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Prof. Dr. Ferdinando Branca
Università di Catania

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Review
Published: 28 August 2021 in Plants
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Allelopathy is an ecological phenomenon that involves the production and release of biomolecules from different crops, cultivated plants, and bacteria or fungi into the soil rhizosphere and impacts other organisms in the vicinity. Sorghum possesses vital allelopathic characteristics due to which it produces and releases different biomolecules from its root hairs, stems, and grains. Several studies have reported that sorghum acts as an allelopathic crop, decreasing the growth and eco-physiological attributes of surrounding plants and weeds growing simultaneously or subsequently in the field. Sorghum allelopathy has been exploited in the context of green manure, crop rotations, cover crops, and intercropping or mulching, whereas plant aqueous extracts or powder might be an alternate method of weed control. A diverse group of allelochemicals, including benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, m-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxibenzaldehyde, dhurrin, sorgoleone, m-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid, have been isolated and identified from different plant tissues of sorghum and root exudates. These allelochemicals, especially sorgoleone, have been investigated in terms of their mode(s) of action, specific activity and selectivity, release in the rhizosphere and uptake and translocation in sensitive species. The present review describes the importance of sorghum allelopathy as an ecological tool in managing weeds, highlighting the most recent advances in the allelochemicals present in sorghum, their modes of action, and their fate in the ecosystem. Further research should focus on the evaluation and selection of sorghum cultivars with high allelopathic potential, so that sorghum allelopathy can be better utilized for weed control and yield enhancement.

ACS Style

M. Iftikhar Hussain; Subhan Danish; Adela M. Sánchez-Moreiras; Óscar Vicente; Khawar Jabran; Usman Khalid Chaudhry; Ferdinando Branca; Manuel J. Reigosa. Unraveling Sorghum Allelopathy in Agriculture: Concepts and Implications. Plants 2021, 10, 1795 .

AMA Style

M. Iftikhar Hussain, Subhan Danish, Adela M. Sánchez-Moreiras, Óscar Vicente, Khawar Jabran, Usman Khalid Chaudhry, Ferdinando Branca, Manuel J. Reigosa. Unraveling Sorghum Allelopathy in Agriculture: Concepts and Implications. Plants. 2021; 10 (9):1795.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Iftikhar Hussain; Subhan Danish; Adela M. Sánchez-Moreiras; Óscar Vicente; Khawar Jabran; Usman Khalid Chaudhry; Ferdinando Branca; Manuel J. Reigosa. 2021. "Unraveling Sorghum Allelopathy in Agriculture: Concepts and Implications." Plants 10, no. 9: 1795.

Journal article
Published: 24 August 2021 in Agronomy
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Some new foods (sprouts, microgreens and baby leaf) of the brassica genus are appreciated for their nutritional and nutraceutical values. The aim of this experimental trial was to improve the nutraceutical traits of these foods by evaluating the effects of the climatic condition, genotype, and plant growth stage on the development of greater quality in relation to these new foods. The morphometric and glucosinolates (GLSs) traits of three traditional Italian cultivars of Brassica oleracea crops, such as broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica), namely the traditional Sicilian landrace ‘Broccolo Nero’ (BN) and the commercial ‘Cavolo Broccolo Ramoso Calabrese’ (CR), as well as the commercial kale cultivar ‘Cavolo Laciniato Nero di Toscana’ (CL) (B. oleracea var. acephala DC.), were evaluated in an unheated greenhouse in Catania during the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Plant growth was studied at different phenological stages—from seeds to sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves—over two growing cycles, one in autumn–winter and the other in spring–summer. ‘Broccolo Nero’ (BN) broccoli showed more rapid growth and biomass production than the other two cultivars evaluated (i.e., weight, hypocotyl length, and leaf width). The GLS profile varied significantly (p< 0.05), in relation both to plant’s growth stage and to genotype. The highest amount of glucoraphanin was detected for BN microgreens and baby leaves, about 8 µmol g−1 d.w., whereas glucobrassicin and its related derivatives were about 14 µmol g−1 d.w. in microgreens and baby leaves of CL and about 15 µmol g−1 d.w. and 10 µmol g−1 d.w. for glucoraphanin in CR, respectively. These new foods can also be produced at home with simple and cheap equipment

ACS Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella; Stefania Toscano; Donata Arena; Diego A. Moreno; Daniela Romano; Ferdinando Branca. Effects of Growing Cycle and Genotype on the Morphometric Properties and Glucosinolates Amount and Profile of Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) and Kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala DC.). Agronomy 2021, 11, 1685 .

AMA Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella, Stefania Toscano, Donata Arena, Diego A. Moreno, Daniela Romano, Ferdinando Branca. Effects of Growing Cycle and Genotype on the Morphometric Properties and Glucosinolates Amount and Profile of Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) and Kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala DC.). Agronomy. 2021; 11 (9):1685.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella; Stefania Toscano; Donata Arena; Diego A. Moreno; Daniela Romano; Ferdinando Branca. 2021. "Effects of Growing Cycle and Genotype on the Morphometric Properties and Glucosinolates Amount and Profile of Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) and Kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala DC.)." Agronomy 11, no. 9: 1685.

