Effects of mineral and organic fertilization with the use of wet olive pomace on durum wheat performance

n/

Effect of mineral and organic fertilization on desi and kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum l.): Plant growth and production, hydration properties, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity

Composting is a strategic technology to convert organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvers, mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. This research evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two chickpea types: desi and kabuli. A randomized block design with three replications and six conditions was adopted: non-fertilized control, two mineral fertilizations (M1, M2), and three organic fertilizations (B1, B2, B3). M1 and B1 provided for comparable NPK amounts. Fertilization and variety significantly influenced plant growth and production, and seed hydration. Fertilization had a lower influence on bioactive compounds. The highest seed yields were obtained with M2 (30–40–100 kg ha−1 of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively. An addition of 40 kg ha−1 of P2O5 (M1) had no effect on seed yield. B1 (10 Mg ha−1 of Bio Vegetal) and M1 led to the same yield, which did not increase using higher doses of green compost. Mineral and organic fertilizations favored hydration and swelling of chickpeas. Desi chickpea showed a significantly higher seed yield but a lower seed weight than kabuli. Organic fertilization, combined with the recovery of peculiar chickpeas, which are more productive and richer in bioactive compounds, promotes a more sustainable food system

Effect of Mineral and Organic Fertilization on desi and kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Plant Growth and Production, Hydration Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity

Composting is a strategic technology to convert organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvers, mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. This research evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two chickpea types: desi and kabuli. A randomized block design with three replications and six conditions was adopted: non-fertilized control, two mineral fertilizations (M1, M2), and three organic fertilizations (B1, B2, B3). M1 and B1 provided for comparable NPK amounts. Fertilization and variety significantly influenced plant growth and production, and seed hydration. Fertilization had a lower influence on bioactive compounds. The highest seed yields were obtained with M2 (30–40–100 kg ha−1 of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively. An addition of 40 kg ha−1 of P2O5 (M1) had no effect on seed yield. B1 (10 Mg ha−1 of Bio Vegetal) and M1 led to the same yield, which did not increase using higher doses of green compost. Mineral and organic fertilizations favored hydration and swelling of chickpeas. Desi chickpea showed a significantly higher seed yield but a lower seed weight than kabuli. Organic fertilization, combined with the recovery of peculiar chickpeas, which are more productive and richer in bioactive compounds, promotes a more sustainable food system

Exploring <i>Aegilops caudata</i>: A Comprehensive Study of the <i>CslF6</i> Gene and β-Glucan

In the quest for sustainable and nutritious food sources, exploration of ancient grains and wild relatives of cultivated cereals has gained attention. Aegilops caudata, a wild wheatgrass species, stands out as a promising genetic resource due to its potential for crop enhancement and intriguing nutritional properties. This manuscript investigates the CslF6 gene sequence and protein structure of Aegilops caudata, employing comparative analysis with other grass species to identify potential differences impacting β-glucan content. The study involves comprehensive isolation and characterization of the CslF6 gene in Ae. caudata, utilizing genomic sequence analysis, protein structure prediction, and comparative genomics. Comparisons with sequences from diverse monocots reveal evolutionary relationships, highlighting high identities with wheat genomes. Specific amino acid motifs in the CslF6 enzyme sequence, particularly those proximal to key catalytic motifs, exhibit variations among monocot species. These differences likely contribute to alterations in β-glucan composition, notably impacting the DP3:DP4 ratio, which is crucial for understanding and modulating the final β-glucan content. The study positions Ae. caudata uniquely within the evolutionary landscape of CslF6 among monocots, suggesting potential genetic divergence or unique functional adaptations within this species. Overall, this investigation enriches our understanding of β-glucan biosynthesis, shedding light on the role of specific amino acid residues in modulating enzymatic activity and polysaccharide composition

Maize Yield Response, Root Distribution and Soil Desiccation Crack Features as Affected by Row Spacing

