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Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils

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A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Soils".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2023) | Viewed by 19699

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Janina Gospodarek

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Guest Editor

Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture, al. A. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Interests: environmental bioremediation; heavy metals; environmental pollution; environmental impact assessment; ecotoxicology; oil pollution; biomonitoring; ecological risk assessment; environmental biomarkers; agricultural entomology; aphids; biological control of insect pests
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural soils can be contaminated with a number of substances such as petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals. These substances adversely affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, leading to lower soil productivity. Moreover, these pollutants adversely affect the growth and development of cultivated plants. In addition, they can be transported from the soil through plants to the next links in the trophic chain, causing far-reaching effects on the environment and humans. In efforts aimed at the decontamination and remediation of toxic substances in the soil, there has been an increased importance of using biological methods. These are effective, advantageous in economic terms and safe for the natural environment and show remarkably rapid action. This Special Issue aims to collect papers focusing on recent scientific progress and innovation in bioremediation approaches applied to contaminated soil in agriculture. Moreover, the Guest Editor and Editorial Board welcome papers on the indirect effects of pollutants in/bioremediation techniques for soil on further elements of the agricultural environment, i.e., plants, herbivores and predators.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

The impact of contaminants (heavy metals, petroleum products, pesticides) and their bioremediation on soils, plants and invertebrates;
The changes in plant composition as a result of contamination/ bioremediation;
New bioremediation techniques (including microorganisms, plants and invertebrates);
A comprehensive approach that includes tracking the impact of pollution/bioremediation on the subsequent links in the trophic chain.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Janina Gospodarek
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

soil contamination
bioremediation
plant composition
heavy metals
petroleum hydrocarbons
invertebrates
food chain

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Biofungicides Containing Microorganisms Such as Pythium oligandrum and Bacillus subtilis on Yield, Morphological Parameters, and Pathogen Suppression in Six Winter Pea Cultivars

by Agnieszka Klimek-Kopyra, Joanna Dłużniewska and Adrian Sikora

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1170; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061170 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1012

Abstract

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a valuable source of protein and help to support crop biodiversity in a sustainable agriculture system. To maintain varied crop rotation in sustainable production, it is advisable to include the winter form of pea, which is an excellent alternative to the spring form. However, the prolonged development of winter peas when weather patterns are unfavorable can adversely affect the morphological features and the health of the plants. The literature lacks studies on this issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics, yield, and canopy health of selected cultivars of winter peas. The study was conducted at the Prusy Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, located near Krakow, Poland (50°07′28″ N, 20°05′34″ E), during two growing seasons. The study evaluated six cultivars of winter peas and two means of protecting the canopy, with biological products containing Pythium oligandrum (Polyversum WP) or Bacillus subtilis (Serenade ASO). The yield, yield structure, efficiency of N uptake, and health of the plants were assessed. Crop protection treatments using Polyversum WP and Serenade ASO were shown to effectively protect winter peas against Fusarium wilt, which occurred only in the Specter and Arkta cultivars sprayed with Serenade. Polyversum WP increased the productivity of winter peas on average by 0.5 t ha⁻¹ and increased the efficiency of nitrogen uptake on average by 10 kg ha⁻¹ in comparison to the control. The Aviron and Arkta cultivars are recommended for cultivation in the conditions of Central Europe due to their high yield potential, high efficiency of nitrogen uptake, and good canopy health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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17 pages, 1543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation and Application of Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Analysis of Glyphosate, Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA), and Glufosinate in Soil

by José Belisario Leyva-Morales, Rosina Cabrera, Pedro de Jesús Bastidas-Bastidas, Ana Isabel Valenzuela-Quintanar, Juan Pablo Pérez-Camarillo, Víctor Manuel González-Mendoza, Xiomara Patricia Perea-Domínguez, Henri Márquez-Pacheco, Jesús Mateo Amillano-Cisneros, César Noé Badilla-Medina, Luz Adriana Ontíveros-García and Edgar Cruz-Acevedo