Journal article
Published: 12 July 2021 in Agronomy
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Natural biostimulants obtained by plants are intensively used nowadays to improve crop yield and quality. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of leaf extract of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) (MLE) in modifying baby leaf characteristics of two genotypes of Brassica. The trial was started in October 2020 in a greenhouse; a cultivar of kale ‘Cavolo Laciniato Nero di Toscana’ (CL) and a Sicilian landrace of sprouting broccoli ‘Broccoli Nero’ (BN) were used. The plants, after 15, 30 and 40 days from sowing, were treated with MLE, while the control plants (C) with distilled water. Treatment with MLE modified morphological and nutritional value, but with different behavior in the two genotypes. In fact, in BN the treatment reduced the antioxidant activity (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) by 54%, while in CL the treatment increased this parameter by 40%. For the phenolic concentration and the sugar content the values recorded were significantly increased by MLE compared to control plants in CL, where in BN a significant reduction was registered. The CL plants treated with MLE showed a significant reduction (−70%) in nitrate content compared to the control plants; a negative effect was, instead, observed in BN, where the plants treated with moringa showed an increase of 60%. Results of this study showed how the foliar application of MLE was effective in improving various nutraceutical parameters, in particular in kale, because it appears to be a species-specific response.

ACS Style

Stefania Toscano; Antonio Ferrante; Ferdinando Branca; Daniela Romano. Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1399 .

AMA Style

Stefania Toscano, Antonio Ferrante, Ferdinando Branca, Daniela Romano. Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (7):1399.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Toscano; Antonio Ferrante; Ferdinando Branca; Daniela Romano. 2021. "Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant." Agronomy 11, no. 7: 1399.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2021 in Agriculture
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Five Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) were used to assess the relationship between inflorescence characteristics and their allelic variation in 53 Brassica oleracea and Brassica wild relatives (n = 9). Curd morphometric traits, such as weight (CW), height (CH), diameter (CD1), shape (CS) inflorescence curvature angle (CA), and its curd stem diameter (CD2), were measured. The aim of the work was to analyze the relationships among the allelic patterns of the SSRs primers utilized, and their status of homo or heterozygosity registered at each locus, as well as the inflorescence morphometric traits in order to individuate genomic regions stimulating the hypertrophy of this reproductive organ. The relationships found explain the diversity among B. oleracea complex species (n = 9) for the inflorescence size and structure, allowing important time reduction during the breeding process by crossing wild species, transferring useful resistance, and organoleptic and nutraceutical traits. The five SSRs loci were BoABI1, BoAP1, BoPLD1, BoTHL1, and PBCGSSRBo39. According to the allelic variation ascertained, we evaluated the heterozygosity index (H) for each SSR above cited. The results showed a significant interaction between the H index of the BoPLD1 gene and the inflorescence characteristics, summarized by the First Principal Component (PC1) (p-value = 0.0244); we ascertained a negative correlation between the H index and inflorescence characteristics, namely CW, CH, CD1, CD2, CA. The homozygosity BoPLD1 alelles, indicated by the H index, affect the inflorescence characteristics and broccoli and cauliflower yields.

ACS Style

Simone Treccarichi; Cornelia Di Gaetano; Fulvio Di Stefano; Mauro Gasparini; Ferdinando Branca. Using Simple Sequence Repeats in 9 Brassica Complex Species to Assess Hypertrophic Curd Induction. Agriculture 2021, 11, 622 .

AMA Style

Simone Treccarichi, Cornelia Di Gaetano, Fulvio Di Stefano, Mauro Gasparini, Ferdinando Branca. Using Simple Sequence Repeats in 9 Brassica Complex Species to Assess Hypertrophic Curd Induction. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (7):622.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simone Treccarichi; Cornelia Di Gaetano; Fulvio Di Stefano; Mauro Gasparini; Ferdinando Branca. 2021. "Using Simple Sequence Repeats in 9 Brassica Complex Species to Assess Hypertrophic Curd Induction." Agriculture 11, no. 7: 622.

Journal article
Published: 29 April 2021 in Agronomy
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Climate change, food security, and the protection of the planet’s resources require the adoption of sustainable production models. Achieving sustainable development in the agri-food sector enables the creation of new opportunities for operators, guiding farmers towards more environmentally friendly practices and offering cost-effective results. Organic farming paradigms are promoted by the transformation of some harmful practices of conventional agriculture, such as the wide use of chemical products of synthesis, the deep workings that favor the erosive processes, the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers. There are still gaps in the knowledge of the real performance of some products that strongly support the local economic system of Sicily (Italy). The research aims to highlight the differences in environmental impact caused by the cultivation of organic early potatoes compared to the conventional regime and the same per kg of product obtained. To this end, the widely used methodology for comparing the environmental impacts of agricultural production systems is the Life Cycle Assessment, which allows us to highlight the phases in which environmental criticalities are most concentrated. An interesting agroecological picture of knowledge emerges, since organic farming is by definition an ecological model that supports the principles of the Green Deal, it often requires interventions to improve the yields obtained in order to achieve a positive result both in terms of cultivated surface and kg of product obtained.

ACS Style

Giuseppe Timpanaro; Ferdinando Branca; Mariarita Cammarata; Giacomo Falcone; Alessandro Scuderi. Life Cycle Assessment to Highlight the Environmental Burdens of Early Potato Production. Agronomy 2021, 11, 879 .

