Agro-physiological responses of the pistachio (Pistacia vera L., cv. Mateur) to partial root drying (PRD) irrigation

Purpose: Water irrigation regimes strongly influence the agrophysiological parameters in pistachio. This study aims to investigate the impact of the partial root drying on the yield, vegetative growth, physiological parameters, water status and biochemical traits of the pistachio cv. Mateur budded on P. atlantica rootstocks during the growing season (2021). Research Method: The agro-physiological responses of the pistachio trees located in the experimental orchard of the Regional Center of Agriculture Research (CRRA, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia), were studied. Three water treatments were applied; T0: 100% Partial root drying (PRD) during all the season, T1; 75% PRD during all the season and T2; 50% PRD during all the growing season. The leaf gas exchange parameters were determined using a portable photosynthesis system (CI-340 handheld photosynthesis system, USA). Findings: Results showed the stomatal conductance (gS) of pistachio leaves ranged from 320 to 760 mmol H2O m-2s-1 in the 100% PRD treatment whereas the water regimes 75% PRD and 50% PRD presented a clear decrease in this parameter. The proline and the soluble sugar content reached its maximum value (2.10 μmol g−1 FW and 275.60 μg g−1 FW, respectively) under the 50 % PRD treatment during the month of August. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The 75% PRD treatment was the most efficient as it did not show significant differences with the 100% PRD treatment while 25% of the irrigation water was saved. The partial root drying strategy can be used in pistachio orchards under semi-arid conditions

Selección de melocotón de carne dura con alto contenido en azúcares y antioxidantes

4 Pags.- 2 figs. Contribución de los autores originalmente presentada, como comunicación,en el XIV Congreso Nacional de Ciencias Hortícolas (SECH 2015): Retos de la Nueva Agricultura Mediterránea (Orihuela, 3-5 junio 2015).Existen muchos estudios sobre los efectos beneficiosos que el consumo de frutas, ricas en antioxidantes tiene sobre la salud humana. En particular, los compuestos fenólicos son potencialmente beneficiosos para la salud, por sus efectos en la prevención de enfermedades degenerativas, tales como hipertensión, Alzheimer, Parkinson o cáncer. Por esta razón en las últimas décadas, gran parte de los programas de mejora genética de melocotonero han incorporado estos atributos de calidad de fruto entre sus objetivos. El programa de mejora que se lleva a cabo en la Estación Experimental de Aula Dei centra sus objetivos en la selección de cultivares de melocotonero con alta calidad de fruto y adaptados a las condiciones mediterráneas. Para seleccionar cultivares con frutos ricos en compuestos bioactivos, con calidad organoléptica y nutricional, se han estudiado las poblaciones de melocotonero ‘BabyGold 9’ × ‘Crown Princess’ y ‘Andross’ × ‘Calante’. Se determinaron las concentraciones de vitamina C, fenoles totales, flavonoides, y la capacidad antioxidante del fruto mediante espectrofotometría y el contenido en azúcares individuales con HPLC-IR. Los frutos en ambas poblaciones, son melocotones amarillos, de carne dura y de cosecha media y tardía, con gran variación fenotípica en todos los caracteres analizados. Se han encontrado correlaciones positivas entre varios de los parámetros de calidad y los compuestos bioactivos estudiados. Combinando características favorables destacan por su potencial comercial una veintena de genotipos que ampliarán la oferta de cultivares de carne dura en el sector frutícola español.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el MINECO (AGL-2008-00283, AGL2011-24576) y Gobierno de Aragón (A44). W. Abidi y E. Ksia han sido beneficiarios de las becas JAE-Pre (CSIC) y FMI41/10 (DGA), respectivamente.Peer reviewe

Antioxidant status, biochemical and hormonal responses involved in the response of Olea europaea L. to water deficit induced by PRD irrigation

