CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Changing the colour of European Hybrid Walnut by means of digital printing
Full text linkIn terms of market, the colour of Walnut timber and veneer is the one from Juglans Regia. That colour is darker than the one from Hybrid European Walnut. This fact is a barrier for market success of Hybrid European Walnut plantations. There are different methods for modifying the colour such as vaporising, dyeing, thermal modification, etc. Digital printing is an innovative technology that can be used for changing the colour of wooden surfaces. Using transparent inks makes possible to maintain the grain and figure while the colour is modified. In addition to this, digital printing makes possible not just to apply a flat colour but a texture. The review details the colour coordinates allowing that transformation under a certain printing device. It also explains further opportunities of that technology
Incomplete penetrance in maize genotypes segregating for the polyembryony trait
Full text linkTo study the genetic control of polyembryony trait in maize germplasm a series of experiments were carried out.The genetic material came from crossings among two polyembryonic populations and 16 different genotypes,normal type maize. A total of 27 F1 were generated in 2016, and from those, there were derived 22 F2, and 20backcrosses genotypes. The experiments were carried out in two locations in Northern Mexico. Several genotypesin the second generation progenies share the same preceding F1. The theoretical expectations for polyembryony(PEm, in short) proportions in F2 and backcrossing are 0.0625 and 0.25, respectively. It is instructive to statethat given the PEm recessiveness, all the F1 genotypes were normal type plants: one seedling per germinatedseed. The statistical methods applied to the experimental data were the exact Binomial test, for the segregatingproportions in F2, and the exact Fisher test to prove for independence between environments and the PEm genotypes.There were used R procedures for calculations. Based on the results, we have concluded that 1) varyinggenetic backgrounds in crossings might have an impact on the trait segregation proportions depending upon thespecific parents’ genotypes, which eventually lead to a penetrance reduction of the PEm genes expression, 2)polyembryony frequencies of the two populations were always statistically the same, no matter the environmentalconditions where they were grown, and 3) the trait´s inheritance model was validated
Identification of potential parental lines for single, three-way and double crosses in maize (Zea mays L.)
Full text linkA series of single, three way and double cross hybrids in maize were developed by involving seven inbred lines through half diallel and were evaluated along with private/public hybrids for yield and yield contributing traits in a balanced lattice design at three environments during kharif 2015. Combining ability studies revealed that goodgeneral combiners identified through diallel had significant and desirable 1-line general effects of first kind and second kind for majority of the yield and yield contributing traits in triallel and 1-line general effects in desirable direction for all the studied traits in quadriallel. Good specific combiners that were involved as grandparents / half parents had significant 2-line and 3-line interaction effects in triallel and 2-line, 3-line and 4-line interaction effects in quadriallel for majority of the yield and yield contributing traits. Good specific combiners from diallel viz., BML-51 × BML-6 as half parents in three-way crosses along with, BML-51 × BML-7 as half parents in double crosses, BML-51 × BML-14, BML-32 × BML-13 and BML-32 × BML-6 as half or grandparents in three way and double crosses produced high yielding three way and double cross hybrids. From the present investigation it is deduced that the good general and specific combiners identified through diallel analysis would certainly contribute to the development of potential climate resilient multiple cross hybrids and save valuable resources and precious time
Partial diallel analysis of maize inbred lines for grain yield and resistance to gray leaf spot including reciprocal effects
Full text linkThe use of diallel crosses for breeding of disease-resistant genotypes with high grain yield is a common practice in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grain yield and resistance to gray leaf spot of maize inbred lines and hybrids, including reciprocals, using a new diallel model approach, described in a recent publication, to estimate the effects of general and specific combining abilities and reciprocal effects partitioned in maternal and cytoplasmic effects. For a simultaneous increase in grain yield and genetic resistance to gray leaf spot, D3 is the most promising inbred line for future combinations, in view of the positive GCA effects for grain yield and negative effects for C. zeina severity. The hybrid combinations D2 x F3, D3 x F5 and D4 x F3 should be used in future field trials. Based on the estimates of the reciprocal effects, D6 is recommended as female parent in hybrid combinations for resistance to Cercospora zeina
An innovative environmental risk assessment approach to a Mediterranean coastal forest: the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano (Rome) case study
Full text linkThanks to their ability to generate ecosystem services, forest ecosystems have a significant social, economic and environmental impact on the development of many regions in the world, especially those located in urban and peri-urban areas.Today, increased forest vulnerability is reflected in an increased number of episodes of severe decline associated mainly with drought. In this context, the Mediterranean area shows high forest vulnerability and a subsequent decline in its natural renewal rate.In this scenario, the aim of this research is to assess the sustainability of a protected pristine deciduous oak forest near Rome via the development of a forest health condition monitoring tool based on the application of multispectral satellite data and the identification of silvicultural models suitable to promoting natural forest renewal. Data and results from research in the case study area, the Natural State Reserve of Castelporziano (Rome), have potential as an important decision making tool in sustainable forest management
Growth dynamics of ‘Imola’ poplar clone (Populus ×canadensis Mönch) under different cultivation inputs
