Hop (Humulus lupulus L.): Suitability of Traditional Cultivars to a Low-Trellis Farming System in a Semiarid Environment

Humulus lupulus is a dioecious twining herb, with an outstanding vertical development capacity. Hop plants are usually grown on trellises up to 4.5 to 6.0 m high, whose management requires intense use of water, fertilizers, pesticides, and labor. In semiarid Mediterranean areas, where native resources are often scarce, the adoption of low-trellis farming systems could be a sustainable option for hop cultiva-tion. With the aim of evaluating hop suitability to low-trellis cultivation in a Mediter-ranean environment, in 2018 and 2019 three traditional hop genotypes ('Cascade', 'Chinook', and 'Nugget') were grown, and their development rate was evaluated and put in relation with the plants' cone, root, and biomass yield. Moreover, organic (fragmented pine bark) and synthetic [black polyethylene (PE) plastic film] mulches were applied on the same cultivars, and both epigeal and hypogeal development were evaluated. The results showed that the faster the growth in the first two phases of plant elongation (up to 50% of the height of the upper wire), the lower the yield in both cones and total epigeal biomass. A fast growth rate was instead associated with a higher hypogeal biomass production. Mulching was able to significantly affect the hypogeal biomass, specifically for cv. Cascade, where the use of synthetic mulching allowed significant root biomass increases. The analysis of the results obtained showed that hop's suitability to a low-trellis farming system is highly variable among varieties in the semiarid Mediterranean environment

Cultivating for the industry: Cropping experiences with hypericum perforatum l. in a mediterranean environment

Hypericum perforatum is an intensively studied medicinal plant, and much experimental activity has been addressed to evaluate its bio-agronomical and phytochemical features as far. In most cases, plant material used for experimental purposes is obtained from wild populations or, alternatively, from individuals grown in vases and/or pots. When Hypericum is addressed to industrial purposes, the most convenient option for achieving satisfactory amounts of plant biomass is field cultivation. Pot cultivation and open field condition, however, are likely to induce different responses on plant’s metabolism, and the obtained yield and composition are not necessarily the same. To compare these management techniques, a 4-year cultivation trial (2013–2016) was performed, using three Hypericum biotypes obtained from different areas in Italy: PFR-TN, from Trento province, Trentino; PFR-SI, from Siena, Tuscany; PFR-AG, from Agrigento province, Sicily. Both managements gave scarce biomass and flower yields at the first year, whereas higher yields were measured at the second year (in open field), and at the third year (in pots). Plant ageing induced significant differences in phytochemical composition, and the total amount of phenolic substances was much higher in 2015 than in 2014. A different performance of genotypes was observed; the local genotype was generally more suitable for field cultivation, whereas the two non-native biotypes performed better in pots. Phytochemical profile of in-pots plants was not always reflecting the actual situation of open field. Consequently, when cultivation is intended for industrial purposes, accurate quality checks of the harvested material are advised

Propagation of Artemisia arborescens L. by stem-cutting: adventitious root formation under different conditions

Artemisia arborescens L. has gained a strong importance worldwide due to its many industrial uses and it has been recently considered as ornamental plant. A major constraint to its widespread cultivation is represented, by far, by the scarce availability of high-quality plant material for field establishment; hence, development of a fast and effective methods for its vegetative propagation is needed. An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of different harvest periods, NAA, and rooting substrates on rooting of stem cuttings of A. arborescens. Semi hardwood cuttings were collected from wild plants in February, April, and November. Half of the material was treated with 0.4% NAA and placed on different mixtures of sphagnum peat and perlite (2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2 v/v) under mist. After 40 days the percentage of rooted cuttings was significantly influenced by the harvest period as cuttings collected in February showed the highest rooting rate, and numerous alive but not rooted cuttings evidenced callus formation. In contrast, the use of different rooting substrates as well as NAA addition did not show any significant effect on rooting capacity. The best results, in terms of root number (4.2) and root length (8.8 cm), were achieved on cuttings grown in a 1 : 1 v/v sphagnum peat : perlite mixture, without NAA application

Adapting American Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Varieties to Mediterranean Sustainable Agriculture: A Trellis Height Exploration

