Effetto dell’innesto e della micorrizazione sulle caratteristiche produttive e qualitative di mini anguria.

Numerose ricerche hanno dimostrato gli effetti positivi della simbiosi micorrizica tra le specie ortive ed i funghi arbuscolari sui parametri vegeto-produttivi e sulle caratteristiche qualitative del prodotto, come conseguenza soprattutto di una maggiore capacità di assorbimento dei nutrienti da parte delle piante micorrizate. Tra le ortive che si avvantaggiano dell’innesto ci sono alcune solanacee e cucurbitacee e tra queste ultime particolare successo ha avuto l’impiego dell’innesto nell’anguria. Lo scopo della ricerca è stato quello di valutare l’effetto della combinazione tra innesto e micorrizazione sull’accrescimento delle piante, la produzione e la qualità dei frutti di mini anguria.…

Reperimento e valutazione di popolazioni di carciofo in Sicilia

Effetti della concimazione in vivaio sulla produttività del finocchio.

Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Leaf Lettuce and Rocket Grown in a Floating System

Gibberellins (GAs) are growth hormones strongly involved in a wide variety of physiological activities. Currently, gibberellins are commercially used to enhance phenotypic characteristics, earliness, and productivity of many vegetable and ornamental crops. In this work, the efficacy of supplementation of low levels of gibberellic acid (0, 10&minus

EFFECT OF HOT AIR TREATMENT ON MINIMALLY PROCESSED CAULIFLOWER

The request of minimally processed vegetable is continuously increasing, and there is a growing interest for new fresh cut products. Cauliflower, as other cabbages, is highly appreciated for its nutritional value due to the good content of vitamins, antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic compounds. It is suitable to be used as a minimally processed vegetable, but harvesting and the following processing can cause a severe stress determining the appearance of accelerated senescence symptoms. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of hot air treatment and cold storage on minimally processed green cauliflower. Fresh-cut cauliflower florets put in sealed PE bags were treated at 48…

Finocchio in Sicilia

Valutazione di ecotipi di melone d'inverno reperiti nella Sicilia centro-occidentale condotti in regime "seccagno"

Use of organic fertilizers for lettuce plug plant production

Vegetable crop production in conventional intensive agricultural systems commonly implies high fertilization rates. Recent data show that the worldwide demand for organically grown products is expanding rapidly. Increasing interest in organic vegetable production has lead to a need to produce seedlings organically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of organic fertilizers applied to lettuce seedlings on plant growth and yield. Romaine lettuce seeds of cultivar Gretta R were sown on March 2007 in polystyrene plug trays in a unheated greenhouse in the Northern coast of Sicily. At the second leaf stage, seedlings were saturated with solutions containing vario…

Cloni di carciofo "Romanesco" in coltura annuale in Sicilia

Valutation of “Romanesco” artichoke clones in Sicily The artichoke is one of the most important vegetables cultivated in Sicily, especially for small and medium sized farms. The artichoke in Sicily is represented mostly by local ecotypes and varieties that go into production in autumn, which is most appreciated by consumers in the south. But they have lower production and are less homogeneous than spring varieties. In recent years, agricultural techniques for propagation, fertilization and disease control for the autumn artichokes have improbe considerably, but less for the selection of different cultivars, in particular with the spring varieties. The introduction of the spring cultivars wo…

Risposta bioproduttiva di ecotipi diversi di lagenaria (Lagenaria siceraria Mol. Stand.) in Sicilia

EFFECT OF CULTIVAR AND CROWN SIZE ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY FRESH BARE ROOT PLANTS IN SICILY

In the southern regions of Mediterranean areas the plantations with fresh plants (winter planting system) have almost completely replaced those with cold stored plants (summer planting system). Particularly, fresh bare root plants produced in high elevation nurseries located in Spain and Poland and, in experimental phase, in the southern of Italy (in the mountains of Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata) are the most used. Such type of plant usually has a crown diameter from 6 to 14 mm, but the smallest plants should be (<8 mm) discarded in phase of selection and packing. Objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the different crown diameter on the earliness, productivity and qual…

Plug plant fertilization and planting density affect onion productivity in sicily

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different planting density and different levels of plug plant fertilization on onion production in Sicily. Onion landrace ‘Bisacquino’ was sown in the first week of January 2006 in a unheated greenhouse in polystyrene plug trays. Seedlings were fertigated with the following three different solutions containing (in mg l-1) 800 N - 400 P - 400 K, 1200 N - 600 P - 600 K or 1600 N- 800 P - 800 K. Trays were subirrigated with the nutrient solution both at one leaf stage and 10 days prior transplanting. Plug plants were field transplanted in the Sicilian hilly countryside. The plugs consisting of one, two, or three onion plants were set 20 cm a…

Nursery and field evaluation of eggplant grafted onto unrooted cuttings of Solanum torvum Sw.

