Citrus Pruning in the Mediterranean climate: a review

Pruning is a common practice in citrus for various reasons. These include controlling and shaping the canopy; improving phytosanitary health, productivity, and fruit quality; and facilitating operations such as harvesting and phytosanitary treatments. Because pruning is an expensive operation, its need is sometimes questioned. However, it has been proven to be particularly important in Mediterranean citriculture, which is oriented towards producing fruits for a high-quality demanding fresh market. Herein, we summarize and explain the pruning techniques used in Mediterranean citriculture and refer to the main purposes of each pruning type, considering citrus morphology and physiology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Factors influencing fruit cracking: an environmental and agronomic perspective

Fruit cracking, a widespread physiological disorder affecting various fruit crops and vegetables, has profound implications for fruit quality and marketability. This mini review delves into the multifaceted factors contributing to fruit cracking and emphasizes the pivotal roles of environmental and agronomic factors in its occurrence. Environmental variables such as temperature, relative humidity, and light exposure are explored as determinants factors influencing fruit cracking susceptibility. Furthermore, the significance of mineral nutrition and plant growth regulators in mitigating fruit cracking risk is elucidated, being calcium deficiency identified as a prominent variable in various fruit species. In recent years, precision farming and monitoring systems have emerged as valuable tools for managing environmental factors and optimizing fruit production. By meticulously tracking parameters such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and fruit skin temperature, growers can make informed decisions to prevent or alleviate fruit cracking. In conclusion, effective prevention of fruit cracking necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses both environmental and agronomic factors

Environmental and Agro-Economic Sustainability of Olive Orchards Irrigated with Reclaimed Water under Deficit Irrigation

This study explores the effects of the adoption of reclaimed water (RW) as source of irrigation in conjunction with the application of deficit irrigation strategies in an olive orchard (different genotypes) located within the “Valle dei Margi” farmhouse (Eastern Sicily). Specifically, the RW was obtained in situ by treating the wastewater coming from the farmhouse throughout a treatment wetland system (TW). The effects of RW on crop water status (CWS) was assessed by conducting plant-based measurements (i.e., leaf water potential, Ψ, and leaves relative water content, RWC) and determining satellite-based biophysical indicators. An economical and environmental evaluation of the proposed sustainable irrigation practices was carried out by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach.The RW quality showed high variability due to fluctuations in the number of customers at the farmhouse during the Covid-19 pandemic period. However, high removal efficiency of the overall TW was reached even if the RW quality did not always accomplish with the limits of the Italian regulations. A strong impact in the variation of Ψ was observed among the olive orchard under the different water regimes, evidencing how CWS performances are greatly conditioned by the genotype. However, no differences in leaves RWC and in satellite-based biophysical indicators were detected, despite the severe water deficit imposed (i.e., 50% of irrigation water reduction). Finally, the results of the LCA analysis underlined that the use of RW may permit to obtain important gains both in economic and environmental terms, thus representing a valid strategy for the olive cultivation

Influence of Different Rootstocks on Fruit Quality and Primary and Secondary Metabolites Content of Blood Oranges Cultivars

Blood oranges have high concentrations of bioactive compounds that are beneficial to health. In Europe, the cultivation of blood oranges is increasing due to their excellent nutritional properties. In Citrus crops, rootstocks play an important role in juice and can increase the content of bioactive compounds. The morphological, qualitative and nutritional parameters were analyzed in cultivars ‘Tarocco Ippolito’, ‘Tarocco Lempso’, ‘Tarocco Tapi’ and ‘Tarocco Fondaconuovo’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla and Citrus reshni. ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla obtained the highest values of weight (275.78 g), caliber (81.37 mm and 76.79 mm) and juice content (162.11 g). ‘Tarocco Tapi’ grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained the most interesting qualitative parameters (15.40 °Brix; 12.0 MI). ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained the most intense red juice (a* = 9.61). Overall, the highest concentrations of primary metabolites were in proline, aspartate, citric acid, and sucrose. The results showed that ‘Tarocco Ippolito’ juice grafted onto Citrus reshni had the highest levels of total hydroxycinnamic acids (263.33 mg L−1), total flavones (449.74 mg L−1) and total anthocyanins (650.42 mg L−1). To conclude, ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla obtained the best values of agronomic parameters, and the cultivars grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained significantly higher concentrations in primary and secondary metabolites