AMA Style

Giuseppe Timpanaro, Ferdinando Branca, Mariarita Cammarata, Giacomo Falcone, Alessandro Scuderi. Life Cycle Assessment to Highlight the Environmental Burdens of Early Potato Production. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (5):879.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Timpanaro; Ferdinando Branca; Mariarita Cammarata; Giacomo Falcone; Alessandro Scuderi. 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment to Highlight the Environmental Burdens of Early Potato Production." Agronomy 11, no. 5: 879.

Journal article
Published: 25 December 2020 in Agronomy
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A comparative study for evaluating Italian and Spanish accessions of Brassica rapa var. rapa L., including turnip greens and turnip tops, was carried out at different locations with a view to determine the effect of earliness on crop production, antioxidant activity, glucosinolates amount, and profile (GLSs) and total phenolics content. The accessions evaluated were represented by two turnip top local varieties (one Italian variety and a Galician one), four new synthetic varieties established by Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), and three commercial varieties widely used by growers in Galicia and in Italy. The results showed a great variability regarding flowering time, fresh and dry weight of the leaves and flower buds, and the branch number per plant. The highest turnip greens production was found in two synthetic varieties (“SIN07” and “SIN01”) for both countries. Local varieties “BRS550” and “CM39” were also suitable for turnip greens production in Spain and Italy, respectively. For turnip tops, the highest production was found for “SIN07” in Spain, for “CM39” in Italy and for “BRS550” in both countries. We found a high diversity in the total and individual glucosinolate, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity among genotypes, geographical origins, and the different parts of the plant (leaf and flower). Varieties “SIN01” and “SIN07” showed the highest values in total GLSs, total aliphatic and gluconapin contents in turnip greens followed by the two commercial varieties. For turnip tops, the highest values in gluconapin, aliphatic, and total GLSs contents were found in “SIN01” and “BRS550”. Even though different varieties stand out over the rest depending on the location, “SIN01”, “SIN07”, “CM39”, and “BRS550” could be recommended for turnip greens production because of its high antioxidant activity. The study showed that the latest varieties are more productive and show higher bioactive compounds than the earlier ones and that it is possible to improve genotypes for different growing cycles. Therefore, these varieties could be proposed for further breeding programs for B. rapa production.

ACS Style

María Elena Cartea; Maria Concetta Di Bella; Pablo Velasco; Pilar Soengas; Stefania Toscano; Ferdinando Branca. Evaluation of Italian and Spanish Accessions of Brassica rapa L.: Effect of Flowering Earliness on Fresh Yield and Biological Value. Agronomy 2020, 11, 29 .

AMA Style

María Elena Cartea, Maria Concetta Di Bella, Pablo Velasco, Pilar Soengas, Stefania Toscano, Ferdinando Branca. Evaluation of Italian and Spanish Accessions of Brassica rapa L.: Effect of Flowering Earliness on Fresh Yield and Biological Value. Agronomy. 2020; 11 (1):29.

Chicago/Turabian Style

María Elena Cartea; Maria Concetta Di Bella; Pablo Velasco; Pilar Soengas; Stefania Toscano; Ferdinando Branca. 2020. "Evaluation of Italian and Spanish Accessions of Brassica rapa L.: Effect of Flowering Earliness on Fresh Yield and Biological Value." Agronomy 11, no. 1: 29.

Journal article
Published: 16 September 2020 in Agronomy
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Black rot is a destructive disease that affects B. oleracea crops, causing significant losses to growers throughout the world. The purpose of this study was to screen out new sources resistant to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris race 4 (Xcc4) in 26 cauliflower and six related wild species, and to assess the inheritance of resistance. The results indicate that most of the tested accessions were susceptible or had intermediate resistance, except the Boc4601 (a cauliflower stable inbred line) and PI435896, UNICT5168, and UNICT5169 (wild accessions). Among them, UNICT5169 (Brassica montana) and PI435896 (Brassica balearica) showed the strongest resistance to Xcc4, with significantly lower disease index (DI), area of the infected part (AIP) and proportion of the infected part to the total leaf area (PTL) values. UNICT 5169 was selected as an Xcc4-resistant parent because of its relatively good cross seed-setting rate with cauliflower cultivars. F1 hybrids were successfully produced between this wild resistant accession (UNICT 5169) and one susceptible cauliflower breeding line (Boc3202-4), indicating the potential transferability of this resistance to cauliflower. The results of the symptoms severity evaluation of the F2 population indicate that Xcc4 resistance in UNICT5169 is a quantitative trait, which guides future resistance gene location and black rot resistance breeding.

ACS Style

Xiao-Guang Sheng; Ferdinando Branca; Zhen-Qing Zhao; Jian-Sheng Wang; Hui-Fang Yu; Yu-Sen Shen; Hong-Hui Gu. Identification of Black Rot Resistance in a Wild Brassica Species and Its Potential Transferability to Cauliflower. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1400 .

