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Life Cycle Assessment of Tomatoes Cultivated in an Innovative Soilless System: A Case Study on Tomato Production in Sicily, Italy
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Seed germination of Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Lamiaceae)
Full text linkThe germination ability of the punctual endemic Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Lamiaceae) from the Island of Marettimo in W Sicily was studied. Mature seeds were collected in the field. Different experimental conditions were tested and the best methods with optimal germination results were provided. This is the first germination record for this taxon
Water retention characteristics of substrates containing biochar and compost as peat and perlite replacements for ornamental plant production
No full textIn Italy peat and perlite are commonly used as growth substrates in ornamental plant nurseries. Requests for ecologically sustainable growth substrates have recently focused research on the study of new media. In this context, biochar and compost, by-products of other production chains, may play a relevant role. Four growth substrates were prepared by mixing (v/v) different porous matrices including a 2-mm sieved sandy loam soil namely: 50% peat and 50% perlite (PPr), 50% compost and 50% biochar (CB), 25% peat, 25% perlite, 25% compost and 25% biochar (PPrCB) and 25% peat, 25% compost and 50% mineral soil (PCM). Water retention curves of porous matrices and growth substrates were determined by standard techniques and the unimodal and bimodal van Genuchten models were fitted to experimental data. The three growth substrates obtained by mixing by-products (CB, PPrCB and PCM) were tested for Lantana camara L. production in a three-months trial performed on 3 L pot plants. The highest plant available water content (PAWC) was obtained for biochar (PAWC = 0.28 cm3 cm-3), while the highest saturated volumetric water content (θs) was obtained for peat (θs = 0.67 cm3 cm-3). Perlite and biochar water retention curves showed a steep decrease in volumetric water content when desaturated probably due to the high macroporosity of the media. The PPr showed higher water retention performances than CB growth substrate. Despite the differences in water retention characteristics, Lantana camara above ground and total plant dry weight were not affected by the growth substrates
Adaptation of the tropical hybrid Euphorbia×lomi Rauh to the exposure to the Mediterranean temperature extremes
No full textPoysean (Euphorbia × lomi Rauh) has been introduced in the Mediterranean countries as an ornamental plant for indoor uses. When used outdoor, few information is available about its ability to withstand the Mediterranean temperature extremes. An experiment in an open stand was performed to evaluate poysean tolerance to the winter and summer temperatures of the thermo Mediterranean climate and its ornamental value for urban greening. Two genotypes of poysean (Nguen Muang, NM; and Soi Budsanin, SB) with similar bracts and flower colours were grown at either 2 or 3 plants per pot during 23 months. Number of flower racemes and leaves per plant and plant height were recorded monthly. Overall ornamental value of each pot was scored by means of a panel test (PT) performed by independent examiners. Score assignment was homogeneous between examiners. On average, NM showed a 36% lower number of flower racemes, but a 30% higher ornamental value than SB. During fall and beginning of the winter, NM showed a higher number of flower racemes per plant than SB. Increasing plant density from 2 to 3 plants per pot did not influence flower racemes and leaves per plant. From March to November of the second year, number of flower racemes in NM was similar to the first year, whereas SB flower production was markedly higher, which can be due to a genotypic difference to Mediterranean temperature tolerance. Correlation between number of flower racemes per pot and ornamental value was higher in SB than NM, which suggest that in NM flower abundance contribute less to the pot ornamental value. The present data suggest that poysean is able to withstand the Mediterranean temperature extremes and still produces flower racemes during winter, which indicate it as a suitable ornamental plant in outdoor applications
Phenology and Fruit Growth Dynamics of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Greenhouse and Open Air in Mediterranean Climate
Full text linkPhenological evolution of shoots and fruit growth of three mango varieties—Keitt, Osteen and Tommy Atkins—were monitored during two reproductive seasons, from full flowering to fruit harvest on trees cultivated in the open air and inside a greenhouse, in the island of Sicily—Italy. The aim of the study was to assess the behavior of mango trees subjected to summer high temperatures under a permanent plastic cover in the Mediterranean climate. Differences between open air and greenhouse emerged in the dates of first record of major phenological stages and in their duration, and in the fruit growth rates. Greenhouse cultivated trees showed a significant anticipation of flowering and ripening of the fruits respect to open air trees, with harvest conducted earlier during the season. On the other hand, open air cultivated trees achieved fruit maturity in a shorter time compared to the greenhouse, with fruits needing between 90 and 110 days after full flowering to reach their final dimensions—while the trees in the greenhouse needed at least 125 days. The study allowed to understand the growth dynamics of mango fruits subjected to extreme high temperatures and provides new information to evaluate the opportunity of greenhouse cultivation of mango in the Mediterranean climate
EVALUATION OF SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SICILIAN AND INTERNATIONAL LOQUAT CULTIVARS
