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An increasing need for a more sustainable agriculturally-productive system is required in order to preserve soil fertility and reduce soil biodiversity loss. Microbial biostimulants are innovative technologies able to ensure agricultural yield with high nutritional values, overcoming the negative effects derived from environmental changes. The aim of this review was to provide an overview on the research related to plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) used alone, in consortium, or in combination with organic matrices such as plant biostimulants (PBs). Moreover, the effectiveness and the role of microbial biostimulants as a biological tool to improve fruit quality and limit soil degradation is discussed. Finally, the increased use of these products requires the achievement of an accurate selection of beneficial microorganisms and consortia, and the ability to prepare for future agriculture challenges. Hence, the implementation of the microorganism positive list provided by EU (2019/1009), is desirable.
Adele Castiglione; Giuseppe Mannino; Valeria Contartese; Cinzia Bertea; Andrea Ertani. Microbial Biostimulants as Response to Modern Agriculture Needs: Composition, Role and Application of These Innovative Products. Plants 2021, 10, 1533 .
AMA StyleAdele Castiglione, Giuseppe Mannino, Valeria Contartese, Cinzia Bertea, Andrea Ertani. Microbial Biostimulants as Response to Modern Agriculture Needs: Composition, Role and Application of These Innovative Products. Plants. 2021; 10 (8):1533.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdele Castiglione; Giuseppe Mannino; Valeria Contartese; Cinzia Bertea; Andrea Ertani. 2021. "Microbial Biostimulants as Response to Modern Agriculture Needs: Composition, Role and Application of These Innovative Products." Plants 10, no. 8: 1533.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many victims worldwide and has generated a serious economic crisis. Substantial changes have occurred in the food and ornamental production chains. The aim of the present review has been to summarize some of the main effects that the pandemic is having on horticulture and on the new habits of people. Infections and quarantine measures have prevented the regular flow of certain goods and of connected services. Cases of shortages and/or surpluses, a lack of the availability of labor, and a reduction in demand for some food products and flowers have occurred. New food production approaches have emerged and a reconnection between farmers and consumers has been spreading, thereby facilitating product distribution. Moreover, during the forced isolation, people have had to face periods of stress. The benefits that can be derived from leisure activities related to flowers and ornamental plants, and from access to nature and urban green spaces are increasingly being recognized as relevant. The seriousness of the pandemic will inevitably lead to lasting changes. Therefore, the vulnerability of the pre-COVID-19 distribution chains should be considered and a new food production chain should be drawn up, to increase the resilience of such systems.
Roberta Bulgari; Alice Petrini; Giacomo Cocetta; Carlo Nicoletto; Andrea Ertani; Paolo Sambo; Antonio Ferrante; Silvana Nicola. The Impact of COVID-19 on Horticulture: Critical Issues and Opportunities Derived from an Unexpected Occurrence. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 124 .
AMA StyleRoberta Bulgari, Alice Petrini, Giacomo Cocetta, Carlo Nicoletto, Andrea Ertani, Paolo Sambo, Antonio Ferrante, Silvana Nicola. The Impact of COVID-19 on Horticulture: Critical Issues and Opportunities Derived from an Unexpected Occurrence. Horticulturae. 2021; 7 (6):124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberta Bulgari; Alice Petrini; Giacomo Cocetta; Carlo Nicoletto; Andrea Ertani; Paolo Sambo; Antonio Ferrante; Silvana Nicola. 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Horticulture: Critical Issues and Opportunities Derived from an Unexpected Occurrence." Horticulturae 7, no. 6: 124.
New cultural techniques have been developed to improve the yield and raw material quality at harvest, and enhance the postharvest shelf life, by standardizing the growing system. Among the different Soilless Cultivation Systems, the New Growing System (NGS®) is a closed-recirculating system that was designed for open fields and protected cultivations. The aim of this work was to investigate the structural setting of the system and its functioning to harness the full potentiality of NGS®. A lab-scale pilot plant (LSPP) was designed with NGS® technology and the technical aspects have been set up to have a standardized and reproducible growing system. The trials were conducted on growing mature-leaf vegetable species; that is, on both head and multi-leaf vegetables, and on culinary herbs at high plant densities. Positive yield results were found for culinary herbs and leafy vegetables. Mints showed high yields for the two re-growths carried out after the first harvest. The LSPP can also be used in a series of reliable experiments and enable researches to test several species, substrates, hydroponic nutrient solutions, and fertigation scheduling.