AMA Style

Xiao-Guang Sheng, Ferdinando Branca, Zhen-Qing Zhao, Jian-Sheng Wang, Hui-Fang Yu, Yu-Sen Shen, Hong-Hui Gu. Identification of Black Rot Resistance in a Wild Brassica Species and Its Potential Transferability to Cauliflower. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (9):1400.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xiao-Guang Sheng; Ferdinando Branca; Zhen-Qing Zhao; Jian-Sheng Wang; Hui-Fang Yu; Yu-Sen Shen; Hong-Hui Gu. 2020. "Identification of Black Rot Resistance in a Wild Brassica Species and Its Potential Transferability to Cauliflower." Agronomy 10, no. 9: 1400.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2020 in Agronomy
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Snake melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo L. var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin) is an ancient and traditional crop in the Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, there has been poor interest in assessing snake melon germplasm where its genetic resources have not been surveyed before despite their potential in adaptation to environmental changes. In this study, we assess the genetic diversity of snake melon landraces collected from different Lebanese regions at both morphological and molecular levels. Morphological characterization using a set of 18 descriptors revealed an important phenotypic variability among the landraces studied. Principle component analysis indicated that fruit hair and its consistency, fruit size, and skin color pattern were good criteria for discriminating among landraces. Based on the scatter plot diagram, landraces of snake melon formed five different groups with one being defined as typical var. flexuosus. Ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used for the molecular characterization. Fifty-six different alleles were detected, with an average of 5.6 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content of SSR markers ranged from 0.06 to 0.84 (average 0.38). Cluster analysis based on molecular markers showed high genetic diversity and divided the landraces into five distinct genetic groups, confirming thereby the morphological variability. Findings of this study indicate a significant diversity for the Lebanese snake melon germplasm that must be further conserved and considered in improvement programs of this ancient crop.

ACS Style

Joe Merheb; Magdalena Pawełkowicz; Ferdinando Branca; Hanna Bolibok-Brągoszewska; Agnieszka Skarzyńska; Wojciech Pląder; Lamis Chalak. Characterization of Lebanese Germplasm of Snake Melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo var. flexuosus) Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1293 .

AMA Style

Joe Merheb, Magdalena Pawełkowicz, Ferdinando Branca, Hanna Bolibok-Brągoszewska, Agnieszka Skarzyńska, Wojciech Pląder, Lamis Chalak. Characterization of Lebanese Germplasm of Snake Melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo var. flexuosus) Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (9):1293.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joe Merheb; Magdalena Pawełkowicz; Ferdinando Branca; Hanna Bolibok-Brągoszewska; Agnieszka Skarzyńska; Wojciech Pląder; Lamis Chalak. 2020. "Characterization of Lebanese Germplasm of Snake Melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo var. flexuosus) Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers." Agronomy 10, no. 9: 1293.

Journal article
Published: 27 August 2020 in Biology
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In the context of seaside landscaping, one of the greatest challenges for practitioners and scientists is to select suitable species that are able to tolerate salt spray. This is the key aspect for a wide number of potentially suitable species. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify plant traits associated with species tolerance to salt stress and (2) to evaluate the responses of different shrub species to salt spray. For this purpose, a study was conducted to determine the effects of salt spray on twenty-four ornamental shrubs using rapid and easy-to-use methodology. The species were subjected twice a week to nebulization treatment with simulated seawater solution for 60 days. Every 20 days, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were determined. Furthermore, dry biomass of the different organographic portions, leaf number, leaf area, Specific Leaf Area, chlorophyll content, and leaf damage were determined at the end of the experiment. The species exposed to seawater solution showed different physiological and morphological responses. Based on the above indices, these ornamental shrubs were screened and categorized as tolerant, moderately tolerant, or susceptible. The results suggest that Convolvulus, Ceratonia, and Ligustrum are more tolerant to salt spray than numerous other genotypes; L. langmaniae, Cascabela, and L. frutescens, conversely, are more sensitive. Among the plant traits, the morphological parameters thoroughly characterized the effects of the salt spray, but they were destructive, with the only exception being the leaf damage percentage. This last non-destructive parameter is interesting considering the aesthetic value that ornamental plants must have. The physiological parameters, and in particular photosynthesis activity, can instead be used as a non-destructive screening method to select species suitable for ornamental green spaces near the sea.

ACS Style

Stefania Toscano; Ferdinando Branca; Daniela Romano; Antonio Ferrante. An Evaluation of Different Parameters to Screen Ornamental Shrubs for Salt Spray Tolerance. Biology 2020, 9, 250 .

AMA Style

Stefania Toscano, Ferdinando Branca, Daniela Romano, Antonio Ferrante. An Evaluation of Different Parameters to Screen Ornamental Shrubs for Salt Spray Tolerance. Biology. 2020; 9 (9):250.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Toscano; Ferdinando Branca; Daniela Romano; Antonio Ferrante. 2020. "An Evaluation of Different Parameters to Screen Ornamental Shrubs for Salt Spray Tolerance." Biology 9, no. 9: 250.

