Italian Journal of Agronomy最新文献

{"title":"A novel seed balling technology and its effect on cotton emergence, yield and fiber quality","authors":"Zhan Xie, Chengxuan Zhou, Xuefang Xie, Kan Li, Dan Yang, Xiaoju Tu, Fei Li, Yeling Qin, Doudou Xu, Jiarui Li, Aiyu Liu, Jie Jiang, Yunxin He, Bibo Wu, Zhonghua Zhou","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2208","url":null,"abstract":"Seed coating is the most important type of pretreatment. Since cotton is an important economic crop, the cost of its cultivation and the resulting economic benefits are undoubtedly important aspects to be considered. In recent years, the high cost of coating materials and complex production processes have prevented the widespread application of cotton seed coating. Moreover, cotton plants emerge from cotyledons, and the coating material on the seed coat does not play a role after the seed emerges. Given the above shortcomings, to adapt to the mechanized direct seeding method and to include a large number of fertilizers and fungicides, insecticides can be used together with the seed direct seeding into the soil; at the same time, this will improve the cotton seedling emergence rate, the physiological qualities of cotton seedlings after the emergence of cotton seedlings, and the resilience of cotton seedlings in the early stage of resistance ability. In this study, we devised a technique for balling cotton seeds employing components such as cassava starch, bentonite, diatomite, attapulgite, and seedling substrate. The compositional ratios of the method were determined via a growth chamber trial, and we evaluated its effect throughout the cotton reproductive period using field trials. The results showed that the emergence and emergence hole rates of the balled cotton seeds increased by 34.42% and 28.84%, respectively, compared with the uncoated control. In terms of cotton yield, the seed balling treatment increased the number of bolls per plant and the overall cotton yield. Seed balling technology is different from traditional seed pelleting or seed coating techniques. It gathers one or more seeds in seed balls, enabling the simultaneous sowing of multiple seeds of the same variety or different varieties in the same crop. Additionally, seed balls can encourage seeds to carry fertilizer and pesticides into the soil, further weakening soil-borne diseases and abiotic stresses, form a relatively stable internal environment in the soil, and ensure the germination of cotton seeds. Our findings provide a reference point to improve cotton seedling emergence through the utilization of this novel technology.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"163 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139246640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic diversity characterization of maize populations using molecular markers","authors":"Braulio Torres-Morales, Mario Rocandio-Rodríguez, Amalio Santacruz-Varela, Leobigildo Córdova-Téllez, Bulmaro Coutiño Estrada, Higinio López Sánchez","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2206","url":null,"abstract":"Seventy-three maize populations were characterized to estimate the genetic distribution and structure of 8 maize races from the state of Chiapas, in addition to a population of the Balsas race of teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley). A total of 31 microsatellite loci were evaluated in 25 individuals from each population, estimating their genetic diversity and Wright F statistics. The populations were grouped based on principal component and cluster analyses. A total of 787 alleles were counted, with an average of 25.4 alleles per locus and 91.8% polymorphic loci. Likewise, in the studied populations, 294 exclusive alleles were detected with low frequency, representing 37% of the total alleles. The populations from Zapalote Grande and Tepecintle races were the most differentiated, forming separate, better-defined groups, while the populations from Comiteco, Otolón, and Negro de Chimaltenango races tended to group, showing a relatively scattered allocation within the races. The FST statistic (differentiation index) was 0.197, indicating that 80.3% of the genetic variation was found among individuals within the accessions, which suggests that, under the current status of Chiapas maize populations, it would be more efficient to apply intra-population recurrent selection than hybridization breeding approaches.