Integration of biocontrol agents and food-grade additives for enhancing protection of stored apples from Penicillium expansum.

Forty-nine compounds currently used as additives in foods were tested in combination with three biocontrol agents, the yeasts Rhodotorula glutinis, Cryptococcus laurentii, and the yeastlike fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, to increase their antagonistic activity against Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold on apples. Twelve additives dramatically improved the antagonistic activity of one or more of the tested biocontrol agents. In a two-way factorial experiment with these selected additives the percentage of P. expansum rots on apples was significantly influenced by the antagonist and the additive as well as by their interaction. The combination of the biocontrol agents and some additives resulted in a significantly higher activity with respect to the single treatments applied separately, producing additive or synergistic effects. Some of the selected additives combined with a low yeast concentration (106 cells per ml) had comparable or higher efficacy than the biocontrol agents applied alone at a 100-fold higher concentration (10(8) cells per ml). Some organic and inorganic calcium salts, natural gums, and some antioxidants displayed the best results. In general, the effect of each additive was specific to the biocontrol isolate used in the experiments. Possible mechanisms involved in the activity of these beneficial additives and their potential application in effective formulations of postharvest biofungicides are discussed

Mechanized Harvesting of Eucalypt Coppice for Biomass Production Using High Mechanization Level

The main aims of this study were to determine the productivity, profitability and energy balance (output/input) of mechanized harvesting applied to a eucalyptus plantation in central Italy. The study area was located in Rome, at an altitude of 35 m a.s.l., on a flat, even site (average slope gradient 3%). The stand was a eucalypt coppice (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) harvested for the first time in 2000. The planting pattern was square with 3 m among stumps (1111 trees ha–1). By 2009, insect (Phorachantha semipunctata) attacks had reduced stump density to 592 stumps ha–1. The work system applied was theWhole Tree System(WTS) and the final assortement chips for energy.Machine rateswere calculated using coefficients and mathematical formulas extracted from themain methodologies proposed by different authors. Energy balance was estimated with the Gross Energy Requirements (GER) method. In these plantations, mechanized harvesting seems most appropriate: this is demonstrated by the high productivity recorded (PSH15 6.5 td.w. h–1 worker–1) and by the favorable energy balance (output/input 23.8, 95.8% system efficiency). However harvesting cost is still high (44.30 € tf.w. –1) and can only be reduced through careful operational planning

Skidding operations in thinning and shelterwood cut of mixed stands– Work productivity, energy inputs and emissions

The present study was conducted on the slopes of the Bilogora mountain in the central region of Croatia. Logging operations were performed at two felling sites with two different silviculturual treatments: thinning was performed at worksite A, and a regeneration cut was performed at worksite B. A half-length harvesting method and the skidding of half-processed wood assortments were used in the study areas. At both sites, the timber extraction was performed by a rubber-tired mini- skidder (Ecotrac 55V, Hittner tractors, Bjelovar – Croatia). The main aims of the present study were to provide limited but significant data regarding the experiences related to working times, productivity, energy inputs, and greenhouse gasses(GHG) emissions for timber extraction using a skidder. This skidder was an average, compact and highly specialised machine, and, as shown by previous studies, this mini-skidder can effectively replace forestry-fitted crawler tractors, common agricultural tractors and cable yarders under particular conditions. In the context of small-scale forestry this mini-skidder as when compared with common agricultural tractor or forestry-fitted tractors, is more environmentally friendly in terms of energy inputs and GHG emissions during the wood extraction operation. In addition, the most important parameters that affect the use of a similar machine during wood extraction were evaluated in the present work. The average extraction net (PSH0) productivities (m3h−1) were 3.20 m3h−1 for worksite A and 4.95 m3h−1 for worksite B. The energy consumptions were 113.4 MJ m−3 for worksite A and 56.1 MJ m−3 for worksite B. Lower pollutant emission values were calculated for worksite B. At worksite B, the minimum value of CO2 emissions on the environment caused by the skidding operation was determine