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061131 - 27 May 2023

Viewed by 2205

Abstract

A method was developed to determine glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate in soil. The worldwide use of this herbicide in agricultural activities, and its known negative effects on both the environment and health, have generated interest in the establishment of methodologies for its determination in several matrices at trace level. The development of analytical methods for the determination of glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate is challenging due to its present amphoteric properties, high solubility in water, low molecular weight, high affinity to the ions presents in the soil, and lack of chromophore groups in its structure, making its quantification difficult. The proposed method exhibits a linear range from 5.0 to 600 µg/kg with limits of detection of 1.37, 0.69 and 1.22 μg/kg, limits of quantification of 4.11, 2.08, and 3.66 μg/kg for glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate, respectively, and adequate repeatability and reproducibility (coefficients of variation <8.0% and recovery percentages between 93.56% and 99.10%). The matrix effect was calculated for each analyte, proving to be a good alternative for the determination of these contaminants. The described method was applied to 46 soil samples collected from crop fields in Hidalgo, Mexico, with concentrations varying from not detected to 4.358 μg/kg (for AMPA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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11 pages, 869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema feltiae as an Indicator of Soil Pollution with Oil Derivatives in Bioremediation Process

by Dariusz Roman Ropek and Janina Gospodarek

Agriculture 2022, 12(12), 2033; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122033 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1554

Abstract

Petroleum-derived substances (PDSs) pollutants negatively affect agricultural soil biocenosis, disturbing the biological properties of soils. This paper aimed to test the effect of oil derivatives during soil bioremediation processes on Steinernema feltiae nematode and determine their potential use as an indicator of the degree of soil pollution. Two test series were applied (with bioremediation and without bioremediation) in which the soil was contaminated with diesel fuel, petrol and engine oil. A preparation was designed for the bioremediation of soils polluted with oil derivatives and used in the experiments. Soil pollution with oil derivatives has a negative effect on S. feltiae nematode ability to penetrate Tenebrio mollitor larvae. The most negative and long-lasting effect of soil pollution with oil derivatives was registered when engine oil and diesel fuel were used. The application of biopreparation accelerated the bioremediation process and diminished a negative effect of soil pollution with engine oil on virulence of S. feltiae nematode. The mortality of test insects caused by the nematode S. feltiae was a sufficient indicator of the progress of bioremediation of petroleum pollutants, such as diesel oil and engine oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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11 pages, 1884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Salmonella in Soil near Municipal Waste Landfill Site

by Krzysztof Frączek, Dariusz Roman Ropek and Jacek Kozdrój

Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1933; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111933 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1152

Abstract

Due to the heterogeneous origin of municipal waste, different substrates support the growth of many microorganisms, including those hazardous to humans. In consequence, landfills collecting these refuses are regarded as serious sources of infectious material contaminating the environment. In this study, we aimed to assess how waste may be related to the presence of Salmonella spp. in soil within a landfill and its surroundings. The numbers of these pathogens were estimated in soil samples collected at 17 different stands established in the municipal waste landfill of Barycz (near Kraków, Poland) and the surrounding area. The analysis showed that in all soil samples, Salmonella spp. did not exceed 270 cfu g⁻¹ in dry soil (i.e., the active landfill sector). Salmonella spp. was found in 57% of the tested soil samples in spring, 88% in summer, 45% in autumn, and was not detected in winter. A spatial distribution visualized by graphical maps allowed determination of the influence of the active sector on the surrounding areas. The graphical maps showed the impact of seasons on the spread of Salmonella spp. in the soil near the landfill. Detection and estimation of Salmonella spp. distribution in soil within the landfill area distinctly confirms the hazardous impact of collected wastes on hygienic characteristics of the soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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Review

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25 pages, 4469 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biobeds, a Microbial-Based Remediation System for the Effective Treatment of Pesticide Residues in Agriculture

by Patricia Mussali-Galante, María Luisa Castrejón-Godínez, José Antonio Díaz-Soto, Ángela Patricia Vargas-Orozco, Héctor Miguel Quiroz-Medina, Efraín Tovar-Sánchez and Alexis Rodríguez

Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071289 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1971

