Domenico Ventrella | Consiglio per la Ricerca e Sperimentazione in Agricoltura (original) (raw)
Papers by Domenico Ventrella
Industrial Crops and Products, 1997
... via France H. cannabinus L. He 118 PI 305079 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. sabdariffa Hs ... more ... via France H. cannabinus L. He 118 PI 305079 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. sabdariffa Hs 119 PI 305080 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. cannabinus L. He 120 PI 318723 USDA-Georgia France H. sabdariffa Hs 121 PI 324921 USDA-Georgia Iran H. cannabinus L ...
CATENA, 2016
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere and it is among... more Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere and it is among the most important factors responsible for conservation of soil quality. Automated dry combustion techniques are gradually replacing traditional quantification methods based on wet digestion chemistry. Critical comparison of different methods is fundamental to reevaluate archives of SOC data and accurately assess and model long-term carbon stock variation and should be performed for different soil types and management conditions. Two analytical methods, the Springer-Klee wet digestion and the dry combustion using an automated analyser, were compared for soils typical of a Mediterranean environment in Southern Italy. Soil samples were collected from three sites, at two depths. Soils were fine textured (from clay-loam to clay) with total carbonate ranging from 6.6 to 16.7 g 100 g −1 . SOC content varied from 6.92 to 28.86 g kg −1 (as average of the two methods), with values and ranges typical of Southern Europe. On average, Springer-Klee method gave slightly higher values and showed greater data variability. This behaviour, in agreement with other studies, can be attributed to the reaction of K 2 Cr 2 O 7 with other soil constituents and to analytical constraints. Our results suggest high consistency between Springer-Klee and dry combustion techniques and show recoveries close to one both for the whole dataset and for data grouped per experimental site or soil depth. Linear regression equations between the two methods were slightly affected by different soil types (P = 0.0621). The best fitting of the relationship was a linear regression passing through the origin for the whole dataset (R adj 2 = 0.965; RPD = 3.41). The strong overall agreement observed between the two methods would enable the direct comparison of new data set with those already existing in Southern Italy for soils with similar characteristics.
Numerical inversion can be used to estimate the soil hydraulic properties from cumulative infiltr... more Numerical inversion can be used to estimate the soil hydraulic properties from cumulative infiltration data obtained with a tension infiltrometer (TI) experiment. A numerical test of the inverse method was performed in this paper to evaluate different optimisation strategies for estimating the volumetric water content, theta, and hydraulic conductivity, K, vs. pressure head, h, relationships of a clay loam soil.
Many agronomic and hydrological investigations depend on accurate measurement of soil water conte... more Many agronomic and hydrological investigations depend on accurate measurement of soil water content (SWC). Accuracy, precision, facility and speed, including the capability to carry out measurements at different depths, are essential characteristics for monitoring SWC in the agronomical experiments. At the present, common systems use sensors based on capacitance (FDR) or time domain reflectometry (TDR) principles. Both the methods introduce advantages and disadvantages. In the framework of AQUATER Project (Decision support systems to manage water resources at irrigation district level in Southern Italy using remote sensing information), the main objective of this study has been to monitor the SWC dynamics in a tomato (Foggia) and watermelon (Castellaneta - TA) field cultivations, both located in Southern Italy, by using: (1) the Diviner 2000 (Sentek Pty. Ltd., South Australia), (2) the TDR-100 (Campbell Sci. Shepshed, UK), (3) ThetaProbe Soil Moisture Sensor-ML2x (Delta-T Devices Lt...
The main objective of this study was to determine the soil physical quality, in a long-term resea... more The main objective of this study was to determine the soil physical quality, in a long-term research with two different systems of weed control in an almond-tree (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) orchard submitted to surface tillage (ST) and no tillage (NT) but chemical control in pre-emergence. ST and NT soils showed a good air capacity, ideally-good plant-available water capacity, optimal macroporosity typical of un-degraded soils, while the relative field capacity was optimal only for NT soil. Moreover, we detected an optimal or sub-optimal dry bulk density. According to the S index, this clay soil showed a very good or good quality, which agreed very well with the other indicators evaluated in this study. Finally, the saturated hydraulic conductivity was optimal both in summer and winter seasons.