No full textLoquat (Eriobotrya japonica, Lindl) is commonly grafted on seedling rootstocks in Sicilian orchards. Seedling production is characterized by low germination percentage and velocity and slow plant growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate loquat seed germination of Sicilian and international cultivars. Seeds from 11 cultivars (Algerie, Bianco Dolce, BRT20, Claudia, Fiore, Golden Nugget, La Mantia, Magdal, Mercenò, Peluche, Tanaka) were collected from mature fruits in commercial orchards. Part of the seeds received a pretreatment with 1% HCl for 24 h. Germination data were collected at 30 days from sowing. Ninety days after germination, plants were transplanted into 2-L pots. The Sicilian cultivar Bianco Dolce had the highest germination in both seed pretreatments; among international cultivars, Peluche exhibited the highest germination in HCl pretreated seeds. In many cultivars, HCl pretreatment had a positive effect on germination
Growth and biomass partitioning of Arbutus unedo, Laurus nobilis, Phillyrea angustifolia and Rhamnus alaternus seedlings under water deficit
No full textWater scarcity in the Mediterranean areas is very common and the selection of drought tolerant species is a priority for landscaping purposes in the Mediterranean areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water deficit on growth and biomass partitioning of Arbutus unedo, Laurus nobilis, Phillyrea angustifolia and Rhamnus alaternus. Seventy-two seedlings per species were grown in the greenhouse in 4-liter pots and three water regimes were imposed starting on 6 April and until 9 June, 2010. One-third of the plants was well irrigated to maintain soil water content in the 25-35% range (CTR); a second group of plants was deficit-irrigated to maintain soil water content in the 15-25% range (MD); a third group was irrigated with a minimum amount of water to keep soil water content in the 5-15% range (SD). Toward the end of the deficit period, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductances of all species were significantly reduced, especially under SD. By the end of April, reductions in stem elongation rate were evident in all species under SD, while stem diameter growth was affected only after mid May. By the end of the experiment, plant dry weight of all species was significantly reduced in both MD and SD treatments, with R. alaternus and L. nobilis showing greater reductions (61 and 57%, respectively) than P. angustifolia (36%) and A. unedo (21%). Water deficit generally reduced shoot:root ratios in P. angustifolia, whereas SD plants of A. unedo showed a reversed tendency mainly due to reduced allocation to roots. P. angustifolia seedlings generally exhibited the best performances even under SD, while R. alaternus and L. nobilis were severely affected by water deficit. A. unedo resulted relatively tolerant to water deficit (minor growth reductions) mainly due to its constitutional slow growth and small size
Seedling growth of a native (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus) and an exotic (Pennisetum setaceum) grass
Full text linkScarce information is available on the biological reasons why a small subset of introduced species can
effectively establish within novel ecosystems. A comparison of early growth traits can help to explain the
better performance of alien invasive species versus native co-occurring species. In one year-long
experiment, we compared the early life stages of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) Dur. & Schinz
(Amp), a native perennial Mediterranean grass, and Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov (Penn), an
emerging invader grass in sub-arid and Mediterranean-climate areas. The Penn seedlings grew significantly
faster and were approximately 2.5 times taller than the Amp seedlings, reaching a final average
height of 90 cm. The shoot and root dry masses of the Penn seedlings were, respectively, more than 14
times and 4 times higher than those of the Amp seedlings. As a consequence, the shoot:root ratio was
significantly higher in Penn, which resulted in a greater allocation of resources to the photosynthetic
organs. Penn showed a more rapid life cycle compared with Amp. Penn produced seeds 9 months after
sowing while no spikelet was produced by Amp until the end of the experiment. As a consequence, Penn
may gain a reproductive advantage due to rapid seed dissemination. Ultimately, a suite of peculiar early
growth traits makes Penn an aggressive competitor against Amp, which is an important floristic element
of native Mediterranean grasslands. Penn seems better suited than Amp in colonizing frequently
disturbed sites with fluctuating resource availability or irregular rainfall distribution and Penn is gradually
replacing Amp
The effect of saline water on Phillyrea angustifolia L. seedlings
No full textWater limitations in the Mediterranean areas are very common and the use of saline water for plant irrigation is becoming a necessity. Salinity generally affects plant growth and physiological processes, and can eventually lead to leaf injuries and plant death. For these reasons, the selection of salt tolerant species is a priority for landscaping purposes in the Mediterranean areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of saline water on Phillyrea angustifolia plant performance. Seventy-five rooted cuttings were grown in the greenhouse in 4-liter pots and irrigated for 5 months with saline water at different NaCl concentrations for two consecutive years. In 2010, 45 plants were irrigated with 0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl water; in 2011, 30 plants were irrigated with 0, 100 and 120 mM NaCl water. No signs of leaf injury were observed in any of the two years or at any NaCl concentration. On the other hand, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductances were reduced at all NaCl concentra¬tions. Reductions in shoot elongation were significant in both years, while shoot diameter growth and dry weights were affected only by high NaCl concentrations in the second year. In 2011, plant dry weight was reduced by 52% at 100 mM NaCl and 55% at 120 mM NaCl. Roots were highly susceptible to NaCl with a biomass reduc¬tion of 64 and 66% at 100 and 120 mM NaCl, respectively. Both leaf area and dry weight were influenced by NaCl with a reduction of over 50% at 120 mM NaCl. No significant effect was observed in biomass partitioning with the exception of a decrease of partitioning to roots at the highest salt concentrations. Phillyrea angustifolia plants were able to survive to all ranges of NaCl tested but CO2 fixation and shoot elongation rates were already reduced by moderate salt concentrations
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