Mango e avocado nuove acquisizioni sulla coltivazione in Sicilia

L\u2019incremento delle temperature rende possibile l\u2019adattamento biologico-colturale. Le scelte varietali e le tecniche agronomiche sostenibili che stanno dietro alla diffusione di nuovi impianti. Mango e avocado sono tra le specie pi\uf9 interessanti nel panorama della moderna frutticoltura italiana. Di seguito si riportano alcune considerazioni sulla coltivazione

Influence of film wrapping and fludioxonil application on quality of pomegranate fruit

Pomegranates are sensitive to low temperatures. When fruit are exposed to temperatures below 5–6 °C chilling injury appears as pitting of the skin, browning of the white segments separating the arils and discoloration of the arils, and husk scald, which generally is more severe at temperatures of 6–10 °C. The main objective of this work was to assess the effectiveness of individual film packaging, applied as a stand alone treatment or in combination with fludioxonil, on reducing the occurrence of husk scald, weight loss and decay. Fruit were dipped in an aqueous mixture containing 600 mg L−1 fludioxonil, wrapped or not wrapped with a polyolephinic heat-shrinkable film and stored at 8 °C and 90% RH for 6 or 12 weeks plus one additional week of simulated shelf-life at 20 °C and 65–70% RH. Respiration rate decreased both in cold storage and at 20 °C. Ethylene production was not detected during cold storage; its rate increased upon transfer to 20 °C, but results were inconsistent. Control fruit deteriorated at a very high rate, due to excessive weight loss, skin browning and decay. Film wrapping almost completely inhibited weight loss and husk scald and preserved fruit freshness for the whole storage time. There was no statistical difference in decay incidence between wrapped and control fruit after 6 or 12 weeks of storage and after the first shelf-life, while after the second shelf-life, wrapped fruit had significantly higher decay levels. By contrast, fludioxonil, both alone and in combination with wrapping, effectively controlled mold development, resulting in 50–67% less decay than control fruit after 12 weeks at 8 °C plus one week shelf-life. Control fruit showed minor changes in nutritional compounds as well as in total polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity, while higher losses were detected in film-wrapped fruit during storage at 20 °C

Bio-agronomic characterization of twelve plum cultivars on two clonal rootstocks in a semi-arid environment in Sicily

Introduction. Plum cultivation in Southern Italy is of great interest due to the possibility of obtaining produce over an extended period using early and late varieties. The objective of this study was to choose the best combination of cultivars and rootstock to make the production period as long as possible. Materials and methods. The influence of two rootstocks i.e. Myrobalan 29C (Prunus cerasifera Ehrn.) and Montclar® [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] on growth, yield and fruit quality of nine Japanese and three European plum cultivars was evaluated. Results and discussion. Four years after planting, the trees on Montclar® rootstock displayed higher vigour. The highest yield was recorded on Shiro and Obilnaya grafted on both rootstocks. Black Amber produced the largest fruit and Obilnaya the smallest. Conclusion. This research contributed to identifying the most promising cultivars to be successfully grown in Southern Italy

Assessment of Chilling Requirement and Threshold Temperature of a Low Chill Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Germplasm in the Mediterranean Area

