Search Results (62)

This study addressed a significant and relevant issue, specifically the production of high-quality fruit planting material linked to an economically viable nursery operation. The process considered both the pedo-climatic conditions of the region where the fruit planting material was cultivated and the technological elements utilized. The objective of this research was to gather information regarding the necessity and effectiveness of implementing localized irrigation for plum trees in the nursery in the context of various fertilization treatments. It also aimed to investigate the variations in leaf area among Cacanska Lepotica and Stanley plum cultivars subjected to various irrigation (non-irrigated control, 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm) and fertilization (unfertilized control, N₈P₈K₈, N₁₆P₁₆K₁₆, and N₂₄P₂₄K₂₄) methods. The study was conducted within a private nursery situated in the northwest region of Romania using a 4 × 2 × 4 split-split-plot design with five replications. This research took place in the summer of 2024, in the second field of the nursery during the growth stage of grafted trees. The implementation of various NPK fertilization methods (8%, 16%, and 24%) led to enhancements in leaf surface developments (increased by 6.53–16.14% compared to the control). The application of fertilization ranging from 8 to 16% and subsequently from 16 to 24% was effectively absorbed by the plum trees, resulting in a substantial growth of 180–226 cm². Irrigation with 30 mm generated significant increases in the leaf area of 4.42–14.27% compared to the control. To obtain optimal yields of grafted trees, it is advisable to utilize a combination of irrigation and NPK fertilization. To promote the appropriate growth and development of the trees, it is essential to monitor the soil moisture levels and to implement irrigation during times of water shortage when the trees exhibit heightened water usage. The research findings indicated that both cultivars experienced similar advantages from 24% NPK fertilization and 30 mm of irrigation; therefore, the implementation of the aforementioned technological elements is strongly recommended. Full article

Understanding the relationship between geological and geomorphological processes is essential for reconstructing landscape evolution. This study examines how geology and geomorphology shape landscape development in central Brazil, focusing on the Natividade Group area. Sentinel-2 and SRTM data were integrated with geospatial analyses to produce two key maps: (i) a pedo-geomorphological map, classifying landforms and soil–landscape relationships, and (ii) a predictive geological–geomorphological map, based on a machine learning-based prediction of geomorphic units, which employed a Random Forest classifier trained with 15 environmental predictors from remote sensing datasets. The predictive model classified the landscape into six classes, revealing the ongoing interactions between geology, geomorphology, and surface processes. The pedo-geomorphological map identified nine pedoforms, grouped into three slope classes, each reflecting distinct lithology–relief–soil relationships. Resistant lithologies, such as quartzite-rich metasedimentary rocks, are associated with shallow, poorly developed soils, particularly in the Natividade Group. In contrast, phyllite, schist, and Paleoproterozoic basement rocks from the Almas and Aurumina Terranes support deeper, more weathered soils. These findings highlight soil formation as a critical indicator of landscape evolution in tropical climates. Although the model captured geological and geomorphological patterns, its moderate accuracy suggests that incorporating geophysical data could enhance the results. The landscape bears the imprint of several tectonic events, including the Rhyacian amalgamation (~2.2 Ga), Statherian taphrogenesis (~1.6 Ga), Neoproterozoic orogeny (~600 Ma), and the development of the Sanfranciscana Basin (~100 Ma). The results confirm that the interplay between geology and geomorphology significantly influences landscape evolution, though other factors, such as climate and vegetation, also play crucial roles in landscape development. Overall, the integration of remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and machine learning offers a robust framework for interpreting landscape evolution. These insights are valuable for applications in land-use planning, environmental management, and geohazard assessment in geologically complex regions. Full article

