The ESF group
The group works in the field of Soil Science and has been involved in national and international projects with research institutes and private companies.
We are among the few certified laboratories in the world for the preparation of standards of humic substances!
Besides basic analyses on soil fertility and on plant-soil interaction processes, we deal with elemental analysis for the determination of trace metals and, recently, we are setting up a microsensor laboratory for the study of the rhizosphere.
Opportunities for students
In our laboratory, it is possible to carry out internships, thesis and post-graduate stages. Activities can also be carried out, in collaboration with our group, at private companies and research institutes in Italy and abroad. We also host visiting researchers and professors that plan to carry on short-term experiments or teaching activities at our Institution.
News!
02/2025 - We are setting up new techniques in our laboratory! The most recent, already active, is the analysis with microsensors for O2 and H2. This technique allows the spatial and temporal monitoring of these two gases with a resolution of a few micrometers, useful for the study of gas diffusion in plant tissues and inside the soil matrix.
Keywords
Research
The skills and specific experiences of the members of the group reflect the many research topics in progress and the new project proposals. Recent topics refer to the monitoring of climate change consequences (e.g. flooding), studies on the role of soil organic matter in mitigating abiotic stresses in plants and microorganisms (e.g. salt stress), and the effects on the environment of emerging contaminants, microplastics included.