The water withdrawal from household subsurface wells for human consumption purposes is a common practice adopted by the population of Santa Catarina (Brazil) to offset demand peaks necessary to satisfy their water needs, when main supply sources, such as surface waters, become inadequate due to contamination, access difficulties, or rationing periods. However, these underground waters are not always assessed to determine their quality and whether they are fit for the purposes and free from health risks. Three sampling campaigns were conducted over a year at household wells in S & atilde;o Francisco do Sul region, totalling 21 samples to evaluate the aluminium content and hydrogen ion potential (pH). The data were statistically organized into comparative graphs to identify patterns and support interpretations. The results indicated Al values above the established limits (0.20 mg/L) in eight samples throughout the year, with significant increases observed in the summer. An acidic pH was also diagnosed, which enhances the Al bioavailability. The detection of aluminium levels above legal limits increases the risk of chronic exposure and development of neurodegenerative diseases. Public policies should be implemented to guide the appropriate use of groundwater and water treatments to reduce Al concentrations to acceptable drinking water levels.HIGHLIGHTSUnprecedented diagnosis of Al contamination in domestic wells in the study area. Accurate evaluation of potability and an alert system are advisable for the human consumption of groundwater. Insights into the groundwater Al behaviour and its bioavailability due to seasonal changes and aquifer properties. Public health risks associated with the consumption of Al-contaminated water.

BACKGROUND:Soil-biodegradable mulch films (SBF) are used increasingly to enhance crop yields while addressing soil pollution and disposal issues. Another sustainable practice gaining attention is the use of soil amendments derived from waste, such as insect frass from Hermetia illucens. However, the combined effects of these elements on soil ecotoxicity and microbiota remain unclear. To investigate their impact, an incubation experiment was conducted, testing the presence/co-presence of a commercial SBF (10 g kg-1), H. illucens frass (50 g kg-1), and Eisenia fetida earthworms in 250 g of dry soil, maintained at 50% water-holding capacity. RESULTS:After 22 days, SBF biodegradation reached 9.5% but increased to 62% with H. illucens frass and 52% with E. fetida, indicating that frass altered microbial communities and that earthworms enhanced soil perturbation, accelerating SBF breakdown. Ecotoxicological analysis confirmed that the tested SBF was not harmful to E. fetida, as no mortality or genotoxic damage was observed. Hermetia illucens frass also enhanced earthworm biomass, highlighting its potential as a beneficial soil amendment. The addition of soil-biodegradable mulch film, H. illucens frass, and earthworms altered soil microbial composition and functionality, reducing α diversity but enriching decomposition- and nutrient-cycling taxa like Bacillaceae and Lichtheimiaceae, enhancing soil fertility. CONCLUSIONS:These findings highlight potential synergy between insect frass and SBF in promoting soil health and accelerating SBF biodegradation in soil. Future research should focus on optimizing application rates and assessing long-term effects, with particular attention to the potential phytotoxic effects of frass on crops. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Although the broad-spectrum pesticide chlorpyrifos (CP) was banned in many developed countries, it is still widely used in developing countries. Its residues persist in the environment for unpredictable times. CP is toxic to various non-target organisms and humans and inhibits soil enzyme activity and bacterial and fungal abundance. This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of vermiremediation on soil chlorpyrifos content and soil fertility. The application of Eisenia fetida or vermicompost was studied in terms of soil chlorpyrifos concentration, microbial biomass content, and enzymatic activities in a 120-day trial. Pesticide application rates were 0, 25, and 50 ppm. The CP did not affect the earthworm survival rate at the tested doses. The earthworms markedly increased microbial biomass carbon and the activity of β-glucosamminidase, while the vermicompost had a noticeably positive effect mainly on alkaline phosphatase activity. Finally, although the vermiremediation techniques studied did not perform a bioremediation activity, they proved effective in improving the biological fertility of the soil in the presence of high concentrations of chlorpyrifos.

