Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Vegetative Growth as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization and Soil Mulching

Mulch type could have different impacts on crops, especially in changing the root zone temperature (RZT) and microclimate around plants. The aim of research was to determine nitrogen rate and mulch type impact on watermelon early vegetative growth and RZT in order to single out the combinations with the most intensive watermelon vegetative growth in Mediterranean conditions. The split-plot field experiment was conducted during two years and included additional nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and mulches (black PE-film, straw, bare ground). The most intensive watermelon vegetative growth can be achieved without additional nitrogen fertilization, only by mulching the soil with black PE-film or with the least rate of additional nitrogen (60 kg N ha-1) and straw mulch. Due to environmental conservation, especially in karst regions, these combinations should be preferred over the combination with large rate of additional nitrogen (120 kg N ha-1) and bare soil which had the equal growth intensity. Positive effect of black PE-film is the result of the highest values of RZT, i.e., accumulated heat (growth degree days – GDD) during the six weeks after planting. Although the maximum and mean RZT and GDD values below the straw were lower than on the bare ground, the positive effect of straw on vegetative growth can be explained by higher minimum RZT and better nutrient availability and utilization, due to other benefits of mulching such as better maintance of soil moisture and structure

Income increase from vegetable production on family farms in Istra

Zahvaljujući regionalnoj posebnosti Istre, uzgoj različitog povrća, te stoga i njegova ponuda na tržištu moguća je tijekom cijele godine. Upravo takvu proizvodnju omogućilo su pedoklimatko obilježje Istre, koju karakterizira, crvenica kao najrašireniji supstrat i blaga mediteranska klima s toplim i suhim ljetom, te blagom i kišnom zimom. Osiguranje kvalitetnog navodnjavanja tijekom sušnog razdoblja, uz opisane pedoklimatske prilike, osnova su stabilne i visokoprinosne proizvodnje povrća. Za tržišno usmjerene proizvođače povrća razvoj je dobra poslovna strategija. Takvim proizvođačima potrebne su relevantne informacije o ekonomskim učincima proizvodnje. U tom kontekstu, cilj rada je utvrditi visinu dohotka koji se ostvaruje uzgojem različitih vrsta povrća na obiteljskom poljoprivrednom gospodarstvu, te utvrditi mogućnost povećanja dohotka na površini iste veličine (0,89 ha) povećanjem prinosa povrćarskih kultura intenzifikacijom proizvodnje. Nadalje, prikazati dohodak u povrćarskoj proizvodnji ako bi se ona odvijala na 2,0 ha. U istraživanju su primijenjene metode ankete i obračunske kalkulacije te simulacijsko modeliranje. Od povrćarske proizvodnje kućanstva ostvaruju dohodak kojeg je intenzifikacijom proizvodnje moguće povećati, a naročito ako se ta proizvodnja odvija na 2,0 ha površine.Owing to its regional specifics qualities Istria is suitable for vegetable production year around. The area has long and warm summers and mild rainy winters along with suitable soils for vegetable production in open fields. Therefore, the harvest is possible through autumn, winter and in early spring. With available water the vegetable production is possible even during summers. Market oriented producers have good opportunities for business deve-lopment. Therefore, they need relevant information on economic production parameters. In this context the aim of the paper was to determine the income from different vegetable production of in the family farming system and to determine possibilities for income improvement on the same land area (0.89 ha). Our first model simulates income improvement by production intensification, while the second model simulates the income from 2 ha of land. We belive that vegetable producers can achieve higher income by production intensification and laud increase. In the research methods of questionnaire and calculation were used as well as simulation models

Metal Shutter Houses

Movable facade serve as light-modulating privacy screen.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/bcs/1166/thumbnail.jp

Proizvodni potencijal i ekonomska održivost proizvodnje hrvatskih ekotipova buhača

