Exchangeable Ca,Mg, and K of rock fragments and fine earth from sandstone and siltstone derived soils and their availability to grass

Rock fragments (particles > 2 mm) are usually considered chemically inert for plant growth. In this paper, the potential fertility in terms of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K of rock fragments from sandstone and siltstone derived soils from northern Apennines (Italy) is reported and contrasted with that of the fine earth (particles < 2 mm). The results show that rock fragments are a source of Ca, Mg, and K. When expressed on a volume basis, the abundance of these exchangeable nutrients sometimes may equal or surpass that of the fine earth. The plant uptake of Mg and K has been demonstrated in growth experiments with Agrostis under controlled conditions.     

Managing “Marandu” palisadegrass and calopo pastures based on light interception

Light interception (LI) in grazing management has been an efficient tool to harvest forage under similar growth stage conditions. The objective was to define the best grazing management strategies (GMSs) based on LI in marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] R. Webster cv. Marandu) and calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv. cv. Comum) mixed pastures. Three GMSs were evaluated in a randomized block design: rest period interrupted at 90% (90LI), 95% (95LI) and 100% (100LI) of LI. The experimental period was divided into four periods: rainy seasons and transitions (between rainy and dry seasons). Post-grazing stubble height target was 15 cm. Canopy height, forage mass, leaf area index (LAI), morphogenic variables and tiller demographic pattern were evaluated. Pre- and post-grazing canopy height increased at 100LI. Pre-grazing forage mass decreased over time in all GMSs. The relationship among canopy height, forage mass and LI was not constant throughout the experiment. Post-grazing forage mass was greatest at 90LI. There was an increase in legume mass throughout the experiment; however, the proportion of legume in pre-grazing forage mass was no more than 6.6% for all GMSs. Number of calopo branches per plant and LAI increased throughout the experiment while the number of plants decreased. The 95LI provided the best conditions for calopo development; however, the LI as a tool to determine the entry of animals in mixed pastures of marandu palisadegrass and calopo should be carefully applied, considering the seasonal variations in canopy botanical and structural composition under similar LI.     

Development of a High Protein Beverage Based on Amaranth

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The objective of this study was to formulate a beverage based on amaranth proteins, stable and nutritious. The process of obtaining the beverage was based on the...     

Illegal ingegno fishery and conservation of deep red coral banks in the Sicily Channel (Mediterranean Sea)

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Bird communities and extended biotic index (EBI) in some tributaries of the Tiber river

1. Riparian birds and macroinvertebrates were studied in five reaches of four tributaries of the Tiber river (Italy). The first aim was to check if stream quality, assessed by extended biotic index (EBI) values, could represent change in the riparian zone, assessed through the bird community. The second was to consider whether stream quality affects the presence of riverine bird species. 2. Stream quality and richness of the riparian bird community were related. In streams with more disturbed macroinvertebrate communities, but also in agricultural areas, the relative frequency of granivorous species increased in the riparian zone. 3. Dippers Cinclus cinclus occurred exclusively in reaches with the best stream quality, but the relationship between grey wagtails Motacilla cinerea and stream quality was less clear. 4. These results support the judicious use of riverine and riparian birds as biological indicators. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Migration of bisphenol A (BPA) from epoxy can coatings to jalapeño peppers and an acid food simulant

Effects of heat processing, storage time, and temperature on migration of bisphenol A (BPA) from an epoxy type can coating to an acid food simulant and jalape?o peppers were determined. Commercial jalape?o pepper cans (8 oz, dimensions 211 x 300) were stored at 25 degrees C for 40, 70, and 160 days. A solution of 3% acetic acid was canned in 211 x 300 cans from the same batch used for jalape?o peppers. Heat processing was applied to two-thirds of the cans, and the remaining cans were not heat processed. Cans were stored at 25 and 35 degrees C for 0, 40, 70, and 160 days. Results showed that there is a minimal effect of heat treatment. An effect of storage time on migration of BPA during the first 40 days at 25 degrees C was observed. An increase on migration of BPA was observed with storage time at 35 degrees C. The highest level of migration was 15.33 microg/kg of BPA at 160 days at 35 degrees C. A correction factor of approximately 0.4 was calculated for migration under simulating conditions of storage compared to the real ones. The highest level of BPA found in jalape?o peppers cans, surveyed from three supermarkets, was 5.59 +/- 2.43 microg/kg. Migration of BPA, performed according to the European and Mercosur conditions, was 65.45 +/- 5.29 microg/kg. All the migration values found in this study were below those legislation limits (3 mg/kg).     

First record of Ektaphelenchoides pini associated with Ips sexdentatus on Pinus nigra laricio in Italy

In February 2015, an unexpected windstorm downed five hectares of a European black pine Pinus nigra subsp. laricio forest formation located close to Vallombrosa, Florence (Central Italy). In the following spring, an extensive survey was conducted in the area. Felled trees, stumps and all the suitable plant material were screened for the presence of the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, by sampling wood and bark. Bark beetles were then collected from the gallery systems on the inner side of bark samples and observed in the laboratory. The following bark beetles were morphologically identified: Ips sexdentatus, Orthotomicus erosus, O. laricis and Pityogenes bidentatusa. The dissection of Ips sexdentatus allowed the extraction of numerous nematodes that were morphologically and molecularly identified as Ektaphelenchoides pini. Conversely, only few nematode specimens were isolated from either pine bark or wood. These individuals could be only molecularly identified and belonged to an undescribed nematode taxon. Even though no PWN was recorded in the investigated sites, our survey allowed the detection of a new association between E. pini and I. sexdentatus on P. nigra.     

Dietary Elements and Quality Parameters of 34 Old and Eight Commercial Apple Cultivars Grown at the same Site in South Tyrol,Italy

Apple is one of the most widely produced and consumed fruits worldwide and hence, complete data of apple composition are important for human diet. Currently, a limited number of cultivars dominate the market, while many others, with a potentially higher nutritional value, are neglected by consumers. The present work reports the content of the dietary elements potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) as well as the content of the macroelement nitrogen (N) of 34 old cultivars grown at the same site under identical conditions in South Tyrol, Italy. Their elemental composition was assessed along with quality parameters such as fruit weight, firmness, and soluble solid content and total acidity at harvest and post storage. For selected cultivars the measurements were performed over two or even three different harvest years. Comparison with eight commercial cultivars chosen to represent the fruit currently dominating the market was performed.Besides offering a valuable insight in the variation of dietary elements among old and commercial apple cultivars in up to three harvest years, this study, that complements current nutritional databases, recommends several old cultivars with high content of dietary elements for further study and eventual re-introduction in niche markets.     

Effects of Yeast Freezing in Frozen Dough

The effects of freezing and frozen storage of bread dough and compressed yeast on bread quality were studied. Besides, the effects of compressed yeast freezing on cell viability, gas production and release of substances by the yeast cells were examined. Freezing and frozen storage of dough made with fresh yeast had more negative effects on baking quality than the addition of frozen yeast to dough. When the compressed yeast is frozen and stored at ‐18°C, the CO₂ production decreased, while the amount of dead cells, the total protein, and the total reducing substances leached from the yeast increased as the length of yeast frozen storage increased. SDS‐PAGE showed that the substances leached from frozen yeast caused an increase in the solubility of some gluten proteins. On the other hand, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) pointed out that the relative amount of two protein fractions of low molecular weight leached from frozen yeast increased for longer yeast frozen storage periods. The yeast leachates had an adverse effect on loaf volume.