Spatiotemporal analysis of wildfires and their relationship with climate and land use in the Gran Chaco and Pantanal ecoregions.

The Gran Chaco and Pantanal ecoregions are the largest remaining dry forest areas in South America. Supporting diverse savanna, woodland and wetland ecosystems, these ecoregions are experiencing rapid changes in land use and fire occurrence with implications for ecosystem integrity. Our study characterizes the spatiotemporal patterns of wildfires in the Gran Chaco and Pantanal, and then examines the relationship between patterns of fire occurrence and climatic and anthropogenic drivers.

Soil C dynamics after deforestation and subsequent conversion of arable cropland to grassland in humid temperate areas.

Land use and plant-soil management influence soil organic C stocks and soil properties. This study aimed to identify the main mechanisms by which these factors alter soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and stocks. Changes in the organic C pools and biochemical quality in different OM compartments were assessed: a) after deforestation and intensive cultivation (SOM loss) and then, b) after the conversion of cropland to grassland (SOM replenishment) in a chronosequence of recovery (1-45 years).

Encapsulation of in alginate beads to sustain bacterial viability and inoculation of under drought stress.

Conventional agricultural practices based on the application of synthetic fertilizers are increasingly considered as unsustainable. Under a forecasted scenario of drought for the next decades, there is a global demand for innovative and sustainable approaches to ameliorate plant performance. Here, encapsulating beneficial microbes (BMs) to promote plant growth is gaining attention.

The Phytotoxic Potential of the Flowering Foliage of Gorse () and Scotch Broom (), as Pre-Emergent Weed Control in Maize in a Glasshouse Pot Experiment.

In our previous studies, the phytotoxicity of (gorse) and (Scotch broom) was demonstrated in vitro and argued to be caused by the release of volatile and water-soluble compounds from fresh plant foliage. In light of these positive results, there was a need to test the effects . In this work, gorse and Scotch broom were used as soil amendments in pot experiments in a glasshouse by incorporating slashed plant material into the soil at a ratio of 1% on a dry mass basis.

Drifting away. Seawater survival and stochastic transport of the invasive Carpobrotus edulis.

Coastal areas are vulnerable and fluctuating habitats that include highly valuable spaces for habitat and species conservation and, at the same time, they are among the most invaded ecosystems worldwide. Occupying large areas within Mediterranean-climate coastlines, the "ecosystem engineer" Carpobrotus edulis appears as a menace for coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. By combining the observation, current distribution, glasshouse experiment, and dispersion modeling, we aim to achieve a better understanding of the successful invasion process and potential dispersion patterns of C.

Seed Coating: A Tool for Delivering Beneficial Microbes to Agricultural Crops.

Plant beneficial microbes (PBMs), such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and , can reduce the use of agrochemicals and increase plant yield, nutrition, and tolerance to biotic-abiotic stresses. Yet, large-scale applications of PBM have been hampered by the high amounts of inoculum per plant or per cultivation area needed for successful colonization and consequently the economic feasibility. Seed coating, a process that consists in covering seeds with low amounts of exogenous materials, is gaining attention as an efficient delivery system for PBM.

Using microbial seed coating for improving cowpea productivity under a low-input agricultural system.

Background: Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have the ability to enhance the growth, fitness, and quality of various agricultural crops, including cowpea. However, field trials confirming the benefits of microbes in large-scale applications using economically viable and efficient inoculation methods are still scarce. Microbial seed coating has a great potential for large-scale agriculture through the application of reduced amounts of PGPR and AM fungi inocula.

Influence of Acacia dealbata Link bark extracts on the growth of Allium cepa L. plants under high salinity conditions.

Background: Acacia dealbata Link is an invasive plant worldwide. Finding potential uses for its waste that contribute to controling its spread and result in benefits for agriculture has recently become a new topic of research. This study aimed to evaluate the potential biostimulant effect of bark extract derived from the management of A.

Impact of an invasive nitrogen-fixing tree on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the development of native species.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate soil biotrophs that establish intimate relationships with 80 % of terrestrial plant families. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi obtain carbon from host plants and contribute to the acquisition of mineral nutrients, mainly phosphorus. The presence of invasive plants has been identified as a soil disturbance factor, often conditioning the structure and function of soil microorganisms.

Structural changes in soil communities after triclopyr application in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link.

Triclopyr is a commonly used herbicide in the control of woody plants and can exhibit toxic effects to soil microorganisms. However, the impact on soils invaded by plant exotics has not yet been addressed. Here, we present the results of an 18-month field study conducted to evaluate the impact of triclopyr on the structure of fungal and bacterial communities in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link, through the use of denature gradient gel electrophoresis.

Ambient has become strained. Identification of Acacia dealbata Link volatiles interfering with germination and early growth of native species.

Acacia dealbata Link is a widespread invader in Mediterranean type ecosystems, and traits promoting its invasiveness are currently under investigation. Due to the dense atmosphere below its canopy, we hypothesized that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from flowers, leaves, litter, or a mixture of treatments exert inhibitory effects on the natives Trifolium subterraneum, Lolium multiflorum, Medicago sativa, and also on its own seeds. We reported that VOCs from flowers significantly reduced germination in L.