Effects of packaging on shelf-life and 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 a 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 the weight loss, soluble solid content, pH, color 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 quali…

RESEARCH ON STRAWBERRY PLUG PLANTS IN SOILLESS COLTIVATION

n recent years, the main advances in strawberry cultivation in Italy have regarded cultivation techniques, the use of alternatives to methyl bromide and the type of propagation material used. Fresh plants have taken over from cold-stored plants in 60% of cases. This prompted the need for new studies on the cultivation of fresh strawberry plants carried out in Sicilian nurseries. This report illustrates the results of a trial carried out in Sicily to find the best plug plants grown by four nurseries located at different altitudes (Madonie mountains, Sicani mountains, Nebrodi mountans) and on the plain (Marsala) and with an open cycle soilless system. The trial was carried out at our experime…

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

Finocchio in Sicilia

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

Alternatives to Methyl Bromide in strawberry cultivations

La precocità della fragola inizia dalle piantine da vivaio

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…

ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE IN STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION

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…

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…

QUALITà ORGANOLETTICA E NUTRACEUTICA DI FRAGOLE PRODOTTE IN SICILIA

Idoneità alla minima lavorazione dei frutti di Lagenaria siceraria L.

La lagenaria (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) è una cucurbitacea conosciuta da più di 15000 anni per la commestibilità dei frutti immaturi e dei germogli ma anche per le proprietà medicinali e per i diversi utilizzi cui può essere destinato il frutto maturo. Seppure la coltivazione della Lagenaria è ampiamente diffusa in Asia, in Europa, e nei paesi occidentali in genere, il suo utilizzo è limitato ad alcune zone circoscritte nelle quali riscuote l’apprezzamento dei consumatori. Pertanto questa specie presenta un notevole potenziale commerciale per l’eventuale diffusione in nuovi mercati. A tal fine si è voluta valutare la possibilità di trasformare i frutti di lagenaria in prodotto d…

Influence of greenhouse volume ratio on soil solarization efficiency

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

Performance of Nanostructured Electrode in Lead Acid Battery

Lead acid batteries have a large number of potential advantages, but the high weight of lead limits their use in new technologies, like hybrid or electrical cars, which require light batteries with high specific energy. We tried to overtake this limit with nanostructured electrodes of PbO2 and Pb, obtained by electrodeposition in polycarbonate template. In the case of lead, to obtain electrodes with very good mechanical stability, a systematic investigation of electrodeposition process was needed to overcome the formation of dendrites that is the principal limitation of electrochemical production of metal lead. Nanostructured electrodes were tested in a zero gap configuration, using commerc…

Effetti della concimazione azotata sulla produzione e sulla qualità del finocchio

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…

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…

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 …

Evaluation of the quality and antioxidant capacity of woodland strawberry biotypes in Sicily

In Sicily, the woodland strawberry grows wild in forest glades in the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains and on Mount Etna. In this region, the main cultivated clone is Fragolina di Ribera, named after the towns where the crop originally developed. The cultivated woodland strawberry is different from its wild counterparts not only in vegetative vigour and size, but also in organoleptic quality. Fragolina di Ribera has always been described with sensory analysis as one of the best Sicilian berry. This study was carried out in Sicily and compared two June-bearing Fragaria vesca: Fragolina di Ribera and Fragolina di Maletto, and an everbearing variety Regina delle Valli, in order to determine the p…

Nanostructured Electrochemical Devices for Sensing, Energy Conversion and Storage

Nanomaterials are very promising to enhance device performances for sensing, sustainable energy production, and energy conversion and storage, as extensively reported in the literature [1-3]. In this field, one of the most severe challenge is to find suitable methods for fabricating nanomaterials. Over the years, numerous preparation methods were proposed in the literature, but not all of them are easily scalable and economically advantageous for industrial application. In this context, electrochemical deposition in template is a facile method for fabricating either two- or one-dimensional nanostructured materials because it allows to easily adjust the fundamental parameters controlling the…

Nanostructured lead acid battery for electric vehicles applications

This paper presents an innovative lead acid battery, based on nanostructured active materials. Both charging time and specific energy are greatly enhanced in comparison with commercial lead acid battery. Starting from the extremely valuable performances of the nanostructured battery, also a circuital model, for application in electric vehicle traction, has been specifically developed. The circuital model has demonstrated that an enhanced nanostructured battery allows an increase of traveled distance by electric vehicles.

