Radicchio cultivation under different sprinkler irrigation systems

Gun sprinklers were commonly used in Italy to irrigate Radicchio. Although this high-pressure irrigation system allows large areas to be irrigated in a short time, it has some major disadvantages. Disadvantages include the impact of the drops on the soil and crop can be very strong, the high volume of water used tends to increase water use and runoff and water distribution uniformity is low. A 3-year experiment was conducted in North-East Italy in order to evaluate the possibility of using a mini-sprinkler irrigation system with low-volume application rates. The use of mini-sprinkler resulted in a higher distribution uniformity, higher Christiansen uniformity coefficient and a higher water use efficiency. Energy cost was also lower when the mini-sprinkler system was used for irrigation as compared to the irrigation gun system. Radicchio head weight and marketable yield were higher when plants were irrigated with the mini-sprinkler as compared to those irrigated with the irrigation gun. Therefore, the use of mini-sprinklers resulted in not only a reduction in water use and energy cost but also an increase in radicchio production

Effect of Vegetative Propagation Materials on Globe Artichoke Production in Semi-Arid Developing Countries: Agronomic, Marketable and Qualitative Traits

Abstract: In Tunisia, globe artichoke is mainly propagated by underground dormant axillary buds (ovoli), which are removed from the field in August during the quiescence period. The high cost of in vitro-plants and the absence of specialized nurseries were among the reasons for the rise of heterogeneity and spread of diseases. The aim was to help farmers to improve artichoke yield and quality by ameliorating their vegetative propagation technique with low cost methods. Three plant cuttings management methods were tested: summer ovoli (T0); spring offshoots nursery\u2019s cuttings forced to pass a vegetative rest period by stopping irrigation (T1); and offshoots nursery\u2019s cuttings not forced (T2). The cuttings management can affect both yield and qualitative traits of artichoke. T1 nursery plants produced the heaviest primary heads, 7% and 23% higher than T2 and T0, respectively. T1 plants exhibited the highest yield during the harvest season, with +17.7% and +12.2% compared to T0 and T2, respectively. T0 and T1 showed the highest total antioxidant capacity and inulin content; the propagation method also affected the short-chain sugars ratio. T1 is a viable and sustainable alternative to the traditional one that does not heavily impact on growing costs and improves yield and quality of artichoke

Influence of the forcing process on some qualitative aspects in radicchio "Rosso di Treviso tardivo" (Cichorium intybus L., group rubifolium). 1. Nitrate, nitrite and organic nitrogen

Radicchio "Rosso di Treviso tardivo" (Cichorium intybus L., group rubifolium), a typical vegetable of north-eastern Italy, has gained increasing commercial interest in recent years due to its particular shape and culinary features. These properties are obtained by a forcing process that could affect nitrate and dangerous nitrite contents in the edible product. The experiment was conducted in Veneto (north-eastern Italy, 45°36'N; 12°10'E) with plants grown in a loamy soil and analyzed at harvest and during the forcing process (0-10 and 20 forcing days-FD). Results showed that nitrate and nitrite contents in edible portions never exceed the most restrictive EU limits. A continuous reduction in NO3 content was observed during the forcing process, while NO2 showed a peak at 10 FD. Organic N significantly increased during the forcing process due to NO2 reduction. From a nutritional point of view these results further demonstrate that this type of radicchio is a healthy vegetable for the consumers

Influencia de la fertilización en el crecimiento de radicchio "Rosso di Chioggia" cultivado en dos ambientes diferentes

