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Salicylic acid (SA) and propolis (PR) are known to regulate the physiological process and to have a relevant role in bioactive compounds content. Our experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of SA and PR application on the growth, yield, and quality parameters of tomato grown for the fresh market in field conditions in Egypt. We studied the effect of twelve treatments where SA (0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, and 2.50 mM) and PR (1, 2, 10, 20, and 100 mg propolis mL−1) were applied at increasing doses as a sole agent or combined each other (1.50 mM + 10 mg mL−1 for SA and PR, respectively). An untreated control was also considered. Tomato plants treated with SA (0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mM) showed a significant effect in all traits especially SA1 (0.50 mM) in growth parameters and SA2 (1.00 mM) in pigment and antioxidant content. Propolis foliar application was more effective than SA as it revealed that raising the concentration of aqueous extract enhanced the growth parameters and pigment in tomato. The best result was obtained by the 10 mg mL−1 treatment. The effect of propolis on antioxidant enzymes varied as the 10 mg mL−1 treatment was effective on peroxidases and superoxide dismutase, while 100 mg mL−1 was more effective on catalase. Salicylic acid and propolis have a positive effect on both preserving tomato plants and on nutrient supply, so the mixed intermediate concentration (1.50 mM + 10 mg mL−1) is considered very effective and results in an improvement of all plant traits.
Nouran Ahmed Abdo Abd El-Hady; Abdelaleim Ismail Elsayed; Sayed Soliman El-Saadany; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda. Exogenous Application of Foliar Salicylic Acid and Propolis Enhances Antioxidant Defenses and Growth Parameters in Tomato Plants. Plants 2021, 10, 74 .
AMA StyleNouran Ahmed Abdo Abd El-Hady, Abdelaleim Ismail Elsayed, Sayed Soliman El-Saadany, Paola A. Deligios, Luigi Ledda. Exogenous Application of Foliar Salicylic Acid and Propolis Enhances Antioxidant Defenses and Growth Parameters in Tomato Plants. Plants. 2021; 10 (1):74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNouran Ahmed Abdo Abd El-Hady; Abdelaleim Ismail Elsayed; Sayed Soliman El-Saadany; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda. 2021. "Exogenous Application of Foliar Salicylic Acid and Propolis Enhances Antioxidant Defenses and Growth Parameters in Tomato Plants." Plants 10, no. 1: 74.
Agriculture is strongly linked to climate change and has a two-sided relationship with climate change. Although climate change contributes to reducing agricultural productivity, the primary sector is responsible for the production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; on the other hand, the primary sector could mitigate emissions to foster soil carbon sequestration. Specifically, perennial energy crop systems could produce relevant environmental and socio-economic benefits. This study aimed to highlight the potential efficacy of various fertilizer management strategies in reducing GHG emissions and increasing the social value obtained from carbon storage. Using two methodological approaches, namely, the carbon footprint (CF) and social carbon cost (SCC) methods, five nitrogen fertilization patterns (low input, LI; high input, HI; LI + biochar, LI + Bi; LI + cover crop, LI + CC; and LI + Bi + CC) were compared in an experiment on cardoon cultivation for three consecutive growing seasons. GHG release exceeded GHG removal and ranged from 0.20 (HI) to 0.14 (LI + CC) t CO2e per production unit. LI + CC reduced GHG emissions and optimized yield. The rates of carbon sequestration ranged from 72.7 (HI) to 26.2 (LI) t CO2e t −1 of biomass. Furthermore, the combined use of biochar and a cover crop had no positive effects on C sequestration or GHG emission reduction, unlike these treatments individually. In fact, LI + Bi provided the highest value for C storage (61.1 t CO2e t − 1 of biomass), and LI + CC had the best GHG balance (0.14 t CO2e per production unit). The monetary evaluation of C storage showed that HI would produce the greatest benefits until 2050 (i.e., 9 K US dollars per t CO2e). Although a single best option was not identified among the fertilizer management practices, identifying the optimal trade-offs among productivity, GHG emissions reduction and SCC value is important in ensuring that an energy crop will provide food security as well as environmental and socio-economic sustainability. Furthermore, a potential optimal solution could allow improvements in long-term crop system planning and land use and the development of effective strategies to combat climate change.
Stefania Solinas; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Paola A. Deligios; Marco Cossu; Luigi Ledda. Carbon footprints and social carbon cost assessments in a perennial energy crop system: A comparison of fertilizer management practices in a Mediterranean area. Agricultural Systems 2020, 186, 102989 .
AMA StyleStefania Solinas, Maria Teresa Tiloca, Paola A. Deligios, Marco Cossu, Luigi Ledda. Carbon footprints and social carbon cost assessments in a perennial energy crop system: A comparison of fertilizer management practices in a Mediterranean area. Agricultural Systems. 2020; 186 ():102989.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefania Solinas; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Paola A. Deligios; Marco Cossu; Luigi Ledda. 2020. "Carbon footprints and social carbon cost assessments in a perennial energy crop system: A comparison of fertilizer management practices in a Mediterranean area." Agricultural Systems 186, no. : 102989.
