CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Secondary traits related to kernel setting in transgenic maize hybrids at low and high plant densities and their potential use in breeding programs
Full text linkMaize (Zea mays. L) traditional breeding presents limitations when selection is performed by adaptation to suboptimalconditions. One strategy to achieve greater efficiency in these environments is to include measurements ofsecondary traits related to the main grain yield component, i.e. kernel number per plant (KNP), which is associatedto other three secondary traits: plant growth rate during the critical period (PGRcp) for kernel setting, biomasspartitioning index to the ear during this period (PIcp) and the efficiency of the ear to set kernels or reproductiveefficiency (RE). Phenotypic variations in these KNP related traits were evaluated considering: i) plant densities,and ii) simple and staked transgenic maize hybrids. The objective of this study was to identify the contribution ofthese secondary traits to KNP in six modern single-cross transgenic hybrids: the simple and staked transgenic versionsof DK747 and DK190 (Bt: 747MG and 190MG; RR: 747RR and 190RR; and Bt-RR: 747MGRR and 190MGRR)cultivated at low and high plant densities. For this purpose, KNP and secondary traits were recorded at the individualplant level and the data set was analyzed using multivariate analysis techniques. At low plant density, PGRcpwas the critical trait for kernel setting in all hybrids but PIcp or RE also contributed to KNP of the DK747 groupand the D190 group, respectively. At high plant density, a differential contribution of secondary traits to KNP wasrecorded among hybrids. For DK747MG and DK190MG, RE mainly determined KNP, but for the DK747RR andDK747MGRR higher PIcp had a positive impact on KNP. These results highlight the importance of including secondarytraits associated to KNP in breeding programs
Distribution maps of twenty-four Mediterranean and European ecologically and economically important forest tree species compiled from historical data collections
Full text linkSpecies distribution maps are often lacking for scientific investigation and strategic management planning at international level. Here, we present the range-wide, natural distribution maps of twenty-four Mediterranean and European forest-tree species of key ecological and economic importance in the Mediterranean basin. Data on the geographic distribution of the twenty-four tree species were compiled from over one hundred published sources, making this contribution one of the most extensive resource available from historical data. Dataset can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.822953. Associated metadata can be accessed at: http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=56996. These data provide key spatial information to further investigate species occurrence-environment relationships, provide a baseline to assess the future impact of climate change, identify marginal populations with specific genetic resources, among other possible applications
Organic or conventional agriculture? A Study on yield and nutritional status of sweet corn
Full text linkOrganic cultivation of field crops became popular in the last decades due to public awareness about the effectsof residual chemicals used in conventional farming systems on human health. Thus, we aimed to compare yieldand plant nutritional status of conventionally and organically grown sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L., JubileeF1 cultivar) under Isparta, Turkey, ecological conditions. The effects of organic fertilization with leonardite (L) at3 Mg ha-1, farmyard manure (FYM) at 30 Mg ha-1 and L + FYM application were compared with the conventionalcultivation (CC). Two year field experiments in completely randomized block design in triplicates were set up in2012 and 2013 growing seasons. Fresh kernel samples were taken at milky maturing stage to reveal nutritional statusof sweet corn. The yield and yield components obtained for conventionally cultivated corn were significantlyhigher than the organically cultivated ones. As the yield and yield components considered, L+FYM treatment wasthe best performing of the organic treatments and it was comparable to CC for some traits. Nitrogen deficiencywas the critical problem of the organic treatments whereas there were also milder deficiencies of other nutrientelements. It can be concluded that despite smaller amounts of yield, the organic farming may be considered forthe healthier sweet corn
Comparison between two and five years rotation models in poplar, willow and black locust Short Rotation Coppices (SRC) in North West Italy
Full text linkCurrently, SRC plantations should produce multiple assortments, both for industrial and energetic uses, for being economically profitable. SRC trials comparing two different cultivation models (very high density model -– vHDM, 8,333 trees ha-1 with 2 years rotation; high density model -– HDM, 1,667 trees ha-1 with 5 years rotation) were established in 2005 in two sites (Casale Monferrato and Cavallermaggiore), on agricultural land with alluvial soils in the Western Po Valley (Italy). Both models were applied to poplar (clone 83.141.020), willow (clone S76-008) and black locust (provenance Energy). After 6 years from planting, the two treatments did not show significant differences in terms of cumulative biomass yield, with poplar being the most productive species at Casale Monferrato (64.65 and 63.76 Mg ha-1 with HDM and vHDM, respectively). Poplar production potential was confirmed at Cavallermaggiore (105.83 and 57.22 Mg ha-1, respectively). Black locust showed the lower yield at both sites. In HDM poplar exhibited the highest stem DBH, at both sites, reaching mean values of 15.0 and 17.8 cm at Casale Monferrato and Cavallermaggiore, respectively. In HDM, poplar was the only species capable to reach stem dimensions compatible with industrial destinations at the end of the first 5- years rotation
The evolution in time of the concept of fast growing tree species: is it possible to use a definition applicable to all environmental conditions?
