Southeast Spain Research Articles

Trade and stowaways: molecular evidence for human-mediated translocation of eastern skinks into the western Mediterranean

Abstract Human movements in the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have caused a great impact in the composition of terrestrial fauna due to the introductions of several allochthonous species, intentionally or not. Reptiles are one of the groups where this anthropic impact is most evident, owing to the extensive intra-Mediterranean dispersals of recent chronologies. Chalcides ocellatus is a widespread skink with a natural distribution that covers almost the entire Mediterranean Basin. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain its origin: natural dispersions and human translocations. Previous molecular data suggest the occurrence of a recent dispersal phenomenon across the Mediterranean Sea. In this study we present the first record of this species in the Iberian Peninsula, in Serra del Molar (South-east Spain). We combined molecular analyses and archaeological records to study the origin of this population. The molecular results indicate that the population is phylogenetically closely related to specimens from north-eastern Egypt and southern Red Sea. We suggest that the species arrived at the Iberian Peninsula most likely through human-mediated dispersal by using the trade routes. Between the Iron to Middle Ages, even now, the region surrounding Serra del Molar has been the destination of human groups and commercial goods of Egyptian origins, in which Chalcides ocellatus could have arrived as stowaways. The regional geomorphological evolution would have restricted its expansion out of Serra del Molar. These findings provide new data about the impact of human movements on faunal introductions and present new information relating to mechanisms of long-distance translocations.

How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of an Irrigation Community in the South-East of Spain by Use of Solar Energy

The climate change that plagues the world is causing extended periods of water shortage. This situation is forcing farmers in the region of Murcia in Spain to modernize their irrigation systems to optimize use of the scarce water they have and seek a circular water economy using the recovered water. Moreover, an associated problem is the need for energy that these facilities require in order to pressurize the required water. The use of photovoltaic generation contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Food produced in this region tends to have guaranteed markets in Europe and, geographically, due to the high quality of phytosanitary controls and traceability during their marketing, their optimal cultivation, and selection and labelling is verified, specifying valuable information such as: collection date, origin, the use of organic fertilizers among others. To maintain market access, it is important to continue implementing other environmental improvements, i.e., reductions in either hydro or carbon footprints. Previous studies have failed to include the prospect of environmental use of isolated facilities to replace existing consumption, seeking the monetarization of the facility as well as prioritizing the reduction of GHG. Previous studies have failed to include the perspective of environmental use of isolated photovoltaic installations, based on existing consumption, thus, going beyond the monetarization of the facility, to prioritize the reduction of GHG applied in practice by environmentally sensitized farmers. This study was conducted in an existing facility with great technical complexity and three different sources of water supply, over 1500 plots and an altitude range in plots and reservoirs of more than 400 m.

Traditional Varieties for Local Markets: A Sustainable Proposal for Agricultural SMEs

Agricultural activity has changed significantly in recent years. There is a clear trend towards monoculture and the replacement of traditional crops for others which are more productive and achieve better economic results. These factors have two fundamental consequences: on the one hand, the abandonment of agricultural activity, with the subsequent loss of rurality; on the other hand, a negative effect on the maintenance of biodiversity, because traditional varieties disappear. In this context, this paper analyses the situation of consumers and farmers of a traditional crop in the southeast of Spain: the tomato. In order to understand the current situation and the forecasted future, a choice experiment was conducted on 217 tomato consumers. Furthermore, 40 tomato farmers of this area underwent an in-depth interview. On the one hand, analysis of the consumer study established a potential segment of the population that prefers traditional varieties due to their high organoleptic properties. Meanwhile, the farmer study revealed a segment of this population that is willing to produce these types of crops. Therefore, the possibility that a certain sector of producers cultivates traditional varieties is suggested, and for these varieties to be aimed at a market niche that values them positively, making the activity of Small and Medium Enterprises (agricultural SMEs) profitable. This would improve the sustainability of the rural territory and would strengthen the preservation of genetic heritage.

Evaluation and Optimization of the Life Cycle in Maritime Works

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are a necessity. A large number of public actions and activities in many countries go in this direction. Various indicators are used to quantitatively assess the impacts, all of which are included within product life cycle assessment. It is essential to study and assess infrastructure, as it is an important factor in emissions, as well as environmental and sustainable construction. In maritime works, the aggressiveness of seawater is an important factor that reduces the life of reinforced concrete structures, and it is necessary to search for solutions that reduce or eliminate maintenance. In this research paper, the aim is to quantitatively verify that the composite materials are viable from an environmental and resistant point of view. Concrete caissons and/or breakwater crowns for vertical breakwaters were constructed as the fundamental elements, calculating the life cycle in comparison with several contrasting examples. The first is the case of a conventional breakwater crown, built in Escombreras, southeast Spain, at the Mediterranean Sea, later simulating the impact with one reinforced with fiberglass bars. The results are encouraging and call for additional measures to further reduce maritime infrastructure indicators with much less polluting, more durable, and more sustainable solutions.

