective analysis for important European wine regions over 1986–2015, with objectives to assess the mean Crop Water Stress Indicator (CWSI) during flowering-veraison phase, and potential Yield Lose Rate (YLR) due to seasonal cumulative water stress. Moreover, we also investigate if advanced flowering-veraison phase can lead to alleviated CWSI under recent-past conditions, thus contributing to reduced YLR. A process-based grapevine model is employed, which has been extensively calibrated for simulating both flowering and veraison stages using location-specific observations representing 10 different varieties. Subsequently, grid-based modelling is implemented with gridded climate and soil datasets and calibrated phenology parameters. The findings suggest wine regions with higher mean CWSI of flowering-veraison phase tend to have higher potential YLR. However, contrasting patterns are found between wine regions in France-Germany-Luxembourg and Italy-Portugal-Spain. The former tends to have slight-to-moderate drought conditions (CWSI<0.5) along with a negligible-to-moderate YLR (<30%), whereas the latter is found to have severe-to-extreme drought (CWSI>0.5) and substantial YLR (>40%). Wine regions prone to a high drought risk (CWSI>0.75) are also identified, which are concentrated in southern Mediterranean Europe. Advanced flowering-veraison phase over 1986–2015, could have benefited from more spring precipitation and cooler temperatures for wine regions of Italy-Portugal-Spain, leading to reduced mean CWSI and YLR. For those of France-Germany-Luxembourg, this can have reduced flowering-veraison precipitation, but prevalent reductions of YLR are also found, possibly due to shifted phase towards a cooler growing-season with reduced evaporative demands. Our study demonstrates flowering-verasion water deficit is critical for potential yield, which can have different impacts between Central and Southern European wine regions. This phase can be advanced under a warmer climate, thus having important implications for European rainfed vineyards. The overall outcome may provide new insights for appropriate viticultural management of seasonal water deficits under climate change.
•Water stress of a drought-sensitive period is assessed for European rainfed vineyards.•Wine regions prone to a high flowering-veraison drought risk are identified.•Flowering-veraison water stress strongly affects water-limited potential yields.•Advanced flowering-veraison phase differently impacts European wine regions.•The outcomes improve understandings of seasonal water deficits of rainfed viticulture.
Aim: This research examined relationships between grapevine phenology and climate in the Ribera del Duero DO (Spain). The observed varieties included Tempranillo, the main variety planted in the ...region, and Cabernet-Sauvignon.Methods and Results: Phenological events for stages C (budbreak), I (bloom), M (véraison) and N (maturity) were analyzed for 2004-2015. Dormant period chilling and late winter heating requirements to initiate growth were evaluated and accumulated temperature (growing degree days-GDD) prior to each phenological event and in between events were examined for the role they play in influencing growth timing. The results were then used to examine future phenological changes due to climate change using eight models integrated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and for two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios – RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 – for 2030, 2050, and 2070. Accumulated temperatures after March 20th become important for initiating phenology and are strongly correlated to all growth events. The influence of water availability between budbreak and bloom and between bloom and véraison on phenological timing was also confirmed.Conclusions: The projections showed that for the RCP4.5 emission scenario, budbreak is predicted earlier by approximately 2 days for 2030, 3 days for 2050 and 5 days for 2070, while bloom is predicted to be 3 to 8 days earlier and véraison 6 to 19 days earlier for the same time periods. For the RCP8.5 emission scenario, budbreak is modeled to take place about 3 days, 5 days and 9 days earlier, respectively for 2030, 2050 and 2070. Bloom is predicted to occur about 5, 10 and 16 days earlier; véraison is predicted earlier by 10 days for 2030, 19 days for 2050, and 28 days for 2070. Maturity and the timing of harvest could be up to 23 days earlier under the RCP4.5 emission scenario and up to 35 days earlier under the RCP8.5 emission scenario. Compared to Cabernet-Sauvignon, Tempranillo exhibited greater phenological sensitivity to temperature changes in the observed time period that is likely to continue into the future with greater changes to earlier growth events projected. This sensitivity could be problematic for the region due to the variety’s historic importance and points to the need to examine adaptive measures that can help growers to respond to projected changes in climate.Significance and impact of the study: The projected climate changes in the future indicate the potential for significant changes in the phenology of Tempranillo in the Ribera del Duero DO, Spain. Given that this variety has the largest contribution and importance in this region, these changes could have impacts on wine quality, indicating the need of establishing strategies to reduce or mitigate the impact from future changes in climate.