Changes in antioxidant status, biochemical and hormonal responses, were investigated in three olive cultivars (Arbequina, Arbosana and Chetoui) grown in a super-high-density orchard under partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation. Four irrigation treatments were applied during two growing seasons (2015 and 2016); control treatment (100% ETC) irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration on both parts of the root-zone and three PRD irrigation treatments (100% PRD, 75% PRD and 50% PRD) irrigated at 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration only on one alternated part of the root-zone. The results indicated that the three studied olive cultivars showed a clear difference in their response to PRD irrigation. In fact, PRD irrigation has led to a strong activation of secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties such as pigments, phenols and flavonoids. Other metabolic changes, including the accumulation of soluble sugars and proline have been also triggered by PRD irrigation. Among the studied cultivars, Arbequina displayed the highest levels for proline, total soluble sugars, phenols and flavonoids, and the lowest ones for MDA and H2O2. The increase in SOD, CAT and POD activity and the reduction and PPO activity under PRD irrigation were more pronounced in 2016 season with highest activities obtained from cultivar Arbequina. For all the three cultivars, PRD irrigation increased phytohormones concentration in both, roots and leaves and the highest levels were recorded in 2016. In leaves, Arbequina showed the lowest levels of ABA and the highest levels of JA, SA and IAA. PRD irrigation also induces a higher accumulation of ABA, JA and IAA in dried roots than in wetted ones. Taken together, biochemical mechanisms induced by PRD irrigation were more effective in Arbequina suggesting better protection of their foliar functions compared to other cultivars and its higher adaptability to PRD

Evaluation of Antioxidant Compounds and Total Sugar Content in a Nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Progeny

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of fruit rich in phenolic compounds is associated with health-protective effects due to their antioxidant properties. For these reasons quality evaluation has become an important issue in fruit industry and in breeding programs. Phytochemical traits such as total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, L-ascorbic acid, sugar content and relative antioxidant capacity (RAC) were analyzed over four years in flesh fruit of an F1 population “Venus” × “Big Top” nectarines. Other traits such as harvesting date, yield, fruit weight, firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and ripening index (RI) were also determined in the progeny. Results showed high variability among genotypes for all analyzed traits. Total phenolics and flavonoids showed significant positive correlations with RAC implying that both are important antioxidant bioactive compounds in peaches. We found genotypes with enhanced antioxidant capacity and a better performance than progenitors, and in consequence the best marketability

Utica Project (Tunisia). Excavations in the Phoenician‑Punic city. Results of the 2016 season

Se presentan los resultados de la campaña de excavaciones de 2016 en Utica (Túnez). En la Zona II se continuó excavando en el corte 21 buscando la delimitación del muro perimetral de un edificio fenicio arcaico. Se continuó la excavación al norte de dicho corte de una fosa romana. En la zona I se continuó la excavación en los sectores 21 y 22 del corte 10. El primero dio como resultado un pavimento perteneciente a una vivienda quizá del siglo III‑II a. C. En el segundo sector, situado al extremo noreste del corte, se localizó una posible calle que delimitaría la manzana urbana fenicio‑púnica. En el corte 11 se efectuó una ampliación al norte que descubrió una plataforma de cimentación hecha con grandes bloques, posiblemente para sostener el muro perimetral noreste del templo del siglo IV a. C. Por último, se efectuó una prospección geofísica en las zonas I y II para comprobar los límites de la ciudad y la existencia de estructuras antiguas en las inmediaciones de la antigua línea de costa.In the article are presented the results of the excavation season of 2016 at Utica (Tunisia). In Zone II the excavation went on in square 21 searching the delimitation of a perimetral wall of an archaic Phoenician building. North of the square was continued the excavation of a Roman pit. In Zone I, square 10, the excavation focused in sectors 21 and 22. The first one gave as a result a pavement that belongs to a house maybe of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. In the second sector, placed at the north-east extreme of the square, was localized a possible street which could delimitate an urban Phoenician-Punic block. In square 11 an enlargement in the north area discovered a foundation platform built with ashlars, likely to support the north-east perimetral wall of the temple of 4th century BC. Finally, a geophysical survey was done in zones I and II to check the limits of the city and the existence of ancient structures in the surroundings of the ancient coastal line

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Evaluation of agronomical and biochemical traits and mapping QTLs controlling fruit quality traits in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] progenies