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is the second most significant species within the Allium genus worldwide, widely used in cooking and both traditional and modern medicine due to its beneficial biological and therapeutic properties. In Italy, diverse pedo-climatic conditions and historical–cultural fragmentation have led to the development of various garlic landraces, prized for their unique organoleptic qualities and cultural importance. This study aimed to assess the intra-varietal diversity and uniqueness of two red garlic landraces from the Lazio region in central Italy, “Aglio Rosso di Castelliri” and “Aglio Rosso di Proceno”, using SSR and ISSR molecular markers, along with evaluations of bulb morphological traits, total phenolic content, and antioxidant properties. The molecular analysis included 11 accessions of “Aglio Rosso di Castelliri”, nine of “Aglio Rosso di Proceno”, and 15 control accessions, comprising eight Italian red-type garlic landraces, four Spanish red garlic commercial varieties, two white garlic accessions, and an accession of A. ampeloprasum var. holmense used as an outgroup. SSR and ISSR markers revealed moderate genetic diversity within the collection, with mean PIC values of 0.41 and 0.17, respectively. The molecular data identified four distinct genetic clusters, with the two Lazio landraces forming separate groups, indicating their genetic distinctiveness. The results from the STRUCTURE analysis support the hypothesis that these landraces may have originated from the widely cultivated “Aglio Rosso di Sulmona” or a common ancestral population once prevalent in central Italy. The study also revealed significant intra-population genetic diversity within the two garlic landraces, underscoring the need for in situ conservation and clonal selection. Phenotypic evaluations confirmed the distinctiveness of the two landraces, with “Aglio Rosso di Castelliri” characterized by smaller bulbs and cloves with higher dry matter content and distinct color profiles. Additionally, significant variation in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed by analyzing 13 selected accessions from the two landraces (six from “Aglio Rosso di Proceno” and seven from “Aglio Rosso di Castelliri”) and five red garlic control accessions, with the two Lazio landraces exhibiting higher levels than the control group. This study highlights the importance of integrating molecular, phenotypic, and chemical analyses to understand garlic landrace diversity, with significant implications for their conservation and protection of local agro-food products. Full article

There are a multitude of raspberry and blackberry varieties, and each of them develops differently depending on environmental factors and cultivation technology, so much research is needed to see which variety has the best yield in a desired area. This paper studied the growth under natural soil and specific climate conditions in the Bucharest–Ilfov region of Romania of a raspberry plantation and a blackberry plantation, both in their first year of vegetation. The studied interval, the period of June to October 2024, was established from the beginning of the ripening of the first fruits to the late ripening of the fruits. The study analyzed the correlations between the vegetative and productive parameters of the raspberry variety “Delniwa” and the blackberry variety “Thornfree” on productivity per plant. During the study period, good shoot formation was observed, with an average height of 1400 mm for raspberries and 3474 mm for blackberries (r = 0.99 to raspberries and r = 0.98 to blackberries); a good development of the average stem diameter of 8.54 mm for raspberries and 12.78 mm for blackberries (r = 0.96 la zmeur si r = 0.89 la mur), of the number of ripe fruits harvested (r = 0.68 to raspberries and r = 0.58 to blackberries), all of which are correlated with increased productivity of 820 g/plant for raspberries and 2050 g/plant for blackberries. The experimental data were statistically analyzed using linearized, polynomial and hyperbolic models to identify the relationships between the studied variables and to highlight growth variations and fruit production in raspberries and blackberries throughout the season. In the first year of vegetation, both crops recorded constant growth but with different rhythms: raspberries showed constant fruit production, with a peak in June–July and a slight resumption in September, while blackberries had high production at the beginning of summer, followed by a significant decrease in August. The results obtained support farmers who grow raspberries and blackberries under similar natural pedo-climatic conditions, contributing to crop planning and production optimization. Full article