Several decades of intensive rainfed farming in Mediterranean mountains and later land abandonment has led to rapid land use and land cover changes. During recent centuries, the conversion of ...rangelands into croplands has increased the surfaces prone to erosion. In the southern Pre-Pyrenees, the process was reversed during the middle of the twentieth century, allowing the recovery of vegetation and subsequent variation in land cover. This work aims to assess how land use changes after generalised land abandonment affect some major soil properties related to soil quality. For this purpose, 98 replicate bulk soil samples were collected in a 23 km2 catchment that was mostly cultivated at the beginning of the last century. Soil samples were distributed over areas representing the main land uses (agricultural land, natural forest, pine afforestation and scrubland). Bulk density, stoniness, grain size, pH, carbonates, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), water retention capacity and magnetic properties (low frequency magnetic susceptibility (LF) and frequency dependence (FD)) were analysed in the samples from different land use areas. A past scenario was recreated using estimated data from the SPEROS-C model in order to evaluate changes in SOC over time. Furthermore, a multitemporal analysis of the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index of Landsat images was performed between 1972 and the present in order to assess the dynamics of revegetation. After land abandonment, 16.5% of the area remained as croplands, but afforestation and natural revegetation occupied 83.5% of the catchment. The highest mean value for SOC was found in the pine afforested area and the highest TN mean value was found in the natural forest. The lowest mean values for SOC and TN were recorded on the agricultural land. These results show the impact of soil changes produced by land use changes in fragile Mediterranean mountain agroecosystems.
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•Changes in land use have resulted in differences in soil properties.•NDVI allows identifying vegetation cover variation developed after land use changes.•Spatial patterns of soil properties are highly conditioned by land use distribution.•Modelling SOC stocks along time is possible applying SPEROS-C model.•NDVI is directly related with the distribution of soil nutrients in the catchment.
•Advances of all phenological stages are projected under climate change.•Differences in vine phenology existing in altitude may increase under climate change.•Increasing temperature will give rise to ...decreasing total acidity.•Increasing temperature and water deficits will affect anthocyanin concentration.
The objective of this research was to analyse the potential effect of climate change on phenology and berry composition of the variety Tempranillo cultivated in areas of the Rioja DOCa (Spain) with different climatic characteristics. Three zones were selected within the DOCa, which were located at elevations between 325 and 650 m a.s.l. Phenology and the evolution of berry composition during ripening was analysed for the period 2008-2018. This information included the dates of the phenological stages H (separated flowers), M (veraison) and maturity (based in a fixed value of the probable alcoholic degree (PVAD)) and as well as pH, total acidity, malic acid, total anthocyanins, total polyphenols index and colour intensity, recorded in two plots at each location. The climatic conditions recorded during the period of study were evaluated from meteorological stations located close to the vineyards. The average predicted changes in temperature (maximum and minimum) and in precipitation, under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and simulated using an ensemble of 10 models were analysed by 2050 and 2070 for each zone. These data were obtained using the MarkSim™ DSSAT weather file generator. The relationship found at present between climate characteristics and the phenology and grape composition were considered in order to project the changes under climate change. The results indicated projected increase of temperature higher in the warmer than in the cooler area, and changes in average precipitation, which although being small will contribute to increase water deficits. The results predict that all evaluated phenological stages will suffer an advance, which will be higher for veraison and maturity than for the stage related to flowering. The advance of the stage H, M and maturity for the three zones by 2050 could be up to 5, 8, and 12 days, respectively under the RCP4.5 emission trajectory, and up to 8, 12 and 15, respectively under the RCP8.5 emission trajectory. The predicted advances indicate that the differences in timing that already exists between zones will be maintained or even increase, which will imply reaching maturity in the second half of August in the warmer area and in earlier September in the coolest one. Grape composition could also suffer changes, reaching the required PVAD earlier with a decoupling between anthocyanins and sugars and with lower acidity caused by the increase of temperatures.