Croatia is pyrethrums indigenous growing zone and among rare places in the world where wild populations are found intact in nature. Aim of this research was to explore production potential of Croatian wild pyrethrum ecotypes, and its use in breeding programs. Three wild ecotypes were tested for morphological traits and yield parameters. Plant height, number of flowers per plant, lodging, fresh and dry flower yield were not affected by ecotype in productive seasons (second and third). However, ecotypes differed in plant diameter and mass of 100 flowers. Positive linear regression among plant height, plant diameter, and number of flowers per plant with flower yield per plant (fresh and dry) was found, but these traits did not correlate with lodging. Even thought no significant differences were found between ecotype yields, financial analysis revealed the difference between ecotype profitability. Positive financial result was obtained in third season of growing with ecotypes 2 and 3. High costs of labour could be the main constraint in commercial pyrethrum production. Tested wild ecotypes, showed good productive characteristics and profitability potential, but there is a need for high yield breeding, and selection for traits adjusted to the use of agro-mechanization.Hrvatska je originalna zona uzgoja buhača i među rijetkim zemljama na svijetu gdje je još moguće pronaći divlje populacije netaknute u prirodi. Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti proizvodni potencijal i korištenje u oplemenjivačkim programima divljih ekotipova buhača. Testirana su tri divlja ekotipa iz Hrvatske na morfološka svojstva i parametre. Visina biljke, broj cvjetova po biljci, polijeganje, prinos svježeg i suhog cvata, nisu ovisili o ekotipu u drugoj i trećoj proizvodnoj sezoni. S druge strane, ekotipovi su se razlikovali u promjeru biljke i masi 100 cvjetova. Pronađena je pozitivna linearna regresija između visine biljaka, promjera biljaka, broja cvjetova po biljci te prinosa. S druge strane, navedeni parametri nisu bili u korelaciji sa polijeganjem. Iako između ekotipova nije bilo razlike u prinosima, financijska analiza upućuje na razlike u profitabilnosti. Pozitivni financijski rezultat postignut je u trećoj proizvodnoj sezoni sa ekotipovima 2 i 3. Najvažniji ograničavajući faktor komercijalne proizvodnje buhača mogla bi biti visoka cijena rada. Testirani ekotipovi pokazali su dobre proizvodne karakteristike i potencijalno su profitabilni, ali postoji potreba za oplemenjivanjem u svrhu stvaranja kultivara viših prinosa te prilagođenih upotrebi mehanizacije

Impact of harvest date on the content of volatile components in garlic

The aim of this study was to define optimal harvesting date of garlic cv. \u27Istarski crveni\u27 by comparing the amount of volatile compounds as one of quality indicators. In total 17 volatile compounds were determined in tested garlic samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection (HS-SPME-GC-FID-MS) regardless of harvesting date. Major volatiles diallyl trisulfide, diallyl sulfide, methyl allyl disulfide and diallyl disulfide representing 98.5 % of all the determined compounds have shown no significant difference between harvest dates. Significantly higher content of the two minor volatiles, allyl mercaptane and thieno[2,3-b]thiophene, was found in the last and second when compared to the first harvest date. Principal components PC1 and PC2 explained 78% of the total variance and pointed to certain relations between harvest dates and volatiles. The technological maturity had probably been reached at the first harvesting date since similar amounts of volatiles were found during the observed period

Morphological and Biochemical Diversity of Shallot Landraces Preserved Along the Croatian Coast

Shallots are a valuable minor Allium crop, and are propagated vegetatively and maintained in home gardens across generations along the Croatian coast and island areas. Shallot landraces growing along the Croatian coast fall into three genotypes: Allium cepa Aggregatum group (2n = 2x = 16), A. × proliferum (Moench) Schard. (2n = 2x = 16), and A. × cornutum Clementi ex Vis. (2n = 3x = 24), among which A. × cornutum is the most widespread. The aim of this study was to differentiate shallot accessions collected from local farmers using morphological markers. Also, the chemical composition including phenolic content, phenolic profile, total antioxidant capacity, and mineral composition, of shallot accessions was compared with that of the local landraces of common onion, and with market available shallot and common onion cultivars. Based on morphological observations and using multivariate classification, shallot landraces were classified into three distinct groups. Properties, based on which A. × cornutum can be differentiated from A. cepa Aggregatum and A. × proliferum, are stamen morphology, stamen length, leaf and scape vegetative properties, number of bulbs in cluster, cluster mass, and bulb diameter. Flower diameter and flower pedicel length differentiate A. × cornutum and A. × proliferum from A. cepa Aggregatum. Significant variability was observed in the biochemical profiles across tested accessions. Compared with the commercial common onion cultivars, local shallot accessions have higher bulb N, P, and K content. The major phenolic compounds identified in shallots were quercetin-4′-glucoside and quercetin-3,4′-diglucoside. Additionally, several other minor phenolic compounds were also identified. Morphological and biochemical profiles were evaluated using Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis. Specific morphological traits and biochemical markers for possible species identification are proposed

