Effect of irrigation with treated wastewater on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) production and soil characteristics and estimation of plant nutritional input

In recent years, climate change has greatly affected rainfall and air temperature levels leading to a reduction in water resources in Southern Europe. This fact has emphasized the need to focus on the use of non-conventional water resources for agricultural irrigation. The reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) can represent a sustainable solution, reducing the consumption of freshwater (FW) and the need for mineral fertilisers. The main aim of this study was to assess, in a three-year period, the effects of TWW irrigation compared to FW on the biomass production of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] plants and soil characteristics and to estimate the nutritional input provided by TWW irrigation. TWW was obtained by a constructed wetland system (CWs) which was used to treat urban wastewater. The system had a total surface area of 100 m2. An experimental field of bermudagrass was set up close to the system in a Sicilian location (Italy), using a split-plot design for a two-factor experiment with three replications. Results highlighted a high organic pollutant removal [five days biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5): 61%, chemical oxygen demand (COD): 65%] and a good efficiency in nutrients [total nitrogen (TN): 50%, total phosphorus (TP): 42%] of the CWs. Plants irrigated with TWW showed higher dry aboveground dry-weight (1259.3 kg ha-1) than those irrigated with FW (942.2 kg ha-1), on average. TWW irrigation approximately allowed a saving of 50.0 kg TN ha-1 year-1, 24.0 kg TP ha-1 year-1 and 29.0 kg K ha-1 year-1 on average with respect to commonly used N-P-K fertilisation programme for bermudagrass in the Mediterranean region. Soil salinity increased significantly (p � 0.01) over the years and was detected to be higher in TWW-irrigated plots (+6.34%) in comparison with FW-irrigated plots. Our findings demonstrate that medium-term TWW irrigation increases the biomass production of bermudagrass turf and contributes to save significant amounts of nutrients, providing a series of agronomic and environmental benefits

Four-year study on the bio-agronomic response of biotypes of Capparis spinosa L. on the island of Linosa (Italy)

The caper plant is widespread in Sicily (Italy) both wild in natural habitats and as specialized crops, showing considerable morphological variation. However, although contributing to a thriving market, innovation in caper cropping is low. The aim of the study was to evaluate agronomic and production behavior of some biotypes of Capparis spinosa L. subsp. rupestris, identified on the Island of Linosa (Italy) for growing purposes. Two years and seven biotypes of the species were tested in a randomized complete block design. The main morphological and production parameters were determined. Phenological stages were also observed. Analysis of variance showed high variability between the biotypes. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis highlighted a clear distinction between biotypes based on biometric and production characteristics. Production data collected in the two-year period 2007–2008 showed the greatest production levels in the third year following planting in 2005. In particular, biotype SCP1 had the highest average value (975.47 g) of flower bud consistency. Our results permitted the identification of biotypes of interest for the introduction into new caper fields. Further research is needed in order to characterize caper biotypes in terms of the chemical composition of the flower buds and fruits

Flavouring extra-virgin olive oil with aromatic and medicinal plants essential oils stabilizes oleic acid composition during photo-oxidative stress

Essential oils (EOs) from medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are well-known as natural antioxidants. Their addition to extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) can contribute to reducing fat oxidation. The main aim of this study was to improve both food shelf-life and aromatic flavour of EVOO, adding different EOs of Sicilian accessions of common sage, oregano, rosemary and thyme. The morphological and production characteristics of 40 accessions of MAPs were preliminarily assessed. EOs from the most promising accessions of MAPs were analysed by gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry. Photo-oxidative studies of the EOs were carried out and the determination of the EVOO fatty acids obtained from 4 Italian olive varieties was also made. EO content was on average 1.45% (v/w) for common sage, 3.97% for oregano, 1.42% for rosemary and 5.90% for thyme accessions. The highest average EO yield was found in thyme (172.70 kg ha1) whilst the lowest (9.30 kg ha1) in rosemary accessions. The chemical composition of EOs was very different in the four MAPs in the study. No significant change of oleic acid percentage was detected in the mixture of EVOO with EO samples. The results seem to highlight the presence of an antioxidant effect of EOs on EVOO

Effects of irrigation, peat-alternative substrate and plant Habitus on the morphological and production characteristics of Sicilian rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) biotypes grown in pot

