Bioagronomic and energy potential of Carthamus tinctorius L. in the Mediterranean area

In recent years, interest in dedicated energy crops, in particular oilseed crops, in the Mediterranean area has risen. This is due both to an increase in energy demand in various sectors and the need to meet the objectives set by the European Union. The agro-energy sector may become an important economic opportunity for farms, especially when considering the use of the whole plant – the oil-rich seeds and the lignocellulosic crop residues. However, in economic terms, further study is needed in the management, quantification and subsequent use of crop residues. This research looks at the productive and energy potential of the seed and crop residues of safflower with the aim of introducing th…

Agricultural feedstocks of two Brassica oilseed crops and energy cogeneration with pure vegetable oil for a sustainable short agro-energy chain in Sicily (Italy)

Abstract Potential energy feedstocks from conventional agriculture usually include pure vegetable oil (PVO) and agricultural/forest residues. Their uses can represent a starting point for the development of short agro-energy chains in the south areas of the Mediterranean region. This paper focused on testing and awareness raising of biofuel production for the cogeneration of electricity and heat from PVO of two Brassica oilseed crops in Sicily (Italy). The main aims of this study were: i) to evaluate the agronomic performance of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C.) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) in semi-arid climate condition; ii) to analyze the quality of PVO…

Characterization and conservation of Clinopodium raimondoi Spadaro, A.S. Faqi & Mazzola germplasm in the Parco della Favorita of Palermo city (Sicily, Italy)

In urban areas, the parks represent an important source of plant biodiversity. The Parco della Favorita is the largest green area in Palermo city (Sicily, Italy). Clinopodium raimondoi Spadaro, A.S. Faqi & Mazzola is an aromatic plant species which has a range of uses in Sicilian traditional culture. The essential oil of this species is rich in terpene components and its aroma is similar to that of mint. The aim of this study was to enhance the germplasm of C. raimondoi in the Parco della Favorita. A collection-field was set up within the park. The main biometric and productive parameters of the species were determined and gas chromatographic analyses were carried out to determine the quali…

TWO YEARS OF STUDIES INTO NATIVE BERMUDAGRASS (CYNODON SPP.) GERMPLASM FROM SICILY (ITALY) FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF TURF CULTIVARS

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is the most widely used warm season turf species in the world for sport, lawn and utility turfs. The species is widespread in Sicily (Italy) where it exhibits a large range of diverse morphological characteristics due to a long process of adaptation to varying climatic and soil conditions of the island. In order to exploit the bermudagrass genetic resources and establish a germplasm bank for use in various plant breeding programmes, bio-agronomic evaluation tests were carried out on the 40 Sicilian biotypes of Cynodon spp. from 2002 to 2004 at the experimental farm “Orleans”, University of Palermo. The accessions were compared to the standard cultivar ‘Savannah’,…

Combining pressure transducer and tipping bucket rain gauge to measure high variable runoff rate collected from a green roof

Urban areas are constantly expanding in terms of space and density. It is known that the effect of urbanization is an increase of the area of impermeable surfaces. The infiltration decreases, the surface runoff increases (Baiamonte, Singh, 2017) and the existing stormwater infrastructure may become no more appropriate to face flooding (Berndtsson, 2010). Berndtsson (2010) described the numerous benefits that can be achieved by turning the roofs green through covering them with soil and vegetation. Green roofs i) reduce and attenuate stormwater runoff, which in turn lowers risks of urban floods and improves the urban water balance thus approaching the natural one (Mentens et al., 2006), ii) …

Litter contribution to soil organic carbon in the agriculture abandons processes

Abstract. Mechanisms of litter decomposition, translocation and stabilization into soil layers are fundamental processes in ecosystem functioning as it regulates the cycle of soil organic matter (SOM), CO2 emission into the atmosphere, carbon sequestration into the soil. In this study, it was investigated the contribution of litters of different stages of Mediterranean secondary succession on Carbon sequestration, analyzing the role of earthworms on translocation of SOM into soil profile. For this purpose δ13C difference between meadow C4-Csoil and C3-Clitter were used in a field experiment. Four undisturbed litters of different stages of succession were collected (45, 70, 100 and 120 since…

Wastewater management using a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system in Western Sicily (Italy) for irrigation of Paspalum vaginatum Sw. turf

The reuse of treated wastewater represents an attractive prospect for sustainable water management in urban areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reuse of treated wastewater from constructed wetland systems for the irrigation of Seashore paspalum turf (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and assess the effects of treated wastewater on the soil and turfgrass. The research was carried out in Sicily (Italy) in a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system (HSSF). Seashore paspalum plots were irrigated with freshwater and treated wastewater. In treated wastewater-irrigated plots, we estimated the amounts of nitrogen and potassium, supplied by irrigating with treated wastewater. The productive …

