339 research outputs found
Ecophysiological Recovery of Micropropagated Olive Cultivars: Field Research in an Irrigated Super-High-Density Orchard
No full textThis research focuses on the seasonal patterns of the ecophysiological recovery of four olive cultivars (Arbequina, Coratina, Frantoio, and Urano), both micropropagated and self-rooted, grown in a mature, irrigated, super high-density (SHD) orchard under Mediterranean conditions (Southern of Italy). The aim was to observe the impact of the micropropagation method on the ecophysiological responses. Ecophysiological parameters, including leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and transpiration rate (E) were assessed. Self-rooted trees consistently exhibited superior gs, E, and Pn recovery compared to the micropropagated ones. ‘Arbequina’ maintained elevated levels of Pn under water-deficit conditions. ‘Coratina’ exhibited increases in gs and E after irrigation. ‘Frantoio’ demonstrated recovery capabilities, with lower LWP and higher Pn under stress. ‘Urano’ micropropagated trees achieved higher gs values in mid-summer, while self-rooted trees sustained higher Pn later in the season. This field research highlighted the important role of the propagation method in optimizing the physiological performance of olive cultivars in SHD orchards. Furthermore, it highlighted the necessity of long-term studies on the effects of propagation methods and their interactions with other farming practices
Deficit Irrigation Regime Improves Phytosanitary Status of Cultivar Arbosana Grown in a Super High-Density Olive Orchard
No full textSuper high-density (SHD) planting systems are very efficient in terms of production and
water use. In these orchards, water-saving irrigation strategies are used precisely to keep the best
sustainability compared to traditional orchards. With agro-climatic and eco-physiological parameter
monitoring, the SHD planting system has become even more efficient. SHD orchards, however, could
also be more so affected by other pests and diseases than traditional systems, but field responses are
still unknown when olive trees are grown in SHD groves. The goal of this two-year field research
was to investigate the seasonal changes of the phytosanitary status of ‘Arbosana’ grown in an SHD
orchard under both regulated deficit (RDI) and full irrigation regimes (FI). This study investigated
the influence of the two different irrigation regimes on the infections of three olive tree key diseases:
cercosporiosis (Pseudocercospora cladosporioides), cycloconium (Fusicladium oleagineum), and olive knot
(Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi). RDI significantly reduced the severity of cercosporiosis in
2020 compared to FI but not in 2021. Cycloconium was observed only as a latent infection during the
two studied years and olive knot was not influenced by irrigation but only by weather conditions.
These findings suggest that irrigation management can play a key role in controlling cercosporiosis
effectively in SHD olive orchards, but also that weather conditions have an even higher impact on
the tree key diseases
Row Orientation and Canopy Position Affect Bud Differentiation, Leaf Area Index and Some Agronomical Traits of a Super High-Density Almond Orchard
No full textSuper-high density (SHD) is the latest innovation in almond growing. This new cropping system needs to be studied in different climates, soils, latitudes and cultivars in order to promote more efficient and sustainable orchard management. This study shows the effects of two row orientations and different canopy positions on leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and biological, phenological and agronomical parameters of a SHD almond orchard. Total bud number and flower bud number were higher for N-S row orientation and more wood buds were detected in top layers. LAI was strongly influenced by layer, but not by row orientation. Row orientation did not affect blooming or ripening phenology. Fruit number per layer was higher for North–South (N-S) row orientation and in middle layers; fruit set showed the opposite trend to flower bud and fruit numbers, achieving higher values for East–West (E-W) row orientation. Hulled fruit yield was not affected by row orientation but by canopy height. N-S oriented rows showed a greater number of empty nuts than E-W, but no differences were found between layers. We concluded that in SHD almond orchards, row orientation is determinant for sustainable crop management
Physical Ripening Indices Improve the Assessment of Mechanical Harvesting Time for Olive Cultivars Resistant to Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca
No full textXylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) is a significant threat to Mediterranean agriculture,
particularly impacting olive trees in southern Italy, causing Olive Quick Decline Syndrome. Resistant
olive cultivars, such as ‘Leccino’ and ‘Fs-17’, have been identified as alternatives to restore the oliviculture
within the infected areas. ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Cipressino’ are included in ongoing studies on genetic
resistance to Xfp. The mechanization of olive harvesting is essential for reducing production costs in
