1,720,993 research outputs found
Assessing Carbon Footprint and Offsetting in Golf Course Maintenance: A Case Study of Colli Berici Golf Club, Italy
No full textThe maintenance operations typically carried out on a golf course were analysed, taking the Colli Berici Golf Club, located in the province of Vicenza (Italy), as a case study, and verifying their sustainability in terms of carbon offsetting. With regard to the quantities of CO2 sequestered, only tree vegetation was considered. The data resulting from these activities made it possible to apply the i-Tree Eco model. The results showed a sequestration of 341.65 Mg/year of carbon dioxide, of which more than 90% was sequestered by vegetation in forest areas, mainly by Ostrya carpinifolia and Castanea sativa. These results were compared with the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in carrying out the green management practices. After analysing the machines used, the hours of annual operation and their fuel consumption, the carbon dioxide emitted was calculated to be 19.9 Mg/year. In particular, cutting operations are responsible for almost 80% of the total emissions. Also of interest is the 4.9% of emissions related to bunker management. Roughs and fairways are the areas that contribute the most to emissions with the 30.5% and 31.9% of the total, respectively. Greens and collars also have a high figure, as they are affected not only by grass cutting, but also by all turf renewal operations. This first analysis, although partial, highlights that on this golf course characterised by extensive tree vegetation, results showed a surplus of CO2 sequestered of more than 320 Mg/year compared to emissions. The results also indicate that grass cutting of roughs and fairways is the operation on which to focus the most efforts to make maintenance more sustainable, for example by considering the introduction of differentiated grass management in some areas and/or autonomous lawn mowers for cutting grass on fairways
Evaluation of Sustainable Weeding Methods for the Control of Spontaneous Flora in Urban Areas
No full textWhen not properly managed or eliminated, spontaneous plants may cause more or less serious damage in an urbanized environment. Weed control should be a priority in urban green management, both public and private, but the treatments need more attention towards the environment and people. Following the current Italian laws regarding the use of herbicides in green spaces, a study on alternative methods to the traditional application of glyphosate is proposed. Specifically, the goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of weeds control of four different methods to find the best solution. The experimental tests took place in two paths of the Montecchia Golf course (Selvazzano, Italy). Two bioherbicides and two physical treatments were tested and compared with no treated plots (control): acetic acid (Urban WeedTM), pelargonic acid (Finalsan® Plus), flame weeding, and mechanical scraper. After each treatment, photos were taken to evaluate the trend of weed repopulation in each plot. The images were processed using CANOPEO, a Matlab® plugin, to obtain a percentage coverage value for each plot. Considering cost analysis and the effectiveness of weeds control, acetic acid has proved to be the best alternative solution to traditional weed control with glyphosate
Effect of Seed-Beds on the Cultivation of Radicchio (Cichorium intybus L., Rubifolium Group)
No full textThe use of raised beds (i.e., ridged soil layers) to cultivate vegetables can improve soil quality, crop performance, water use and even reduce soil erosion. Although those advantages are well known and documented in the literature for many vegetable species, Radicchio, a particular variety of chicory, is usually cultivated in flat seed-beds and, therefore, the achievable benefits of raised beds for this vegetable are not yet known. The possibility to grow plants of Radicchio on raised beds is here evaluated by comparing the most important yield performances indicators deriving from the adoption of this practice (grown plants percentage, average head weight, marketable yields, and net incomes) with the same indicators recorded with a conventional practice making use of flat seed-beds. The results evidenced that raised beds for Radicchio had a statistically significant effect on the average head weight (+55.45 g plant-1 with 15-cm beds) with significant increases of field yields (up to +30.6%) and net incomes (up to +29.7%) on the trials with flat seed-beds. The experiment showed that the production of chicory can take an economical advantage from the use of raised seed-beds and, therefore, this system is preferable to the traditional cultivation practice
Simulating the impact of nature-based solutions on runoff control by using i-Tree Hydro: a case study in Padua (Italy)