Abstract

Pesticides are chemical molecules employed to protect crops from pests in agriculture. The use of pesticides significantly enhances crop yields and helps to guarantee the quality of farm products; due to this, each year, millions of tons of pesticides are employed in crop fields worldwide. However, the extensive use of pesticides has been related to environmental pollution, mainly in soils and water bodies. The presence of pesticides in the environment constitutes a menace to biodiversity, soil fertility, food supply, and human health. Activities related to pesticide use in crops, such as the handling and pesticide dissolution before application, the filling and cleaning of aspersion equipment and machinery, accidental spills in crop fields, and the inadequate disposal of pesticide residues have been identified as important punctual pesticide pollution sources. Therefore, avoiding releasing pesticide residues into the soil and water is crucial to mitigating the environmental pollution associated with agricultural practices. Biobeds are biological systems that have been proposed as feasible, low-cost, and efficient alternatives for punctual pesticide pollution mitigation. Biobeds were first described as trenches packed with a mixture of 50% wheat straw, 25% soil, and 25% peat, covered with a grass layer; this composition is known as a “biomixture”. In biobeds, the biomixture absorbs the pesticide residues and supports the development of different microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, needed for pesticide degradation in the system. The effectiveness of a biobed systems lies in the high pesticide retention in the biomixture and the degradation potential of the microorganisms growing in the system. In this review, 24 studies published in the last five years (2018–2022) related to pesticide biodegradation in biobed systems are analyzed, emphasizing alternative biomixture composition usage, microbiological strategies, and the key physicochemical parameters for efficient pesticide degradation in the biobed systems. The availability of robust scientific evidence about the simple applicability, low cost, and effectiveness of biobeds for pesticide residue treatment is crucial to increasing the use of biobeds by farmers in different agricultural regions around the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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21 pages, 1562 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Biochar a Promising Strategy for Pesticide-Contaminated Soils

by Irina Gabriela Cara, Denis Țopa, Ioan Puiu and Gerard Jităreanu

Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101579 - 30 Sep 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5083

Abstract

Soil pesticide contamination induced by modern agriculture has become a serious global issue. Its uncontrolled and inefficient application is among the main reasons for their enrichment in plants and animals subsequently transferred to humans and providing a public health risk. Biochar as a renewable and economical carbonaceous material provides a natural solution for immobilizing pesticides and improving soil health. The biochar impact in agricultural contaminated soil is governed by various factors such as the physico-chemical properties of biochar, pyrolysis, soil conditions, and the application method, which can lead to significant gaps in the removal or mitigation of toxic substances. The current study summarizes the negative effects of pesticide use and the advantages of biochar according to other remediation techniques, succeeded by the mechanism and controlling factors on minimizing pesticide leaching and bioavailability in soil. In addition, the role of biochar on fundamental processes of adsorption, desorption, biodegradation, and leaching is discussed. Ultimately, the major future research regulation and key strategies that are fundamental for pesticide-contaminated soil remediation are proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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29 pages, 1992 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Analytical Methodologies and Effects on Soil Quality and Crop Yield

by Raquel Pérez-Reverón, Sergio J. Álvarez-Méndez, Rebecca Magdalena Kropp, Adolfo Perdomo-González, Javier Hernández-Borges and Francisco J. Díaz-Peña

Agriculture 2022, 12(8), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12081162 - 5 Aug 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5832

Abstract

Around one million metric ton of plastics is produced worldwide daily. Plastic contamination is aggravated when the particles reach sizes between 5 mm and 1 μm, giving rise to microplastics, which are omnipresent in the environment, especially in agroecosystems. To appreciate the magnitude of this problem, this review analyzes 177 scientific works to focus on the occurrence and effects of microplastics in agricultural soils. Firstly, the sources, behavior and fate of microplastics in agroecosystems are evaluated. Then, in the absence of a standard methodology for the study of microplastics in farmland soils, the procedures which have been employed for microplastic separation (density and floatation in 73% of the discussed works), identification and quantification (stereomicroscopy, 77%; infrared analysis, 62%) are addressed to provide a practical work guideline. Finally, we highlight the interaction between microplastics and soil microbiota, fauna and vegetation (negative effects reported in 83% of cases), including crop production (decrease in growth parameters in 63% of the reports). From this review, it can be inferred that microplastics may disrupt the biophysical environment of farmland soil, potentially leading to economic losses and to their entrance into the trophic food chain, affecting human feeding and health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contamination and Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils)

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