the olive oil sector. Two systems, trunk shakers and over-the-row machines, are used depending on
the tree density and canopy structure, with super-high-density systems offering advantages in terms
of cost and efficiency. This study investigates the feasibility of using simple and non-destructive
indices to assess the optimal mechanical harvesting time. Different physical ripening indices, including
detachment force, fresh weight, pigmentation, and firmness, were measured on four olive
cultivars (‘Fs-17’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Cipressino’) in southern Italy over two years. The study found
that the pigmentation index had a strong relationship with the detachment index, particularly for
‘Fs-17’, and ‘Leccino’, providing a reliable non-destructive measure for optimal harvesting time. The
results indicate that the optimal harvesting times for mechanical harvesting are early September for
‘Cipressino’, early October for ‘Fs-17’, and mid-October for ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Leccino’
HAPLOTYPE-BASED GENOMIC ASSEMBLY AND RESEQUENCING OF THE ITALIAN ALMOND ‘FILIPPO CEA’
No full text‘Filippo Cea’ is one of the most widely grown almond cultivars in Italy, as it merges relevant qualitative features. Here, we report the obtainment of a haplotype-based de novo assembly of the ‘Filippo Cea’ genome using PacBio long HiFi sequencing. The two genomes, FC_Hap1 and FC_Hap2, have an estimated size of 306 Mb and 285 Mb, with N50 of 12.34 Mb and 17.35 Mb, and L50 of 7 and 6 contigs, respectively. Genes predicted in both assemblies using available Uniprot protein clusters and RNA-seq libraries from different tissues and cultivars, captured > 98% of the BUSCO gene set, indicating high quality of the genome. Aiming to study intra-varietal genomic variation, DNA from nine ‘Filippo Cea’ accessions sampled from different growing areas are currently being resequenced with Illumina technology. The results of this study add important genomic resources to the scientific community working on almond. In addition, they are expected to be of high value for the consolidation of ‘Filippo Cea’ in the agrifood industry, its valorization through a Protected Origin Declaration mark, and its use in breeding programs
Planting System and Cultivar Influence Olive Key-Pests Infestation in an Olive-Growing Vocated Area
No full textTraditional and intensive planting systems have paved the way for the phenomenon of
intensification, with the super high-density (SHD) system being the most prominent. This system
has demonstrated high levels of profitability due to both the reduction in production costs achieved
through complete mechanization and a significant increase in olive oil production per hectare,
stemming from the more efficient utilization of resources such as light, water, and nutrients. The
aim of this study was to evaluate, in a vocated olive-growing area, the phytosanitary status of a
SHD olive orchard compared to a traditional one (TRD). The research focused on six key olive pests,
considering the interaction between planting systems and eight cultivars in a semi-arid environment.
The comparative analysis of pest infestations across the two planting systems revealed significant and
complex patterns in pest population distribution and intensity. Overall, the planting system appeared
to be the main factor influencing pest dynamics. The SHD olive orchard exhibited the highest
infestation levels of Otiorhynchus cribricollis, Palpita unionalis, and Bactrocera oleae. Conversely, in the
TRD system, the highest infestation levels of Saissetia oleae, Euphyllura olivina, and Prays oleae were
observed. Moreover, the study highlighted a less pronounced effect of cultivars on the prevalence of
all monitored key pests. These findings underscore the potential for developing more sustainable and
effective pest management strategies tailored to specific planting systems. Furthermore, the results
contribute to advancing eco-friendly control approaches and improving pest infestation management
practices. Additional research will be necessary to deepen the understanding of these key pests and
their interactions within different olive-growing systems.This project was funded by DAJS “Rigenerazione Sostenibile dell’agricoltura nei territori colpiti da Xylella fastidiosa” (CUP J89J21013750001).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Ecological optima show the potential diffusion of minor tree crops in Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca-infected areas through a GIS-based approach
