CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Parameterization of the cultivation density of Austrian Pine, Corsican Pine and Douglas Fire Plantations
Full text linkThis note presents the application of the maximum stand basal area concept from the Assmann's theory to determine the intensity of thinning of even-aged forest stands. The proposed procedure is based on the observation that, all other factors being equal, the current annual increment of wood volume tends to increase as the ratio between the stand basal area and the maximum stand basal area (defined according to the Assmann's theory) increases up to a given maximum, and then decrease as the stand basal area approaches the maximum stand basal area. On the basis of this evidence, the equations for calculating the thinning intensity of Austrian pine, Corsican pine and Douglas fir plantations in Italy are developed and provided
Influence of voxel size and point cloud density on crown cover estimation in poplar plantations using terrestrial laser scanning
Full text linkAccurate estimates of crown cover (CC) are central for a wide range of forestry studies. As direct measurements do not exist to retrieve this variable in the field, CC is conventionally determined from optical measurements as the complement of gap fraction close to the zenith. As an alternative to passive optical measurements, active sensors like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) allows for characterizing in situ the 3D canopy structure with unprecedented detail.We evaluated the reliability of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to estimate CC using a voxel-based approach. Specifically, we tested how different voxel sizes (5-20 cm) and voxel densities (1-9 points/dm3) influenced the retrieval of CC. Results were compared against benchmark values obtained from DCP.The trial was performed in hybrid poplar plantations in Northern Italy. Results indicate that TLS can be used for obtaining accurate estimates of CC, but the choice of voxel size and point density is critical for achieving such accuracy. in hybrid poplars, the best performance was obtained using voxel size of 10 cm and point density of 8 points/dm3. The combined ability of measuring and mapping CC also holds great potential to use TLS for calibrating and upscaling results using coarser-scale remotely sensed products combined ability of measuring and mapping crown cover also holds great potential to use TLS data for calibrating and upscaling results using coarser-scale remotely sensed products
MODEL PREDICTION OF RUMINAL DRY MATTER DIGESTIBILITY OF SERBIAN MAIZE GENOTYPES
Full text linkThe focus of this study is on the physical quality traits, the carbohydrates and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of various maize kernel genotypes produced in Serbia. Furthermore, the aim was to determine the relationship among these quality traits, as well as, their effects on the IVDMD.Ten maize genotypes with different endosperm type and kernel color have been studied (2018 growing season). All kernel traits significantly varied among selected maize genotypes. IVDMD ranged from 83.1-91.2%. In vitro regression model of IVDMD in ruminants was obtained. The physical quality traits such as test weight (TWt), 1000-kernel weight (KWt), density (Den) and hard endosperm portion (HE) had significant role in predicting the digestibility of maize kernel. The IVDMD was mostly affected by test weight and density in the FOP model (p<0.01 level). The determined in vitro digestibility model can serve for screening various maize kernel genotypes due to estimate their utility value for feed industry
Sustainable Pearl Millet Cultivation: Choices in a Changing Climate
Full text linkUnprecedented changes are occurring to the Earth's climate, with temperatures rising quickly, precipitation patterns changing, and the frequency of extreme weather events rising. These dynamic shifts are having a significant and wide-ranging effect on agro-ecosystems. Among different food crops, pearl millet proves climate resilience with a deep root system, efficient photosynthesis, and drought tolerance, while early maturity lessens vulnerability to extreme weather and the C4 photosynthetic pathway enhances CO2 fixation and water use. This paper thoroughly explores the unique characteristics of pearl millet that enable it to flourish in harsh conditions. It discusses the impact of climate change on pearl millet and its assessment using crop modeling techniques and proposes robust strategies to enhance its resilience in the face of climatic challenges. These strategies encompass elevating resource use efficiencies such as water use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), carbon sequestration potential, radiation use efficiency (RUE), and more. Additionally, the paper explores innovative production approaches tailored for changing climates, including adjustments in planting windows, precise fertilizer application, optimal inter and intra-row spacing, efficient irrigation management, etc. To achieve a fair and sustainable global food system that benefits the world's most vulnerable populations, it is important to recognize that pearl millet is a crop that can withstand the challenges of changing climates
The culture of the forest
Full text linkForests represent the largest green infrastructure worldwide, and their protection and enhancement are a responsibility of the whole Society, being a common good, linked to history and culture. The future of our planet depends on how we perceive, protect and manage this heritage. Forests are saved if they are at the center of society’s interest. Cultural awareness of the intrinsic value of forests is needed. We must recognize a new dimension of the forest, the cultural dimension, i.e. the culture of the forest as the basis for the alliance between man and nature
Land use change towards forests and wooded land correlates with large and frequent wildfires in Italy