Silvana Nicola; Giuseppe Pignata; Manuela Casale; Saeid Hazrati; Andrea Ertani. Setting Up a Lab-Scale Pilot Plant to Study the New Growing System (NGS®) for Leafy Vegetable and Culinary Herb Growth. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 90 .
AMA StyleSilvana Nicola, Giuseppe Pignata, Manuela Casale, Saeid Hazrati, Andrea Ertani. Setting Up a Lab-Scale Pilot Plant to Study the New Growing System (NGS®) for Leafy Vegetable and Culinary Herb Growth. Horticulturae. 2021; 7 (5):90.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvana Nicola; Giuseppe Pignata; Manuela Casale; Saeid Hazrati; Andrea Ertani. 2021. "Setting Up a Lab-Scale Pilot Plant to Study the New Growing System (NGS®) for Leafy Vegetable and Culinary Herb Growth." Horticulturae 7, no. 5: 90.
In the past century, plant biostimulants have been increasingly used in agriculture as innovative and sustainable practice. Plant biostimulants have been mainly investigated as potential agents able to mitigate abiotic stress. However, few information is available about their ability to influence fruit quality or change fruit phytochemical composition. In particular, very little is known about their effects on anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation. Due to the increasing demand of consumers for healthier foods with high nutraceutical values, this review tries to fill the gap between anthocyanin content and biostimulant application. Here, we elucidate the chemical structure, biosynthetic pathway, plant distribution, and physiological role of anthocyanins in plants. Moreover, we discuss the potential implications for human health derived from the consumption of foods rich in these molecules. Finally, we report on literature data concerning the changes in anthocyanin content and profile after the application of biostimulant products on the most common anthocyanin-containing foods.
Giuseppe Mannino; Carla Gentile; Andrea Ertani; Graziella Serio; Cinzia Bertea. Anthocyanins: Biosynthesis, Distribution, Ecological Role, and Use of Biostimulants to Increase Their Content in Plant Foods—A Review. Agriculture 2021, 11, 212 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Mannino, Carla Gentile, Andrea Ertani, Graziella Serio, Cinzia Bertea. Anthocyanins: Biosynthesis, Distribution, Ecological Role, and Use of Biostimulants to Increase Their Content in Plant Foods—A Review. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (3):212.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Mannino; Carla Gentile; Andrea Ertani; Graziella Serio; Cinzia Bertea. 2021. "Anthocyanins: Biosynthesis, Distribution, Ecological Role, and Use of Biostimulants to Increase Their Content in Plant Foods—A Review." Agriculture 11, no. 3: 212.
The hormones strigolactones accumulate in plant roots under phosphorus (P) shortage, inducing variations in plant phenotype. In this study, we aimed at understanding whether strigolactones control morphological and anatomical changes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) roots under varying P supply. Root traits were evaluated in wild-type seedlings grown in high vs. low P, with or without exogenous strigolactones, and in wild-type and strigolactone-depleted plants grown first under high vs. no P, and then under high vs. no P after acclimation on low P. Exogenous strigolactones stimulated primary root and lateral root number under low P. Root growth was reduced in strigolactone-depleted plants maintained under continuous P deprivation. Total root and root hair length, lateral root number and root tip anatomy were impaired by low strigolactone biosynthesis in plants grown under low P or transferred from low to no P. Under adequate P conditions, root traits of strigolactone-depleted and wild-type plants were similar. Concluding, our results indicate that strigolactones (i) control macro- and microscopic changes of root in tomato depending on P supply; and (ii) do not affect root traits significantly when plants are supplemented with adequate P, but are needed for acclimation to no P and typical responses to low P.
Veronica Santoro; Michela Schiavon; Francesco Gresta; Andrea Ertani; Francesca Cardinale; Craig J. Sturrock; Luisella Celi; Andrea Schubert. Strigolactones Control Root System Architecture and Tip Anatomy in Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants under P Starvation. Plants 2020, 9, 612 .
AMA StyleVeronica Santoro, Michela Schiavon, Francesco Gresta, Andrea Ertani, Francesca Cardinale, Craig J. Sturrock, Luisella Celi, Andrea Schubert. Strigolactones Control Root System Architecture and Tip Anatomy in Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants under P Starvation. Plants. 2020; 9 (5):612.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeronica Santoro; Michela Schiavon; Francesco Gresta; Andrea Ertani; Francesca Cardinale; Craig J. Sturrock; Luisella Celi; Andrea Schubert. 2020. "Strigolactones Control Root System Architecture and Tip Anatomy in Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants under P Starvation." Plants 9, no. 5: 612.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different mixtures of two fresh-cut baby lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa cv. Lollo Bionda [LB] and cv. Lollo Rossa [LR]) cultivars on lettuce phytochemical composition during postharvest. Lettuces were grown in a soilless culture system with continuous flotation (FL) in a greenhouse, mixed at harvest and packaged in polypropylene bags and stored at 4 °C for 9 days (d9). Mixes were made of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 0% of LB, respectively. The results showed that the phytochemicals were preserved during storage. In specific, 25LB had the highest pigment content on d1, while 50LB and 25LB had the highest inherent quality on d1.FL led to a reduced microbial contamination, thus, limiting its growth during storage. The results have revealed that high quality and microbiologically safe baby leaf vegetables (BLV), can be obtained by means of FL. The adopting a mix of lettuce cultivars could represent a positive postharvest practice to preserve the phytochemicals of BLV throughout their shelf life.