Full text linkThe influence of environmental drivers and management strategies on crops growth is a focal point to deal with the potential impact of the climate changes on forest yields. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation and fertilization on growth dynamics of ‘Imola’ clone, an elite poplar crossed from Populus deltoides Bartr. and Populus nigra L. for short rotation coppice purposes. Using a split-plot design with three replications, two treatments were applied (irrigation and fertilization) with two levels each one: ‘no’ and ‘yes’; 4 theses were considered: irrigation-only (IRR), fertilization-only (FRT) and the irrigation with fertilization (IRF) and control (CRT). At the end of the first 5-year cycle the average yield, in dry matter, was 36.8 Mg ha-1 for non-irrigated plots and 80.8 Mg ha-1 for irrigated plots. While no statistical evidence was detectable for fertilization treatment, a Linear Mixed Model analysis applied to data highlighted the Summer (June-August) as key season for the irrigation of trees. Conversely, interaction between irrigation and fertilization negatively affected growth in the same period. Overall, this trial demonstrated a low impact of fertilization on growth dynamics. Water availability was confirmed as the most important factor for poplar growth, in such site, focusing on the importance of studying alternative, less impacting methods for irrigating such crops
Analyzing combining abilities and heterotic groups among Ghanaian maize landraces for yield and resistance/ tolerance to Maize Streak Virus Disease
Full text linkMaize is an important cereal crop in Ghana. Yields in farmer fields have always been low because of over relianceon unimproved local landraces for cultivation. This study was conducted to determine if the productivity of theselandraces can be improved by developing hybrid varieties that combine high yield and resistance to the MaizeStreak Virus Disease (MSVD). Seventeen local landrace populations were assembled and then crossed with 5exotic inbred lines (CML202, CML442, CML444, TZEI 23 and TZEI17). A crossing block using the North CarolinaDesign II was used to generate F1 top-cross hybrids which were evaluated in multi-locational trials for two years.GCA, SCA and heterosis were estimated and heterotic groups assigned to the landraces. This study was able toidentify high heterosis among some of the top-cross hybrids and assigned some of the landraces into heteroticgroups. Highly significant GCA and SCA effects were identified which implies MSVD incidence/resistance as wellas yield related traits can be improved. CML442, CML444 and TZEI17 contributed positively to yield increasesas well as improved tolerance/resistance to MSVD. Landraces LA3, LA80, LA76, and LA457 displayed highly significantSCA effects for yield, which suggests dominance and epistatic gene action. The high yielding hybridsidentified show that some inbred lines and landraces combinations can contribute to significantly raise farmers’yields and improve resistance/tolerance to MSVD in Ghanaian environments
Uncertainty assessment in climate change scenarios: a methodological proposal for management of forest ecosystem services
Full text linkThe work introduces a method to quantify potential impact of climate change on cultural ecosystem services in forests. The technique of Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Set is applied to face with the uncertainty due to climate change as well as subjective opinion of forest experts. Two forest management scenario (current practices as well as climate change-oriented silviculture) are investigated for different time horizons. Results highlight the increasing uncertainty on climate change impact evaluation related to longer time horizons. Potential losses connected to current cultural ecosystem services provision are quantified from spatial as well as economic viewpoint. The method is tested for an illustrative example in the Tuscany region - central Italy
A REVIEW ON INTRODUCED ALIEN INSECT PESTS AND THEIRASSOCIATED PARASITOIDS ON EUCALYPTUSTREES IN SICILY
Full text linkA review is reported in the present paper on invasive alien insects introduced in Sicily on Eucalyptustrees, togeth-er with unpublished results from recent surveys. As to the latter ones, observations were conducted especially onThaumastocoris peregrinus(Carpintero & Dellapé) (Hemiptera, Thaumastocoridae), the most recently introducedspecies. Overall, eight alien insect pests have been accidentally introduced in the island on Eucalyptus,belonging to theorders Hemiptera (Aphalaridae, 2 spp.; Thaumastocoridae, 1 sp.), Coleoptera (Cerambycidae, 2 spp.; Curculionidae, 1sp.) and Hymenoptera (Eulophidae, 2 spp.). Two encyrtid parasitoids, Avetianella longoiSiscaro and Psyllaephagus bli-teusRiek, obtained from Phoracanthaspp. and Glycaspis brimblecombeiMoore respectively, and Closteroceruschamaeleon(Girault) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) attacking Ophelimus maskelli(Ashmead), are also reported.Detailson current distribution, host plants, morphological and biological remarks are given for each species
ACLEESCF. SP. FOVEATUS(COLEOPTERA CURCULIONIDAE), AN EXOTIC PESTOF FICUS CARICAIN ITALY: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO DEFENCE BASEDON ALUMINOSILICATE MINERALS AS HOST PLANT MASKING SOLIDS
Full text linkThe exceptionally frequent entries of alien pest are a major source of concern for the farmers who haveto protect their crops from unknown insects, often without natural enemies in the new areas. A new pestbelonging to the Molytinae family (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), tribe Hylobiini, reported as Acleessp. cf.foveatusVoss, was recently introduced in Italy. The species is responsible for severe damages in many Italianfig nurseries and orchards, particularly in the Italian Central Northern regions, i.e. Tuscany, Ligury andLatium. Currently, no active ingredients are registered against this insect on fig crops. An innovative and eco-friendly approach for controlling this exotic weevil infestation was investigated, by using montmorillonite-based clays, either in their native state or containing copper(II) species, and clinoptilolite zeolites, in order tocheck the perception of the adults’ weevil towards the different solid materials and, subsequently, to evaluatethe capability of these innovative products to act as masking agent with respect to the host plant and/or asrepellent upon contact. The formulations containing copper(II)-exchanged clay and clinoptilolite zeoliteshowed preliminary promising results in terms of efficacy and environmental sustainability