Adolfo Rosati

Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis | CREA · Research Centre for Olive Growing and Olive Oil Industry - Spoleto PG (CRA-OLI)

The plasticity of grain yield components typically follows a hierarchy, with early-forming components having greater plasticity than late components (tiller number > spike number > grain number > grain weight). The first aim of this study was to assess the plasticity of two previously unexplored yield sub-components in wheat, i.e. spikelets per spi...

In 2019–2020, trials were carried out in both intensive (cultivar Moraiolo) and super-high-density (cultivar Sikitita) young olive orchards to drastically reduce early production and, consequently, accelerate tree growth. Different concentrations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0 ppm–control, 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm, 160 ppm and 250 ppm) were appli...

U.S. chestnut ( Castanea sp.) production is expanding as knowledge of seedling cultivation and germplasm advances. Chestnuts have high starch and water content, making them highly perishable; therefore, they require cold storage immediately following harvest. Postharvest spoilage remains a significant area for improvement. Several postharvest fungi...

The estimates of potential biomass production from pruning in olive often follow generic indications not considering varietal differences, training and pruning systems. The main limitation to the valorization of pruning concerns the collection-logistics chain which requires precise starting data, often linked to specific production areas. Tradition...

In 2019–2020, trials were carried out with the aim of evaluating the possibilities of using an organic fertilizer, reported to have a biostimulant action, for promoting the growth of young olive trees. The experiments were implemented using both potted and field-grown trees. The effects of the organic fertilizer were evaluated with respect to trees...

Current conventional agriculture is considered unsustainable and inadequate to address great societal challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, food security, dependence on fossil energy as well as the decline of natural resources and biodiversity. Many of these problems are related to agricultural specialization (i.e. monoculture...

utilization of molecular marker (Rapd) to describe biodiversity in natural polupation of Asoaragus acutifolius

This study investigated the effects of cultivar, fruit presence and tree age on whole-plant partitioning of dry matter and energy equivalents (i.e., glucose equivalents). Young trees of two cultivars characterized by different vigor (i.e., Arbequina, low vigor and Frantoio, high vigor) were either completely deflowered from 2014 to 2017 or never, p...

We quantified the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception in a high-density (HD) and a super high-density (SHD) or hedgerow olive system, by measuring the PAR transmitted under the canopy along transects at increasing distance from the tree rows. Transmitted PAR was measured every minute, then cumulated over the day and the season. T...

Experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the effects of a biostimulant of animal origin, with a hormone-like action, on the growth and physiology of young olive trees. The biostimulant, consisting of a complex of natural amino acids (glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, etc.), was applied by fertigation to both potted (one-year-ol...

Stone fruits of the Rosaceae family consist of several distinct parts, and these include the flesh, woody endocarp, and seed. To understand the metabolism of these fruits, it is necessary to have knowledge of both their structure and growth characteristics. The nitrogen metabolism of the different tissues of stone fruits is interlinked. For example...

The relationship between tissue (mesocarp and endocarp) growth and either tissue initial (i.e. in the ovary at bloom) size or cell number was studied using the olive cultivar Leccino (L) and its mutated clone (LC), which produces tetraploid fruits. LC ovaries were 2.7 times the volume of L ovaries, but contained an overall similar number of much la...

This study evaluated the effects of different olive harvesting systems and fruit storage durations on quality of oils from both super-intensive (cv. Arbequina) and intensive (cv. Frantoio) olive groves. Four harvesting systems were used: gentle manual harvesting, manual harvesting with hand-held combs, facilitated harvesting with hand-held pneumati...

By averaging in time and/or space, models predict less variable light patterns under tree canopies than in reality. We measured light every minute in 24 positions in a grid under different chestnut orchards, for several clear and overcast days. We also modelled this light with a purposely created 3D, spatially explicit, ray-tracing light intercepti...