•Rainfall intensity affects infiltration rates in soils under different land uses.•Runoff, soil and associated nutrient losses vary under different land uses and intensities.•Soil sealing is the main ...driver force of runoff generation in agricultural and barren land.•Enrichment factors of nutrients differ under different rainfall intensities and land use.
The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of rainfall intensity and slope on soil and nutrient losses by hydric erosion in soils with different hydrological characteristics. This research was carried out on soils collected from slopes with different land uses/covers (LU/LC) -forest, scrub, agricultural, afforested and barren land-, from a mountain area (Sierra de Santo Domingo in the South Pyrenean region), where intensive farming and land use changes including land abandonment and changes in soil cover have occurred.
Soils were placed on erosion boxes (30 cm × 20 cm) and compacted to a bulk density similar to that measured in the field (slope values ranged between 10 and 20%). Soil properties such as organic matter content, soil texture and N and P contents were analysed (values used as concentration in the original soil). Soils were subjected to simulated rainfall with intensity values usually recorded in the area during storms. Runoff volumes were collected at 10 min intervals from the time that runoff was generated. The steady infiltration rate as well as the average runoff rates and soil losses were evaluated for each land use. In the runoff samples, sediment concentration and nutrients (N and P) were analysed using different aliquots. The comparative analysis of the results obtained under simulated rainfall in plots with soils from different land uses allowed determining the differences in contribution of each land use to soil and nutrient losses when they are subjected to similar rainfall intensities. The results showed that the maximum runoff rates were reached in agricultural soil and barren land after 40 min at low intensity and after about 20 min at high intensity. However, in soils under forest, scrub and afforestation, runoff rates were much lower for the same rainfall intensity and duration period. Soil sealing was the main factor reducing infiltration in the agricultural and in barren LU/LC soils, while in the other cases runoff was mainly produced after saturation. Soil losses were more than 10xtimes higher in barren land and in agricultural soils than in the other land uses. Nitrogen losses in agricultural soils were about 3 times higher than in forest, and scrub or in afforested LU/LC. Under high intensity rainfall, there was an enrichment ratio (ER) of nitrogen in the sediment in relation to the original soil, which was higher in scrub and agricultural lands (up to 1.33 and 1.32, respectively) than in the rest of land uses (1.1 on average). Phosphorous losses were mainly associated with soil particles and the land uses that gave rise to higher P losses was agricultural under any intensity, while P losses increased significantly in forest and afforested LU/LC at high intensity. The enrichment ratio (ER) was higher in agricultural soils (up to 1.82, increasing with intensity), forest and afforested LU/LC (1.33 and 1.16, respectively under high intensity) than in scrub (1.22) and barren lands (near 1). Information gained in this research can be of interest to manage mountain agroecosystems to limit N and P supply from headwaters to hydrological systems.
•PDT has been effective in the treatment of a verruciform epidermodysplasia over a tattoo.•PDT allows preserve the integrity of the tattoo design.•PDT could be considered the treatment of choice in ...EV lesions located over tattoos.
We present a 44-year-old man with multiple flat papules over a tattoo, diagnosed with acquired verruciform epidermodysplasia (EV). The lesions completely disappeared after 3 sessions of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical methyl aminolevulinate. PDT could be considered a treatment of choice in human papillomavirus lesions located over tattoos since it resolves the lesions while preserving the integrity of the design.
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•P–soil binding form determines the mobilization of P by runoff.•P in the streambeds is conditioned by land use and location in the catchment.•Extreme rainfalls cause great changes in ...particle size, OM and P in streams.•P concentration varies in watercourses of different order in nested catchments.•Changes in the streambeds after the extreme event lead to greater P levels.