Conservation agriculture approaches are rarely applied to viticulture in central Italy due to some research gaps persisting in this sector that somehow reflect ineffective extension programs and activities. This work analysed the effects on soil health and fertility of two inter-row vineyard management strategies carried out for 4 consecutive years: an annual legume cover crop of Egyptian clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and a permanent meadow with spontaneous species. The inter-rows of the two tested strategies were compared with an adjacent uncultivated soil that had been left untilled for 20 years (control soil). The short-term (4 years) impacts of these techniques on the different soil organic carbon forms and on the soil microbial activity were measured at two soil depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm). Soil analyses included total and extractable organic carbon, humic and fulvic acids, microbial biomass carbon, respiration and some enzyme tests. The final aim was to evaluate if four years of soil cover could enhance the stabilisation of the soil organic carbon stock and increase the growth and activity of soil microbial biomass. The permanent meadow showed a topsoil organic carbon content significantly higher than the annual legume cover, and both management soils showed an organic carbon content higher than the control soil. The topsoil humic acid content of the annual legume cover was significantly higher than both the permanent meadow and control, indicating that legume management stored the soil organic carbon in a more stable form. The microbial biomass carbon and the soil respiration of the annual legume cover topsoil were significantly higher than those of the permanent meadow. Regarding the enzyme activities, beta-glucosidase and the enzymes related to the nitrogen cycle were significantly higher in the two managements than in the control, while phosphatase activity was not influenced by the two managements. The results indicate that soil cover in the inter-row of vineyard increases the stable form of soil organic carbon, with variations according to the type of cover adopted. Even the effects on soil microbial biomass growth and activity were positive, especially for the activities related to the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

The sustainable management of forest resources, the high demand for ecological restoration and the productive and ornamental potential of Euterpe edulis make it a key species for the Atlantic Forest conservation. The production of quality seedlings of native species stands out among the propagation strategies. Different products and processes are emerging and being incorporated into the agricultural substrates used by forest nurseries. Three fertilization technologies were tested for the production of Euterpe edulis seedlings: slow-release fertilizer (FLL), agro-industrial organic compost (FCO) and bokashi (FBO) in four different doses. The design used was completely randomized with four replications of thirteen treatments and nine plants as a sample unit, being evaluated at 270 days. The development was measured through the variables shoot height, collar diameter, aboveground fresh biomass, aboveground dry biomass, root dry biomass, total dry biomass. From these, seedling quality indices, collar height and diameter ratio, Dickson quality index and maximum technical efficiency dose were calculated. It was observed that E. edulis seedlings responded positively to the use of FLL and to the use of FCO, however, they did not present satisfactory results for FBO under the tested conditions. The maximum technical efficiency dose found for the FCO was 167.36 Kg.m-3. For FLL a dose of at least 12 Kg.m-3 can be recommended.

The oceans are one of the final destinations for the vast majority of plastic waste; in this sense, particles smaller than 5 mm, classified as microplastics (MPs), represent an environmental challenge with global impact on several ecosystems. The work evaluated the presence of MPs in marine waters off the northern coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil), addressing sampling procedures, opening, characterization, and polymer identification. A low-cost equipment developed with easily accessible materials was tested in the sampling, showing excellent results in terms of buoyancy, stability, and mechanical strength. The concentration of MPs obtained in the study was 0.01 MPs per m3. The particles found were analyzed by stereomicroscopy and classified according to morphological aspects in relation to shape into fragments 58,00%, films 25,00%, and lines 17,00%, and regarding the aspect related to color, blue was predominant. The characterization and polymeric identification was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled to the total attenuated reflectance module (FTIR-ATR). The types of polymers identified were: polyethylene 33,33%; polypropylene 25,00%; butadiene-styrene copolymer 25,00%, and cellulose 16,66%. The work contributed to the evaluation of an area not yet studied in relation to the presence of MPs in marine waters, while at the same time described in detail the methodologies for analyzing microplastics proposed in the specialized literature.

Fungicides are usually applied on strawberries to manage gray mold, induced by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. In this study, four reduced-risk fungicides (formulations of pyrimethanil, PYR, 175 mL/hL; boscalid, BOS, 80 g/hL; combination fludioxonil, FLU, +cyprodinil, CYP, 110 g/hL) were applied before harvest for the management of post-harvest diseases of strawberries. The resulting fungicide residues on the strawberry fruit were also quantified. Strawberry fruits were harvested at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days following treatment (dft) and kept at 20 ± 1 °C for 4 days or cold-stored for 7 days at 0.5 ± 1 °C, followed by a 4-day shelf life at 20 ± 1 °C. All fungicides significantly reduced gray mold, according to the McKinney Index. At 0 dft and 4 days of shelf life, the FLU + CYP completely prevented post-harvest strawberry gray mold, while PYR and BOS reduced the disease by 88% and 42%, respectively, in comparison to the untreated control. For the duration of experiment, fungicide residues were always below the maximum residue levels, and FLU was the most degraded, thanks to the enzymatic pool of the strawberries. Monitoring fungicide residues in strawberries is essential to provide the consumer information on the safety of this widely consumed fruit. The present study points out the safety of strawberry fruits for consumers, even if the treatment strategy implies the use of fungicide mixtures before the consumption, with fungicide levels always being below the MRL.