The knowledge about land management effects on soil capacity to store carbon is necessary to planning effective strategies by managers and decision-makers. In this study we analyzed the land use change (LUC) effects on soil organic carbon stocks (SOC-S) for long term in the Sardinia region - Italy (Mediterranean area). Throughout the 20th century, the studied area has undergone different LUC. The first LUC was in 1938, from forest to agricultural land under three different uses: vineyards, hay crop and pasture, later (1966) some of this agricultural land were abandoned to seminatural ecosystem (second LUC). The different LUC affected to SOC-S causing decarbonization, carbonization and recarbonization processes along the soil profile. The different land uses studied chronologically were: i) natural forest - cork oak forest (Cof), ii) tilled vineyard (Tv), iii) no tilled grassed vineyard (Ntgv), iv) hay crop (Hc), v) pasture - silvopastoral and silvoarable practices (P), and vi) former vineyard - vineyards abandoned and naturally revegetated (Fv). The first LUC (Cof to Tv, Ntgv, Hc and P) caused 5.1% and 37.5% reduction on SOC-S for Tv and Ntgv (soil decarbonization), however, the SOC-S increased 47.1% and 51.3% for Hc and P respectively (soil carbonization). The second LUC (Tv and Ntgv to Fv) increased the SOC-S on average 66.3% (soil recarbonization). In general, these effects were observed principally in depth. This study shows the importance of land use and LUC with respect to SOC-S, and that the human action can degrade and/or regenerate the soil, affecting to soil functions. Consequently, is necessity to promote good environmental practices to improve the soil functions and to reduce the greenhouse gases (ecosystem services). On the presumption that the SOC sequestration through of agricultural management can reduced the atmospheric CO2 concentration (4p1000 target in the XXI Conference of the Parties – Paris, 2015). Therefore, the soils regeneration via carbonization and/or recarbonization is an opportunity to prevent the climate change.
Beatriz Lozano-García; Rosa Francaviglia; Gianluca Renzi; Luca Doro; Luigi Ledda; Concepción Benítez; Manuel González-Rosado; Luis Parras-Alcántara. Land use change effects on soil organic carbon store. An opportunity to soils regeneration in Mediterranean areas: Implications in the 4p1000 notion. Ecological Indicators 2020, 119, 106831 .
AMA StyleBeatriz Lozano-García, Rosa Francaviglia, Gianluca Renzi, Luca Doro, Luigi Ledda, Concepción Benítez, Manuel González-Rosado, Luis Parras-Alcántara. Land use change effects on soil organic carbon store. An opportunity to soils regeneration in Mediterranean areas: Implications in the 4p1000 notion. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 119 ():106831.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Lozano-García; Rosa Francaviglia; Gianluca Renzi; Luca Doro; Luigi Ledda; Concepción Benítez; Manuel González-Rosado; Luis Parras-Alcántara. 2020. "Land use change effects on soil organic carbon store. An opportunity to soils regeneration in Mediterranean areas: Implications in the 4p1000 notion." Ecological Indicators 119, no. : 106831.
The integration of the photovoltaic (PV) energy in the greenhouse farm has raised concerns on the agricultural sustainability of this specific agrosystem in terms of crop planning and management, due to the shading cast by the PV panels on the canopy. The PV greenhouse (PVG) can be classified on the basis of the PV cover ratio (PVR), that is the ratio of the projected area of PV panels to the ground and the total greenhouse area. In this paper, we estimated the yield of 14 greenhouse horticultural and floricultural crops inside four commercial PVG types spread in southern Europe, with PVR ranging from 25 to 100%. The aim of the work is to identify the PVG types suitable for the cultivation of the considered species, based on the best trade-off between PV shading and crop production. The daily light integral (DLI) was used to compare the light scenarios inside the PVGs to the crop light requirements, and estimate the potential yield. The structures with a PVR of 25% were compatible with the cultivation of all considered species, including the high light demanding ones (tomato, cucumber, sweet pepper), with an estimated negligible or limited yield reduction (below 25%). The medium light species (such as asparagus) with an optimal DLI lower than 17 mol m−2 d−1 and low light crops can be cultivated inside PVGs with a PVR up to 60%. Only low light demanding floricultural species with an optimal DLI lower than 10 mol m−2 d−1, such as poinsettia, kalanchoe and dracaena, were compatible inside PVGs with a PVR up to 100%. Innovative cropping systems should be considered to overcome the penalizing light scenarios of the PVGs with high PVR, also implementing LED supplementary lighting. This paper contributes to identify the sustainable PVG types for the chosen species and the alternative crop managements in terms of transplantation period and precision agriculture techniques, aimed at increasing the crop productivity and adaptability inside the PVG agrosystems.
Marco Cossu; Akira Yano; Stefania Solinas; Paola A. Deligios; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Andrea Cossu; Luigi Ledda. Agricultural sustainability estimation of the European photovoltaic greenhouses. European Journal of Agronomy 2020, 118, 126074 .
AMA StyleMarco Cossu, Akira Yano, Stefania Solinas, Paola A. Deligios, Maria Teresa Tiloca, Andrea Cossu, Luigi Ledda. Agricultural sustainability estimation of the European photovoltaic greenhouses. European Journal of Agronomy. 2020; 118 ():126074.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cossu; Akira Yano; Stefania Solinas; Paola A. Deligios; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Andrea Cossu; Luigi Ledda. 2020. "Agricultural sustainability estimation of the European photovoltaic greenhouses." European Journal of Agronomy 118, no. : 126074.
