Browsing by Author "Bonomelli, Claudia"

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    Ammonium Excess Leads to Ca Restrictions, Morphological Changes, and Nutritional Imbalances in Tomato Plants, Which Can Be Monitored by the N/Ca Ratio
    (MDPI, 2021) Bonomelli, Claudia; de Freitas, Sergio Tonetto; Aguilera, Camila; Palma, Carola; Garay, Rebeca; Dides, Maximiliano; Brossard, Natalia; O'Brien, Jose Antonio
    Both nitrogen and calcium fertilization management are vital for crops, where an imbalance of these elements can cause both physiological and yield problems. It has been proposed that nitrogen absorption, particularly ammonium, is in part dependent on calcium supply. Moreover, the balance between these two nutrients could be a key indicator of plant growth in some species. Tomato, one of the most cultivated crops worldwide, can also be widely affected by nutritional imbalance. Using large amounts of N fertilizers could lead to an imbalance with other nutrients and, thus, detrimental effects in terms of plant development and yield. Here we show that ammonium excess has a negative impact on plant development and results in calcium deficiency. Moreover, a deficit in calcium nutrition not only affects calcium concentration but also leads to a restriction in N uptake and reduced N concentration in the plant. These effects were evident at the seedling stage and also during flowering/fruit set. Using PCA analysis, we integrated both phenotypic and nutritional imbalances in seedlings and grown plants. Interestingly, the Ca/N ratio appears to be a key indicator to monitor appropriate N and calcium nutrition and more importantly the balance between both. Maintaining this balance could be an essential element for tomato crop production.
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    CHEMICAL FRACTIONS OF Al IN VOLCANIC SOIL AMENDED WITH CELLULOSE WASTE
    (2013) Borquez, Carlos; Arellano, Eduardo; Artacho, Pamela; Bonomelli, Claudia; Canales, Camila; Antilen, Monica
    The cellulose industry generates a great volume of organic and inorganic waste, one of these wastes are called dreg (D) and grits (G). These residues have a high content of calcium carbonate, positioning them as potential bleachers in acid soils. Due to the important content of Al in the residues, a sequential extraction was done to establish the metal chemical fractions such as exchangeable, adsorbed, organic carbonated, and the ones associated to sulfurs, in incubated samples (2, 4, 8, and 32 days at 60 degrees C) of an Andisol amended soil with Grits, Dregs + Grits and lime in 1, 2 and 3 ton/ha doses. The results revealed that there was a significant increase in the amount of Al in all fractions, in comparison to the control soil. On the other hand the incorporation of these residues through a Dregs (70%) + Grits (30%) mixture provoked a pH increase, always higher than the commercial lime.
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    CONTENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SOILS NEAR A CHILEAN COPPER MINING TAILING
    (2009) Montenegro, Gloria; Fredes, Carolina; Mejias, Enrique; Bonomelli, Claudia; Olivares, Luis
    In Chile, heavy metals pollution occurs mainly near copper mines in the northern and central regions of the country. Here, agricultural soils have been found to be polluted by heavy metals several kilometers from the source. The objective of this study was to analyze the contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb and chemical variables (pH, EC, OM and CEC) of soils found near copper mine tailing in the north of the country. Available heavy metals were determined using AAS, and total heavy metals were determined with ICP-OES. Soils were grouped into three sectors, according to their proximity to the tailing, the course of an estuary, and the direction of the wind. Cu was the heavy metal found in the highest average concentrations relative to the rest of the elements determined. The samples that followed the course of the estuary had the highest average contents of Cu, with significant (p <= 0.05) statistical differences from the other sectors. Principal components analysis of the heavy metal contents of the 24 samples analyzed indicated that three principal components explained 75.5% of the data variability. In the dispersion graph of the first two components, a group of soils close to the interception axis and four distant soils, which had the highest contents of Fe (276.6 mg kg(-1)), Cu (375.1 mg kg(-1)), Mn (56.7 mg kg(-1)), Zn (21.7 mg kg(-1)), Cr (45.0 mg kg(-1)) and Pb (129.3 mg kg(-1)), are observed.
