0000000000055467
AUTHOR
N. Iacuzzi
Spontaneous urban weeds: a resource against environmental pollution
Quality of the environment and social well-being, both at a collective and individual level, are closely interrelated issues. It is, in fact, a relationship that invests values of primary importance, such as those relating to human health and safety, heritage and resources to be passed on to future generations. Plant growth and survival can be challenged by harsh urban conditions. Many studies show the persistence of endemic species in built-up areas and document the ecosystem services provided. With this research we wanted to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molibden (Mo), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mer…
Somatic embryogenesis through in vitro anther culture ofCitrus sinensisL. Osbeck ‘Moro’
In many crops, anther culture is the most used method to induce gametic embryogenesis, aimed to regenerate homozygous plants. However, also somatic embryogenesis can be obtained by this method, when somatic tissue is involved in regeneration process. Many factors can affect this procedure, such as genotype, pre-treatments applied to floral buds, pollen developmental stage, donor plant states, culture media composition and growth culture conditions. Anthers of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck, cv. Moro, were collected at the vacuolate stage, and after a chilling (4°C) pre-treatment of 7 days, were placed on the same medium, evaluating different temperature stresses applied after the placing in cult…
Encapsulation of in vitro-derived propagules of two genotypes of Capparis spinosa (L.) from Pantelleria Island
Encapsulation technology, combining the advantages of zygotic or gamic seed with those of micropropagation, has recently attracted the interest of researchers as a new propagation approach, mainly due to the unsatisfying results of the traditional propagation strategies. The encapsulation of uninodal microcuttings (3-4 mm long) from two Sicilian Capparis spinosa (L.) genotypes (from Pantelleria Island: 'Tracino' and 'Scauri') was evaluated, observing the influence of the calcium alginate coating and of three different growth regulators (PGRs): 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), meta-topolin (MT) and zeatin (ZEA), on viability, regrowth and conversion of the propagules. Caper microcuttings were diss…
Wildflowers: opportunities for urban landscapes
The concept of “sustainability” is also becoming of great interest in the management of ornamental and territorial greenery. The new trends in the design of green spaces are aimed both at enhancing their “natural” aspects and at researching schemes characterized by lower maintenance costs. Spontaneous vegetation represents a characteristic component of the urban environment and is always adequate to the conditions of the site in which it is located. In this context, the role of spontaneous herbaceous plants becomes fundamental and constitutes an effective response to the current demand for the defence, conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. So far, the use of spontaneous vegetation f…
Constructed wetlands as nature-based solution for sustainable wastewater management in urban areas: a critical assessment by experimental studies and literature
In urban areas, constructed wetland systems (CWS) have been recognized as one of the most valid technologies for sustainable wastewater management. They represent green infrastructure and provide solutions to treatment of wastewaters that cities and peri-urban areas produce in large amount. In particular, CWS offer the advantages of wastewater reuse for parklands irrigation, water storage and peak-flow attenuation, control of stormwater runoff, nutrient cycling and uptake, heavy metals sequestration, removal of organic compounds. In greener cities, these systems have the potential to perform not just hydrological and wastewater treatment functions, but also urban design and ecological aspec…