Apricot cultivation plays a significant role in Italy’s agricultural landscape, with the country hosting a wide variety of traditional and international cultivars, and their cultivation, processing and transformation offer a wide margin for market expansion. Jam preparation is an ideal method to preserve apricots, and understanding their functional properties is crucial for achieving high-quality products. Vesuvian autochthonous cultivars, in particular, stand out for their unique organoleptic and nutraceutical traits, which are closely linked to the region’s pedo-climatic conditions. This study investigated two apricot cultivars, the Vesuvian ‘Pellecchiella’ and the international ‘Lady Cot’, to assess their physicochemical properties and evaluate the variation in bioactive components during the transformation process from fresh fruit to puree and jam. The two cultivars exhibited distinct phenotypic differences. The ‘Lady Cot’ produced larger fruits (61.04 g vs. 45.68 g for the ‘Pellecchiella’) with a redder epicarp coloration, making it more visually appealing for commercial purposes. Conversely, the ‘Pellecchiella’ showed higher total soluble solids (TSS) and lower titratable acidity (TA), resulting in a sweeter flavor profile that may be preferred by consumers. Specifically, the ‘Pellecchiella’ exhibited a significantly higher polyphenol content, with catechin and epicatechin levels higher by 338% and 167%, respectively. The study further analyzed the variation in nutraceutical components in the puree and jam (carotenoids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP), throughout the processing stages. Both cultivars showed a reduction in these parameters during the transformation process. For instance, the total polyphenol content exhibited a similar reduction of approximately 61% in both cultivars. However, the ‘Pellecchiella’ retained higher values in the jam, reflecting its naturally higher initial levels in the fresh fruit, and showed higher Redness Index. Overall, the results highlight ‘Pellecchiella’ as a cultivar having superior nutraceutical properties and good bioactive compound retention during processing, making it a valuable choice for both fresh consumption and processed products. These findings have significant implications for the functional food sector, as they underscore the importance of cultivar selection and processing strategies to preserve valuable bioactive compounds. By leveraging the natural advantages of local cultivars like ‘Pellecchiella’, producers could develop premium jams or puree-based functional products aimed at health-conscious consumers. Full article

Transforming irrigation practices is essential to address aquifer depletion and food security in Mediterranean regions facing climate change and water scarcity. Developing local and national resilience to climate change requires capacity building to boost soil health and adaptation to drought. Recent attempts undertaken by the SEALACOM Project reduced irrigation rates in protected agriculture. The purpose of this work is to enhance traditional farmer’s practices and promote the potential of advanced fertigation of field crops (i.e., potato and zucchini) cultivated under two different pedo-climatic conditions to improve water and nutrient use efficiency. Results showed the yield of zucchini and potato on SEALACOM plots with continuous fertigation was 22% and 17.8%, respectively, which was higher than the yield with traditional irrigation and fertilization practices. Elite potato tuber size was 40% higher in SEALACOM plots (p < 0.05). The farmer applied 359 L of water to produce 1 kg of fresh zucchini compared to 225 L by the SEALACOM Project, indicating a significant, 60% water saving in the SEALACOM practice. Compared to farmer’s practices of potato production, the SEALACOM Project achieved more than 50% higher water productivity. In zucchini production, farmers applied 19.5% more nitrogen and 19.6% more phosphorus fertilizers. Compared to 58 kg of N applied by the farmers, the SEALACOM Project applied 38 kg of N to produce 1 ton of Zucchini, showing a 34% saving in major nutrient application. To cultivate 1 kg of fresh potato tubers, SEALACOM utilized 4.06 g of nitrogen and 1.34 g of phosphorus, compared to the traditional practice, which required 13.2 g of nitrogen and 2.25 g of phosphorus. Water and nutrient saving and higher productivity and commerciality of the final product have a high positive impact on the farmer’s income and positive attitude towards the adoption of modern, sustainable practices. Full article

