Characterization of Berry Aromatic Profile of cv. Trebbiano Romagnolo Grapes and Effects of Intercropping with Salvia officinalis L

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are secondary metabolites responsible for the aroma of grapes and the quality of wine. Apart from genetics, agronomic practices may impact the aroma composition and the concentration of volatiles in grape berries. The possible influence of intercropping with medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) on the VOCs in grape berries’ profile has been poorly explored. Trebbiano Romagnolo is a white Vitis vinifera cultivar cultivated within the Italia region Emilia-Romagna. The study investigated, for the first time, the volatile organic profile of Trebbiano Romagnolo berries as well as the possible influences of intercropping with sage (Salvia officinalis L.) on the volatile composition of grape berries. A total of 48 free and bound aroma compounds were identified using solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPE-GC-MS). In the free aroma fraction, the main classes were C6 derivatives, alcohols, and benzenes, while in the bound aroma fraction, the major classes were benzenes, C13 norisoprenoids, and terpenes. The results obtained in this experiment indicate that intercropping with Salvia officinalis may influence volatile compounds in grape berries, an interesting result in cultivars considered neutral such as Trebbiano Romagnolo, providing new insights for exploring the complexity of the terroir and the role of agroecological strategies

Modular sito-specific grassing as an agroecological strategy in viticultural systems

Currently, agriculture is strongly dependent on the availability of fossil fuels, other external inputs and natural resources contributing about one fifth to the global emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There are, however, ample opportunities to mitigate the impact of agricultural activities on the climate. By appropriate soil management, organic and biodynamic woody systems can become quantitatively important sites for the provision of ecosystem services (protection of water, soil, biodiversity and landscape, carbon sequestration and efficient use of water resources), able to actively counteract climate change. The agroecological system developed proposed by the "AgroEcology Participatory Research Group\u201d (University of Bologna), introduce, among the innovative and highly sustainable techniques of soil management, the "stripped" biodiverse grassing, already successfully adopted in Italy and abroad. The system consists in the cultivation, along the row, of legumes and grasses with low water requirements, some of which are self-reseeding (eg. subterranean clover, burclover) and of a mixture of herbaceous species (eg. French honeysuckle, field beans, barley) in the alley. Noteworthy, the inclusion of these species, particularly of self-reseeding legumes, does not imply additional water consumption during the summer period. The soil protection provided by herbaceous species after cutting (or rolling) in the alleys and by self-reseeding legumes in the row, reduce soil evaporation and organic matter oxidation phenomena. Field trials conducted in different Italian farms have demonstrated the multiple benefits of the modular sito-specific grassing enhancing carbon sequestration, biodiversity, resilience and productivity of the viticultural systems

Enhancing the efficiency of solar concentrators by controlled optical aberrations: Method and photovoltaic application

We present a general method, based on controlled static aberrations induced in the reflectors, to boost receiver performances in solar concentrators. Imaging mirrors coupled with dense arrays suffer from severe performance degradation since the solar irradiance distribution is bell-shaped: mismatch losses occur in particular when the cells are series connected. The method consists in computing static deformations of the reflecting surfaces that can produce, for an adopted concentration ratio, a light spot matching the receiver features better than conventional reflectors. The surfaces and the deformations have been analytically described employing the Zernike polynomials formalism. The concept here described can be applied to a variety of optical configurations and collecting areas. As an example, we extensively investigated a dense array photovoltaic concentrator, dimensioned for a nominal power of about 10 kWe. The "flat" distribution of light we obtain can exploit the PV device cells close to their efficiency limit. A significant gain is thus obtained, with no need of secondary optics or complex dish segmentation and of special features in the receiver electrical scheme. In the design, based on seven 2.6 m mirrors, we addressed also non-optical aspects as the receiver and the supporting mechanics. Optical and mechanical tolerances are demonstrated not to exceed accurate, but conventional, industrial standards

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Ecologia della vegetazione di substrati rocciosi ofiolitici dell'Appennino settentrionale: primo contributo

Dottorato di ricerca in geobotanica. 8. ciclo. A.a. 1994-95. Tutore F. Sartori. Cotutore C. FerrariConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome; Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale - P.za Cavalleggeri, 1, Florence / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Characterization of VOCs Emitted by Foliage of Grapevine cv. Isabella for Prospecting Innovative Cropping Systems