Abstract Solanum torvum is the eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) relative most commonly used for grafting even if the nursery production of eggplants grafted onto this rootstock has some issues related to its long, irregular and erratic germination and slow growth and development of seedlings. Unrooted cuttings harvested from stock plants could be an alternative propagation material to obtain S. torvum rootstocks and might allow to overcome nursery production issues for eggplant. The aim of this work was to evaluate eggplant suitability to be propagated by unrooted grafted cuttings using S. torvum as rootstock and the influence of this propagation technique on plant yield and fruit quality. A …

Valutazione di ecotipi siciliani di melone d'inverno coltivati in regime seccagno

The increasing cultivation of hybrid melon cultivars has caused the loss of several Sicilian landraces characterized by a high level of diversity, tolerance to environmental stress, disease resistance, and high quality fruits. Although the majority of hybrid melon fields in the Sicilian countryside are nowadays irrigated, many farmers are still growing melon landraces without irrigation. In this trial, eight Sicilian landraces of winter melon (Cucumis melo L. var. inodorus Naud.) with yellow skin and three with white skin were compared with the commercial cultivar Helios. Plants were grown at a density of 2080 plants ha-1. without irrigation. ‘Locale di Ustica’ and ‘Giallo di Recattivo’ gav…

RESPONSE OF MELON GENOTYPES TO POLYETHYLENE AND BIODEGRADABLE STARCH-BASED MULCHING FILMS USED FOR FRUIT PRODUCTION IN THE WESTERN COAST OF SICILY

Epoche d'impianto e sistemi di allevamento del Fagiolo "a Badda"

Effetti degli investimenti unitari sulla produzione di "Cipollotti" da seme

Biodiversità del melone d'inverno (Cucumis melo Var. Inodorus Naud.) in Sicilia

Studi su ecotipi diversi di Lagenaria (Lagenaria siceraria Mol. Standl.) coltivati in Sicilia.

Effetti della concimazione sulla qualità dell'aglio coltivato in Sicilia. Effects of fertilization on the quality of garlic grown in Sicily.

In order to expand this crop and to improve bulbs quality a study was carried out to evaluate different fertilization techniques. Four fertilization formulas were evaluated: 1) mineral fertilization commonly used by Paceco producers - pre-planting with 55, 110 and 80 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O - post planting with 47 and 46 kg ha-1 of N and K2O; 2) organic fertilization with an organic mix - pre-planting with 320 and 240 kg ha-1 of N and P2O5; 3) mineral fertilization - pre-planting with 40, 70 and 100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O - post-planting with 80 kg ha-1 of N half at 3-4 leaves and half at bulbs formation; 4) only post-planting fertilization with 52 and 184 kg ha-1 of N and K2O, half …

Effetto del molibdeno su Lattuga, Invida liscia e Invidia riccia in floating system

La presente ricerca ha utilizzato dosi crescenti di molibdeno con lo scopo di valutarne gli effetti su alcuni prodotti di IV gamma. Premesso che l’accumulo del molibdeno e di nitrati nelle foglie è stato per tutte le tesi in prova sempre ben al di sotto di limiti ritenuti dannosi per la salute umana, i risultati non sempre sono stati quelli attesi e le tre specie in esame si sono distinte per un diverso comportamento in termini di accumulo di Mo, di produzione e di qualità del prodotto ottenuto. In particolare, per la lattuga la dose ottimale che consente buoni esiti produttivi e qualitativi (in termini di parametri colorimetrici e modesto contenuto in nitrato) sembra essere quella tradizio…

Effetti delle eopche d'impianto sulla produttività del melone invernale "Ecotipo Purceddu"

Effect of Hot Air Treatment on Quality and Shelf Life of Minimally Processed Cauliflower.

