1,721,023 research outputs found
Lo stato d’emergenza e le misure in tema di sospensione dal lavoro al tempo del Covid-19
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Volatiles Emitted by Three Genovese Basil Cultivars in Different Growing Systems and Successive Harvests
No full textThe Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is the essential ingredient in “pesto” sauce, and it has always had ample use in Mediterranean gastronomy. This horticultural type of basil is grown in the open field and harvested more than once during its cultivation cycle, but in recent decades it is increasingly grown using alternative cultivation methods (e.g., soilless cultivation) that guarantee higher and more uniform production. The dataset presented in this contribution refers to the analysis of the aroma profile by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer, of three different cultivars of Genovese basil (Aroma 2, Eleonora, and Italiano Classico) grown in the open field or floating raft system in two successive harvests. The data are a record of the variability of volatile organic compounds due to key agronomic factors, such as the genotype, the cultivation method, and the cut. They may be of interest for those concerned about the impact of different technical factors on the aroma and flavor of basil plants. Dataset: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/data8020033/s1. Dataset License: CC BY-NC-ND
The Role of Organic Extracts and Inorganic Compounds as Alleviators of Drought Stress in Plants
No full textClimate changes have exacerbated the progression of drought conditions on a global scalethreating to crop production and heightening concerns over food security. Water scarcity enforces alterations in fundamental morphology, physiology and biochemical traits in crops. Consequently, it is imperative to identify environmentally sustainable alternative solutions to mitigate this problem and enhance overall plant performance. In this sense, biostimulants have emerged as a promising alternative as they improve plant resilience, enhance physiological processes, and mitigate the detrimental consequences of water deficit conditions on crop production. This review compiles the latest research on the application of organic extracts and inorganic compounds in crops subjected to drought conditions, specifically humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, and silicon. Moreover, it offers a comprehensive overview of the origins and effectiveness of these biostimulants, with a detailed analysis of their application and the associated physiological, biochemical, and genetic modifications induced by these bioactive compounds. This knowledge enhances the understanding of the efficacy and implementation strategies pertinent of these compounds under water stress scenarios in agricultural settings
Influence of Pre-Harvest Factors on the Storage of Fresh Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): A Review
No full textThanks to its numerous uses in gastronomy, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, basil (Ocimum spp.) is one of the most studied and consumed aromatic plants worldwide. However, its commercialization and availability are limited by its short post-harvest shelf-life, primarily due to its strong sensitivity to cold, poor handling, and consequent microbial contamination. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on pre-harvest techniques that can extend the shelf-life of basil, aiming to offer a practical tool for growers, distributors, retailers, and scientists. In addition to influencing the plant’s primary metabolism, pre-harvest factors, such as genotype selection, plant nutrition, irrigation, and light management, can have a direct impact on basil quality and shelf-life. Unlike previous reviews, which primarily focus on post-harvest strategies, this work provides a structured analysis of pre-harvest factors that directly influence basil’s shelf-life. By integrating recent findings on genotype selection, nutrient management, and environmental conditions, we offer a comprehensive framework to guide future agronomic practices aimed at minimizing post-harvest losses and enhancing product quality
Enhancing Yield, Physiological, and Quality Traits of Strawberry Cultivated Under Organic Management by Applying Different Non-Microbial Biostimulants
No full textOrganic farming is an environmentally friendly management practice that excludes the use of synthetic inputs, but at the same time is associated with lower yields than conventional production. In an attempt to compensate for yield reduction, resulting from foregoing the use of synthetic fertilizers, we hypothesized that the use of biostimulant products could provide much-desired food security. In light of this, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare and evaluate the effects of the foliar application of three different non-microbial biostimulants (a seaweed extract, a plant protein hydrolysate, and a plant extract) on the yield, mineral profile, and physiological response of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) grown in an organic farming context. Regardless of the type of biostimulant, treated plants showed significant improvement in photosynthetic performance. Specifically, the application of plant-derived protein hydrolysate increased ACO2 by 34.5% compared with control. Despite this, only the application of plant-derived protein hydrolysate significantly increased fruit yield per unit area (+13.5%). The improved performance of plants treated with plant-derived protein hydrolysate was associated with an overall improvement in mineral profile (compared to control +49.4 and 33.0% in NO3− and Mg2+ concentration, respectively). In contrast, application of the seaweed biostimulant increased (+17.4%) fruit antioxidant activity (DPPH) compared with control plants. These results underscore how the diverse origins of non-microbial biostimulants are responsible for specific responses in crops that can be exploited by organic growers to increase productivity
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
An appraisal of critical factors configuring the composition of basil in minerals, bioactive secondary metabolites, micronutrients and volatile aromatic compounds
No full textCombining health-promoting nutrition with gastronomic novelty is a major trend currently driving the agri-food sector. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a genetically diverse aromatic vegetable crop that combines rich phytochemical composition and enticing sensory profile. The current review examines how genetic variation underlies the phytochemical composition, nutrient composition, and volatile aromatic compounds of basil. It further provides a critical assessment of preharvest factors that configure product quality, including nutrient modulation, controlled stress, biofortification, biostimulant and light management applications. Appropriate genotype selection may facilitate sustainable production of improved quality, whereas targeted preharvest applications combined with optimized light intensity and spectral quality may effectively increase the content of essential phytochemicals and micronutrients, while suppressing the accumulation of anti-nutritive agents. The application of biostimulants may further underpin the sustainability factor in basil production, especially under growth-limiting conditions. The current review constitutes a critical synopsis of all available scientific literature investigating key factors configuring the composition of basil in minerals, bioactive secondary metabolites, micronutrients and volatile aromatic compounds from 1996 to 2022. Topics warranting further research are highlighted, with emphasis placed in identifying optimal combinations within the genotype-environment-management interaction nexus that tap the physiological and molecular mechanisms responsible for improving plant performance and functional-sensory quality in basil
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