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"6 10","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135390487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of nitrogen treatments and bacterial inoculation on macro- and micro-element contents of the <i>Halisbey</i> peanut variety","authors":"Ferrin Ferda Aşik","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2203","url":null,"abstract":"This study was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) doses (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, and 240 kg ha-1) and bacterial inoculation on macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) and micro- (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B) element contents of the Halisbey peanut variety. The nutrient requirements, specific nutrient management strategies, and adaptation of the variety to the regions where it was grown were also assessed. According to the average results of the N applications, different doses affected the levels of N (240N+B: 1.76%) alongside the content of other macro-elements, as well as sodium (200N: 0.09 mg kg-1), iron (80N: 32.39 mg kg-1), and copper (40N: 14.11 mg kg-1) among the micro-elements. The bacterial application was not found to significantly increase N content (240N+B: 1.76%), calcium content (0.08%) and zinc content (49.68 mg kg-1). At the same time, (240N+B) bacteria and N application increased the N ratio.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"8 7","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135635322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A three-stage approach for co-designing diversified cropping systems with farmers: the case study of lentil-wheat intercropping","authors":"Federico Leoni, Stefano Carlesi, Alessandro Triacca, Gilbert Koskey, Gilberto Croceri, Daniele Antichi, Anna-Camilla Moonen","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2207","url":null,"abstract":"There is an increasing need for more sustainable and diversified cropping systems while guaranteeing adequate crop yields and economic viability for European farms. The intercropping of lentil with wheat can be a valuable agroecological practice for stabilizing crop yields and improving weed control; however, this requires better knowledge about the technical viability, suitable varieties, sowing density, management practices for different conditions, and the feasibility of these solutions for farmers. In this paper, we present a three-stage participatory approach aimed at involving farmers in the evaluation and design of knowledge-intensive agroecological cropping systems and applied it to the case of wheat-lentil intercropping. The proposed approach is articulated into three connected stages involving experiments at different scales (plot, field and farm) and with different grades of interactions among farmers and researchers regarding the design of experiments and the evaluation of the results. In the first stage, we set up controlled plot experiments at an experimental station allowing all interested farmers to observe and comment on the various treatments that were investigated during dedicated events. This stage tested the potential of intercropping to improve the sustainability of the local farming system and provide a solid scientific background to the ecosystem services provided by wheat-lentil intercropping, such as crop production, yield stability, and weed control. While being agronomically beneficial, the technical feasibility and economic benefits of wheat-lentil intercropping have still to be proven. Therefore, based on the results obtained from the first stage and the feedback of local farmers on the opportunities and weaknesses of the on-station application of wheat-lentil intercropping, a second experiment was carried out using commercial agriculture machines with the objective to test the technical viability of intercropping at a larger scale. In the final third stage, we set up a co-designed on-farm experiment aimed at supporting a farmer in establishing lentil-wheat intercropping adapted to the farm conditions. This approach demonstrated that gradually involving farmers in the experimental process, starting from evaluating the most promising agroecological solutions on station to implementing them on farms, supports a successful agroecological transition of farms towards more diversified cropping systems.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"98-100 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136067984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stakeholders analysis and engagement to address water-ecosystems-food Nexus challenges in Mediterranean environments: a case study in Italy","authors":"Valentina Baratella, Tiziana Pirelli, Raffaele Giordano, Alessandro Pagano, Ivan Portoghese, Manuel Bea, Estrella López-Moya, Antonella Di Fonzo, Stefano Fabiani, Silvia Vanino","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2200","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2200","url":null,"abstract":"The Water-ecosystems-food Nexus is a powerful framework developed for analyzing complex interlinkages among natural resource domains and overcoming \"siloed\" management practices. Multi-actor participatory approaches are increasingly recognized in Nexus research as the most effective way to identify trade-off solutions between divergent interests. Despite this acknowledged potential, the active engagement of stakeholders for the co-creation of knowledge is still limited to date, missing the opportunity for innovation processes and policy designs to be grounded in context-specific knowledge and experiences. This paper outlines the methodological framework developed to integrate stakeholder analysis and participatory tools for exploring Nexus challenges in a pilot area in Tarquinia, Italy, where