The purpose of this study is to analyse the components of soil water balance in an important dist... more The purpose of this study is to analyse the components of soil water balance in an important district included in the Basilicata and Puglia regions (Southern Italy) mainly cropped with horticultural crops. The study was performed by using the spatially distributed and physically based model SIMODIS in order to individuate the best irrigation management maximizing the water use efficiency and minimizing water losses by deep percolation and soil evaporation. SIMODIS was applied taking in account the soil spatial variability and localization of cadastral units for two crops, durum wheat and water melon. Water melon cultivation was simulated adopting different water supply managements and several indicators were calculated and mapped in a GIS environment. The analysis allowed to identify the areas particularly sensitive to water losses by deep percolation because of their hydraulic functions characterized by low water retention and large values of saturated hydraulic conductivity. The i...
Crop simulation models represent useful tools for enhancing agricultural research through the int... more Crop simulation models represent useful tools for enhancing agricultural research through the integrated analysis of the relations between soil, plant and environment. At the same time, they can provide effective support for decision making in agricultural planning by modelling the impact of several treatments on crop yield, soil fertility and environmental water resources. The Southern Italy is characterised by low water availability due to scarce and irregular rainfall and high evaporative of the atmosphere. In the last twenty years, several models have been developed for the simulation of water fluxes and solute transport in the groundwater-soil-crop-atmosphere continuum. One of these is SWAP (Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant), a physical based model that resolves numerically the Richards equation in order to describe the water flux into the soil profile. It integrates the water flow with the solute transport, taking account of soil heterogeneity, crop growth and drainage at various s...
Spatial variability of soil water content represents an actual and significant challenge, because... more Spatial variability of soil water content represents an actual and significant challenge, because of the difficulties in defining a representative measurement of large field that could be shared between homogeneous zones of management, in size comparable to the correlation distance of soil water variability. The objective of this study was to characterise the spatio-temporal variability of soil water content during the growing season of winter lettuce and evaluate the potential for precision water management. In this study the maps of the stability water distributions were found to be useful tools for precision irrigation water management with temporally stable irrigation water application pattern that can be prescribed even in a spatially variable field according to the partition in management zones for increasing the water use efficiency.
Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment
A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage system and fertilizer N applied to... more A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage system and fertilizer N applied to the preceding gramineous rotational crop on horse bean (Vicia faba L. minor) yield and N uptake, chemical composition and nutritive value. The study took place during the periods 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 within the framework of a long-term experiment started in 1990 and involving a 2-year rotation including triticale and horse bean. The experimental layout was a split-plot design with three replicates and four tillage systems in the main plots. Tillage treatments included conventional tillage (CT), two-layer tillage (TT), surface tillage (ST) and minimum tillage (MT). In the subplots, the three N fertilization rates, applied to the preceding triticale crop, were 0 kg ha-1 (N0), 50 kg ha-1 (N50) and 100 kg ha-1 (N100). Over the whole experimental period, tillage system did not significantly influence horse bean seed yield, N uptake, crude protein content and 48-h in vitro true dry matter ...
Journal of Plant Nutrition
Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Cont... more Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial...
Biochar has been reported to improve soil physical properties, such as bulk density, water retent... more Biochar has been reported to improve soil physical properties, such as bulk density, water retention, porosity and penetration resistance. However, compared to these properties, little is known about the impact of biochar addition on soil hydraulic conductivity, especially for fine-textured soils. In this study we evaluated the impact of biochar amendments (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 g kg-1) on both field saturated, Kfs (Simplified Falling Head technique, SFH) and near-saturated, K(h) (Mini-disk Tension Infiltrometer method, MTI) hydraulic conductivity, as measured on repacked clay soil columns (25 cm in diameter by 28 cm in height), that remained in field (about 30 month), exposed to weather conditions until the soil bulk density was nearly constant. Soil water content was continuously monitored by TDR probes. Biochar was obtained through a traditional method of slow pyrolysis (at approximately 500°C) from a mixed feedstock of pruning wood from fruit trees. Its effects on Kfs measurements...