Journal article
Published: 31 July 2020 in Molecules
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In the present study, we evaluated for the first time the variability of antioxidant traits of four Brassica wild species: B. incana, B. macrocarpa, B. villosa, and B. rupestris. The content of the main water-soluble antioxidants (phenolics, ascorbic acid, and total biothiols) and the in vitro antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and superoxide anion scavenging capacity) were investigated. A total of 28 polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC/MS and quantitated by HPLC/DAD analysis. Kaempferol and quercetin derivatives were the most abundant phenolics compared to hydroxycinnamoyl gentiobiosides. In the ten populations, phenolics ranged from 163.9 to 533.9 mg/100 g dry weight (d.w.), ascorbic acid from 7.6 to 375.8 mg/100 g d.w., and total biothiols from 0.59 to 5.13 mg/100 g d.w. The different classes of phytochemicals were separated using solid-phase extraction at increasing methanol concentrations, and the antioxidant power of fractionated extracts was evaluated. The superoxide anion scavenging activity was significantly correlated to phenolics, particularly to flavonol derivatives, while DPPH was mainly related to ascorbic acid content. The present findings improve the knowledge of the phytochemical composition of Italian Brassica wild species by showing the great diversity of phytochemicals among populations and highlighting their importance as a valuable genetic resource for developing new cultivars with improved bioactive content.

ACS Style

Valentina Picchi; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Aldo Tava; Filippo Doria; Sergio Argento; Stefania Toscano; Simone Treccarichi; Ferdinando Branca. Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Four Brassica Wild Species from Italy. Molecules 2020, 25, 3495 .

AMA Style

Valentina Picchi, Roberto Lo Scalzo, Aldo Tava, Filippo Doria, Sergio Argento, Stefania Toscano, Simone Treccarichi, Ferdinando Branca. Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Four Brassica Wild Species from Italy. Molecules. 2020; 25 (15):3495.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valentina Picchi; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Aldo Tava; Filippo Doria; Sergio Argento; Stefania Toscano; Simone Treccarichi; Ferdinando Branca. 2020. "Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Four Brassica Wild Species from Italy." Molecules 25, no. 15: 3495.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2020 in Agronomy
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This study aims to evaluate the bio-morphological and biochemical variability of three Tunisian wild populations and one growing cultivar of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). The studied varieties should be easily distinguished by the color and the habitus of the plant as mentioned in literature, but the various analyses have shown a strong morphological heterogeneity within and among the wild and cultivated accessions as presented by the variance analysis test (ANOVA) and the PCA (Principal component analysis). We found high intrapopulation variability through the wild populations that make it hard to differentiate them only on the base of morphology. We analyzed the biochemical profile of those populations based on the analysis of freeze-dried samples of leaves and stems. We identified and quantified twelve different phenolic compounds by the HPLC-diode array detector (DAD) technique. Six phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in the leaves and stems of the wild and cultivated populations. Sinapic acid and myricetin are the majors identified compounds through our samples. The results were significantly different in relation to the plant organs and to the geographic origin for most of the compounds. The obtained results highlighted the importance of Portulaca as a medicinal plant by showing its richness in phenols and flavonoids that have multi-medicinal effects besides their antioxidant power.

ACS Style

Dorra Sdouga; Ferdinando Branca; Souhir Kabtni; Maria Concetta Di Bella; Neila Trifi-Farah; Sonia Marghali. Morphological Traits and Phenolic Compounds in Tunisian Wild Populations and Cultivated Varieties of Portulaca oleracea L. Agronomy 2020, 10, 948 .

AMA Style

Dorra Sdouga, Ferdinando Branca, Souhir Kabtni, Maria Concetta Di Bella, Neila Trifi-Farah, Sonia Marghali. Morphological Traits and Phenolic Compounds in Tunisian Wild Populations and Cultivated Varieties of Portulaca oleracea L. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (7):948.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dorra Sdouga; Ferdinando Branca; Souhir Kabtni; Maria Concetta Di Bella; Neila Trifi-Farah; Sonia Marghali. 2020. "Morphological Traits and Phenolic Compounds in Tunisian Wild Populations and Cultivated Varieties of Portulaca oleracea L." Agronomy 10, no. 7: 948.

Journal article
Published: 31 May 2020 in Agronomy
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In the present study, we investigated the content and profile of polyphenols (PPH), ascorbic acid (AA), the Folin–Ciocalteu index (FCI), and antioxidant activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxyl radical (ROO)) variation during three different plant growth stages (sprouts, microgreens and baby leaves) of two broccoli types, the traditional Sicilian sprouting broccoli landrace (‘Broccolo Nero’) and the broccoli standard (‘Cavolo broccolo Ramoso Calabrese’), and the standard commercial cultivar of kale (‘Cavolo Lacinato Nero di Toscana’). All biomasses collected were freeze-dried for PPH, AA, FCI, DPPH and ROO analysis. The highest polyphenol content was observed for ‘Broccolo Nero’ (BN) and ‘Cavolo Broccolo Ramoso Calabrese’ (CR), and generally sprouts showed significantly higher values compared to the microgreens and the baby leaves. The AA, FCI, DDPH and ROO significantly vary with regards to the cultivar and the plant growth stage, showing interaction between the two experimental factors analyzed. The interaction detected showed higher values for the antioxidant traits of the proposed novel food, especially for the two broccoli cultivars in the sprout growth stage in comparison to the microgreens and baby leaves. Our results suggest that the antioxidant activity is partially dependent on kaempferol and apigenin. The PPH compounds showed the highest values of kaempferol and apigenin for ‘Broccolo nero’, whereas for the other two cultivars studied, only kaempferol was the main compound represented. The data acquired are of interest for increasing the healthy traits of the novel food proposed showing the contribution offered by the neglected LRs until now underutilized and at risk of extinction. The germplasm conserved in several world genebanks could support and diversify the organic vegetable items, providing us with added-value products for organic food supply chains.