a multi-stakeholder group was set up encompassing several categories at different levels, from policymakers and authorities to farmers and other end users. Systematic methodologies to target, analyze, and actively engage stakeholders were applied and multi-domain participatory tools were developed, i.e., stakeholder analysis and mapping, learning and action alliance, participatory system dynamic modelling, which broaden the agreement on potential locally-tailored solutions for sustainable farming practices and integrated management of natural resources. Mutual learning activities, tapping into actors' deep understanding of specific local dynamics, served to better frame the complexity of the Nexus and build a common understanding of local societal challenges as well as of potential innovations in farming practices, land, and water management. The methodological innovation of integrating stakeholder mapping and analysis with relevant spatial information from participatory activities, provides the fundamental baseline for spatially explicit scenario analysis in the area, ultimately increasing the relevance and transferability of the Nexus findings.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"188 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135216613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultraviolet-C irradiation of wheat grains induces seedling resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew disease","authors":"Marian Thabet, Mohamed A. Abou-Zeid, Fatmah A. Safhi, Khairiah M. Alwutayd, Walaa Khalifa","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2201","url":null,"abstract":"Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation of grains activated the antioxidant system and wheat seedlings’ resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew disease under greenhouse conditions. Two wheat cultivars (Gemmeiza-12 and Sids-1) with dry and germinated grains were treated with UV-C at three exposure times (5, 10, and 15 minutes). The results indicated that the percentages of disease severity and infection type for leaf rust and powdery mildew on wheat seedlings were significantly reduced when exposed to UVC at all exposure times compared to the untreated control. The most effective treatments for both cultivars were obtained in seedlings grown from germinated grains treated with UV-C for 10 minutes. Furthermore, UV-C irradiation treatments improved plant resistance to infection by activating certain defense genes, thereby increasing the production of resistance compounds that support defense mechanisms against pathogens. Our results demonstrated that UV-C for 10 minutes can induce resistance in wheat seedlings while also increasing total chlorophyll, total phenolic compounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and peroxidase activity. In addition, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in seedlings growing from germinated grains treated with UV-C for 10 minutes, as compared to both infected and uninfected controls. These findings demonstrate the potential for additional UV-C radiation treatments to enhance disease resistance.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"45 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135729814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screening of widely used accessions of tomato for resistance/tolerance to the <i>Pepper yellow vein Mali virus</i> in the central region of Burkina Faso","authors":"Alassane Ouattara, Inoussa Kaboré, Cyrille Zombré, Kouka Hamidou Sogoba, Badoua Badiel, Edgar Valentin Traoré, Tounwendsida Abel Nana, Kadidia Koïta, Oumar Traoré","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2202","url":null,"abstract":"Tomatoes are a widely consumed fruit, important economically and in terms of food security. Despite this importance, tomato crops are confronted with constraints, including begomoviruses, such as the Pepper yellow vein Mali virus (PepYVMLV). Responsible for leaf deformation and yellowing in cultivated Solanaceae, it is the most virulent begomovirus infecting tomatoes in Burkina Faso. The use of resistant/tolerant accessions would be of great help in finding suitable solutions. This study aims to contribute to the appropriate and effective management of tomato diseases due to PepYVMLV. To achieve this objective, an inventory of tomato accessions sold and produced in the central region of Burkina Faso and a screening of the preferred accessions of tomatoes in semi-control conditions were conducted. Our results showed that sixteen varieties are sold in shops, with Mongal F1, Emerald F1, and Cobra 26 F1 reported to be the most preferred by farmers. Monitoring of the tomato plants inoculated using whitefly-mediated transmission during 32 days showed that Diva F1, a newly introduced accession, was the least susceptible to PepYVMLV, followed by Emerald F1, Cobra 26 F1, and Mongal F1, with yield losses ranging from 25.38 to 359.9 g/plant. Our results suggest that even if the productivity of Diva F1 seems to be slightly impacted by the virus, it is unsuitable for farmers because of its lower yield.