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…

Interactive Effects of Genotype and Molybdenum Supply on Yield and Overall Fruit Quality of Tomato

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for plant growth, development, and production. However, there is little known about the function and effects of molybdenum in tomato plants. The present study assessed the influences of different Mo concentrations on four tomato F1 hybrids (“Bybal” F1, “Tyty” F1, “Paride” F1, and “Ornela” F1) grown using a soilless system with different Mo levels [0.0, 0.5 (standard NS), 2.0, and 4.0 μmol L−1, respectively]. The crop yield, plant vigor, fruit skin color, TA, fruit water content as well as the accumulation of SSC, and some antioxidant compounds such as lycopene, polyphenols and ascorbic acid were evaluated. The minerals concentration, including n…

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…

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

Behavior Modification of Nanostructured PbO2 Electrodes in Lead Acid Batteries Changing Electrolyte Concentration and Separator

Currently, lead acid battery is extensively investigated owing to its prevalent use as a startinglighting and ignition device. An essential role for electrochemical reactions is played by the surface area available for conversion reactions and a possible approach is the use of nanostructured electrodes. In this work, lead dioxide nanostructured electrodes were tested in order to investigate the dependence of the charge and discharge behaviour on some parameters such as electrolyte concentration, and a new type of thin separator. In this last case, it is possible to reduce the size of the cell by using a very thin separator comparable to the nanostructured electrode thickness. Besides, a low…

Nanostructured PbO2 electrode for lead-acd batery

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 …

Evoluzione e prospettive della fragolicoltura siciliana

Effects of different levels of nitrogen on production and quality of strawberries from fresh "plug plants"

Nitrogen is an essential element, not only for its influence on the vegetativeproductive activity of the plants but also on fruit quality (color, shelf life, etc.). To achieve high production and quality standards, reducing environment impact, the S.Ag.A Department of Palermo carried out some researches to identify the most suitable fertilization to maximize the productive potential of fresh plug plants of two cultivars of strawberry widespread in the Sicilian area, 'Sabrosa®Candonga' and 'Nora', reducing Nitrogen inputs. The experimental design adopted was a splitplot, in which the main plot was the different doses of nitrogen, 120, 170, 220, 270, 320 kg/ha and the secondary one the cultiv…

Growth and Electrochemical Performance of Lead and Lead Oxide Nanowire Arrays as Electrodes for Lead-Acid Batteries

n this work, we present the growth and electrochemical performance of nanostructured lead and lead oxide electrodes for lead-acid batteries. The electrodes were obtained by template electrodeposition in polycarbonate membranes, acting as template. Electrochemical tests were conducted at constant current in 5M aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, after assembling nanostructured lead and lead oxide electrodes in a zero-gap configuration using a commercially available separator. The main advantages of these electrodes are the high specific energy and power density, and the wide surface area, about 70 times higher than the geometrical one. These features allowed high discharge rates, up to 20C. …

Influence of cultivation techniques and use of two nutritive solution with different electrical conductivity on the production and quality of cucumbers

The most suitable techniques and use of F1 hybrids enable greenhouse production to achieve high yields, with crops all year round. In Sicily, greenhouse production of cucumber is for fresh use (slicers), producing large fruit. The cultivation technique most suited to greenhouses is the vertical single stem. However, an innovative technique being proposed is of cultivation on a trellis, eliminating lower branches, and training the remaining branches upwards (vertical shoot positioning, VSP). Cucumbers in the south of Italy are grown as the main crop or as a catch crop between 2 main crops. The crop should be rotated on the same soil only after 3-4 years with another crop, unless the land is …

Effect of cold storage on the quality of minimally processed cauliflower

Cauliflower has been described as a vegetable with a high nutritional value due to its important content of vitamins, antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic compounds. Cauliflower inflorescences are harvested while they are totally immature, which implies severe changes in nutrient, water and hormonal status. Harvesting and the following processing can cause a severe stress determining the appearance of accelerated senescence symptoms. The effects of processing and cold storage of minimally processed green cauliflower were investigated. Florets were treated with antioxidants before storage in PE bags at 4°C for 21 days. During storage, weight loss, colour, firmness, soluble solids content and p…

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

Effetti delle epoche e modalità di concimazione su produzione e qualità del finocchio. Effects of time and method of fertilizer application on yield and quality of fennel.