Full text linkAlthough the expression “fast-growing species” (FGS) referred to tree species has been since long time used, a clear definition has not been adopted for decades. Starting from the Italian historical background, we searched for the definitions of FGS formulated over time at a national and international level. The mean annual increment (MAI) of 10 m3 ha-1, identified by the FAO, has been the most commonly considered threshold until recently. Subsequently, experimental activities and research efforts have consistently enhanced the productivity of FGS, and other definitions have been proposed accordingly. Hence, FGS should provide annual wood yields of 15-25 m3 ha-1 with rotations of less than 25-30 years. In Europe, the maximum MAI can reach about 20-25 m3 ha-1, while in fast-growing tropical plantations the MAI frequently exceeds 30-35 m3 ha-1. However, we deem that the threshold of 10 m3 ha-1 year-1 is still reliable for Mediterranean conditions. Since the fast-growing is a relative concept, strongly affected by species’ traits, environmental conditions and cultural practices, a future increase in the productivity levels of wood plantations can be expected
Impact of sap-sucking insect pests (Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor and Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on unifloral eucalyptus honey
Full text linkEucalyptus species are important worldwide as melliferous plants, as a source of nectar and pollen, and contribute to the production of large quantities of honey, especially in summer when E. Camaldulensis Dhnh., the most common eucalyptus species in the Mediterranean area, flowers. Its honey yield potential exceeds 200 kg/ha, sometimes accounting for more than 50% of total apiary production. In Italy, eucalyptus plantations cover at least 50,000 hectares, corresponding to a potential production of 10,000 tons of honey per year. Since 2000 several invasive eucalyptus pests have spread and settled in the Mediterranean. Of these, psyllids Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor and Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore have become major threats to eucalyptus plantations. The main objective of this study was to verify the impact of sap-sucking insects unifloral eucalyptus honey production and quality in Northern Sardinia (Italy). Our results show that a pronounced decrease in honey production occurred after 2011, with no production at all in 2012 and 2013, partial recovery in 2014-2016 and a further increase in 2017 and 2018. Moreover, the incidence of honeydew produced by psyllids has led to modifications in the chemical-physical characteristics and pollen spectrum of unifloral eucalyptus honey
Nutritional composition and yield comparison between hydroponically grown and commercially available Zea mays L.fodder for a sustainable livestock production
Full text linkHydroponically grown green fodder may aid the soaring challenge of food scarcity throughout the world. This researchis fixated on disseminating the hydroponic fodder production which involves growth of plants in a nutrientrich, soilless solution within a short time span of approximately 8 days. The nutritive value of hydroponic maizefodder in comparison to that of commercially available maize fodder (harvested in 60 days) was assessed. The nutritivecontent i.e. dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract, total ash, micro andmacro nutrients were analysed. Macronutrients (Ca, Na, K, Mg) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) were analysedusing atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analysis revealed a higher concentration of crude protein, ether extract,nitrogen free extract, macronutrients (Ca, Na, K, Mg) and trace elements (Mn and Cu) in hydroponically grownmaize fodder. The denouement of the experiment depicted the superlative nutritional value of hydroponicallygrown maize fodder as compared to the commercially available fodder produced by conventional practices. Thistechnology can ensure provision of quality fodder for sustainable livestock production
The GIS database of WOODnat project for the inventory and monitoring of walnut plantations in Italy and Spain