Irrigation and growing substrate are considered as essential cultivation practices in order to obtain good productive and qualitative performance of potted rosemary plants. In pot growing, the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the substrate must be stable over time in order to allow regular plant growth. However, the effects of cultivation techniques on the characteristics of potted rosemary are little known. Peat is traditionally used as the organic growing medium; however, despite numerous advantages, its use has determined a degradation of peatlands in the northern hemisphere and an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of irrigation and peat-alternative substrates on the morphological, aesthetic and production characteristics of potted Sicilian rosemary biotypes with different habitus types. Two years, two different irrigation levels, three peat-alternative substrates and three types of rosemary plant habitus were tested in a split-split-split-plot design for a four-factor experiment. The results highlight that irrigation and substrate determined significant differences for all tested parameters. Rosemary plants demonstrated the best performances when irrigation was more frequent; vice versa, the greatest percent content in essential oil was obtained when irrigation events were less frequent. The chemical–physical characteristics of peat-alternative substrates changed with decreases in the peat content and increases in the compost content. The erect habitus biotype showed the best adaptation capacity to the various treatments. Our results suggest that irrigation and peat-alternative substrates significantly affect the growth of rosemary plants and should, therefore, be taken into consideration in order to improve the cultivation of this species in pots for ornamental purposes

Initiation date and nitrogen rate for stockpiling semi-natural mountain grassland

Reducing costs in livestock farming can be achieved by stockpiling. Stockpiling is managing a pasture or hay to accumulate forage produced during the growing season to be grazed at a later time. The objective of this study was to identify stockpile initiation dates and N fertilization rates that optimize stockpile yield and quality of semi-natural mountain grassland in Croatia. A randomized complete block design with four replications was applied. Stockpile initiation dates were 15 June, 1 July, 15 July and 1 August. Nitrogen fertilization treatments were 0, 35, or 70 kg*ha-1 applied as ammonium nitrate on the date of stockpile initiation for each treatment. In late fall before snowy period were determined dry matter yield (DM), botanical composition, crude protein (CP), neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) content. Stockpile forage DM yield was generally greater from earlier stockpile initiation dates (2.91, 2.18, 2.05 and 1.44 t DM*ha-1 for 15 June, 1 July, 15 July and 1 August stockpile initiation dates, respectively; LSD at 0.05 = 0.24). Stockpile forage DM yield was the greatest with 70 kg N*ha-1 and the lowest with 0 N fertilization, averaging 1.78, 2.23 and 2.43 t DM*ha-1 (LSD at 0.05 = 0.14) for 0, 35, and 70 kg N*ha-1, respectively, when averaged across stockpile initiation dates and years. Crude protein tended to increase and neutral detergent fiber tended to decrease as stockpile initiation was later in the season. These results indicate that initiating stockpiling of seminatural mountain grassland about first half of July with 35 kg N*ha-1 optimizes stockpiled grassland in the North-West region of Croatia

Role of galectin-3 as a receptor for advanced glycosylation end products

Role of galectin-3 as a receptor for advanced glycosylation end products. The advanced glycosylation end product (AGE)-binding proteins identified so far include the components of the AGE-receptor complex p60, p90 and galectin-3, receptor for advanced glycosylation end products (RAGE), and the macrophage scavenger receptor types I and II. Galectin-3 interacts with β-galactoside residues of several cell surface and matrix glycoproteins through the carbohydrate recognition domain and is also capable of peptide–peptide associations mediated by its N-terminus domain. These structural properties enable galectin-3 to exert multiple functions, including the modulation of cell adhesion, the control of cell cycle, and the mRNA splicing activity. Moreover, in macrophages, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, galectin-3 has been shown to exhibit a high-affinity binding for AGEs; the lack of a transmembrane anchor sequence or signal peptide suggests that it associates with other AGE-receptor components rather than playing an independent role as AGE-receptor. In tissues that are targets of diabetic vascular complications, such as the mesangium and the endothelium, galectin-3 is not expressed or only weakly expressed under basal conditions, at variance with p90 and p60 but becomes detectable with aging and is induced or up-regulated by the diabetic milieu, which only slightly affects the expression of p90 or p60. This (over)expression of galectin-3 may in turn modulate AGE-receptor-mediated events by modifying the function of the AGE-receptor complex, which could play a role in the pathogenesis of target tissue injury. Up-regulated galectin-3 expression may also exert direct effects on tissue remodeling, independently of AGE ligands, by virtue of its adhesive and growth regulating properties

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction, and tissue levels of aspartic, cysteine, and serine proteases in operable gastric carcinoma