175 Pags, Figs., Tabls., Bibliogr.[ES] La calidad del fruto es un criterio de selección muy amplio en las rosáceas, y los caracteres agronómicos y bioquímicos son componentes importantes de la calidad nutricional del fruto. Los polifenoles, entre otros compuestos bioactivos, son micronutrientes abundantes en nuestra dieta y fundamentales en la prevención de enfermedades degenerativas y cardiovasculares. En el melocotón, los compuestos fenólicos son una fuente importante de antioxidantes con influencia en la calidad nutricional de la fruta. En este estudio, se analizaron caracteres agronómicos y bioquímicos en una población F1 de nectarina (75 genotipos) derivada del cruzamiento ‘Venus’ × ‘Big Top’ y en una población F1 de melocotonero (130 genotipos) derivada del cruzamiento ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una alta variabilidad entre genotipos para todos los caracteres analizados. Los valores promedio para los diferentes parámetros de calidad evaluados estaban dentro del rango obtenido en los dos parentales y algunos de ellos mostraron una variación continua típica de caracteres cuantitativos.Por otra parte, se observaron correlaciones positivas entre los sólidos solubles totales (SSC) y la firmeza del fruto, de gran importancia desde el punto de vista comercial para la selección de genotipos con alto contenido en SSC y menos susceptibles a los daños mecánicos. Los fenoles totales y los flavonoides mostraron también correlaciones positivas con la capacidad antioxidante (RAC), demostrando que estos compuestos bioactivos tienen un papel predominante en la RAC de la fruta. El estudio permitió destacar ocho genotipos en la población ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’ y otros seis genotipos en la población ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’ con mayor contenido en fenoles totales, flavonoides y capacidad antioxidante. Los compuestos volátiles (COVs) como responsables del aroma desempeñan un papel significativo en la percepción del aroma de la fruta e influyen en la calidad del melocotón. En la población ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’ se han estudiado las características de los COVs utilizando el análisis de la Cromatografía de Gases acoplada a la Espectrometría de Masas (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Se identificaron setenta y siete compuestos, incluyendo ácidos, aldehídos, alcoholes, compuestos C6, esteres, cetonas, lactonas y terpenos. La composición en volátiles totales fue relativamente consistente en las muestras analizadas, pero el contenido relativo de los mismos varió significativamente entre genotipos. El análisis de componentes principales de los principales volátiles identificó genotipos que destacaron por su alto contenido en los compuestos más representativos del aroma del melocotón (lactonas, esteres y terpenos). La metodología utilizada confirmó la presencia de dos volátiles (4-Methyl-5-penta-1,3-dienyltetrahydrofuran-2-one y 2,4 heptadienal) descritos recientemente en melocotón.Uno de los problemas más importantes en el manejo postcosecha en melocotonero, son los daños por frío (DF) porque afectan negativamente a su comercialización. Para identificar genotipos con baja susceptibilidad a los DF, se ha evaluado la población ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’ durante dos años consecutivos. Se determinaron la harinosidad, granulosidad, pardeamiento, pigmentación roja de la pulpa y falta de sabor. Esta población presentó variabilidad para todos los síntomas evaluados, aumentando la severidad de los mismos con la mayor duración del almacenaje. Después de dos semanas en cámara, los principales síntomas observados fueron el enrojecimiento y la harinosidad, pero con menor severidad que en otras progenies de melocotonero. Tras cuatro semanas de almacenaje, el principal síntoma de DF fue el pardeamiento. Las correlaciones observadas entre los compuestos antioxidantes y los síntomas de DF indican la importancia y la influencia de los mismos en el mayor desarrollo de los daños. Estos efectos deben ser tenidos en consideración en los programas de selección de variedades, ya que además de buscar un mayor contenido en compuestos bioactivos, las nuevas variedades deben mostrar baja susceptibilidad a los daños por frío. Finalmente, con el fin de conocer el control genético de caracteres que regulan el contenido en compuestos bioquímicos y por tanto implicados en la calidad organoléptica del fruto en melocotonero, se realizó un mapa genético con marcadores SNPs y SSRs en la población ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’. El análisis de QTLs identificó en el grupo de ligamiento 4 (GL4) regiones significativas para los parámetros de sólidos solubles totales, vitamina C, fenoles totales, flavonoides y capacidad antioxidante del fruto. Los QTLs encontrados, excepto para vitamina C, fueron consistentes al menos en dos de los cuatro años de estudio, por lo que se deduce que el control genético del contenido en antioxidantes es relativamente independiente del medio. Estos resultados tienen gran interés desde el punto de vista práctico porque serán la base para aplicar la selección asistida por marcadores en la mejora de la calidad del fruto en poblaciones de melocotonero.