Giuseppe Pignata; Andrea Ertani; Manuela Casale; Serenella Piano; Silvana Nicola. Mixing fresh-cut baby green and red leaf lettuce from soilless cultivation preserves phytochemical content and safety. Agricultural and Food Science 2020, 29, 55–65 -55–65.
AMA StyleGiuseppe Pignata, Andrea Ertani, Manuela Casale, Serenella Piano, Silvana Nicola. Mixing fresh-cut baby green and red leaf lettuce from soilless cultivation preserves phytochemical content and safety. Agricultural and Food Science. 2020; 29 (1):55–65-55–65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Pignata; Andrea Ertani; Manuela Casale; Serenella Piano; Silvana Nicola. 2020. "Mixing fresh-cut baby green and red leaf lettuce from soilless cultivation preserves phytochemical content and safety." Agricultural and Food Science 29, no. 1: 55–65-55–65.
Humic substances (HS) are important soil components playing pivotal roles in guaranteeing long-term soil fertility. In this study, the chemical and biological properties of HS extracted from earthworm coprolites collected in soils subjected to different fertilization inputs (no fertilization, NF; fertilization with farmyard manure, FM; mineral input, M; mixed inputs, FMM, half farmyard manure plus half mineral input) were investigated. Results indicated a relationship between fertilization input and composition, molecular complexity and apparent molecular weight distribution of HS produced by earthworms. Coprolites from FM and FMM soils were the most enriched in organic carbon (OC), and HS from coprolites of FM soil were the highest in humic carbon (HC). Also, soil amendment with manure increased carboxylate and aromatic groups in HS, and the fraction with a high degree of polycondensation, thus indicating a positive impact of manure on plant residues’ degradation processes. These HS were the only to display hormone-like activity, which likely accounted for their most pronounced positive effects on plant growth and metabolism, including accumulation of chlorophylls, mineral nutrition, and activity of nitrogen assimilation enzymes, in oat (Avena sativa L.) plants growing in a soil-less system. We conclude that manure input favored the turnover of OC towards the humification process that led to the production of high-quality coprolites and HS with superior biological activity, and suggests that OC in coprolites and HC in HS from earthworms might be used as reliable indicators of soil fertility.
Michela Schiavon; Andrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Serenella Nardi. Manure Fertilization Gives High-Quality Earthworm Coprolites with Positive Effects on Plant Growth and N Metabolism. Agronomy 2019, 9, 659 .
AMA StyleMichela Schiavon, Andrea Ertani, Ornella Francioso, Serenella Nardi. Manure Fertilization Gives High-Quality Earthworm Coprolites with Positive Effects on Plant Growth and N Metabolism. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (10):659.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Schiavon; Andrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Serenella Nardi. 2019. "Manure Fertilization Gives High-Quality Earthworm Coprolites with Positive Effects on Plant Growth and N Metabolism." Agronomy 9, no. 10: 659.
The main aim of this study is to identify and investigate specific humates (Hs) as potential biostimulants. Five specialty lignosulfonates (LS1-5), one commercial leonardite-humate (PH), and one commercial lignosulfonate (LH), were analyzed for their carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur contents, and the distribution of functional groups using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. Hs were further supplied for two days to Zea mays L. in hydroponics to test their capacity to trigger changes in physiological target-responses. LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS5 determined the most pronounced effects on plant growth and accumulation of proteins and phenolics, perhaps because of their chemical and spectroscopic features. Root growth was more increased (+51–140%) than leaf growth (+5–35%). This effect was ascribed to higher stimulation of N metabolism in roots according to the increased activity of N-assimilation enzymes (GS and GOGAT) and high consumption of sugars for energy-dependent processes. Increased values of RuBisCO, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development values), and leaf sugar accumulation refer to enhanced photosynthesis attributed to Hs. We conclude that Hs tested in this study functioned as biostimulants, but the specialty lignosulfonates were more efficient in this role, possibly because of the type of starting material and process used for their production, which may have influenced their chemical properties.
