Search results for "Seed"
showing 10 items of 668 documents
The naturalization of the almond Prunus dulcis in different ecological contexts in the Mediterranean: An underestimated process?
2022
Although Prunus dulcis has been frequently listed in non-native floras all around the world, its naturalization has been rarely studied in the field. Probably, because this species has generally invaded synanthropic habitats. We assessed the density of natural regeneration of almond, biometric parameters (height and basal stem diameter), and the distribution in life stage classes in three different ecological contexts in Sicily (Mediterranean Italy): one natural habitat (maquis), one pine afforestation and two prickly pear orchards. We recorded 236 naturally regenerating almond individuals, with density ranging from 140 individuals per hectare (prickly pear orchard 1) up to 2,400 individual…
Increasing tree survival to facilitate the conversion of conventional systems to agroforestry systems using plant growing aids and plant-plant facili…
2022
Several global commitments have established a compromise to greatly increase the presence of trees in agricultural lands, fostering therefore the adoption of agroforestry systems and the destination of some areas for reforestation. Such tasks are challenging, particularly under the current climate change scenarios, and several studies have demonstrated a high risk of seedling mortality under harsh and extremely variable environmental conditions, calling for solutions that must increase the success and reduce the costs of growing a tree. In this study, inside the project LIFE Desert Adapt, we tested the effects of different types of growing aids such as shelters, mulching and innovative meth…
Plant-animal seed dispersal interactions as key drivers of ecological restoration in a changing world
2022
Many global and European commitments state the need to plant billions of trees and restore millions of hectares of degraded ecosystems to contrast biodiversity loss, desertification and climate change. Seed dispersal is a crucial process promoting vegetation dynamics, and in the Mediterranean, up to 65% of woody plant species need animals for seed dispersal. Therefore, such mutualistic ecological interaction represents a key nature-based solution to help us reaching our commitments. In this presentation first we will report the strong expansion rate and correlated finescale spatio-temporal patterns of woody natural regeneration over a pastureland, using a spatially-explicit framework deploy…
Shade effects on overseeded bermudagrass athletic fields: I. Turfgrass coverage and growth rate
2019
Shade from athletic stadium structures can be a significant deterrent to turfgrass performance. The objective of this study was to determine the daily light requirements of an overseeded or non-overseeded bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) turf maintained to simulate an athletic field. An experiment was established in 2013 on a mature bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Riviera] turf that was either overseeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or non-overseeded. Plots were re-seeded with ryegrass each fall, but ryegrass was allowed to transition without chemical removal. Shade structures were installed to create four light level treatments including a full-sun control (0% shade…
Election Manipulation on Social Networks: Seeding, Edge Removal, Edge Addition
2021
We focus on the election manipulation problem through social influence, where a manipulator exploits a social network to make her most preferred candidate win an election. Influence is due to information in favor of and/or against one or multiple candidates, sent by seeds and spreading through the network according to the independent cascade model. We provide a comprehensive study of the election control problem, investigating two forms of manipulations: seeding to buy influencers given a social network, and removing or adding edges in the social network given the seeds and the information sent. In particular, we study a wide range of cases distinguishing for the number of candidates or the…
Ecotoxicological Effects of Ibuprofen on Plant Growth of Vigna unguiculata L.
2020
Despite the prevalence of the common pharmaceutical ibuprofen (IBU) in water and sediments worldwide, the effects of IBU on plants are largely unknown. This study was designed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of emerging pharmaceutical pollutant IBU on plant growth and development in a series of toxicity experiments using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Plant growth parameters (morphological and physicochemical) were investigated under a series of IBU concentrations (0, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 ppm IBU). IBU exposure reduced the shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights, leaf area, and chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid, total chlorophyll, mineral (K and Mg), glutathione reductase, and…
Perspectives of the encapsulation technology in the nursery activity of Citrus
2007
The genetic and phytosanitary certification has to guarantee the quality of the propagation material also in Citrus. Traditional methods can be assisted by the techniques of in vitro culture, which are fundamental for the mass production of high quality plants. The encapsulation technology represents an innovative tool to combine the advantages of micropropagation with handling ease, storability, reduced size of the propagules, mechanization potentiality, transportability of the gamic seeds. In this work somatic embryos obtained from in vitro anther culture of the cultivar Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli (Citrus reticulata Blanco) were encapsulated in a sodium alginate matrix and synthetic se…
Preliminary research on conversion of encapsulated somatic embryos of Citrus reticulata Blanco, cv. Mandardino Tardivo di Ciaculli.
2006
Somatic embryogenesis was obtained through anther culture of Citrus reticulata, cv. Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli. The work was carried out to evaluate the response of somatic embryos inside a sodium alginate coating to different storage periods, and to the effects of the germicide PPM (1 ml l(-1) stop) and the fungicide Thiophanate-methyl (100 mg l(-1) stop). The effect of these alone or in combination, added to the artificial endosperm on the performance of the encapsulated somatic embryos was tested. After 45 days of culturing, sprouting, root development and conversion were recorded. The encapsulated somatic embryos can be conveniently stored at 4 degrees C, but not for a period longer …
Over-evaluation of total flavonoids in grape skin extracts containing sulphur dioxide
2015
Abstract Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) proved to increase absorbance at 280 nm of grape skin and seed extracts containing it, diluted with ethanol–HCl to assess total flavonoids and anthocyanins in the same analysis. Additional absorbance at 280 nm was also observed in acetone:H 2 O extracts, if the acetone had not completely evaporated before the extracts were diluted with a solvent. Flavonoids were correctly quantified in the extracts when SO 2 or acetone were removed by solid-phase extraction with a C 18 RP as sorbent and methanol as eluting solvent.
Evaluation of enniatins A, A1, B, B1 and beauvericin in Portuguese cereal-based foods.
2012
Sixty-one samples of Portuguese cereal-based foods were analysed for the occurrence of emerging mycotoxins called enniatins (A, A1, B and B1) and beauvericin. Samples were extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile/water (85/15, v/v) using an Ultra-Turrax homogeniser, and mycotoxins were detected with liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. This method was validated and adequate values of recovery (70-103%) and relative standard deviation (15%) were obtained. Signal suppression/enhancement was studied and matrix-matched calibration used to minimise this effect, but no additional clean-up step was necessary. The mass spectrometer was operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM)…