CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Depredation and acorn germination ability of three seed sources for Quercus suber L. in Mediterranean environment
Full text linkThe cork oak is a major forest species that occupies a limited natural area in the Mediterranean region. Unfortunately, it is a patrimony that continues to deteriorate under the effect of many factors, leading to the disappearance of large forest areas. Its decline is caused by abiotic factors, including climate change, wildfire, and biotic factors such as invasive species, and pests. In addition, the species faces regeneration difficulties because of lack of forest conservation. We respond to these problems by studying the germination of acorns, as this constitutes the first and crucial phase of vegetative development. We then considered some biotic and abiotic interactions, including the effect of provenance (altitude gradient), health status and biometrics of acorns. The results indicate that there is variability in acorn biometrics by site, that there are no significant correlations between the health status of the acorns and their biometrics, and that carpophageal insects can attack different acorns regardless of their calibre or weight. For germination, healthy acorns with a wider calibre are much better favoured. The impact of acorn depredation on germination is dependent on its intensity: a single perforation, for example, was not found to influence germination; beyond that, this impact becomes significant
Assessing the breeding potential of newly developed inbred lines derived from India and Brazil germplasms in Southwest China
Full text linkIntroducing exotic maize germplasm can i) enrich the current genetic pool in Southwest China and ii) settle the severe situation of narrowing genetic diversity. To pave the path of the utilization of exotic germplasms from Brazil and India, 33 newly developed lines and six testers were genotyped with 32 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) for classifying heterotic groups. Ten out of those new lines were crossed to six testers according to the North Carolina II mating design, resulting in 60 single-cross hybrids. The 60 hybrids along with the commercial hybrid “Guinongyu889” were evaluated for 12 agronomic traits in two environments. The average polymorphism information content for the 32 SSRs was 0.73 and the average genetic similarity 0.52. The genetic analysis grouped the lines into six heterotic groups that are basically in line with information obtained from pedigree and specific combiningability effects-based groups. The lines 1862 and 363 had high general combining ability, and the hybrids 1862 × 223, Mo17 × 149, and 1862 × 363 exhibited the highest grain yield per plant; therefore, they could be used for the further commercial agronomic test. The high-yielding combinations suggested two promising heterotic patterns “Reid × PB (tem-tropical I)” and “Reid × Tropical”, and exotic germplasms from India and Brazil could be utilized directly without bridging into elite germplasms in Southwest China. According to heterotic groups classified in the present study, bridging these exotic materials into elite base breeding populations is recommended for subsequent long-term breeding program
Induced resistance to head smut (Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae) and common rust (Puccinia sorghi) in maize (Zea mays L.)
Full text linkMaize, similar to other crops, is able to efficiently recognize a pathogen and actívate available defense responses, including constitutive and induced, which can avoid or reduce the infection. The defense or induced resistance include inducing substances, such as systemic chemical inducers which increase the recognition and invasión of plant pathogens. The common rust Puccinia sorghi and head smut Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae are a threat to maize production in highlands of Mexico where seeds of susceptible cultivars are planted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of six products reported as inducers of resistance, including Actigard® 50 GS, Alliete®, Consist Max®, ASA, Poncho Votivo® y Serenade® ASO, in two locations in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo State, Mexico, to control the common rust Puccinia sorghi Schw. and head smut Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae Kühn, two serious problems for maize production under field conditions. Results showed that Consist Max® (trifloxystrobin+tebuconazol) with 150 % of the comercial dose applied at the V7 stage gave outstanding control of the pathogens under study. For common rust, the area under the disease progress curve in locations CL and UPFIM were 26.42 ± 0.26 and 78.84 ± 5.77, respectively, against 91.43 ± 2.12 and 198.24 ± 0.73 of the check treatment. Concerning head smut, the lowest incidence was at CL with percentages of infection of 16.83 ± 1.04 against 20.38 ± 1.79 of the chec
Phenotypic and molecular diversity of local popcorn populations in Southern Brazil
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to characterize the phenotypic and genetic diversity, of popcorn populations from Far West region of Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil, and generate subsidies for strategies of participatory genetic breeding. Thus, ten local popcorn populations were evaluated phenotypically, in three environments, and genotypically, using six molecular markers. From the results, the genetic and phenotypic diversity, and the agronomic potential of the populations were estimated. The 574A population stood out for its high popping expansion (36.33 mL g-1), whereas 283A, 319E, and 880A were distinguished by their high grain yield, which ranged from 1,669.3 kg ha-1 to 1,905.7 kg ha-1. Diversity amongst the ten populations was measurable and significant, both by phenotypic evaluations and by means of microsatellite markers. However, there was a low correlation between the dendrograms generated based on phenotypic and molecular data, and for outlining the strategies of breeding, this study recommends molecular analysis as a basis for genetic divergence, complementing with the information of morpho-agronomic traits. Populations 884B, 574A, 880A, 66A, 977A, 857C, 283A and 319E resulted promising parents for diallel crosses, and the populations 66A, 574A, and 880A for intrapopulation recurrent selection
A preliminary study of chemical properties in temperate forest fire of the Chilean Andean range for planning of ecosystems restoration
Full text linkDespite vegetation in fire-prone landscapes having different fire adaptations, a change in the worldwide fire regime could affect all ecosystem processes and systems. In this sense, soil systems play a key role in ecosystems, not only providing inorganic nutrients to plants, but also serve as filter water and carbon storage. The aim of this research was to identify the effects of wildfire on the chemical properties of young volcanic soils over the medium-term in two natural protected areas of Andean Mountain range. A comparative statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences in different soil parameters between forty-eight unburned and burned soil samples. Therefore, significant differences were identified between evaluated samples in organic matter, macronutrients, micronutrients, and cation exchange capacity. Whilst organic soil matter and potassium content substantially increased due to incomplete vegetation combustion; the presence of calcium content and cation exchange capacity decreased with the occurrence of fire. Our findings showed that there were significant differences between unburned soils or a soil that had been burned once and soil that had been burned twice in thirteen years. These findings should support decision making, improving the selection of passive or active restoration actions and thus efficiency in forest management
