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To develop sustainable City/Region Food Systems (CRFS), a shift toward more ecofriendly and efficient production systems is needed. On its side, aquaponics systems rely on the equilibrium and interaction between fish, plants, and bacteria and are part of the so-called integrated production systems. Compared to other production techniques, it offers several advantages thanks to its management and operating costs feasibility. Recirculating Aquaponics Systems (RAS) provides the opportunity to finely close the nutrients loop inside an ecosystem and catch the best it can offer. Here we aim to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of RAS systems. In addition, we present as a case study the RAS prototype at the Department of Agricultural Sciences of University of Naples Federico II started in November 2020 to grow leafy vegetables and tilapia fish. Results provide helpful scientific and practical information for small and/or large-scale commercial growers as well as amateurs. Furthermore, our results highlight the suitability of these systems to be embedded in urban areas from rooftop and vertical farms to other controlled environment agricultural (CEA) systems and the opportunity they can offer for abandoned urban spaces.

Deficit irrigation occurrence while maintaining acceptable yield represents a useful tool for vegetables production wherever irrigation water is limited. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) 'Corsica' was grown in the field from May to July in order (1) to investigate the daily and seasonal evapotranspiration (ETc) of lettuce using drainage lysimeter, (2) to determine the crop coefficients (Kc) values, and (3) to study the effects of deficit irrigation on growth, marketable and water use efficiency (WUE). Treatments were: well-watered treatment receiving 100% of ETc (C), water-stressed treatment receiving 80% of ETc (WS1), water-stressed treatment receiving 60% of ETc (WS2), water-stressed treatment receiving 40% of ETc (WS3). Lysimeter measured crop evapotranspiration (ETc) totaled 422 mm, for total irrigation period of 81 days. Seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) of lettuce treatments, varied from 351 mm in the WS1 treatment to 305 mm in the WS2 treatment and 259 mm in the WS3 treatment, while in the control ET totaled 397 mm. The highest yield was recorded in C and WS1, with no significant differences between treatments followed by WS2, while the lowest value was recorded under the severe water stress treatment. A yield response factor (ky) value of 1.17 was determined, and lettuce was found to be sensitive to water stress. The highest values of water use efficiency (WUE), was recorded on WS1 (18.8 kg m-3), followed by the C (17.8), WS2 (16.3) and finally WS3 (15.5) treatment. Applying 80% of ETc resulted in water saving, with the least yield reduction, making more water available to irrigate other crops, and thereby considered optimal strategies for drip-irrigated lettuce in the semi-arid climate.

Climate change and abiotic stress challenges in crops are threatening world food production. Among others, salinity affects the agricultural sector by significantly impacting yield losses. Plant biostimulants have received increasing attention in the agricultural industry due to their ability to improve health and resilience in crops. The main driving force of these products lies in their ability to modulate plant metabolic processes involved in the stress response. This study’s purpose was to investigate the effect of two biostimulant products, including a protein hydrolysate (Clever HX®) and a seaweed extract with high amino acids content (Ascovip®), and their combination, on the metabolomics profile of tomato crops grown under salt stress (150 mM NaCl). Several stress indicators (leaf relative water content, membrane stability index, and photosynthesis activity) and leaf mineral composition after salinity stress exposure were assessed to evaluate stress mitigation, together with growth parameters (shoot and root biomasses). After that, an untargeted metabolomics approach was used to investigate the mechanism of action of the biostimulants and their link with the increased resilience to stress. The application of the biostimulants used reduced the detrimental effect of salinity. In saline conditions, protein hydrolysate improved shoot dry weight while seaweed extracts improved root dry weight. Regarding stress indicators, the application of the protein hydrolysate was found to alleviate the membrane damage caused by salinity stress compared to untreated plants. Surprisingly, photosynthetic activity significantly improved after treatment with seaweed extracts, suggesting a close correlation between root development, root water assimilation capacity and photosynthetic activity. Considering the metabolic reprogramming after plant biostimulants application, protein hydrolysates and their combination with seaweed extracts reported a distinctive metabolic profile modulation, mainly in secondary metabolite, lipids and fatty acids, and phytohormones biosynthetic pathways. However, treatment with seaweed extract reported a similar metabolic reprogramming trend compared to salinity stress. Our findings indicate a different mechanism of action modulated by protein hydrolysate and seaweed extract, suggesting stronger activity as a stress mitigator of protein hydrolysate in tomato crops under salinity stress.