Este trabajo evalúa la influencia de la fertilización en radicchio tipo "Rosso de Chioggia" (precocidad media) sobre algunos índices de crecimiento. Se realizaron ensayos durante dos campañas en Rovigo (Italia) y una en Mendoza (Argentina), aplicándose dosis crecientes de NPK, identificadas como N0P0K0, N1P1K1, N2P2K2, en Mendoza y en Rovigo, además, N3P2K2. Durante el cultivo se calcularon índices de crecimiento como: relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf weigh ratio (LWR), crop growth ratio (CGR), leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD). En Mendoza, el CGR estuvo fuertemente influenciado por NAR desde el trasplante hasta alcanzar 776 grados días (GDD); desde 1052 a 1653 GDD el CGR fue afectado por el LAI el cual aumentó marcadamente debido a las condiciones ambientales favorables. Entre los 1052 y 1653 GDD el incremento del LAI determinó una reducción en la eficiencia fotosintética. En Rovigo, la tendencia de los índices fue disímil en los dos años, encontrándose respuestas diferentes en LAR y en SLA. En el segundo año, el CGR siempre arrojó valores más altos, mientras que NAR no difirió en ninguno de los años. En la segunda mitad del ciclo, CGR estuvo fuertemente asociado a una menor eficiencia fotosintética, debido a la formación de la cabeza. Valores elevados de LAI indicaron una extensión del ciclo, retrasando la formación de la cabeza. Las plantas alcanzaron la madurez comercial con LWR entre 0,35 - 0,40 g g-1. En ambos ambientes, no se observó claramente el efecto de la fertilización sobre los índices; si bien las dosis más altas mostraron mayor actividad de crecimiento en las etapas tempranas.This study evaluated the influence of fertilization on some growth indexes in radicchio "Rosso di Chioggia". The trial was conducted in Rovigo (Italy) for two years and in Mendoza (Argentina) for one year. Increasing doses of macronutrients were considered, identified as N0P0K0, N1P1K1, N2P2K2 and, only in Rovigo, N3P2K2. Some indexes related to growth analysis: relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf weigh ratio (LWR), crop growth ratio (CGR), leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) were calculated during the growing cycle. At Mendoza CGR was strongly influenced by NAR from transplant until 776 growth degree days (GDD). After that moment, CGR was affected by LAI that increased markedly due to favourable environmental conditions. From 1052 to 1653 GDD the high increase of LAI determined a reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. At Rovigo the trends in index values showed differences between the two years considered, especially in LAR and SLA. In the second year CGR had always higher values; mainly due to higher LAI values, since NAR did not differ significantly during the years. In the second half of the growing cycle, CGR was instead strongly linked to a contraction of photosynthetic effectiveness, due to head formation. High LAI values showed a growing cycle extension to the detriment of early head formation. It was also observed that when LWR is around 0.35 - 0.40 g g-1, the plant reaches marketable maturation and is ready to be harvested. In both environments, no clear effects of fertilization were observed on the growth indexes. In any case highly fertilized plants showed higher growing activity especially at the beginning of the growing cycle.Fil: Filippini, María Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ingeniería AgrícolaFil: Nicoletto, Carlo. Università degli Studi di Padova (Italia). Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-ForestaliFil: Sambo, Paolo. Università degli Studi di Padova (Italia). Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-ForestaliFil: Cavagnaro, Juan Bruno. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ciencias BiológicasFil: Pimpini, Ferdinando. Università degli Studi di Padova (Italia). Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestal

The use of organic biostimulants in hot pepper plants to help low input sustainable agriculture

Background World demand for agricultural products is increasing. New insights are required in order to achieve sufficient and sustainable yields to meet global food request. Chemical fertilizers have been studied for almost 200 years, and it is unlikely that they could be improved. However, to produce food for a growing world population, various methods to increase the efficiency of chemical fertilizers are investigated. One approach to increasing crop productivity is the development of environment-friendly organic products named biostimulants which stimulate plant growth by enhancing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers. Most studies have tested these products in short-term experiments, but little information is available on their effect on plants at the maturity stage of growth. On this account, this paper focuses on the effects of two biostimulants, red grape skin extract (RG) and alfalfa hydrolyzate (AH), throughout the entire plant development

Extension of aquaponic water use for NFT baby-leaf production : mizuna and rocket salad

