Effects of Pre-Germinative Treatments and Temperatures on Tassel Hyacinth [Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.] Seeds

Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. is a spontaneous plant that grows in the whole Mediterranean area, including the Basilicata and Puglia regions (southern Italy), where it has received inclusion in the Italian National List for Traditional Agri-Food Product (TAP). The food and medicinal uses of bulb are ancient due to its antioxidant properties and high variety of nutrients, such as starch, sugars, and minerals. Muscari seed is characterized by morpho-physiological dormancy, and in order to achieve uniform germination, some pre-germinative treatments are needed. In this research, the effects of hydro-priming and osmo-priming, i.e., PEG 8000 and KNO3, as well as three germination temperatures (4, 10, and 20 ◦C), have been evaluated. In general, the average results pointed out that the pre-treatments increased the germination index (GI) by 5% and the germination percentage (GP) by 3% compared to the no-primed control. The germination temperature of 10 ◦C significantly reduced the median germination time (T50) by 5.4 days and the mean germination time (MGT) by 5 days compared to temperature at 4 ◦C. In particular, the best results were obtained by “hydropriming treatment × 10 ◦C” interaction, in terms of T50 (34.9 days) and MGT (36.3 days). This combination decreased the T50 by 10.5 days and the MGT by 9.6 days compared to the “control × 4 ◦C” interaction. Pearson’s correlation matrix results highlighted a significant positive link between T50 and MGT (r = 0.993). In conclusion, these techniques enhanced the germination potential so that the use of pre-treated seeds could be included in a cultivation protocol to improve the germination phase and satisfy the growing demand for Italian bulbs

Wild geophytes of ornamental interest in the native flora of southern Italy

The growing focus on the protection and the conservation of biodiversity has attracted attention to problem of the potential invasiveness of alien species that escaped cultivation spread in various types of habitats and might replace native species. This would lead to a loss of biodiversity and have negative economic and environmental repercussions. The Mediterranean flora is particularly rich in genera and species that are characteristic of different habitats, soil and climatic conditions, and can offer exciting opportunities for innovation in the floricultural industry. In this paper we test the qualitative and quantitative data of wild geophytic species with a focus on the peninsular regions of Southern Italy. Information regarding the attributes of each species was obtained from a number of published sources, including flora and plant checklists. This selection of geophytes belonging to the spontaneous flora of Southern Italy presents a potential floricultural interest in Italy, since these plants could be used as street furniture and for gardens and turfing

Quality Traits of Some Cauliflower Cultivars Grown in the “Valle dell’Ofanto” Area (Italy) as Affected by Post-Harvest Storage

Some quality characteristics of the “Valle dell’Ofanto” cauliflower, that has been recently appointed the certification of collective brand, were investigated at Gaudiano (41°03’N; 15°42’E, Southern Italy, Basilicata Region). Six white head cauli-flower cultivars, characterized by a different length of the crop cycle (2 early, 2 medium and 2 late), were studied. The above cultivars were transplanted in open field at the middle of August 2004 and harvested from the middle of October 2004 to the end of March 2005. At harvest time, yield traits and head sizes of cauliflowers were measured. Among the qualitative traits, color, weight loss, total soluble solids, nitrate and vitamin C content were assessed on the fresh florets and after a storage period lasting 15 days at 0°C and 95% R.H. The “Valle dell’Ofanto” cauliflower was charac¬terized by a high content in sugars and vitamin C, even if significant differences in some qualitative parameters (e.g., vitamin C and nitrate content) were affected by cultivars and crop cycle length. On the other hand, the storage at controlled tempera¬ture and R.H. did not substantially change the qualitative characteristics of the heads, but caused only a slight increase of dry matter and soluble solids levels, especially in those cultivars more susceptible to weight loss

Effects of UV-C radiation on common dandelion and purple coneflower: First results

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light (100 ≤ λ ≤ 280 nm) is a ionizing radiation that can damage living organisms. An experiment was conducted on plants of common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber, T. Densleonis Desf.) and purple coneflower [Echinacea purpurea, (L.) Moench] irradiated with UV-C at different exposition times, under controlled conditions and grown in self-produced characterized compost, to assess the effect of different doses UV-C radiation on some physiological parameters. Trials have been carried out using a black chamber equipped with an UV-C lamp in which plants were divided in four groups on the basis of UV-C irradiation period (10, 30, 60, and 120 min). Non-irradiated plants were kept as controls. Plant photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll content (SPAD) and some morphologic traits were recorded before, immediately after irradiations and 20 days weeks later. The effects on photosynthetic performances and chlorophyll contents (SPAD) were evaluated and compared with data obtained in similar experiments where tomato plants were irradiated at different times with UVC light. In both species, SPAD values decreased as the irradiation period became longer. The two species showed different gas exchange dynamics, depending on the UV-C exposure time. Two months after the UV-C irradiation, plant dry weight measured at 120-min UV-C exposure was significantly lower than the control

Chemical Characterization and Antibiofilm Activities of Bulbs and Leaves of Two Aglione (Allium ampeloprasum var. holmense Asch. et Graebn.) Landraces Grown in Southern Italy

The present study was carried out to determine some biochemical characteristics, in particular the total polyphenol content and the free radical scavenging activity, of the extracts recovered from bulbs and aerial parts (these last often considered as by-products) of two landraces of A. ampeloprasum var. holmense cultivated in Southern Italy. For the first time, the capacity of the extracts of these landraces to inhibit the formation of biofilm of different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and to affect the metabolism of the cells present within the bacterial biofilm was evaluated. All extracts exhibited an amount of total polyphenols not lower than 2.86 mg/g of dried product and revealed a noteworthy antioxidant activity, with EC50 values not exceeding 4.95 mg. In both cases, the aerial parts extracts were more effective than the bulb extracts, which also showed a minor amount of total polyphenols. The extracts inhibited mainly the adhesive capability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, by 95.78% and 85.01%, respectively. The extracts demonstrated to inhibit also the metabolism of the bacterial cells reaching levels up to 90%. Finally, as assessed by the assays performed on the 24-h preformed biofilms, all the extracts were also capable to cause a reduction in bacterial biomass and to affect their metabolis

