Optimization of headspace solid-phase Microextraction (SPME) for the odor analysis of surface-ripened cheese

Fifty volatile compounds of surface smear-ripened cheese were detected and identified using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and vacuum distillation coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Changes in the headspace of aroma compounds were monitored over the whole packaging period (47 days) using the HS-SPME method. Initially, the concentration of methanethiol increased before reaching a plateau. This evolution could be linked to the growth of Brevibacterium linens. During the shelf life of cheese, levels of acetic acid and 3-methylbutanoic acid remained constant, whereas butane-2,3-dione, 3-hydroxybutan-2-one, and hydroxypropan-2-one levels gradually declined and acetone and 3-methylbutanol levels dropped sharply to a plateau. Changes in odor could be related to changes of the rind, which behaved as a barrier, strongly influencing the distribution of volatile compounds in the headspace. Using a gas chromatography-olfactometry technique without separation, it was shown that the SPME extract was representative of the cheese odor.     

Relationships between soil properties and feeding activity of soil fauna in acid forest soils

We investigated the relationships between soil chemical properties, humus form, and feeding activity in eight forest sites in Northrhine‐Westphalia, Germany. The study sites varied in forest type (oak, oak‐hornbeam, spruce, and pine). Three study sites were located under the same climatic conditions, and five study sites were distributed all over Northrhine‐Westphalia. We determined humus form, soil chemical properties, and feeding activity in three replication plots per site. We used the bait‐lamina test to determine feeding activity of soil fauna. Independent of forest type, all study sites were very acid with pH(CaCl₂) values in the Ah horizon between 2.8 and 4.0. The three study sites located under the same climatic conditions showed very homogenous soil chemical properties (pH in Ah: 2.9–3.0), whereas the five other sites varied significantly due to their soil chemical parameters (pH in Ah: 2.8–4.0). All single sites presented feeding activities with a very low spatial heterogeneity. Forest types and climatic conditions were not related to activity of soil fauna. Feeding activity and thickness of the O layer were strongly negatively correlated, whereas the activity was strongly positively correlated to soil pH in the five study sites with a wide range of soil chemical parameters. The three extremely acid forest sites presented significant differences in feeding activities that were not related to soil chemical properties.     

Effects of strip wise tillage in combination with liming on chemical and physical properties of acidic spruce forest soils after clear cutting

We investigated the initial effects of strip wise soil loosening (0–35 cm depth) on soil chemical and physical parameters by using a deeply working rotary cultivator in combination with liming and mixing of the dolomite with the soil material of acidic forests. The investigations took place 8 months after the treatment. pH values and contents of exchangeable Ca and Mg increased significantly at the tilled depth whereas the content of exchangeable Al and easily soluble P decreased. The rate of mineralisation increased at this depth which was shown by a loss of Corg, Ntot and short-term loss of NO₃-N. The treatment led to a mobilisation of Mn at the tilled depth. However, the content of exchangeable Pb decreased due to an increased pH value. Below the tillage depth of 35 cm only partly significant changes of exchangeable Mn and NO₃-N were found. The total porosity and bulk density at 10–15 and 40–45 cm depths were not significantly different from those in the control plot, but the rate of infiltration increased significantly.     

Assessing the Biophysical Impact and Financial Viability of Soil Management Technologies Under Variable Climate in Cabo Verde Drylands: The PESERA‐DESMICE Approach

Field trials have demonstrated the potential of soil conservation technologies but have also shown significant spatial–temporal yield variability. This study considers the Pan‐European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment – Desertification Mitigation Cost‐Effectiveness modelling approach to capture a greater range of climatic conditions to assess the potential effect of an improved agricultural management practice emerged from field trials as a promising strategy for enhancing food security and reducing soil and land degradation. The model considers the biophysical and socio‐economic benefits of the improved soil conservation technique (T3) – residue mulch combined with pigeon pea hedges and an organic amendment, against a local baseline practice (T0). The historic rainfall statistics and 50‐year rainfall realizations provide a unique time series of rainfall and an envelope of the potential crop yield. Envelopes of potential biomass production help express the agricultural risk associated with climate variability and the potential of the conservation measures to absorb the risk, highlighting the uncertainty of a given crop yield being achieved in any particular year. T3 elevates yield under both sub‐humid and semi‐arid climates with greater security for sub‐humid areas even though risk of crop failure still exists. The technology offered good potential to increase yields by 20% in 42% of the dryland area in Santiago Island and reduce erosion by 8·6 Mg ha⁻¹, but in terms of cost‐effectiveness, it might be prohibitively expensive for farmers lacking inputs. The findings can enable the assessment of policy options at larger scale or influence adoption of improved conservation measures under the climatic variability of the Cabo Verde drylands and resilience to future climate change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mulching effects on soil nutrient levels and yield in coffee farming systems in Rwanda

