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J C Greeff - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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factors explaining the incidence of breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment in unmulesed and uncrutched merino sheep
Animal Production Science, 2017Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E Karlsson, A C Schlink, A R GilmourAbstract:Factors responsible for an increase in breech strike were investigated in an unmulesed Merino flock in a Mediterranean Environment that were not crutched in 4 years but were crutched in the subsequent 2 years. No chemical preventative treatments such as dipping or jetting were applied in order to assess the susceptibility of the different progeny groups. The number of breech strikes for each animal was recorded from birth to hogget shearing at 17 months of age. Production traits were measured and a large number of visual wool and body conformational traits were subjectively scored to determine whether they contribute to variation in breech strike. Large differences (P < 0.01) in the incidence of breech strike were found between years. A significant interaction (P < 0.05) was found between year of birth and sex for breech strike to weaning, as rams had a higher strike rate than ewes in 1 year only. Across years ewes generally had a higher strike rate than rams. No consistent pattern in potential indicator traits could be found across years, as many traits each explain a small proportion of the variation in breech strike. Dags and skin wrinkle in the tail and breech area contributed most to the variation in breech strike. In uncrutched sheep, dags scored at yearling age for rams, and before hogget shearing for ewes, explained 16% and 10% of the variation in breech strike, respectively, whereas tail wrinkle scored post-weaner shearing explained 21% of the variation in breech strike in both ewes and rams. In sheep that were crutched at yearling age, about 4 months before the normal fly season, tail wrinkle was the most important indicator trait of breech strike in rams, whereas dags at yearling and dags before hogget shearing were the most important indicator traits in ewes. This research confirms that dags and wrinkles are major predisposing factors to breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment and that sheep with higher dag and wrinkle scores were consistently more likely to be struck. A large proportion of variation in the incidence of breech strike remains unexplained in uncrutched and unmulesed sheep.
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identifying indicator traits for breech strike in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
Animal Production Science, 2014Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E Karlsson, A C SchlinkAbstract:Data from 2833 unmulesed Merino lambs from 49 sires and 1535 dams that were born from 2005 to 2009, were used to identify indicator traits for breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment. Sheep were managed in a normal production Environment where no preventative treatments were applied to protect them from being struck by flies, but were immediately treated when found to be fly struck. Seventy-seven skin, body conformation, wool, disease and production traits that may contribute to breech strike and that could qualify as potential indicator traits were recorded on progeny at birth, weaning, post-weaning, yearling, spring and at pre- and post-hogget age at ~18 months of age. In all, 31% of ewes and 22% of rams were fly struck in the breech area between birth and hogget shearing. The heritability of and the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the potential indicator traits and breech strike were estimated. The results showed that breech strike is a heritable trait (h2 = 0.51 ± 0.10), and that the most important indicator traits for breech strike were dags, scored at any time, especially at hogget age (rg = 0.81 ± 0.15), spring (rg = 0.77 ± 0.13) or at weaning (rg = 0.64 ± 0.00), urine stain scored at weaning (rg = 0.54 ± 0.13) and marking (rg = 0.51 ± 0.15), neck wrinkle at hogget age (rg = 0.46 ± 0.13) and breech cover (rg = 0.32 ± 0.15) scored at post-weaning shearing. These traits could be used to select indirectly for breech strike resistance in a Mediterranean Environment.
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opportunities to breed for resistance to breech strike in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
Matching genetics and environment: a new look at an old topic. Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Bre, 2009Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Three lines of Merino sheep that were selected on breech wrinkles, breech cover, dags, urine stain and wool colour from research and industry flocks were exposed to flies from birth to hogget age. Significant differences (P<0.01) existed between lines in breech strike from post-weaning to hogget shearing but not from birth to hogget shearing. The lines differed significantly (P<0.05) for the indicator traits except for dags. Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were found between sire progeny groups for incidence of breech strike. Dags was the dominant predisposing factor for breech strike in one of four years. Breech strike in unmulesed sheep had a heritability of 0.57 ± 0.28 which was genetically positively correlated to all the scored indicator traits but had the strongest relationship with dags (rg=0.86 ± 0.17).