No full textSite selection analysis is a fundamental methodology for the regeneration of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) infected areas, with the introduction of Xfp immune/resistant tree crop species. The diffusion of these species could be assessed by combining ecological optima data, climate and soil attributes of the study area, and GIS tools. The study aimed to evaluate the potential suitability of eight Xfp immune tree crops, including Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) drought-resistant and new species, as follows: carob, hawthorn, prickly pear, mulberry, loquat, walnut, persimmon, and avocado. The use of GIS tools allowed the integration of different layers, such as climate and soil, to contribute to the identification of suitable areas for the cultivation of these tree crops helping the policy-makers to define plans for land use at a regional scale. Following the ecological optima, which represents the ideal environmental conditions for each species, this analysis provided valuable insights into the compatibility of the selected tree crops with the prevailing environmental factors in the affected area. Carob revealed its remarkable adaptability and drought resistance, presenting the broadest suitability. Hawthorn and Loquat also exhibited high adaptability, indicating their potential contribution to agricultural diversification and ecological balance. Conversely, crops like Avocado, Prickly pear, and Walnut, despite their economic value, demonstrated limited adaptability due to their specific soil and climate requirements. These findings can potentially contribute to the development of strategies for the policy-makers, aimed at diversifying and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems, facing the problem of emerging quarantine pathogens and the incoming climate change, and highlighting the possibility of opening new cultivation scenarios in the zones affected by Xfp
Valutare la carbon footprint di un mandorleto con uno strumento Gis
No full textLa produzione di biomassa legnosa e il potenziale di stoccaggio del suolo hanno contribuito significativamente alla riduzione di CO2, mentre le principali emissioni sono state associate ai trattamenti fitosanitari e ai fertilizzant
Scion–Rootstock Combination Determines Pruning Responses in Young Almond Trees
No full textAlmond growers are seeking ways to reduce costs but maintain yield. Intensive planting systems with greater planting densities using trees on growth-controlling root-stocks, combined with mechanical pruning and shake-and-catch harvesting are becoming popular. In this study we examined the responses of six almond cultivars with distinctive architecture grafted onto five rootstocks with varying degrees of vigor control. Trees were planted in 2018 in a nursery row and left to grow without pruning until Winter 2021. Pruning involved a rudimentary hedging treatment akin to mechanical pruning. Branching and tree structure were recorded in 2020, before pruning, and again at the end of 2021, after one season's growth following pruning. A rating system was developed to re-cord qualitative data on central leader dominance and the number, length, basal diameter, and, in some cases, branching angle of axillary shoots and including scaffold branches. Relatively few changes were recorded in the basic growth habit of these trees in response to pruning. Before pruning, the most common rootstock effect was on axillary shoot pro-duction. After pruning, the most common rootstock effects were on scaffold branching and the length of subterminal axillary shoots. Further studies are required to determine how these differences produced by the interaction between pruning and rootstock may affect the productivity of fruit-bearing trees. Although in this study with young trees we were not able to record crop yield, the results highlight that it is mainly the scion-root-stock combination, with or without pruning, that determines the potential productivity of fruiting canopies. Scion-rootstock combinations that produce narrow upright canopies naturally with strong central leader dominance and highly branched canopies are preferred for superintensive growing systems with or without use of mechanical hedging
Available PAR, Growth and Yield of a Super High-Density Almond Orchard Are Influenced by Different Row Orientations
No full textBy 2022, the total area of super high-density (SHD) almond orchards worldwide had spread to 14,622 ha. As well as factors such as spacing, and tree architecture, proper row orientation should ensure a more efficient sun exposure, yield and harvesting. This research was conducted in an irrigated SHD almond orchard of cv. Lauranne® Avijor in Andria, Italy, in 2021 and 2022 (at 4th and 5th year from planting, respectively) to gain a deeper understanding on the effects of two row orientations on available Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), Leaf Area Index (LAI), canopy growth, yield and harvesting efficiencies in this new planting system. The east-west row orientation in a SHD almond orchard negatively impacted LAI, canopy growth, yield, fruit quality and yield efficiencies, especially in the second year. The north-south row orientation allowed a better PAR distribution inside the whole canopy than east-west row orientation. This unevenness in PAR distribution inside the whole east-west oriented canopies could represent the driving engine of the effect on growth and yield parameters. Although some quality parameters differed between exposures, they all remained within the standard range of the cultivar. The results provide a scientific basis for improved SHD orchard management, helping to keep them as Sustainable and Efficient Systems (SES)
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