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    Effects of climate and soil properties on growth of Pinus pinea young plantations
    (2024) Loewe-Munoz, Veronica; Bonomelli, Claudia; del Rio, Rodrigo; Delard, Claudia; Balzarini, Monica
    Background and aims Growth of Pinus pinea forests and plantations in native countries is known to be affected by soil and climate characteristics. However, edaphoclimatic drivers of growth and fruiting have been scarcely studied outside the species' native range; in addition, the role of soil nutrients, particularly in juvenile trees' development, has been poorly explored. Methods Relationships between edaphoclimatic variables and the performance of 54 young plantations were studied in Chile. Vegetative growth and fruiting were measured in 100 randomly selected trees per plantation. Composite soil samples were taken from each site to analyze soil chemical characteristics and texture. A principal component analysis was performed including climatic, soil data, and growth and fruiting variables. Results Annual growth was 1.3 cm year(-1) for stem diameter, 28.3 cm year(-1) for crown diameter, and 38.9 cm year(-1) for height; cone production per crown area was 0.07 cones m(-2). Negative correlation of height growth, crown growth and cone production with EC, Na, and pH were found, along with positive correlations with OM, PP and the index PP x AT. Stem diameter growth was favored by less acidic soils with high sand content, and showed no correlation with cone production. Furthermore, vegetative growth was positively correlated with N, P, Mg and clay content. In young plantations, vegetative growth was higher than in the species' native habitat. Conclusion Soil properties, in particular low EC and Na were identified as favorable for growth of young stone pine trees, along with high content of soil N, P and Mg, and PP.
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    EFFECTS OF FOLIAR AND SOIL CALCIUM APPLICATION ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF TABLE GRAPE CV. 'THOMPSON SEEDLESS'
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2010) Bonomelli, Claudia; Ruiz, Rafael
    Table grape quality and firmness are key parameters for Chile's export, given distances from the main markets. As a consequence, calcium (Ca) fertilization has become a standard practice in the country, although its effects have not been fully evaluated. The objectives in this study were to investigate the effects of calcium fertilization on table grape nutrition and quality. A two-year field trial was conducted in central Chile, using grapevines (Vitis vinifera) cv. 'Thompson seedless', grown on an overhead trellis system. Calcium (CaCl2) application treatments included foliar, soil, foliar plus soil, and a control without Ca fertilization. Calcium and other nutrients concentration were determined afterwards in soil, leaves, and berries. Also, yield and some fruit quality parameters were evaluated. Calcium application method did not have an effect on soil, leaf or fruit Ca content, neither on yield and berry sugar concentration, with levels being similar to the control treatment. Additionally, in treatments where CaCl2 was applied to soil, chlorides concentration in soil, leaves, and berries were higher. Also, berries were larger, more turgent, with lower dry matter and larger cells. In the second season, in these same treatments, berry firmness at harvest was higher, but this effect disappeared after the storage simulation period. These results question the validity that Ca applications might improve table grape postharvest quality for growing conditions similar to the ones in this experiment. The temporal changes in berry quality parameters were attributed to higher Cl soil content and the associated plant osmoregulatory mechanisms.