The development of domestic vertical farming units, known as indoor smart gardens or home cultivators, has been driven by recent technological advancements and the quest for sustainable farming practices. These units enable indoor farming of microgreens, offering numerous environmental and social benefits, particularly for older individuals and restaurant owners. However, a potential drawback that may hinder the widespread adoption of these systems is their energy consumption. As energy costs continue to rise and concerns about efficient energy usage to mitigate climate-related issues grow, particularly in regions reliant on fossil fuels, it is essential to address this issue. Despite the potential benefits of these systems, few studies have conducted an energy and environmental sustainability assessment of these emerging farming systems. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate these systems before promoting them to optimize their functionality and maximize their benefits. To address this gap, we assessed the electricity consumption of a commercial home cultivator used for growing lettuce, using smart meters to provide real-time information on electricity usage and peak demands. This study provides information for potential consumers to understand usage patterns, allocate resources efficiently, and plan for future capacity enhancements. Additionally, we stress the transition towards decarbonization of our energy systems.

The current context of food security and global geopolitical crises calls for proactive efforts to seek adaptive strategies for limited resources in agriculture. The production of phosphatic-based fertilisers has caused a substantial depletion of natural phosphorus (P) reserves, raising concerns about price increases due to the growing demand for P. The aim of the study is to assess whether the use of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes can be an adaptive strategy to address the issue of the limited P-fertiliser resource. A complete randomised block design was implemented with three replicates, spanning two contrasting cropping seasons under a Mediterranean climate with reduced tillage and rainfed conditions. The study aimed to assess the response of a durum wheat-maize rotation to various rates of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes (humic-complexed phosphate; HCP) in comparison to granular triple superphosphate (TSP). The evaluation focused on several parameters, including P availability, plant architecture, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and yield components and P use efficiency (PUE) for both durum wheat and maize. The results revealed that applying HCP at a rate of 4 or 8 kg ha- 1 increased soil P availability on average by 66% and 144%, respectively, compared to the control (no P-fertilisation), although a significant interaction with the monitoring year emerged. For wheat, applying HCP at a rate of 8 kg ha-1 of P resulted in higher grain yield (+15%), protein content (+0.9%) and P uptake (+48%) than the control on average considering both monitoring years. In the season characterised by favourable rainfall patterns, the application of HCP at 5 or 10 kg ha-1 of P for maize showed similar effects in terms of soil P availability, dry matter accumulation, grain yields and PUE. Conversely, in the season marked by a deficiency in summer precipitation, low PUE for maize was observed for HCP fertilisers, although they remained positive, unlike the case of TSP. Using HCP in conservation agriculture appears promising as an adaptive solution to address P-fertiliser scarcity, especially amid food security challenges and global crises. However, further studies are required to validate these findings in diverse pedo-climatic contexts and cropping systems.

Copper (Cu) toxicity is a pressing concern for several soils, especially in organic viticulture. The objective of this work was to assess Cu toxicity on the non-target organism Eisenia fetida , employing both traditional and novel tools for early identification of Cu-induced damages. In addition to traditional tests like avoidance and reproductive toxicity experiments, other tests such as the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and gut microbiome analysis were evaluated to identify early and more sensitive pollution biomarkers. Four sub-lethal Cu concentrations were studied, and the results showed strong dose-dependent responses by the earthworm avoidance test and the exceeding of habitat threshold limit at the higher Cu doses. An inverse proportionality was observed between reproductive output and soil Cu concentration. Bioaccumulation was not detected in earthworms; soil concentrations of potentially bioavailable Cu were not affected by E. fetida presence or by time. On the contrary, the SCGE test revealed dose-dependent genotoxicity for the ‘tail length’ parameter already at the second day of Cu exposition. Gut microbiome analysis a modulation of microbial composition, with the most aboundant families being Pectobateriaceae , Comamonadaceae and Microscillaceae . Bacillaceae increased over time and showed adaptability to copper up to 165 mg/kg, while at the highest dose even the sensitive Acetobacteriaceae family was affected. The research provided new insights into the ecotoxicity of Cu sub-lethal doses highlighting both alterations at earthworms’ cellular level and changes in their gut microbiota.