ACS Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella; Agnieszka Niklas; Stefania Toscano; Valentina Picchi; Daniela Romano; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Ferdinando Branca. Morphometric Characteristics, Polyphenols and Ascorbic Acid Variation in Brassica oleracea L. Novel Foods: Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1 .

AMA Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella, Agnieszka Niklas, Stefania Toscano, Valentina Picchi, Daniela Romano, Roberto Lo Scalzo, Ferdinando Branca. Morphometric Characteristics, Polyphenols and Ascorbic Acid Variation in Brassica oleracea L. Novel Foods: Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (6):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Concetta Di Bella; Agnieszka Niklas; Stefania Toscano; Valentina Picchi; Daniela Romano; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Ferdinando Branca. 2020. "Morphometric Characteristics, Polyphenols and Ascorbic Acid Variation in Brassica oleracea L. Novel Foods: Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves." Agronomy 10, no. 6: 1.

Journal article
Published: 29 November 2019 in Agronomy
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Tomato crops are affected in Mediterranean cold-greenhouse agrosystems by soilborne diseases, such as root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), which represent a serious problem leading to losses in production. Agroecological soil management based on biocontrol agents and natural compounds has had increased grower interest in order to reduce chemical residues in the produce and to adopt environmentally friendly farming methods. In this frame, we evaluate and validate soil biofumigation by the use of glucosinolate (GLS) compounds. Among them, sinigrin showed biocontrol activities against several pests and diseases via nematotoxic action. Among the Brassicaceae species rich in sinigrin, we chose Brassica macrocarpa Guss. (BM) because its leaves show 90% of all GLSs, and we could better estimate the action of this single GLS. Different dosages of BM leaf flour, containing 200 to 300, 350, 400, 450, and 650 μmol m−2 of sinigrin, were inserted into soil already infected by Meloidogyne spp. for evaluating their effects on tomatoes grown in cold greenhouses in comparison to absolute control (CTRL) and to the chemical one, Vydate 5G® (CCTRL). The root disease index, caused by nematode attack, was the highest in CTRL, and a reduction of about 50% was observed with the 300 to 650 μmol m−2 sinigrin dosage. The CCTRL showed twofold marketable yield increase, and a fourfold increase was found in 650 μmol m−2 of sinigrin dosage, in comparison to the CTRL. Biofumigant applications improved tomato plant growth and development, and fruit quality, significantly for dry matter and soluble sugars (°Brix). BM leaf flour inserted into the soil, at a dose of 300 μmol m−2 of sinigrin, showed similar effects to the CCTRL on root disease index, root weight, and marketable yield. Data showed the nematotoxic effect of sinigrin for the biocontrol of Meloydogine spp. by the use of B. macrocarpa leaves, very rich in this GLS compound, which represents a new tool for agroecological soil management and for organic farming.

ACS Style

Sergio Argento; Maria Grazia Melilli; Ferdinando Branca. Enhancing Greenhouse Tomato-Crop Productivity by Using Brassica macrocarpa Guss. Leaves for Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes. Agronomy 2019, 9, 820 .

AMA Style

Sergio Argento, Maria Grazia Melilli, Ferdinando Branca. Enhancing Greenhouse Tomato-Crop Productivity by Using Brassica macrocarpa Guss. Leaves for Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (12):820.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sergio Argento; Maria Grazia Melilli; Ferdinando Branca. 2019. "Enhancing Greenhouse Tomato-Crop Productivity by Using Brassica macrocarpa Guss. Leaves for Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes." Agronomy 9, no. 12: 820.

Journal article
Published: 30 May 2019 in BMC Plant Biology
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Some broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italic) accessions have purple sepals and cold weather would deepen the purple color, while the sepals of other broccoli lines are always green even in cold winter. The related locus or gene is still unknown. In this study, a high-density genetic map was constructed based on specific locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing in a doubled-haploid segregation population with 127 individuals. And mapping of the purple sepal trait in flower heads based on phenotypic data collected during three seasons was performed. A genetic map was constructed, which contained 6694 SLAF markers with an average sequencing depth of 81.37-fold in the maternal line, 84-fold in the paternal line, and 15.76-fold in each individual population studied. In all of the annual data recorded, three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified that were all distributed within the linkage group (LG) 1. Among them, a major locus, qPH.C01-2, located at 36.393 cM LG1, was consistently detected in all analysis. Besides this locus, another two minor loci, qPH.C01-4 and qPH.C01-5, were identified near qPH.C01-2, based on the phenotypic data from spring of 2018. The purple sepal trait could be controlled by a major single locus and two minor loci. The genetic map and location of the purple sepal trait of flower heads provide an important foundation for mapping other compound traits and the identification of the genes related to purple sepal trait in broccoli.

ACS Style

Huifang Yu; Jiansheng Wang; Xiaoguang Sheng; Zhenqing Zhao; Yusen Shen; Ferdinando Branca; Honghui Gu. Construction of a high-density genetic map and identification of loci controlling purple sepal trait of flower head in Brassica oleracea L. italica. BMC Plant Biology 2019, 19, 228 .

