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D'Imperio M, Bonelli L, Mininni C, Renna M, Montesano FF, Parente A, Serio F. Soilless cultivation systems to produce tailored microgreens for specific nutritional needs. J Sci Food Agric 2024; 104:3371-3380. [PMID: 38092699 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The awareness of the importance of following dietary recommendations that meet specific biological requirements related to an individual's health status has significantly increased interest in personalized nutrition. The aim of this research was to test agronomic protocols based on soilless cultivation for providing consumers with new dietary sources of iodine (I), as well as alternative vegetable products to limit dietary potassium (K) intake; proposed cultivation techniques were evaluated according to their suitability to obtain such products without compromising agronomic performance. RESULTS Two independent experiments, focused on I and K respectively, were conducted in a commercial greenhouse specializing in soilless production. Four different species were cultivated using three distinct concentrations of I (0, 1.5 and 3 mg L-1 ) and K (0, 60 and 120 mg L-1 ). Microgreens grown in I-rich nutrient solution accumulate more I, and the increase is dose-dependent. Compared to unbiofortified microgreens, the treatments with 1.5 and 3 mg L-1 of I resulted in 4.5 and 14 times higher I levels, respectively. Swiss chard has the highest levels of K (14 096 mg kg-1 of FW), followed by rocket, pea and radish. In radish, rocket and Swiss chard, a total reduction of K content in the nutrient solution (0 mg L-1 ) resulted in an average reduction of 45% in K content. CONCLUSION It is possible to produce I-biofortified microgreens to address I deficiency, and K-reduced microgreens for chronic kidney disease-affected people. Species selection is crucial to customize nutritional profiles according to specific dietary requirements due to substantial mineral content variations across different species. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano D'Imperio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Bonelli
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Renna
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Parente
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Serio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Bari, Italy
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2
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Castellaneta A, Losito I, Leoni B, Renna M, Mininni C, Santamaria P, Calvano CD, Cataldi TRI, Liebisch G, Matysik S. A targeted GC-MS/MS approach for the determination of eight sterols in microgreen and mature plant material. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 232:106361. [PMID: 37419395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, a remarkable number of scientific studies supported the correlation between an adequate dietary intake of phytosterols (PS) and the reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. PS are known to inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, thus promoting the reduction of the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) amount in the bloodstream. Despite the fact that a non-negligible atherogenicity was recognized to PS, thus requiring a careful risk-benefits assessment for plant sterol supplementation, the potential role of PS as cholesterol-lowering agents has been contributing to the spreading awareness of the health benefits associated with the consumption of plant-based foods. In recent years, this has been fueling the market of innovative vegetable products, such as microgreens. Surprisingly, the recent literature concerning microgreens exhibited the lack of studies focusing on the characterization of PS. To fill this gap, a validated analytical method based on the hyphenation of gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is proposed here for the quantitative analysis of eight phytosterols, namely β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol, isofucosterol, and cholesterol, lathosterol and lanosterol. The method was exploited for the characterization of the PS content in 10 microgreen crops, i.e., chia, flax, soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, garden cress, catalogna chicory, endive, kale and broccoli raab. Finally, these results were compared to the PS content of mature forms of kale and broccoli raab. A remarkable amount of PS was detected in chia, flax, rapeseed, garden cress, kale, and broccoli raab microgreens. 100 g (wet weight) of these microgreen crops were found to contain from 20 to 30 mg of the investigated PS. Interestingly, in the case of kale and broccoli raab microgreens, the overall PS content was higher than the one measured in the edible parts of the corresponding mature forms. Additionally, a symmetric change of the PS inner profile was observed between the two growth stages of the latter two crops. Here, the overall decrease of the PS sterol content in the mature forms was associated with the increase of the relative amount of β-sitosterol and campesterol at the expense of minor PS species, such as brassicasterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Castellaneta
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - I Losito
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale SMART, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - B Leoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - M Renna
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - C Mininni
- Ortogourmet Società Agricola S.r.l., S.C. 14 Madonna delle Grazie, 74014 Laterza, Italy
| | - P Santamaria
- Centro Interdipartimentale SMART, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - C D Calvano
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale SMART, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - T R I Cataldi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale SMART, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - G Liebisch
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Matysik