In temperate climates, bud break and shoot and flower emission of deciduous fruit tree species are regulated by precise chilling and heating requirements. To investigate this aspect, sixty-one accessions of European pear (Pyrus communis L.) collected in Sicily were phenotyped for three consecutive years for harvest date, bud sprouting and blooming to determine both the chilling requirements and the threshold temperature using the Chill Days model. The whole germplasm collection was grown in two different experimental fields located at 10 and 850 m above sea level representing two Mediterranean-type climates in which pear is commonly cultivated. Results revealed a mean threshold temperature of 6.70 and 8.10 °C for the two experimental fields, respectively, with a mean chilling requirement ranging from −103 and −120 days. Through this approach, novel insights were gained on the differences in chilling requirement for early flowering cultivars to overcome dormancy. Furthermore, to better dissect differences in chilling requirement between accessions, the sprouting bud rate of six cultivars was assessed on excised twigs stored at 4 ± 0.1 °C from 300 to 900 h followed by a period at 25 ± 0.1 °C varying from seven to twenty-eight days. Results of both experiments highlighted that Sicilian pear germplasm is characterized by a low chilling requirement compared to other pear germplasm, making Sicilian local accessions valuable candidates to be used for selecting novel cultivars, coupling their low chilling requirements with other traits of agronomical interest

Agreement between Capillary Refill Time measured at Finger and Earlobe sites in different positions: a pilot prospective study on healthy volunteers

Abstract Background Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is a marker of peripheral perfusion usually performed at fingertip; however, its evaluation at other sites/position may be advantageous. Moreover, arm position during CRT assessment has not been fully standardized. Methods We performed a pilot prospective observational study in 82 healthy volunteers. CRT was assessed: a) in standard position with participants in semi-recumbent position; b) at 30° forearm elevation, c and d) at earlobe site in semi-recumbent and supine position. Bland–Altman analysis was performed to calculate bias and limits of agreement (LoA). Correlation was investigated with Pearson test. Results Standard finger CRT values (1.04 s [0.80;1.39]) were similar to the earlobe semi-recumbent ones (1.10 s [0.90;1.26]; p = 0.52), with Bias 0.02 ± 0.18 s (LoA -0.33;0.37); correlation was weak but significant (r = 0.28 [0.7;0.47]; p = 0.01). Conversely, standard finger CRT was significantly longer than earlobe supine CRT (0.88 s [0.75;1.06]; p < 0.001) with Bias 0.22 ± 0.4 s (LoA -0.56;1.0), and no correlation (r = 0,12 [-0,09;0,33]; p = 0.27]. As compared with standard finger CRT, measurement with 30° forearm elevation was significantly longer (1.17 s [0.93;1.41] p = 0.03), with Bias -0.07 ± 0.3 s (LoA -0.61;0.47) and with a significant correlation of moderate degree (r = 0.67 [0.53;0.77]; p < 0.001). Conclusions In healthy volunteers, the elevation of the forearm significantly prolongs CRT values. CRT measured at the earlobe in semi-recumbent position may represent a valid surrogate when access to the finger is not feasible, whilst earlobe CRT measured in supine position yields different results. Research is needed in critically ill patients to evaluate accuracy and precision at different sites/positions

Early defoliation effects on water status, fruit yield and must quality of ‘Nerello mascalese’ grapes

The effect of basal zone defoliation on vines influences yield and ripening depending on the phenological stage and its intensity. Early basal defoliation (EBD) was carried out at flowering on the autochthonous Vitis vinifera (L.) cultivar ‘Nerello mascalese’ grown on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily. The effects were evaluated over a two-year period. In the first year, the canopy retained 67 % of its original leaf area after EBD and in the second year, 58 %. Compared with control vines, mid-day leaf water potentials in the EBD vines enjoyed higher water status throughout the growing seasons in both years. EBD had no significant negative effects on yield but did have significant positive effects on the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonols and total anthocyanins. Yield and its components are conditioned by a number of factors mainly linked to climate and to the vines’ general condition during berry growth and ripening. Even after two consecutive years of treatment, EBD does not have any negative effects on yield. However, EBD does have strong positive effects on berry quality attributes as a consequence of the following: greater exposure of the cluster to sunlight, higher vine water status and avoidance of high temperature stresses in the last phase of ripening during the analysis of anthocyanin