Ocimum basilicum L. is an aromatic plant rich in bioactive metabolites beneficial to human health. The agronomic biofortification of basil with Zn could provide a practical and sustainable solution to address Zn deficiency in humans. Our research appraised the effects of biofortification implemented through nutrient solutions of different Zn concentration (12.5, 25.0, 37.5, and 50 µM) on the yield, physiological indices (net CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll fluorescence), quality, and Zn concentration of basil cultivars ‘Aroma 2’ and ‘Eleonora’ grown in a floating raft system. The ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidant activities were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, the concentrations of phenolic acids by mass spectrometry using a Q Extractive Orbitrap LC-MS/MS, and tissue Zn concentration by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Although increasing the concentration of Zn in the nutrient solution significantly reduced the yield, this reduction was less evident in ‘Aroma 2’. However, regardless of cultivar, the use of the maximum dose of Zn (50 µM) increased the concentration of carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity on average by 19.76, 14.57, and 33.72%, respectively, compared to the Control. The significant positive correlation between Zn in the nutrient solution and Zn in plant tissues underscores the suitability of basil for soilless biofortification programs.

Combining health-promoting nutrition with gastronomic novelty is a major trend currently driving the agri-food sector. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a genetically diverse aromatic vegetable crop that combines rich phytochemical composition and enticing sensory profile. The current review examines how genetic variation underlies the phytochemical composition, nutrient composition, and volatile aromatic compounds of basil. It further provides a critical assessment of preharvest factors that configure product quality, including nutrient modulation, controlled stress, biofortification, biostimulant and light management applications. Appropriate genotype selection may facilitate sustainable production of improved quality, whereas targeted preharvest applications combined with optimized light intensity and spectral quality may effectively increase the content of essential phytochemicals and micronutrients, while suppressing the accumulation of anti-nutritive agents. The application of biostimulants may further underpin the sustainability factor in basil production, especially under growth-limiting conditions. The current review constitutes a critical synopsis of all available scientific literature investigating key factors configuring the composition of basil in minerals, bioactive secondary metabolites, micronutrients and volatile aromatic compounds from 1996 to 2022. Topics warranting further research are highlighted, with emphasis placed in identifying optimal combinations within the genotype-environment-management interaction nexus that tap the physiological and molecular mechanisms responsible for improving plant performance and functional-sensory quality in basil.

A closed hydroponic system (Porous Tube Plant Nutrient Delivery System) combined with a horizontal uniaxial clinostat has been designed and built-up to grown leafy vegetables under simulated microgravity conditions. Two research activities were carried out to investigate the effects of clinorotation on growth, yield, and quality of rocket seedlings (Eruca saliva Mill.) and lettuce plants (Lactuca saliva L.), which may constitute a source of health), fresh food for the astronauts during space missions. The percentage of germination of rocket was affected by clinorotation with the highest value observed in the control treatment. The seedling fresh weight of the control treatment, was 19 % higher compared to that of the clinorotation treatment while the opposite trend was observed for chlorophyll a/b ratio. Clinorotation did not influence the quality (total carbohydrates, triglycerides, carotenoids and vitamin C) of the rocket seedlings. Shoot fresh and dry weight, leaf area, specific leaf dry weight, root dry weight and shoot:root ratio were lower in the clinorotated lettuce plants than those grown in the control treatment. Quality parameters (chlorophyll, total carbohydrates and vitamin C) of lettuce plants were negatively affected by clinorotation. Lettuce genotype comparison under simulated microgravity showed that 'Mortadella di primavera' should be adopted for space experiments due to the better growth and productivity.

In a semi-arid environment, the main challenge for crop production is water limitation in space and in time. Considered as appropriate tools, models are used to evaluate the effects of water deficit on crop productivity for better irrigation planning and sustainable yield. The AquaCrop model was tested using data collected during a 4-year experiment on soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. The model was found to accurately simulate final crop biomass, yield and cumulative evapotranspiration: in fact the Wilmot index of agreement (IoA) values were 0.97, 0.96 and 0.96, respectively, for soybean and 0.93, 0.95 and 0.93, respectively, for sunflower, while the relative RMSE was 0.04, 0.05 and 0.02, respectively, for soybean and 0.04, 0.06 and 0.04, respectively, for sunflower. The analysis of irrigation scenarios showed that the early planting of sunflower could demonstrate a greater efficiency than late sowing. In addition, applying three irrigations, of 100 mm each, prior to flowering, at mid flowering stage and at the beginning of seed formation could lead to highest yields (ranging between 4.51 and 2.34 t ha-1) and crop water productivity (CWP) (ranging between 1.5 and 0.78 kg m-3). Sunflower yields were low (0.42 t ha-1 to 0.37 t ha-1) and unreliable when one single irrigation was performed only at the beginning of seed formation, while highest values (ranging between 1.97 and 1.74 t ha-1) were obtained when it was done prior to flowering. The highest yields and crop water productivity for soybean were obtained when the crop was sown in April and by applying three irrigations, of 100 mm each, at full bloom, at seed enlargement and at mature seeds. Soybean yield values ranged between 3.16 and 2.01 t ha-1, while CWP values varied from 1.05 to 0.67 kg m-3. However, irrigating at seed enlargement and mature seeds, as well as applying only one irrigation of 100 mm at any growth stage, could lead to very low yields and CWP.

Research was conducted at the University of Tuscia (central Italy) to validate the propagation system for globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) described in a previous paper for a 1-year production cycle. The resulting globe artichoke plants were used in a 2-year field trial to investigate the field response of plantlets obtained with our propagation technique in comparison with plantlets produced by in vitro propagation and by offshoots harvested in commercial fields. The total number of artichoke plantlets obtained with our propagation system was 62.7 plantlets/m2 per year. In the first year, the globe artichoke production (bud number and fresh bud weight) was higher in plants obtained with our propagation system and by micropropagation than in those obtained from offshoots harvested in commercial fields. The production cost of plantlets obtained with our propagation technique was 52% lower than those of the micropropagated plantlets. This could lead to a significant reduction of production costs for artichoke growers, while preserving the advantages of in vitro propagation (disease-free plants and plant uniformity).

L’obiettivo della ricerca è stato quello di studiare la possibilità di mitigare attraverso l’innesto lo stress salino causato da soluzioni equimolari contenenti diversi tipi di sale in cetriolo (Cucumis sativus L. cv. ‘Ekron’). La prova sperimentale è stata condotta in serra nel periodo primaverile-estivo 2012 utilizzando uno schema sperimentale a parcella suddivisa in cui nelle parcelle principali sono state confrontate quattro soluzioni nutritive (standard, standard addizionata di 20 mM CaCl2, standard addizionata di 30 mM NaCl e standard addizionata di 10 mM CaCl2 e 15 mM NaCl) e nelle parcelle secondarie sono state poste le tre combinazioni d’innesto [‘Ekron’ non innestato; ‘Ekron’ innestato su ‘Affyne’ (Cucumis sativus L.) ed ‘Ekron’ innestato su ‘P360’ (Cucurbita maxima Duch. × Cucurbita moschata Duch.)]. La salinità ha ridotto significativamente la produzione di peponidi e di biomassa epigea con un effetto più marcato impiegando una soluzione salina contenente 20 mM CaCl2. I tre tipi di sale hanno migliorato la qualità dei frutti di tutte le combinazioni d’innesto con particolare riferimento al contenuto di solidi solubili. Le soluzioni saline contenenti NaCl e soprattutto CaCl2 hanno inibito la sintesi di pigmenti fogliari e la funzionalità delle membrane cellulari. Inoltre, le piante innestate su 'P360’ e soprattutto ‘Affyne’ hanno manifestato una minor riduzione di produzione e biomassa epigea al crescere della salinità rispetto alle piante non innestate (controllo). Piante di cetriolo innestate irrigate con soluzioni saline hanno presentato un indice SPAD più elevato, un miglior stato nutrizionale (elevato contenuto di N, K, Ca e basso di Na) delle foglie ed una maggior funzionalità delle membrane cellulari delle foglie. La maggior tolleranza alla salinità da NaCl riscontrata nelle piante di cetriolo innestate su ‘Affyne’ è stata attribuita alla capacità del portainnesto di ridurre l’accumulo di Na nella parte epigea ed in minor misura del Cl.

Leaf area (LA) is an important parameter in many plant modelling studies. There is a need for a simple, accurate and non-destructive model to predict LA in physiological experiments in which destructive LA sampling is not allowed (e.g., rare plants or genetically segregating populations). In this study, a model for LA estimation was developed for Plumeria rubraL. using simple linear measurements of leaf length (L) and maximum width (W). Two experiments were carried out, one in 2012 (on seven commercial genotypes: 'California Sunset', 'Christina', 'Elsie', 'Gina', 'J.J. Mini White', 'Panittas Red', and 'Pixie Dust') and one in 2013 (on one genotype 'Divine') under greenhouse conditions, to test whether a model could be developed to estimate LAs of P. rubraacross genotypes. Regression analysis of LA vs. L and/or W revealed several models that could be used to estimate the area of individual Plumerialeaves. To develop a model to estimate individual LA values accurately for all genotypes of P. rubra, measurements of both L and W should be included. The proposed linear model [LA = 4.15 0.66 (L W)] was adopted for its accuracy, highest R 2 value (> 0.96), smallest mean square error (MSE), and smallest predicted residual error in the sum of squares (PRESS), and whose PRESS value was close to the sum of squares for error (SSE). Validation of the model using L W measurements of leaves was carried out on an independent dataset derived from another genotype (‘Divine’) in 2013. Correlation coefficients showed that there were strong relationships between predicted LAs and observed LAs, with an over-estimation of 4.0% in the prediction. This model can therefore be adopted reliably to estimate LAs in P. rubra, non-destructively.

In view of exploring the unveiled potential of vegetable grafting technology, the research activities in this area at the Department DAFNE, Tuscia University, Viterbo started in 1997 with special emphasis on improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in cucurbits (melon, watermelon, and cucumber). Many of the research activities have been done in collaboration with other Italian and International research groups. At the beginning, the abiotic stresses taken into consideration in vegetable grafting researches were salinity, drought and alkalinity. The major activities have been going on here covers the screening and selection of tolerant rootstocks and revealing the mechanisms involved in grafted plants tolerance, including agronomical, and physiological aspects against these stresses. Recently, a research project has been conducted with the aim to improve nitrogen use efficiency in watermelon and melon through the selection of suitable Cucurbita rootstocks. In several experimental trials, interactions of scion and rootstock have been also considered in terms of fruit quality with particular emphasis on nutraceutical value of the product (eg. antioxidant compounds). The researches on integrated approach by involving suitable AM fungi for increasing performance of grafted plants against abiotic stresses have also been considered. Our present research aims at alleviating metals toxicity, including heavy metals in cucurbitaceous and solanaceous crops. Our aim is to alleviate plant tolerance to Al toxicity in cucumber while Cd and Ni toxicity in tomato, besides to reduce the heavy metals (Cd and Ni) concentrations in the edible fruits of tomato. We are also trying to find suitable and compatible AM fungi and bacterial strains for further improvement of plant tolerance against such stresses.

The aim of this study was to assess whether seed coating with microbial consortium based on the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices BEG72, Glomus mossae, and Trichoderma atroviride MUCL 45632 could improve seedling establishment, yield and grain quality (protein content and mineral composition) of wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). As a first step, a laboratory experiment was conducted in a growth chamber to verify the capability of seed coating with endophytic fungi to promote emergence and plant growth of wheat seedlings. Two additional experiments were carried out under open field conditions, to evaluate the effects of coating with beneficial fungi on SPAD index, chlorophyll fluorescence, yield, grain quality and mineral composition of winter wheat. In the growth chamber experiment, 17 days after sowing, the SPAD index, the number of leaves, shoot and root dry biomass of seedlings were significantly higher by 10.0%, 28.6%, 23.1%, and 64.2%, in coated as compared to uncoated wheat seeds. In the open field trials, use of the uncoated seeds led to a significant reduction in grain yield by 24.3% and 7.7%, during the first and second growing season, respectively, compared to the coated seeds. Grain quality of wheat, in particular protein content, K, P, Fe and Zn concentrations were improved by AM fungi and Trichoderma inoculation. Uncoated wheat plants exhibited a strong variation of yield between the two growing cycles (2.8 and 3.6 t ha-1 for 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively) in comparison to coated seeds (3.7 and 3.9 t ha-1 for 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively). The increase in grain yield and yield stability with coating seed treatment was associated with an increased level of macro and micronutrient uptake, higher SPAD index and photochemical activity of PSII. The application of coated seeds containing Glomus and Trichoderma can improve the crop performance of wheat in a sustainable way.

Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical observation one has to do for comparing plant growth in field and greenhouse experiments. Determining the individual leaf area (LA) of watermelon (Citrillus lanatus Thunb.) involves measurements of leaf parameters such as length (L) and width (W), or some combinations of these parameters. Two-year investigation was carried out during 2006 (on six cultivars) and 2007 (on one grafted cultivar) under open-field conditions, respectively, to test whether a model could be developed to estimate leaf area of watermelon across cultivars. Regression analysis of LA vs. L and W revealed several models that could be used for estimating the area of individual watermelon leaves. A linear model having LW as the independent variable provided the most accurate estimate (highest r2, smallest MSE, and the smallest PRESS) of LA in watermelon. Validation of the model having LW of leaves measured in the 2007 experiment coming from other grafted cultivar of watermelon showed that the correlation between calculated and measured watermelon leaf areas was very high. Therefore, this model can estimate accurately and in large quantities the leaf area of watermelon plants in many experimental comparisons without the use of any expensive instruments.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of macro-anion (NO(3)(-), H(2)PO(4); and SO(4)(2-)) and macro-cation (K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) proportions in the nutrient solution during two consecutive growing seasons (spring and summer) on yield and leaf quality (chlorophyll content, color parameters, carbohydrates and mineral composition) of Lactuca sativa L. var. acephala grown in a floating system. Marketable yield, shoot biomass and leaf area index were unaffected by nutrient solution composition. A high proportion of calcium in the nutrient solution increased the quality attributes in particular calcium, chlorophyll, glucose and fructose concentrations. Plants grown in the spring season exhibited a lower yield, growth (total dry biomass and leaf area index), leaf mineral content (N, K and Mg), total carotenoids and water use efficiency than those grown in the summer season but were influenced positively by some quality parameters (higher content of glucose and fructose and lower nitrate content). The results demonstrated, that the effect of growing season on leafy lettuce performance (yield and quality) was more pronounced than the effect of nutrient solution composition