Andrea Ertani; Serenella Nardi; Ornella Francioso; Diego Pizzeghello; Anna Tinti; Michela Schiavon. Metabolite-Targeted Analysis and Physiological Traits of Zea mays L. in Response to Application of a Leonardite-Humate and Lignosulfonate-Based Products for Their Evaluation as Potential Biostimulants. Agronomy 2019, 9, 445 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Serenella Nardi, Ornella Francioso, Diego Pizzeghello, Anna Tinti, Michela Schiavon. Metabolite-Targeted Analysis and Physiological Traits of Zea mays L. in Response to Application of a Leonardite-Humate and Lignosulfonate-Based Products for Their Evaluation as Potential Biostimulants. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (8):445.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Serenella Nardi; Ornella Francioso; Diego Pizzeghello; Anna Tinti; Michela Schiavon. 2019. "Metabolite-Targeted Analysis and Physiological Traits of Zea mays L. in Response to Application of a Leonardite-Humate and Lignosulfonate-Based Products for Their Evaluation as Potential Biostimulants." Agronomy 9, no. 8: 445.
Biofortification can be exploited to enrich plants in selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient for humans. Selenium as selenate was supplied to two rocket species, Eruca sativa Mill. (salad rocket) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket), at 0–40 μM in hydroponics and its effects on the content and profile of sulphur (S)-compounds and other phytochemicals was evaluated. D. tenuifolia accumulated more total Se and selenocysteine than E. sativa, concentrating up to ~300 mg Se kg−1 dry weight from 10–40 μM Se. To ensure a safe and adequate Se intake, 30 and 4 g fresh leaf material from E. sativa grown with 5 and 10–20 μM Se, respectively or 4 g from D. tenuifolia supplied with 5 μM Se was estimated to be optimal for consumption. Selenium supplementation at or above 10 μM differentially affected S metabolism in the two species in terms of the transcription of genes involved in S assimilation and S-compound accumulation. Also, amino acid content decreased with Se in E. sativa but increased in D. tenuifolia and the amount of phenolics was more reduced in D. tenuifolia. In conclusion, selenate application in hydroponics allowed Se enrichment of rocket. Furthermore, Se at low concentration (5 μM) did not significantly affect accumulation of phytochemicals and plant defence S-metabolites.
Stefano Dall’Acqua; Andrea Ertani; Elizabeth A.H. Pilon-Smits; Marta Fabrega-Prats; Michela Schiavon. Selenium Biofortification Differentially Affects Sulfur Metabolism and Accumulation of Phytochemicals in Two Rocket Species (Eruca Sativa Mill. and Diplotaxis Tenuifolia) Grown in Hydroponics. Plants 2019, 8, 68 .
AMA StyleStefano Dall’Acqua, Andrea Ertani, Elizabeth A.H. Pilon-Smits, Marta Fabrega-Prats, Michela Schiavon. Selenium Biofortification Differentially Affects Sulfur Metabolism and Accumulation of Phytochemicals in Two Rocket Species (Eruca Sativa Mill. and Diplotaxis Tenuifolia) Grown in Hydroponics. Plants. 2019; 8 (3):68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Dall’Acqua; Andrea Ertani; Elizabeth A.H. Pilon-Smits; Marta Fabrega-Prats; Michela Schiavon. 2019. "Selenium Biofortification Differentially Affects Sulfur Metabolism and Accumulation of Phytochemicals in Two Rocket Species (Eruca Sativa Mill. and Diplotaxis Tenuifolia) Grown in Hydroponics." Plants 8, no. 3: 68.
Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) contain significant levels of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial/phytotoxic activity and high amounts of undecomposed organic matter that may exert negative effects on soil biology. Among OMW detoxification techniques, those focusing on oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds are relevant. The composting (bio-oxidation) process in particular, exploits exothermic oxidation reactions by microorganisms to transform the organic matrix of OMW into an amendment biologically stable and feasible to use in agriculture. This process consists of an active phase during which organic compounds are rapidly decomposed, and a curing phase characterized by a slow breakdown of the remaining materials with the formation of humic substances (HS) as by-products. In this study, bio-oxidation of OMW was performed using a pre-treated organic material derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). The obtained amendment (OMWF) was stable and in accordance with the legislative parameters of mixed organic amendments. HS were then extracted from OMWF and MSW (control amendment, Amd-C), and differences in structural properties of their humic acid (HA) fraction were highlighted via spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared) and Dynamic Light Scattering. To assay a potential use of HA as biostimulants for crops, 12-day old Zea Mays L. plants were supplied with HA at 0.5 mg and 1 mg C L-1 for 2 days. HA from both amendments increased plant growth, but HA from OMWF was more effective at both dosages (plus 35–37%). Also, HA from OMWF enhanced both nitrogen assimilation and glycolysis by increasing the activity of nitrate reductase (∼1.8–1.9 fold), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) (∼1.8–2 fold) and pyruvate kinase (PK) (∼1.5–1.8 fold), while HA from Amd-C targeted glycolysis preferentially. HA from OMWF, however, significantly stimulated plant nutrition only at lower dosage, perhaps because certain undetermined compounds from detoxified OMW and incorporated in HA altered the root membrane permeability, thus preventing the increase of nutrient uptake. Conversely, HA from Amd-C increased nutrient accumulation in maize at both dosages. In conclusion, our results indicate that the amendment obtained via OMW composting using MSW had a reduced pollution load in terms of phenolic compounds, and HA extracted from OMWF could be used as valuable biostimulants during maize cultivation.
Giuseppe Palumbo; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi; Andrea Ertani; Giuseppe Celano; Claudio M. Colombo. Biostimulant Potential of Humic Acids Extracted From an Amendment Obtained via Combination of Olive Mill Wastewaters (OMW) and a Pre-treated Organic Material Derived From Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Frontiers in Plant Science 2018, 9, 1 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Palumbo, Michela Schiavon, Serenella Nardi, Andrea Ertani, Giuseppe Celano, Claudio M. Colombo. Biostimulant Potential of Humic Acids Extracted From an Amendment Obtained via Combination of Olive Mill Wastewaters (OMW) and a Pre-treated Organic Material Derived From Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Frontiers in Plant Science. 2018; 9 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Palumbo; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi; Andrea Ertani; Giuseppe Celano; Claudio M. Colombo. 2018. "Biostimulant Potential of Humic Acids Extracted From an Amendment Obtained via Combination of Olive Mill Wastewaters (OMW) and a Pre-treated Organic Material Derived From Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)." Frontiers in Plant Science 9, no. : 1.
Archeological excavations beside the Baptistery of the Dome of Padua (north-eastern Italy) unearthed anthropic deposits formed between the seventh- and tenth-century ad. These were analyzed using soil micromorphology, soil chemical analyses (especially aimed at the definition of organic matter properties and dynamics), and GC/MS analyses of fecal biomarkers, the latter corroborated by principal component analysis. This inter-disciplinary study allowed differentiating between units resulting from in situ accumulation of trampled domestic waste and other, more frequent, units derived from repeated dumping or backfilling episodes. Fast accumulation of organic-rich domestic waste, coupled with an incomplete evolution of organic molecules appears as a fundamental formation process of these anthropic deposits. The overall level of fecal contamination in the Padua Baptistery sediments proved to be very low or absent.
Cristiano Nicosia; Andrea Ertani; Alvise Vianello; Serenella Nardi; Gian Pietro Brogiolo; Alejandra Chavarria Arnau; Francesca Becherini. Heart of darkness: an interdisciplinary investigation of the urban anthropic deposits of the Baptistery of Padua (Italy). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 2018, 11, 1977 -1993.
AMA StyleCristiano Nicosia, Andrea Ertani, Alvise Vianello, Serenella Nardi, Gian Pietro Brogiolo, Alejandra Chavarria Arnau, Francesca Becherini. Heart of darkness: an interdisciplinary investigation of the urban anthropic deposits of the Baptistery of Padua (Italy). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. 2018; 11 (5):1977-1993.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristiano Nicosia; Andrea Ertani; Alvise Vianello; Serenella Nardi; Gian Pietro Brogiolo; Alejandra Chavarria Arnau; Francesca Becherini. 2018. "Heart of darkness: an interdisciplinary investigation of the urban anthropic deposits of the Baptistery of Padua (Italy)." Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 11, no. 5: 1977-1993.
