Yield modelling in a Mediterranean species utilizing cause–effect relationships between temperature forcing and biological processes

Crop yield forecasting has progressed clearly in the past years, mainly due to the growing demand for modelling. In the present research, considering the Mediterranean vocation for the olive cultivation, olive yield forecasting modelling was analysed, to understand the principal relationships between olive tree production and climate features in a large southern Italy area. The simulation of olive yield has practical application in different price formation activities: in management of cropping systems, formation of stocks, commercialization, making of agricultural policies and zoning. Both meteorological and biological variables were considered, pollen indexes were constructed from daily pollen concentrations evaluated by use of aerobiological methodology. The monitored pollen quantities should be considered as a Proxy variable of the olive orchards located around the volumetric pollen traps, even if the final harvest could be highly dependent on local summer meteorological conditions. The model carried out by use of Panel data analysis has demonstrated a great interpretative capacity, considering contemporary meteorological and biological variables (pollen monitored with volumetric traps). The aggregation of historical data (1999–2008) with cross-section data (10 different pollen monitoring stations) permitted to investigate the variability information related to temporal and geographical dimensions. The entire volume of pollen grains emitted during flowering was redundant to investigate the future fruit formation while the specific and concentrated mass of pollen grains during the days before full flowering was related positively with the final production. The statistical technique utilized permitted to obtain interpretative results common to different geographical areas and not limited by local meteorological conditions.     

Intelligent estimation of spatially distributed soil physical properties

Spatial analysis of soil samples is often times not possible when measurements are limited in number or clustered. To obviate potential problems, we propose a new approach based on the self-organizing map (SOM) technique. This approach exploits underlying nonlinear relation of the steady-state geomorphic concave–convex nature of hillslopes (from hilltop to bottom of the valley) to spatially limited soil textural data. The topographic features are extracted from Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission elevation data; whereas soil textural (clay, silt, and sand) and hydraulic data were collected in 29 spatially random locations (50 to 75 cm depth). In contrast to traditional principal component analysis, the SOM identifies relations among relief features, such as, slope, horizontal curvature and vertical curvature. Stochastic cross-validation indicates that the SOM is unbiased and provides a way to measure the magnitude of prediction uncertainty for all variables. The SOM cross-component plots of the soil texture reveals higher clay proportions at concave areas with convergent hydrological flux and lower proportions for convex areas with divergent flux. The sand ratio has an opposite pattern with higher values near the ridge and lower values near the valley. Silt has a trend similar to sand, although less pronounced. The relation between soil texture and concave–convex hillslope features reveals that subsurface weathering and transport is an important process that changed from loss-to-gain at the rectilinear hillslope point. These results illustrate that the SOM can be used to capture and predict nonlinear hillslope relations among relief, soil texture, and hydraulic conductivity data.     

Characterization of the lentil landrace Santo Stefano di Sessanio from Abruzzo,Italy

In the world lentil is grown on more than 3 million hectares and is one of the most important, low-cost, food source of protein. In Italy lentil has been cultivated since ancient times, but in the last decades its cultivation has been confined to marginal areas, small islands and hilly, mountainous areas of central and southern Italy. Local varieties are still common and are often greatly appreciated for their taste and cooking qualities. Several accessions from the Santo Stefano di Sessanio area, Abruzzo Region, were collected and phenotypically and genotypically characterized in order to look for the existing variability within and between populations. Image analysis of seeds was also used. Populations grown in Santo Stefano di Sessanio and in the neighbouring area basically share most of their characteristics. However, some of the accessions anonymously gathered from the local market were shown to be different from those collected from farmers. The paper reports and discusses how this local product needs be characterized and promoted in order to avoid fraud that could negatively affect the local economy and put valuable, adapted, genetic resources at risk of erosion.     

Antimicrobial and Antimycobacterial Activity of Cyclostellettamine Alkaloids from Sponge Pachychalina sp.

Cyclostellettamines A – F (1 – 6) isolated from the sponge Pachychalina sp. and cyclostellettamines G - I, K and L (7 – 11) obtained by synthesis were evaluated in bioassays of antimicrobial activity against susceptible and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antibiotic-susceptible Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, as well as in antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv bioassays. The results obtained indicated that cyclostellettamines display different antimicrobial activity depending on the alkyl-chain size, suggesting that, if a mechanism-of action is implied, it is dependent on the distance between the two pyridinium moieties of cyclostellettamines.     