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Frontini A, De Bellis L, Luvisi A, Blando F, Allah SM, Dimita R, Mininni C, Accogli R, Negro C. The Green Leaf Volatile (Z)-3-Hexenyl Acetate Is Differently Emitted by Two Varieties of Tulbaghia violacea Plants Routinely and after Wounding. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:3305. [PMID: 36501344 PMCID: PMC9739665 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While studying aromas produced by the edible flowers of Tulbaghia violacea, we noticed a different production of (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate (a green-leaf volatile, GLV) by purple (var. ‘Violacea’) and white (var. ‘Alba’) flowers. The white Tulbaghia flowers constantly emits (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate, which is instead produced in a lower amount by the purple-flowered variety. Thus, we moved to analyze the production of (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate by whole plants of the two varieties by keeping them confined under a glass bell for 5 h together with a SPME (Solid Phase Micro Extraction) fiber. Results show that six main volatile compounds are emitted by T. violacea plants: (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, nonanal, decanal, (Z)-3-Hexenyl-α-methylbutyrate, and one unknown compound. By cutting at half-height of the leaves, the (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate is emitted in high quantities from both varieties, while the production of (Z)-3-Hexenyl-α-methylbutyrate increases. (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate is a GLV capable of stimulating plant defenses, attracting herbivores and their natural enemies, and it is also involved in plant-to-plant communication and defense priming. Thus, T. violacea could represent a useful model for the study of GLVs production and a ‘signal’ plant capable of stimulating natural defenses in the neighboring plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Frontini
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Luigi De Bellis
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Andrea Luvisi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Federica Blando
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), Research Unit of Lecce, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Samar Min Allah
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dimita
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Carlo Mininni
- Ortogourmet Società Agricola S.r.l., S.C. 14 Madonna delle Grazie, 74014 Laterza, Italy
| | - Rita Accogli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Carmine Negro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Salento University, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Leanza V, Mininni C, Di Grazia FM, Genovese F, Carbonaro A, Leanza G, Palumbo M. Minilaparotomic incision for haemorrhagic corpus luteum: a case report. G Chir 2020; 41:110-113. [PMID: 32038021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Corpus luteum cyst rupture with consequent hemoperitoneum is a common cause of admission to the emergency room. This condition is frequently misdiagnosed because of overlapping of clinical findings in acute gynecologic diseases. However, an incorrect identification may lead to delay in surgical treatment, which can Romabe a life-threatening condition. Ultrasound (US) is the first technique used for diagnosis that can confirm or dismiss the presence of intraperitoneal fluid. Secondly, the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is the quickest way to identify the site of active bleeding and to establish the correct management of the clinical condition. Herein, we report a case of a 19-years-old girl with acute abdominal pain correctly identified by diagnostic images and treated with mini-invasive surgery techniques in order to quickly act without clinic and aesthetic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mininni
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, I-50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - F Fontani
- INAF/Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo Enrico Fermi 5, I-50125, Florence, Italy
| | - V M Rivilla
- INAF/Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo Enrico Fermi 5, I-50125, Florence, Italy
| | - M T Beltrán
- INAF/Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo Enrico Fermi 5, I-50125, Florence, Italy
| | - P Caselli
- Centre for Astrochemical Studies, Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Giessenbachstrasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - A Vasyunin
- Centre for Astrochemical Studies, Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Giessenbachstrasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
- Laboratory of Astrochemistry, Department of Astronomy, Geodesy and Environmental Monitoring, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg
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Gattullo CE, Mininni C, Parente A, Montesano FF, Allegretta I, Terzano R. Effects of municipal solid waste- and sewage sludge-compost-based growing media on the yield and heavy metal content of four lettuce cultivars. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:25406-25415. [PMID: 28933019 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0103-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Compost has been recently suggested as an alternative to peat for the preparation of growing substrates in soilless cultivation systems. However, some physico-chemical properties of compost may reduce plant performance and endanger the quality of productions, in particular for possible heavy metal accumulation in edible parts. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of a municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and a sewage sludge compost (SSC) as components of growing media for the soilless cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Heavy metal content of SSC complied with legislation limits but, in MSWC, it exceeded (Cu, Pb) or was very close (Cd, Zn) to safe limits. A greenhouse experiment was carried out by cultivating four lettuce cultivars ("Maximus," "Murai," "Patagonia," and "Aleppo") in pots containing a mixture of MSWC and perlite (MSWC + P), SSC and perlite (SSC + P), or peat and perlite (peat + P), the latter used as control. Plant biometric parameters measured after 72 days of growth revealed that the yield of plants cultivated on SSC + P was similar to control plants, independently of the cultivar. Conversely, MSWC + P suppressed in general the biomass production, especially for Murai and Patagonia cultivars. Compared to peat + P, both compost-based substrates reduced the leaf accumulation of heavy metals, with a major effect in Maximus plants. The levels of Cd and Pb in the edible part were always below the safe limits imposed by European regulation. Therefore, risks of heavy metal intake in food chain associated with the replacement of peat with compost in the growing media are negligible, even when a compost with a significant amount of heavy metals is used. Besides compost quality monitoring, also an appropriate varietal choice is crucial to obtain good yields and safe products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Eliana Gattullo
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Mininni
- C.N.R.-National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Parente
- C.N.R.-National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fabiano Montesano
- C.N.R.-National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Ignazio Allegretta
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Terzano
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
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Di Gioia F, De Bellis P, Mininni C, Santamaria P, Serio F. Physicochemical, agronomical and microbiological evaluation of alternative growing media for the production of rapini (Brassica rapa L.) microgreens. J Sci Food Agric 2017; 97:1212-1219. [PMID: 27311947 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peat-based mixes and synthetic mats are the main substrates used for microgreens production. However, both are expensive and non-renewable. Recycled fibrous materials may represent low-cost and renewable alternative substrates. Recycled textile-fiber (TF; polyester, cotton and polyurethane traces) and jute-kenaf-fiber (JKF; 85% jute, 15% kenaf-fibers) mats were characterized and compared with peat and Sure to Grow® (Sure to Grow, Beachwood, OH, USA; http://suretogrow.com) (STG; 100% polyethylene-terephthalate) for the production of rapini (Brassica rapa L.; Broccoletto group) microgreens. RESULTS All substrates had suitable physicochemical properties for the production of microgreens. On average, microgreens fresh yield was 1502 g m-2 in peat, TF and JKF, and was 13.1% lower with STG. Peat-grown microgreen shoots had a higher concentration of K+ and SO42- and a two-fold higher NO3- concentration [1959 versus 940 mg kg-1 fresh weight (FW)] than those grown on STG, TF and JKF. At harvest, substrates did not influence microgreens aerobic bacterial populations (log 6.48 CFU g-1 FW). Peat- and JKF-grown microgreens had higher yeast-mould counts than TF- and STG microgreens (log 2.64 versus 1.80 CFU g-1 FW). Peat-grown microgreens had the highest population of Enterobacteriaceae (log 5.46 ± 0.82 CFU g-1 ) and Escherichia coli (log 1.46 ± 0.15 CFU g-1 ). Escherichia coli was not detected in microgreens grown on other media. CONCLUSION TF and JKF may be valid alternatives to peat and STG because both ensured a competitive yield, low nitrate content and a similar or higher microbiological quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Gioia
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, South West Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA
| | - Palmira De Bellis
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Mininni
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Santamaria
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Serio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Renna M, Di Gioia F, Leoni B, Mininni C, Santamaria P. Culinary Assessment of Self-Produced Microgreens as Basic Ingredients in Sweet and Savory Dishes. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/15428052.2016.1225534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Renna
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Gioia
- Associazione ORTINNOVA, Bari, Italy
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, South West Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, Florida, USA
| | - Beniamino Leoni
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Santamaria
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Montesano FF, Serio F, Mininni C, Signore A, Parente A, Santamaria P. Tensiometer-Based Irrigation Management of Subirrigated Soilless Tomato: Effects of Substrate Matric Potential Control on Crop Performance. Front Plant Sci 2015; 6:1150. [PMID: 26779189 PMCID: PMC4688453 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Automatic irrigation scheduling based on real-time measurement of soilless substrate water status has been recognized as a promising approach for efficient greenhouse irrigation management. Identification of proper irrigation set points is crucial for optimal crop performance, both in terms of yield and quality, and optimal use of water resources. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of irrigation management based on matric potential control on growth, plant-water relations, yield, fruit quality traits, and water-use efficiency of subirrigated (through bench system) soilless tomato. Tensiometers were used for automatic irrigation control. Two cultivars, "Kabiria" (cocktail type) and "Diana" (intermediate type), and substrate water potential set-points (-30 and -60 hPa, for "Diana," and -30, -60, and -90 hPa for "Kabiria"), were compared. Compared with -30 hPa, water stress (corresponding to a -60 hPa irrigation set-point) reduced water consumption (14%), leaf area (18%), specific leaf area (19%), total yield (10%), and mean fruit weight (13%), irrespective of the cultivars. At -60 hPa, leaf-water status of plants, irrespective of the cultivars, showed an osmotic adjustment corresponding to a 9% average osmotic potential decrease. Total yield, mean fruit weight, plant water, and osmotic potential