The energy consumption of sheep milk cooling systems (MCSs) was quantified in this study to provide original information filling a literature gap on the impact of sheep milk cooling on the energy and economic balance in dairy farms. Performance and energy monitoring tests were conducted simultaneously on 22 MCSs in Sardinia (Italy). The results determined the cooling time as a function of the performance class and number of milkings. The Energy Utilization Index (EUI) was applied to measure the energy required to cool down the milk and estimate the incidence on its price. The average EUI was 1.76 kWh 100 L−1 for two-milkings and 2.43 kWh 100 L−1 for four-milkings MCSs, whereas the CO2 emissions ranged from 998 to 1378 g CO2 100 L−1 for two- and four-milkings MCSs, respectively. The estimated energy consumption for the storage of refrigerated sheep milk was 0.12 kWh 100 L−1. The malfunctioning MCSs averagely consumed 31% more energy than regular systems. The energy cost for cooling accounted for 0.61% on the current sheep milk price in Italy. Based on the analysis, the reported EUI values can be used as a preliminary indicator of the regular operation of MCSs.
Marco Cossu; Luigi Ledda; Stefania Solinas; Andrea Cossu; Antonio Pazzona. Evaluation of the Energy Utilization Index in Sheep Milk Cooling Systems. Energies 2020, 13, 2127 .
AMA StyleMarco Cossu, Luigi Ledda, Stefania Solinas, Andrea Cossu, Antonio Pazzona. Evaluation of the Energy Utilization Index in Sheep Milk Cooling Systems. Energies. 2020; 13 (9):2127.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cossu; Luigi Ledda; Stefania Solinas; Andrea Cossu; Antonio Pazzona. 2020. "Evaluation of the Energy Utilization Index in Sheep Milk Cooling Systems." Energies 13, no. 9: 2127.
Emerging technologies such as high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) surveys combined with object-based image analysis, and field surveys could represent a reliable, precise, and effective tool to support land management in agricultural systems. The technological advances of UAVs can also promote the detection and regular monitoring of invasive alien plants and agricultural weeds. The objective of the study has been to identify, map and monitor alien weed species in agricultural systems to provide an overview of the future applications and challenges of precision farming. In particular, we evaluated how UAV imagery can be used to assess the cover of Oxalis pes-caprae, present in several crops in Sardinia as an alien invasive weed, with negative direct and indirect effects on the affected crops. Our core assumption is that the most reliable species discrimination can be achieved by targeting flights during flowering to allow easier detection due to species-specific spectral differences. Therefore, O. pes-caprae infestation was acquired using RGB camera installed on board a Phantom 4 pro. As a result, we presented the mapping of O. pes-caprae, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and replicability of this approach to detect the presence of this alien weed in agricultural fields.
Vanessa Lozano; Giuseppe Brundu; Luca Ghiani; Davide Piccirilli; Alberto Sassu; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Luigi Ledda; Filippo Gambella. Detection and Monitoring of Alien Weeds Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Agricultural Systems in Sardinia (Italy). Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 2020, 855 -862.
AMA StyleVanessa Lozano, Giuseppe Brundu, Luca Ghiani, Davide Piccirilli, Alberto Sassu, Maria Teresa Tiloca, Luigi Ledda, Filippo Gambella. Detection and Monitoring of Alien Weeds Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Agricultural Systems in Sardinia (Italy). Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. 2020; ():855-862.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVanessa Lozano; Giuseppe Brundu; Luca Ghiani; Davide Piccirilli; Alberto Sassu; Maria Teresa Tiloca; Luigi Ledda; Filippo Gambella. 2020. "Detection and Monitoring of Alien Weeds Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Agricultural Systems in Sardinia (Italy)." Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering , no. : 855-862.
The objective of this study was to assess whether precision photovoltaic irrigation represents a sustainable alternative to traditional systems, where the energy and environmental performances were firstly evaluated through energy and carbon payback times (EPBT and CPBT). The study involved five Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems (PVIS), ranging from 40 to 360 kWp, installed in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Italy. The results show an average EPBT of 3.3 years and CPBT of 6.3 years, with an energy return on energy invested (EROI) of 9.0. Additionally, the PVIS were able to achieve low emission rates with an average of 77.4 g CO2e per kWh produced. The energy and environmental performance of the PVIS are closely influenced by weather conditions, irrigation requirements and water availability. Moreover, the implementation of precision PVIS allowed improving the irrigation practices, avoiding the exploitation of natural resources and the emissions of large amounts of GHG to the environment.
Giuseppe Todde; Maria Caria; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. Does Precision Photovoltaic Irrigation Represent a Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Systems? Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 2020, 585 -593.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Todde, Maria Caria, Antonio Pazzona, Luigi Ledda, Luis Narvarte. Does Precision Photovoltaic Irrigation Represent a Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Systems? Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. 2020; ():585-593.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Todde; Maria Caria; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. 2020. "Does Precision Photovoltaic Irrigation Represent a Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Systems?" Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering , no. : 585-593.
The aim of this study was to develop a technique easy to apply in order to induce seed-tuber dormancy breakage. Over a two-year study, more than seven dormancy-breaking treatments were tested through evaluating different temperature effects alone or combined with gibberellins application, cutting in half of seed-tubers, and early haulm killing. Three varieties per year were considered: Spunta and Monalisa (medium and long dormancy) in both years, Europa during the first year and Arinda during the second year (both characterized by a short dormancy period). We found firstly that Europa and Arinda promptly responded to thermal treatments, and secondly to the same thermal treatments in combination with the application of gibberellins. Although not easily applicable, especially when a large volume of seed-tubers has to be handled (seed-tuber producers), the cutting in half of the seed-tubers also had a satisfactory result. Notwithstanding that treatments did not perfectly overlap between the two experiments, results were qualitatively similar. Therefore, these findings allow us to conclude that treatment with post-harvest storage at 20 °C, followed by a treatment with gibberellic acid at 38 days from harvesting, is the most efficient in releasing dormancy, in ensuring a good vegetative growth and productive performance at field-level irrespective of the variety.
