Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. calabrica (Poir.) of the Fallistro Biogenetic Natural Reserve: state of “Giant pines” stand after 40 years of observations
Get PDFAim of study: (1) to assess structural parameters of Giant pines; (2) to compare three several inventories and relative parameters; (3) to assess mechanical stability of Giant pines.Area of study: Sila National Park, Calabria, Italy.Material and methods: Mechanical stability assessment and full dendrometric analysis were used.Main results: 40 years after the first measurements on the Giant pines, the most emblematic trees of the population confirmed the peculiar ecological characteristics of Calabrian pines: their posture, rapidity of growth, productivity and longevity. The pine forest containing 46 healthy monumental trees. The Ht/DBH ratio slightly decreased from first to last inventory. The decrease of the Ht/DBH ratio correspond to the increase of mechanical stability of trees.Research highlights: the importance of preserving the Fallistro Biogenetic Natural Reserve as a source of biodiversity and to maintain the high ecological stability that characterize this important Italian forest area.Keywords: Old-growth forest; Biodiversity conservation; Sustainable forestry; Calabrian pine; Forest ecology; deadwood
A new and rapid micropropagation protocol for Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden
Get PDFAim of the study: We developed a faster micropropagation protocol specifically designed for Eucalyptus grandis. Eucalyptus breeding programs use micropropagation protocols to obtain high quality cloned seedlings, but current protocols are excessively time consuming.Area of the study: The protocol has been developed in Argentina, but it can be applied in anywhere.Materials and methods: We used nodal segments as initial explants to obtain micropropagated shoots, which were then simultaneously rooted ex vitro and acclimated in a hydroponic system. Nodal segments were cultured in a MS medium supplemented with 1 mg l-1 6-benzylaminopurine, 30 g l-1 sucrose, 1 g l-1 active charcoal and 8 g l-1 agar and incubated for four weeks at 25 ± 2°C under 16 h day photoperiod. Then, micropropagated shoots were exposed 15 seconds to 5000 ppm indol-butyric acid prior to being transferred to a hydroponic system, allowing simultaneous ex vitro rooting and acclimatization.Main results: 73 ± 9% of nodal segments grew to generate 1.73 ± 1.03 shoots per explant (length: 0.76 ± 0.44 cm). After four weeks in hydroponic system, 46 ± 4 % of micropropagated shoots developed roots, which represents an acceptable and intermediate rate of success, compared to the reported in vitro rooting rates.Research highlights: Our protocol allowed to obtain micropropagated seedlings in a total timespan of 8 weeks. Our results show that, by utilizing a hydroponic system, traditional protocols to micropropagate Eucalyptus can be substantially enhanced, allowing for improved production dynamics and potentially resulting in better organized seedling manufacturing facilities.Keywords: Woody plants; silviculture; nursery seedlings; rooting methods; hydroponics; acclimatization
Pinus canariensis plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis
Get PDFAim of the study: To develop an efficient method to regenerate plants through somatic embryogenesis of an ecologically relevant tree species such as Pinus canariensis.Area of study: The study was conducted in the research laboratories of Neiker-Tecnalia (Arkaute, Spain).Material and methods: Green cones of Pinus canariensis from two collection dates were processed and the resulting immature zygotic embryos were cultured on three basal media. The initiated embryogenic tissues were proliferated testing two subculture frequencies, and the obtained embryogenic cell lines were subjected to maturation. Germination of the produced somatic embryos was conducted and acclimatization was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions.Main results: Actively proliferating embryogenic cell lines were obtained and well-formed somatic embryos that successfully germinated were acclimatized in the greenhouse showing a proper growth.Research highlights: This is the first report on Pinus canariensis somatic embryogenesis, opening the way for a powerful biotechnological tool for both research purposes and massive vegetative propagation of this species.Keywords: acclimatization; Canary Island pine; micropropagation; embryogenic tissue; somatic embryo.Abbreviations used: embryogenic tissue (ET); established cell line (ECL); somatic embryogenesis (SE); somatic embryos (Se’s)
Geographical and within-population variation of constitutive chemical defences in a Mediterranean oak (Quercus ilex)
