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Nitrogen (N) fertilization is a crucial agricultural practice for boosting production traits
in vegetables. However, N synthetic fertilizers—commonly adopted by farmers—have several counterproductive effects on the environment and on humans. The research was performed to assess the combined influence of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) (Azosp...
Iodine (I) is considered an indispensable trace element for humans due to its capacity to promise a normal functions of thyroid hormones, preventing cretinism, goiter, reproductive failure, and diverse types of brain injury. Vegetable grafting is a technique for securing yield constancy and/or improving fruit quality. The study evaluated the combin...
Vegetable landraces represent the main source of biodiversity in Sicily. Lagenaria siceraria is appreciated by Southern Mediterranean consumers for its immature fruits and young shoots. Plant-based biostimulants supply, such as seaweed extract (SwE), is a contemporary and green agricultural practice applied to ameliorate the yield and quality of ve...
Seaweed extract (SE) application is a contemporary and sustainable agricultural practice used to improve yield and quality of vegetable crops. Plant biofortification with trace element is recognized as a major tool to prevent mineral malnourishment in humans. Mo deficiency causes numerous dysfunctions, mostly connected to central nervous system and...
Since the use of protein hydrolysates (PHs) enhances overall plant performance and quality of vegetables, they might be considered as a toll to face a number of concerns essentially associated to the growing request of premium quality foodstuff realized in agreement with eco-friendly agriculture practices. Molybdenum (Mo) is considered a fundamenta...
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans due to its importance in a number of enzymes. Vegetable grafting is a valuable tool to overcome biotic and/or abiotic issues and to increase vigour, yield traits and fruit quality. The present work aimed at testing both different Se concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μmol Se L − 1) supplied...
Human iodine (I) shortage disorders are documented as an imperative world-wide health issue for a great number of people. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends I consumption through ingestion of seafood and biofortified food such as vegetables. The current work was carried out to appraise the effects of different I concentrations (0, 50, 2...
The vegetable production sector is currently fronting several issues mainly connected to the increasing demand of high quality food produced in accordance with sustainable horticultural technologies. The application of biostimulants, particularly protein hydrolysates (PHs), might be favorable to optimize water and mineral uptake and plant utilizati...
A two-year study was conducted in both spring-summer and fall seasons to evaluate calcium cyanamide (CaCN 2) as an alternative nitrogen (N) source for curly endive (Cichorium endivia L. var. crispum) grown in a Mediterranean environment. Four types of N applications were administered: (i) pre-transplanting base application of 100 kg N ha −1 corresp...
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), known for its aromatic and medicinal properties, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Although the species grows wild throughout Sicily, knowledge of its production and qualitative properties is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic behavior of the species over two years of testing and to character...
The herbaceous grafting of fruiting vegetables is considered a toolbox for safeguarding yield stability under various distresses and for improving fruit quality. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi seems also to be an efficient tool for increasing the assimilation, uptake and translocation of macroelements and microelements, for modul...
Imminent necessity for eco-friendly and low-cost substitutes to peat is a defiance in the soilless plant cultivation systems. Wood biochar could entirely or partly substitute peat as a plant growing constituent to produce vegetables. Nevertheless, knowledge concerning potential plant performance of leafy green vegetables grown on wood biochar is re...
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a hairy pubescent herb known throughout the world for its folk medicinal uses, as well as for many culinary uses. There is still little information on the cultivation needs of this species, especially for its use as vegetable crop and as fresh-cut produce. Hence, the aim of the research was to study the effects of...
In the first trial, we examined rooting of stem cuttings in relation to number of nodes and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment in several Nerium oleander clones grown in Sicily. In a second trial, we tested the effect of different forcing dates and shading on oleander plants for gardens and natural landscapes. Three- and four-node cuttings, rang...
Mycorrhizal fungi are gaining interest in the floriculture sector due to the beneficial effects on a crop performance and ornamental quality. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Rhizophagus irregularis on ornamental quality of Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum grown in two d...
Grafting is generally considered effective in ameliorating vegetable crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The use of interspecific hybrid as rootstock for eggplant may represent a valid alternative approach to enhance eggplant performance. However, studies on the effects of different rootstocks on eggplant plant vigor, yield, and fruit qu...
Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans’ health and the recommended amount (RDA) of Se intake per adult is 55–70 µg day−1. The main source for Se intake is represented by diet, but its concentration in vegetables is generally limited with respect to human needs. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of Se application rate and t...
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 usin...
Molybdenum (Mo) is required in enzymes involved in a number of different metabolic processes, and is crucial for the survival of plants and animals. The influence of nutrient solutions containing four levels of molybdenum (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 µmol/L) on growth, yield, and quality of lettuce, escarole, and curly endive grown in a hydroponic floatin...