Cauliflower, as other cabbages, has a high nutritional value due to its content of vitamins, antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic compounds. Cauliflower inflorescences are harvested when they are still totally immature. The request of minimally processed vegetable is continuously increasing, and there is a growing interest for new fresh cut products. Cauliflower is suitable to be used as a minimally processed vegetable, but harvesting and the following processing can cause a severe stress determining the appearance of accelerated senescence symptoms. The effect of hot air treatment on minimally processed cauliflower was investigated. Florets were put in PE sealed bags before treating at 48°C …

Effect of Crown Size and Cultivar on Strawberries Fresh Bare Root Plants Yield and Quality in Sicily

Agronomic response of winter melon (Cucumis Melo Inodorus Naud) to biodegradable and polyethylene film mulches, and different planting densities

The winter melon is widely grown in the open field in Sicily on about 6000 hectares. Plants are grown in the coutryside without irrigation as the annual rain precipitation provides sufficient water for the crop. In the last decades the use of plastic mulches are necessity of removal and dispostal after usage. The objective of this research was to evaluate effects of polyethylene and biodegradable films (transparent or black) in combination with two planting densities, 2667 plants/ha-1 (1plant/hill) or 5334 plants/ha -1 (2 plants/hill) on yield, fruit size, quality and earliness of winter melon. All mulches markedly increased early and total yields in comparison to unmulched plots. The best …

Tecniche agronomiche, aspetti varietali e caratterizzazione del melone d'inverno.

tecniche agronomiche

Effect of grafting on yield and quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplants have fruits with different sizes, shapes and colours, according to the cultivar. Skin colour is due to anthocyanins, pigments located in the cell vacuole of fruit skin that belong to phenolic flavonoids, a powerful antioxidants group. Environmental conditions and growing techniques may influence fruits characteristics and their content of phenolic compounds. Grafting is a non chemical alternative for overcoming the effects of intensive and continuous cropping. The rootstocks preferred for eggplant are hybrids of tomato or tomato KVFN. Also species taxonomically close, as Solanum torvum, have been used and showed good vigour, compatibility and resistance to wilt disease. Informatio…

Valutazione di ecotipi di melone d’inverno nella Sicilia occidentale

Yield and Quality of Mini-Watermelon as Affected by Grafting and Mycorrhizal Inoculum

Grafting and mycorrhizal fungi have gained interest for the positive effects they can have on vegetable crops. The aim of this work was to study the combined effect of grafting with Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on fruit yield and quality of mini-watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (thumb.) Matsum and Nakai]. Ungrafted plants or grafted onto rootstock RS 841 F1 (Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata) were transplanted to the field. During cultivation half of the plants were inoculated with a suspension of AMF. Plant growth, fruit yield and quality were evaluated. The inoculation of AMF determined a significant increase of root colonisation both for grafted and ungrafted plants…

Conservazione dei frutti di melone d'inverno. meridionale.

EFFECTS OF PLASTIC MULCH AND FLOATING COVER ON LETTUCE PRODUCTION IN SICILY

The use of floating cover directly applied on top of the crop is rapidly increasing on leafy vegetables like lettuce as a simple, inexpensive and effective technique to induce earliness. Two lettuce types, ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Romaine’, under two different crop management systems (black plastic mulch and black plastic mulch combined with floating cover) were tested in Sicily in 2007. Plug type transplants were planted at the end of January on double rows. The nonwoven floating cover was applied after transplanting. Maximum and minimum air temperatures below the floating cover during the growing period were in the average 5 and 1.5°C higher than those without cover. Lettuces mulched and protected …

Tecnica di coltivazione della fragola e tecnica irrigua in Sicilia. IRRINET- Trimestrale di informazione sul mondo dell'irrigazione (maggio-luglio) n. 10

Effetti della dose di azoto su produzione e qualità di melone invernale

PER LA CIPOLLA. INFLUENZA DELLA NUTRIZIONE MINERALE IN VIVAIO E DEL VOLUME DEGLI ALVEOLI SULLA PRODUTTIVITA' DELLA CIPOLLA

Effects of Increasing Doses of Nitrogen Fertilization on Winter Melon Production in the Western Coast of Sicily

The winter melon is largely grown in the open field in the Mediterranean island of Sicily on about 6000 hectares. Nitrogen fertilization is a key aspect of a winter melon cultural system as it can dramatically improve fruit production and play a crucial role on fruit quality attributes such as fruit size, colour and uniformity. An experiment was performed to determine the influence of increasing doses of nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of winter melon. The trial was conducted in the north-western coast of Sicily near Buseto Palizzolo in the province of Trapani, 250-m elevation. Plug type transplants cv. Helios were planted in the first week of May. A transparent polyethyle…

