Interactive Effects of Genotype and Molybdenum Supply on Yield and Overall Fruit Quality of Tomato

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for plant growth, development, and production. However, there is little known about the function and effects of molybdenum in tomato plants. The present study assessed the influences of different Mo concentrations on four tomato F1 hybrids (“Bybal” F1, “Tyty” F1, “Paride” F1, and “Ornela” F1) grown using a soilless system with different Mo levels [0.0, 0.5 (standard NS), 2.0, and 4.0 μmol L−1, respectively]. The crop yield, plant vigor, fruit skin color, TA, fruit water content as well as the accumulation of SSC, and some antioxidant compounds such as lycopene, polyphenols and ascorbic acid were evaluated. The minerals concentration, including nitrogen (N), Mo, iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), were measured in tomato fruits. Results revealed that tomato plants grown with 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 compared to plants grown with 0.5 μmol Mo L−1 incurred a significant increase of total yield by 21.7%, marketable yield by 9.1%, aboveground biomass by 16.7%, plant height at 50 DAT by 6.5%, polyphenol content by 3.5%, ascorbic acid by 1.0%, SSC by 3.5%, N fruit content by 24.8%, Mo fruit content by 20.0%, and Fe fruit content by 60.5%. However, the Mo concentration did not significantly influence the average fruit weight, b* fruit skin color coordinate and TA. Furthermore, tomato fruits from plants grown with 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 showed a lower Cu fruit content (16.1%) than fruits from plants grown with 0.5 μmol Mo L−1 (standard NS). Consequently, our study highlights the different behavior of the tomato genotypes tested when subjected to different levels of Mo concentration in the nutrient solution. Nevertheless, taking all in consideration our results clearly suggest that a Mo fertilization of 2.0 μmol Mo L−1 effectively enhance crop performance and overall fruit quality of tomato

The Bortoluzzi Mud Volcano (Ionian Sea, Italy) and its potential for tracking the seismic cycle of active faults

The Ionian Sea in southern Italy is at the center of active interaction and convergence between the Eurasian and African–Adriatic plates in the Mediterranean. This area is seismically active with instrumentally and/or historically recorded Mw > 7:0 earthquakes, and it is affected by recently discovered long strike-slip faults across the active Calabrian accretionary wedge. Many mud volcanoes occur on top of the wedge. A recently discovered one (called the Bortoluzzi Mud Volcano or BMV) was surveyed during the Seismofaults 2017 cruise (May 2017). Bathymetric backscatter surveys, seismic reflection profiles, geochemical and earthquake data, and a gravity core are used here to geologically, geochemically, and geophysically characterize this structure. The BMV is a circular feature ' 22m high and ' 1100m in diameter with steep slopes (up to a dip of 22 ). It sits atop the Calabrian accretionary wedge and a system of flowerlike oblique-slip faults that are probably seismically active as demonstrated by earthquake hypocentral and focal data. Geochemistry of water samples from the seawater column on top of the BMV shows a significant contamination of the bottom waters from saline (evaporite-type) CH4-dominated crustalderived fluids similar to the fluids collected from a mud volcano located on the Calabria mainland over the same accretionary wedge. These results attest to the occurrence of open crustal pathways for fluids through the BMV down to at least the Messinian evaporites at about 3000 m. This evidence is also substantiated by helium isotope ratios and by comparison and contrast with different geochemical data from three seawater columns located over other active faults in the Ionian Sea area. One conclusion is that the BMV may be useful for tracking the seismic cycle of active faults through geochemical monitoring. Due to the widespread diffusion of mud volcanoes in seismically active settings, this study contributes to indicating a future path for the use of mud volcanoes in the monitoring and mitigation of natural hazards.Published1-233SR TERREMOTI - Attività dei CentriJCR Journa

Effects on the quality and nutritional traits of wood strawberry fruits in Sicily.

In Sicily, the common woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is spontaneous in the Madonie Mountains (554 m a.s.l.), Nebrodi Mountains (850 m) and Mount Etna (900 m). In this region, the main clone cultivated is ‘Fragolina di Sciacca e Ribera’, named after the towns where the crop originally developed. It is a Junebearing genotype and it is characterized by very small fruits, globose-conical shape, deep red colour, very soft flesh, strong aroma and flavor. Also ever-bearing clones are cultivated in Sicily where they are cropped for many months. Solid soluble content, total titratable acidity, total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols and anthocyanins content were quantified in berry samples of ‘Fragolina di Sciacca e Ribera’ and ‘Regina delle Valli’ (ever-bearing) grown in two production sites in Sicily (Bronte-Etna mount and Marsala) characterized by different soils, climatic conditions and altitudes (890 and 24 m a.s.l., respectively)