The use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of agro-industrial wastewater – A case study in a dairy-cattle farm in Sicily (Italy)

Wastewaters generated by agro-industrial operations often represent an unsustainable cost for farms due to high wastewater-treatment management costs. The wastewater produced by dairies, wineries or oil mills may vary in quantity and in quality depending on the time of the year, making the use of a conventional treatment system less efficient and more costly. Constructed wetland systems (CWs) provide low-cost technology and an efficient solution in the treatment of a number of wastewaters from agriculture. They are simple to build, have low maintenance costs and are sustainable compared to conventional treatment methods. This paper shows a case study that was carried out on a dairy-cattle f…

Agronomic performance and energetic potential of two Brassica oilseed species in Sicily, Italy

Industrial crops for energy purposes are object of increasing interest worldwide and play an important role as a source of renewable energy. The aims of this study were to evaluate: i) the agronomic performance of Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C. and Brassica carinata A. Braun in a semi-arid environment; ii) to evaluate the economic viability of a pilot combined heat and power (CHP) plant operating on pure vegetable oil (PVO). The research was carried out in Sicily (Italy). The main biometric and yield parameters of the two species were determined. Chemical-physical characterizations were carried out on PVO for each species using specific protocols. The cogeneration of renewable energy …

Utilizzazioni di modalità semplificate per la realizzazione di substrati per tappeti erbosi sportivi

Litter contribution to soil organic carbon in the processes of agriculture abandon

The mechanisms of litter decomposition, translocation and stabilization into soil layers are fundamental processes in the functioning of the ecosystem, as they regulate the cycle of soil organic matter (SOM) and CO2 emission into the atmosphere. In this study the contribution of litters of different stages of Mediterranean secondary succession on carbon sequestration was investigated, analyzing the role of earthworms in the translocation of SOM into the soil profile. For this purpose the δ13C difference between meadow C4-C soil and C3-C litter was used in a field experiment. Four undisturbed litters of different stages of succession (45, 70, 100 and 120 since agriculture abandon) were colle…

Elementi di Botanica forestale

An evaluation of the productive potential of various Sicilian oregano biotypes for culinary uses

In Mediterranean cooking, oregano is an aromatic herb which is mostly known for its pleasant, characteristic aroma. Although it grows wild throughout the Island of Sicily, it is cultivated in order to satisfy the growing demand for this herb for seasoning. In order to ensure success, specially selected plant material (superior qualities and good productive performance) is necessary for specialised cultivation. This paper contains the productive results (2000-2005) of several oregano accessions, previously characterized in terms of morphology and quality in a field collection catalogue. The productive response was found to vary for the different biotypes under examination. Several of these r…

Sicilian Myrtle Diversity: Evaluation of Leaf Total Phenols Content and Antioxidant Properties

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an aromatic plant spontaneously growing and increasingly cultivated in Mediterranean area. Recently, interest on myrtle plant is growing due to the pharmacological and antioxidant properties since myrtle leaves are important sources of phenolic and antioxidant compounds with health-promoting effects. Plant genotype is the primary factor affecting antioxidant activity and phenol content. For this reason, a core collection of local selected myrtle accessions from Sicily was evaluated with the aim to identify genotypes with high antioxidant value. Thirty-six myrtle individuals belonging to seven populations were studied for leaf total phenols, tannins and antioxi…

Agronomical and postharvest evaluation of the essential oils of Sicilian rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) biotypes

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an aromatic shrub commonly found in the Mediterranean area. It is used in cooking both to add aroma and as a preservative in processed foods. Essential oils of rosemary are used in medicine and in the cosmetics industry due to their considerable biological properties. The yield and quality of rosemary essential oils mainly depend upon the chemo type, environmental conditions and cultivation techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of essential oils of wild R. officinalis biotypes found in Sicily using different drying methods. Five types of drying methods were used for the tests: a) shade drying under a r…

Phenology study of Myrtus communis accessions selected from wild populations of Sicily: preliminary results

Myrtus communis is a Mediterranean shrub widely diffused in Sicily. To promote the cultivation of myrtle, seven wild populations were collected from different areas of Sicily, with the aim to select new candidate cultivars in the frame of a selection program. Considering the berries value in the food industry, many efforts need to be done to cultivate myrtle as alternative to harvest from wild plants. To promote cultivation few important phenologic traits have been recorded in candidate cultivar selections from wild populations in Sicily. This study was performed in a repository field under homogeneous environmental conditions. The vegetation activity of the selected accessions begins in Ja…