A consecutive series of 63 untreated patients undergoing surgical resection for stage I-IV gastric adenocarcinomas (GCs) has been prospectively studied. Our purpose was to analyze the predictive relevance of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), and tissue levels of lysosomal proteinases cathepsin D (CD), cathepsin B (CB), cathepsin L (CL), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and that of the intracellular cysteine proteinase inhibitor stefin A on clinical outcome. All of the patients taking part in this study were followed up for a median of 73 months. DNA aneuploidy was present in 71% of the cases (45/63), whereas 9% of these (4/45) showed multiclonality. Both DNA ploidy and SPF were associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and node status, whereas only DNA ploidy was related to depth of invasion. CB, CL, uPA, but not CD, levels were significantly higher in GC as compared to paired normal mucosa, whereas stefin A levels were lower in tumor tissues. CB levels were significantly associated with TNM stage, nodal status, histological grade, and DNA ploidy. At univariate analysis, only node involvement, advanced TNM stage, DNA aneuploidy, and high SPF proved to be significantly related to quicker relapse and to shorter overall survival, whereas depth of invasion was related only to survival. With multivariate analysis, only high SPF (>15.2%) was related to risk of relapse (RR = 8.50), whereas high SPF and DNA aneuploidy were independently related to risk of death (RR = 1.88 and 2.09, respectively). Our preliminary prospective study has identified SPF and DNA ploidy as important biological indicators for predicting the outcome of patients with GC

The Vehicle, Spring 1993

Table of Contents The Shape of Things to Come.Peter F. Essigpage 6 SaxophoneWalt Howardpage 6 Gravity BedSue Songerpage 7 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 8 uncertaintyWalt Howardpage 9 Ruth Ann, et. al.Susan Eisenhourpage 9 Failed IndustryScott Langenpage 10 UntitledKaren Wisspage 10 wanted:Walt Howardpage 10 Dida; 1978Diana Matijaspage 11 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 12 The Lesson in NovemberSue Songerpage 13 Coal MinerJames P. Tangpage 16 Christmas CrueltySue Songerpage 17 Astral ProjectionSusan Eisenhourpage 18 UntitledBen Hausmannpage 19 Into Zagreb\u27s Evening*Diana Matjaspage 20 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 22 The AnniversaryJennifer Moropage 23 NudeDan Trutterpage 24 death for saleWalt Howardpage 24 JudgedKevin St. Angelpage 25 Nature\u27s RefugeeScott Langenpage 25 Arrowhead Hunting at TippecanoeJennifer Moropage 26 UntitledKimberly Foxpage 27 TAINTED LOVESarah C. Patiencepage 28 cemeteryWalt Howardpage 28 Cow GameSusan Eisenhourpage 29 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 31 ReflectionsPeter F. Essigpage 32 Destination U.S.A.Dan Trutterpage 33 UntitledMario Letopage 33 Authors\u27 Pagepage 34https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1061/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 1993

Table of Contents The Shape of Things to Come.Peter F. Essigpage 6 SaxophoneWalt Howardpage 6 Gravity BedSue Songerpage 7 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 8 uncertaintyWalt Howardpage 9 Ruth Ann, et. al.Susan Eisenhourpage 9 Failed IndustryScott Langenpage 10 UntitledKaren Wisspage 10 wanted:Walt Howardpage 10 Dida; 1978Diana Matijaspage 11 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 12 The Lesson in NovemberSue Songerpage 13 Coal MinerJames P. Tangpage 16 Christmas CrueltySue Songerpage 17 Astral ProjectionSusan Eisenhourpage 18 UntitledBen Hausmannpage 19 Into Zagreb\u27s Evening*Diana Matjaspage 20 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 22 The AnniversaryJennifer Moropage 23 NudeDan Trutterpage 24 death for saleWalt Howardpage 24 JudgedKevin St. Angelpage 25 Nature\u27s RefugeeScott Langenpage 25 Arrowhead Hunting at TippecanoeJennifer Moropage 26 UntitledKimberly Foxpage 27 TAINTED LOVESarah C. Patiencepage 28 cemeteryWalt Howardpage 28 Cow GameSusan Eisenhourpage 29 UntitledJennifer Gutowskipage 31 ReflectionsPeter F. Essigpage 32 Destination U.S.A.Dan Trutterpage 33 UntitledMario Letopage 33 Authors\u27 Pagepage 34https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1061/thumbnail.jp