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    Newly established blueberry plants. The role of inorganic nitrogen forms in nitrogen and calcium absorption
    (MDPI, 2024) Arias Flores, María Ignacia; Nario, Adriana; Rojas Mego, Krystel Clarissa; Blanc, Poulette; Bonomelli, Claudia
    Efficient nitrogen (N) management is crucial for maximizing the growth of young blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum). This study evaluates the effects of the N fertilization form (ammonium, NH4+; nitrate, or NO3-) and application timing on the blueberries' establishment, N and Ca absorption, and N distribution. The experiment was conducted in the southern hemisphere, in Chile, from October 2023 to January 2024. Six-month-old blueberry cv. Blue Ribbon plants were cultivated in pots. NH4+ and NO3- were used as full or split-dose applications using the 15N isotopic dilution technique. Plant leaves, stems, root growth, and biomass, as well as their N and Ca contents, were measured. Our results showed that 90 days after nitrogen application, blueberry plants obtained the lowest biomass in their leaves, stems, and roots when NO3- was applied in T1 or T1T2. The same pattern was observed for N and Ca contents, hence for N recovery. During the first period (T1) of application, heavy rain (100 mm) was registered over the course of a few days and caused leaching. Therefore, applying nitrate to young blueberry plants cultivated in areas with spring rainfall and low temperatures would not be recommended because the leaching losses and lower growth conditions, such as low temperatures and high precipitation, led to reduced transpiration, resulting in lower calcium and nitrogen contents. These confirm that N fertilization management (form and timing) can ensure a better establishment for young blueberry plants, optimizing their growth and sustainable production by minimizing nitrogen losses.
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    Nitrogen Application in Irrigated Rice Grown in Mediterranean Conditions: Effects on Grain Yield, Dry Matter Production, Nitrogen Uptake, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2009) Artacho, Pamela; Bonomelli, Claudia; Meza, Francisco
    Field experiments were conducted in the major rice growing area of Chile to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization and site on grain yield and some yield components, dry matter production, N uptake, and N use efficiency in rice cultivar 'Diamante'. Two sites (indicated as sites 1 and 2) and six N rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 kg N ha-1) were compared. Nitrogen fertilization increased yield, panicle density, spikelet sterility, dry matter production, and N uptake at maturity. 90% of maximum yield was obtained with 200 kg N ha-1 in site 1 (12,810 kg ha-1) and with 100 kg N ha-1 in site 2 (8,000 kg ha-1). These differences were explained by lower panicle density, and the resulting lower dry matter production and N uptake in site 2. Nitrogen use efficiency for biomass and grain production, and grain yield per unit of grain N decreased with N fertilization. While, agronomic N use efficiency and N harvest index were not affected. All N use efficiency indices were significantly higher in site 1, except grain yield per unit of grain N. The observed variation in N use efficiency indices between sites would reflect site-specific differences in temperature and solar radiation, which in turn, determined yield potentials of each site. On the basis of these results, cultivar 'Diamante' would correspond to a high-N use efficiency genotype for grain yield.
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    Plant growth and nutrient uptake of Selliera radicans Cav. under soilless conditions and fertilized for cultivation purposes
    (2022) Schiappacasse, Flavia; Castro, Margarita; Cabeza, Ricardo; Bonomelli, Claudia
    Selliera radicans is a creeping halophyte herb native to Australia, New Zealand and Chile. It is being used on the lawn to replace traditional grass in gardens. It holds up well against foot traffic and does not need to be mown. It is grown in nurseries, but nutritional or fertilizing aspects are unknown. The aims of this study were to assess plant coverage, dry matter (DM) content and nutrient accumulation in containerized plants started from two-node rhizome fragments in a growing season, and to develop a preliminary fertilizing guideline. The plants received mist (without fertilizer) and were watered twice a week with nutrient solutions of 0 (control), 150, and 300 mg L-1 N based on a 18 N - 18 P2O5-18 K2O fertilizer. Increasing fertilization rate resulted in higher DM, plant coverage and nutrient accumulation. The species occurs naturally in coastal areas under saline conditions; Na from the water used for irrigation (17 mg L-1) was not detrimental, despite plant Na concentration being higher than 1 g 100 g(-1 )dry matter in all treatments. The general guideline proposes to fertilize with 1 g N, 0.5 g P and 0.95 g K per plant (plant started from a rhizome fragment and growing into a complex plant with several axis) during the growing season, under the experiment conditions.