Aquaponics is a recirculating technology that combines aquaculture with hydroponics. It allows nutrients from fish waste to feed plants and thus saves water and nutrients. However, there is a mismatch between the nutrients provided by the fish waste and plant needs. Because of this, some nutrients, notably N, tend to accumulate in the aquaponic water (APW or AP water). The aim of this study was to investigate how APW, which is depleted of P and K but still rich in N, could be further utilized. APW was used in a mesocosm and compared with APW from the same source that had been supplemented with macro-nutrients (complemented AP water or CAPW) and a hydroponic control (HC). Mizuna (M) and rocket salad (R) were used as short-cycle vegetable crops in a NFT system. The results revealed that the low production potential of APW was mainly caused by the lack of P and K. If these were supplemented, the yields were comparable to those in the HC. M yield in CAPW was significantly higher than that of HC, probably due to biostimulant effects connected to the organic components in the water as a result of fish farming. Water type, cultivation density, and intercropping significantly influenced the qualitative characteristics of the crop in terms of antioxidant compounds and minerals. Nitrate content in vegetables was lower than European regulation limits. The extended use of APW is viable if the missing nutrients are supplemented; this could be a strategy to increase the efficiency of water and nitrogen use, while further reducing environmental impact

Vegetable intercropping in a small-scale aquaponic system

This paper reports the results of the first study of an aquaponic system for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus production that uses Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Cichorium intybus L. rubifolium group (red chicory) intercropping in the hydroponic section. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, W\ue4denswil, Switzerland, using nine small-scale aquaponic systems (each approximately 400 L), with the nutrient film technique (NFT). The intercropping of vegetables did not influence the water temperature, pH, electric conductivity (EC), oxidation\u2013reduction potential, nor O2 content. Intercropping with red chicory increased the lettuce sugar content (+16.0% and +25.3% for glucose and fructose, respectively) and reduced the lettuce caffeic acid content ( 1216.8%). In regards to bitter taste compounds (sesquiterpene lactones), intercropping reduced the concentrations of dihydro-lactucopicrin + lactucopicrin ( 1242.0%) in lettuce, and dihydro-lactucopicrin + lactucopicrin ( 1222.0%) and 8-deoxy\u2013lactucin + dihydro-lactucopicrin oxalate ( 1218.7%) in red chicory, whereas dihydro-lactucin content increased (+40.6%) in red chicory in regards to monoculture. A significantly higher organic nitrogen content was found in the lettuce (3.9%) than in the red chicory biomass (3.4%), following the intercropping treatment. Anion and cation contents in vegetables were affected by species (Cl 12, NO3 12, PO43 12, SO42 12, and Ca2+), intercropping (K+ and Mg2+), and species 7 intercropping interactions (NO2 12 and NH4+). Experimental treatments (monoculture vs intercropping and distance from NFT inlet) did not exert significant effects on leaf SPAD (index of relative chlorophyll content) values, whereas the red coloration of the plants increased from the inlet to the outlet of the NFT channel. Intercropping of lettuce and red chicory affected the typical taste of these vegetables by increasing the sweetness of lettuce and changing the ratio among bitter taste compounds in red chicory. These results suggest intercropping as a possible solution for improving vegetable quality in aquaponics. Although the results are interesting, they have been obtained in a relatively short period, thus investigations for longer periods are necessary to confirm these findings. Further studies are also needed to corroborate the positive effect of the presence of red chicory in the system on fish production parameters

Caracterização antioxidante de diferentes variedades crioulas de brócolis italiano

ABSTRACT: The Brassicaceae plants are among the most consumed vegetables in the world. They feature a large biodiversity, in which landraces and primitive cultivars still play a major role on the cultivation systems of many countries. Brassicas and especially broccoli are closely linked to antioxidant compounds that play a key role for human health. This experiment aimed to characterize some Italian unknown broccoli landraces from the antioxidant point of view. Five landraces named BF, BF4, BFT, BB and BS were evaluated. The total antioxidant properties of broccoli were significantly different among ecotypes and the higher values were recorded in BS and BF4. Total phenols showed the higher values in BF4 and concerning the ascorbic acid content found in the different ecotypes results can be summarized in three groups: the first one is represented by BB with higher values, the second one by BF4 and BS and then BF and BFT. BB represented the lower amount of hydroxycinnamic acids, whereas BF4 showed quite higher sulforaphane content (+95%) than other cultivars. The high content of phenolic acids, vitamin C and antioxidant compounds make these broccoli landraces, still little known, an important natural source of dietary antioxidant