Full text linkThe progressive soil sealing in urbanized areas increases runoff due to surface imperviousness and leads the traditional drainage systems to a critical level, increasing flooding phenomena. The adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) can mitigate the risk of flood and increase territorial resilience to climate change. As part of the preparation of the Green Plan of the municipality of Padua (Italy), a simulation of the hydrological balance was carried out using i-Tree Hydro software to assess the effect of the increase of permeability due to the inclusion of NBS. The potential for improving the infiltration capacity relative only to urbanized surfaces was estimated considering three types of NBS: rain garden, green roof, and permeable pavement. The amount and the surfaces potentially improved with NBS have been calculated through the application of i-Tree Canopy. The simulation covered the years from 2014 to 2019. More precise analyses for an exceptional event that occurred in May of 2018 and an intense event that occurred in May of 2019 were conducted. The analysis demonstrated positive effects of the implementation of NBS on the management of rainwater runoff volumes, more accentuated in areas with a higher degree of urbanization. From the tested NBS, rain gardens were more effective in reducing runoff (about 34-41% on average) than permeable pavements and green roofs (about 25-35 and 15-26% on average, respectively), while the higher values were observed for the intense event. Permeable pavements, better accompanied by the presence of vegetation, could be used to maximize the benefits of a NBS urban design
Hydrological efficiency of established rain gardens and plant adaptability to their soil water conditions
No full textIn the last few decades, rain gardens (RGs) and other bioretention systems were proposed to restore the natural water cycle improving infiltration of rainwater runoff from paved surfaces. In spring 2011, at the Agripolis Campus of the University of Padova, a system of two RGs was designed to receive and manage the stormwater runoff from a building roof. The two rain gardens have an area of 10.5 and 21 m2, corresponding respectively to 10 and 20% of the roof drainage area. In spring 2018 the plants were changed, and RGs were both vegetated with five herbaceous perennial ornamental species: Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’, Iris spuria, Panicum virgatum ‘Cardinal’, Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’, Salvia ×sylvestris ‘Mainacht’. Plants were transplanted in different positions to assess their suitability to the different soil water conditions. The efficiency of the two rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff and the aesthetical and the growth response were evaluated. The results showed that both RGs were able to manage 99.9 and 98.0% of the stormwater runoff (large and small RG, respectively), almost all of which by infiltration and a small part (2.1 and 3.9%, respectively) by evapotranspiration. As for the vegetation, all the species showed good aesthetic values over a long period of time. The growth of the plants was influenced by their position in the rain gardens (i.e. different soil water content). In particular, E. purpurea, I. spuria, R. fulgida, and P. virgatum, showed better performances in the inner wetter position, while S. ×sylvestris in the outer, drier locations of the rain garde
Study on the Influence of Intermittent Water Dispersion Needle on Hydraulic Performance of Sprinklers
No full textAn experimental device was designed to investigate the effects of changes in insertion jet depth and frequency of intermittent water dispersion needle on the hydraulic performance of the sprinkler, respectively. The results show that, under the same working pressure, the sprinkler assembled with intermittent water dispersion needles can improve the throw radius by at least 20% compared to the sprinklers assembled with fixed water dispersion needles. Gradually increasing the depth of insertion results in more water being distributed near the sprinkler, and less water reaching the middle and end of the throw radius. Increasing the frequency of insertion jets initially reduces water near the sprinkler, but then leads to an increase. However, water in the middle of the throw radius keeps decreasing, increasing towards the end of the throw radius. By adjusting the frequency of insertion jets, it’s possible to address problems related to excessive water application rates at the end of the throw radius
Low- and high-frequency irrigation of ‘Rosso di Treviso’ Radicchio
No full textRadicchio (Cichorium intybus L., group rubifolium) is a plant widely cultivated in Italy to sell the leafy heads. Veneto is one of the Italian regions with the largest share of Radicchio cultivation. Radicchio ‘Rosso di Treviso’ is one of the more cultivated varieties, but scientific knowledge about the most appropriate irrigation management is still limited. The study focuses on the effect of two irrigation scheduling criteria on Radicchio yield and on the number of marketable plants, in a field experiment carried out from 2013 to 2017 in a commercial farm in Veneto (northeast Italy). Mini-sprinkler system was set to provide water from the transplanting for most of the cropping period, with a low-frequency schedule, and a high-frequency schedule that doubled the number of interventions but halved the water volumes applied each time. The total volumes of water applied each year were the same in both treatments. At harvest, 7 sample areas were randomly harvested and (i) marketable yield, (ii) average head weight, and (iii) number of marketable plants were measured. Overall, the high-frequency schedule produced 26.5 t ha‐1 of marketable Radicchio heads, while the low-frequency schedule 23.6 t ha‐1, significant variability was found between years. The greater productivity was mainly the result of a greater number of marketable plants, while the average head weight was not significantly different between the treatments. This suggests that a greater irrigation interval can create less favorable conditions for radicchio yield, increasing the number of underweight, rotten and missing plants. Farmers should take into account the possibility to increase irrigation frequency if the eventual higher management cost does not offset the gain in radicchio productivity
