CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Observations on different post-fire bio-engineering interventions and vegetation response in a Pinus canariensis C. Sm. forest
Full text linkOn the Canary Islands, during the 2007 (30 July - 2 August) wildfire, about 18.000 hectares of forest were destroyed. After the event, to avoid erosion, a series of mixed check dams (wooden elements and stones with a core filled with forest residues) were built in the gullies created by the surface runoff. This first study aims to investigate the different responses of vegetation and its recovery after fire, with three different types of structures. We analyzed the performance and evolution of the mixed check dams nine years after their construction and the post-fire response of vegetation with the different types of bio-engineering techniques applied. The effects of the mixed check dams are expressed in terms of plant density, frequency, and cover both in absolute and in relative terms and the same effects were compared with those of the rocks, check dams, wattle fences, and structure in the surrounding areas. Our observations show that fire adaptation in the Canary Islands vegetation (pyrophyte plants), coupled with selected bio-engineering techniques, facilitated resprouting, seeds germination and a quick restoration of the forest ecosystem. The study confirms that simple, nature-based and low cost bio-engineering measures, which use local materials and are consistent with traditional building experiences effectively contribute to site restoration
Which are Southern Italy’s fastest growing tree species? Lessons from the past for future perspectives, with a special focus on Sicily
Full text linkFast growing tree species can generate high wood production in a short time frame. However, maximum productivity is dependent on environmental and management conditions as well as intrinsic plant traits. Within this framework, our research was into tree species with the highest Mean Annual Increments (MAIs) in southern Italy, particularly in Sicily. Eucalyptus spp., Acacia saligna Labill. H. L. Wendl., Ailanthus altissima Mill. (Swingle), Pinus halepensis Mill. (including Pinus brutia Ten.), Pinus canariensis C.Sm. and Pinus radiata D. Don. were identified. In particularly suitable conditions, the MAI of eucalypt coppices ranged from 8 to 12 m3 ha-1, and from 13 to 19 m3 ha-1, in Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Eucalyptus globulus Labill., respectively. The MAI of E. camaldulensis high forests was slightly over 6 m3 ha-1, while that of E. globulus high forests was very similar to its coppice value. Considering the preliminary data, Acacia saligna Labill. H. L. Wendl. can achieve good wood production. Pinus halepensis Mill. and Pinus brutia (Ten.) Holmboe achieved MAIs of 5-7 m3 ha-1. Other species may be promising but either data is very limited or their invasive potential requires careful consideration. This historical review has shown that with optimal tree species-planting site-cultivation technique combinations, tree species can achieve wood yields typical of fast-growing species in Mediterranean Italy, too
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): new poplar clones allow an environmentally sustainable cultivation
Full text linkIn Italy 72 poplar clones (Populus spp.) are registered for commercialization. They were selected for fast growth, stem shape and disease resistance. The new selections (named MSA) includes genotypes with very high resistance to all the main diseases and to one insect, Phloeomizus passerinii (Sign.). Fast growth and disease resistance allow to produce wood with low environmental and economic costs; for this reason in some Italian Regions the introduction of a percentage of these clones in poplar stand is mandatory to obtain funding for their establishment (Rural Development Plan). To better understand the environmental advantages deriving from the use of these clones, in comparison with the old genotypes (particularly ‘I-214’), a ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ approach was applied considering as impact indicator the CO2 equivalent emissions; from stoolbed to commercial stand, primary data were collected from an Italian experience. Firstly with the Inventory Analysis all the raw material, energy, wastes and emissions related were collected for each cultivation phase. The Analysis showed a reduction of 9% of CO2 eq. ha-1 emitted, growing MSA instead of ‘I-214’. Considering the emissions per volume of wood, ‘I-214’ requests 47.5 kg CO2 eq. per m3, compared with MSA that request 36.6 kg CO2 eq. per m3
Role of soluble, cell wall bound phenolics, tannin and flavonoid contents in maize resistance to pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker
Full text linkThe pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker is an important pest of winter maize which causes significant yieldlosses. In an attempt to identify the biochemical basis of resistance against S. inferens, total soluble phenolics, boundphenolics, cell wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acids-p-coumaric acid (p-CA), ferulic acid (FA), total tannin contentand total flavonoid contents, were measured in leaf at 10, 20 days after germination (DAG); stem at 20, 40 DAG;pith and rind tissues at 60 DAG (stem differentiated). From the present study, it was found that bound phenolics,p-CA, ferulic acid and total tannin contents contribute to the maize defense mechanism against S. inferens. Totalbound phenolic content showed negative correlation with Leaf Injury Rating (LIR). Highly significant strong positivecorrelation (+0.9750) was observed between LIR and total soluble phenolics in leaf tissue at 20 DAG. Similarlyhighly significant strong positive correlation between LIR and total tannins (+0.9354**) and flavonoids (+0.9582**)in pith at 60 DAG was observed. Further, a strong significant positive correlation was also observed between LIRand p-CA (+0.9199*) in pith at 60 DAG and total ferulic acid (+0.9051*) in rind at 60 DAG. The significant strong negativecorrelation between LIR and p-CA (-0.8441*) in stem at 40 DAG was observed. The total bound phenolicsin rind at 60 DAG (0.756), in leaf at 20 DAG (0.681), and total soluble phenolics in the stem at 20 DAG (0.685) showedhigher loadings with PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively. Genotype-by-biochemical factor biplot showed that thedata of biochemical parameters measured in different tissues and stages could be able to group the genotypesaccording to their reaction to S. inferens
Investigation of Agronomic and Kernel Quality Traits of Registered Maize Varieties using Principal Component Biplot Analysis