Agroforestry systems are sustainable farming practices with multiple benefits like enhanced biodiversity, soil nutrient cycling, soil physical properties, and carbon sequestration. Investigating these multiple beneficial effects of agroforestry systems compared to monoculture cropping systems under diverse pedo-climatic zones and crop-tree combinations is required to gather robust field evidence for agroforestry performance. Hence, the objective was to investigate the beneficial effects of agroforestry systems on soil properties and crop yields in a combined food and energy production (CFE) agroforestry system compared to the conventional winter wheat (CWW) production system in Denmark. The field methods consisted of soil and crop cut sampling, soil moisture measurement, earthworm abundance count in CFE compared to the CWW fields, and climate data for 2023. The study demonstrated that an agroforestry system viz CFEmean and natural forest (NF) had a lower bulk density viz. 1.48 and 1.01 g cm⁻³, respectively compared to CWW (1.74 g cm⁻³) with intensive use of fertilizers and chemicals. CFEmean and NF had higher soil organic matter, total nitrogen %, available potassium (K), potentially mineralizable nitrogen, soil moisture retention, and earthworm count under drought conditions compared to CWW. The study demonstrated that alley cropped winter wheat (CFE WW) recorded similar grain yields and significantly higher straw and aboveground biomass accumulation compared to CWW with intensive use of chemical and fertilizer inputs. The biomass belt (BB) effects on alley crop yield varied with the distance with negative effects on grain, straw, and aboveground biomass yields in CFE WW at the nearest points from the BB, and yields increased gradually in the alley fields further away from the BB with maximum grain yields at 62.83 m away from the BB. The study provided a robust field evidence on the beneficial effects of agroforestry on soil properties and crop and biomass yields compared to CWW for informed decision-making by land managers for the adoption of agroforestry practice. Full article

Background: Self-organizing maps (SOMs) are a class of neural network algorithms able to visually describe a high-dimensional dataset onto a two-dimensional grid. SOMs were explored to classify soils based on an array of physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Methods: The SOM analysis was performed considering soil physical, chemical, and microbial data gathered from an array of apple orchards and strawberry plantations managed by organic or conventional methods and located in different European climatic zones. Results: The SOM analysis considering the “climatic zone” categorical variables was able to discriminate the samples from the three zones for both crops. The zones were associated with different soil textures and chemical characteristics, and for both crops, the Continental zone was associated with microbial parameters—including biodiversity indices derived from the NGS data analysis. However, the SOM analysis based on the “management method” categorical variables was not able to discriminate the soils between organic and integrated management. Conclusions: This study allowed for the discrimination of soils of medium- and long-term fruit crops based on their pedo-climatic characteristics and associating these characteristics to some indicators of the soil biome, pointing to the possibility of better understanding the interactions among diverse variables, which could support unraveling the intricate web of relationships that define soil quality. Full article

The purpose of this study was to develop a complex composition of a foliar liquid mineral fertilizer containing NPK macroelements and microelements including Fe, Mg, B, S, Zn, Cu, Mo, Ni, V, and Cr. This complex fertilizer aims to support the optimal development and maturation of maize crops, thereby enhancing both the quality and quantity of production. In our study, an original recipe was established for a complex composition of foliar liquid mineral fertilizer, and a technological process was developed in order to obtain the recipe at the laboratory level. The designed fertilizer was a complex mixture of fertilizers with herbicides with multiple purposes, which can be used in different pedo-climatic areas and which present, at the same time, low toxicity and minimal ecological impact. A wide-spectrum mixture DICOPUR TOP containing 2,4-D acid and Dicamba was chosen as a systemic herbicide which is absorbed by plants both in the root system and also on the leaves. For conditioning the complex mixture of fertilizers with herbicides, different types of polyvinyl alcohol with different degrees of hydrolysis were used. The liquid fertilizer mixture with DICOPUR TOP was applied over two years (2021 and 2022) to the Felix maize hybrid, demonstrating significant positive effects on grain yield while effectively controlling both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds. Full article