Full text linkWithin the activity of the H2020 ‘WOODnat’ project (“Second generation of planted hardwood forests in the European Union”) the growth parameters, yield and sanitary conditions of the most important walnut (Juglans spp.) plantations, established in Italy in the 1990s and in Spain starting from 1996, were recorded. One of the objectives of the project was to evaluate tree growth and stem quality to derive insight on the main environmental factors affecting the production of this valuable specie. An inventory of walnut plantations in the area of interest was necessary due to the relevance of this tree species in the EU timber market. In this paper the final dataset is presented and available with DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3769940. The database is finalized to narrow the knowledge gap between growers and processing industry with the aim to relaunching the market for this valuable species. Data were collected in the spring 2017 and winter 2017-2018 on 27 stands established in Northern Italy (Piemonte and Lombardia), on 51 stands in Central Italy (Toscana and Marche) and on 17 stands in Spain for a total of 95 plantations. In each plantation, general information was collected such as the planting layout, spacing, age, environment conditions as well as tree-level dendrometric data and phytosanitary information. The sampled stands have been georeferenced in WGS84 reference system (EPSG 4326). These data can be exploited to assess potential wood volume obtainable and quality of raw material, and to identify the weaknesses and errors, strengths and opportunities of the experiences conducted to plan future plantings with greater awareness
Managing weeds using sequential herbicides in maize for improving crop growth and productivity under irrigated conditions in North-Western India
Full text linkField experiments were conducted in Kharif 2015 and 2016 at the research farm, ICAR-Indian Agricultural ResearchInstitute, New Delhi to determine the effect of different pre- and post-emergence herbicide applications on weed dynamics in maize (Zea mays L.). The investigation had a combination of eleven treatments using atrazine, pendimethalin, halosulfuron and tembotrione herbicides at different doses with different methods of application.One hand weeding (manual) treatment was kept as standard check and weedy check as control. Chemical weed control and weed free treatment recorded lower weed dry matter compared to weedy check. Highest leaf area was recorded in weed free treatment which was statistically at par with foliar application of halosulfuron @ 90 g/ha + tembotrione @ 120 g a.i./ha [30 days after sowing (DAS)] as tank mix] and pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (pre-em) + residue @ 2.5 t/ha but significantly higher than weedy check. Highest cob length (18.07 cm) was recorded in weed free which was significantly higher than other treatments except endimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (pre-em) + residue @ 2.5 t/ha. A significant increase in 100-seed weight and bundle weight was recorded in weed free treatment and all the other chemical treatments relative to weedy check for both the years and significantly higher grain yield was recorded in weed free and chemical treatments {halosulfuron @ 90 g/ha + tembotrione @ 120 g a.i./ha (30 DAS as tank mix) or halosulfuron @ 90 g/ha fb tembotrione @ 120 g a.i./ha (post em)} relative to weedy check. During both the years, highest yield loss relative to weed free was recorded in weedy check (52.88 %). During both the years, weed free and chemical treatments like halosulfuron @ 90 g/ha + tembotrione @ 120 g a.i./ha (30 DAS as tank mix) recorded significantly lower weed density, weed dry matter and weed index than weedy check. Significantly higher weed control efficiency was recorded in weed free (manual) and with application of atrazine @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha + pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha (PE) during both the years. Herbicide application treatments like halosulfuron @ 90 g/ha + tembotrione @ 120 g a.i./ha (30 DAS as tank mix) resulted in highest weed control index relative to weedy check
Performance of transgenic maize genotypes against ear caterpillars in Argentina
Full text linkMaize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world and Argentina is a leading producer worldwide. Lepidopteran pests such as the fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda -J. E. Smith-) and the corn earworm (Helicoverpazea -Boddie-) cause ear damage, producing yield losses and facilitating the entry of pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus flavus. Under conditions of high temperatures and drought stress, some Aspergillus strains can produce Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is highly carcinogenic for humans and animals. The main aim of the current study was to determine the performance of PowerCore®, PowerCore® Ultra and Genuity® VT triple PRO®Bthybrid maize to corn ear caterpillar damage in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Since 1990, the agriculturalland area in this province has increased due to forest clearance for agriculture. Climatic conditions in the region are favorable for aflatoxin. PowerCore® Ultra showed the highest yield and, PowerCore®registered the lowest severity of damage by corn ear caterpillar. The correlation between yield and insect damage severity was negative under the conditions evaluated