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•Fresh wash waters are wastewaters of table olive factories.•These solutions contain sugars, minerals, simple and polymeric phenols.•These wastewaters can be used as fertilizer by ...irrigation on tomato plants.•Which compound has the responsibility of the bio-fortifying capacity?•Bio-fortifying effect is due to a synergic reaction among all individual compounds.
Recently, the potential use as fertilizer of some wastewaters from table olive factories has been reported but the cause of this activity has not been disclosed up to now. In this study, a huge number of table olive waste solutions were analyzed from three consecutive seasons. Sugars, phenolic and mineral compounds were the main chemical groups identified. The individual effect of these components was tested on the growth of tomato plants and the quality of their fruits. Two factorial designs were assayed (24 and 23), in which the individual groups of chemical substances were sugars, minerals (nitrogen, potassium and phosphor), simple and polymeric phenols. Also, fresh wash water from Spanish-style green table olive processing was tested. The main conclusion was that no one individual group caused the fertilizer activity but a synergetic action of all of them was efficient and the fresh waste solution tested was the most effective.
The landscape of the Mediterranean rural areas is shaped with crops that are well-adapted to semi-arid zones. In this paper we aim to understand the interactions between factors that impact ...agriculture and management interventions of agricultural systems – including cereal, citrus, olives and grapevine – with a special focus on climate risks. We use statistical models of yield response functions to address how temperature and precipitation variability affect the crops of a traditional Mediterranean farming system. While simple functions will never provide the level of detail possible with more complex models, the direct interpretation of the results by farmers and policy-makers may assist the risk management and decision-making process. Our results show that observed yield patterns contain substantial information on the relative importance of the climate and management variables for yield variability, responding to the critical need for knowledge on crop response to extreme precipitation and temperature events with implications for the risk management of agricultural systems. Our method was applied to address policy and management factors affecting the risk level of Mediterranean farming systems in Spain, such as the role of EU agricultural and environmental policy in yield output, as well as the risk management implications in drought conditions.
Dicyphine mirids are one of the most important groups of predators on tomato. In the Mediterranean region, several species in the genera Dicyphus, Macrolophus, and Nesidiocoris (Hemiptera: Miridae, ...Bryocorinae, Dicyphini) colonize protected horticultural crops. In Portugal, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) is increasingly abundant in the mirid species complex of tomato crops and appears to be displacing the native Dicyphus cerastii Wagner. In order to know whether intraguild predation (IGP) can explain the decreasing abundance of D. cerastii, we evaluated predatory interactions between adult females and first instars of D. cerastii vs. N. tenuis but also D. cerastii vs. Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), as this species is also naturally present in horticultural crops in Portugal. Cannibalistic interactions were also tested for the same three species. All experiments were performed under laboratory conditions, in Petri dish arenas, in the presence or absence of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as alternative prey. Predation on both heterospecific and conspecific nymphs occurred only in the absence of alternative food. Intraguild predation was mutual and symmetrical between D. cerastii and M. pygmaeus. However, IGP was asymmetrical between D. cerastii and N. tenuis, favouring the first. Cannibalism was not significantly different among these mirid species. Our results show that D. cerastii has a greater capacity to feed on intraguild prey than N. tenuis. Therefore, IGP on small nymphs does not explain the abundance shift between D. cerastii and N. tenuis.
We evaluated intraguild predation among Diciphini species (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the presence or absence of Ephestia kuehniella eggs as alternative prey. Intraguild predation between Dicyphus cerastii and Nesidiocoris tenuis was asymmetrical, favoring the first. Cannibalism was not significantly different among species. Other interactions, such as competitive displacement, may be more important to explain why N. tenuis is becoming more abundant than D. cerastii in the field, in Portugal.
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•Wild genotypes were less productive than cultivated cardoons.•A prevalent influence of the genotype factor on crop yields was shown.•Capitula components were of greatest importance ...in cultivated cardoons.•The stability in biomass yield and partition was highest in the wild genotype Tolfa.•Tolfa might be used in local cropping systems for industrial or bioenergy purposes.