Paola A. Deligios; Emma Rapposelli; Massimiliano G. Mameli; Limbo Baghino; Gian Mario Mallica; Luigi Ledda. Effects of Physical, Mechanical and Hormonal Treatments of Seed-Tubers on Bud Dormancy and Plant Productivity. Agronomy 2019, 10, 33 .
AMA StylePaola A. Deligios, Emma Rapposelli, Massimiliano G. Mameli, Limbo Baghino, Gian Mario Mallica, Luigi Ledda. Effects of Physical, Mechanical and Hormonal Treatments of Seed-Tubers on Bud Dormancy and Plant Productivity. Agronomy. 2019; 10 (1):33.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola A. Deligios; Emma Rapposelli; Massimiliano G. Mameli; Limbo Baghino; Gian Mario Mallica; Luigi Ledda. 2019. "Effects of Physical, Mechanical and Hormonal Treatments of Seed-Tubers on Bud Dormancy and Plant Productivity." Agronomy 10, no. 1: 33.
Sulla (Sulla coronaria [L.] Medik), a Mediterranean short-lived legume with tolerance to drought-prone environments, requires inoculation outside its natural habitat. Its leaves are appreciated for the bromatological composition and content of bioactive compounds. However, no information is available regarding the distinct effects of inoculation and nitrogen (N) applications on leaf dry matter (DM), fixed N, and bioactive compounds. Sulla leaves were sampled from the vegetative stage to seed set in Sardinia (Italy) during 2013–2014 and leaf DM, N content, and fixed N were determined. Compared to the best performing inoculated treatments, DM yield and fixed N values of the control only represented 8% to 20% and 2% to 9%, respectively. A significant relationship between fixed N and leaf DM yield was established, reaching 30 kg fixed N t–1 at seed set. Significant variations in leaf atom% 15N excess and %Ndfa quantified decreases in leaf N fixation coupled with N application. Moreover, the petiole content of phenolic compounds markedly increased in the uninoculated control, suggesting deeper investigations on the relationship between bioactive compounds and inoculation treatments. Results highlighted substantial variation in DM, N yields, N-fixation ability, and content of bioactive compounds of sulla leaves caused by inoculation and N fertilization.
Leonardo Sulas; Giuseppe Campesi; Giovanna Piluzza; Giovanni A. Re; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Simone Canu. Inoculation and N Fertilization Affect the Dry Matter, N Fixation, and Bioactive Compounds in Sulla Leaves. Agronomy 2019, 9, 289 .
AMA StyleLeonardo Sulas, Giuseppe Campesi, Giovanna Piluzza, Giovanni A. Re, Paola A. Deligios, Luigi Ledda, Simone Canu. Inoculation and N Fertilization Affect the Dry Matter, N Fixation, and Bioactive Compounds in Sulla Leaves. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (6):289.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonardo Sulas; Giuseppe Campesi; Giovanna Piluzza; Giovanni A. Re; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Simone Canu. 2019. "Inoculation and N Fertilization Affect the Dry Matter, N Fixation, and Bioactive Compounds in Sulla Leaves." Agronomy 9, no. 6: 289.
Weed flora is considered harmful for crop growth and yield, but it is fundamental for preserving biodiversity in agroecosystems. Two three-year trials were conducted in Italy (two different sites) to assess the effect of six herbicide treatments on the weed flora structure of an oilseed rape crop. We applied metazachlor during the pre-emergence stage at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the labelled dose (M25, M50, M75, M100); trifluralin (during the first growing season); post-emergence treatment (PE); and a weedy control (W). Species richness, and diversity indices were used to characterize weed flora composition and to evaluate the effect of herbicide treatments on the considered variables. Results highlighted that the weed community is characterized by a higher diversity in underdosed than in M100 treated plots. Raphanus raphanistrum and Sinapis arvensis were the most common species in M75 and M100 treatments in both sites, while more weed species were detected in underdosed treatments and in weedy plots. The highest Shannon index values were observed in the underdosed treatments. In general, only a slightly similar trend was observed between sites, weed abundance and diversity being positively affected both by low-input herbicide management and by environmental factors (e.g., pedoclimatic situation and previous crop).
Paola A. Deligios; Gianluca Carboni; Roberta Farci; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. The Influence of Herbicide Underdosage on the Composition and Diversity of Weeds in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C.) Mediterranean Fields. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1653 .
AMA StylePaola A. Deligios, Gianluca Carboni, Roberta Farci, Stefania Solinas, Luigi Ledda. The Influence of Herbicide Underdosage on the Composition and Diversity of Weeds in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C.) Mediterranean Fields. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (6):1653.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola A. Deligios; Gianluca Carboni; Roberta Farci; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. 2019. "The Influence of Herbicide Underdosage on the Composition and Diversity of Weeds in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C.) Mediterranean Fields." Sustainability 11, no. 6: 1653.
Over the last decades, traditional olive production has been converted to intensive and super-intensive cultivation systems, characterized by high plant density and irrigation. Although this conversion improves product quality and quantity, it requires a larger amount of energy input. The new contributions in this paper are, first, an analysis of the energy and environmental performance of two commercial-scale high peak-power hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems (HPVIS) installed at intensive and super-intensive Mediterranean olive orchards; second, an analysis of PV hybrid solutions, comparing PV hybridization with the electric power grid and with diesel generators; and finally, a comparison of the environmental benefits of HPVIS with conventional power sources. Energy and environmental performances were assessed through energy and carbon payback times (EPBT and CPBT). The results show EPBT of 1.98 and 4.58 years and CPBT of 1.86 and 9.16 years for HPVIS in Morocco and Portugal, respectively. Moreover, the HPVIS were able to achieve low emission rates, corresponding to 48 and 103 g COe per kWh generated. The EPBT and CPBT obtained in this study were directly linked with the irrigation schedules of the olive orchards; therefore, weather conditions and irrigation management may modify the energy and environmental performances of HPVIS. The consumption of grid electricity and diesel fuel, before and after the implementation of HPVIS, was also analyzed. The results obtained show fossil energy savings of 67% for the Moroccan farm and 41% for the Portuguese installation. These savings suggest that the energy produced by HPVIS in olive orchards will avoid the emissions of a large amount of greenhouse gas and the exploitation of natural resources associated with fossil fuel production.
Giuseppe Todde; Lelia Murgia; Paola A. Deligios; Rita Hogan; Isaac Carrelo; Madalena Moreira; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. Energy and environmental performances of hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems in Mediterranean intensive and super-intensive olive orchards. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 651, 2514 -2523.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Todde, Lelia Murgia, Paola A. Deligios, Rita Hogan, Isaac Carrelo, Madalena Moreira, Antonio Pazzona, Luigi Ledda, Luis Narvarte. Energy and environmental performances of hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems in Mediterranean intensive and super-intensive olive orchards. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 651 ():2514-2523.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Todde; Lelia Murgia; Paola A. Deligios; Rita Hogan; Isaac Carrelo; Madalena Moreira; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. 2019. "Energy and environmental performances of hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems in Mediterranean intensive and super-intensive olive orchards." Science of The Total Environment 651, no. : 2514-2523.
Biomass production helps address the worldwide energy demand. However, some controversial issues have been identified such as the possible conflict between the goal of increasing vegetable biomass and food production and the need to limit environmental impacts. In Mediterranean region, where the supply of some natural resources appears significantly limited (e.g., water) and the competition for land is higher than it was in the past, the objective of evaluating environmental burdens at a regional scale represents an important issue, especially if the assessment considers the farmer scope of increasing productivity. Using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) “from cradle to field gate” approach, this paper aims to evaluate land-based environmental sustainability related to four energy crop options. We carried out a LCA differentiating between annual and perennial species and between irrigated (giant reed and sorghum) and rainfed crops (cardoon and milk thistle) to determine their performances and impacts within the same context. The findings suggest that irrigated crops generate larger impacts on the environment than rainfed species and that annual crops (both irrigated and rainfed) are more damaging than the respective perennial crops. The damages were expressed in Ecopoints, where one Ecopoint corresponds to one thousandth of the annual overall environmental burden of an average European inhabitant. Ecopoints for sorghum, giant reed, milk thistle and cardoon are equal to 361, 288, 146, and 138, respectively. Except for irrigation, fertilizers were found to be the input with the largest effect, accounting for 37% (giant reed) to 75% (cardoon) of the environmental burden on the system. The results do not suggest the presence of a winning crop option – i.e., a crop that shows the best environmental performances everywhere and in all categories – since regional environmental burdens are simultaneously related to different factors (e.g., land allocation, crop productivity, and degree of practice intensification) that drive farmer choice. Finally, following a dynamic and innovative perspective, we evaluated the trade-off between productivity and environmental burden for each crop simulating an increasing product variation. We found that environmental burdens would increase more proportionally than crop yields done. Especially the latter finding provides interesting suggestions on energy cropping system integration within agricultural planning under stressed natural resource conditions.
Stefania Solinas; Paola A. Deligios; Leonardo Sulas; Gianluca Carboni; Adriana Virdis; Luigi Ledda. A land-based approach for the environmental assessment of Mediterranean annual and perennial energy crops. European Journal of Agronomy 2018, 103, 63 -72.
AMA StyleStefania Solinas, Paola A. Deligios, Leonardo Sulas, Gianluca Carboni, Adriana Virdis, Luigi Ledda. A land-based approach for the environmental assessment of Mediterranean annual and perennial energy crops. European Journal of Agronomy. 2018; 103 ():63-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefania Solinas; Paola A. Deligios; Leonardo Sulas; Gianluca Carboni; Adriana Virdis; Luigi Ledda. 2018. "A land-based approach for the environmental assessment of Mediterranean annual and perennial energy crops." European Journal of Agronomy 103, no. : 63-72.
The development of biogas production exacerbated the competition for land availability between crops dedicated to human consumption and those intended for energy production. Residual biomasses have been often proposed for their positive outcomes in terms of reduced pressure on land use. However, literature did not assess optimization options for existing biogas plants feeding. This paper developed a bio-economic model for the optimization of agricultural biogas supply chains using artichoke byproducts in existing plants. A multiple goal linear programming approach was adopted, using two objective functions, calculating respectively net present value and land use from energy crops, associated to a regional biogas network. Three scenarios were defined using primary and secondary data on the residues of a specific artichoke variety - globe - and an Italian region - Sardinia. In the Business As Usual scenario, net present value is about 7 million € with a land use of about 2720 ha. When using artichoke residues, the economic impact increases by 28% and land use is reduced by 83% if net present value is optimized. When land use is optimized, the economic impact still grows by 25% and land use is reduced by 100%. Results from this study confirm that, under certain conditions, locally available residual biomasses can replace energy crops in existing biogas networks, coupling viability and sustainability.