Quantification of intra- and inter-row weed competition in maize
Full text linkMaize is sown in wider rows (60cm) and has slow initial growth making the crop sensitive to weed competition. The information on contribution of weeds in intra- and inter-row spaces on maize grain yield would help in designing effective weed management strategies. The competitive effect of intra and inter-row weeds on maize grain yield was investigated in a field study conducted at two locations under different agroecological zones in 2018. Four treatments (weedy check, weed free check, weed free in intra-rows (20 cm wide), weed free in inter-rows (40 cm wide) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design. The experimental fields had dominance of grass and sedge weeds. Weedy check plots recorded significantly higher density and dry biomass of weeds thanall weed control treatments. Weed free in inter-row had significantly lower total weeds density and biomass than weed free in intra-row. Season long weed competition reduced maize grain yield by 31-40%. Weed free check recorded the highest maize grain yield (6.9-7.3 t ha -1) which was significantly higher than all weed control treatments. Weed competition in intra-row and in inter-row reduced grain yield by 10-14% and 14-15%, respectively, in comparison with weed free check. The study concluded that effective control of weeds in inter-row as well as in intra-row was important and broadcast application of herbicide was desirable. Alternatively, integrated use of band application of herbicide in intra-row and mechanical weeding in inter-row could be adopted for reducing herbicide load in maize
Evaluation of the effect of nitrogen fertilizers on nitrogen use efficiency in grain maize
Full text linkThe study presents the results of 3-year field experiments aimed at assessing the effect of (i) nitrogen dose (Nf), b(ii) balanced for Nmin content (mineral nitrogen), depending on its soil profile distribution and the influence of (iii) nitrogen fertilizer type on maize grain yield and partial factor productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (PFPFN). Nitrogen applied in the form of mineral fertilizer (Nf) is characterized by greater efficiency in comparison to Nmin contained in soil, which is manifested by a significantly higher grain yield. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate or urea, are the optimal choice for maize fertilization, as they are potentially more suited to the rhythm of its vegetation. This is evidenced by the higher partial factor productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (PFPFN). The productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (Nf) depends on the content of mineral nitrogen present in the deepest soil layers. Climatic conditions, mainly atmospheric precipitation, shape grain yield and partial factor productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (PFPFN)
Survival and growth of 711 forest tree taxa in eight French arboretums from three different climate regions
Full text linkArboretums have been used for decades for scientific, educational, horticultural and aesthetic purposes. Recently, climate change concerns have renewed the interest of the scientific community for these invaluable experimental forest systems. Here, we report a dataset from eight scientific arboretums planted in three contrasted French metropolitan bioclimates: Oceanic, Mountain and Mediterranean. In total, 92,236 trees were planted in 3,678 different plots. Originating from a worldwide range of habitats, from sea-level up to 3,670 m in elevation, the collection spans 711 forest tree taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) from 177 genera. Taxa often include several geographic sources (so-called provenances), often simultaneously in different arboretums, making within species analyses possible. Cool-climate temperate Pinaceae (pines, firs, spruces, hemlocks, etc.) are well represented in the Atlantic and Mountain arboretums while Mediterranean arboretums are particularly rich with genera from the Myrtaceae (mostly eucalypts) and the Pinaceae (mostly pines). Data include survival, growth (height and diameter) and health status. Planted between 1969 and 1976, 338 taxa had survived at time of assessment and occurred as at least one individual in one plot. Data can be used to assess species suitability for ecological restoration and afforestation, and to help improve functional niche modeling. Data accessibility: https://data.inrae.fr/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.15454/RGMM07
Under the “publish or perish” mantra and the race for grants, insights to catalyze research into wood science
Full text linkThe quality of research is the lifeline to get a good wood science, as science generally; embracing a ‘publish but don’t perish’ stance might be a valuable insight to stride this science forward. A focus on quality rather than quantity of published material would greatly reinvigorate our science and entrepreneurial capabilities, ensure continued public trust in the academic enterprise, address the needs and expectations of the 21st-century society, and help to secure a truly sustainable future, one that responsibly maintains the well-being of nature and people. Stimulating wood-based innovation certainly develops a fundamental niche in such sustainable future fitting the main goals of the sustainable development
Forest management scenarios to reduce the fire risk in chestnut coppices in the Mediterranean area
Full text linkChestnut coppices are among the formation most affected by fires in the Mediterranean environment. In the absence of cultivation treatments, the structure of the stands appears without vertical and horizontal interruptions in the canopy, with a considerable expansion of the fuel load. In this study, we showed the importance of silvicultural interventions on the mitigation of the fire in the chestnut coppices of southern Italy. In the study sites, we estimated the pyrological potential in terms of heat energy produced per surface unit and the variation in the critical surface intensity. Following silvicultural interventions, the reduction of heat energy is between 12.5 and 50%, and the extinguishing water saving are between 270 and 1,157 Mg·ha-1. The reduction of the probability of the passage of the surface fire to a crown fire can be up to 375%. With the same environmental conditions and dendro-structural characteristics, most effective interventions were observed for rotation cycles of 30 years, compared to shorter rotation cycles. This study showed the importance that silvicultural interventions, such as cleaning and bottom-up thinning, have at both the stand and territorial level on fire risk mitigation