A very limited number of field studies have addressed the suitability of Cynara cardunculus L. genotypes to local environmental conditions in terms of productive aptitude.
Four genotypes of Cardoon, under low input conditions (reduced nitrogen fertilization and rainfed conditions) were compared in a marginal land of Central Italy during the 2012–2014 period: two cultivated (CDL07 and Gigante) and two wild cardoon genotypes (RCT10 and Tolfa). At the ripening stage of capitula, all plant components were weighed separately, yields were calculated, and biometric traits were measured. Genotypes showed different productive aptitudes and suitability to the pedo-climatic conditions of growth. The total aboveground dry biomass per plant ranged between 114.4 and 353.6g with variable values within genotypes and years, whereas the partition of the aboveground biomass was strongly affected by genotypes only. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a general prevalent influence of the genotype factor on crop yields. Capitula components were of greatest importance in cultivated cardoons, but strongly affected by the annual climatic trends. The maximum achenes yield was in 2012 with 3.2tha−1 as a mean of the cultivated cardoons, whereas the wild genotype Tolfa reached a mean production of 2.1tha−1.
In general the wild genotype RCT10 demonstrated a poor adaptability to the conditions of the experimental site. On the other hand, wild genotype Tolfa might be incorporated into the local cropping systems as an industrial or bioenergy crop, due the low management inputs required, its adaptability to the local conditions, and the fairy good aboveground biomass and achenes production.
•Wild genotypes were less productive than cultivated cardoons.•N fertilization (0–50) never showed significant differences on the parameters.•Establishment costs were lower in comparison with other ...herbaceous crops.•Cardoon showed higher total revenues deriving from the yield outcomes and costs.•Results can suggest dedicated production chains using also wild varieties.
Cardoon yields and quality under low input conditions (reduced nitrogen fertilization and rainfed conditions) in a marginal land of Central Italy are presented. During 2011–2013, two cultivated and two wild cardoons were compared for the lignocellulosic biomass production, grain yield, and their chemical composition. The results showed a 3-year average aboveground biomass and grain yield in the range 8–18 and 1.2–2.8tha−1 dry matter respectively, significantly higher in the cultivated genotypes. The grain lipid contents were not significantly different as average, but the wild genotype Tolfa achieved the highest content (20.3%) in the last year of research. Average oil yields were 0.45 and 0.23tha−1 in cultivated and wild genotypes respectively. ANOVA showed a general prevalent influence of the genotype factor (G) on crop yields, and grain lipid and protein contents; on the other hand, the nitrogen factor (N) never showed significant effects on the different parameters. The chemical composition of the lignocellulosic biomass showed slight differences among the genotypes, but not always significant. Cardoon cultivation improved soil fertility parameters, even if differences were not always statistically different. Considering the results, dedicated production chains could be implemented in many Italian Regions taking advantage also from the availability of wild cardoon genotypes. The production costs and revenues analysis of cardoon in comparison with other herbaceous annual crops, demonstrated the low cultivation costs per hectare, the higher total revenues deriving from the yield outcomes, and its suitability for the inclusion in arable cropping systems in marginal lands.
Orchards have a high potential for carbon sequestration. However, little research is available on the spatial variability at catchment scale and on the difference between the tree area and the lanes. ...We analyzed theik spatial variability of soil organic carbon stock, SOCstock at 90 cm depth in an 8-ha catchment in Southern Spain with olives on a vertic soil. Results showed higher soil organic carbon concentration, SOC, in the tree area as compared to the lane up to 60 cm depth, but its impact on SOCstock was negligible since it was compensated by the higher soil bulk density in the lane. SOC at different depths was correlated with that in the top 0–5 cm. The overall SOCstock of the orchard was 4.14 kg m−2, ranging between 1.8 and 6.0 kg m−2. This SOCstock is in the mid-lower range of values reported for olive orchards, measured at smaller scale, and similar to those other intensive field crops and agroforestry under comparable rainfall conditions. The spatial variability in SOCstock was correlated to several geomorphological variables: elevation, cumulative upstream area, topographic wetness index, sediment transport index, and tillage erosion. Differences in SOC and SOCstock are driven by the sediment redistribution downslope, mainly by tillage erosion, and higher soil water availability in lower areas allowing higher biomass production. These topographic indexes and the correlation between SOC in the topsoil and SOCstock up to 90 cm should be further explored in other typology of olive orchards for facilitating the mapping of SOCstock.