Full text linkIt is commonly believed that wildfires in southern Europe have been favored by the encroachment of flammable vegetation on cultivated and grazed areas no longer managed as a consequence of deep socio-economic changes in rural areas. Using the whole of Italy as study case, this paper explores the hypothesis that wildfires selectively burn areas with specific land use changes (LUC) characteristic of agricultural land abandonment, especially in large (> 500 ha) and recurrent burnt areas. Additionally, we examined LUC within 200 m buffer areas around perimeters of large fires to explore if active land management may hamper the growth of large fires. To investigate the study hypotheses, pre-fire LUC were compared within six different geographic domains defined according to the burnt areas from 2007 to 2017 across Italy. Estimates of LUC between 1990 and 2008 came from the Italian Land Use Inventory (IUTI), which is based on photointerpretation of 1,206,198 sample points on high-resolution aerial images. The analyses reveal that LUC in all geographical domains reflect typical trends of agricultural land abandonment in southern Europe during the last decades: expansion of forests, shrubland and new settlements at the expense of agricultural land, grasslands and pastures. However, results show higher rates of pre-fire LUC in burnt areas than in the rest of territory considered available for burning. We found that higher rates of forest expansion and shrub encroachment on abandoned grasslands and pastures are related to a higher incidence of large and recurrent fires, respectively. Furthermore, areas surrounding large fires were less affected by pre-fire land abandonment than burnt areas and show higher increases in vineyards and orchards. Our findings suggest that land abandonment have probably increased fire proneness at national scale by expanding shrub and tree encroachment, and thus increasing fuel connectivity and fuel build-up. Therefore, we urge for a greater integration between fire management and rural development policies
Ecological diversity, structure and aboveground biomass of Guiera senegalensis J.F.Gmel. stands in Central Africa: A case study from Cameroon: Plant diversity of Guiera senegalensis in Cameroon
No full textThe objective of this work is to evaluate the ecological diversity, structure and aboveground biomass of Guiera senegalensis G.F.Gmel stands in Cameroon. A total of 80 floristic surveys of 50 m x 50 m were carried out. The dendrometric parameters recorded are: height and total diameter (dbh ≥ 5 cm) of all woody species. Aboveground biomass was calculated using an allometric equation. The results showed a total of 529 individuals distributed in 17 families, 24 genera and 24 species and 339 individuals distributed in 14 families, 17 genera and 18 species inventoried respectively in the North and Far North regions. The most dominant families are Arecaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Combretaceae, Mimosaceae, and Rhamnaceae. The Guiera senegalensis stands are more diversified in the North region than those in the far North. The basal area (9.82 ± 0.42 m²/ha) and aboveground biomass (22.82 ± 0.98 t/ha) are higher in the Far North. Sorensen's Similarity coefficient attests to the similarity of the species in the two regions (61.90 %). The height structure presented a “bell” shape and the diameter structure showed an “L” shape. This information constitutes in order to elaborate management plans in view of a lasting management
Latest results of the breeding activity of hybrid poplars for industrial purposes in Italy
Full text linkIn recent years, the Italian breeding activities in the sector of poplar cultivation for industrial purposes have led to the selection of new genotypes with high production potential, resistant to woolly aphid and to the main poplar diseases such as Venturia leaf and shoot blight, Melampsora rusts, and Marssonina leaf spots. These genotypes, known as “Greater Environmental Sustainability” clones (MSA clones), have shown promising growth and yield outcomes. This note focuses on the performance in growth and yield of a new P. ×canadensis genotype, obtained from breeding activity started in the 1990s. The ‘Tango’ clone shows very high production potential, in many cases higher than older clones used as controls. In particular, it shows faster growth after the 4th or 5th year of cultivation, resulting in higher volumes achieved by the end of the rotation period. In experimental trials, the average annual volume increment of the first 5 stem meters (representing the best wood assortments) ranged between 12.8 and 16.8 m3 ha-1 y-1. These remarkable yields, combined with the resistance to main diseases, make it an excellent candidate for highly sustainable poplar cultivation
Species Richness and Diversity of Klawalu Mangrove, Doberai Peninsula, Indonesian New Guinea
Full text linkMangrove plays an important role in the coastal area in particular as an ecological service, yet ecosystem cover has been declining for decades. This research was designed to find out the vegetation diversity of mangroves in Klawalu, Doberai Peninsula, Indonesian New Guinea. The 30 nested plots were located in three locations as the representation of mangrove fringe, intermediate, and landward zone, consecutively. This study revealed that mangrove forest consists of 21 species classified as the main structure and 9 species as mangrove associates. In general, the mangrove forest is able to regenerate naturally where fecundity establishment can be seen by the number of small individuals. The species diversity and the number of individuals from the edge to the inland increase resulting from tidal factors affecting the seed dispersal and sapling establishment. Practically, government intervention is needed to strengthen the status of the area as a protected area by means of regional regulations to manage sustainably the mangrove.
 
Inoculation of Sphacelotheca reiliana Spores to Identify Maize Germplasms Susceptible to Head Smut
Full text linkThis study aimed to improve the inoculation procedure with Sphacelotheca reiliana to identify germplasms susceptible to head smut of maize. During Phase I, 1.5 g of spores were introduced into a substrate roll, which was then sown at 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after inoculation in a spore-free field. During Phase II, 15 hybrids were planted on three dates in a field with head smut disease record. The tassel and ear were examined, and the number of infected plants was registered. In Phase 1, all hybrids showed the highest infection rates 25 days after inoculation. In Phase II, the highest infection percentage was observed on the first date (32.5%). Experimental hybrids 1 and 2 and hybrid DK357 showed the highest infection percentages, whereas hybrids DK2037 and DK2061 showed the lowest infection percentages. On the second date, 10 hybrids were susceptible to infection, while on the third date, the hybrids showed low infection percentages or were not infected. The disease response in the Cimarron, Experimental 3, and Antelope hybrids was relatively constant over the first two planting dates. The experimental hybrids and P4063W showed high infection percentages. On the first date, the Experimental 3, Experimental 2, P4063W and Experimental 1 hybrids showed infection percentages of 77, 65, 62 and 46%, respectively. On the second date, these percentages changed to 49, 35, 41 and 48%, respectively. The proposed inoculation method is more effective and can be employed a lower cost and with less infrastructure than previous methods