In the present work, a subset extracted from a core collection of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landrace accessions from the Lazio region in central Italy was used to identify the most suitable drought-tolerant or -susceptible genotypes. By applying several morpho-physiological and agronomic selection criteria recommended by the available literature, we conducted a pre-screening experiment under controlled conditions on a primary group of 24 landraces. These landraces were chosen to represent the diversity in the Lazio region in terms of geographical provenance, elevation, landform, growth habit, customary water management in the field, and native gene pool. Pre-screening under controlled conditions allowed us to identify two subsets of landraces: one exhibiting the most drought-tolerance and one showing the most susceptibility to drought. These two subsets were then tested in field trials using two water treatments, i.e., normal irrigation versus no irrigation. Such field experiments were simultaneously conducted at two sites within the Lazio region, deliberately chosen to maximize their differences in terms of pedo-climatic conditions. This notwithstanding, the core findings from the two separate field experiments were remarkably consistent and coherent among each other, highlighting a notable degree of variability within the group of the tested landraces. In general, the morpho-physiological traits considered were found to be less responsive to water shortage than yield parameters. A statistically significant Landrace × Treatment interaction was found for almost all the yield parameters considered, suggesting that certain genotypes are more susceptible than others to water shortage. By taking into account the concept of “yield stability”, i.e., the ability to maintain comparatively high yields even under conditions of water scarcity, certain common bean landraces were found to be the most promising, in terms of drought tolerance. Two genotype pairs, in particular, could be of interest for studying the morpho-physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in common bean, as well as for identifying quantitative trait loci associated with water scarcity, which could be beneficially employed in breeding programs. The results reported here also suggest that pre-screening under laboratory conditions, followed by targeted field trials, can constitute a reliable, efficient, and resourceful combined approach, in which morpho-physiological traits measured on juvenile plants might play a role in predicting drought tolerance at the agronomic level. Full article

Wheat landraces are locally adapted populations that are suitable for low-input agronomic management and constraining pedo-climatic conditions. The productivity of landraces under high-input and optimal conditions is usually lower than modern wheat varieties. The present study compared the response of Sicilian wheat landraces and modern varieties to organic management, including organic fertilization, and conventional management, including mineral fertilization and chemical weed control, under rainfed condition and supplementary irrigation in a field trial conducted on a xerofluvent soil in a semiarid Mediterranean climate. Modern varieties were on average more productive than landraces, although certain landraces achieved comparable yields, in particular under organic management. The increase in grain yield under conventional management in comparison with the organic management was higher for modern varieties than landraces. The loss of productivity in rainfed conditions was lower for landraces compared to modern varieties. The grain quality traits were similar between landraces and modern varieties and in both cases the conventional management led to an improvement of the traits. These findings highlight the resilience and adaptability of traditional wheat landraces to low-input agricultural systems and offer valuable insights into improving the sustainability and productivity of wheat production in Mediterranean environments. Full article

At the optimum temperature, which is the ideal range in which seeds germinate most efficiently, seed germination may be lower than expected under favorable conditions, and this is indicative of seed dormancy. Also, germination may be enhanced by additional and interacting factors, such as nitrate and light. However, little is known about the interplay between temperature, nitrate, and seed germination. Using seeds from 22 accessions of four Plantago species that occupy distinct pedoclimates, we applied a factorial experimental design to assess the relationship between exogenously applied nitrate (KNO₃) and temperature on germination in a Petri dish experiment. The data explore the relationship between seed germination, temperatures, and seed- and maternal-source soil N content as either nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), or ammonium (NH₄⁺). The interpretation also considered the total N and C contents of seeds, and the soil of the maternal plant (of the test seed) sources. Significant interspecific effects of nitrate and temperature on seed germination were observed. The capacity of nitrate to enhance final germination may be diminished substantially at supra-optimum temperatures, e.g., P. lagopus germination at 15 °C was 7% lower than that seen for water-only treatment. In contrast, at sub-optimum and alternating temperatures, nitrate enhanced final germination differentially across the species tested. This suggests a shift to enhanced germination at lower temperatures in the presence of sufficient soil nitrate, facilitating seedling establishment earlier in the growing season. The seeds of some Plantago species showed increased germination as a function of nitrate and temperature, particularly those of P. lagopus. The findings indicate that species (and genotype) responses correlated with the prevailing temperature and rainfall patterns of the locality; such local adaptation would ensure that seed germination and establishment occur during a period when environmental conditions are optimal. Full article