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will selection for decrease faecal worm egg count result in an increase in scouring
1999Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Heritabilities of, and the genetic and phenotypic correlations between clean fleece weight (CFW), fibre diameter (FD), staple strength (SS), body weight (BWT), faecal worm egg count (FWEC) and faecal consistency score (FS) were estimated in an unselected Merino flock. These parameters were used to predict the correlated genetic responses in these traits to different degrees of selection on FWEC. The results suggest that in a Mediterranean Environment, the genetic gains in CFW will probably decline but the gains in scouring and BWT will stay relatively constant with increasing amounts of selection pressure on FWEC.
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genetic relationships between faecal worm egg count and scouring in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
1997Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Genetic parameters for faecal worm egg count (FWEC) and faecal scouring (FS) were estimated for July born weaners and hoggets in an unselected Merino flock in a Mediterranean Environment. FWEC were very low especially at hogget age. Heritability of FS and FWEC at weaning were approximately 0.40 and heritability of FWEC at hogget age was 0.22. No strongly adverse genetic correlations were found between FWEC and FS.
L J E Karlsson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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factors explaining the incidence of breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment in unmulesed and uncrutched merino sheep
Animal Production Science, 2017Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E Karlsson, A C Schlink, A R GilmourAbstract:Factors responsible for an increase in breech strike were investigated in an unmulesed Merino flock in a Mediterranean Environment that were not crutched in 4 years but were crutched in the subsequent 2 years. No chemical preventative treatments such as dipping or jetting were applied in order to assess the susceptibility of the different progeny groups. The number of breech strikes for each animal was recorded from birth to hogget shearing at 17 months of age. Production traits were measured and a large number of visual wool and body conformational traits were subjectively scored to determine whether they contribute to variation in breech strike. Large differences (P < 0.01) in the incidence of breech strike were found between years. A significant interaction (P < 0.05) was found between year of birth and sex for breech strike to weaning, as rams had a higher strike rate than ewes in 1 year only. Across years ewes generally had a higher strike rate than rams. No consistent pattern in potential indicator traits could be found across years, as many traits each explain a small proportion of the variation in breech strike. Dags and skin wrinkle in the tail and breech area contributed most to the variation in breech strike. In uncrutched sheep, dags scored at yearling age for rams, and before hogget shearing for ewes, explained 16% and 10% of the variation in breech strike, respectively, whereas tail wrinkle scored post-weaner shearing explained 21% of the variation in breech strike in both ewes and rams. In sheep that were crutched at yearling age, about 4 months before the normal fly season, tail wrinkle was the most important indicator trait of breech strike in rams, whereas dags at yearling and dags before hogget shearing were the most important indicator traits in ewes. This research confirms that dags and wrinkles are major predisposing factors to breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment and that sheep with higher dag and wrinkle scores were consistently more likely to be struck. A large proportion of variation in the incidence of breech strike remains unexplained in uncrutched and unmulesed sheep.
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identifying indicator traits for breech strike in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
Animal Production Science, 2014Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E Karlsson, A C SchlinkAbstract:Data from 2833 unmulesed Merino lambs from 49 sires and 1535 dams that were born from 2005 to 2009, were used to identify indicator traits for breech strike in a Mediterranean Environment. Sheep were managed in a normal production Environment where no preventative treatments were applied to protect them from being struck by flies, but were immediately treated when found to be fly struck. Seventy-seven skin, body conformation, wool, disease and production traits that may contribute to breech strike and that could qualify as potential indicator traits were recorded on progeny at birth, weaning, post-weaning, yearling, spring and at pre- and post-hogget age at ~18 months of age. In all, 31% of ewes and 22% of rams were fly struck in the breech area between birth and hogget shearing. The heritability of and the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the potential indicator traits and breech strike were estimated. The results showed that breech strike is a heritable trait (h2 = 0.51 ± 0.10), and that the most important indicator traits for breech strike were dags, scored at any time, especially at hogget age (rg = 0.81 ± 0.15), spring (rg = 0.77 ± 0.13) or at weaning (rg = 0.64 ± 0.00), urine stain scored at weaning (rg = 0.54 ± 0.13) and marking (rg = 0.51 ± 0.15), neck wrinkle at hogget age (rg = 0.46 ± 0.13) and breech cover (rg = 0.32 ± 0.15) scored at post-weaning shearing. These traits could be used to select indirectly for breech strike resistance in a Mediterranean Environment.