Effect of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Melon Plants under Deficit Irrigation Regimes

The shortage of good quantity and quality of water for irrigated agriculture is a major problem in arid and semiarid regions. To deal with this problem, deficit irrigation (DI) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation have been proposed and adopted for many crops as a tool to save water, or to improve crop tolerance to drought stress. An experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on the physiological, morphological, yield, and quality characteristics of melon plants grown under deficit irrigation. Melon crop (Cucumis melo L. cv. Helios) was grown under field conditions adopting a split-plot design with four replications, whe…

“Golden” Tomato Consumption Ameliorates Metabolic Syndrome: A Focus on the Redox Balance in the High-Fat-Diet-Fed Rat

Tomato fruits defined as &ldquo;golden&rdquo; refer to a food product harvested at an incomplete ripening stage with respect to red tomatoes at full maturation. The aim of this study is to explore the putative influence of &ldquo;golden tomato&rdquo; (GT) on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), especially focusing on the effects on redox homeostasis. Firstly, the differential chemical properties of the GT food matrix were characterized in terms of phytonutrient composition and antioxidant capacities with respect to red tomato (RT). Later, we assessed the biochemical, nutraceutical and eventually disease-modifying potential of GT in vivo in the high-fat-diet rat model of MetS. Our data revealed that G…

La coltivazione del melone e dello zucchino in pien'aria in Italia. Workshop sulle colture orticole di pien’aria

Valutazione di diversi sesti di impianto del fagiolo "Badda"

Two bean ecotypes, termed ‘Badda bianca’ and ‘Badda nera’ according to the seed colour, have been grown since a long time near two villages, Polizzi Generosa and Castellana Sicula in the Madonie mountains (Sicily). An experimental trial was carried out to compare the effects of four different row distances (90, 120, 150 or 180 cm) and three plant densities (2, 4 or 6 plants per hole) on yield, number of seeds per pod, seed weight. Total yields on plots with row spacing of 90, 120, or 150 cm were significantly higher than that on plots with plants spaced 180 cm apart. Yield per plant lowered as plant density increased. Number of seeds per pod and seed weight were not affected by the treatmen…

Ricerche sugli investimenti unitari del Cavolfiore in Sicilia.

Effetti delle epoche d'impianto sulla produttività del melone invernale ecotipo "Purceddu"

Nuove varietà di fragola per la Sicilia

Effects of polyethylene and biodegradable starch-based mulching films on eggplant production in a Mediterranean area

Traditional plastic films are used for eggplant cultivation in open field in Mediterranean environments. However, disposal and/or recycle of mulches contaminated with soil and/or vegetation represent an environmental concern. We compared two traditional plastic mulches (transparent and black polyethylene films) with five black biodegradable mulching films (Mater-Bi T12A, Mater-Bi T12B, Mater-Bi T15A, Mater-Bi T15B and Mater-Bi T15C) having different thickness and synthetic composition. 'Birgah' eggplant F1 hybrid plug-plants were transplanted on 2nd May, 2016 in the north-western coast of Sicily. Air temperature in the soil-mulch film gap in the plots with transparent PE was higher than in …

Use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and organic fertilization for soilless cultivation of basil

Abstract Today there is a greater environmental and ecological awareness and it is growing the number of farmers who want to adopt sustainable and efficient cultivation systems even if not officially certified as organic. Sustainable and modern cultivation systems must involve organic fertilization and cannot ignore the role of rhizosphere microorganisms. Starting from this premise, this paper aimed to evaluate the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and organic liquid fertilizers on soilless cultivation of basil. Genovese basil plants were cultivated in pots filled with a substrate inoculated or not with a commercial biostimulant (TNC BactorrS13) containing growth-promoting …

POMODORO DA MENSA FUORI SUOLO RISPOSTA ALLE EMERGENZE SANITARIE

Effetti del portinnesto sulla produttività della mini anguria

Effetti della rincalzatura e degli investimenti unitari sulla produttività del finocchio

Effetti del portinnesto sulla produttività e sulla qualità dell'anguria.