Herbaceous plants used in island beds and borders need to be rapid growing, high performing and maintaining good visual quality during the growing season. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi application is acquiring interest for its beneficial effects on ornamental bedding plants. Gazania rigens is a herbaceous ornamental plant grown for its large da...
Grafting of fruiting vegetables is an effective technique to overcome pests and diseases in modern cropping systems and it is often used to improve yield and fruit quality. Eggplant is an important vegetable crop that benefits significantly from grafting. In this regards, the exploitation, valorization and breeding of new rootstock genotypes as pos...
Traditional plastic films are used for eggplant cultivation in open field in Mediterranean environments. However, disposal and/or recycle of mulches contaminated with soil and/or vegetation represent an environmental concern. We compared two traditional plastic mulches (transparent and black polyethylene films) with five black biodegradable mulchin...
Micromeria fruticulosa (Bertol.) Grande is a small pulviniform shrub, belonging to the Labiates, and characterized by twisted stems and pink-purple flowers. Endemic to Campania and Sicily (Italy), M. fruticulosa grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. This specie might be considered an excellent native plant for landscape purposes in Mediterranean...
The effect of cutting length and indole-3-buyric acid (IBA) application on adventitious root formation of stem cuttings was studied in Cuphea hyssopifolia. Softwood terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to three lengths (2, 4 or 6 cm) and inserted to a 1-cm depth in bottom heated plastic trays containing a humidified peat-vermic...
Metrosideros excelsa is an erect evergreen branched shrub native to the North Island of New Zealand which is grown in private and public gardens for its foliage and attractive red flowers. M. excelsa plants are commercially propagated by soft and semi-hard cuttings. Therefore, new and more reliable propagation techniques derived both from conventio...
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...
Six pumpkin genotypes (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 and G6) were evaluated for their morphological, agronomical and physico-chemical properties under ecological conditions of Sicily (Italy). Considering the agronomical, morphological and physicochemical data including fiber, humidity, pH, total acidity, soluble solids, carotenoids, phenolic and ascorbic acid...
Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is a highly infectious potexvirus that causes a severe disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops worldwide. In Sicily, the first outbreak was detected in a single greenhouse in 2005 and it was promptly eradicated. However, in 2008, a high number of greenhouses were simultaneously affected, and it was impossible to e...
The influence of grafting on agronomical and qualitative characteristics of four Sicilian eggplant landraces was investigated. Grafted and ungrafted plants were compared in the open field in the northern coast of Sicily. Solanum torvum seedlings were used as rootstock. Regardless of genotypes tested, grafting significantly increased total fruit pro...
Genista aetnensis [(Raf. ex Biv.)DC] is a large deciduous shrub or small tree native to the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Being winter hardy and characterized by high plasticity in altitude and ecology, the species is grown in gardens and landscaping, both for flower and for its attractive shape. Genista species are generally propagate by...
Root development of hardwood cuttings of Plumeria rubra was investigated in relation to basal heat and the size of cuttings. Terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to various lengths, ranging from 10 to 26 cm. To verify the cutting rooting response to basal heat, half of the cuttings were placed on a basal heated bench (28±3 °C,...
Root development of stem cuttings of Silver Germander (Teucrium fruticans) was investigated in relation to cutting type and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment. Terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to three types: terminal cuttings with apex (TWA), terminal cuttings without apex (TWOA) or sub-terminal cuttings (ST). To verify...
Root development of stem cuttings of Silver Germander (Teucrium fruticans) was investigated in relation to cutting type and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment. Terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to three types: terminal cuttings with apex (TWA), terminal cuttings without apex (TWOA) or sub-terminal cuttings (ST). To verify...
Plastic mulching is widely used in many regions of the world for growing melons. The winter melon is largely grown in the hilly countryside of the Mediterranean island of Sicily (Italy) where mulching plastic films enhance early and total yields. However, removing and disposal of polyethylene plastic mulches after use represent a major disadvantage...
Two main alternatives to replace methyl-bromide soil fumigation are soil solarization, which is feasible in geographical areas with high solar radiation, and the combination of the nematocide 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and the fungicide chloropicrin (Pic) applied through drip irrigation lines. The objective of this twoyear study was to evaluate so...
Local plant populations represent a valuable source of genetic variability. Lagenaria siceraria [Mol.] Standl. is a monoecious species of Cucurbitaceae grown in India and parts of the Mediterranean for its immature fruit and young leaves used as vegetables. The species is a high-value crop in Sicily where several landraces are grown in open field a...
The genus Iberis (family Brassicaceae) includes 30 species of annual and perennial herbs and subshrubs that grow in a wide area from western and central Europe to the Mediterranean Basin. Iberis semperflorens L. is a perennial evergreen subshrub (30-60 cm high) endemic to southern Italy and Sicily. Due to its abundance of white flowers and extensiv...
