Domestication of Alpine blue-sow-thistle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicerbita alpina</Emphasis> (L.) Wallr.): six year trial results

Alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr.) is a perennial herb distributed all along the entire Alpine Arc, the shoots of which are still collected in the wild in several areas of Northern-Eastern Italy for food purposes. Our paper deals with experiments of domestication of this species carried out in the surroundings of Trento and lasted from 2004 to 2010. The cultivation was carried out transplanting seedlings, obtained by wild seed of a unique accession. One experimental trial (2004/2008) was carried in the location Frisanchi, located at 1,078 m a.s.l. In this trial the theses compared 4 harvests, 1 week spaced, carried out respectively in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year after the transplant. Of the total quantity harvested after 4 years, the most shoots (60) and the highest dried weight per m² (14 g) were obtained from shoots collected 2 or 3 years after being transplanted. However, comparing the shoots yielded in the last year of the trial only (2008), the best results were obtained from 3 or 4-year-old transplants (42 shoots/m²; 8.2 g dry weight). Nevertheless there four times harvesting of shoots weakened the plants’ development and a high failure rates was recorded. In addition to the real experimental trial another small cultivation was carried out in an higher location, Monte Bondone at 1,500 m a.s.l., in which 5 years after the transplant (2010) only 2 harvests were carried out. In this experiment the yield recorded was very encouraging (10.5 g m²) and also the quality of the shoots collected was good.     

Use of Anguilla anguilla for Biomonitoring Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Brackish and Riverine Waters in Central and Southern Italy

One of the aims of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/CE is to assess the ecological status of water bodies in Europe in relation to priority contaminants, including some persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Recognizing the benefits of measuring hydrophobic compounds in biota tissues rather than in water, we used the European eel Anguilla anguilla in the present study as a bioindicator species for monitoring POPs in freshwater/brackish environments. We present the results of a contamination analysis of eels carried out in three Italian sites representative of different pollution levels: the last part of Tevere River, which flows through a very urbanized and industrialized area, Caprolace Lake and Lesina Lagoon, inside two different protected national parks. A very high pollution variability was recorded within each group of eels, in particular for those caught at Caprolace Lake. Due to this high variability, inter-population comparisons were carried out only between eels collected in Tevere River and Lesina Lagoon. PCBs values in Lesina Lagoon were two orders of magnitude lower than those measured in Tevere River, while no significant differences were found for levels of DDT compounds. Our results confirm the suitability of the eel as an indicator of persistent bioaccumulative pollutants in brackish environments and rivers where it can be easily caught, but we are sceptical of its use in deep lakes where its capture might be problematic considering standard operation procedures for fish sampling.     

Nutritional (Fe-Mn) interactions in ‘Big Top’ peach plants as influenced by the rootstock and by the soil CaCO3 concentration

Manganese (Mn) toxicity in plants is often not a clearly identifiable disorder and it can interfere with the absorption, translocation, and utilization of other elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, and P. Soil conditions, management factors, and the use of different genotypes of rootstock can determine the degree of Mn toxicity and of interaction with other elements in the orchard. Five plants of the cultivar ‘Big Top’® grafted onto itself, onto plum rootstock ‘Mr.S.2/5’ and onto hybrid peach x almond rootstock ‘GF677’ were grown in 25-L containers under three treatments, 0, 20, 30% concentration of total lime, obtained by mixing powdered CaCO₃ to a sandy soil. Plants were fertilized with manure and a solid fertilizer early in April and irrigated in summer periodically with water rich in manganese. After just 28 d, active lime caused a decrease of chlorophyll SPAD index especially in plants grafted on itself, while those grafted on the tolerant ‘GF677’ rootstock behaved better than those grafted on ‘Mr.S.2/5.’ From June to September, irrigation caused increases in soil Mn concentration and Mn concentration in control plants. This caused first a serious defoliation in Big Top / Big Top plants and then a re-greening of cultivar grafted onto ‘Mr.S.2/5’ and ‘GF677,’ probably due to the interaction between iron and manganese at high pH. In particular the 20% CaCO₃ addition to the soil preserved the plants of cultivar grafted onto ‘Mr.S.2/5’ from Mn toxicity, as shown by their high chlorophyll content and growth and lower Mn leaf concentrations. Plants grafted onto ‘GF677’ rootstock showed the best behaviour under 30% CaCO₃ treatment associated to higher Fe(III)-reducing capacity and photosynthetic activity. Rootstocks and soil conditions (lime and waterlogging) influenced mineral status and growth of the peach cultivar ‘Big Top,’ particularly by interacting together and modifying Fe-Mn availability.     