The research aims to investigate the effects of different rootstocks on productive and qualitative aspects of two watermelon cultivars: Dumara, that produces big fruits and Minirossa that produces smaller fruits. For each cultivar, a randomized complete-block design was used with 3 replications to compare the following six grafting combinations: grafted plants into five rootstocks (Elsi, RS 841, Shintosa, Lagenaria corta, Anguria selvatica) and ungrafted plants. The highest yield of both cultivars was obtained with RS 841 while the lowest was observed with not grafted plants and grafted on elsi. However, using Elsi as rootstock, the plants gave fruits of greatest size. the best quality para…

Effetti dell'epoca di trapianto di piante fresche a radice nuda di fragola prodotte in Sicilia

Use of microbial biostimulants to increase the salinity tolerance of vegetable transplants

Vegetable plants are more sensitive to salt stress during the early growth stages

Ulteriori studi sul comportamento agronomico di piante di fragola prodotte in Sicilia

Nowadays, Sicilian growers moved fron traditional summer planting with cold-stored strawberry plants to winter planting using fresh plants. Fresh plants let di anticipate and expand the harvesting period from December to May and produce strawberries with better qualitative parameters. Fresh bare root plants are produced mainly in Spain and Poland but in the last years mountain's nurseries near yhe cultivation fields were set up in Sicily. This work consisted of comparing fresh bare root plants of three cultivars (Camarosa, Candonga, Tudla) coming from three Sicilian and one Poland nurseries. the Sicilian plants were the earliest and gave a yield higher than that of the plants imported from …

Epoche d'impianto e sistemi di allevamento per il fagiolo "Badda"

The bean landrace"Badda" has been cultivated since long ago in the Madonie mountains in the northern side of Sicily.It is characterized by a bush indeterminate habit and comprises two ecoty termed 'Badda bianca ' and 'Badda nera' according to the seed colour. This paper describes the results of a study on the effects of four sowing dates (June 15 and 30, July 15 and 30) and two vertical training sustems 8a frame of Arundo donax dry canes or a trellis consisting of several strands of wire) on productivity of the phaseolus landrace 'Badda bianca'. Marketable yields obtained from 15 june sowing were significantly higher than those from June 30 and July 15 sowing dates which in turn were signif…

Quality and shelf-life of minimally processed cauliflower

Il cavolfiore è stato descritto come un ortaggio con un alto valore nutrizionale grazie al suo alto contenuto di vitamine, antiossidanti e composti anti-cancerogeni. Le infiorescenze di cavolfiore vengono raccolte mentre sono totalmente immature, il che implica gravi cambiamenti nello stato dei nutrienti, dell'acqua e degli ormoni. La raccolta e la successiva lavorazione possono causare gravi stress determinando la comparsa di sintomi di senescenza accelerata. Sono stati studiati gli effetti della lavorazione e della conservazione a freddo del cavolfiore trasformato minimamente. Gli ornamenti sono stati trattati con antiossidanti prima della conservazione in sacchi di PE a 4 ° C per 21 gior…

Valutazione bioagronomica di ecotipi di carciofo afferenti al ‘Violetto Spinoso di Sicilia’

Influence of Preharvest Gibberellic Acid Treatments on Postharvest Quality of Minimally Processed Leaf Lettuce and Rocket

Plant growth regulators are used in high-value vegetable crops during cultivation and after harvest to increase yield, enhance crop management, and improve or retain the produce quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality characteristics during cold storage of minimally processed leaf lettuce and rocket, obtained from plants grown in a hydroponic floating system with mineral nutrient solutions (MNS) containing different levels of gibberellic acid (GA3). Plants were grown in greenhouse conditions on nutrient solutions containing 0, 10&minus

Espressioni della biodiversità del melone d'inverno (Cucumis melo var. inodorus Naud.) coltivato in Sicilia.

abstracteng

Influence of Ecklonia maxima Extracts on Growth, Yield, and Postharvest Quality of Hydroponic Leaf Lettuce

Ecklonia maxima is a brown algae seaweed largely harvested over the last years and used to produce alginate, animal feed, fertilizers, and plant biostimulants. Their extracts are commercially available in various forms and have been applied to many crops for their growth-promoting effects which may vary according to the treated species and doses applied. The aim of the study was to characterize the effect of adding an Ecklonia maxima commercial extract (Basfoliar Kelp

Il miglioramento genetico della fragola in Sicilia

POLYETHYLENE AND BIODEGRADABLE STARCH-BASED MULCHING FILMS FOR USE IN MELON PRODUCTION IN THE WESTERN COAST OF SICILY

Plastic mulching is currently used in many areas of the world for growing warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, melons and water melons. The winter melon is widely grown in Sicily on about 6000 hectares. Plants are grown in the open field during the spring-summer months. In the last decades, mulching plastic films have enhanced winter melon early and total yields in Sicily. However, the disadvantage of polyethylene plastic mulches is that they have to be removed and disposed of after use. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable mulching films on yield, fruit size and quality of several winter melon genotypes. Sicilian landraces (‘Cartuc…