In this study, we investigated the possibility of using the droplet-vitrification technique for cryopreserving nodal segments of in vitro plantlets of the endangered plant species Lithodora rosmarinifolia. Among the three vitrification solutions tested, only solutions B1, containing (w/v) 50 % glycerol and 50 % sucrose, and B3, containing 40 % glyc...
The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus) is a perennial plant cultivated in the Mediterranean region and the Americas for its edible young flower heads. Although vegetative propagation by offshoots or by "ovoli" (underground dormant axillary buds) has been the primary method of propagation, the potential for the diffusion of diseas...
The use of floating cover directly applied on top of the crop is rapidly increasing on leafy vegetables like lettuce as a simple, inexpensive and effective technique to induce earliness. Two lettuce types, 'Iceberg' and 'Romaine', under two different crop management systems (black plastic mulch and black plastic mulch combined with floating cover)...
Multiple shoots were induced on nodal segments of a mature plant of Erica multiflora L. Axillary shoots produced on uncontaminated explants were excised, segmented, and recultured on the same medium. The effect of Anderson medium, augmented with different concentrations of 2iP either singly or in combination with NAA, as potential medium for shoot...
In this study in vitro shoot tips of a Sicilian genotype of Limonium serotinum were successfully cryopreserved using the droplet-vitrification technique. Growth recovery of cryopreserved shoot tips was possible only when samples were pretreated for 16 h in liquid medium with 0.3 M sucrose, then for 5 h in liquid medium with 0.7 M sucrose before per...
New cultivars (F1 hybrids) of cauliflower (Brassica olearacea L. var. botrytis L.) were evaluated at four crop densities (1.3, 1.7, 2.2 or 3.3 plants m-2) for spring harvest crop in a Southern Mediterranean area (western coast of Sicily). The F1 hybrids ('White-Flash', 'Milky-Way' and 'White Excel') having white head, usually cultivated in Northern...
The genus Iberis comprises annual and perennial species occurring in a variety of habitats. Iberis semperflorens L. is an evergreen subshrub (30-60 cm), endemic to southern Italy and Sicily. The species naturally grows along the coastal areas of Sicily in dry calcareous soils and in partially shaded calcareous rock crevices where it is easily disti...
Recently, many plants native to the Mediterranean region are sought and selected for their ornamental value. Iberis semperflorens L. is an evergreen subshrub (30-60 cm) endemic to southern Italy and Sicily with attracting white fragrant flowers in corymbs which flowers from October to April. Although I. semperflorens has potential for pot cultivati...
The Egadi archipelago consists of three islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo) located west of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Of the three islands, Marettimo with a surface area of 12 km2, is the furthest from Sicily (38 km) and the most mountainous island and richest in endemic species. Soils are mostly thin and low in fertility and organic...
Micropropagation of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (hawthorn) was investigated. Multinodal segments collected from shoot tips of C. monogyna plants growing naturally in the Mediterranean island of Sicily were used as primary explants to establish in vitro cultures. Subsequently, a 2x5 factorial experiment with all possible combinations of 5 concentration...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different planting density and different levels of plug plant fertilization on onion production in Sicily. Onion landrace 'Bisacquino' was sown in the first week of January 2006 in an unheated greenhouse in polystyrene plug trays. Seedlings were fertigated with the following three different solut...
Vegetable crop production in conventional intensive agricultural systems commonly requires high fertilization rates. Recent data show that organic vegetable production in Italy is expanding rapidly. The increasing number of growers involved in organic vegetable production has created a demand for organically produced seedlings. The aim of this stud...
The phase out of methyl bromide in 2005 has mobilized researchers to develop feasible alternatives for control of soilborne pathogenic fungi and nematodes affecting crops. Solarization by covering soil with polyethylene film is used as an effective method of soil disinfestation for high-value crops. An alternative approach has been recently provide...
Multiple shoots were induced on stem segments of an 8-y-old plant of Metrosideros excelsa Sol ex Gaertn. “Parnel”. Axillary shoots produced on uncontaminated explants were excised, segmented, and recultured in the
same medium to increase the stock of shoot cultures. The Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, augmented with different concentrations
of 2-...
This study compares the effects of soil solarization and methyl bromide fumigation on the growth and yield of strawberry plants (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) cultivated under plastic tunnel conditions. The study was conducted in a Mediterranean coastal area, in four consecutive annual production cycles in a field with no history of methyl bromide fumi...
Lithodora rosmarinifolia is a rare shrub endemic to Sicily and its minor islands. Propagation of Lithodora rosmarinifolia by standard methods is difficult due to erratic seed production and low percentage of rooted cuttings. As the plant is suited for domestication, the possibility of establishing an efficient in vitro technique for propagation and...
