1,720,961 research outputs found
Pratiche sostenibili e agroecosistema, valutazione di multifunzionalità e qualità ambientale
Full text linkLa tematica della multifunzionalità aziendale è stata sviluppata considerando due livelli di approccio: a livello aziendale con l’analisi della gamma delle funzioni produttive dell’azienda agricola e a livello di agro ecosistema con l’analisi della biodiversità come elemento di supporto dei servizi eco sistemici. Sono state confrontate tecniche agricole a basso input (agricoltura biologica e conservativa) con tecniche agricole convenzionali. I bioindicatori utilizzati sono stati la flora e gli insetti carabid
Life cycle and phenology of the green leafhopper, Cicadella viridis (L.) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in two different climatic areas of northeastern Italy
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Mating disruption of the small fruit tortrix (Grapholita lobarzewskii) in organic apple orchards of northeastern Italy
No full textThe small fruit tortrix, Grapholita lobarzewskii (Nowicki) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae), is a serious problem in the organic apple orchards of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (northeastern Italy), particularly in hilly areas. Three trials on mating disruption of G. lobarzewskii were carried out in two organic apple orchards characterized respectively by very high and low population pressure of this carpophagous pest. Red Isomate-OFM (C-plus)® dispensers, used for the control of the Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), were applied once a year at a rate of 600 dispensers/ha. The pheromone blend released from the dispensers has remarkable analogies with that of G. lobarzewskii. In plots where the dispensers were applied, the male catches in the pheromone traps were very low or null, indirectly confirming the mating reduction. A reduction of eggs laid on apple fruit was also observed. Mating disruption reduced significantly the percentage of apple fruit attacked by the small fruit tortrix both in the apple orchard with very high population pressure and in the orchard with low population pressure. A not negligible proportion of infested fruit rotted and fell much earlier with respect to harvest time and it suggests partial weight compensation by undamaged apple fruit. In the orchard with a high population pressure, mating disruption was not able to reduce the percentage of attacked apple fruit to acceptable levels. However, since alternative control methods against the small fruit tortrix are not currently available to organic agriculture, the mating disruption approach must be advised in all the apple-growing areas where this pest causes severe damage
Cultural control of Cameraria ohridella on horsechestnut in urban areas by removing fallen leaves in autumn
No full textSince the 1990s, the leafminer Cameraria ohridella has spread in central and southern Europe causing heavy damage on horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Because biological control of the pest is not yet a reality, other measures must be adopted. Cultural control by removing fallen leaves of horsechestnut in autumn has often been proposed, and with this 3-year study the effectiveness of this practice under urban conditions has been shown and measured. The almost complete removal of leaves caused a significant reduction in infestation. The area of leaf surface injured decreased on average by more than 90% in early June, three quarters in late July, and a third in late August, and early leaf fall was always avoided. The proximity to sites with no leaf removal reduced the benefits of leaf removal as the season advanced. In the context of Integrated Pest Management, this cultural method contributes significantly to reduce C. ohridella damage
Residual activity of chitin synthesis inhibitors on Lobesia botrana larvae reared in the laboratory on field collected grape berries
No full textConservation Tillage Affects Species Composition But Not Species Diversity: A Comparative Study in Northern Italy
Full text linkConservation tillage (CT) is widely considered to be a practice aimed at preserving several ecosystem functions. In the literature, however, there seems to be no clear pattern with regard to its benefits on species diversity and species composition. In Northern Italy, we compared species composition and diversity of both vascular plants and Carabids under two contrasting tillage systems, i.e., CT and conventional tillage, respectively. We hypothesized a significant positive impact of CT on both species diversity and composition. We also considered the potential influence of crop type. The tillage systems were studied under open field conditions with three types of annual crops (i.e., maize, soybean, and winter cereals), using a split-plot design on pairs of adjacent fields. Linear mixed models were applied to test tillage system, crop, and interaction effects on diversity indices. Plant and Carabids communities were analyzed by multivariate methods (CCA). On the whole, 136 plant and 51 carabid taxa were recorded. The two tillage systems studied did not differ in floristic or carabid diversity. Species composition, by contrast, proved to be characteristic for each combination of tillage system and crop type. In particular, CT fields were characterized by nutrient demanding weeds and the associated Carabids. The differences were especially pronounced in fields with winter cereals. The same was true for the flora and Carabids along the field boundaries. For studying the effects of CT practices on the sustainability of agro-ecosystems, therefore, the focus should be on species composition rather than on diversity measures
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
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