The present study aimed to i) assess the disintegration of a novel bio-packaging during aerobic composting (2 and 6 % tested concentrations) and evaluate the resulting compost ii) analyse the ecotoxicity of bioplastics residues on earthworms; iii) study the microbial communities during composting and in 'earthworms' gut after their exposure to bioplastic residues; iv) correlate gut microbiota with ecotoxicity analyses; v) evaluate the chemico-physical characterisation of bio-packaging after composting and earthworms' exposure. Both tested concentrations showed disintegration of bio-packaging close to 90 % from the first sampling time, and compost chemical analyses identified its maturity and stability at the end of the process. Ecotoxicological assessments were then conducted on Eisenia fetida regarding fertility, growth, genotoxic damage, and impacts on the gut microbiome. The bioplastic residues did not influence the earthworms' fertility, but DNA damages were measured at the highest bioplastic dose tested. Furthermore bioplastic residues did not significantly affect the bacterial community during composting, but compost treated with 2 % bio-packaging exhibited greater variability in the fungal communities, including Mortierella, Mucor, and Alternaria genera, which can use bioplastics as a carbon source. Moreover, bioplastic residues influenced gut bacterial communities, with Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Legionella, and Saccharimonadales genera being particularly abundant at 2 % bioplastic concentration. Higher concentrations affected microbial composition by favouring different genera such as Pseudomonas, Ureibacillus, and Streptococcus. For fungal communities, Pestalotiopsis sp. was found predominantly in earthworms exposed to 2 % bioplastic residues and is potentially linked to its role as a microplastics degrader. After composting, Attenuated Total Reflection analysis on bioplastic residues displayed evidence of ageing with the formation of hydroxyl groups and amidic groups after earthworm exposure.

Ipomoea batatas, popularly known as sweet potato, is a species of the Convolvulaceae family, with probable origin between Mexico and northern South America. Among the genotypes with economic potential, the biofortified cultivar Beauregard (Ipomoea batatas) stands out due to its rusticity and easy handling. Controlled-release fertilizers were mostly used in studies developed in other countries, and their study being necessary in Brazilian soil and climatic conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the development of Beauregard biofortified cultivar, submitted to different fertilization technologies in vertical farming system. The plantlets received different doses of controlled-release fertilizer: 0.0 (control); 30; 60; 90; 120g and a dose of 40g per pit of NPK 13-13-28 of ready solubility. At 180 days, biometric and production parameter data were collected and submitted to regression analysis and variance analysis followed by the Scott-Knott test for mean separation. The application of controlled-release fertilizer showed a positive effect on the production of the studied cultivar, favoring the performance of the plants and promoting the increase especially in height, length of branches and number of leaves. The base application of controlled-release fertilizer at a dose of 30g per plant and traditional NPK fertilizer at a dose of 40g per plant promote higher yields of dry mass of shoots and root when compared to unfertilized plants in the cultivation of sweet potatoes in vertical farming.

Bioremediation techniques are increasingly popular in addressing soil pollution. Despite this, using earthworms as first actors or adjuvants in decontamination is an open and little-discussed field. This paper focuses on vermiremediation effectiveness alone or combined with other bioremediation methods, such as phytoremediation and bioaugmentation. Literature was collected following the PRISMA criteria, setting the search with the following keywords: "(vermiremediation) AND (bioremediation OR phytoremediation OR plant*) AND (bioaugmentation OR bacteria)". The investigation was performed on Google Scholar, Science Direct, SciFinder and Web of Science databases. The article data were collected, compared, elaborated, graphically summarised and discussed to assess if the earthworms' activities play a critical role in tackling several soil pollutions. Furthermore, the review aimed to identify the most promising techniques in the function of the xenobiotic examined: organic, inorganic or both. Any gaps and criticism were highlighted to facilitate future research in this study area.