Many herbs native to the Mediterranean region are grown for ornamental purposes and represent an important segment of the bedding plant industry. Although the majority of Thymus species are used as officinal plants, some of them are also used as ornamental bedding plants to provide aesthetic enhancement of public and private garden beds, porches, p...
Leonotis leonurus (L.) Br. Pubesc., also known as "lion's ear" is a perennial shrub belonging to the Labiatae family and native to South Africa. The name of the genus derives from the Greek words leon (lion) and otòs (ear). The esthetic ornamental value of its bright orange inflorescence and its adaptation to a wide range of conditions have led a r...
SUMMARY - Tomato cultivation is steadily increasing in the Sicilian countryside where careful management of clay soils allows successful yields. The crop is established in the first week of May and rainfall is adequate to obtain a sufficient production without irrigation. In these areas a recent development in tomato production for processing is th...
Stem segments from apical shoot tips of Polygala myrtifolia were used as primary explants to establish in vitro cultures. Axillary shoots produced on non-contaminated explants were excised and recultured in the same medium to increase
the stock of shoot cultures. Equal molar concentrations of five cytokinins [2-isopentenyladenine, kinetin, zeatin,...
SUMMARY - The winter melon is widely grown in the open field in Sicily on about 6000 hectares. Plants are grown in the countryside without irrigation as the annual rain precipitation provides sufficient water for the crop. In the last decades the use of plastic mulches has enhanced early winter melon and total yields. However, disadvantages of plas...
Strawberry fall plantations are generally established in Sicily with freshly dug plants. However, the use of plug plants, as an alternative method of strawberry plant establishment has recently increased. Although more expensive than frigo and fresh-plants, plug plants can be transplanted earlier and maximize their potentiality. In this investigati...
Winter melon is an important horticultural crop in Sicily. Melon plants grown outside during the spring-summer months are normally pollinated by honey bees. Previous researches showed that early yields can be achieved by planting melon under protected cultivation during the winter. However, problems with fruit set have been associated with lack of...
The use of saline water has depressive effects on many crops and therefore it can be a major problem in those area of the Mediterranean region were vegetables are extensively grown and shortage of good quality water is very common. Plug type transplants of the Sicilian winter melon landrace 'Cartucciaro' were set in polyethylene tunnels at Trapani...
The use of strawberry plug plants is becoming popular among strawberry Sicilian growers. However, plants are propagated from terminal runner tips from stolons containing variable numbers of tips, and hence plants originate from tips of variable age. In this experiment 'Cartuno' and 'Tudla' runner tips were graded into first, second and third order...
Selection of clove weight is one critical decision that Sicilian garlic growers must face before planting. Generally higher garlic yields occur with increasing clove weight. However, a few reports are found on this subject. The objective of this experiment was, therefore, to verify how cloves of different clove weights might affect garlic final yie...
Tulbaghia violacea is a rhizomatous plant native to South Africa. It is characterized by shiny green leaves and long lasting violet flowers. Because of its attractive flowers stalks Tulbaghia violacea might have a good potential as a pot plant; however, a control of the final plant height is required to give the desired aesthetic effect. Therefore,...
Summary Side shoots excised from underground dormant buds ofCynara scolymus L. were used as primary explants to establishin vitro cultures. A 3×3 factorial experiment with all possible combinations of three concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/liter or 2.22,
4.44, 8.88 μM) ofN
6-benzyladenine (BA) and three concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2 mg/liter or 0, 0....
A protocol for high frequency adventitious shoot regeneration adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants of Rhododendron spp. has been developed. The highest percentage of regeneration and the greatest number of shoots were obtained when leaf explants were cultured on Anderson's medium containing 4.9 M IBA and 73.8 M 2iP. Genotypic variatio...
The influence of the source of plant material (greenhouse-grown plants or in vitro shoot cultures), the type of tissue explant (shoot-tip, single-node stem segment, whole leaf, leaf strip or half-leaf section) and growth regulator concentration on shoot regeneration from somatic tissue of Rhododendron laetum aurigeranum was evaluated. No regenerati...
An efficient adventitious shoot production protocol has been developed for Rhododendron laetum × aurigeranum. Shoot tips taken from greenhouse-grown plants were cultured on Anderson's medium supplemented with 74 μM 2iP. Axillary shoots were excised and cultured on medium containing 23 μM IAA and 74 μM 2iP. After 6 months, brown callus developed at...
The influence of growth regulators and basal media on plant regeneration from leaf and stem explants of Solanum commersonii Dun. PI 458317 was examined. Nearly 100 % of leaf and stem explants produced shoots, with an average of 12 shoots per explant, when cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 1.0 or 2.0 mg/L IAA a...
Typescript (photocopy). Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1990. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81). Includes mounted photographs.