A solid biostimulant (AA309) obtained through thermobaric hydrolysis applied on trimmings and shavings of bovine hides tanned with wet-blue technology was chemically characterized, and its effects in maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated. AA309 contained 13.60% total nitrogen (N), mainly in organic forms (13.40%), and several amino acids, especially lysine, phenylalanine, glycine, aspartate, and isoleucine. AA309 was further analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of amide I and amide II bands, indicative of peptide structures. When supplied to maize plants for 15 days at two N dosages (2.1 or 4.2 mg/kg), AA309 induced positive physiological responses, likely because of its content in amino acids functioning as signaling molecules. The low dosage was the most effective in improving leaf (+24%) and root (+98%) dry weight, photosynthetic activity (+70%), and accumulation of N (+80%), proteins (+65–75%) and antioxidants (+60%). Spectroscopic analyses (Solid-state Cross-Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, CP/MAS 13C–NMR, and High resolution-magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, HR-MAS NMR) on plant tissues revealed the increase in proteins, lignin structures and cutin in AA309-treated plants compared to untreated plants. Our results indicate that AA309 could be used as a valuable biostimulant in agriculture.
Andrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Erika Ferrari; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. Spectroscopic-Chemical Fingerprint and Biostimulant Activity of a Protein-Based Product in Solid Form. Molecules 2018, 23, 1031 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Ornella Francioso, Erika Ferrari, Michela Schiavon, Serenella Nardi. Spectroscopic-Chemical Fingerprint and Biostimulant Activity of a Protein-Based Product in Solid Form. Molecules. 2018; 23 (5):1031.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Erika Ferrari; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. 2018. "Spectroscopic-Chemical Fingerprint and Biostimulant Activity of a Protein-Based Product in Solid Form." Molecules 23, no. 5: 1031.
Serenella Nardi; Diego Pizzeghello; Andrea Ertani. Hormone-like activity of the soil organic matter. Applied Soil Ecology 2018, 123, 517 -520.
AMA StyleSerenella Nardi, Diego Pizzeghello, Andrea Ertani. Hormone-like activity of the soil organic matter. Applied Soil Ecology. 2018; 123 ():517-520.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSerenella Nardi; Diego Pizzeghello; Andrea Ertani. 2018. "Hormone-like activity of the soil organic matter." Applied Soil Ecology 123, no. : 517-520.
Selenium (Se) is an intriguing element because it is metabolically required by a variety of organisms, but it may\ud induce toxicity at high doses. Algae primarily absorb selenium in the form of selenate or selenite using mechanisms\ud similar to those reported in plants. However, while Se is needed by several species of microalgae, the\ud essentiality of this element for plants has not been established yet. The study of Se uptake and accumulation\ud strategies in micro- and macro-algae is of pivotal importance, as they represent potential vectors for Se movement\ud in aquatic environments and Se at high levels may affect their growth causing a reduction in primary production.\ud Some microalgae exhibit the capacity of efRciently converting Se to less harmful volatile compounds\ud as a strategy to cope with Se toxicity. Therefore, they play a crucial role in Se-cycling through the ecosystem.\ud On the other side, micro- or macro-algae enriched in Se may be used in Se biofortiRcation programs aimed to\ud improve Se content in human diet via supplementation of valuable food. Indeed, some organic forms of selenium\ud (selenomethionine and methylselenocysteine) are known to act as anticarcinogenic compounds and exert\ud a broad spectrum of beneRcial effects in humans and other mammals. Here, we want to give an overview of\ud the developments in the current understanding of Se uptake, accumulation and metabolism in algae, discussing\ud potential ecotoxicological implications and nutritional aspects
Michela Schiavon; Andrea Ertani; Sofia Parrasia; Francesca Dalla Vecchia. Selenium accumulation and metabolism in algae. Aquatic Toxicology 2017, 189, 1 -8.
AMA StyleMichela Schiavon, Andrea Ertani, Sofia Parrasia, Francesca Dalla Vecchia. Selenium accumulation and metabolism in algae. Aquatic Toxicology. 2017; 189 ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichela Schiavon; Andrea Ertani; Sofia Parrasia; Francesca Dalla Vecchia. 2017. "Selenium accumulation and metabolism in algae." Aquatic Toxicology 189, no. : 1-8.
An alfalfa-based protein hydrolysate (EM) has been tested in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) plants at two different concentrations (0.1 and 1 mL L-1) to get insight on its efficacy as biostimulant in this species and to unravel possible metabolic targets and molecular mechanisms that may shed light on its mode of action. EM was efficient in promoting the fresh biomass and content in chlorophyll and soluble sugars of tomato plants, especially when it was applied at the concentration of 1mL L-1. This effect on plant productivity was likely related to the EM-dependent up-regulation of genes identified via microarray and involved in primary carbon and nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and developmental processes. EM also up-regulated a number of genes implied in the secondary metabolism that leads to the synthesis of compounds (phenols and terpenes) functioning in plant development and interaction with the environment. Concomitantly, phenol content was enhanced in EM-treated plants. Several new genes have been identified in tomato as potential targets of EM action, like those involved in detoxification processes from reactive oxygen species and xenobiotic (particularly glutathione/ascorbate cycle-related and ABC transporters), and defense against abiotic and biotic stress. The model hypothesized is that elicitors present in the EM formulation like auxins, phenolics and amino acids, may trigger a signal transduction pathway via modulation of the intracellular levels of the hormones ethylene, jasmonic acid and abscissic acid, which then further prompt the activation of a cascade events requiring the presence and activity of many kinases and transcription factors to activate stress-related genes. The genes identified suggest these kinases and transcription factors as players involved in a complex crosstalk between biotic and abiotic stress signaling pathways. We conclude that EM acts as a biostimulant in tomato due to its capacity to stimulate plant productivity and up-regulate stress-related responses. Its use in agricultural practices may reduce the need of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, thereby reducing the environmental impact of productive agriculture.