Two field trials were carried out in Sicily during fall-winter and spring season to determine the influence of 9 fertilization treatments, obtained by changing the time (pre-plant and/or post-plant fertilization), and method (broadcast fertilization and/or fertigation) of fertilizer application and the type of fertilizer (mineral, organic, slow release fertilizers) on yield and quality of fennel. An unfertilized treatment (control) was also included. In all fertilized treatments, macronutrients were applied at the following total rates (kg ha-1): N (350), P2O5 (100), K2O (208). In both trials the highest yield and mean bulb weight was obtained by pre-planting application of all mineral fert…

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

Evaluation of strawberry cultivars in soilless cultivation in Sicily

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

Effetto della forma azotata e della modalità di distribuzione sulla produzione e la qualità di lattuga

Ultrafast cycling of lead-acid battery with nanostructured Pb and PbO2 electrodes

Recent improvements in PbO2 nanowire electrodes for lead-acid battery

Abstract Lead oxide nanowires are an attractive alternative to conventional pasted electrodes, owing to their high surface area leading to high specific energy batteries. Here, we report the performance of template electrodeposited PbO 2 nanowires used as positive electrodes. Nanostructured electrodes were tested at constant charge/discharge rate from 2 C to 10 C, with a cut-off potential of 1.2 V and discharge depth up to 90% of the gravimetric charge. These new type of electrodes are able to work at very high C-rate without fading, reaching an efficiency of about 90% with a very good cycling stability. In particular, after an initial stabilization, a specific capacity of about 200 mAh g −…

Innovazioni varietali per la produzione siciliana

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, …

PLANTING DENSITY AND PRUNING METHOD AFFECT EGGPLANT SOILLESS CULTURE

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of two planting densities (1.6 plants-m-2 or 2.5 plants-m-2) and two pruning methods (two or four stemmed plants) on eggplant cultivars Black Bell and Longo in soilless culture. The research was carried out in 2003-2004 in the Northern coast Sicily. Eggplant plug plants were transplanted in a heated glasshouse in polystyrene containers (80 cm in length, 25 cm in width, 20 cm in height) filled with coconut coir dust. The experimental design was a split-split plot. Fruit production from January to April increased significantly as planting density increased. Irrespectively of the cultivars, four stemmed plants gave higher yields than two ste…

Influenza della tipologia di pianta e della concimazione azotata sulla Cv. di fragola Candonga Sabrosa.

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

Study on New Strawberry Varieties Evaluated in Sicily

The variety evolution and growing techniques have modified the strawberry cultivation in the Italian Mediterranean areas. Different trials in Sicily showed that varietal choices are the base to reach high levels of quality and quantity production. In Sicily, 300 ha of strawberries are now cultivated and 'Tudla' is still the principal variety (60%), 'Camarosa' is the most cultivated variety in the other southern strawberry areas, but in Sicily this cultivar does not generate a great interest because of its lateness. New cultivars, such as 'Candonga', 'Ventana' and 'Naiad', have been trialled in the last years but further evaluations are necessary. The trial was carried out at the experimenta…

Effects of Plastic mulch and floating cover on lettuce production in Sicily

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…

High-performance of PbO2 nanowire electrodes for lead-acid battery

Abstract PbO2 nanowires were obtained by template electrodeposition in polycarbonate membranes and tested as positive electrode for lead-acid battery. Nanowires were grown on the same material acting as current collector that was electrodeposited too. The nanostructured electrodes were assembled in a zero-gap configuration using commercial negative plate and separator. Cell performance was tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles in a 5 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. PbO2 nanostructured electrodes were able to deliver at 1C rate an almost constant capacity of about 190 mAh g−1 (85% of active material utilization), close to the theoretical value (224 mAh g−1). The nanowire array provide…

Propagation techniques for three Mediterranean native shrubs with potentential as ornamental outdoor plants

Grande are three Mediterranean shrubs with interesting ornamental features. The exploitation of wild plants for ornamental purposes implies knowledge on the factors influencing the propagation methods. To study the influence of temperature on germination, seeds of Teucrium flavum, Prasium majus and Micromeria fruticulosa were germinated in incubators at constant temperatures of 14, 20, 24 and 28°C. Highest germination, 45 % and 86%, occurred at 20°C in Teucrium flavum and Prasium majus, respectively. Micromeria fruticulosa seeds subjected at 24 or 28°C had a germination percentage significantly higher than at 20 or 14°C. To study the influence of auxin treatments on vegetative propagation, …

Strawberry Variety Trial in Sicily.

