1,721,054 research outputs found
Irrigazione
No full textIl settore delle piante officinali presenta uno sviluppo in espansione e un potenziale da sfruttare. La produzione nazionale soddisfa solo una piccola parte del fabbisogno, mentre buona parte del prodotto proviene da Paesi terzi. Le produzioni nazionali di piante officinali possono essere competitive se si cura la qualità in tutte le fasi della filiera: dalla produzione alle aziende di trasformazione. Le nozioni di base per poter avviare le coltivazioni partono da una precisa conoscenza di quali specie coltivare, quali sistemi produttivi e tecnologie siano indispensabili, quale percorso produttivo porti al miglior prodotto finito, dall’impianto sino alla trasformazione. La consapevolezza dei produttori e degli aspiranti tali di quali siano gli standard specifici richiesti dal mercato è una buona leva per una crescita tecnico-qualitativa di tutto il compart
Agronomic innovations of globe artichoke crop for climate-change mitigation: preliminary results
No full textThe conventional cultivation of globe artichoke in the south Italy is often carried out applying high amount of nitrogen fertilizer and water to not limit the production generating appreciable impact on the agricultural sustainability.
The increasingly manifest effects of climate change increase the need for the farmers to be availed with appropriate technologies and management practices that sustainably increase productivity and resilience, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The adoption of innovations in the agronomic management of the globe artichoke might contribute to the mitigation of negative issues related to climate change.
In view of this, an experiment at field-scale was conducted on two artichoke hybrids (Artemisa and Capriccio) to study the effect of bio-fertilizers combined to a controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) system, as eco-friendly alternative to the conventional nutrition (chemical fertilizers) and irrigation management of the globe artichoke.
The combination of biological activators containing amino acids, organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi treatments was monitoring during the growing cycle of the crop to evaluate the influence on the growth and productivity of the globe artichoke in comparison with the conventional fertilization.
A controlled deficit irrigation was managed using volumetric water content (VWC) sensors imposing an irrigation deficit of 5% compared to the conventional irrigation treatment.
The comparison between the two cultivation systems under study showed a clear reduction in the use of nitrogen and a water-saving of 25% on average.
Interestingly, it was possible to detect a lower luxuriance with the innovative management of the artichoke crop with a productivity which showed a better efficiency of the plant in terms of harvest index. Insights will concern aspects relating to the quality of the flower heads as fresh and processed product
AGRI-ENERGY CHAINS: FROM FIELD TO LAND PLANNING
No full textProceeding of the 5th AISSA Conference (Italian Association Agrarian Scientific Society
The Effect of Tillage on Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Nitrogen Fixation in Durum Wheat ((Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum (Desf))-Based Rotation under a Mediterranean Climate
Full text linkBiological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a sustainable approach to improving soil fertility that not only provides nitrogen to subsequent crops but also reduces the impacts of synthetic fertilizers. Here, a field experiment was established within the faba bean (Vicia faba L.), cv Prothabat 69-durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum (Desf)), cv Iride rotation framework of a long-term experiment in southern Italy to quantify BNF over two consecutive years (2012/13–2013/14). The effect of tillage systems (reduced, conventional, and no tillage) on faba bean N2 fixation was estimated at the flowering and maturity stages via the natural abundance technique, using wheat as a reference crop. The effect of tillage on the percentage of nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere (Ndfa) and the amount of N2 fixed (kg ha−1) were higher under a no-tillage system in both years and at both growth stages, with values of 66.5% at flowering and 81.7% at maturity. The same trend was reported for the amount of N2 fixed (kg N ha−1) at both faba bean growth stages. The N balance was positive in both years, with a mean value of 40.4 kg N ha−1, across all tillage systems; this value was greater in the no-tillage systems (45.7 kg N ha−1) with respect to the others. The values for the organic matter content and stability index were higher under the no-tillage system, which provided favourable conditions that improved N2 fixation by faba beans. The overall results indicate that no-tillage soil management represents a sustainable strategy for improving soil quality and fertility, therefore reducing the dependency of agriculture on synthetic fertilizers