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opportunities to breed for resistance to breech strike in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
Matching genetics and environment: a new look at an old topic. Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Bre, 2009Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Three lines of Merino sheep that were selected on breech wrinkles, breech cover, dags, urine stain and wool colour from research and industry flocks were exposed to flies from birth to hogget age. Significant differences (P<0.01) existed between lines in breech strike from post-weaning to hogget shearing but not from birth to hogget shearing. The lines differed significantly (P<0.05) for the indicator traits except for dags. Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were found between sire progeny groups for incidence of breech strike. Dags was the dominant predisposing factor for breech strike in one of four years. Breech strike in unmulesed sheep had a heritability of 0.57 ± 0.28 which was genetically positively correlated to all the scored indicator traits but had the strongest relationship with dags (rg=0.86 ± 0.17).
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will selection for decrease faecal worm egg count result in an increase in scouring
1999Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Heritabilities of, and the genetic and phenotypic correlations between clean fleece weight (CFW), fibre diameter (FD), staple strength (SS), body weight (BWT), faecal worm egg count (FWEC) and faecal consistency score (FS) were estimated in an unselected Merino flock. These parameters were used to predict the correlated genetic responses in these traits to different degrees of selection on FWEC. The results suggest that in a Mediterranean Environment, the genetic gains in CFW will probably decline but the gains in scouring and BWT will stay relatively constant with increasing amounts of selection pressure on FWEC.
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genetic relationships between faecal worm egg count and scouring in merino sheep in a Mediterranean Environment
1997Co-Authors: J C Greeff, L J E KarlssonAbstract:Genetic parameters for faecal worm egg count (FWEC) and faecal scouring (FS) were estimated for July born weaners and hoggets in an unselected Merino flock in a Mediterranean Environment. FWEC were very low especially at hogget age. Heritability of FS and FWEC at weaning were approximately 0.40 and heritability of FWEC at hogget age was 0.22. No strongly adverse genetic correlations were found between FWEC and FS.
Maria Grazia Melilli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean Environment
'Informa UK Limited', 2020Co-Authors: Maria Grazia Melilli, F Branca, C. Sillitti, S. Scandurra, P. Calderaro, V. Di StefanoAbstract:Long-chain length (DP) inulin-type fructans show pronounced beneficial effects to colon microbiota. In the past, cardoon roots for inulin production to fortify spaghetti gave very good results, but their harvest requires high costs. The aim of the work was to evaluate different types of inulin, extracted from cardoon roots and buds, topinambur tubers and chicory roots local populations in order to identify crops more suitable for high DP inulin production in Mediterranean Environment. The inulin amount resulted in 115 (chicory), 390 (cardoon) and 550 g kg1 of d.m. (topinambur). Both in cardoon roots and in topinambur tubers the DP was very high. With the aim to produce a functional food, substituting inulin in staple food tubers of topinambur could be a good alternative to cardoon roots, due to the biological cycle of the plant (annual vs poliennal), the lowest costs of harvest and the good amounts of high DP inulin
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pilot plant system for biodiesel and pellet production from cardoon technical and economic feasibility
Acta Horticulturae, 2016Co-Authors: V Toscano, Maria Grazia Melilli, Laura Sollima, C Genovese, S A RaccuiaAbstract:Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is an important species as biomass and oilseed production. It is well adapted to grow with low input management in the Mediterranean Environment. The study is related to use the biomass and grain production for energetic purpose. The research was carried out in a 3-years period from 2010 to 2012 in different internal areas of Sicily. The plant material for this research was collected in various experimental fields, for a total area of 10,000 m2. Biomass and grain processing was performed into two different pilot systems for biodiesel and pellet productions. In the three years, regards to the total biomass production, a total yield of 64 t ha-1 of pellets was obtained. While a 23.3% of oil was extracted from grains through cold pressing and transesterified with a production of 985 L of biodiesel. The total residual presscake was 3.03 t, and it has a composition of 21.3% of protein and 6.9% of oil, which represents the 5.3% of total seed oil content. This characteristic confirms the possibility to use cardoon residuals presscake as feed. Economic balance of the process was performed to determine the economic suitability. The results show that using biomass and grain for different energetic purposes, make cardoon a very competitive and sustainable energy crop in Mediterranean Environment and it represents an economic valid alternative for farmers.