The Sicilian strawberry area differs from other Italian strawberry areas for its high earliness with productions that start in November-December. The earliness due to the very low plant winter chilling requirement is a very important characteristic to define the variety adaptability to this environment. Through the "Liste varietali Fragola" project funded by MiPAAF, many new varieties and advanced selections are evaluated annually in Sicily. Here, at the moment, the main variety is Florida Fortuna, followed by Candonga ® Sabrosa and Naiad ® CIVL35. Florida Fortuna, released in Florida, showed to be very interesting especially for its outstanding earliness, a high yield and good fruit qualit…

Effetto del portinnesto sulla attività antiossidante di melanzana

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 forma azotata e delle modalità di distribuzione sulla produzione e la qualità di lattuga

Lettuce has a primary importance among vegetable crops in Italy. Despite the limited duration of crop cycle, lettuce needs high doses of N due to limited growth and low roots N absorption efficiency. Doses and distribution tecniques of nitrogen may affect growth and nitrate accumulation in plant tissues. In order to evaluate the productive and qualitative response of lettuce to different forms of nitrogen and distribution tecniques, a field trial was carried out in Palermo (Sicily) from November 2007 to February 2008. Two forms of nitrogen (ammonium or nitrate) and two distribution tecniques (50% pre-planting+50% post-planting; 25% pre-planting+50% post-planting+25% post planting) were comp…

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: …

Tre nuove cultivar per gli ambienti meridionali

Influence of greenhouse volume/area ratio on soil solarization efficiency

Soil temperature under plastic cover is function of incoming radiation and thermal characteristics of the mulching material and the soil, but it could be also affected by greenhouse characteristics (structure, cover, Volume/Area ratio). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different greenhouse unitary volumes and different plastic mulching on soil temperature and soil solarization efficiency. The experiment was carried out in nonheated greenhouses covered with low density transparent polyethilene (PE), located at the experimental field of AAT Department of Palermo University, Italy (138° 7' N, 13° 22' E). Four Volume/Area (V/A) ratios were tested: 1.5 - 2.0 - 2.5 - 3.0. I…

Performance analysis of nanostructured PbO2 electrodes in lead-acid batteries

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…

PIANTE FRESCHE E NUOVE VARIETà RILANCIANO LA FRAGOLA AL SUD

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…

Productive and qualitative behaviour of fresh plants produced in Sicilian nurseries

Sicilian strawberry cultivations are increasing their interest: Fresh plants, produced in high elevation nurseries located in Spain and Poland have replaced frigo-plants. Strawberry Fresh Plants propagated in the Sicilian nurseries have been compared to those came from nursery located in Poland and set in our experimental farm. The trial has been carried out in Marsala (Tp) in the western coast of Sicily under plastic multitunnels. Four cultivars (‘Camarosa’, ‘Candonga’, ‘Tudla’, ‘Naiad’) were studied. The harvest started in January and ended in May. The Sicilian plants were the earliest. Among the cultivars ‘Camarosa’ was the earliest and ‘Candonga’ the latest. The Sicilian plants have giv…

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

Nanostructured Electrochemical Devices for Sensing, Energy Conversion and Storage

Nanostructured materials are attracting growing interest for improving performance of devices and systems of large technological interest. In this work, the principal results about the use of nanostructured materials in the field of electrochemical energy storage, electrochemical water splitting, and electrochemical sensing are presented. Nanostructures were fabricated with two different techniques. One of these was the electrodeposition of the desired material inside the channels of a porous support acting as template. The other one was based on displacement reaction induced by galvanic contact between metals with different electrochemical nobility. In the present work, a commercial polyca…

Effetto della fumigazione chimica e della solarizzazione sulla coltivazione della fragola

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 …

VALUTAZIONE DI ECOTIPI DI CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS

Fabrications of Nanostructures And Nano-Structured Devices Using Electrochemical Methods

Lattuga in Sicilia

Lattuga in Sicilia, diffusione e gestione della concimazione azotata.