Malignant melanoma in a seagull (Larus fuscus): morphological and immunohistochemical approach

A common seagull (Larus fuscus) was found near the southern coast of Italy by the veterinarians of the local wild animal rescue center. Physical examination of the bird revealed an ulcerated mass involving a majority of the oral cavity; the mass did not allow for normal feeding. After the bird died necropsy was performed and the mass was histologically and immunohistochemically examined. The morphology and the immunoreactivity for Melan-A and S-100 antigens led to a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. This is the first case of malignant melanoma described in a seagull, and herein we compare the characteristics of the present case with malignant melanoma already described in domestic animals.     

Ovicidal activity of seven <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> fungal isolates on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris suum</Emphasis> eggs

The ovicidal effect of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on eggs of Ascaris suum was tested under laboratory conditions. A. suum eggs were plated on 2% water–agar with seven fungal isolates (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) and control without fungus. After 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 21 days of incubation, approximately 100 eggs were removed from the plates and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo showing hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The isolates effectively destroyed A. suum eggs and all types of effects were observed during the experiment. There was no variation in ovicidal capacity (type 3 effect) among the isolates (p > 0.05) throughout the experiment. After 21 days, isolate 5 showed the highest percentages of type 3 effect (58.33%). The results indicated that P. chlamydosporia (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) can destroy A. suum eggs and is, therefore, a potential biological control agent of nematodes.     

Experimentally induced melanin-like pigmentation (thesaurismosis) related to acorn ingestion in Nero Siciliano pigs

In this study, an experimental challenge was carried out by feeding Nero Siciliano pigs with acorn to evoke melanin-like pigmentation and support the hypothesis that it is caused by ingested material. Twelve pigs were studied, 6 fed with acorns and 6 fed commercial feed. At slaughter, all the animals fed on acorns showed black discolouration of almost all lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were normal in size and shape. Histochemical tests performed on tissues allowed us to identify and differentiate the pigment. Immunohistochemical staining for macrophage markers showed macrophages containing a variable amount of melanin-like granules. Our data, and the well-known steps of melanin formation, confirm that swine enzymes could act on phenolic substances found in acorns.     

Effect of passive pneumoperitoneum on oesophageal pressure, cardiovascular parameters and blood gas analysis in horses

Reasons for performing study: Standing surgical procedures are being employed to an ever‐greater extent in horses. Pneumoperitoneum during abdominal surgery might adversely affect the work of breathing. Objectives: To determine whether development of pneumoperitoneum during abdominal surgery adversely influences the work of breathing. Methods: Eight healthy mature horses were equipped with carotid artery and thoracic vena cava catheters and an intraluminal manometry system. The following measurements were obtained before and at +5, +10, +15 and +30 min following establishment of pneumoperitoneum by paralumbar puncture using an 8 gauge needle: vital signs, oesophageal pressure, gastric pressure, arterial and central venous blood pressures, and arterial and mixed venous blood gas analyses. Results: Significant changes in oesophageal pressure, central venous pressure and results of arterial and mixed venous blood gas analysis were not detected. Arterial diastolic and mean pressures and rectal temperature increased slightly (P≤0.05). Conclusions: Passive pneumoperitoneum did not adversely affect breathing mechanics or haemodynamic variables under experimental conditions. Changes in arterial pressure could have occurred as a response to the passive pneumoperitoneum or be related to handling stress. Subtle variations in rectal temperature were not clinically relevant and likely resulted from stress associated with restraint. Potential relevance: It is unlikely that mature horses will develop signs of respiratory difficulty as a result of the development of passive pneumoperitoneum during standing laparoscopy.     

Bioassays and application of olive pomace compost on emmer: effects on yield and soil properties in organic farming

Abstract

Composting olive oil pomace could solve the problem of disposal, by recycling this organic waste for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, application of composted organic waste could be a way to sustain both soil fertility and production, especially in organic farming. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the phytotoxicity and the effects of application of olive pomace composts on emmer performance and soil properties. Two types of olive pomace composts, with a different initial C/N ratio, were stopped at the active phase and processed until maturation. The obtained four olive pomace composts were compared with a commercial fertilizer in a two-year field experiment. Before the field trial, a bioassay was performed to assess phytotoxicity both for the raw pomace and the not-stabilized composts. Growing and yielding data for emmer were determined during the two-year period and soil characteristics were measured at the start and at the end of the experiment.

The composts were not phytotoxic (germination index was higher than 90%) and their total organic carbon content was always higher than the minimum values established by the Italian fertilizers legislation. The emmer protein content was significantly higher in the matured compost treatment with low C/N, than in the other compost treatments. Its value was comparable with that of the commercial fertilizer, suggesting a good performance on crop yield quality. Although not significant, this compost showed an increase of 9.8% in grain yield compared with commercial fertilizer treatment. On the whole, it can be suggested that repeated compost application might preserve the soil organic carbon content and supply macronutrients to a crop.