Opinions on the Orchard of the Lower Segura River: A Changing Space under Great Human Pressure

What makes the Lower Segura River (southeast of Spain) unique is the existence of a densely populated and entropized territory around a smallholder agricultural activity that for centuries has shaped the so-called “Segura Orchard.” In recent years, there has been widespread occupation due to the construction of secondary residences, which has clearly changed the rural appearance, sometimes creating an image more typical of disorderly residential urbanization than of an inhabited agricultural territory. The objective of this paper is to determine the attitude and position of the resident population regarding the situation and future prospects that are envisioned for this area. In this paper, we have conducted a personal and open interview as a technique to collect the information. If we are not capable of generating sustainable socio-economic activity, we will not be able to preserve, protect and transcend what we still know as an orchard. This spatial structure is undoubtedly singular and complex, and after a process of loss of identity and alteration of traditional uses, it requires an intervention that tends to organize it and protect the important territorial heritage that it still preserves.

Assessing the Accuracy of Multiple Classification Algorithms for Crop Classification Using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 Data

The launch of Sentinel-2A and B satellites has boosted the development of many applications that could benefit from the fine resolution of the supplied information, both in time and in space. Crop classification is a necessary task for efficient land management. We evaluated the benefits of combining Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A information for irrigated crop classification. We also assessed the robustness and efficiency of 22 nonparametric classification algorithms for classifying irrigated crops in a semiarid region in the southeast of Spain. A parcel-based approach was proposed calculating the mean normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of each plot and the standard deviation to generate a calibration-testing set of data. More than 2000 visited plots for 12 different crops along the study site were utilized as ground truth. Ensemble classifiers were the most robust algorithms but not the most efficient because of their low prediction rate. Nearest neighbor methods and support vector machines have the best balance between robustness and efficiency as methods for classification. Although the F1 score is close to 90%, some misclassifications were found for spring crops (e.g., barley, wheat and peas). However, crops with quite similar cycles could be differentiated, such as purple garlic and white garlic, showing the powerfulness of the developed tool.

Mineral elements content of wild growing edible mushrooms from the southeast of Spain

Wild-growing mushrooms could be a potential source of mineral elements The aim of this study was to analyze the mineral composition of 18 species of wild-growing mushrooms collected in a natural park from the Spanish southeast (province of Granada). Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn, were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and P was analyzed colorimetrically by the vanadomolybdate procedure; the accuracy of methods was assessed by the use of certified reference materials. The contribution of mushrooms consumption to the mineral daily recommended intakes was calculated. Although large variations were observed between species, the most abundant mineral elements in the analyzed mushrooms were K and P, with average contents of 29.3 ± 8.1 and 8.60 ± 4.8 g/kg dry matter (dm), respectively. Low Na concentrations were observed (26.5–579 mg/kg dm), with the only exception of Amanita ovoidea, and high Fe values, exceeding in some cases 1000 mg/kg dm (such as in Lactarius deliciosus and Morchella conica). Mushrooms may be significant contributors of K and P in the human diet and also good sources of trace elements, especially Cu and Fe, providing negligible quantities of Na. Strong correlations were observed for Ca/Mg and Cu/Zn contents in the mushrooms analyzed.

Thermal performance of PV modules as building elements: Analysis under real operating conditions of different technologies.

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) represents a strategic part of the future building vision with a huge potential driven by the growing shift towards renewable energy resources. However, transforming building surfaces into active electricity generators must consider the thermal behaviour of photovoltaic (PV) panels since it affects both the power conversion efficiency of the PV modules and the thermal comfort of the building. Although several methods have been developed for the evaluation of the thermal performance of the PV modules, at present, no clear consensus exist on which model fits better for this application considering different PV technologies and real operating conditions. This work presents the study of the thermal behaviour of four different PV technologies (polycrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, amorphous silicon; and organic PV) based on measurements collected by an experimental system located in Murcia (southeast of Spain) during a full year. Two prediction models to estimate the operating cell temperatures of PV modules (NOCT and Sandia) have been evaluated for their suitability in BIPV systems. The results show how both models strongly depend on the incident solar irradiance magnitude and orientation. Furthermore, the correlation between ambient and module temperature difference and the in-plane irradiance shows a thermal hysteresis effect that is mostly independent of the technology but strongly dependent on orientation, with special impact for east and west faces. The results should be taken into consideration for more accurate estimations of electricity production of BIPV systems.