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pilot plant system for biodiesel and pellet production from cardoon technical and economic feasibility
Acta Horticulturae, 2016Co-Authors: V Toscano, Maria Grazia Melilli, Laura Sollima, C Genovese, S A RaccuiaAbstract:Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is an important species as biomass and oilseed production. It is well adapted to grow with low input management in the Mediterranean Environment. The study is related to use the biomass and grain production for energetic purpose. The research was carried out in a 3-years period from 2010 to 2012 in different internal areas of Sicily. The plant material for this research was collected in various experimental fields, for a total area of 10,000 m2. Biomass and grain processing was performed into two different pilot systems for biodiesel and pellet productions. In the three years, regards to the total biomass production, a total yield of 64 t ha-1 of pellets was obtained. While a 23.3% of oil was extracted from grains through cold pressing and transesterified with a production of 985 L of biodiesel. The total residual presscake was 3.03 t, and it has a composition of 21.3% of protein and 6.9% of oil, which represents the 5.3% of total seed oil content. This characteristic confirms the possibility to use cardoon residuals presscake as feed. Economic balance of the process was performed to determine the economic suitability. The results show that using biomass and grain for different energetic purposes, make cardoon a very competitive and sustainable energy crop in Mediterranean Environment and it represents an economic valid alternative for farmers.
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biomass and grain oil yields in cynara cardunculus l genotypes grown in a Mediterranean Environment
Field Crops Research, 2007Co-Authors: S A Raccuia, Maria Grazia MelilliAbstract:Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a Mediterranean perennial plant. Studies were conducted on cardoon for biomass production, in order to assess the plant as an alternative low input management crop in a Mediterranean Environment. The grain oil has similar composition to sunflower or saffron oils and can be easily extracted. In this work, the results of cardoon biomass and grain oil production under Sicilian (South Italy) low input conditions are shown. In a completely randomized block, during 1998–2001, 14 genotypes of C. cardunculus L., five cultivated cardoons and nine wild cardoons, were evaluated for lignocellulosic biomass production, grain yield and chemical composition of the grain. The results showed, on average for the genotypes, a 3-year cumulative aboveground biomass of 47.4 t ha −1 DM, the 6.3% of which was grain. Differences within the 3 years of cultivation were observed, due to varying water availability (rainfall differences) and age of the crop. The results showed some genotypes are very promising for biomass, grain and oil production. Moreover, the good range of variability observed among genotypes is important for developing cultivars suitable for varying cropping systems in breeding programs.
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cynara cardunculus l a potential source of inulin in the Mediterranean Environment screening of genetic variability
Crop & Pasture Science, 2004Co-Authors: S A Raccuia, Maria Grazia MelilliAbstract:Cynara cardunculus L. is a diploid (2n = 34) outcrossing perennial species, native to the Mediterranean basin, comprising the globe artichoke, the cultivated cardoon, and the wild cardoon. These species have potential as biomass, sugar, and oilseed crops. This paper aimed to study the genetic variability for sugar production and sugar composition in the roots of different C. cardunculus L. genotypes, in order to select those suitable for this specific purpose in the Mediterranean Environment. At harvest the total biomass and root production, averaged for all genotypes, were 20.4 and 9.8 t DM/ha; they were influenced by genotype, with a CV of 37.4 and 38.5%, respectively. On average for all of the genotypes, the roots showed a total sugar content of 367 g DM/kg, with a CV of 17.1%; the main compound was inulin (85.0% of total sugars). The wild cardoon 'SR1' showed the highest total sugar content (470 g/kg DM). On average for all of the genotypes, the total sugar and inulin yields were 3.6 ± 0.20 and 3.0 ± 0.16 t/ha, respectively. It was possible to obtain total sugar yields higher than 4 t/ha in 6 genotypes ('BH', 'VP', 'E438', 'L01', 'C2', 'P1') of the 15 studied. Additional keywords: C. cardunculus L., genotype screening, root yield, sugar characterisation, inulin yield.