Erosion causes significant soil and nutrient losses that can reach streams and degrade habitats. Phosphorus (P) is among the nutrients of greatest concern for water pollution. Due to the increase in the number of storm events over the last decade, which could rise further under climate change scenarios, a more in-depth analysis of the effect of rainfall on the behaviour of P in fragile environments is needed. Little is known about the mobilisation and export of P in mountainous Mediterranean agroecosystems. To contribute to this knowledge, this research analysed the variability of P in the sediments of streambeds of different orders in an agroforestry area of the Northern Ebro Basin (Aragón, Spain) following an exceptional rainfall event; the implications of different land uses were also explored. Sediment composition was assessed before and after the rainfall event in three nested subcatchments and then related to soil properties. Phosphorus was mostly linked to the mineral fraction (mainly to silicates), while the links between P with clay and organic matter (P-clay, P-OM) were very weak. The P-OM links occurred only in the soils of forested areas. Agricultural lands, which are prone to erosion and had the highest P concentrations, contribute to P release. However, the streambeds and the lateral erosion of channel banks by floods triggered by the rainfall event should be considered as the main contributors to the export of P. The high intensity rainfall event led to 35% and 60% reductions in clay and OM, respectively, and to an enrichment of P in the sediments, the concentrations of which were lower in the headwaters than downstream. This means that the P in streambeds remains exposed in relatively high concentrations following extreme rainfall events with implications for the P cycle and water pollution.
•Grape total anthocyanins decrease with increasing Tmin before veraison.•Grape extractable anthocyanins decrease with increasing Tmin and Tmax during ripening.•Increasing Tmin and Tmax during ...ripening decrease flavonols and total polyphenols.•Water availability decrease total anthocyanins but favour their extractability.•Flavonol content is not significantly affected by water availability.
In view of the increase in temperature observed in recent years and its projection, there is a great concern about its effects on grape quality, especially in warm areas. This research aims to contribute to this knowledge by assessing the effect of temperature and water availability along the growing cycle on grape quality and in particular on the phenolic compounds and their extractability. The research was carried out in a commercial vineyard in La Mancha Designation of Origen (Spain) planted with Merlot. Edaphoclimatic characteristics and the grape composition at maturity were evaluated for several years in the period 2007–2017. An increase in temperature decreased the content of phenolic compounds, while higher water availability contributed to increase their levels in the grapes. Total anthocyanin content was mainly affected by minimum temperature before veraison while extractable anthocyanin, flavonols and total polyphenols were affected by both maximum and minimum temperature during ripening. Higher water availability decreased the concentration of anthocyanins but favoured their extractability, while flavonols were not significantly affected by water availability. Thus, phenolic ripening can be affected by changes in temperature and water distribution throughout the growing cycle, but due to the opposite sign of their effect they may be partially balanced. The projected warmer conditions can affect phenolic composition of Merlot and therefore quality of the wines made with such variety. In order to maintain grape quality, strategies to reduce heat stress should be adopted, and irrigation doses and timing should be adapted not only in the ripening period but also in the period prior to veraison.
Grapevines are among the crops that could suffer stronger effects under climate change, although the effect can differ based on cultivars and location. The aim of this work was to analyse the ...phenological response of the Verdejo variety compared to other two white varieties (Viura and Sauvignon Blanc) cultivated in Rueda Designation of Origin (DO), Spain, under the present climate conditions, and their potential shifts under projected climate change scenarios. Phenological dates referring to budbreak, flowering, véraison and harvest were analyzed for the period 2008–2021 in 13 plots, together with the weather conditions at daily time scale recorded during the same period. The chill and heat units were evaluated to determine the starting date for heat accumulation, as well as the base temperature to reach each phenological stage. The influence of temperature (maximum and minimum) and water availability averaged for different periods between phenological events were evaluated, and the information was used to project potential changes in phenology by 2050 and 2070 under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. An advance of all phenological dates was projected, in particular for véraison and ripening. Verdejo could suffer slightly higher advance than Sauvignon Blanc, and, in any case, ripening will happen under warmer conditions. By 2050, flowering could be advanced between seven and nine days, depending on the emission scenario. However, véraison could be advanced about 13 or 14 days under the RCP4.5 scenario and between 16 and 19 days under the RCP8.5 scenario. Ripening could be reached by 2050 up to 20 days and 25 days earlier, respectively, under the RCP4.5 and the RCP8.5 emission scenarios, and up to 29 days earlier by 2070. These projections may imply further impacts on grapes and wines for the aforementioned cultivars associated to harvest under warmer conditions.
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