The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in alleviating salt stress in Medicago sativa L. var. icon
No full textAbstract
Medicago sativa L. is the most important forage crop in arid and semi-arid areas, where increased salinity is a major factor limiting plant growth and crop productivity. The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus viscosum H.T. Nicolson strain A6 in protecting alfalfa plants from salt stress, induced by sodium chloride (NaCl), was studied in two ways. Firstly, the root systems of 3-month old M. sativa plants, both mycorrhizal (AM+) and non-mycorrhizal (non-AM) (M. sativa L. var. icon), were placed in solutions of increasing salt concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl) to study the wilting response. G. viscosum improved the tolerance to salinity stress and the benefit was expressed in terms of the time required to reach the T4 stage in the wilting experiment. Secondly, to evaluate the ability of the Glomus-alfalfa symbiosis to tolerate salt, a pot experiment was set up in a glasshouse in which 3-month old alfalfa plants (M. sativa var. icon) were grown in a peat substratum at three salinity levels (0, 100, 150 mM NaCl). The AM symbiosis stimulated plant height, leaf area, root density, fresh and dry plant weight under saline conditions. Furthermore, proline accumulation was higher in mycorrhizal M. sativa plants than in non-mycorrhizal plants under conditions of salt stress. These and other results indicated that the micropropagated selected clone of M. sativa var. icon, when in symbiosis with G. viscosum H.T. Nicolson strain A6, exhibited better growth and physiological activities under saline conditions than non-AM plants. The AM+ plants also had lower sodium and chloride concentrations in tissues than non-AM plant
Oregano and its potential use as bioherbicide
Full text linkWidespread use of synthetic herbicides in weed control could result in negative impact on human health and on the environment. Natural compounds could be successfully used as bioherbicides because they are potentially more environmental friendly and safe. Plants are an important source of active compounds. In particular, many species belonging to the Labiate family produce essential oils containing compounds that could act as natural herbicides. In this paper we report on preliminary studies about the effects on seed germination and plant growth of an oregano hybrid (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. virilidum × O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) Iestwart). Experiments were done both in pots and in the field. Increasing amounts of chopped leaves and stems of oregano were added to the soil. In the pots, several weed species were sown, whereas naturally occurring infestation was evaluated in the field. In comparison with the control, a reduced number of weeds was observed where oregano biomass was added. The above-mentioned trend was more visible in the pots than in the field. The results suggest that the hybrid of oregano used in the trial could be an interesting source of natural compounds effective against weeds. Hence, further studies with this plant are likely to be successful
Micropropagation supports reintroduction of an apulian artichoke landrace in sustainable cropping systems
Full text linkArtichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) is a perennial plant of the Aster-aceae’s family native to the Mediterranean basin. Italy has rich artichoke biodiversity, but many landraces are subjected to genetic erosion caused by increasing use of commercial varieties that are more homogenous in production. An Apulian landrace ‘Troianella’ was established in vitro to valorize and provide high-quality material for propagation in nurseries and, subsequently, for cultivation in production fields. The shoot proliferation was tested on four different growth media, adding cytokinin (-6-benzylamminopurine (BAP-0.05 mg L−1 ). Among these, the best results were achieved on MS519-A and BM media in which MS macronutrients were supplemented with additional doses of CaCl2 and MgSO4 (plus 120 mg L−1 and 190 mg L−1, respectively). In vitro root induction was obtained with 10 mg L−1 of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 30 g L−1 of sucrose. Plants derived from tissue culture were acclimatized in greenhouse using mycorrhizal symbiosis to increase survival during the acclimatization phase and to improve their performance after transplanting in field. Three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Septoglomus viscosum, Funelliformis mosseae, and Symbivit, a commercial mix) were added to a sterile substrate and compared to a sterile control without any AM fungal inocula. After 3 months, the best growth and plant appearance were on substrates with S. viscosum fungus or the commercial mycorrhizal fungi mix. The results supported a development of an efficient micropropagation protocol and a production of high quality plant material for sustainable farming of the endangered ’Troianella’ landrace