S A Raccuia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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pilot plant system for biodiesel and pellet production from cardoon technical and economic feasibility
Acta Horticulturae, 2016Co-Authors: V Toscano, Maria Grazia Melilli, Laura Sollima, C Genovese, S A RaccuiaAbstract:Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is an important species as biomass and oilseed production. It is well adapted to grow with low input management in the Mediterranean Environment. The study is related to use the biomass and grain production for energetic purpose. The research was carried out in a 3-years period from 2010 to 2012 in different internal areas of Sicily. The plant material for this research was collected in various experimental fields, for a total area of 10,000 m2. Biomass and grain processing was performed into two different pilot systems for biodiesel and pellet productions. In the three years, regards to the total biomass production, a total yield of 64 t ha-1 of pellets was obtained. While a 23.3% of oil was extracted from grains through cold pressing and transesterified with a production of 985 L of biodiesel. The total residual presscake was 3.03 t, and it has a composition of 21.3% of protein and 6.9% of oil, which represents the 5.3% of total seed oil content. This characteristic confirms the possibility to use cardoon residuals presscake as feed. Economic balance of the process was performed to determine the economic suitability. The results show that using biomass and grain for different energetic purposes, make cardoon a very competitive and sustainable energy crop in Mediterranean Environment and it represents an economic valid alternative for farmers.
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pilot plant system for biodiesel and pellet production from cardoon technical and economic feasibility
Acta Horticulturae, 2016Co-Authors: V Toscano, Maria Grazia Melilli, Laura Sollima, C Genovese, S A RaccuiaAbstract:Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is an important species as biomass and oilseed production. It is well adapted to grow with low input management in the Mediterranean Environment. The study is related to use the biomass and grain production for energetic purpose. The research was carried out in a 3-years period from 2010 to 2012 in different internal areas of Sicily. The plant material for this research was collected in various experimental fields, for a total area of 10,000 m2. Biomass and grain processing was performed into two different pilot systems for biodiesel and pellet productions. In the three years, regards to the total biomass production, a total yield of 64 t ha-1 of pellets was obtained. While a 23.3% of oil was extracted from grains through cold pressing and transesterified with a production of 985 L of biodiesel. The total residual presscake was 3.03 t, and it has a composition of 21.3% of protein and 6.9% of oil, which represents the 5.3% of total seed oil content. This characteristic confirms the possibility to use cardoon residuals presscake as feed. Economic balance of the process was performed to determine the economic suitability. The results show that using biomass and grain for different energetic purposes, make cardoon a very competitive and sustainable energy crop in Mediterranean Environment and it represents an economic valid alternative for farmers.
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biomass and grain oil yields in cynara cardunculus l genotypes grown in a Mediterranean Environment
Field Crops Research, 2007Co-Authors: S A Raccuia, Maria Grazia MelilliAbstract:Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a Mediterranean perennial plant. Studies were conducted on cardoon for biomass production, in order to assess the plant as an alternative low input management crop in a Mediterranean Environment. The grain oil has similar composition to sunflower or saffron oils and can be easily extracted. In this work, the results of cardoon biomass and grain oil production under Sicilian (South Italy) low input conditions are shown. In a completely randomized block, during 1998–2001, 14 genotypes of C. cardunculus L., five cultivated cardoons and nine wild cardoons, were evaluated for lignocellulosic biomass production, grain yield and chemical composition of the grain. The results showed, on average for the genotypes, a 3-year cumulative aboveground biomass of 47.4 t ha −1 DM, the 6.3% of which was grain. Differences within the 3 years of cultivation were observed, due to varying water availability (rainfall differences) and age of the crop. The results showed some genotypes are very promising for biomass, grain and oil production. Moreover, the good range of variability observed among genotypes is important for developing cultivars suitable for varying cropping systems in breeding programs.
