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…

Original vegetation recovery of two degraded areas in the Mediterranean island of Marettimo.

Propagation techniques for Iberis semperflorens L.

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, …

Suitability of a native South African shrub as pot plant

Leonotis leonurus (L.) Br. Pubesc., also known as “lion’s ear” is a perennial shrub belonging to the Labiatae family and native to South Africa. The name of the genus derives from the Greek words leon (lion) and otòs (ear). The esthetic ornamental value of its bright orange inflorescence and its adaptation to a wide range of conditions have led a research to evaluate the suitability of L. leonurus as pot plant. Pot plants from one year rooted cuttings were grown in the Northern coast of Sicily; at the end of December, plants were pruned to 30 cm length and then moved to an unheated plastic greenhouse. Flowering started in April under protected cultivation and continued throughout the summer…

Iberis semperflorens L. an attractive Italian endemic shrub with high potential as flowering potted plant

Micropropagazione di Thymus capitatus

Thymus capitatus is a compact woody shrub, endemic to the Mediterranean region, with attractive pink flowers. Although conventional vegetative propagation of T. capitatus is currently used, micropropagation could be effective for rapid mass propagation of selected clones and would preserve wild plants. Shoot tips of T. capitatus cultured on a gelled MS medium, supplemented with 0.4 mg l-1 2-iP, were used as primary explants to establish in vitro culture. Axillary shoots produced on uncontaminated explants were excised and subcultured to increase the stock of shoot cultures. To determine the optimal medium for shoot multiplication, increasing concentrations (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 e 3.2 mg l-1) of…