In recent years, Italy’s craft beer industry has seen remarkable growth, fostering the local production of key ingredients, notably hops. However, a research gap exists in exploring open-field hop productivity in typical Mediterranean climates using low-trellis systems. This study addressed this gap by evaluating the productive performances of “Cascade” and “Chinook” hop varieties on “V” trellis systems at different heights (2.60, 3.60, and 4.60 m above ground) in inner Sicily’s Mediterranean climate and soil conditions. The results highlighted the significant impact of trellis height on various parameters, with Cascade displaying exceptional adaptability to low-trellis farming. Key factors like stem and leaf weight emerged as crucial drivers of cone yield, emphasizing their significance in hop cultivation. The distinct responses of Cascade and Chinook varieties to varying trellis heights underscored the need for tailored approaches, offering valuable insights for optimizing hop cultivation practices in semi-arid climates

Variability of morphological descriptors in Sicilian oat (Avena sativa L.) populations

Due to its rusticity and feasibility of use, oat (Avena sativa L.) represents a crucial agronomic and economic resource for many semiarid environments. Presently, the recourse to new commercial varieties has caused a dramatic lowering of areas covered with the traditional local genotypes, and a severe risk of genetic erosion is emerging. To deepen the knowledge about the autochthonous oat populations, an activity of collection and cataloging across semiarid cropping areas was carried out. Sixteen oat populations were collected from different areas of Sicily and put in a field study for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015) in the experimental farm “Sparacia” (Cammarata, Italy). In both years and all populations, 21 morphological characters, related to different aspects of the whole plant or plant parts, were measured as described in the guidelines Community Plant Variety Office—Office Communautaire des Varietes Vegetales (CPVO-OCVV) (rif. CPVO-TP/020/2). Multivariate analysis (MA) was applied to assess the similarity/dissimilarity level among populations, also evaluating the relative discriminatory importance of each selected plant character. Although a strong variability between years did not allow perfect discrimination among genotypes, an association between oat groups emerged based on their prevalent utilization form. Among categorical characters, measurements on glumes and grain provided the best characterization of the populations in both years

Quality Characteristics of Wholemeal Flour and Bread from Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L subsp. durum Desf.) after Field Treatment with Plant Water Extracts

The use of selected plant water extracts to control pests and weeds is gaining growing attention in organic and sustainable agriculture, but the effects that such extracts may exert on the quality aspects of durum wheat are still unexplored. In 2014, 5 plant water extracts (Artemisia arborescens, Euphorbia characias, Rhus coriaria, Thymus vulgaris, Lantana camara) were prepared and distributed on durum wheat cv Valbelice to evaluate their potential herbicidal effects. After crop harvesting, the major physicochemical and technological parameters of wholemeal flours obtained from each treatment were measured and compared with those from chemical weeding and untreated controls. A baking test was also performed to evaluate the breadmaking quality. In wholemeal flours obtained after the treatment with plant extracts protein and dry gluten content were higher than in control and chemical weeding. Wholemeal flours obtained after chemical weeding reached the highest Mixograph parameters, and that from durum wheat treated with R. coriaria extract demonstrated a very high α-amylase activity. We concluded that the treatments with plant water extracts may influence many quality traits of durum wheat. This occurrence must be taken into account in overall decisions concerning the use of plant extracts in pest and weed management practice

Benefits of Environmental Conditions for Growing Coriander in Banat Region, Serbia

As one of the oldest multi-purpose plants (spice, aromatic, honey and medicinal), coriander is widespread across Europe. Although in Serbia there are favorable conditions fir its growth and development, it is grown on relatively small areas. During both investigated years it took more than 1200 degrees C for transfer from vegetative to generative phase of development and over 2000 degrees C for it to be ready for harvesting. Coriander is a photophilic plant, which requires around 1000 hours of light from sowing to ripening.. As for humidity, coriander grows well, if there are more than 200 mm of rainfall during growing season. In 2009. and 2010., the experiment carried out at the experimental field in Ostojicevo (Banat, Vojvodina province, Serbia) monitored the effect of parameters mentioned above on development of coriander plants, seed yield and essential oil content. The average yields of 1866 kg ha(-1) (2009) and 2470 kg ha(-1) (2010), and relatively high content of essential oil (1,06 % in both years) indicate a great potential of this plant species in Serbia, which is, however, greatly dependent on environmental conditions during year