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cynara cardunculus l a potential source of inulin in the Mediterranean Environment screening of genetic variability
Crop & Pasture Science, 2004Co-Authors: S A Raccuia, Maria Grazia MelilliAbstract:Cynara cardunculus L. is a diploid (2n = 34) outcrossing perennial species, native to the Mediterranean basin, comprising the globe artichoke, the cultivated cardoon, and the wild cardoon. These species have potential as biomass, sugar, and oilseed crops. This paper aimed to study the genetic variability for sugar production and sugar composition in the roots of different C. cardunculus L. genotypes, in order to select those suitable for this specific purpose in the Mediterranean Environment. At harvest the total biomass and root production, averaged for all genotypes, were 20.4 and 9.8 t DM/ha; they were influenced by genotype, with a CV of 37.4 and 38.5%, respectively. On average for all of the genotypes, the roots showed a total sugar content of 367 g DM/kg, with a CV of 17.1%; the main compound was inulin (85.0% of total sugars). The wild cardoon 'SR1' showed the highest total sugar content (470 g/kg DM). On average for all of the genotypes, the total sugar and inulin yields were 3.6 ± 0.20 and 3.0 ± 0.16 t/ha, respectively. It was possible to obtain total sugar yields higher than 4 t/ha in 6 genotypes ('BH', 'VP', 'E438', 'L01', 'C2', 'P1') of the 15 studied. Additional keywords: C. cardunculus L., genotype screening, root yield, sugar characterisation, inulin yield.
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intraspecific variability in cynara cardunculus l var sylvestris lam sicilian populations seed germination under salt and moisture stresses
Journal of Arid Environments, 2004Co-Authors: S A Raccuia, Valeria Cavallaro, Maria Grazia MelilliAbstract:Abstract Wild cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam.) exhibits a particular adaptability to the Mediterranean Environment. Aiming to introduce its cultivation in the degraded areas of Sicily, it seemed interesting to study seed germination in the typical stress conditions of this Environment. Our results showed a good variability in salinity and water stress resistance among the populations. Moreover six of them exhibited higher germination percentages in polyethylene glycol than in NaCl. Therefore wild cardoon may be utilized as genetic material to select lines suitable to the cultivation in semi-arid conditions of Mediterranean Environment.
Fabio Gresta - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effect of sowing time and soil water content on grain yield and phenolic profile of four buckwheat fagopyrum esculentum moench varieties in a Mediterranean Environment
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 2017Co-Authors: Laura Siracusa, Fabio Gresta, Elisa Sperlinga, Giuseppe RubertoAbstract:Abstract Four varieties of buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), Aizu, Botan, Hitaci and Kitawase, were evaluated using two sowing times and two irrigation treatments in a Mediterranean Environment in order to ascertain a possible adaptation of this crop to this Environment. Buckwheat is cultivated in particular for the high protein content and for its good biological value compared to common cereals, and for its high levels of phenolic compounds. In addition, it is gluten-free and thus suitable for people suffering from celiac disease. Overall the 4 buckwheat varieties tested in this study showed high protein content (14%, on average), although grain yield was low (420 kg ha −1 , on average). Yield was affected by sowing time and irrigation treatment, whereas protein content was related to the variety. Low irrigation treatment (“water stress”) resulted in a lower yield (325.9 kg ha −1 ) and lower protein content (13.7%) compared to full irrigation treatment (514.7 kg ha −1 and 14.3%, respectively), but also in a higher content of phenolic compounds (4.46 vs . 2.79 mg/g). Grain yield and phenolic fingerprint of buckwheat seeds were investigated in order to establish differences and similarities related to variety, sowing time and soil water content.