Plant density is among the most critical factors affecting plant yields and resource use efficiency since it drives the exploitation of the available resources per unit area, root distribution and soil water losses by direct evaporation from the soil. Consequently, in fine-textured soils, it can also affect the formation and development of desiccation cracks. The aim of this study, carried out on a sandy clay loam soil in a typical Mediterranean environment, was to investigate the effects of different row spacings of maize (Zea mais L.) on yield response, root distribution and the main features of desiccation cracks. The field experiment compared bare soil and soil cropped with maize using three plant densities (6, 4 and 3 plants m(-2)), obtained by keeping the number of plants in a row constant and varying the distance between the rows (0.5-0.75-1.0 m). The highest kernel yield (16.57 Mg ha(-1)) was obtained with the greatest planting density (6 plants m(-2)) with a row spacing of 0.5 m; significantly lower yields were recorded with spacings of 0.75 and 1 m, with a decrease of 8.09% and 18.24%, respectively. At the end of the growing season, soil moisture in the bare soil was on average 4% greater in comparison to the cropped soil and was also affected by row spacing, decreasing with the decrease in the inter-row distance. An inverse behaviour was observed between soil moisture and both root density and desiccation crack size. Root density decreased to the increase in soil depth and to the increase in distance from the row. The pluviometric regime occurred during the growing season (total rainfall of 343 mm)-resulted in the formation of cracks of reduced size and with an isotropic behaviour in the bare soil, whereas in the cultivated soil, the cracks were parallel to the maize rows and increased in size with decreasing inter-row distance. The total volume of the soil cracks reached a value of 135.65 m(3) ha(-1) in the soil cropped with a row distance of 0.5 m, and was about ten times greater in comparison to the bare soil and three times greater in comparison to a row spacing of 1 m. Such a volume would allow a recharge of 14 mm in the case of intense rainy events on soil characterised by low permeability

Durum Wheat Response to Organic and Mineral Fertilization with Application of Different Levels and Types of Phosphorus-Based Fertilizers

The use of green compost is a suitable technology to recycle organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvement mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. Among the major nutrients, phosphorus (P) stands at a significant position for seed and fruit quality, photosynthesis, and metabolic function in plants. This work evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two durum wheat cultivars: Anco Marzio and Vespucci. The fertilization trials compared one unfertilized control test and six treatments performed with different types of fertilizers (four minerals and two organics, based on green compost). Grain yield, compared with the unfertilized control, increased with the mineral fertilization by 125.5% for Anco Marzio and 136.42% for Vespucci, while organic fertilization alone determined an increase of 25.52% and 30.92% for Anco Marzio and Vespucci, respectively. The contribution of a higher dose of phosphorus (140 kg ha&minus;1), combined with nitrogen and potassium, favored a further increase in grain production (+9.34%), compared with 100 kg ha&minus;1. The content of chlorophylls and carotenoids was highly increased (5%) in both the cultivars by all kinds of phosphate fertilization, whereas an increase in the phosphate content of caryopses resulted in Anco Marzio across the two years but not in Vespucci. Among the two cultivars of durum wheat, Vespucci produced a greater quantity of grains but with a less vitreous consistency and poorer in proteins than Anco Marzio. The fertilization management also influenced the wheat behavior to stripe yellow rust attack by showing the highest index severity with the compost-based fertilization. The best management of fertilizers associated with the use of more phosphorus-use-efficient genotypes, are essential for improving quality and for the development of a sustainable agriculture

Durum Wheat Response to Organic and Mineral Fertilization with Application of Different Levels and Types of Phosphorus-Based Fertilizers

The use of green compost is a suitable technology to recycle organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvement mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. Among the major nutrients, phosphorus (P) stands at a significant position for seed and fruit quality, photosynthesis, and metabolic function in plants. This work evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two durum wheat cultivars: Anco Marzio and Vespucci. The fertilization trials compared one unfertilized control test and six treatments performed with different types of fertilizers (four minerals and two organics, based on green compost). Grain yield, compared with the unfertilized control, increased with the mineral fertilization by 125.5% for Anco Marzio and 136.42% for Vespucci, while organic fertilization alone determined an increase of 25.52% and 30.92% for Anco Marzio and Vespucci, respectively. The contribution of a higher dose of phosphorus (140 kg ha−1), combined with nitrogen and potassium, favored a further increase in grain production (+9.34%), compared with 100 kg ha−1. The content of chlorophylls and carotenoids was highly increased (5%) in both the cultivars by all kinds of phosphate fertilization, whereas an increase in the phosphate content of caryopses resulted in Anco Marzio across the two years but not in Vespucci. Among the two cultivars of durum wheat, Vespucci produced a greater quantity of grains but with a less vitreous consistency and poorer in proteins than Anco Marzio. The fertilization management also influenced the wheat behavior to stripe yellow rust attack by showing the highest index severity with the compost-based fertilization. The best management of fertilizers associated with the use of more phosphorus-use-efficient genotypes, are essential for improving quality and for the development of a sustainable agriculture