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum L.) as a Novel Multipurpose Crop for Agriculture in Marginal Environments: A Review

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a versatile crop that has adapted to the broadly different soil and environmental conditions throughout all continents. To date, the fruits (\u201cseeds\u201d) of the plant are the only reliable source of silymarin, which, given its recognized therapeutic effects and its many present and potential uses, has led to a significant re-discovery and enhancement of the crop in recent years. Overall, although many studies have been carried out globally on the bioactivity, phytochemistry, and genetics of milk thistle, few and discontinuous research activity has been conducted on its basic agronomy as well as on the farm opportunities offered by the cultivation of this species. However, the multiple potential uses of the plant and its reduced need for external inputs suggest that milk thistle can perfectly fit among the most interesting alternative crops, even for marginal environments. The growing interest in natural medicine, the increasing popularity of herbal dietary supplements, and the multiple possibilities for livestock feeding are all arguments supporting the idea that in many rural areas, this crop could represent a significant tool for enhancing and stabilizing farm income. However, several issues still have to be addressed. The species retains some morphological and physiological traits belonging to non-domesticated plants, which make the application of some common agronomic practices challenging. Furthermore, the lack of reliable field data devoted to the definition of suitable cropping protocols represents a major constraint on the spread of this crop among farmers. This review has therefore focused on updating information on the main morphological and phytochemical traits of the crop and its agronomic characteristics and novel uses. Several gaps in technical knowledge have been addressed, and further goals for experimental activity have been outlined in order to guide farmers eager to cope with the cultivation of such a challenging and resource-rich crop

Biochar enhances root development and aloin content of mature leaves in containerized Aloe arborescens Mill

The leaves of the medicinal plant Aloe arborescens Mill. Asphodelaceae) contain significant amounts of bioactive metabolites, including aloin (a mixture of the two diastereoisomers, aloin A and aloin B), aloesin, isoaloeresin D, and aloenin A. The presence of these metabolites varies considerably depending on the plant’s growth conditions, including the used growing substrate. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using biochar for potted plants cultivation. However, there is currently no available information regarding the suitability of biochar for the containerized cultivation of A. arborescens. A pot experiment was conducted with the hypothesis that biochar could influence the growth and phytochemistry of A. arborescens. The growing medium was supplied with increasing proportions of biochar (1: 100% commercial substrate; 2: mixed 50%(v/v) substrate; 3: 100% conifers wood biochar). Over the course of three years, the plants were closely monitored, and several key growth parameters were measured, including plant height, stem diameter, number and weight of leaves, and the number of suckers. After the first year, the content of selected active metabolites wasassessed. This evaluation also involved a comparison of the respective levels in the leaves taken from the apical, median, and basal sections of the stem. The leaves collected from the median section of plants were found to be larger and exhibited the highest percentage of spikes, epidermis, and gel on fresh weight. As a general trend, it was observed that in plants cultivated within the highest amount of biochar, the leaves collected from the intermediate stem portion contained the highest quantity of secondary metabolites

Effect of Different Parameters (Treatment Administration Mode, Concentration and Phenological Weed Stage) on Thymbra capitata L. Essential Oil Herbicidal Activity

The essential oil (EO) of Thymbra capitata has been demonstrated to possess herbicidal activity and could be used as an alternative to synthetic herbicides with reduced persistence in soil and new mode of action. Nevertheless, it is necessary to determine the adequate doses for its use, the proper way for its application and the best phenological stage of weeds and crops in which the EO should be applied to obtain maximum efficacy against weeds without compromising crop production. In this work, T. capitata EO was tested at three different concentrations against weeds grown from a citrus orchard soil seedbank untreated with herbicides and against three important weed species grown in substrate to determine the efficacy of the concentrations on different weed species. All experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. To find out the best way for applying the EO, it was applied by irrigation and by spraying on the targeted weeds, and to verify the influence of timing, it was tested on Lolium rigidum at two different phenological stages and on wheat at a later phenological stage than weeds. The highest concentration tested (12 μL·mL−1) showed the best performance to control weeds. The more effective mode of application was by spraying on dicotyledons and by irrigation on monocotyledons at the earliest phenological stage. T. capitata EO was phytotoxic for wheat. More trials in different crops are needed to determine the best conditions for its use