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effects of sowing times on seed yield protein and galactomannans content of four varieties of guar cyamopsis tetragonoloba l in a Mediterranean Environment
Industrial Crops and Products, 2013Co-Authors: Fabio Gresta, Orazio Sortino, Carmelo Santonoceto, Luca Issi, Cristina Formantici, Yves M GalanteAbstract:Abstract Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is a summer, annual, legume crop primarily grown as an industrial crop for the galactomannans content of its seeds. Guar is grown in India, Pakistan and USA, but no cultivation has of yet been established in a Mediterranean Environment. In the last few years, world demand for guar gum has considerably grown and its price has increased. In order to explore the possibility of extending guar cultivation into a Mediterranean Environment, a 2-year experiment was carried out in Southern Italy with the aim of evaluating the seed yield, protein and galactomannan content as affected by two sowing times (early and late) and four different varieties. Guar seed was produced with an average of 2.650 m3 ha−1 of water, which is a volume compatible with many semiarid areas. Lewis and Santa Cruz cultivars proved to be the most productive varieties (2.5 t ha−1) and the early sowing time resulted in higher yields compared to the later one (2.3 t ha−1 vs. 2.1 t ha−1). Protein content was variable among varieties and galactomannan content was higher in the second sowing time, the highest protein and gum yield was obtained in the early sowing due to higher seed yield by Lewis and Santa Cruz. Galactomannans yield was mainly related to pods per plant and seed yield, thus management techniques and genetic improvement of guar for gum production should be addressed to maximize the number of pods per plant. In general, guar seed and gum yield support the hypothesis that the Southern European Mediterranean Environment is a potentially valuable area for guar cultivation.
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the productive traits fatty acid profile and nutritional indices of three lupin lupinus spp species cultivated in a Mediterranean Environment for the livestock
Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2012Co-Authors: B Chiofalo, Vittorio Lo Presti, Vincenzo Chiofalo, Fabio GrestaAbstract:Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the productive traits and fatty acid profiles of eight sweet varieties of Lupinus albus , Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus cultivated in a Mediterranean Environment (Sicily, southern Italy). This is being done to identify the most suitable species, from an agronomical and nutritional point of view, for supporting animal husbandry in this area. Seed yield, oil quantity and oil quality were considerably different depending on the genotype. L. albus showed the highest yield (2.0–2.4 t/ha), 100 seed weight (27.0 g, on average), oil content (70.4–75.5 g/kg), and n −3/ n −6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio (0.39–0.51), L. angustifolius showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids (21.03–26.66 g/100 g) and L. luteus showed the highest levels of n −6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (47.56–50.85 g/100 g), unsaturated/saturated (4.93–5.62) and polyunsaturated/saturated (3.33–3.99) fatty acid ratios and the best atherogenic (0.06) and thrombogenic (0.09–0.11) indices. The data obtained suggests L. albus as the most interesting lupin species for aiding the crop-livestock food chain and L. luteus as a promising crop due to its high nutritive traits for the Mediterranean Environment.
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effect of mother corm dimension and sowing time on stigma yield daughter corms and qualitative aspects of saffron crocus sativus l in a Mediterranean Environment
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2008Co-Authors: Fabio Gresta, Grazia Lombardo, Laura Siracusa, Giuseppe RubertoAbstract:BACKGROUND: Saffron is one of the most appreciated and expensive spices known and has been used from the oldest times as a dye for fabrics, a condiment to enrich food and for medicinal purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of crop management methods on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the spice in southern Italy. Two sowing times (end of July and end of August) and two corm dimensions (4 and 3 cm horizontal diameter) were evaluated. RESULTS: Flowering period and duration were not influenced by the studied factors, while early sowing time and greater corm dimension resulted in a greater number of flowers per m2, increased stigma yield and a greater total yield of replacement corms. Early sowing time also showed a significant positive influence on stigma quality measured as apocarotenoid content according to ISO guidelines. CONCLUSION: The results show that, in a Mediterranean Environment, appropriate crop techniques and selection of corms can result in economic levels of production and improve the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron. In fact, according to their apocarotenoid contents, samples from the early (July) and late (August) sowing times belonged to the first and second ISO categories respectively. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry