Organic wine represents an emerging market that is showing potential for growth. There is, in fact, a growing worldwide interest and attention for environmental friendly products and sustainable agricultural practices. Organic farming employs a set of farming practices that contribute in preserving soil quality. The aim of this study was to assess the soil quality of organically managed vineyards by means of two bioindicators: protozoan ciliates and microarthropods. The study was conducted in a farm in the district of “Verdicchio” of Matelica (Marche, Italy), on three vineyards with different years of implant (1992, 1998, 2009). Soil samples were taken monthly in the period from March to October 2011. A total of 252 samples including those sampled from an adjacent permanent pasture as reference site, were collected. Ciliate analysis showed a total of 20 species belonging to 6 classes, 11 orders, 15 genera. The species richness ranged from 12 to 6. Interestingly, the ciliate species (6) in V92 belongs to Spirotrichea. This situation seems to indicate a possible species coexistence due to a mature, stable soil. Microarthropod communities with the presence of biological forms well adapted to soil as Diplura, Pauropoda, Chilopoda and Protura and QBS-ar values up to 247 (V92), showed great biological value in all vineyards. Moreover and exclusively in V92, Palpigrada a rare and highly euedaphic form considered as a good indicator of soil quality, were repeatedly observed. Collectively, data indicate that the long-term organic management of the soil contribute to global soil quality in vineyards.
SOIL QUALITY IN LONG-TERM ORGANICALLY MANAGED VINEYARDS: ANALYSIS OF CILIATED PROTOZOA AND MICROARTHROPOD COMMUNITY STRUCTURES
LA TERZA, Antonietta;BHARTI, DAIZY;
2012-01-01
Abstract
Organic wine represents an emerging market that is showing potential for growth. There is, in fact, a growing worldwide interest and attention for environmental friendly products and sustainable agricultural practices. Organic farming employs a set of farming practices that contribute in preserving soil quality. The aim of this study was to assess the soil quality of organically managed vineyards by means of two bioindicators: protozoan ciliates and microarthropods. The study was conducted in a farm in the district of “Verdicchio” of Matelica (Marche, Italy), on three vineyards with different years of implant (1992, 1998, 2009). Soil samples were taken monthly in the period from March to October 2011. A total of 252 samples including those sampled from an adjacent permanent pasture as reference site, were collected. Ciliate analysis showed a total of 20 species belonging to 6 classes, 11 orders, 15 genera. The species richness ranged from 12 to 6. Interestingly, the ciliate species (6) in V92 belongs to Spirotrichea. This situation seems to indicate a possible species coexistence due to a mature, stable soil. Microarthropod communities with the presence of biological forms well adapted to soil as Diplura, Pauropoda, Chilopoda and Protura and QBS-ar values up to 247 (V92), showed great biological value in all vineyards. Moreover and exclusively in V92, Palpigrada a rare and highly euedaphic form considered as a good indicator of soil quality, were repeatedly observed. Collectively, data indicate that the long-term organic management of the soil contribute to global soil quality in vineyards.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