The successful promotion of agroforestry in Italy depends on both a recognition of tradition and the opportunities for innovation. In Italy, agroforestry has traditionally been a key component of landscape management. Complex systems, based on the integration among crops–livestock–fruit/forest trees, provided a wide variety of products (e.g. food,...

The characteristics of plum fruits of three different species were investigated throughout their development (including over-ripening). The content of primary and secondary metabolites was expressed as amount per gram DW (dry weight) and per fruit in order to obtain information about the balance between their synthesis and dissimilation at differen...

The mechanisms driving drupe differentiation have been investigated in several plant species. Often, bigger fruits derive from bigger ovaries; however, in other species, ovary size is similar and differences in fruit size are determined by differences in post-bloom tissue development. The aim of this work was to investigate whether, in three Prunus...

The perspectives of local stakeholders (SHs) are critical in any research and policy making process (Sereke 2016). In order to know the opinions of Italian SHs on how agroforestry systems (AFS) affect production (P), environmental (E), management (M) and socioeconomic (SE) aspects (categories), an online survey was performed in Apr-Jun 2016. A ques...

A five-year study was carried out in central Italy (Region of Umbria) to quantify the biomass investment in flowering in relation to the total biomass investment for fruit production. In all the years the inflorescences started growing in mid April and showed intense growth, especially in the last 20 days before the beginning of flowering. The infl...

In the original publication of the article, the copyright line was incorrect in Springer link. The correct copyright line should read as “The Author(s) 2018”. The original article has been corrected.

The wild asparagus species Asparagus acutifolius L. is widespread in Mediterranean and subtropical environments, where its spears are consumed regularly. The species is known to have ecophysiologic plasticity, however there is no literature on this subject. This work aimed at assessing the photosynthetic characteristics of this wild species of aspa...

Agroforestry and ecological intensification. The agricultural and forestry sectors are currently facing the dramatic tri-lemma of producing food, energy and wood for a growing world population, while preserving the environment at the same time. Agroforestry systems are able to address those issues by integrating crops and/or grazing animals with wo...

Agroforestry, relative to conventional agriculture, contributes significantly to carbon sequestration, increases a range of regulating ecosystem services, and enhances biodiversity. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we combined scientific and technical knowledge to evaluate nine environmental pressures in terms of ecosystem services in European f...

As regiões mediterrânicas ocorrem na transição entre as zonas climáticas temperadas e tropicais, em latitudes que variam sensivelmente entre os 30° e 40° Norte e Sul, na parte oeste dos continentes (Gómez-Sal, 2000). Distribuem-se pela bacia do Mediterrâneo, África do Sul, sudoeste da Austrália, Chile e Califórnia. Na Europa, a região mediterrânica...

The aim of this study was to assess the sustainability of three different poultry production systems, in order to evaluate their suitability to address human food need, as well as their environmental sustainability, economic feasibility and animal welfare. The three systems compared were: a conventional intensive indoor system, a free range system...

Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AOXA) of olive (Olea europaea L.) sprouts were measured in three cultivars (Arbequina, Moraiolo and Leccino). Olive seeds, obtained by manually breaking whole stones derived from de-stoning ripe fruits, were sown in plastic trays and subjected to cold stratification for 30 days. The trays were...

This paper reports the results of a study conducted in Italy, within the AGFORWARD (2014–2017) project, aimed at promoting innovative agroforestry practices in Europe. Agroforestry offers a means for maintaining food production whilst addressing some of the negative environmental effects of intensive agriculture. This study aims to elicit the posit...

Most farm-based agroforestry projects focus on the integration of trees on arable or livestock enterprises. This paper focuses on the integration of understorey crops and/or livestock within high value tree systems (e.g., apple orchards, olive groves, chestnut woodlands, and walnut plantations), and describes the components, structure, ecosystem se...

In global terms, European farms produce high yields of safe and high quality food but this depends on the use of many off-farm inputs and the associated greenhouse gas emissions, loss of soil nutrients and other negative environmental impacts incur substantial societal costs. Farmers in the European Union receive support through a Common Agricultur...

Foreword. It is a great pleasure to share with you the excellent book of abstracts of the 4th European Agroforestry Conference carried out in the beautiful city of Nijmejen (The Netherlands) during the European Green Capital 2018. The book is plenty of extraordinary information and experiences about agroforestry practices and systems around the wo...

Low vigor and early and abundant production are desirable traits for modern tree crops. In olive, most cultivars are too vigorous and cannot be successfully constrained in the small volume allowed by the straddle harvester used in the so-called superhigh-density (SHD) orchards. Only few cultivars appear to have sufficiently low vigor to be suitable...

This second edition of the book contains 12 chapters, which aims to: (1) to update existing chapters with the tremendous advances in temperate agroforestry knowledge that have come to light in the last 20 years; and (2) if possible, to add new global regional examples of temperate agroforestry. Several changes have been made to the second edition....

It has long been debated whether tree growth is source limited, or whether photosynthesis is adjusted to the actual sink demand, directly regulated by internal and environmental factors. Many studies support both possibilities, but no studies have provided quantitative data at the whole-tree level, across different cultivars and fruit load treatmen...

The amount of shoot stem (i.e., woody part of the shoot) dry matter per unit shoot leaf dry matter (i.e., the shoot wood to leaf biomass ratio) has been reported to be lower in short shoots than in long ones, and this is related to the greater and earlier ability of short shoots to export carbon. This is important in fruit trees, since the greater...

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are used mainly by the juice industry, for which seeds are a by-product to be disposed of, though they could potentially be a source of bioactive compounds. In this work, germination (total germination percentage, G; mean germination time, MGT; time to reach 80% of germination, TG80; seedling shoot length, fr...

The modern olive industry is increasingly interested in olive cultivars that start producing early and remain relatively small, because they are suitable for super highdensity orchards. Some cultivars are better suited to this than others but it is not clear why. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to early production and reduced canopy size is...

Short presentation

Grain size correlates with ovary size at anthesis, across cultivars, spike position, temperature changes, and source-sink manipulations, and it has been suggested that this correlation may be a functional (i.e. causal) one. To investigate possible causality, this relationship was studied across different agronomical/environmental conditions, such a...

In wheat and other grain species, variations in kernel size are related to variations in ovary size. It is not known whether environmental factors that are known to affect kernel size may also affect ovary size, thus maintaining the kernel size-ovary size correlation. Additionally, it is not known whether variations in ovary size in wheat depend on...

The EU is promoting new agroforestry practices to encourage sustainable intensification of land use. Among the innovative agroforestry systems, the cultivation of a wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) in olive orchards as an understory crop has been proposed.

Agriculture contributes significantly to GHG emissions and global warming and reducing its environmental impact is fundamental for global sustainability. Extensive rearing systems for poultry production, such as free-range systems, are considered with great interest due to their positive effects on meat quality and animal welfare and health, but th...

The aim of this study was to analyze the transfer of bioactive compounds from the pasture to the body and meat of organic free-range chickens and to verify the effect of these compounds on the oxidative processes of the meat. Starting at 21 d of age, 100 male naked-neck birds were divided into two homogeneous groups: an indoor group (0.12 m(2)/bird...

AGFORWARD 2014-2017 è un progetto di ricerca europeo volto alla promozione di pratiche agroforestali (AF) coerenti con lo sviluppo rurale sostenibile. Nella fase iniziale del progetto è stata adottata la metodologia basata sulla ricerca partecipativa e le reti di sviluppo (PRDN) per identificare tematiche di ricerca rispondenti alle esigenze degli...

Agriculture is currently facing a dramatic trilemma of producing food, energy and wood for a growing world population, while preserving the environment as well. Agroforestry systems can be able to address those issues integrating on the same land unit crops and/or husbandry with trees, throughout an ecological intensification of productivity and an...