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are an important plant crop, whose yield may vary significantly depending on pedo-climatic conditions and genotype. Therefore, the analysis of the genotype × environment interaction (GEI) is mandatory for the setup of high-yielding and stable potato genotypes. This research evaluated the tuber yield (t ha⁻¹) and yield characteristic of nine potato cultivars over 3 years and 4 organic farms in Poland by additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMIs) and genotype plus genotype environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. The results of these analyses indicated significant differentiation of tuber yield among genotypes in individual environments. It was found that the environment (E, where E = L (localization) × Y (year)), genotype (G) and GEI, but not replication, significantly affected tuber yield. The AMMI analysis showed that the environment factor explained the most considerable part of tuber yield variations (52.3%), while the GEI and G factors explained a much lower part of the variations. The AMMI and GGE analyses identified five cvs.: Twister (46.4 t ha⁻¹), Alouette (35.8 t ha⁻¹), Kokra (34.8 t ha⁻¹), Levante (33.1 t ha⁻¹), and Gardena (30.4 t ha⁻¹), as leading cultivars in the studied organic farms due to their high productivity coupled with yield stability. The statistical measure Kang (YS_i) showed that these cvs. can be considered as adaptable to a wide range of organic environments. In the case of morphological traits of tubers (tuber shape and depth of tuber eyes), the most important factor influencing both these traits was genotype (G). Influence of other factors, like localization (L), year (Y), and all interactions (double and triple), were much less significant or insignificant. In case of taste and non-darkening of tuber flesh, the main effects which significantly affected the values of these traits were genotype (G) and localization (L). We observed that cooking type can vary depending on the year (Y) and the localization (L). Full article

A range of remote sensing platforms provide high spatial and temporal resolution insights which are useful for monitoring vegetation growth. Very few studies have focused on fruit orchards, largely due to the inherent complexity of their structure. Fruit trees are mixed with inter-rows that can be grassed or non-grassed, and there are no standard protocols for ground measurements suitable for the range of crops. The assessment of biophysical variables (BVs) for fruit orchards from optical satellites remains a significant challenge. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to address the challenges of extracting and better interpreting biophysical variables from optical data by proposing new ground measurements protocols tailored to various orchards with differing inter-row management practices, (2) to quantify the impact of the inter-row at the Sentinel pixel scale, and (3) to evaluate the potential of Sentinel 2 data on BVs for orchard development monitoring and the detection of key phenological stages, such as the flowering and fruit set stages. Several orchards in two pedo-climatic zones in southeast France were monitored for three years: four apricot and nectarine orchards under different management systems and nine cherry orchards with differing tree densities and inter-row surfaces. We provide the first comparison of three established ground-based methods of assessing BVs in orchards: (1) hemispherical photographs, (2) a ceptometer, and (3) the Viticanopy smartphone app. The major phenological stages, from budburst to fruit growth, were also determined by in situ annotations on the same fields monitored using Viticanopy. In parallel, Sentinel 2 images from the two study sites were processed using a Biophysical Variable Neural Network (BVNET) model to extract the main BVs, including the leaf area index (LAI), fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), and fraction of green vegetation cover (FCOVER). The temporal dynamics of the normalised FAPAR were analysed, enabling the detection of the fruit set stage. A new aggregative model was applied to data from hemispherical photographs taken under trees and within inter-rows, enabling us to quantify the impact of the inter-row at the Sentinel 2 pixel scale. The resulting value compared to BVs computed from Sentinel 2 gave statistically significant correlations (0.57 for FCOVER and 0.45 for FAPAR, with respective RMSE values of 0.12 and 0.11). Viticanopy appears promising for assessing the PAI (plant area index) and FCOVER for orchards with grassed inter-rows, showing significant correlations with the Sentinel 2 LAI (R² of 0.72, RMSE 0.41) and FCOVER (R² 0.66 and RMSE 0.08). Overall, our results suggest that Sentinel 2 imagery can support orchard monitoring via indicators of development and inter-row management, offering data that are useful to quantify production and enhance resource management. Full article