Fabio De Menna; Remo Alessio Malagnino; Matteo Vittuari; Andrea Segré; Giovanni Molari; Paola A. Deligios; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. Optimization of agricultural biogas supply chains using artichoke byproducts in existing plants. Agricultural Systems 2018, 165, 137 -146.
AMA StyleFabio De Menna, Remo Alessio Malagnino, Matteo Vittuari, Andrea Segré, Giovanni Molari, Paola A. Deligios, Stefania Solinas, Luigi Ledda. Optimization of agricultural biogas supply chains using artichoke byproducts in existing plants. Agricultural Systems. 2018; 165 ():137-146.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio De Menna; Remo Alessio Malagnino; Matteo Vittuari; Andrea Segré; Giovanni Molari; Paola A. Deligios; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. 2018. "Optimization of agricultural biogas supply chains using artichoke byproducts in existing plants." Agricultural Systems 165, no. : 137-146.
The setting up of innovative irrigation water management might contribute to the mitigation of negative issues related to climate change. Our hypothesis was that globe artichoke irrigated with a traditionally drip system could be converted to an innovative water management system based on precision irrigation techniques and on evaporative cooling application in order to improve crop physiological status with positive impacts on earliness, total heads yield and water saving. Over two experiments carried out at plot- and field-scale, two irrigation management systems, differing in type and application time, were compared: (i) conventional, and (ii) canopy-cooling. Plant physiological status at a weekly sampling interval and the head atrophy incidence (as the ratio of the total primary heads collected) were monitored. We also recorded and determined heads production, and yield components. In both experiments, throughout the application period of evaporative cooling (three months), canopy-cooling showed the lowest value of leaf temperature and the highest photosynthesis values compared with the conventional one (+3 °C and −30%, respectively). The physiological advantage gained by the crop with evaporative cooling has led to a higher production both in terms of total yield (+30%), and in terms of harvested first order heads that from an economic viewpoint are the most profitable for farmers. At farm-scale, the canopy-cooling treatment resulted in a higher earliness (35 days) and water productivity (+36%) compared with conventional one. Our findings show that by combining evaporative cooling practice with precision irrigation technique the heads yield can be optimized also leading to a relevant water saving (−34%). Moreover, the study proved that canopy-cooling set up might be a winning strategy in order to mitigate climatic changes and heat stress conditions.
Paola A. Deligios; Anna Paola Chergia; Gavino Sanna; Stefania Solinas; Giuseppe Todde; Luis Narvarte; Luigi Ledda. Climate change adaptation and water saving by innovative irrigation management applied on open field globe artichoke. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 649, 461 -472.
AMA StylePaola A. Deligios, Anna Paola Chergia, Gavino Sanna, Stefania Solinas, Giuseppe Todde, Luis Narvarte, Luigi Ledda. Climate change adaptation and water saving by innovative irrigation management applied on open field globe artichoke. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 649 ():461-472.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola A. Deligios; Anna Paola Chergia; Gavino Sanna; Stefania Solinas; Giuseppe Todde; Luis Narvarte; Luigi Ledda. 2018. "Climate change adaptation and water saving by innovative irrigation management applied on open field globe artichoke." Science of The Total Environment 649, no. : 461-472.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was used to evaluate the cumulative energy demand and the related environmental impact of three large-power stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) irrigation systems ranging from 40 kWp to 360 kWp. The novelty of this analysis is the large power of these systems as the literature up to now is restricted to modeled PV pumping systems scenarios or small power plants, where the size can be a critical factor for energy and environmental issues. The analysis shows that the yearly embodied energy per unit of PV power ranged from 1306 MJ/kWp to 1199 MJ/kWp depending of the PV generator size. Similarly, the related yearly carbon dioxide impacts ranged from 72.6 to 79.8 kg CO2e/kWp. The production of PV modules accounted for the main portion (about 80%) of the primary energy embodied into the PV irrigation system (PVIS). The outcomes of the study also show an inverse trend of the energy and carbon payback times respect to the PV power size: In fact, energy payback time increased from 1.94, to 5.25 years and carbon payback time ranged from 4.62 to 9.38 years. Also the energy return on investment depends on the PV generator dimension, ranging from 12.9 to 4.8. The environmental impact of the stand-alone PV systems was also expressed in reference to the potential amount of electricity generated during the whole PV life. As expected, the largest PVIS performs the best result, obtaining an emission rate of 45.9 g CO2e per kWh, while the smallest one achieves 124.1 g CO2e per kWh. Finally, the energy and environmental indicators obtained in this study are strongly related to the irrigation needs, which in turn are influenced by other factors as the type of cultivated crops, the weather conditions and the water availability.
Giuseppe Todde; Lelia Murgia; Isaac Carrelo; Rita Hogan; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. Embodied Energy and Environmental Impact of Large-Power Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems. Energies 2018, 11, 2110 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Todde, Lelia Murgia, Isaac Carrelo, Rita Hogan, Antonio Pazzona, Luigi Ledda, Luis Narvarte. Embodied Energy and Environmental Impact of Large-Power Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems. Energies. 2018; 11 (8):2110.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Todde; Lelia Murgia; Isaac Carrelo; Rita Hogan; Antonio Pazzona; Luigi Ledda; Luis Narvarte. 2018. "Embodied Energy and Environmental Impact of Large-Power Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Irrigation Systems." Energies 11, no. 8: 2110.