Context The AGFORWARD research project (January 2014-December 2017), funded by the European Commission, is promoting agroforestry practices in Europe that will advance sustainable rural development. The project has four objectives: 1) to understand the context and extent of agroforestry in Europe, 2) to identify, develop and field-test innovations...

Limiti strutturali, strategie di mercato, scelte politiche ed economiche più o meno obbligate hanno portato buona parte dell’olivicoltura italiana verso la realizzazione di prodotti di qualità superiore e differenziata. Per poter fornire risposte a un settore in cui urgono strategie di rinnovamento, questa sperimentazione era indirizzata all’indivi...

Agroforestry systems characterized the country side of Europe until the last century, particularly in the Mediterranean basin where olive trees (Olea europea) intercropped with wheat can be dated back to a pre-Roman period. In Italy olive groves still cover over one million hectares, however because of the low profit, stakeholders are losing intere...

The EU AGFORWARD 2014-2017 project involves 25 partner from 15 EU countries to promote agroforestry practices for rural development. The project adopts participatory research (PR) in order to identify research themes that respond to stakeholder needs concerning different typologies of agroforestry systems: “High Natural and Cultural Value Agrofores...

Agroforestry systems characterized the country side of Europe until the last century, particularly in the Mediterranean basin where olive trees (Olea europea) intercropped with wheat can be dated back to a pre-Roman period. In Italy olive groves still cover over one million hectares, however because of the low profit, stakeholders are losing intere...

We examined whether some agronomical practices (i.e. organic vs. conventional) affect olive fruit and oil composition, and oil sensory properties. Fruit characteristics (i.e. fresh and dry weight of pulp and pit, oil content on a fresh and dry weight basis) did not differ. Oil chemical traits did not differ except for increased content of polypheno...

Integrating Science and Policy to Promote Agroforestry in Practice

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of range enrichment (trees or tall grass stand) on the performance and herbage intake of free-range chicken. This trial was conducted in 2 different seasons (winter and summer) comparing a standard free-range system with 2 kinds of range enrichment: a stand of sorghum (a tall grass) and olive t...

Analyzing plant architecture is important for the understanding of plant growth, branching pattern, yield, and for the development of crop models. In other species tree architecture has been studied in detail, but not in olive. In this species, super high density (SHD) orchards (>1500 trees per hectare) have been extensively planted in recent years...

Book of Abstracts for the 1st European Agroforestry Conference, held in Brussels on 9-10 October 2012

Olive (Olea europaea L.) fruits contain numerous secondary metabolites, primarily phenolics, terpenes and sterols, some of which are particularly interesting for their nutraceutical properties. This study will attempt to provide further insight into the profile of olive phenolic compounds during fruit development and to identify the major genetic d...

Putative biochemical mechanism of secoiridoid derivatives formation. Figure from Servili et al.[5].

Biosynthesis of phenolic moiety of secoiridoids. The biosynthetic pathway for the production of oleuropein and 3,4-DHPEA-EDA in Olea europaea, according to Ryan et al.[8], is reported. First p-hydroxyphenylalanine (tyrosine) is deaminated and oxidised by the enzyme amine oxidase to form p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid. Subsequently, p-hydroxyphenylacet...

Primers used for RT-sqPCR analyses. Primer sequences and amplicon sizes are provided.

Chemical structures of main phenolic compounds of olive fruits. Secoiridoid glucosides (oleuropein, demethyloleuropein, ligstroside) and verbascoside (hydroxycinnamic derivative observed in olive fruits) (from Servili et al.[5]).

Pinoresinol and acetoxypinoresinol content in olive fruits. Pinoresinol (A) and acetoxypinoresinol (B) contents in the 12 cultivars during fruit ripening (45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150 and 165 DAF) were considered. Red and blue lines represent high (HP) and low phenolic (LP) cultivars, respectively. Standard errors are not shown in the graphs...