Effect of irrigation on Sant’Erasmo violet artichoke production: preliminary assessments
No full textThe violet artichoke is a typical horticultural product of the Venice Lagoon (Italy). In this area, the artichoke is not normally irrigated but, due to rising temperatures and increasingly prolonged periods of drought, linked to ongoing climate change, farmers are considering introducing irrigation, also to counteract excessive rising of brackish water. A test was carried out in 2021 in a plot of a farm located in Sant’Erasmo island (site that also names the product), in two distinct periods: a first period, from April 20 to June 7, to assess the influence of irrigation on the production of buds, and a second period, after summer vegetative recovery, from August 20 to December 15, to analyse the influence on the production of leaves (thistles or cardoons). The plot was divided in three theses: irrigated with a single drip line, irrigated with a double drip line, and no irrigated (control). Irrigation volumes were calculated using a simplified water balance based on crop evapotranspiration ETc (estimated using the FAO method) and daily rainfall data recorded by a nearby weather station. The results of the first period were influenced by heavy and frequent rainfall which did not allow to assess the effect of irrigation. In the second period, which followed a long and droughty summer, results showed significant differences, with a higher production in terms of quantity of biomass harvested (total and marketable) in the irrigated thesis. In addition, the number of shoots and the plant heights showed statistically significant differences between single-line and double-line drip irrigation systems, with the former probably benefiting from a water supply closer to the rhizome, also proving to be the better solution in terms of functionality, irrigation efficiency and cost
Performance of three different native plant mixtures for extensive green roofs in a humid subtropical climate context
Full text linkMost of the services and benefits of green roofs are related to the substrate as well as the vegetation layer. Although plant selection should be made on the basis of green roof typology, morphology, and climate conditions, very often, Sedum species only are used worldwide. However, they do not always guarantee the best performances; hence, it is important to investigate different plant species and their performance in different climate contexts. Herein, an experiment was conducted using three plant mixes (i.e., a Sedum mix, a perennial herbaceous mix, and a suffruticose mix), grown in boxes containing two substrates (a volcanic substrate or a recycled crushed brick substrate) and two drainage/storage layers (a preformed layer or a mineral layer), in factorial combination. The Sedum mix showed a high canopy cover, comparable to or even higher than that of the other mixes, particularly when supplemental irrigation was stopped. However, the actual crop coefficient (Kc act) of the herbaceous and suffruticose mixes was often higher than that of the Sedum mix. The results also showed that both the substrate and the drainage/storage layer may improve Kc act values as a consequence of their capacity for stormwater retention
Analysis of Agro-Environmental Sustainability of Drip Irrigation on Maize on Four Farms in the Veneto Plain (Northeastern Italy)
No full textDuring the irrigation season 2023 a trial on four farms located in the Veneto region (northeastern Italy) was carried out. The main purpose was to evaluate the influence of different drip irrigation management on maize crop yields and water consumption by using some indices: DUlq (Distribution Uniformity of low quarter), IWUE (Irrigation Water Use Efficiency) RIS (Relative Irrigation Supply), CGR (Crop Growth Rate), Harvest Index (HI). The applied irrigation management was based on a semi-empirical criterion of crop evapotranspiration compensation throughout the growing season. The results showed that for a more efficient management of drip irrigation, the correct sizing of pipes and choice of drip lines are necessary as they improve the uniformity of water distribution to the crop; furthermore, the use of irrigation advisory systems to support the farmer’s choices in relation to crop needs is essential. Analyses of the volumes of irrigation water distributed have shown that an excessive supply of water in relation to crop requirements does not lead to greater biomass development and higher yields, but only to greater wastage of water, resulting in low efficiency caused by runoff and/or deep percolation. In addition, the results show that indices analysing environmental sustainability are crucial for comparing the management of different plots: for example, RIS showed that farm (1) applied more irrigation water (1279.8 mm) than the other farms (170 mm on average) and compared to crop requirements (491.8 mm), with estimated percolation losses of 947.4 mm, without showing higher yields and higher CGR values than the other farms. On one farm where it was possible to make a comparison with 2022 weather conditions and crop yields, it was shown how drip irrigation applied to maize can ensure acceptable yields without excessive water consumption, even in particularly dry years
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