AMA Style

Huifang Yu, Jiansheng Wang, Xiaoguang Sheng, Zhenqing Zhao, Yusen Shen, Ferdinando Branca, Honghui Gu. Construction of a high-density genetic map and identification of loci controlling purple sepal trait of flower head in Brassica oleracea L. italica. BMC Plant Biology. 2019; 19 (1):228.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huifang Yu; Jiansheng Wang; Xiaoguang Sheng; Zhenqing Zhao; Yusen Shen; Ferdinando Branca; Honghui Gu. 2019. "Construction of a high-density genetic map and identification of loci controlling purple sepal trait of flower head in Brassica oleracea L. italica." BMC Plant Biology 19, no. 1: 228.

Short communication
Published: 28 May 2019 in Natural Product Research
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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 kg−1 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.

ACS Style

M.G. Melilli; F. Branca; C. Sillitti; S. Scandurra; P. Calderaro; V. Di Stefano. Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean environment. Natural Product Research 2019, 34, 187 -191.

AMA Style

M.G. Melilli, F. Branca, C. Sillitti, S. Scandurra, P. Calderaro, V. Di Stefano. Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean environment. Natural Product Research. 2019; 34 (1):187-191.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M.G. Melilli; F. Branca; C. Sillitti; S. Scandurra; P. Calderaro; V. Di Stefano. 2019. "Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean environment." Natural Product Research 34, no. 1: 187-191.

Research article
Published: 27 July 2017 in Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
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During the domestication process of broccoli and cauliflower, a number of evolutionary pathways have been traced that established the modern cultivars of both crops. Over the time, the high level of similarity between the two crops generated confusion about the classification of the landraces and of the related types and forms. With the aim to offer new parameters to delineate discriminant traits between the two crops, we characterized a set of broccoli and cauliflower landraces and F1 hybrids, traditionally grown in Sicily, an important evolution center for both crops, on the basis of biochemical and biomorphological parameters. In addition, to confirm the genetic diversity, microsatellite analysis was performed using 5 SSR primers. A large diversity was detected on glucosinolate, anthocyanin, carotenoids, total polyphenols, and ascorbic acid content, which could be used as phytochemical descriptors for their traceability. Moreover results highlighted a wide variability expressed by the landraces in terms of biomorphological and genetic traits. Microsatellite analysis allowed to classify the genotypes of the experiment into five groups. All Sicilian landraces resulted clustered into distinct groups, while a relatively high confusion was detected for what regards commercial F1 hybrids of both crops.

ACS Style

Ferdinando Branca; Giuseppina Laura Chiarenza; Chiara Cavallaro; Honghui Gu; Zhenqing Zhao; Alessandro Tribulato. Diversity of Sicilian broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) landraces and their distinctive bio-morphological, antioxidant, and genetic traits. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2017, 65, 485 -502.

AMA Style

Ferdinando Branca, Giuseppina Laura Chiarenza, Chiara Cavallaro, Honghui Gu, Zhenqing Zhao, Alessandro Tribulato. Diversity of Sicilian broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) landraces and their distinctive bio-morphological, antioxidant, and genetic traits. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2017; 65 (2):485-502.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ferdinando Branca; Giuseppina Laura Chiarenza; Chiara Cavallaro; Honghui Gu; Zhenqing Zhao; Alessandro Tribulato. 2017. "Diversity of Sicilian broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) landraces and their distinctive bio-morphological, antioxidant, and genetic traits." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 65, no. 2: 485-502.

Food composition and analysis
Published: 28 October 2016 in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
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This study investigates the effect of different germination temperatures (10, 20 and 30 °C) on the phytochemical content as well as reducing and antioxidant capacity of broccoli and rocket sprouts. In both seeds and sprouts, the total glucosinolates and ascorbic acid contents did not differ between vegetables, while broccoli exhibited exceptionally higher polyphenols and greater reducing and antioxidant capacity compared to rocket. In both species, an increase in germination temperature positively affected the glucosinolate content. Ascorbic acid increased during germination without a difference among the three tested temperatures. The phenol content in broccoli sprouts increased when they were grown at 30 °C, but the amount decreased at the highest temperatures in rocket. The reducing and antioxidant capacities increased with germination, and higher indexes were detected at 10 °C, particularly in rocket. Different germination temperatures differentiate the health-promoting phytochemical content and antioxidant properties in broccoli and rocket sprouts.

ACS Style

Lucia Ragusa; Valentina Picchi; Alessandro Tribulato; Chiara Cavallaro; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Ferdinando Branca. The effect of the germination temperature on the phytochemical content of broccoli and rocket sprouts. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2016, 68, 411 -420.

AMA Style

Lucia Ragusa, Valentina Picchi, Alessandro Tribulato, Chiara Cavallaro, Roberto Lo Scalzo, Ferdinando Branca. The effect of the germination temperature on the phytochemical content of broccoli and rocket sprouts. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2016; 68 (4):411-420.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lucia Ragusa; Valentina Picchi; Alessandro Tribulato; Chiara Cavallaro; Roberto Lo Scalzo; Ferdinando Branca. 2016. "The effect of the germination temperature on the phytochemical content of broccoli and rocket sprouts." International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 68, no. 4: 411-420.