Get PDFAim of study: to assess whether constitutive levels of total phenols and condensed tannins acting as chemical defences in Quercus ilex vary across regions, populations and genotypes.Area of study: acorns from six Spanish regions with natural presence of Q. ilex were collected for later sowing in the greenhouse of the University of Extremadura at Plasencia, western Spain.Materials and methods: 1176 acorns from 12 populations (2 per region) were sown according to a nested design (6 regions x 2 populations/region x 7 genotypes/population). After five months, 588 emerged seedlings were harvested for phenol extraction from their leaves. Quantification of total phenols through the Folin-Ciocalteu method and condensed tannins by Porter's reagent method was carried out.Main results: total phenolics and condensed tannins correlated positively. Significant differences were found for the concentration of total phenolics and condensed tannins among regions and among genotypes, but not among populations within regions. The lowest levels of constitutive defences were found in the northern Iberian Peninsula. Also, the defensive phenolic content was significantly higher in regions with acidic soils. Heritability values (total phenols 0.37±0.08 and condensed tannins 0.48±0.36) were lower than those obtained of total tannins in a previous study.Research highlights: constitutive levels of heritable chemical defences in holm oak significantly depend on their geographical origin and genotype.Keywords: condensed tannins, genetic and latitudinal variability, heritability, total phenolics
Blueberry consumption and healthy lifestyles in an emerging market
Get PDFAim of study: This study focuses on the preference for and consumption habits of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in an emerging market. The objective is to analyze the determinants of blueberry consumption in Chile and evaluate to what extent traditional factors, such as income and price, are more determinant than other attitudinal factors and lifestyles.Area of study: The Biobío Region (Chillán City), the second most important region in Chile.Material and methods: A face-to-face survey is applied to a random stratified sample. The survey collected information on adoption of healthy lifestyles, knowledge of blueberries as a natural functional food, some sociodemographic characteristics, and traditional economic factors. A Heckman model is estimated by the Maximum Likelihood.Main results: Results suggest that higher blueberry consumption is positively associated with the adoption of healthy lifestyles, a higher self-perception of healthy habits, and the recognition of blueberries as a natural functional food. The nutritional status reflected that people with a lower body mass index consume fewer blueberries. Finally, traditional factors, such as income and price, are showed to be more influential on blueberry consumption than attitudinal and lifestyle factors.Research highlights: Chilean consumers perceive blueberries as a healthy product, which can contribute to adopt healthier lifestyles. Domestic markets should be supplied with higher quality product taking into account that the demand is price inelastic. Branding and packaging with functional claims could be an efficient strategy to increase domestic consumption
Effect of slaughter age and finishing diet on sensory evaluation and consumers’ preference of foal meat
Get PDFAim of study: This study focused on the sensory evaluation and consumer preferences of foal meat depending on the animal slaughter age (13 and 26 months) and finishing diet (standard and linseed concentrate).Area of study: It was developed in two localities in the north of Spain: Orense and Pamplona.Material and methods: The sensory study was conducted by a 10-member trained and a 474-consumer panel.Main results: The trained panel described meat from both, 13 and 26-months old foals similar between each other. On the contrary, consumers considered meat from the younger group to be juicier and tenderer, being juiciness and tenderness (p<0.05), the most important clues for their global acceptance. No differences were found in either the trained or the consumer panel due to the finishing diet. The consumers test was carried out in two Spanish cities (Pamplona and Orense. Two scenarios were considered: without and with supplementary information about the foal meat production. The additional information disclosed about foal meat had a positive effect on Pamplona consumers’ assessments.Research highlights: City and information level are essential factors to introduce foal meat in the market. The lack of knowledge about foal meat and its low presence in meat markets make it necessary to develop further sensory studies; to obtain foal meat description patterns, and to get to know consumers’ likings
Nitrogen mineralization of legume residues: interactions between species, temperature and placement in soil
Get PDFAim of study: To assess the interactive effects of legume species, residue placement and temperature on the net nitrogen (N) mineralization dynamics in a sandy loam soil.Area of study: Northern PortugalMaterial and methods: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) residues were incorporated or applied to the soil surface at typical field yields in Europe and incubated in aerobic conditions for up to 240 days, either at 10ºC or 20ºC. Initial chemical characteristics of the soil and residues were determined. Net N mineralization was estimated at eight time intervals.Main results: Cowpea residues caused no negative changes in soil mineral N contents and were able to release the equivalent of 21-45 kg N ha-1 in 240 days. Net N immobilization (up to 17 kg N ha-1) was observed throughout most of the trial in soil with faba bean and pea residues. Differences in mineralization patterns could be attributed to the higher quality (lower carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratios) of cowpea. Surface placement increased net N mineralized by as much as 18 kg N ha-1. The sensitivity of N mineralization to changes in temperature and residue placement varied with legume species, likely due to effects associated with differences in C:N ratios.Research highlights: Adding cowpea residues to soil is suitable when high N availability is immediately required. Faba bean or pea residues are better suited for conservation of soil N for later release