[EN] Fruit quality is a very broad selection criterion in the Rosaceae family, and agronomic and biochemical traits are important components of the nutritional quality. Polyphenols, among other bioactive compounds, are abundant micronutrients in our diet and fundamental traits in the prevention of degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In peach, phenolic compounds are a major source of antioxidants to influence the nutritional quality of the fruit. In this study, biochemical and agronomic traits were analyzed in a F1 population of nectarine (75 genotypes) derived from the cross ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’ and a peach-F1 population (130 genotypes) derived from the cross ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’. The results showed a high variability among genotypes for all traits analyzed. The average values for the different quality parameters were within the range observed in the two parents and some of them showed a continuous variation typical of quantitative traits. Furthermore, positive correlations were observed between total soluble solids (SSC) and firmness of the fruit, of great importance from the commercial point of view for the selection of genotypes with high content of SSC and less susceptible to mechanical damage. Total phenols and flavonoids also showed positive correlations with antioxidant capacity (RAC), demonstrating that these bioactive compounds have a predominant role in the RAC of the fruit. The study allowed to highlight eight genotypes in the population ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’ and six genotypes in the population ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’ with higher content of total phenolics, flavonoids and RAC.Volatile compounds (VOCs) as responsible for the aroma play a significant role in the perception of fruit flavor and influence the quality of the peach. In the population ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’, the characteristics of VOCs analysis were studied using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Seventy seven compounds were identified, including acids, aldehydes, alcohols, C6 compounds, esters, ketones, lactones and terpenes. The total volatile composition was relatively consistent in the samples analyzed, but the relative amount varied significantly among genotypes. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the major VOCs identified genotypes with high content of volatiles typical of the aroma of peach (lactones, esters and terpenes). The methodology confirmed the presence of two volatiles (4-Methyl-5-penta-1, 3-dienyltetrahydrofuran-2-one and 2.4 heptadienal) recently described in peach.In the peach industry, one of the most important problems in the postharvest handling is chilling injury (CI) because it adversely affects the market. To identify genotypes with low susceptibility to CI, the population ‘Babygold 9’ x ‘VAC-9510’ was evaluated for two consecutive years. Major symptoms of CI were determined, such as mealiness, graininess, browning, red pigmentation (bleeding) and loss of flavor. This population showed variability for all symptoms evaluated, increasing the severity of them with a longer duration of storage (2 or 4 weeks at 5 ºC). After 2 weeks of storage, the main symptoms observed were bleeding and mealiness, but less severely expressed than on other peach progenies. After 4 weeks of storage, the main symptom of CI was flesh browning. The correlations observed between the antioxidant compounds and symptoms of CI indicate the importance and influence of these bioactive compounds in the further development of the damage. These effects must be taken into consideration in breeding programs to select new varieties with high content of bioactive compounds and low susceptibility to chilling injury.Finally, in order to understand the genetic control of characters covering the content in biochemical compounds and, therefore, involved in the organoleptic quality of fruit in peach, a genetic map with SSR and SNPs markers was carried out in the population ‘Venus’ x ‘Big Top’. Analysis of QTLs identified significant regions for SSC, vitamin C, total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and RAC on linkage group 4 (GL4). The QTLs found, except for vitamin C, were consistent in at least two of the four years of study, demonstrating that the genetic control of antioxidant content is relatively independent of the growing conditions. These results are of great interest from the practical point of view since it will be the basis for implementing marker-assisted selection for fruit quality in peach breeding programs.Peer reviewe