Osservazioni preliminari su biotipi spontanei di Salvia sclarea L. reperiti in Sicilia

Salvia sclarea L., originaria del bacino del Mediterraneo, è una pianta erbacea appartenente alla famiglia delle Labiatae. Conosciuta fin dall’antichità come pianta medicinale, veniva utilizzata nella preparazione di decotti per la cura di infiammazioni cutanee e per disinfettare piaghe e ferite. In Sicilia, la specie, nota come muscatiddaru, si trova “su monti e colli” come riferito da Lo Jacono- Pojero, (1888). Nella tradizione dell’Isola, raccolta allo stato spontaneo, trovava applicazioni in medicina popolare e in pratiche rurali come l’aromatizzazione delle botti prima di accogliere il vino. La sua coltivazione su larga scala risale alla metà del XX secolo, sia in Europa, soprattutto in Francia, che in Russia e negli USA, trovando impiego nell’industria dei profumi e della cosmetica, grazie all’olio essenziale che viene estratto dalle sommità fiorite. In questi ultimi anni, la Salvia sclarea L., sta assumendo interesse crescente anche sotto il profilo farmacologico per le diverse proprietà salutistico-funzionali. In questo lavoro si riportano i risultati preliminari di una ricerca volta alla valutazione delle caratteristiche morfologiche e produttive di tre biotipi di Salvia sclarea L. reperiti in Sicilia, al fine di potere valorizzare materiale autoctono per possibili e diversificate filiere produttive. I risultati, seppure preliminari, lasciano intravedere l’opportunità di introduzione in coltura della specie

Compost di qualità per la coltivazione del peperoncino ornamentale in vaso

In two years (2008 and 2009), the research centre Co.Ri.SSIA evalueted the suitability of compost obtained from organic municipal waste used a growth substrate for three varieties of ornamental chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Research was carried out at the Orleans Experimental Farm at the University of Palermo. In addition to the control standard substrate (a 70:30 mix by volume of peat and perlite), three substrates were tested, formed by varying percentage mixes of compost, peat and perlite. During the initial cultivation stage, chemical and physical analyses were carried out on the different substrates. Subsequently, morphometric data were collected in order to evaluate the plant ornamental value. The research showed that the use of the test compost had a positive affect on the three chili peppers acessions, producing more developed plants with good ornamental value, as compared to the standard substrate

Comparative Study of Different Populations of Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) Found in Sicily

Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) is one of the most popular aromatic species used in Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to its use for culinary and ornamental purposes, it is also known as a medicinal plant for its antispasmodic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and expectorant properties. A number of wild oregano populations were found in various areas of Sicily. Representative samples of the different populations at flowering stage were collected at varying altitudes between 60 and 1000 m a.s.l. in 2004 an 2005. The samples were processed to evaluate the quantity and quality of the production, as well as the essential oil composition. Significant differences were found between the populations of oregano along the altitudinal transects. At the lowest altitude level (0-400 m a.s.l.) the plants had a greater height, dry weight and number of branches/plant, as well as a greater leaf percentages compared to the plants at the highest altitudes. However, altitude had no significant influence on essential oil’s yield and qualitative properties

Properties of new strawberry lines compared with well-known cultivars in winter planting system conditions

In Southern Italy and Sicily, strawberry cultivation is dominated by international cultivars such as 'Candonga Sabrosa', 'Florida Fortuna', 'Sabrina' and 'Sant Andreas'. The primary objective of our study was to compare the field performance of two experimental lines and four established cultivars in a Sicilian representative strawberry production area. The second objective was to compare the fruits physic-chemical nutraceutical characteristics of these genotypes in response to different postharvest fruit storage temperatures. A supporting genetic analysis, via SSR markers, was also performed in order to establish genotype correlations. Our study confirmed the high result of 'Florida Fortuna' in terms of earliness and productivity and the high performance of 'Candonga Sabrosa' in terms of total soluble content and fruit firmness. The new lines 'PA1' and 'PA2' showed satisfying results. However, the new line 'PA2', might deserve particular attention by growers involved in strawberry early fruit production in Mediterranean areas both for its yield performance and fruit quality characteristics. This study also showed that a 4 °C fruit storage temperature treatment for 36 hours positively affects the physical and chemical quality properties of strawberry fruits, whereas overall quality declines at 20 °C storage. According to the genetic characterization, 'PA2' was closely related to 'Candonga Sabrosa' and 'Florida Fortuna'