Volatile Profile, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of Istrian Garlic Ecotypes

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is among the most important vegetable crops used in diet because of its sensory properties and positive health effects. Local producers in Istria (Croatia) have preserved old garlic ecotypes primarily for domestic consumption. Such ecotypes are adapted to specific agro-ecological conditions of Istria and their biochemical properties have not been investigated yet. The aim of this study is to determine the diversity of Istrian garlic ecotypes based on their biochemical profile for further selection of ecotypes with higher biological value in breeding programs. Garlic bulbs were collected from nine locations in Istria and analyzed after two months by chromatographic and spectrometric techniques. Volatiles diallyl sulfide, methyl allyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, methyl allyl trisulfide, and diallyltrisulfide showed less variability among ecotypes, while total phenolics ranged from 28.5 to 69.5 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g fresh weight. Two ecotypes and a cultivar abundant in phenolics also showed high antioxidant capacity measured by FRAP or DPPH assays. Several ecotypes stood out with higher dry matter content indicating their potential for longer storage. It was assumed that the determined variability in composition could be partly attributed to different genotypes and growing conditions. This research can contribute to the preservation of garlic biodiversity in Istria as well as to the establishment of a garlic breeding program

Effect of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Variety on Leaf Biophenolic Profile

Olive leaves are rich in valuable biophenolic compounds, characterised by high antioxidant activity, antimicrobial properties and beneficial effects on human health. Leaf biophenols are essential for metabolic adaptation of olive to various abiotic or biotic stressors and maintenance of homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of olive variety (‘Buža’, ‘Karbonaca’ and ‘Oblica’) on the leaf biophenols concentrations. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomised design in 3 replicates. Olive leaves were collected in three sampling periods, starting from harvest in October 2017 until pruning in March 2018. The variety ‘Buža’ differed significantly from the other cultivars with its highest content of oleuropein (5239.88 mg 100 g-1 DW) and total biophenols (5943.25 mg 100 g-1 DW). The highest levels of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3.92 mg 100 g-1 DW), luteolin (48.17 mg 100 g-1 DW) and apigenin (7.55 mg 100 g-1 DW) were recorded in ‘Karbonaca’ samples. Tyrosol concentrations were not significantly different between ‘Karbonaca’ (4.79 mg 100 g-1 DW) and ‘Oblica’ (4.96 mg 100 g-1 DW) cultivars, however both differed from ‘Buža’ with the highest tyrosol concentration (6.67 mg 100 g-1 DW). The obtained results showed significant differences in the content of important biophenols between the selected olive varieties. Accordingly, the highest concentration of oleuropein, the most important secoiridoid in olive leaves, in cultivar ‘Buža’ could strongly determine their metabolic response to different stressors

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Vegetative Growth as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization and Soil Mulching

Mulch type could have different impacts on crops, especially in changing the root zone temperature (RZT) and microclimate around plants. The aim of research was to determine nitrogen rate and mulch type impact on watermelon early vegetative growth and RZT in order to single out the combinations with the most intensive watermelon vegetative growth in Mediterranean conditions. The split-plot field experiment was conducted during two years and included additional nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and mulches (black PE-film, straw, bare ground). The most intensive watermelon vegetative growth can be achieved without additional nitrogen fertilization, only by mulching the soil with black PE-film or with the least rate of additional nitrogen (60 kg N ha-1) and straw mulch. Due to environmental conservation, especially in karst regions, these combinations should be preferred over the combination with large rate of additional nitrogen (120 kg N ha-1) and bare soil which had the equal growth intensity. Positive effect of black PE-film is the result of the highest values of RZT, i.e., accumulated heat (growth degree days – GDD) during the six weeks after planting. Although the maximum and mean RZT and GDD values below the straw were lower than on the bare ground, the positive effect of straw on vegetative growth can be explained by higher minimum RZT and better nutrient availability and utilization, due to other benefits of mulching such as better maintance of soil moisture and structure