Effects of Septoglomus viscosum inoculation on biomass yield and steviol glycoside concentration of some Stevia rebaudiana chemotypes
No full textThere is growing interest in the medicinal properties of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, due to its ability to produce zero-calorie sweeteners, steviol glycosides (SGs). Inoculation of the roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a method used to improve the production of secondary metabolites by many plant species, but its effects on S. rebaudiana have not been extensively studied, especially in open field conditions in Italy. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of the fungus Septoglomus viscosum on the leaves and secondary metabolites of three micropropagated stevia chemotypes (L1, L2 and L3) over three years. Our results indicate that the establishment of symbiotic relations between AMF and stevia plants of selected chemotypes improved leaf yield, because the mycorrhizal (MIC) treated plants had a better tendency to regrowth, especially L1 and L3, which had survival rates of 80 % and 90 %, respectively. MIC treatment also had positive effects in terms of SG production, which was not significant in terms of concentration, but was significant in terms of production
Implications of no-tillage system in faba bean production: Energy analysis and potential agronomic benefits
Full text linkBackground: Given the nutritional value of faba bean, however its susceptibility to water deficit, especially in Mediterranean environment, tillage practices need to be modified in order to adapt the crop to dry and low rainfall conditions and promote the interest in its cultivation. Objective: To identify whether no-tillage system can be considered as a sustainable means in faba bean cultivation under Mediterranean condition. Method: The study was conducted during a 6-year period (2010/11 to 2015/16) in southern Italy within wheat-faba bean rotation framework of a long-term experiment. The effect of No-Tillage (NT) on agronomic and energy parameters of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivation was evaluated and compared to those of Conventional (CT) and Reduced (RT) Tillage. Results: The agronomic results indicate that NT performed better and/or is comparable to CT, while its application was 28% and 30% more energy efficient compared to CT and RT respectively. For agronomic parameters, tillage had a significant effect on number of plant m -2 , grain yield, grain protein content and 100-seed weight whereas year effect was significant for yield components and quality parameters. Energy indexes, instead, were significantly affected by both factors. NT gave the best results in terms of energy efficiency, energy intensity and net energy, and consumed 39% and 36% less non-renewable energy than CT and RT, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the key benefit of NT in rainfed faba bean is its ability to produce sufficient yield of high quality with a significant reduction in energy inputs entailed the fewest field operations and therefore lowest energy requirements
The potential of Citrullus colocynthis oil as a biocide against phytoparasitic nematodes
No full textThe high content of nematicidal fatty acids in Citrullus colocynthis seed oil could result in a novel product with a nematicidal potential. In this study, C. colocynthis oil was evaluated for its in vitro activity both against infective juveniles and eggs of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and against infective specimens of the lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus, as well as against the suppressiveness of M. incognita in an experiment on potted tomatoes. The fatty acid composition of the tested oil was determined by gas chromatography analysis. Linoleic acid methyl ester (44.63%) and oleic acid (26.48%) were the two main fatty acid components, but there were also consistent percentages of erucic acid methyl ester (10.08%), palmitic acid (7.88%), and stearic acid (5.86%). C. colocynthis oil was highly toxic to M. incognita juveniles (>73% mortality) after a 24-h exposure to a 25 μg mL−1 solution, whereas infective specimens of P. vulnus were less sensitive with 46.6% mortality after a 24-h exposure to a 100 μg mL−1 oil solution. The viability of M. incognita eggs was strongly affected by C. colocynthis oil treatments with more than 64% egg mortality resulting from a 72-h immersion in a 250 μg mL−1 oil solution. Soil treatments with C. colocynthis oil resulted in a significant reduction of both M. incognita eggs and gall formation on tomato roots, as well as of nematode density in the soil, in comparison to the non-treated control. Tomato plant growth was not negatively affected by C. colocynthis oil treatments, though a slight increase in plant biomass was recorded at just the highest concentrations of oil. This research demonstrates the nematicidal properties of C. colocynthis oil and, thus, its potential for the formulation of new products that could be applied in the context of organic or integrated management of phytoparasitic nematodes
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