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS OF OREGANO (ORIGANUM VULGARE SSP. HIRTUM) FOUND IN SICILY

Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) is one of the most popular aromatic species used in Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to its use for culinary and ornamental purposes, it is also known as a medicinal plant for its antispasmodic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and expectorant properties. A number of wild oregano populations were found in various areas of Sicily. Representative samples of the different populations at flowering stage were collected at varying altitudes between 60 and 1000 m a.s.l. in 2004 an 2005. The samples were processed to evaluate the quantity and quality of the production, as well as the essential oil composition. Significant differences were found between…

Bio-Agronomic Evaluation of Brassica Carina A. Braun in a Semi-Arid Area of Sicily

The need to reduce fossil fuel consumption for environmental and economic reasons is placing the farming sector in a whole new light with a new set of tasks to face. Concerns arising from climate change and decisions resulting from the Kyòto Protocol have helped reinforce the idea that multifunctional farms can make a real contribution to achieving the targets set for 2012. As a producer of dedicated energy crops – crops used to supply biomass for energy – the farm becomes a supplier of raw materials for fuel production or of energy directly. For economic, social and environmental reasons, agro-energy may be the way forward to encourage multi-functionalism in farming and, therefore, increas…

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…

Bermudagrass adaptation in the Mediterranean climate: phenotypic traits of 44 accessions

The use of bermudagrass in the Mediterranean area is increasing for its outstanding tolerance to heat and drought, and its aggressive growth and high recuperative potential make it particularly suited to heavily worn areas and appreciated for sports turfs. However, the overall performance of a given genetic type can be affected by the adaptation to a specific environment. The objective of this research was to determine the variability of a number of phenotypic traits that can affect bermudagrass turf performance on a wide range of bermudagrass accessions grown in two locations in Italy. In May 2010, 44 accessions of bermudagrasses, grouped in “wild”, “improved” “hybrid” and “dwarf” types we…

An initial study into the suitability of Sicilian ecotypes of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. for turfgrass use

The aim of the study is to evaluate the biodiversity of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in Sicily (Italy), observing several ecotypes collected in specific areas of the island. The ultimate goal was to identify ecotypes that have the qualitative standards required to establish turfgrasses and/or for specific plant breeding programmes. For each of the 22 bermudagrass ecotypes that were collected from Sicily, leaf texture, stolon internodes length, stolon diameter, turf colour, uniformity and quality rating were the main biometric and qualitative parameters monitored. The speed of recovery was also determined for each ecotype. Interesting variability was recorded in the collected vegetative mater…

Iodine Biofortification Counters Micronutrient Deficiency and Improve Functional Quality of Open Field Grown Curly Endive

Human iodine (I) shortage disorders are documented as an imperative world-wide health issue for a great number of people. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends I consumption through ingestion of seafood and biofortified food such as vegetables. The current work was carried out to appraise the effects of different I concentrations (0, 50, 250, and 500 mg L−1), supplied via foliar spray on curly endive grown in the fall or spring–summer season. Head fresh weight, stem diameter, head height, and soluble solid content (SSC) were negatively correlated to I dosage. The highest head dry matter content was recorded in plants supplied with 250 mg I L−1, both in the fall and spring–summer se…

Germplasm of medicinal and aromatic plant species in the Parco della Favorita in Palermo city (Sicily, Italy)

Despite high urbanization, the city of Palermo (Sicily, Italy) has a good level of plant biodiversity. The Parco della Favorita is the largest green space in the city. It covers an area of 400 ha and is the green lung of the city. The Parco della Favorita is home to many wild species of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This study aims to promote the Favorita Park as an urban green area to be used for educational purposes to raise awareness for the medicinal and food uses of MAPs. Nineteen plant species belonging to fifteen botanical families were identified. The most representative plant species were Foeniculum vulgare, Laurus nobilis, Capparis spinosa and Malva sylvetsris. Some of the…

A quantitative analysis of wild herbaceous plant species for medicinal uses in four Regional Parks in Sicily (Italy)

This paper illustrates the results of a study carried out in 4 regional Parks in Sicily (Italy) from 2009 to 2010. The study area covers a surface of 2076 km2, the 8% of the territory of Sicily, includes 90 towns and it is characterized by a high degree of plant biodiversity. The main aim of the study was to analyse the extent of the current knowledge on medicinal uses of wild shrub and herbaceous plants in the area, using quantitative indices. The information was obtained using semi-structured interview format performed on a sample of 802 people over the age of 60 who were considered experts in rural traditions. The results highlight that most of the species are used against general health…