The transition from conventional to organic farming is the most difficult period facing organic g... more The transition from conventional to organic farming is the most difficult period facing organic growers. Compost applications together with leguminous crop are basic practices in organic farming. Addition of good quality composts may improve the physico-chemical properties of soils, as well as affect positively microbiological and biochemical properties, which can exert a great influence on plant productivity. Soils samples were collected from compost or fertilizer treated-fields during the transition to organic farming (2009-2011) in fields in the Foggia and Metaponto in the south of Italy. Compost was applied at two different rates, based on crop requirement of N (Compost-N) and as amendment (Compost-A) in a rotation of wheat and lentil crops. Different fractions of organic matter were separated including the light fraction (LF), the particulate organic matter (POM) and the mobile humic acid (MHA). Soil and their relevant fractions were characterized for their carbohydrates and am...
Organic farming is considered an alternative farming system to overcome the environmental, econom... more Organic farming is considered an alternative farming system to overcome the environmental, economic, and ethical consequences of the industrialized high input agriculture. The FAO regards organic farming as an effective strategy for mitigating climate change and building robust soils that are better adapted to extreme weather conditions associated with climate changes. Soil samples were collected from two experimental fields in south of Italy, at Foggia and Metaponto, to study the SOM pools under organic farming management. Soils were treated with compost or fertilizer and cultivated with either wheat or lentil in a rotation. Samples were collected during 2009–2011 and a sequential fractionation procedure was used to separate different SOM-fractions: light fraction (LF), the particulate organic matter (POM), and the mobile humic acid (MHA) fraction. Isolated fractions were quantified and analyzed for their contents of C and N. Soil, LF, POM and MHA were characterized for their conte...
Soil and Tillage Research, 2015
Biochar represents a soil conditioner that can change the physical and hydraulic properties of th... more Biochar represents a soil conditioner that can change the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil. To date, little information is available about the biochar-induced changes on physical and hydraulic properties of fine textured soils. Therefore, an evaluation of its effects before the field use is advisable. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of biochar addition on saturated (K fs ) and unsaturated (K(h)) hydraulic conductivity, water retention, capacitive indicators such as macroporosity (P mac ), air capacity (AC), plant available water (PAWC) and relative field capacity (RFC, equal to the ratio between field capacity and saturated soil water content), dry bulk density (ρ b ) of a repacked clay soil. Biochar effects on simulated wheat yields were also evaluated using the DSSAT model. Five levels of amendments (0-5-10-20-30 g biochar per kg −1 soil) were used and the soil columns remained in the field for about 30 months until undisturbed soil conditions were reached. No significant differences of the K fs values were detected between amended and unamended soils and the ratio between K fs values was, on average, equal to a factor of 1.01-0.93-0.98-1.25 (respectively for C5-C10-C20-C30). In the same way, biochar did not affect appreciably the K(h) values. Depending on the applied pressure head or the biochar concentration, the differences were within a factor of 0.83-0.39. On the contrary, significant increases of soil water retention were detected close to water saturation (0 < h < −10 cm) for the highest biochar concentration. This behavior resulted in an imbalance between the liquid and gaseous phases of the soil. The relative field capacity, that gives an account of the optimal balance between water capacity and air capacity of the soil, was lower than the critical limit of 0.6, suggesting excessive soil aeration. Since these results are coupled to non-significant differences in ρ b values, our results confirm that small decreases in bulk density (on average, 0.014 g cm −3 ) may result in appreciable modifications in soil water retention close to water saturation. The simulations carried out with DSSAT suggested that a moderate addition of biochar to a clay soil (not higher than 10 g kg -1 ) has the potential to increase the production of durum wheat (mean increase ± standard deviation, 236 ± 126 kg ha −1 ). These findings have to be verified under field conditions.