Different combinations of organic mulch were applied in smallholder coffee farming systems to assess their effects on soil nutrient contents and coffee yield at three sites in different agro-ecological zones in Rwanda. Mulching systems consisted of Cymbopogon spp. (T1), Panicum spp. (T2), Cymbopogon spp. and Panicum spp. (T3), Eucalyptus spp. and Cymbopogon spp. (T4), mixed residues (T5) and un-mulched coffee used as control (T6). Mulch had significant and specific effects at each site (p < 0.001). T3 reduced soil pH value and exchangeable acidity at Kibirizi, while at Karongi and Ruli, these effects were observed with T4 and T5. T4 and T5 significantly increased the content of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). The amount of nutrients released was regulated by the amount and type of mulch applied, the agro-ecological conditions and the soil properties at each site. The increased soil nutrient levels led to improved soil fertility conditions and increased coffee yields. The coffee yields were significantly increased with T1 at Karongi (p < 0.05) by up to 1.9 t ha⁻¹. T2 and T3 had significantly higher yields at Kibirizi. Yields at Kibirizi were 48% lower compared to yields at Karongi; at this site, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 increased yields by 57%, 26%, 31%, 20% and 28%, respectively, when compared to the no mulching treatment (T6). However, coffee yields over 1.9 t ha⁻¹ can only be obtained with additional applications of inorganic fertilizer at different rates depending on the agro-ecological zone and soil type.     

Formation and decay of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in soil and water under tropical conditions

Mancozeb is a fungicide frequently used in tropical countries. It rapidly decomposes into ethylenethiourea (ETU), a more stable and toxic metabolite than mancozeb that is, therefore, regarded as a pollutant of concern. The objective was to study ETU formation and decay kinetics in soil and water under tropical conditions in order to assess its potential for accumulation. Batch experiments, spiked with either mancozeb or ETU, were carried out under natural (= active) as well as tyndallized conditions. In active soils, dissipation of ETU occurred significantly faster (half‐life 1.5 h) than in tyndallized soils (half‐life time 28 h). In water under natural and sterile conditions, decay was slower than in soils with an ETU half‐life time of 115 and 99 h, respectively. Microbial activity was seen to play an important role in ETU dissipation in soil. However, in water nonbiological processes seem to be more important in the breakdown of the molecule, with hydrolysis being the most probable decay mechanism. Decay of both mancozeb and ETU was found to occur more rapidly than previously reported. The high humidity and temperatures under the simulated humid tropical conditions, and higher microbial activity, lead to more rapid decay of these molecules than under other conditions. Nevertheless, a concentration of 1.29 mg ETU L^–1 was still observed 8 d after adding mancozeb (20.83 mg L^–1) to water under humid tropical conditions. These results suggest that, in comparable regions in the humid tropics, it is unlikely that ETU would accumulate in soil but it represents a potential risk for accumulation in water bodies.     

Effects of different land use on soil chemical properties, decomposition rate and earthworm communities in tropical Mexico

The effects of land use on soil chemical properties were evaluated, and earthworm communities and the decomposition rate of three typical land use systems in tropical Mexico, namely banana plantations (B), agroforestry systems (AF) and a successional forest (S) were compared.The study was carried out from November 2005 to April 2006. A completely randomized sampling design was established in six sites (B1, B2, AF1, AF2, S1 and S2). Soil properties and chemical characteristics (texture, pH, organic carbon (Corg), nutrients, and available Zn and Mn), earthworm communities and the decomposition of Bravaisia integerrima and Musa acuminata litter were analyzed over a period of 8 weeks.All soils were loamy clays with a medium to high content of nutrients. Three principal clusters were generated with the soil chemical properties: a first cluster for forest soils with high Corg and Ntot and low available Zn content, a second cluster for AF1 and a third cluster for B1, B2 and A2.The decomposition of B. integerrima litter was significantly faster (half-life time: 1.8 (AF2)–3.1 (B1) weeks) than that of M. acuminata (4.1 (AF2)–5.8 (S2) weeks). However, the decomposition rates did not differ significantly among the different sites.The greatest earthworm diversities were observed in AF2 and B1. Native species were dominant in the forest soils, whereas exotic species dominated in AF and in the banana plantations. The abundance and biomass of certain earthworm species were correlated to physical and chemical soil parameters. However, litter decomposition rates were not correlated with any of the soil physical–chemical parameters.While none of the land use systems studied led to a decrease in nutrient status, earthworm biodiversity and abundance, or in litter decomposition rate, they did result in a change in earthworm species composition.