The application of the photovoltaic (PV) energy to the European greenhouse industry has led to installations designed to maximise the energy production but detrimental for the greenhouse crops, due to the effect of shading of the PV panels on the roof. To assess these issues, the first step is to characterize the PV greenhouse microclimate, especially in terms of solar radiation at canopy level. After a comprehensive review of the current state-of-art of the PV greenhouse sector, four representative commercial PV greenhouse types are compared, with a percentage of the area covered with PV panels (PV cover ratio) ranging from 25% to 100%. The aim is to define the general relations between the main design parameters (PV cover ratio, greenhouse height and orientation, checkerboard pattern) and the available solar radiation, to provide original information on the design of next-generation PV greenhouses with improved agronomic sustainability. The yearly global radiation decreased averagely by 0.8% for each additional 1.0% PV cover ratio and increased by 3.8% for each further meter of gutter height. The N-S orientation increased the average cumulated global radiation on the greenhouse area by 24%, compared to the E-W orientation. Both the checkerboard pattern and the N-S orientation improved the uniformity of light distribution. All PV greenhouse types are provided with light distribution maps to evaluate the light variability on the greenhouse area. The light distribution is crucial to support adequate agronomic plans for both preexisting and new PV greenhouses, aiming to sustainable mixed systems for both energy and crop production.
Marco Cossu; Andrea Cossu; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Zhi Li; Hicham Fatnassi; Christine Poncet; Akira Yano. Assessment and comparison of the solar radiation distribution inside the main commercial photovoltaic greenhouse types in Europe. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2018, 94, 822 -834.
AMA StyleMarco Cossu, Andrea Cossu, Paola A. Deligios, Luigi Ledda, Zhi Li, Hicham Fatnassi, Christine Poncet, Akira Yano. Assessment and comparison of the solar radiation distribution inside the main commercial photovoltaic greenhouse types in Europe. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2018; 94 ():822-834.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cossu; Andrea Cossu; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Zhi Li; Hicham Fatnassi; Christine Poncet; Akira Yano. 2018. "Assessment and comparison of the solar radiation distribution inside the main commercial photovoltaic greenhouse types in Europe." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 94, no. : 822-834.
The oilseed rape conventional system can be moved to a more sustainable one by reducing herbicide application whilst ensuring at the same time effective weed control, maintaining oilseed rape yield, and quality and increasing profitability. Over three growing season periods, two field experiments at two different Southern Italy locations were carried out. In both sites, a conventional weed-control management system (recommended label dose), four alternative low-herbicide treatments, and an untreated control were compared. We monitored weeds and crop response to herbicide treatments, and calculated the net economic return, within site and year, for each treatment. In experiment 1, a half dose of herbicide did not show any significant difference in seed yield with respect to conventional treatment in two of three growing seasons. In experiment 2, compared with the conventional system, weedy control and the lowest applied herbicide dose treatment (25% of the recommended label dose) did not underline significant differences with regard to yield level. Net returns from the half dose of metazachlor herbicide were not significantly lower than net returns from conventional treatment in experiment 1 (on a three-year average 748 vs. 812 € ha−1, respectively). Our findings suggest that the herbicide dose might be cut by at least 50% in order not to jeopardize negative effects on production and economic performances.
Paola A. Deligios; Gianluca Carboni; Roberta Farci; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. Low-Input Herbicide Management: Effects on Rapeseed Production and Profitability. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2258 .
AMA StylePaola A. Deligios, Gianluca Carboni, Roberta Farci, Stefania Solinas, Luigi Ledda. Low-Input Herbicide Management: Effects on Rapeseed Production and Profitability. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (7):2258.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola A. Deligios; Gianluca Carboni; Roberta Farci; Stefania Solinas; Luigi Ledda. 2018. "Low-Input Herbicide Management: Effects on Rapeseed Production and Profitability." Sustainability 10, no. 7: 2258.
Soil organic carbon (SOC), the major component of soil organic matter (SOM), is extremely important in all soil processes. Organic material in the soil is essentially derived from plant and animal residues, synthesized by microbes and decomposed under the influence of temperature, moisture and soil conditions. The problem of soil organic carbon depletion is of particular concern in the Mediterranean basin, with mild or moderately cold humid winters and warm dry summers, since high temperatures and reduced soil moisture conditions accelerate decomposition processes. This depletion is often in combination with non-conservative agronomic practices such as deep tillage and the low inputs of organic matter to soils, as well as other soil degradation processes, e.g. soil erosion by water. Typically, soils developed in the Mediterranean basin exhibit a high spatial variability of soil properties, are prone to drought, have low water holding capacity, and are shallow particularly on slopes or stony on the soil surface. They are also relatively fragile, and vulnerable to different human activities arising from changes in land cover and land use such as deforestation, urban development and deep soil tillage, and as a result of unsustainable agricultural and forestry practices. In this situation many ecosystem services (ES) are severely threatened. Here we describe the main ecosystems services including provisional, regulating, aesthetic and supporting services, with a focus on the provision of services from soil carbon and crop sustainable management in the Mediterranean basin, including the threats derived from soil erosion and floods. We highlight the specific measures for a sustainable cropland management that can decrease soil organic carbon (SOC) losses, increase the external organic matter (OM) input, and how to efficiently combine both. We reviewed different measures adopting external organic input addition to soil, conservation agriculture by no-tillage, residues retention, cover crops, organic farming compared to conventional agriculture and sustainable crop management by irrigation. In arable cropping systems, we reported an increase in C sequestration rate ranging from 1.3 to 5.3 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with the addition of organic external inputs, and equal to 0.27 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with the adoption of cover crops. No tillage and reduced tillage can increase C sequestration rate by 0.44 and 0.32 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 respectively. The adoption of combined management practices, where organic matter inputs and conservation tillage practices are simultaneously applied, increase C sequestration rate by 1.11 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. Organic farming management increase C sequestration rate by 0.97 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 as average, ranging from 0.62 to 1.32 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with compost application and manure combined with cover crops respectively. Organic farming is also effective in increasing soil organic carbon stocks by about 70% compared with...