Industrial Crops and Products, 1997
... via France H. cannabinus L. He 118 PI 305079 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. sabdariffa Hs ... more ... via France H. cannabinus L. He 118 PI 305079 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. sabdariffa Hs 119 PI 305080 USDA-Georgia Russia via France H. cannabinus L. He 120 PI 318723 USDA-Georgia France H. sabdariffa Hs 121 PI 324921 USDA-Georgia Iran H. cannabinus L ...
CATENA, 2016
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere and it is among... more Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere and it is among the most important factors responsible for conservation of soil quality. Automated dry combustion techniques are gradually replacing traditional quantification methods based on wet digestion chemistry. Critical comparison of different methods is fundamental to reevaluate archives of SOC data and accurately assess and model long-term carbon stock variation and should be performed for different soil types and management conditions. Two analytical methods, the Springer-Klee wet digestion and the dry combustion using an automated analyser, were compared for soils typical of a Mediterranean environment in Southern Italy. Soil samples were collected from three sites, at two depths. Soils were fine textured (from clay-loam to clay) with total carbonate ranging from 6.6 to 16.7 g 100 g −1 . SOC content varied from 6.92 to 28.86 g kg −1 (as average of the two methods), with values and ranges typical of Southern Europe. On average, Springer-Klee method gave slightly higher values and showed greater data variability. This behaviour, in agreement with other studies, can be attributed to the reaction of K 2 Cr 2 O 7 with other soil constituents and to analytical constraints. Our results suggest high consistency between Springer-Klee and dry combustion techniques and show recoveries close to one both for the whole dataset and for data grouped per experimental site or soil depth. Linear regression equations between the two methods were slightly affected by different soil types (P = 0.0621). The best fitting of the relationship was a linear regression passing through the origin for the whole dataset (R adj 2 = 0.965; RPD = 3.41). The strong overall agreement observed between the two methods would enable the direct comparison of new data set with those already existing in Southern Italy for soils with similar characteristics.
Numerical inversion can be used to estimate the soil hydraulic properties from cumulative infiltr... more Numerical inversion can be used to estimate the soil hydraulic properties from cumulative infiltration data obtained with a tension infiltrometer (TI) experiment. A numerical test of the inverse method was performed in this paper to evaluate different optimisation strategies for estimating the volumetric water content, theta, and hydraulic conductivity, K, vs. pressure head, h, relationships of a clay loam soil.
Many agronomic and hydrological investigations depend on accurate measurement of soil water conte... more Many agronomic and hydrological investigations depend on accurate measurement of soil water content (SWC). Accuracy, precision, facility and speed, including the capability to carry out measurements at different depths, are essential characteristics for monitoring SWC in the agronomical experiments. At the present, common systems use sensors based on capacitance (FDR) or time domain reflectometry (TDR) principles. Both the methods introduce advantages and disadvantages. In the framework of AQUATER Project (Decision support systems to manage water resources at irrigation district level in Southern Italy using remote sensing information), the main objective of this study has been to monitor the SWC dynamics in a tomato (Foggia) and watermelon (Castellaneta - TA) field cultivations, both located in Southern Italy, by using: (1) the Diviner 2000 (Sentek Pty. Ltd., South Australia), (2) the TDR-100 (Campbell Sci. Shepshed, UK), (3) ThetaProbe Soil Moisture Sensor-ML2x (Delta-T Devices Lt...
The main objective of this study was to determine the soil physical quality, in a long-term resea... more The main objective of this study was to determine the soil physical quality, in a long-term research with two different systems of weed control in an almond-tree (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) orchard submitted to surface tillage (ST) and no tillage (NT) but chemical control in pre-emergence. ST and NT soils showed a good air capacity, ideally-good plant-available water capacity, optimal macroporosity typical of un-degraded soils, while the relative field capacity was optimal only for NT soil. Moreover, we detected an optimal or sub-optimal dry bulk density. According to the S index, this clay soil showed a very good or good quality, which agreed very well with the other indicators evaluated in this study. Finally, the saturated hydraulic conductivity was optimal both in summer and winter seasons.