Effect of irrigation regimes and artificial mycorrhization on insect pest infestations and yield in tomato crop

A 2-year field experiment was carried out to test the effect of root symbionts treatments in combination with different watering levels on tomato yield and pest infestation rates. A split-plot experimental design was followed, where the main treatments were three irrigation regimes, and the subplot factor was the mycorrhizal treatment (two mycorrhizal treatments [M1 and M2] and the control). The M1 treatment consisted in the use of a commercial preparation (Micosat F; CCS Aosta, Italy) containing a mixture of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), bacteria of the rhizosphere and saprophytic fungi, while M2 treatment used only arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Insect pests sampled in the field during the 2 years of experiment were all sap-feeders (Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Frankliniella occidentalis and an unidentified species of leafhopper). Results did not show any impact of root symbionts on pests, whereas water deficit significantly reduced plant infestation rates. Both mycorrhization treatments and water supply resulted in a significantly positive effect on crop yield

UV-C irradiation effects on young tomato plants: Preliminary results

Ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C = 100-280 nm) is strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the amount of this radiation reaching the Earth's surface is extremely low. In the future, UV-C radiation is expected to increase as the result of stratospheric ozone depletion due to atmospheric pollution, with strong negative effects on economically important crops. To assess the effect of UV-C irradiation on young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.; cv Cuore di bue), an experiment was conducted in controlled conditions, using a black chamber equipped with an UV-C lamp. Tomato plants were divided in four groups on the basis of UV-C irradiation time (10, 30, 60, and 120 min), and non-irradiated plants were kept as controls. Plant gas exchange, leaf color and morphologic traits were recorded before and after UV-C treatments. The photosynthetic apparatus was influenced by UV-C treatment, as shown by the strong increase in intracellular CO2, particularly evident in the 120 min treatment (338 μL L–1). This was due both to the stomatal and non-stomatal inhibition of the assimilation activity due to UV-C exposure. In 10 and 30-min treated plants, leaf color, measured immediately after the irradiation, did not statistically change, whereas the 60 and 120-min treatments were characterized by a deep senescence with a general stem and leaf yellowing. The results demonstrate that high UV-C doses determined irreversible damages, both at physiological and morphological levels, that lead plants to death, whereas lower irradiations (up to 60 min) allowed plants to partially recovery their normal physiological status

Evaluation of Resistance to TSWV and Agronomic Behaviour of Some TSWV-Resistant Tomato Genotypes in Southern Italy

A two-year research was carried out in Ofanto valley (Basilicata region, southern Italy) in 2006-2007, for evaluating agronomic behaviour of new processing tomato genotypes resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and ascertaining their effective resistance to the virus. Five TSWV-resistant genotypes (cultivars and lines) were compared in each year the TSWV susceptible cultivar ‘Perfectpeel’ was used as a control. Two transplant dates were adopted in both years: 1) mean-early and 2) mean-late. A split-plot design with 3 reps was followed in the two years. Yield and fruit quality were considered as agronomic traits. About virological aspects, field observations and laboratory analysis (ELISA, IME) were carried out during crop cycles. Phytoplasma infection frequency was also assessed for the same plants. The control cultivar ‘Perfectpeel’ resulted highly productive in both years that were however characterized by low incidence of virus infections; beside, among new genotypes ‘Vespro’ and ‘Suerte’ gave a good yield, while ‘Candia’ and ‘Isi 23259’ exhibited high fruit quality. Virological studies showed that the new processing tomato genotypes were indeed TSWV-resistant. Finally, phytoplasma infections had a dissimilar incidence among plants of the tested genotypes

The Influence of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties on Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Growth,Yield and Quality

Soil physical and chemical properties play a central role in plant growth, influencing the availability of air, nutrients, and water. The aim of this two-year study was to evaluate the effect of soil texture and chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, organic matter, total, and active lime) on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) growth, yield, and quality. Corms were planted in pots filled with seven different soil textures obtained mixing an increasing quantity (33% and 66%) of sand to a clay soil (S1) and to a clay loam soil (S2) compared to a full (100%) sandy soil as a control (S7). A randomized complete block design comprising of seven pots with different types of soil (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7) replicated three times was used. The results showed that the highest flower number (320.3 nm2), stigma yield (2.0 gm2), daughter corm production (7.9 kgm2), and horizontal diameter (3.1 cm) were derived from S3 and S4 soils. These were characterized by a loam and sandy-loam texture, not very calcareous, with a sub-alkaline and neutral pH, low electrical conductivity, a content of organic matter between 5.46 and 8.67 g kg1, and a content of active lime between 21.25 and 26.25 g kg1. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) references, although all spice samples belonged to the first qualitative category, S1, S3, and S2 soils recorded the highest value for coloring power (290.5, 289.1, and 287.6 A1m 440 nm, respectively). The highest values of bittering (109.2 A1m 257 nm) and aromatic (26.6 A1m 330 nm) power were reached by S3 soil. Positive correlations were found both between color with clay and organic matter, and aroma with total calcium carbonate. In conclusion, the assessment of soil conditions is particularly important to obtain the best saffron performance in terms of stigma and daughter corms yield as well as spice qualitative traits