Andrea Ertani; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Solanum lycopersicon L. in Response to an Alfalfa-Protein Hydrolysate Using Microarrays. Frontiers in Plant Science 2017, 8, 1159 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Michela Schiavon, Serenella Nardi. Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Solanum lycopersicon L. in Response to an Alfalfa-Protein Hydrolysate Using Microarrays. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2017; 8 ():1159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. 2017. "Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Solanum lycopersicon L. in Response to an Alfalfa-Protein Hydrolysate Using Microarrays." Frontiers in Plant Science 8, no. : 1159.
The mobility and distribution of metals in the environment is related not only to their concentration but also to their availability in the environment. Most chromium (Cr) exists in oxidation states ranging from 0 to VI in soils but the most stable and common forms are Cr(0), Cr(III), and Cr(VI) species. Chromium can have positive and negative effects on health, according to the dose, exposure time, and its oxidation state. The last is highly soluble; mobile; and toxic to humans, animals, and plants. On the contrary, Cr(III) has relatively low toxicity and mobility and it is one of the micronutrients needed by humans. In addition, Cr(III) can be absorbed on the surface of clay minerals in precipitates or complexes. Thus, the approaches converting Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in soils and waters have received considerable attention. The Cr(III) compounds are sparingly soluble in water and may be found in water bodies as soluble Cr(III) complexes, while the Cr(VI) compounds are readily soluble in water. Chromium is absorbed by plants through carriers of essential ions such as sulfate. Chromium uptake, accumulation, and translocation, depend on its speciation. Chromium shortage can cause cardiac problems, metabolic dysfunctions, and diabetes. Symptoms of Cr toxicity in plants comprise decrease of germination, reduction of growth, inhibition of enzymatic activities, impairment of photosynthesis and oxidative imbalances. This review provides an overview of the chemical characteristics of Cr, its behavior in the environment, the relationships with plants and aspects of the use of fertilizers.
Andrea Ertani; Anna Mietto; Maurizio Borin; Serenella Nardi. Chromium in Agricultural Soils and Crops: A Review. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 2017, 228, 190 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Anna Mietto, Maurizio Borin, Serenella Nardi. Chromium in Agricultural Soils and Crops: A Review. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 2017; 228 (5):190.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Anna Mietto; Maurizio Borin; Serenella Nardi. 2017. "Chromium in Agricultural Soils and Crops: A Review." Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 228, no. 5: 190.
The request of natural products has augmented in the last years due to the increase in intolerance and allergy reactions showed by humans versus pesticides and certain chemical compounds used in agriculture. In response to this demand, innovative methods and new natural matrices have been exploited to obtain products able to increase plant nutrients use efficiency. In this context, agro-industrial residues contain bioactive molecules, including antioxidants and phenols, which may be used by farmers to improve crop productivity. Phenols are ubiquitous in plants and are essential components of the human diet by virtue of their antioxidant properties. They may also act as positive growth regulators by modifying the root architecture and, consequently, the uptake of macronutrients, potassium especially. In order to understand their effects on the plant metabolic pathways, agro-industrial residues were supplied to maize plants and the activity of specific enzymes was evaluated. In this review, developments and improved understanding on fruit residues on primary and secondary plants metabolism are discussed
Andrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Serenella Nardi. Mini review: fruit residues as plant biostimulants for bio-based product recovery. AIMS Agriculture and Food 2017, 2, 251 -257.
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Ornella Francioso, Serenella Nardi. Mini review: fruit residues as plant biostimulants for bio-based product recovery. AIMS Agriculture and Food. 2017; 2 (3):251-257.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Ornella Francioso; Serenella Nardi. 2017. "Mini review: fruit residues as plant biostimulants for bio-based product recovery." AIMS Agriculture and Food 2, no. 3: 251-257.