The purpose of this study is to analyse the components of soil water balance in an important dist... more The purpose of this study is to analyse the components of soil water balance in an important district included in the Basilicata and Puglia regions (Southern Italy) mainly cropped with horticultural crops. The study was performed by using the spatially distributed and physically based model SIMODIS in order to individuate the best irrigation management maximizing the water use efficiency and minimizing water losses by deep percolation and soil evaporation. SIMODIS was applied taking in account the soil spatial variability and localization of cadastral units for two crops, durum wheat and water melon. Water melon cultivation was simulated adopting different water supply managements and several indicators were calculated and mapped in a GIS environment. The analysis allowed to identify the areas particularly sensitive to water losses by deep percolation because of their hydraulic functions characterized by low water retention and large values of saturated hydraulic conductivity. The i...
Crop simulation models represent useful tools for enhancing agricultural research through the int... more Crop simulation models represent useful tools for enhancing agricultural research through the integrated analysis of the relations between soil, plant and environment. At the same time, they can provide effective support for decision making in agricultural planning by modelling the impact of several treatments on crop yield, soil fertility and environmental water resources. The Southern Italy is characterised by low water availability due to scarce and irregular rainfall and high evaporative of the atmosphere. In the last twenty years, several models have been developed for the simulation of water fluxes and solute transport in the groundwater-soil-crop-atmosphere continuum. One of these is SWAP (Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant), a physical based model that resolves numerically the Richards equation in order to describe the water flux into the soil profile. It integrates the water flow with the solute transport, taking account of soil heterogeneity, crop growth and drainage at various s...
Spatial variability of soil water content represents an actual and significant challenge, because... more Spatial variability of soil water content represents an actual and significant challenge, because of the difficulties in defining a representative measurement of large field that could be shared between homogeneous zones of management, in size comparable to the correlation distance of soil water variability. The objective of this study was to characterise the spatio-temporal variability of soil water content during the growing season of winter lettuce and evaluate the potential for precision water management. In this study the maps of the stability water distributions were found to be useful tools for precision irrigation water management with temporally stable irrigation water application pattern that can be prescribed even in a spatially variable field according to the partition in management zones for increasing the water use efficiency.
Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment
A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage system and fertilizer N applied to... more A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage system and fertilizer N applied to the preceding gramineous rotational crop on horse bean (Vicia faba L. minor) yield and N uptake, chemical composition and nutritive value. The study took place during the periods 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 within the framework of a long-term experiment started in 1990 and involving a 2-year rotation including triticale and horse bean. The experimental layout was a split-plot design with three replicates and four tillage systems in the main plots. Tillage treatments included conventional tillage (CT), two-layer tillage (TT), surface tillage (ST) and minimum tillage (MT). In the subplots, the three N fertilization rates, applied to the preceding triticale crop, were 0 kg ha-1 (N0), 50 kg ha-1 (N50) and 100 kg ha-1 (N100). Over the whole experimental period, tillage system did not significantly influence horse bean seed yield, N uptake, crude protein content and 48-h in vitro true dry matter ...
Journal of Plant Nutrition
Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Cont... more Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial...
Biochar has been reported to improve soil physical properties, such as bulk density, water retent... more Biochar has been reported to improve soil physical properties, such as bulk density, water retention, porosity and penetration resistance. However, compared to these properties, little is known about the impact of biochar addition on soil hydraulic conductivity, especially for fine-textured soils. In this study we evaluated the impact of biochar amendments (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 g kg-1) on both field saturated, Kfs (Simplified Falling Head technique, SFH) and near-saturated, K(h) (Mini-disk Tension Infiltrometer method, MTI) hydraulic conductivity, as measured on repacked clay soil columns (25 cm in diameter by 28 cm in height), that remained in field (about 30 month), exposed to weather conditions until the soil bulk density was nearly constant. Soil water content was continuously monitored by TDR probes. Biochar was obtained through a traditional method of slow pyrolysis (at approximately 500°C) from a mixed feedstock of pruning wood from fruit trees. Its effects on Kfs measurements...