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    Seasonal pattern of root growth in relation to shoot phenology and soil temperature in sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium): A preliminary study in central Chile
    (2012) Bonomelli, Claudia; Bonilla, Carlos; Acuna, Edouard; Artacho, Pamela
    C. Bonomelli, C. Bonilla, E. Acuna, and P. Artacho. 2012. Seasonal pattern of root growth in relation to shoot phenology and soil temperature in sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium): A preliminary study in central Chile. Cien. Inv. Agr. 39(1): 127-136. The period between flowering and harvest in the sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is shorter than most fruit trees; thus, competition for assimilate and nutrients occurs early in the season. To properly supply water and nutrients during this critical period, optimal growth and root development are necessary. To characterize the root growth pattern of cherry trees in relation to shoot growth and phenology, a study was conducted on a 'Bing' cherry orchard on Gisela 6 rootstock at fourth leaf, located in central Chile (34 degrees 70 degrees S, 70 degrees 43' W). During the 2009-2010 season, the shoot length and fruit diameter were measured on eight trees, and the root length was quantified by installing rhizotrons on two trees. Additionally, a two-tone (black/white) plastic cover was placed in the row over one tree with a rhizotron to analyze the effects of the plastic cover on soil temperature and root growth. The results showed three peaks of root growth during the season. The first peak occurred 43 days after full bloom (DAFB), corresponding to the phenological stages of the fruit turning from green to straw color. This peak occurred at 326 accumulated degree days (ADD) in the soil and 212 ADD in the air. The second peak was observed after harvest at 97 DAFB, when the shoot growth had stopped, and the soil and air had accumulated 932 and 692 degree days, respectively. The third and last peak occurred at 167 DAFB, with 1887 ADD in the soil and 1361 ADD in the air. The plastic cover increased the average soil temperature by approximately 1 degrees C, thereby increasing the ADD by 105.2 units during the study period. However, this increase was not enough to affect the root growth pattern.
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    Sweet cherry response in absorption and mobility of 10B applied to soil and flowers under two soil boron conditions
    (2024) Arredondo, Gerado; Bonomelli, Claudia; Nario, Adriana; Rojas-Silva, Ximena; Gaete, Patricia
    Background: Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants, and B deficiency reduces fruit set in sweet cherry trees. Several studies showed the advantages of foliar and soil B applications in fruit trees, but there is little information on the distribution of B in the plant, becoming an important issue when nutritional corrections are needed. Aims: The study aims to determine B mobility and distribution in sweet cherry trees, applying B-10 to the flowers and soil, at different timings and under two levels of soil B availability. Methods: Two experiments were conducted with sweet cherry trees. In the two previous seasons, the plants were managed in two soil B availability conditions (deficient and adequate). The experiments consisted of the applications of B-10 solution to the flowers and the soil at different timings and under both soil B conditions. Results: Higher B-10 absorption occurred when the B-10 was applied to the soil at full bloom than when it was applied before leaf senescence. Boron was mobilized to all the tissues, but mainly to the leaves. Nevertheless, the fruit presented no differences in B-10 excess for both application timings. Irrespective of soil B conditions, the B-10 applied to the soil at full bloom was absorbed and mobilized to different tissues, that is, roots + rootstock + trunk (39%-44%) and stems + leaves (53%-55%), showing no differences between them. A lower percentage of B was located in the fruit, with 1% and 8% at soil B-deficient and B-adequate conditions, respectively. The highest percentage of the B-10 applied to the flowers remained in the fruit (similar to 70%), and nearly 20% and 10% were mobilized to stems + leaves and roots + rootstock + trunk, respectively, independent of the soil B condition. Conclusions: Boron applied to soil at full bloom or before leaf senescence, under B-deficient soil condition, is absorbed and mobilized to all the plant tissues, enhancing the B status in sweet cherry trees particularly when it is applied at full bloom. However, B soil application before leaf senescence would improve the availability of B (reserves) to the flowers in the following season. Boron applied to the flowers, at full bloom, remains in a high proportion in the fruit, becoming an effective complementary method to meet the fruit demands of the growing season, independent of the soil B conditions.