Evaluation study
Published: 07 September 2015 in International Journal of Phytoremediation
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The objective of this study was to monitor and assess environmental impacts of reclaimed wastewater (RW), used for irrigation of vegetable crops, on soil, crop quality and irrigation equipment. During 2013, effluents of a horizontal sub-surface flow constructed treatment wetland (TW) system, used for tertiary treatment of sanitary wastewater from a small rural municipality located in Eastern Sicily (Italy), were reused by micro-irrigation techniques to irrigate vegetable crops. Monitoring programs, based on in situ and laboratory analyses were performed for assessing possible adverse effects on water-soil-plant systems caused by reclaimed wastewater reuse. In particular, experimental results evidenced that Escherichia coli content found in RW would not present a risk for rotavirus infection following WHO (2006) standards. Irrigated soil was characterized by a certain persistence of microbial contamination and among the studied vegetable crops, lettuce responds better, than zucchini and eggplants, to the irrigation with low quality water, evidencing a bettering of nutraceutical properties and production parameters.

ACS Style

A. Castorina; S. Consoli; S. Barbagallo; Ferdinando Branca; A. Farag; Feliciana Licciardello; G.L. Cirelli. Assessing environmental impacts of constructed wetland effluents for vegetable crop irrigation. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2015, 18, 626 -633.

AMA Style

A. Castorina, S. Consoli, S. Barbagallo, Ferdinando Branca, A. Farag, Feliciana Licciardello, G.L. Cirelli. Assessing environmental impacts of constructed wetland effluents for vegetable crop irrigation. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2015; 18 (6):626-633.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Castorina; S. Consoli; S. Barbagallo; Ferdinando Branca; A. Farag; Feliciana Licciardello; G.L. Cirelli. 2015. "Assessing environmental impacts of constructed wetland effluents for vegetable crop irrigation." International Journal of Phytoremediation 18, no. 6: 626-633.

Research
Published: 01 December 2014 in Hereditas
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Local varieties of leafy kales (Brassica oleracea L.) are grown in home gardens in Calabria and Sicily for self-consumption, in the same area where the wild relative Brassica rupestris Raf. also grows. With the use of AFLP markers, comparisons were made of the genetic diversity and population structure of ten wild and 22 cultivated populations, as well as of a hybrid population and of four commercial cultivars of different B. oleracea crops. The level of genetic diversity was higher in leafy kales than in wild populations and this diversity was mainly distributed within populations. Wild populations remained distinct from cultivated material. Additionally, most wild populations were distinctively isolated from each other. On the other hand, it was not possible to molecularly distinguish even geographically distant leafy kale populations from each other or from different B. oleracea crops. It was possible to detect inter-crossing between leafy kales and B. rupestris. Findings from this study illustrate the existing level of genetic diversity in the B. oleracea gene pool. Individual populations (either wild or leafy kales) with higher levels of genetic diversity have been identified and suggestions are given for an informed conservation strategy. Domestication hypotheses are also discussed.

ACS Style

Lorenzo Maggioni; Roland Von Bothmer; Gert Poulsen; Ferdinando Branca; Rikke Bagger Jørgensen. Genetic diversity and population structure of leafy kale andBrassica rupestrisRaf. in south Italy. Hereditas 2014, 151, 145 -158.

AMA Style

Lorenzo Maggioni, Roland Von Bothmer, Gert Poulsen, Ferdinando Branca, Rikke Bagger Jørgensen. Genetic diversity and population structure of leafy kale andBrassica rupestrisRaf. in south Italy. Hereditas. 2014; 151 (6):145-158.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lorenzo Maggioni; Roland Von Bothmer; Gert Poulsen; Ferdinando Branca; Rikke Bagger Jørgensen. 2014. "Genetic diversity and population structure of leafy kale andBrassica rupestrisRaf. in south Italy." Hereditas 151, no. 6: 145-158.

Journal article
Published: 15 May 2014 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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Glucobrassicin (GBS), a glucosinolate contained in many brassica vegetables, is the precursor of chemopreventive compounds such as indole‐3‐carbinol. Large amounts of GBS would be needed to perform studies aimed at elucidating its role in the diet. This study was mainly undertaken to evaluate the flower buds of Isatis canescens as a source for GBS purification. In order to investigate the health‐promoting potential of this species, glucosinolate, phenol and flavonoid content as well as the whole antioxidant capacity were also determined. Flower bud samples were collected in four localities around Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, where I. canescens is widespread, as they are locally traditionally eaten.

ACS Style

Stefania Galletti; Manuela Bagatta; Ferdinando Branca; Sergio Argento; Gina Rosalinda De Nicola; Stefano Cianchetta; Renato Iori; Paolino Ninfali. Isatis canescens is a rich source of glucobrassicin and other health-promoting compounds. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2014, 95, 158 -164.

AMA Style

Stefania Galletti, Manuela Bagatta, Ferdinando Branca, Sergio Argento, Gina Rosalinda De Nicola, Stefano Cianchetta, Renato Iori, Paolino Ninfali. Isatis canescens is a rich source of glucobrassicin and other health-promoting compounds. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2014; 95 (1):158-164.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Galletti; Manuela Bagatta; Ferdinando Branca; Sergio Argento; Gina Rosalinda De Nicola; Stefano Cianchetta; Renato Iori; Paolino Ninfali. 2014. "Isatis canescens is a rich source of glucobrassicin and other health-promoting compounds." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 95, no. 1: 158-164.