0000000000466363
AUTHOR
Giuseppe Celano
Carbon sequestration potential of Italian orchards and vineyards
From 2004 to 2012 carbon (C) fluxes between the soil-vegetation system and the atmosphere in apple, grape, olive and orange orchards planted in different Italian regions were measured. Above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) ranged from 4 (olive) to 9 (apple) Mg C ha-1. Alley grass contribution to total ANPP significantly varied among the systems, reaching a maximum of 60% in vineyards. The harvest index ranged from 46% for apple, to 58% for orange, 60% for grape and 41% for olive, while abscised leaves accounted for 30% of ANPP, on average. Soil respiration fluxes ranged from 6 (orange) to 10 (grape) Mg C ha-1. Results indicate the potential of these fruit crop to sequester atmospheri…
WHOLE-meal ancient wheat-based diet: Effect on metabolic parameters and microbiota.
Abstract Background & Aims Ancient wheat varieties are considered to be healthier than modern ones, but the data are not univocal. We investigated changes in hematochemical parameters and evaluated microbiota data before and after a set period on a diet containing a whole-meal ancient wheat mix. Patients and Methods 29 cloistered nuns were recruited. The study comprised two consecutive 30-day periods; during the first one (T1), the nuns received wheat-based foods produced with refined “modern” flour (“Simeto”); during the second one (T2) received wheat-based foods produced with an unrefined flour mix composed of “ancient” cultivars. At entry to the study (T0) and at the end of T1 and T2 hem…
A survey of carbon sequestration potential of orchards and vineyards in Italy
Orchards and vineyards are important land use types in Southern Europe. In spite of their potential to sequester atmospheric C and to mitigate climate change, relatively little is known regarding the influx and outflux of C in these systems. The aim of this work is to provide data on the C budget, including net primary production (NPP), C removal through production, and C sequestration potential for the vineyards and the main fruit tree species (apple, citrus, olive, and peach) grown in Italy. Standing biomass and NPP were measured, and net ecosystem exchange and net C balance assessed directly, through either eddy covariance technique, or considering NPP and heterotrophic respiration. Abov…
Biostimulant Potential of Humic Acids Extracted From an Amendment Obtained via Combination of Olive Mill Wastewaters (OMW) and a Pre-treated Organic Material Derived From Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) detain contain significant levels of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial/phytotoxic activity and high amounts of undecomposed organic matter that may a high pollutant load that exerts negative effects on soil biology because of significant levels in phenolic compounds with antimicrobial/phytotoxic activity and limited biodegradability, and high amounts of undecomposed organic matter. Among OMW detoxification techniques, those focusing on oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds are relevant those focusing on oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds to reduce their toxicity. The composting (bio-oxidation) process in particular, exploits exothermic oxidati…
Environmental and Energy Analysis of Two Orchard Systems: A Case Study in Mediterranean Environment
This paper aimed to analyse and compare the environmental and energy sustainability of two orchards (peach versus kiwifruit) located in Southern Italy using Life Cycle Thinking. To this end, anthropogenic energy, CO2 emissions, biogenic energy and carbon gains were also considered through Life Cycle Assessment methodology and Energy Analysis. The C–CO2 balance was calculated as the difference between total C–CO2 stored in soil and trees, at the end of their life cycles, and orchards Carbon Footprint (CF). The results showed that the production of 1 kg of peaches caused minor impacts, especially with reference to CF (0.124 kg CO2 eq against 0.145 for kiwifruit), while it required 1.56 MJ of …
Sustainability evaluation of Sicily's lemon and orange production: An energy, economic and environmental analysis
The island of Sicily has a long standing tradition in citrus growing. We evaluated the sustainability of orange and lemon orchards, under organic and conventional farming, using an energy, environmental and economic analysis of the whole production cycle by using a life cycle assessment approach. These orchard systems differ only in terms of a few of the inputs used and the duration of the various agricultural operations. The quantity of energy consumption in the production cycle was calculated by multiplying the quantity of inputs used by the energy conversion factors drawn from the literature. The production costs were calculated considering all internal costs, including equipment, materi…