Effects of Foliar Application of Gibberellic Acid on the Salt Tolerance of Tomato and Sweet Pepper Transplants

Seed germination and early seedling growth are the plant growth stages most sensitive to salt stress. Thus, the availability of poor-quality brackish water can be a big limiting factor for the nursery vegetable industry. The exogenous supplementation of gibberellic acid (GA3) may promote growth and vigor and counterbalance salt stress in mature plants. This study aimed to test exogenous supplementation through foliar spray of 10&minus

EFFECTS OF SOLARIZATION AND BIOFUMIGATION ON TOMATO GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN COAST OF SICILY

Effect of a Brassica Juncea Cover Crop on a Mono-Succession of Melon

The ban of methyl bromide and the need for low environmental impact of agriculture has recently increased the interest in the biofumigant effects of Brassica species on soil-borne pathogens. Many researches have tested the toxic effects of Brassica green manures on several soil-borne pathogens in vitro, but field studies have not assessed definitely the efficiency of biofumigation at the field scale and the effect on crop development and production quality. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of a winter-spring cover crop of Brassica juncea compared to bare soil on a mono-succession of melon. The biomass of the B. juncea plants or of the weeds eventually developed in bare so…

Effects of NAA and Ecklonia maxima Extracts on Lettuce and Tomato Transplant Production

Ecklonia maxima and the commercial biostimulants produced from it contain various plant growth regulators that are responsible for the growth stimulation recorded in many crops. Auxins are one of the major plant growth regulators contained in E. maxima extracts. The aim of this research was to evaluate the growth-promoting effect of a seaweed extract from E. maxima on lettuce and tomato transplant production under nursery conditions, and to compare the effect of this extract with an equal concentration of synthetic auxin. Two doses of natural or synthetic exogenous auxins (50 or 100 &mu;g L&minus;1) were supplied to the substrate through the irrigation water with an ebb and flow system, 4, …

Effect of Bacterial Inoculum and Fertigation Management on Nursery and Field Production of Lettuce Plants

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria have been applied to different vegetable crops but there is still no information on the effect of bacterial biostimulant application under variable nutritional level on lettuce seedlings and their performance after transplanting in the field. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a bacterial biostimulant to enhance growth and quality of lettuce seedlings fertigated with increasing nutrient rates and to assess the efficacy of these treatments on lettuce head production. Lettuce seedlings were inoculated with 1.5 g L&minus

Effect of Molybdenum Rate on Yield and Quality of Lettuce, Escarole, and Curly Endive Grown in a Floating System

Molybdenum (Mo) is required in enzymes involved in a number of different metabolic processes, and is crucial for the survival of plants and animals. The influence of nutrient solutions containing four levels of molybdenum (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 &micro

Alleviation of Salt Stress by Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Hydroponic Leaf Lettuce

Mediterranean areas with intensive agriculture are characterized by high salinity of groundwater. The use of this water in hydroponic cultivations can lead to nutrient solutions with an electrical conductivity that overcomes the tolerance threshold of many vegetable species. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were shown to minimize salt stress on several vegetable crops but the studies on the application of PGPR on leafy vegetables grown in hydroponics are rather limited and have not been used under salt stress conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria to increase the salt tolerance of leaf lettuce grown in autumn and spring in a floating s…

Risposta del melone invernale alla pacciamatura con film organico.

Suitability of Borago officinalis for Minimal Processing as Fresh-Cut Produce

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a wild vegetable appreciated as a folk medicine and for culinary preparations. The introduction of borage as a specialized cultivation would allow for the diversification of vegetable crops and would widen the offerings of raw and minimally processed leafy vegetables. Thus, the aim of the research was to evaluate the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut borage stored at different temperatures. Borage plants were grown during the autumn&ndash

Fertigation Management and Growth-Promoting Treatments Affect Tomato Transplant Production and Plant Growth after Transplant

Plant biostimulants are of interest as they can stimulate plant growth and increase resource utilization. There is still no information on the use of plant growth-promoters under variable nutritional conditions in the nursery and the effects on tomato seedling growth and plant performance after transplant. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of gibberellic acid (GA3) or bacterial biostimulant treatments to enhance the growth and quality of greenhouse-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum &lsquo