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to determine the adaptability and kernel quality of new maize hybrids in Bayramic-Canakkale ecological conditions (West part of Turkey). The field trials were carried out during the 2016 and 2017 planting seasons (spring) with 10 maize hybrids (A49, A9C1, A9C2, B4A, B4C, B4C2, B6C, BA, BC and BC2). Grain yields, some yield components and some grain quality characteristics (yield, protein content, total oil content and content of oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid) of hybrids maize were examined in this study. All kernel quality traits were mostly determined by the effect of the genotype. There were statistically significant differences among genotypes for all investigated agronomical and compositional quality traits. According to the results, significant differences were found between the genotypes and the years but the interaction of the two factors also had effect on all parameters. The hybrid named BC was outstanding compared to other hybrids for traits such as the thousand kernel weight, ear width, number of kernels per ear, first ear height and ear length. The BA hybrid had the highest values for plant height, day of silking and day of tasseling. In addition, there were positive and significant correlations between traits like ear width, number of kernels per ear and thousand kernel weight
Mapping the scientific research on maize or corn: a bibliometric analysis of top papers during 2008–2018
Full text linkBased on the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database, this study analyzed 966 top papers of maize and corn research from 2008 to 2018, which include 964 highly cited papers and 15 hot papers in the field. Results showed that all papers written in English, were from 4,353 authors, 1,287 organizations and 84 countries/territories, listed in 290 core journals. Top 5 core journals with higher impact factor ranked as Plant Physiology, PNAS, Plant Cell, Food Chemistry and Bioresource Technology. Top six countries and regions were USA, Peoples R China, Germany, France, Australia, England. Top 5 organizations were Cornell Univ, Chinese Acad Sci, Univ Minnesota, Iowa State Univ, Univ Wisconsin. Based on the analysis of network map of VOSviewer, was highlighted cooperation for authors, organizations and countries or regions. The analysis of all keywords showed that maize or corn research was separated six clusters. In addition, this study demonstrates that there are more top papers come from journals with the higher IF and higher rank in WoS Category. So, authors can choose their ideal journal with a high impact factor or Q1 in Category to publish their papers in the English language related to their research field
Micropropagation of valuable walnut genotypes for timber production: new advances and insights
Full text linkThe intensive production of timber from walnuts is mainly hampered by the scarcity of varieties for this purpose. While the hybrid progeny Mj209xRa is considered suitable for timber production in Europe, problems associated with its recalcitrance, the low ability for rooting and the high mortality of acclimated vitroplants, limit the reproduction of elite trees. This research was aimed to assess the influence of two methods for the in vitro introduction of several walnut genotypes, to determine the effects of temporary immersion systems (TIS) on proliferation and rooting, and to reduce the random losses of acclimated vitroplants. Hence, trees from Mj209xRa progeny as well as some common walnuts were used. As an outstanding result, the in vitro establishment of 6 out of 7 trees was obtained. Also important was the improving of quality of microshoots, the multiplication ratios and the rooting using TIS through the management of the kind of bioreactor, the volume of culture media, and the kind of explant inoculated. The direct transplant to field nursery of acclimated vitroplants considerably increased their quality, while mortality was highly reduced. Certainly, these results represent a great contribution to the current micropropagation protocol, especially with the potential introduction of TIS for massive plant productio
Evaluation of resistance to Spodoptera frugiperda in sweet and field corn genotypes
Full text linkMaize can be affected by different pest damages throughout the crop cycle. Some insects are harmful, amongwhich the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is considered the most deleteriouspest, for attacking plants of both fields and sweet corn plants in all stages. Thus, the use of resistant genotypes hasbecome an important strategy in integrated pest management and highly valued in plant breeding programs. However,information regarding the impact of pests on sweet corn is scarce, requiring studies on possible resistantgenotypes. The objective of this study was a laboratory evaluation of the resistance of 10 sweet corn genotypesand two controls of field corn (BRS 1030 and Zapalote Chico), as well as the damage caused by Spodoptera frugiperda,by means of multivariate analysis. A completely randomized experimental design with 27 replications wasused. Eighteen traits were evaluated during the whole caterpillar cycle, including biological traits and indices ofconsumption and food use. After the multicollinearity diagnosis, only six traits were maintained for the canonicalanalysis and factor analysis as well as UPGMA clustering, which differentiated the 12 genotypes in three groups.The canonical analysis explained 89% of the total variation among the six traits and factor analysis divided thetraits into two factors. The results showed that the sweet corn genotypes, Teea Dulce, MG 161, Doce Flor da Serra,Doce Cubano and Tropical Plus, tend to have antibiosis as a resistance mechanism to fall armyworm due to the lowconsumed leaf area and impaired insect development
Response of combined abiotic stresses on maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and interaction among various stresses
Full text linkIn tropics, maize is largely grown as rain fed crop in marginal areas often faces drought and waterlogging simultaneouslyin same season that critically affects plant growth and development. The aim of the research was to studythe response of combined abiotic stresses and the interaction among various stresses on maize inbred plants. Inthe present study, eighty maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were screened, for multiple abiotic stresses at the vegetativestage. All the traits, observed were severely affected, in drought x low-N stress compare to waterloggingx low-N stress. However in both the stress combinations (drought x low-N and waterlogging x low-N) chlorophyllcontent decreases significantly, low-N stress has synergistic effect on the maize plants. Hence the overall effectof stress combination was negative causing enhanced damage to plants. Whereas, interaction of drought x waterloggingstress showed the antagonized each other response that primarily enhanced growth parameters (leafarea, plant height and stem diameter) and it has improved the tolerant mechanism of maize plants. Therefore weconcluded, the response of maize various plants exposed to combinations of stresses is depend on interactionof stresses