Rosa Francaviglia; Luigi Ledda; Roberta Farina. Organic Carbon and Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Soils of the Mediterranean Basin. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 2018, 183 -210.
AMA StyleRosa Francaviglia, Luigi Ledda, Roberta Farina. Organic Carbon and Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Soils of the Mediterranean Basin. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. 2018; ():183-210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosa Francaviglia; Luigi Ledda; Roberta Farina. 2018. "Organic Carbon and Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Soils of the Mediterranean Basin." Sustainable Agriculture Reviews , no. : 183-210.
To assess the feasibility of the sulla [Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik] forage legume in a new agroecosystem, its host-specific symbiotic interaction needs to be taken into account. This study aimed to investigate the effects of inoculation and nitrogen (N) fertiliser on productive performances and N-fixation ability of sulla established in a new habitat within a Mediterranean agropastoral area. Sulla plants, previously inoculated (with peat-based, liquid inoculants, and using soil from an existing sulla field) and unfertilised or N fertilised were evaluated in Sardinia (Italy). During 2013-2014, sulla plants were sampled at four growing stages, from vegetative stage to seed set, and shoot length, shoot dry matter (DM) yield and N content were monitored. Moreover, atom% 15N isotopic excess, proportion of N derived from the atmosphere and fixed N of sulla shoots were quantified. Inoculation and N fertilisation both affected growth, DM and N yields, and N-fixation of sulla. Compared to the best inoculated treatment, the DM yield and fixed N of the control only represented 10 to 22% and 2 to 11%, respectively. Nitrogen fertilisation caused temporary decreases in the N fixing ability of sulla. Results pointed out that rhizobial inoculation is essential for the exploitation of sulla outside its traditional cropping area.
Leonardo Sulas; Giovanna Piluzza; Mauro Salis; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Simone Canu. Cropping systems sustainability: Inoculation and fertilisation effect on sulla performances in a new cultivation area. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2017, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleLeonardo Sulas, Giovanna Piluzza, Mauro Salis, Paola A. Deligios, Luigi Ledda, Simone Canu. Cropping systems sustainability: Inoculation and fertilisation effect on sulla performances in a new cultivation area. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2017; 12 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonardo Sulas; Giovanna Piluzza; Mauro Salis; Paola A. Deligios; Luigi Ledda; Simone Canu. 2017. "Cropping systems sustainability: Inoculation and fertilisation effect on sulla performances in a new cultivation area." Italian Journal of Agronomy 12, no. 4: 1.
Soil quality is mainly studied from the chemical and physical point of view, whereas soil biochemical and microbiological parameters are relatively more scarcely explored to assess the effect of management practices. This study aimed to evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) and its pools; soil microbial activity parameters; and the Biological Fertility Index (BFI), in six land uses characteristics of the Mediterranean basin in north-eastern Sardinia. These land uses differed in management intensity and consisted of: tilled vineyard (TV), no tilled grassed vineyard (GV), former vineyards (FV), hay crop and pasture (HC and PA), cork oak forest (CO). Significant differences among ecosystems were found in most cases in (SOC), the related pools (total extractable carbon, humic and fulvic acids, not humified, not extractable), humification parameters (degree, rate and index of humification), and soil microbial activity (microbial carbon, respiration, metabolic quotient, and mineralization quotient). Pasture and cork oak forest showed in average a better soil quality for most biochemical and microbial parameters in comparison with the other ecosystems. The index of soil biological fertility (BFI) was higher under cork oak forest which is supposed to be the most sustainable ecosystem in the long term in this environment, able to maintain soil biological fertility and microbial diversity.
Rosa Francaviglia; Gianluca Renzi; Luigi Ledda; Anna Benedetti. Organic carbon pools and soil biological fertility are affected by land use intensity in Mediterranean ecosystems of Sardinia, Italy. Science of The Total Environment 2017, 599-600, 789 -796.
AMA StyleRosa Francaviglia, Gianluca Renzi, Luigi Ledda, Anna Benedetti. Organic carbon pools and soil biological fertility are affected by land use intensity in Mediterranean ecosystems of Sardinia, Italy. Science of The Total Environment. 2017; 599-600 ():789-796.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosa Francaviglia; Gianluca Renzi; Luigi Ledda; Anna Benedetti. 2017. "Organic carbon pools and soil biological fertility are affected by land use intensity in Mediterranean ecosystems of Sardinia, Italy." Science of The Total Environment 599-600, no. : 789-796.