The 1258 Earthquake in Onteniente (Southeast Spain) Not Reported until 2002 in Any Catalog

AbstractHistorical seismicity is particularly important for the southeast region of the Iberian Peninsula, where large earthquakes are separated by long periods of time. The study of medieval earthquakes presents special difficulties. In this study, we review the earthquake of 1258 in the town of Onteniente, an event that was not present in regional catalogs of the Iberian Peninsula until 2002. Information about the earthquake is based on a contemporary letter by King James I of Aragon, who granted tax exemptions to the people of the town of Onteniente because of the damage.

Tourism Business, Place Identity, Sustainable Development, and Urban Resilience: A Focus on the Sociocultural Dimension

La Unión is a city located in the southeast of Spain with a long mining tradition. Along the twentieth century, this place faced a severe industrial crisis. Building on its history, heritage, and resources, the local economy changed towards the mining heritage tourism business. This article describes such a process of sustainable development and urban resilience through a two-stage approach. First, the focus is on explaining how the locality moved from being a mining industrial area to a mining heritage tourism place. In doing so, the study highlights the key role played by the cooperation of the local government and the nearby university. The second stage shows how the new economic model is firmly rooted on the mining identity of the place and what provides higher levels of sustainability to the destination from a social and cultural view. In this context, the article shows how the place identity model of tourism would be eager to limit the negative impacts usually associated with the spread of tourism, consequently receiving further support by the local population. To better understand the second-stage process, the study defines a theoretical framework and tests it empirically through a structural equation modeling approach. Results of the research provide regional policy advices.

Inheritance of Refractive Error in Millennials

Over the last decades, the prevalence of myopia has suddenly increased, and at this rate, half of the world’s population will be myopic by the year 2050. Contemporary behavioural and lifestyle circumstances, along with emergent technology, are thought to be responsible for this increase. Twin studies mostly reported a high heritability of refractive error across ethnicities. However, heritability is a population statistic and could vary as a result of changing environmental conditions. We studied the variance of refractive error in millennials with 100 twin pairs of university students in southeast Spain. The study population presented a high prevalence of myopia (77%). Statistical analysis showed the variance of refractive error in this group of young twins was mainly driven by the shared environment and, to a lesser extent, by additive genetic factors. We found an increase in myopia prevalence accompanied by a decrease in heritability in this sample of millennials in contrast with results from a previous generation group from the same ethnic origin.

The effects of long-term saline groundwater pumping for desalination on the fresh–saline water interface: Field observations and numerical modeling

This study tests for the first time the long-term effects of pumping saline groundwater (SGW) as feed for a desalination plant on a coastal aquifer. Field measurements combined with 3D modeling of the hydrological conditions were conducted to examine the effects of SGW pumping on the aquifer system. The plant is next to the city of Almeria (South East Spain) and has been operating since 2006. It uses multiple beach wells along the shore to draw SGW from beneath the fresh–saline water interface (FSI) of the Andarax coastal aquifer. The long-term impact of the intensive pumping on the aquifer was assessed by electrical conductivity profiles in three observation wells during 12 years of pumping. The FSI deepened with continuous pumping, reaching a decrease of ~50 m in the observation well closest to the pumping wells. A calibrated three-dimensional numerical model of the Andarax aquifer replicates the freshening of the aquifer due to the continuous pumping, resulting in a salinity decrease of ~16% in the vicinity of the wells. The salinity decrease stabilizes at 17%, and the model predicts no further significant decrease in salinity for additional 20 years. Submarine groundwater discharge is lowered due to the SGW pumping and ~19,000,000 m3 of freshwater has not lost to the sea during the 12 years of pumping with a rate of ~1,100,000 m3 yr−1 after 6 years of pumping. After pumping cessation, hydrostatic equilibrium would take about 20 years to recover. This work presents the complex dynamics of the FSI due to the SGW pumping for desalination in the first real long-term scenario. It shows by combining field work and numerical modeling, a significant freshening of the aquifer by pumping SGW, emphasizing an additional advantage and the effectiveness of this use as a negative hydraulic barrier against seawater intrusion.

Reclaimed Wastewater to Irrigate Olive Groves and Vineyards: Effects on Soil Properties

Having drinking water is one of the sustainable development goals (SDG no. 6) that is not always easy to ensure, especially in countries like Spain or arid regions marked by water deficit. The reuse of treated water should be considered when planning water resources, but it is necessary to verify that this effectiveness is applicable to real situations. A field trial was carried out in several study areas distributed in agricultural parcels of south east Spain. Soils from two olive groves and two vineyards irrigated with treated wastewater (TW) were monitored for to compare with other plantations irrigated with conventional well water (WW) since July 2016–September 2018. Five different irrigation water sources were analyzed (two from well water and three from reclaimed wastewater). No microbiological, metal content, toxicity or organic compounds (PAHs and PCBs) in the studied water samples were detected and reclaimed municipal wastewater was comparable in quality to the conventional sources at all the demonstration sites, except for higher electrical conductivity. Soils irrigated with TW had higher values for electrical conductivity, N, K, Na, Mg, Mn and cation exchange capacity. The main precautions to be considered when irrigating with treated wastewater are its salt content and its tendency to high values of electrical conductivity. Otherwise, they are an interesting contribution of nutrients to soil. Hence adopting this water type to irrigate orchards, vineyards and olive groves could help to save primary water resources.

Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compounds Obtained from Breath and Feces to Detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Doñana National Park, Spain.

The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in wild swine, such as in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Eurasia, is cause for serious concern. Development of accurate, efficient, and noninvasive methods to detect MTBC in wild swine would be highly beneficial to surveillance and disease management efforts in affected populations. Here, we describe the first report of identification of volatile organic compounds (VOC) obtained from the breath and feces of wild boar to distinguish between MTBC-positive and MTBC-negative boar. We analyzed breath and fecal VOC collected from 15 MTBC-positive and 18 MTBC-negative wild boar in Donaña National Park in Southeast Spain. Analyses were divided into three age classes, namely, adults (>2 years), sub-adults (12–24 months), and juveniles (<12 months). We identified significant compounds by applying the two-tailed statistical t-test for two samples assuming unequal variance, with an α value of 0.05. One statistically significant VOC was identified in breath samples from adult wild boar and 14 were identified in breath samples from juvenile wild boar. One statistically significant VOC was identified in fecal samples collected from sub-adult wild boar and three were identified in fecal samples from juvenile wild boar. In addition, discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used to build classification models for MTBC prediction in juvenile animals. Using DFA, we were able to distinguish between MTBC-positive juvenile wild boar and MTBC-negative juvenile wild boar using breath VOC or fecal VOC. Based on our results, further research is warranted and should be performed using larger sample sizes, as well as wild boar from various geographic locations, to verify these compounds as biomarkers for MTBC infection in this species. This new approach to detect MTBC infection in free-ranging wild boar potentially comprises a reliable and efficient screening tool for surveillance in animal populations.

Life cycle assessment of fruit and vegetable production in the Region of Murcia (south-east Spain) and evaluation of impact mitigation practices

The Region of Murcia (south-east Spain) is a world-leading agricultural producer which exports 2.5 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables per year. It holds a leading position in international sales of many fresh products including lettuce, broccoli, lemon, melon and artichoke. However, the sustainability of this highly profitable business is in the spotlight as concerns mount regarding environmental exhaustion caused by intensive farming. To gain a more objective perspective, we present the first quantification of the environmental impacts of the fruit and vegetable production systems in this region using a “cradle-to-gate” life cycle assessment. We provide standard measurable values of resource depletion; acidification and eutrophication hazards; global warming potential; and use of water resources. Once the crops and agricultural stages in critical need of intervention are identified, we propose and evaluate mitigation strategies to curb their impact.Our results show that in general woody crops have bigger footprints than vegetable crops, as they usually demand higher amounts of energy, pesticides, fertilisers and water, for considerably lower yields. Nonetheless, a turnabout in the carbon footprint was observed when CO2 fixation, which is commonly not included in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), was accounted for. This is due to the fact that woody crops, despite having higher emissions, are more efficient carbon sinks. When analysing impacts per agricultural stage, our results add more weight to the growing body of LCA-based evidence that irrigation, field work operations and fertiliser production have the most detrimental impacts. The most promising impact-mitigation action was the replacement of mineral fertiliser with manure, which offered potential footprint reductions of up to 10% and 21% for vegetable and woody crops, respectively. For woody crops, moderate impact reductions (up to 6% without a decline in yield) can also be achieved with deficit irrigation, which can be applied in synergy with mulching or organic fertilising. Finally, we compared our results against previous studies and highlighted comparability limitations, such as the inter-annual productivity fluctuations and the wide variability in agricultural practices.

Reclamation of agro-wastewater polluted with thirteen pesticides by solar photocatalysis to reuse in irrigation of greenhouse lettuce grown

In Mediterranean countries, reuse of reclaimed water is essential for crop irrigation. The occurrence of pesticides in agro-wastewater may represent a risk for human health and environment owing to their release in soil and translocation to plants. The novelty of this work relies on the reuse of reclaimed agro-wastewater polluted with thirteen pesticides for lettuce irrigation. Removing of pesticide residues in agro-wastewater was carried out using natural sunlight and TiO2/Na2S2O8 in a pilot facility located in Murcia (SE of Spain). The studied pesticides were azoxystrobin, boscalid, chlorpropham, flutolanil, flutriafol, isoxaben, methoxyfenozide, myclobutanil, napropamide, prochloraz, propamocarb, propyzamide and triadimenol, which are commonly used in southeast Spain to treat lettuces grown. Different heterogeneous and homogeneous processes were studied and compared. Previously, the optimization of the process for the selection of the best catalytic system was performed at lab-scale. TiO2+ S2O82− was selected due to the greater effectiveness, achieving almost complete disappearance after about 400 kJ m−2 of cumulative UVA exposure. No significant differences were observed in quality parameters of lettuce grown using treated and non-treated agro-wastewater.

Winter diet and lead poisoning risk of Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga in southeast Spain

ABSTRACT Capsule: Diet analysis revealed high lead exposure for Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga wintering in southeast Spain. Aims: To describe the diet composition of the endangered Greater Spotted Eagle in a wintering area located in southeast Spain, and determine lead ammunition exposure through analysis of regurgitated pellets and prey remains. Methods: Between 2008 and 2018, a total of 26 pellets, 29 prey remains and 10 direct predation observations were collected in El Hondo Natural Park, Spain. All the pellets and 10 prey remains were analysed with X-ray in order to detect metal from ammunition. Results: Greater Spotted Eagles fed mainly on birds, with 18 different species accounting for 73.1% of prey items and 66.1% of biomass consumed. The most frequent species identified were Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (23.1%), rats Rattus spp. (15.4%) and Common Teal Anas crecca (8.9%). Ammunition was detected in 42.3% of regurgitated pellets and in 40.0% of prey remains analysed. Of those containing ammunition, lead shot was found in 63.9% of pellets and 25.0% of prey remains. Conclusion: High lead shot presence in pellets and prey remains of wintering Greater Spotted Eagles in southeast Spain warns of a high risk of lead poisoning. Factors such as feeding behaviour, the large space–time overlap between the raptor presence and the waterbird hunting season and non-compliance with the ban on the use of lead ammunition are likely contributing to high lead exposure.

Barriers and Facilitators for Adopting Sustainable Soil Management Practices in Mediterranean Olive Groves

Soil is a fundamental resource, subject to severe and quick degradation processes because of the pressure of human activities, particularly in many regions of the Mediterranean where agriculture is an important economic activity. It has been proven that the use of sustainable soil management practices can potentially give rise to the creation of a carbon sink, an increase of soil organic matter content, the maintenance of crop productivity and a reduction in erosion. Despite the existence of scientific evidence about the benefits generated by the use of sustainable practices on soil, many farmers are reluctant to adopt them. The objective of this study is to identify and give a hierarchical structure to the factors that condition the adoption of sustainable practices in the management of agricultural soil. The case of olive tree cultivation in Southeast Spain has been studied, using a participatory qualitative methodology. The results show a series of seven principal barriers (information, costs, risk aversion, characteristics of the farm and sustainable practices, macro factors, and cultural barriers) and five facilitators (technology, farmer training, awareness, incentives, and social pressure) for the adoption of the proposed sustainable agricultural practices. The principal political and legislative actions proposed to increase the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices include: administrative control, fostering environmental awareness, technical knowledge, and on-farm demonstrations; and, on the economic and financial level, incorporation of both general incentives and subsidizing specific costs. This study contributes to the development and discussion of intervention proposals that are designed to stimulate the implementation of sustainable practices in agricultural soil management.

The Management of Agricultural Waste Biomass in the Framework of Circular Economy and Bioeconomy: An Opportunity for Greenhouse Agriculture in Southeast Spain

For decades, non-renewable resources have been the basis of worldwide economic development. The extraction rate of natural resources has increased by 113% since 1990, which has led to overexploitation and generation of vast amounts of waste. For this reason, it is essential that a sustainable development model is adopted—one which makes it possible to produce more food and energy with fewer fossil fuels, low pollutant gas emissions and minimal solid waste. Certain management policies and approaches, such as the strategy of a circular ecocomy or bioeconomy, are oriented towards sustainable production and consumption. The present study focuses on the importance of intensive horticulture in the Mediterranean region, specifically in the province of Almería (Spain). After having conducted a study of the main crops in this area, it was determined that the waste biomass generated presented strong potential for exploitation. With the proper regulatory framework, which promotes and prioritises the circularity of agricultural waste, there are several opportunities for improving the current waste management model. In the same way, the results of the economic evaluation demonstrate that the alternative of self-management of waste biomass is profitable, specifically from tomato crops. Compost and green fertilizer production also prove to be a key strategy in the transition towards a more circular and sustainable agricultural production model. As for the said transition, government support is vital in terms of carrying out awareness campaigns and training activities and providing financing for Research and Development (R&amp;D).

First Report of Neocosmospora falciformis Causing Wilt and Root Rot of Muskmelon in Spain

‘Cantaloupe’ and ‘Piel de Sapo’ are melon (Cucumis melo L.) varieties cultivated in Spain. In 2018, during a pathogens survey in experimental fields of Valencia and Alicante provinces (southeast Spain), wilt and root rot of melon plants were detected in grafted and ungrafted plants. Disease incidence ranged from 10% (Alicante) to 45% (Valencia). Symptoms included yellowing and wilting of leaves, rotting at the stem base and upper root, and collapse of the entire plant. Samplings were conducted from severely decayed and dead plants. Fragments (0.5 to 1 cm) from rotted lower stems and roots were surface disinfected for 1 min in 1.5% NaOCl, washed twice with sterilized distilled water, and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) with streptomycin sulfate (0.5 g/liter). Plates were incubated at 25°C in the dark for 3 to 5 days. Mycelia resembling Fusarium were isolated and characterized by morphological and molecular methods. Based on their adpressed beige mycelia, growth in concentric rings, and absence of sporodochia, colonies growing on PDA and Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer agar were preliminary identified as belonging to the Fusarium solani species complex. On PDA, colonies were white-greyish to pale-cream growing in concentric rings with beige reverse after 6 days. No sporodochia were observed. Macroconidia were slender, falcate, hyaline, three to five septate 43 (38 to 47) × 4.5 (3.8 to 5.2) µm; aerial microconidia were abundant, borne on short, undifferentiated monophialides, ellipsoidal to reniform, sometimes with a truncate base, and zero to one septate 10 (9.2 to 11.4) × 3.5 (2.5 to 6) µm. Chlamydospores were globose, single or in chains, intercalary and thin- to thick-walled. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, a fragment of translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α), and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) partial genes was done using ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1/EF2 (O’Donnell et al. 1998), and fRPB2-7cF/fRPB2-11aR (Reeb et al. 2004) primers, respectively. After comparisons using BLASTn and the Fusarium ID database (http://www.wi.knaw.nl/fusarium/), eight isolates were identified as Neocosmospora falciformis. The ITS, EF-1α, and RPB2 sequences of isolate CRR 2-6 showed 99% homology with N. falciformis EU329691 (ITS), AB817158 (EF-1α), and EU329650 (RPB2). Sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MN086327 (ITS), MN509809 (TEF-1α), and MN509810 (RPB2). For pathogenicity tests, isolate CRR 2-6 was grown in 250-ml flasks containing potato sucrose medium for 3 days at 25°C in the dark with constant agitation. Roots of ten 15-day-old Piel de Sapo seedlings grown 6 days in trays with sterilized substrate were submerged into a suspension of 5 × 10⁶ conidia/ml for 2 min and transferred to the plastic containers. Three plants submerged in sterile water served as controls. Plants were incubated in a growth chamber (25°C; 16-h/8-h photoperiod). Scarce development, wilting, and yellowing followed by plant death were observed 15 days postinoculation. Noninoculated controls remained asymptomatic. The fungus was reisolated from all the inoculated plants and identified using ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2. N. falciformis belongs to the Neocosmospora (Fusarium) solani species complex (O’Donnell et al. 2008). To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. falciformis causing wilt and root rot of melon in Spain. The adoption of molecular-based identification methods should lead to a more precise determination on incidence of the pathogen in this Mediterranean area.