Qualitative modifications of humic acid-like and core-humic acid-like during high-rate composting of pig faeces amended with wheat straw

Humic acid-like (HA-like) and core-humic acid-like (core-HA-like) were characterized during the high-rate composting process by CP-MAS ¹³C NMR, pyrolysis-gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS), and elemental analysis. Results obtained indicated that humification proceeded through a relative concentration of aromatic fractions due to the faster degradation of the O-alkyl and alkyl fractions. Core-HA-like, after purification of the parent material, showed a large reduction of the O-alkyl fraction in terms of HA-like. We concluded that HA-like consisted of refractory organic molecules, such as lignin and biopolymers, which formed a stable structure (core-HA-like) coated with degradable material associated with the core by weak physical association, ether or ester bounds.     

Growth Responses,Metal Accumulation and Phytoremoval Capability in Amaranthus Plants Exposed to Nickel Under Hydroponics

Surfactant-enhanced solubilization and subsequent biodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene from aqueous solutions by Arthrobacter strain Sphe3 was investigated. The results show that growth of Arthrobacter strain Sphe3 was increased upon increase in concentration of Tween 20 and Tween 80. Inhibition of bacterial growth was observed with increasing Triton X-100 concentrations, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) totally inhibited this bacterial growth. Phenanthrene and pyrene solubilization was enhanced in the presence of surfactants and found to be linearly proportional to their concentrations, above the critical micelle concentration (CMC). In addition, Tween 20 and Tween 80 enhanced the biodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene. The high correlation coefficient (R ²) values obtained at all the concentrations studied, suggest that biodegradation kinetics of both phenanthrene and pyrene in the presence of Tween 20 and Tween 80 follow first-order kinetic equation model. Experimental results suggest that Tween 20 and Tween 80 may have great potential for applications in bioremediation of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds using Arthrobacter strain Sphe3.     

A size-based stock assessment model for invasive blue catfish in a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary during 2001–2016

Stock assessment modeling provides a means to estimate the population dynamics of invasive fishes and may do so despite data limitations. Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) were introduced to the Chesapeake Bay watershed to support recreational fisheries but also consume species of conservation need and economic importance. To assess management tradeoffs, managers need to understand the current status of the population and anticipate future population abundance and trends. A Bayesian size-based stock assessment model was used to estimate blue catfish abundance, fishing mortality, and size structure over time (2001–2016) in the tidal James River. The model estimated population size increases until around 2006, with declines in total abundance after 2011 and large blue catfish (≥80 cm total length) after 2001. These first estimates of blue catfish population dynamics in the Chesapeake Bay region provide inputs for projection models to evaluate prospective management actions and identify monitoring needs.     

Retrospective Biomolecular Investigation of Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. DNA in Cases of Abortion,Stillbirth and Neonatal Mortality in Dogs and Cats

Abortion and neonatal mortality are events that can occur in breeding bitches and queens. It has been reported that up to 55% and 33% of these cases remain without a known cause, respectively, in canine and feline pregnancies. Unusual abortigenic and potentially zoonotic agents, including Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp., may be involved in these cases. C. burnetii is able to cause reproductive disorders in cattle, sheep and goats, and cases of abortion have been observed in dogs and cats. Moreover, several outbreaks of C. burnetii infection in humans have been caused by delivering bitches and queens, and some of these animals experienced abortion. Leptospira interrogans sensu lato is able to cause abortion or stillbirth in several animal species and its abortigenic role has occasionally been described in bitches and queens. The aim of this study was to search for C. burnetii and Leptospira spp. DNA in a retrospective series of 103 cases of canine and feline abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality submitted for the identification of possible infectious agents. One hundred and fifty-one specimens were tested using PCR assays and found negative for C. burnetii and Leptospira DNA. However, in 49 samples (47.6%) other infectious causes of abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality were identified. These results showed that C. burnetii and Leptospira spp. are probably not common abortigenic agents or causes of neonatal deaths in dogs. However, given the potential abortigentic and zoonotic role of these agents, surveillance of canine and feline abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality could be advisable for a systematic investigation of these events.     

Monitoring managed forest structure at the compartment-level under different silvicultural heritages: An exploratory data analysis in Italy

ABSTRACT

The more and more diffused multifunctional role addressed nowadays to public forests, calls for targeted analysis aimed at highlighting the overall outcome of different practices implemented on the same forest compartment, according to the locally prevailing function. This study was carried out in four Italian beech forests across a latitudinal gradient representative of multiple management history, stand structure, and dominant stand age. We analyze forest structure at the compartment scale before and after silvicultural practices. We aim to explore relationships and similarities between 10 stand attributes (mensurational and structural variables) to identify relevant indicators for the monitoring and management of forest ecosystems. Results indicate changing patterns of correlation and similarity among mensurational variables following practice implementation. A sensitivity gradient to silvicultural practice was finally identified within the four sites investigated as a result of the diverging stand structure. Our approach suggests a way and provides an insight for the design of adaptive forestry management practices required to meet environmental targets, in addition to the already acknowledged supply of primary goods and services.