Effetti della concimazione sulla qualità dell'aglio coltivato in Sicilia

Pacciamatura e densità d’impianto dell’anguria nell’interno collinare siciliano

COLLARD GREEN (BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. ACEPHALA) CULTIVATION IN SICILY

Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) are a group of plants cultivated for its thick, slightly bitter, edible leaves. As other Brassicaceae, have a good nutritional value as they are a good sources of vitamin C and soluble fiber, and contain various compounds with potent anticancer properties. In order to enhance collard cultivation in Sicily, different planting dates were tested. The research was carried out during 2009-2010 in the experimental field of SAgA Department – University of Palermo. Plants of a Sicilian local cultivar, with high vigor, good emission of side shoots, large and moderately curly leaves and long and strong petiole, were planted in three different periods: …

Effect of grafting, cultivar and cold storage on eggplant fruits

Eggplant is a perishable fruit that, once harvested, can be stored at 10 °C for several days. If long stored, fruits reduce their texture, skin brightness and become rubbery. Recently, grafting onto Solanum torvum has become more and more used to give resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this work was to study the effect of grafting, cultivar and cold storage on post-harvest changes of eggplant fruits. Grafted or ungrafted plants of four cultivars were grown in an unheated greenhouse during autumn-spring period. Three cultivars had skin with very dark purple colour (Black Bell, Black Moon and Longo) and one had skin with unhomogeneous light purple colour (Birgah). After har…

Influenza della nutrizione minerale in vivaio e del volume degli alveoli sulla produttività della cipolla

Effetto della posizione degli ovoli sulla produttività del carciofo spinoso di sicilia

In Sicily, the Spinoso di Sicilia artichoke is appreciated at regional level for its organoleptic characteristics, but in recent years, its cultivation area has been subject to a progressive reduction because of its susceptibility at the atrophy of head, low earliness, low productivity, and lack of uniformity of the productions. These problems are due to genetic variability, diseases and disforme propagation material (ovoli). This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of the ovoli position (apical, median and basal) in the rhizome of mother plants on morpho-phisiological and productive aspects of the artichokes. The results showed that basal ovoli gave faster growth, better plant co…

Effect of packaging on quality of minimally processed fennel

Fennel is not a widespread product among minimally processed vegetables, due to the fast deterioration mainly caused by browning of the cut surfaces, even during cold storage. In order to extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut fennel, the influence of different packaging techniques was studied. Sliced fennel, dipped in citric acid solution (0.5 %), was placed in polystyrene trays, sealed with PE film or vacuum packaged in PE bags and stored up to 14 days at 4°C. During this period weight loss, soluble solid content, pH, colour and firmness were evaluated. Minimally processed fennel packed in sealed trays and cold-stored at 4°C, extended its shelf life to 14 days maintaining acceptable quality. …

Effect of Agronomic Practices on Yield and Quality of Borage at Harvest and During Storage as Minimally-Processed Produce

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a hairy pubescent herb known throughout the world for its folk medicinal uses, as well as for many culinary uses. There is still little information on the cultivation needs of this species, especially for its use as vegetable crop and as fresh-cut produce. Hence, the aim of the research was to study the effects of agronomic practices on yield and quality of borage and on the storability as minimally-processed product. Two experiments were carried out in two consecutive years in order to evaluate the effect of plant density and plastic mulching on yield and quality of two borage accessions at harvest and during storage as minimally-processed produce for 14 d…

Il vivaismo fragolicolo in Sicilia

Use of Gibberellic Acid to Increase the Salt Tolerance of Leaf Lettuce and Rocket Grown in a Floating System

Hydroponics need water of good quality to prepare a balanced nutrient solution that could allow plants to reach their maximum yield potential. The rising difficulties in finding water with good quality have led to the compelling necessity of identifying sustainable ways to use saline water, limiting its negative effect on crop yield and quality. The exogenous supplementation of plant growth regulators, such as gibberellic acid (GA3), can be effective in increasing plant growth and vigor, thus helping plants to better cope with salt stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility to increase the salt tolerance of leaf lettuce and rocket grown in a floating system by adding GA3 …

Effetto della concimazione in vivaio e della densità d'impianto sulla produttività della cipolla.

Lattuga in Sicilia

Lattuga in Sicilia, diffusione e gestione della concimazione azotata.

Conservabilità dei bulbi di ecotipi di cipolla