Sophorolipids: A review on production and perspectives of application in agriculture
Get PDFSophorolipids are bioactive molecules that have gained a lot of attention in the recent decades due to their unique functional properties of reducing surface and interfacial tension, emulsification and solubilization. They are mainly produced by the yeast Candida bombicola and are composed of a sugar moiety linked to a fatty acid chain. Sophorolipids are non-toxic, highly efficient and stable at extreme conditions and possess environmentally friendly characteristics over the chemical surfactants. This review is focused on the main characteristics of sophorolipids, fermentation processes, and their utilization in the agricultural field. In this context, sophorolipids are very suitable for use in agriculture, as enhancers of solubility and mobility of plant nutrients, which could result in increased plant biomass, root size and fruit yield. In addition, they could be used for biodegradation of oils, bioremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soils, and as potential biopesticides, to control phytopathogenic microorganisms in agriculture. The extensive use of chemical pesticides has led to widespread insecticide resistance and to hazards to human health and the environment due to their high toxicity. Thus, the introduction of a new biomolecule to control plant diseases and increase crop yield has become an interesting alternative. As a result of the demonstrated antimicrobial activity towards phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi, sophorolipids could be extensively explored in the agriculture field, as a sustainable and natural multifunctional agent for plant crops and soils
Bifenthrin toxicity, inheritance of resistance, cross-resistance to insecticides in Helicoverpa armigera
Get PDFAim of study: It is first report to sort out resistance development; its mode and inheritance in Helicoverpa armigera against bifenthrin till several generations using progeny reciprocal crosses and back crosses, combined with observing the cross resistance of bifenthrin against pyrethroid, organophosphate, pyrazole and new chemistry insecticides.Area of study: This study was conducted at agriculture fields of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.Material and methods: Bifenthrin selected strain of H. armigera was reciprocally crossed to bifenthrin susceptible strains. Resulting F1 progeny was back-crossed to resistant strain. Cross resistance of bifenthrin to six insecticides (cypermethrin, triazophos, emamectin benzoate, fipronil, lambda-cyhalothrin, profenofos) was observed.Main results: Resistance ratio was higher in bifenthrin selected strain. h value showed that resistance was autosomal with incomplete dominance. Polygenic mode of resistance; resistance controlled by more than one gene; was found against bifenthrin in H. armigera. Cross resistance of bifenthrin selected strain against different insecticides was found higher.Research highlights: Reciprocal crosses of F1 progeny combined with LC50 exhibits that resistance can be controlled using multiple insecticides at different intervals against H. armigera. These results can be implicated to develop an integrated pest management strategy to control H. armigera
Sensitivity analysis and parameterization of two agricultural models in cauliflower crops
Get PDFAim of study: The development of a procedure to calibrate the LEACHM and EU-Rotate_N models for simulating water and nitrogen dynamics in cauliflower crops.Area of study: Calibration was performed using experimental data obtained from measurements in a cauliflower crop sited in Valencia (Spain) region.Material and methods: A procedure based on generalized sensitivity indices for time-dependent outputs was used to determine the most influencing model parameters, in order to reduce the number of parameters to be calibrated and to avoid overparameterization. The most influencing parameters were introduced in an optimization process that uses the experimental measurements of soil water and nitrate content to determine its optimal value and obtain calibrated models.Main results: After this analysis, the most important hydraulic parameters found were the coefficients of Campbell’s equation for the LEACHM model and the soil water content at field capacity and drainage coefficient for the EU-Rotate_N model. For the N cycle, the most influencing parameters were those related with the nitrification, humus mineralization rate and residue decomposition for both models. Both calibrated models provided good simulation of soil water content with an error between 5-7%. However, larger errors in soil-nitrate content simulation were found, mainly in the period corresponding to the crop residues incorporation. The prediction of the calibrated models in a different plot gave error values of about 7-9% for soil water content, but for soil nitrate content errors computed were 34% and 58%.Research highlights: After calibration, both models can be used to optimize the farmer water management and fertilization practices in horticultural crops, although in the N case further studies should be performed