The production of food with beneficial health effects is at the attention of consumer entrepreneurs and public decision-makers. Plants with established health benefits such as almonds, olives from ...which olive oil is made, and figs have always been cultivated in the Mediterranean basin. In the past, these three crops were widely cultivated in Italy, particularly in the southern part, where the best soil and climate conditions persisted. Today, however, almond and fig production is at an all-time low. The present study aims to assess the economic sustainability of investments in shell almond, olive, and fig farms by integrating Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodology with specific economic indicators. In addition, a comparison between the three crops is made based on all economic results. The analysis allowed for the consideration of all costs over the entire life cycle of the investments, streamlining business decision-making for the choice between different alternatives. The results demonstrated greater economic profitability of investments in shelled almonds and dried figs and an adequate level of profitability. On the other hand, the results for olive trees were low. In this context, the production of almonds and figs could represent an important agribusiness chain, useful for the improvement of the rural economy.
The use of several plant protection inputs of mineral origin, such as copper, sulphur or mineral oils is seen as contentious by many consumers and stakeholders within the organic sector. Although the ...use of these inputs is legal in organic systems and also applied in non-organic agriculture, their use by organic growers raises questions for organic practice, which aspires to be free from toxic, non-renewable chemicals. Data on the current use of permitted plant protection inputs is currently scarce, especially in horticulture where chemical inputs deserve special attention since horticultural products are often readily edible. A mapping of the use of copper, sulphur and mineral oils was conducted by collecting expert knowledge across 10 European countries during May–October 2018, i.e. before the limitation of copper use to 4 kg ha
−1
year
−1
from February 1, 2019. Results show that copper is widely used by Mediterranean organic growers in citrus, olive, tomato and potato production. The annual limit of 6 kg ha
−1
year
−1
was not always respected. We also found that tomato producers apply high amounts of copper in winter crops in greenhouses. Mineral oils are applied to control scales, mites and whiteflies. Sulphur is also commonly used by organic vegetable growers, especially in greenhouses. We conclude that the high usage found in various different crops (especially Mediterranean crops) confirms the need for researching alternatives.
Changes in reproductive traits associated with domestication critically determine the evolutionary divergence between crops and their wild relatives, as well as the potential of crop plants to become ...feral. In this review, we examine the genetic mechanisms of plant domestication and the different types of selection involved, and describe the particularities of domestication of Mediterranean field crops with regard to their reproductive traits, showing illustrative examples. We also explore gene flow patterns between Mediterranean field crops and their wild relatives, along with their ecological, evolutionary and economic implications. Domestication entails multiple selective processes, including direct selection, environmental adaptation and developmental constraints. In contrast to clonal propagation in perennials, sexual reproduction and seed propagation in annuals and biennials have led to a distinct pathway of evolution of reproductive traits. Thus, the initial domestication and further breeding of Mediterranean field crops has brought about changes in reproductive traits, such as higher mean values and variance of seed and fruit sizes, reduced fruit and seed toxicity, non‐shattering seeds and loss of seed dormancy. Evolution under domestication is not a linear process, and bi‐directional gene flow between wild and crop taxa is a frequent phenomenon. Thus, hybridisation and introgression have played a very important role in determining the genetics of current cultivars. In turn, gene flow from crops to wild relatives can lead to introgression of crop genes into wild populations and potentially alter the characteristics of natural communities. In conclusion, plant evolution under domestication has not only changed the reproductive biology of cultivated taxa, its effects are multifaceted and have implications beyond agriculture.
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