","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"91 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135778946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamics of agricultural land systems in western Mediterranean areas: a clustering approach based on the self-organizing map","authors":"Marya Cristina Rabelo, Marj Tonini, Nicola Silvestri","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2199","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2199","url":null,"abstract":"In the present study, we implemented an unsupervised learning procedure, a self-organizing map (SOM), for characterizing the main agricultural land systems (ALS) in western Mediterranean areas. Input data derived from national agricultural censuses of two periods (2000 and 2010) at the municipality level. The SOM allowed us to aggregate the items into clusters based on the proximity between the associated input variables. The main clusters were then mapped back to the geographical space and interpreted in terms of ASL typologies. The main ALS from the census 2000 included one permanent grassland system with extensive farming; two arable land systems, corresponding to winter and summer crops; and two permanent cropland systems, relatable to intensively cultivated or marginal areas. The ALS from the census 2010 included only one arable land system with a non-intensive use of irrigation; two permanent cropland systems similar to those found in 2000; one more extensive permanent grassland system; and a mixed system characterized by permanent grassland and arable land. In summary, the main trends emerging from the transitions between the two censuses periods were: i) a reduction in agricultural land use; ii) an increase in utilized agricultural and irrigated area; iii) a contraction in arable land and permanent grassland. Using a data-driven approach such as SOM allowed us to discover hidden patterns in the input census data. Therefore, the prevalent agricultural typologies characterising the ALS in the two analysed periods resulted to be shaped by the reality of the surveyed area solely, with regard to its agronomic assessment.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":"124 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135883476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated soil-water-crop management in salt-affected areas","authors":"F. Altobelli, A. dalla Marta, Anna Benedetti, Maria Konyushkova, Giuseppe Corti","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2189","url":null,"abstract":"Salt-affected soils, which include both saline and sodic soils, are indeed found in various regions around the world. They can be found on all continents and are present under a wide range of climatic conditions. [...]","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48409524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A decade-long study on the effect of furrow and subsurface drip irrigation using unconventional water on soil salinity and the growth of pistachio trees","authors":"A. Sherafati, Mehrnoush Eskandari Torbaghan","doi":"10.4081/ija.2023.2196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2023.2196","url":null,"abstract":"Furrow irrigation is the most common method of irrigating pistachio orchards in Iran. Water use efficiency using this method of irrigation is close to 35%. Ten years ago, a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) project was initiated with highly saline and alkaline water for the first time in Iran at the Feyzabad pistachio research station, at 34̊ 54ʹ 15ʺ N, 58̊ 45ʹ 37ʺ E, located in the northeast of Iran, at an altitude of 850 meters from the sea. The water salinity and sodium adsorption ratio were 11.5 dS m-1 and 15.5 at the beginning of the project, and they reached 16.25 dS m-1 and 17.7 in 2021. The amount of SDI water consumption in the first year of the project (2012) was 1640 m3 ha-1 yr-1, and as the trees aged, water consumption reached 3000 m3 ha-1 in 2022. The amount of water utilized for furrow irrigation was about 6912 m3 ha-1 in 2022. Salt entering the soil through irrigation water differed by about 41 t ha-1 in 2022 between the two methods. After ten years of project implementation, the root development layer was more than 100 cm and less than 50 cm, respectively, for SDI and furrow. The trend of soil salinity has changed from 2012 to 2022: it went from 34.7 dS m-1 in 2012 to 110 dS m-1 in 2018, and then decreased to 65 dS m-1 in 2022 in the surface layer of the SDI method. In contrast, salinity increased almost twofold within the root development layer (60-140 cm) in the SDI. In the last two years (2021 and 2022), the height, crown width, trunk circumference, and yield of the pistachio trees were not significantly different between the two irrigation methods. However, there was a significant difference in the irrigation treatments during the two last years (2021 and 2022) in the annual growth, the average number of flower buds in the branch, and the average number of flower buds abscised. The branch vegetative growth in 2022 had decreased by almost 50% compared to 2021 in both methods. The results showed that the lowest annual growth was achieved in the SDI in 2022. Overall, the efficiency of water consumption in the SDI and furrow was equal to 0.09 and 0.06 kg m3, respectively. SDI net income was 1284 $ higher after expenses were deducted from 2012 to 2022. Therefore, due to severe climate change and excessive salinity increase in soil and water resources, a well-managed SDI can provide a more sustainable production method for salt-affected soils for pistachio orchards by reducing water consumption and salt entry into the soil.","PeriodicalId":14618,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Agronomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2023-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44250635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}