Volatile organic compounds play an important role in communication within plants as well as with other organisms. In this work we identified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the foliage of the grapevine cv. Isabella, a largely known hybrid of Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca. Our data show 25 VOCs emitted by cv. Isabella. Different compound classes were found, including alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenes, ketones, and a green leaf volatile (GLV). The study highlighted differences between volatile profiles for diurnal and nocturnal treatments. The compounds: trans-3-dodecene, 5,5 dibutylnonane, ethyl 2-methyllactate, 2-hexanol, 3-ethyl-2-heptanol, 3-nonanol, and 2-nonanol, have not been previously reported for Vitis vinifera foliage. Notably, eight compounds emitted by cv. Isabella, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 2-hexanol, 2-nonanone, β-pinene, camphene, cis-hexenyl acetate, and phenethyl alcohol, are of relevant interest for their role in plant defense. New knowledge on the emission of these compounds in cv. Isabella can help to understand the mechanisms of pathogen tolerance of this genotype and could be an important step in prospecting innovative cropping systems

Characterization of VOCs Emitted by Foliage of Grapevine cv. Isabella for Prospecting Innovative Cropping Systems

Volatile organic compounds play an important role in communication within plants as well as with other organisms. In this work we identified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the foliage of the grapevine cv. Isabella, a largely known hybrid of Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca. Our data show 25 VOCs emitted by cv. Isabella. Different compound classes were found, including alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenes, ketones, and a green leaf volatile (GLV). The study highlighted differences between volatile profiles for diurnal and nocturnal treatments. The compounds: trans-3-dodecene, 5,5 dibutylnonane, ethyl 2-methyllactate, 2-hexanol, 3-ethyl-2-heptanol, 3-nonanol, and 2-nonanol, have not been previously reported for Vitis vinifera foliage. Notably, eight compounds emitted by cv. Isabella, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 2-hexanol, 2-nonanone, β-pinene, camphene, cis-hexenyl acetate, and phenethyl alcohol, are of relevant interest for their role in plant defense. New knowledge on the emission of these compounds in cv. Isabella can help to understand the mechanisms of pathogen tolerance of this genotype and could be an important step in prospecting innovative cropping systems

Effects of intercropping medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) on grapevine cv. Sangiovese berry volatile compounds

The effects of intercropping grapevines with the medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) basil, lemon balm and sage, on berry volatile compounds of grapevine cv. Sangiovese were evaluated under field conditions. MAPs were cultivated in the rows of a mature vineyard. The introduction of MAPs in the vineyards slowed down technological ripening and increased total VOCs in Sangiovese berries. Among the different VOCs classes, C13-norisoprenoids, vanillins, and phenols showed significantly higher concentrations in berries of grapevine intercropped with MAPs. The presence of MAPs enhanced berry concentration of: vomifoliol (C13-norisoprenoids), homovanillic alcohol, and homovanillic acid (vanillins), 4-vinylguaiacol, syringol and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol (phenols) and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (aliphatic alcohols), while reducing the level of p-cymen-7-ol, 1-hexanol and nerol. Data suggest that intercropping with MAPs could influence the accumulation of VOCs in grapevines and contribute to the composition and volatile profile of this cultivar

Evaluation of innovative strategies in vineyard and cellar to mitigate the climate change effects – VINSACLIMA

Global warming simulations predict warmer temperatures and a general water scarcity, which heavily affect grape ripening. The adaptation of the management techniques to mitigate the effects of climate change constitutes a major challenge in viticulture. The main objective of the Project VINSACLIMA is to transfer innovative sustainable techniques to the farmers of the Emilia-Romagna Region, focusing on reducing vine susceptibility to abiotic (high temperature and radiation, drought) and biotic stress. Moreover, the project aims to control the decoupling between berry phenolic and technological maturity, improving grape and wine quality. In 2016, experiments were set on different cultivars to compare farm canopy management with the proposed innovative cultural practices (late pruning, late defoliation, late trimming and kaolin application) in different areas of Emilia-Romagna Region. First results obtained were in line with data reported in previous scientific contributions by the Research Group in AgroEcology of Bologna University, showing the benefits of adopting these canopy strategies. Accordingly, by an appropriate soil management along with suitable decisions on winter and summer pruning date and eventually, canopy-applied kaolin, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of visible water stress symptoms, even during warm seasons. Within VINSACLIMA, dissemination activity was performed among farmers, students and citizens through demonstrative experiments, meetings and conferences

\u201cCONCENTRATORE SOLARE E METODO DI OTTIMIZZAZIONE DELL\u2019IRRADIANZA DI TALE CONCENTRATORE SOLARE\u201d

Concentratore solare (1), composto da un sistema di specchi (2) e da almeno un ricevitore (3), definito per un determinato rapporto di concentrazione (X). Forme effettive di superfici riflettenti di detto sistema di specchi (2) e forma, dimensioni e connessione elettrica di detto ricevitore (3) vengono determinate in funzione di una distribuzione uniforme dell\u2019irradianza