decreased linearly when -30, -60, and -90 hPa irrigation set-points were used in "Kabiria." Unmarketable yield in "Diana" increased when water stress was imposed (187 vs. 349 g·plant(-1), respectively, at -30 and -60 hPa), whereas the opposite effect was observed in "Kabiria," where marketable yield loss decreased linearly [by 1.05 g·plant(-1) per unit of substrate water potential (in the tested range from -30 to -90 hPa)]. In the second cluster, total soluble solids of the fruit and dry matter increased irrespective of the cultivars. In the seventh cluster, in "Diana," only a slight increase was observed from -30 vs. -60 hPa (3.3 and 1.3%, respectively, for TSS and dry matter), whereas in "Kabiria," the increase was more pronounced (8.7 and 12.0%, respectively, for TSS and dry matter), and further reduction in matric potential from -60 to -90 hPa confirmed the linear increase for both parameters. Both glucose and fructose concentrations increased linearly in "Kabiria" fruits on decreasing the substrate matric potential, whereas in "Diana," there was no increase. It is feasible to act on matric potential irrigation set-points to control plant response in terms of fruit quality parameters. Precise control of substrate water status may offer the possibility to steer crop response by enhancing different crop-performance components, namely yield and fruit quality, in subirrigated tomato. Small-sized fruit varieties benefit more from controlled water stress in terms of reduced unmarketable yield loss and fruit quality improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Serio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of ItalyBari, Italy
| | - Carlo Mininni
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of ItalyBari, Italy
| | - Angelo Signore
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo MoroBari, Italy
| | - Angelo Parente
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of ItalyBari, Italy
| | - Pietro Santamaria
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo MoroBari, Italy
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Mininni C, Grassi F, Traversa A, Cocozza C, Parente A, Miano T, Santamaria P. Posidonia oceanica (L.) based compost as substrate for potted basil production. J Sci Food Agric 2015; 95:2041-6. [PMID: 25228315 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peat is the main component of growing media but is also a non-renewable resource; therefore European policy strongly encourages the use of peat alternatives such as compost. Posidonia is a Mediterranean seagrass that produces very conspicuous onshore deposits that can be composted. In this study, a commercial green compost and a Posidonia residue-based compost were tested in order to assess their potential use as substitutes or complements to peat. RESULTS All macro and micro-element concentrations of the substrates were positively and significantly related to the percentage of composts in the growing media. Plant grown on peat showed higher content of P, Ca, K, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe, and a slightly higher biomass production in comparison to compost-based growing media. In contrast, plants grown on compost-based substrates showed lower uptake of Cd and Cr than peat. CONCLUSION The results indicate that both composts can be used as a complement to the peat for substrate preparation, especially at a rate of 30%. The Posidonia-based compost showed better productive results in comparison to the green one. Basil grown on the two compost-based media showed reduced absorption level of potentially toxic metals in comparison to peat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mininni
- Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Grassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali e Territoriali, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Andreina Traversa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente, University of Foggia, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Claudio Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Parente
- Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Teodoro Miano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Santamaria
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali e Territoriali, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
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Cocozza C, Parente A, Zaccone C, Mininni C, Santamaria P, Miano T. Comparative management of offshore posidonia residues: composting vs. energy recovery. Waste Manag 2011; 31:78-84. [PMID: 20888211 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Residues of the marine plant posidonia (Posidonia oceanica, PO) beached in tourist zones represent a great environmental, economical, social and hygienic problem in the Mediterranean Basin, in general, and in the Apulia Region in particular, because of the great disturb to the bathers and population, and the high costs that the administrations have to bear for their removal and disposal. In the present paper, Authors determined the heating values of leaves and fibres of PO, the main offshore residues found on beaches, and, meantime, composted those residues with mowing and olive pruning wood. The final composts were characterized for pH, electrical conductivity, elemental composition, dynamic respiration index, phytotoxicity, fluorescence and infrared spectroscopic fingerprints. The aim of the paper was to investigate the composting and energy recovery of PO leaves and fibres in order to suggest alternative solutions to the landfill when offshore residues have to be removed from recreational beaches. The fibrous portion of PO residues showed heating values close to those of other biofuels, thus suggesting a possible utilization as source of energy. At the same time, compost obtained from both PO wastes showed high quality features on condition that the electrical conductivity and Na content are lowered by a correct management of wetting during the composting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Chimica Agro-forestale ed Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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