The influence of vegetal extracts derived from red grape, blueberry fruits and hawthorn leaves on Zea mays L. plant growth and the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), a key enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway, was investigated in laboratory experiments. The extracts were characterized using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies in order to obtain a pattern of the main functional groups. In addition, phenols content was determined by HPLC, whereas the content of indoleacetic acid and isopentenyladenosine hormones was determined by ELISA test and the auxin and gibberellin-like activities by plant-bioassays. The treated maize revealed increased root and leaf biomass, chlorophyll and sugars content with respect to untreated plants. Hawthorn, red grape skin and blueberry at 1.0 mL/L induced high p-coumaric content values, whilst hawthorn also showed high amounts of gallic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids. PAL activity induced by hawthorn at 1.0 mL/L had the highest values (11.1-fold UNT) and was strongly and linearly related with the sum of leaf phenols. Our results suggest that these vegetal extracts contain more than one group of plant-promoting substances.
Andrea Ertani; Diego Pizzeghello; Ornella Francioso; Anna Tinti; Serenella Nardi. Biological Activity of Vegetal Extracts Containing Phenols on Plant Metabolism. Molecules 2016, 21, 205 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Diego Pizzeghello, Ornella Francioso, Anna Tinti, Serenella Nardi. Biological Activity of Vegetal Extracts Containing Phenols on Plant Metabolism. Molecules. 2016; 21 (2):205.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Diego Pizzeghello; Ornella Francioso; Anna Tinti; Serenella Nardi. 2016. "Biological Activity of Vegetal Extracts Containing Phenols on Plant Metabolism." Molecules 21, no. 2: 205.
World demand for agricultural products is increasing. New insights are required in order to achieve sufficient and sustainable yields to meet global food request. Chemical fertilizers have been studied for almost 200 years, and it is unlikely that they could be improved. However, to produce food for a growing world population, various methods to increase the efficiency of chemical fertilizers are investigated. One approach to increasing crop productivity is the development of environment-friendly organic products named biostimulants which stimulate plant growth by enhancing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers. Most studies have tested these products in short-term experiments, but little information is available on their effect on plants at the maturity stage of growth. On this account, this paper focuses on the effects of two biostimulants, red grape skin extract (RG) and alfalfa hydrolyzate (AH), throughout the entire plant development.
Andrea Ertani; Paolo Sambo; Carlo Nicoletto; Silvia Santagata; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. The use of organic biostimulants in hot pepper plants to help low input sustainable agriculture. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 2015, 2, 11 .
AMA StyleAndrea Ertani, Paolo Sambo, Carlo Nicoletto, Silvia Santagata, Michela Schiavon, Serenella Nardi. The use of organic biostimulants in hot pepper plants to help low input sustainable agriculture. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 2015; 2 (1):11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Ertani; Paolo Sambo; Carlo Nicoletto; Silvia Santagata; Michela Schiavon; Serenella Nardi. 2015. "The use of organic biostimulants in hot pepper plants to help low input sustainable agriculture." Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 2, no. 1: 11.
The effects of a humic substance (HS) extracted from a volcanic soil on the nitrate assimilation pathway of Zea mays seedlings were thoroughly examined using physiological and molecular approaches. Plant growth, the amount of soluble proteins and amino acids, as well as the activities of the enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism and Krebs cycle, were evaluated in response to different HS concentrations (0, 1 and 5 mg C L−1) supplied to maize seedlings for 48 h. To better understand the HS action, the transcript accumulation of selected genes encoding enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation and Krebs cycle was additionally evaluated in seedlings grown for 2 weeks under nitrogen (N) sufficient condition and N deprivation.
Silvia Vaccaro; Andrea Ertani; Antonio Nebbioso; Adele Muscolo; Silvia Quaggiotti; Alessandro Piccolo; Serenella Nardi. Humic substances stimulate maize nitrogen assimilation and amino acid metabolism at physiological and molecular level. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 2015, 2, 5 .
AMA StyleSilvia Vaccaro, Andrea Ertani, Antonio Nebbioso, Adele Muscolo, Silvia Quaggiotti, Alessandro Piccolo, Serenella Nardi. Humic substances stimulate maize nitrogen assimilation and amino acid metabolism at physiological and molecular level. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 2015; 2 (1):5.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Vaccaro; Andrea Ertani; Antonio Nebbioso; Adele Muscolo; Silvia Quaggiotti; Alessandro Piccolo; Serenella Nardi. 2015. "Humic substances stimulate maize nitrogen assimilation and amino acid metabolism at physiological and molecular level." Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 2, no. 1: 5.