A coturnicultura, enquanto atividade que demanda baixo investimento e tem rápido retorno, mostra-se como possibilidade para o produtor rural familiar. Concomitantemente a isso, destaca-se o fato de que a utilização dos dejetos líquidos da coturnicultura, visando à geração de energia por digestão anaeróbia, pode significar uma tecnologia viável e promissora para a obtenção de biogás originado dos sistemas de produção de animais confinados. A crescente demanda por energia estabelece que novas fontes energéticas sejam mais aproveitadas, e uma grande oportunidade para o crescimento destas pode ser o uso da biomassa em sistemas de digestão anaeróbia, em que o substrato orgânico é degradado e transformado em energia e biofertilizante. O método aplicado foi o Potencial Bioquímico de Metano, por meio de biorreatores em bancada com volume de 250 mL,e em condições mesófilas se utilizou como inóculo o dejeto do tanque da esterqueira da granja de produção de ovos de codornas, os substratos utilizados para compor os tratamentos foram dejetos líquidos da coturnicultura do sistema de tratamento por lâmina d’água, com 15, 30 e 45 dias de deposição. Nos resultados obtidos, constatou-se que a melhor monodigestão utilizada foi inóculo+substrato de 30 dias de deposição, com tempo de retenção hídrica de 45 dias, apresentando maior produção acumulada de biogás (0,00078476 Nm3) e CH4 (0,000575 Nm3), bem como o maior potencial de biogás 0,0043 Nm3 (kg substrato)-1; e, quando convertido em energia elétrica, por meio de motogerador, utilizando como combustível o biogás produzido pelo dejetos líquidos da coturnicultura, obteve-se o valor 104,64 kwh (45 dias)-1.

Coturniculture, as an activity which demands low investment and quick return, is shown to be a possibility for the rural family producer. Concomitant to this, we highlight the fact that the use of liquid quail farming waste, aimed at generating energy by anaerobic digestion, can mean a viable and promising technology for obtaining biogas from confined animal production systems. The growing demand for energy establishes that new energy sources are better used, and a great opportunity for their growth may be the use of biomass in anaerobic digestion systems, in which the organic substrate is degraded and transformed into energy and biofertilizer. The method applied was Biochemical Potential of Methane, through benchtop bioreactors with a volume of 250 mL, and in mesophilic conditions. Waste was used as inoculum from the manure tank of the quail egg production farm. Thesubstrates used to compose the treatments were liquid quail farming waste from the water depth treatment system, with 15, 30 and 45 days of deposition. In the results obtained, it was verified that the best mono digestion used was inoculum+substrate of 30days of deposition, with water retention time of 45 days, showing a higher production accumulated in biogas (0.00078476 Nm3) and CH4 (0.000575 Nm3) as well as the highest biogas potential of 0.0043 Nm3 (kg substrate)-1. When converted into electrical energy, by means of a motor generator, using as fuel the biogas produced by the liquid quail farming waste, the value of 104.64 kwh (45 days)-1 was obtained.

Nitrogen release from organic amendments, e.g., from organic agriculture, is a key process to raise soil fertility to sustain crop production in low environmental impact agroecosystems. This study aimed to investigate nitrogen release from a pelletized organic amendment containing poultry litter, guano and pot ale applied to soil from a field under two different management systems: an alfalfa-based crop rotation, enriched with N by the legume, under low-intensity tillage and a cereal-sunflower crop rotation under high-intensity tillage. Both sample types were evaluated under different temperature and soil moisture conditions (optimal and variable). The influence of the released amount of N-NO3 on soil microbial biomass, soil basal respiration as well as on β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase and o-diphenoloxidase were investigated. The soil fertility level under low-intensity was higher than under high-intensity tillage. Consequently, compared to the control, microbial biomass growth in pellet-treated samples was intensified, both under optimal and variable conditions. Nevertheless, at the end of the experiment under variable conditions, microbial biomass decreased down to the level of the control. Soil moisture was identified as the limiting factor for basal respiration in low-tillage soil, while in the intensively tilled soil, low fertility was limiting, and respiration increased in response to pellet application, supplying C for microbial biomass. During the experimental period, the investigated enzyme activities were somewhat intensified by pellet application, contributing slightly to improve soil biochemical fertility. More N-NO3 was released from soil under low than high-intensity tillage; however after 90-days, the pellet was not completely mineralized, and even at optimal soil moisture content, nitrate release was only partial. This indicated that pelletizing, though useful for practical reasons such as handling, storage and field distribution, can reduce the fertilization efficiency of organic amendments.