The transition from conventional to organic farming is the most difficult period facing organic g... more The transition from conventional to organic farming is the most difficult period facing organic growers. Compost applications together with leguminous crop are basic practices in organic farming. Addition of good quality composts may improve the physico-chemical properties of soils, as well as affect positively microbiological and biochemical properties, which can exert a great influence on plant productivity. Soils samples were collected from compost or fertilizer treated-fields during the transition to organic farming (2009-2011) in fields in the Foggia and Metaponto in the south of Italy. Compost was applied at two different rates, based on crop requirement of N (Compost-N) and as amendment (Compost-A) in a rotation of wheat and lentil crops. Different fractions of organic matter were separated including the light fraction (LF), the particulate organic matter (POM) and the mobile humic acid (MHA). Soil and their relevant fractions were characterized for their carbohydrates and am...
Organic farming is considered an alternative farming system to overcome the environmental, econom... more Organic farming is considered an alternative farming system to overcome the environmental, economic, and ethical consequences of the industrialized high input agriculture. The FAO regards organic farming as an effective strategy for mitigating climate change and building robust soils that are better adapted to extreme weather conditions associated with climate changes. Soil samples were collected from two experimental fields in south of Italy, at Foggia and Metaponto, to study the SOM pools under organic farming management. Soils were treated with compost or fertilizer and cultivated with either wheat or lentil in a rotation. Samples were collected during 2009–2011 and a sequential fractionation procedure was used to separate different SOM-fractions: light fraction (LF), the particulate organic matter (POM), and the mobile humic acid (MHA) fraction. Isolated fractions were quantified and analyzed for their contents of C and N. Soil, LF, POM and MHA were characterized for their conte...
Soil and Tillage Research, 2015
Biochar represents a soil conditioner that can change the physical and hydraulic properties of th... more Biochar represents a soil conditioner that can change the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil. To date, little information is available about the biochar-induced changes on physical and hydraulic properties of fine textured soils. Therefore, an evaluation of its effects before the field use is advisable. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of biochar addition on saturated (K fs ) and unsaturated (K(h)) hydraulic conductivity, water retention, capacitive indicators such as macroporosity (P mac ), air capacity (AC), plant available water (PAWC) and relative field capacity (RFC, equal to the ratio between field capacity and saturated soil water content), dry bulk density (ρ b ) of a repacked clay soil. Biochar effects on simulated wheat yields were also evaluated using the DSSAT model. Five levels of amendments (0-5-10-20-30 g biochar per kg −1 soil) were used and the soil columns remained in the field for about 30 months until undisturbed soil conditions were reached. No significant differences of the K fs values were detected between amended and unamended soils and the ratio between K fs values was, on average, equal to a factor of 1.01-0.93-0.98-1.25 (respectively for C5-C10-C20-C30). In the same way, biochar did not affect appreciably the K(h) values. Depending on the applied pressure head or the biochar concentration, the differences were within a factor of 0.83-0.39. On the contrary, significant increases of soil water retention were detected close to water saturation (0 < h < −10 cm) for the highest biochar concentration. This behavior resulted in an imbalance between the liquid and gaseous phases of the soil. The relative field capacity, that gives an account of the optimal balance between water capacity and air capacity of the soil, was lower than the critical limit of 0.6, suggesting excessive soil aeration. Since these results are coupled to non-significant differences in ρ b values, our results confirm that small decreases in bulk density (on average, 0.014 g cm −3 ) may result in appreciable modifications in soil water retention close to water saturation. The simulations carried out with DSSAT suggested that a moderate addition of biochar to a clay soil (not higher than 10 g kg -1 ) has the potential to increase the production of durum wheat (mean increase ± standard deviation, 236 ± 126 kg ha −1 ). These findings have to be verified under field conditions.