Earthworms and microbial communities are essential non-target soil organisms that are useful to assess the collateral impact of pesticides. The present paper reports three laboratory experiments performed to investigate the effects of sub-lethal doses of two insecticides, a biologically-derived (spinosad) and a synthetic organophosphate (chlorpyrifos), on earthworm Eisenia foetida and microorganisms in organic soil. The effects were studied in terms of behaviour, reproduction, survival, and DNA damage (comet assay) in earthworms, and Next Generation Sequencing-Illumina was employed to detect the changes in the microbial community. In addition, the influence of earthworms on the degradation kinetics of insecticides and on microbial diversity was evaluated. The weights, reproductive activity and behaviour of earthworms were particularly compromised and followed a dose-dependent trend in chlorpyrifos trials, where the insecticide's degradation wasn't affected by the presence of Eisenia foetida. However, earthworms contributed to spinosad's metabolisation without significantly impacting their health. Early DNA damage was estimated in earthworms exposed to chlorpyrifos, while the impact of spinosad was significant only at the end of the toxicity test. The analysis on the microbial community indicated the buffering effect earthworms had on the bacterial communities starting from earliest sampling until the end of the trial, as well as bacterial community members' degradation response to pesticides over time.

The extensive employment of copper-based fungicides has increased copper concentration in vineyard soils. The present study’s objectives were to monitor copper concentration in two vineyard soils during two cropping seasons and study the ecotoxicological effects on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Total, soluble, and bioavailable copper fractions were measured at the end of two cropping seasons and different depths in two vineyards of central Italy, characterised by three anticryptogamic control methods: copper compounds, chitosan, and combined treatments of them. A laboratory experiment to assess the effects on Eisenia fetida was conducted with soil samples collected in the vineyards with a mean copper concentration of 60 mg/kg and two higher concentrations of 90 and 150 mg/kg. Results showed low levels of total copper concentration in the first 20 cm of soils, regardless of antifungal treatment, highlighting prudent management of the vineyards under study, but the soluble fractions showed a significant increase in all samples during the two cropping seasons. At the dose of 150 mg/kg, earthworms suffer during the first two days, showing weight loss and DNA damage, but they are able to recover until day 28, showing no permanent harm at this copper concentration in soil.

Brassicaceae products have been extensively studied for their biofumigant activity; despite this, few investigate their effect on soil proprieties. This paper aims to describe the effect on soil fertility by adding the seed meal of Brassica carinata at three different doses corresponding to field dose (3 tons/ha), 10 and 100 fold this dose in organic soil. The organic carbon balance was evaluated by analysing the oxidisable, humified and mineralised carbon fractions. Microbial activity was measured by enzymes linked to the carbon, phosphorous and sulphur cycles—β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase, respectively. The amount corresponding to 30 t/ha was the best solution for the mineralised carbon and humic carbon ratio. In contrast, there was a substantial increase in the organic substance’s mineralisation level at the maximum dose, not offset by a relative rise in humification. No repression was observed in the metabolic activity of the microorganisms, their abundance or the main enzymatic activities and, in the conditions tested, a release of only a volatile isothiocyanate occurred, limiting the biofumigant effect. Therefore, these combined factors allow us to assert that the amendment with this type of material at the intermediate dose could positively affect the phosphorus cycle, the soil structure, and fertility.

The review deals with the environmental problem caused by low or moderate nickel concentrations in soils. The main effects of this potentially toxic element on the soil biota and the most common crop species are addressed. Moreover, the paper emphasises biological remediation methods against nickel pollution in European soils. The focus is on the well-accepted phytoremediation strategy alone or in combination with other more or less innovative bioremediation approaches such as microbial bioremediation, vermiremediation and the use of amendments and sequestrants. Results acquired in real field and laboratory experiments to fight against nickel contamination are summarised and compared. The main objective was to evidence the ability of the above natural techniques to reduce the nickel concentration in contaminated sites at a not-risky level. In conclusion, the examined works agree that the efficiency of phytoremediation could be implemented with co-remediation approaches, but further studies with clear and comparable indices are strongly recommended to meet the challenges for future application at a large scale.