The current research investigated the effects of endophytic fungi such as Trichoderma atroviride (Ta) or Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (An) and their combination on growth, yield, nutritive and functional features, and mineral profile of ‘Birgah’ F1 eggplant either ungrafted, self-grafted or grafted onto the Solanum torvum rootstock. Eggplant exposed to An or An+Ta had a significant increase in root collar diameter 50 days after transplanting (RCD50), total yield (TY), marketable yield (MY), ascorbic acid (AA) content, Mg, Cu, and Zn concentration, and a reduction in glycoalkaloids (GLY) compared with the control. Furthermore, grafted plants had a higher TY, MY, number of marketable fruits (NMF), RCD50, AA, Cu, and Zn and a lower SSC, GLY, and Mg than the ungrafted plants. The combination of grafting and An+Ta significantly improved mean weight of marketable fruits (MF), plant height 50 days after transplanting (PH50), number of leaves 50 days after transplanting (NL50), fruit dry matter (FDM), chlorogenic acid (ClA), proteins, and K and Fe concentration. This combination also produced fruits of high premium quality as evidenced by the higher AA and ClA concentration, the lower GLY concentration, and an overall improved mineral profile.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans due to its importance in a number of enzymes. Vegetable grafting is a valuable tool to overcome biotic and/or abiotic issues and to increase vigour, yield traits and fruit quality. The present work aimed at testing both different Se concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μmol Se L−1) supplied via fertigation and grafting on cherry tomato in soilless culture. Se at 2.0 μmol L−1 improved total fruit yield by 60.0 % and 31.4 % in ungrafted and grafted plants, respectively as compared to the control. Marketable yield was positively affected by Se-biofortification and grafting. Se at 2.0 μmol L−1 improved N use efficiency by 60.3 % and 31.5 % in ungrafted and grafted plants, respectively. Furthermore, Se at 4.0 μmol L−1 and grafting enhanced fruit firmness, SSC, polyphenol content and total carotenoids. Ascorbic acid and lycopene were enhanced by Se-doses and grafting. Fruit Se concentration in ungrafted plants varied from 0.1 mg kg−1 of dry weight (DW) in the control to 8.9 mg kg−1 DW in plants treated with 4.0 μmol Se L−1. Se fruits concentration in grafted plants ranged from 0.08 in the control to 9.8 mg kg−1 DW in plants treated at 4.0 μmol L−1. Non-grafted and grafted plants manifested an increment in the hazard quotient (HQgv) in reaction to Se. HQgv fluctuated from 0.002 to 0.353, with a daily intake for Se below the recommended value. Finally, Se-biofortification (at 2.0 or 4.0 μmol L−1) and grafting succeeded in improving tomato plant performance, nutritional and health-promoting compounds.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multipurpose plant attracting increasing interest as a source for the production of natural fibers, paper, bio-building material and food. In this research we studied the agronomical performance of Cannabis sativa cv. Eletta Campana irrigated with saline water. Under those conditions, we tested the effect of protein hydrolysate (PH) biostimulant application in overcoming and/or balancing deleterious salinity effects. The results of the diverse treatments were also investigated at the physiological level, focusing on photosynthesis by means of a chlorophyll a fluorescence technique, which give an insight into the plant primary photochemical reactions. Four salinity levels of the irrigation solution (fresh water–EC0, and NaCl solutions at EC 2.0, 4.0 or 6.0 dS m−1, EC2, EC4 and EC6, respectively) were combined with 2 biostimulant treatments (untreated (control) or treated with a commercial legume-derived protein hydrolysate (LDPH)). The increasing salinity affected plant photochemistry resulting in lower plant growth and seed production, while the LDPH biostimulant showed a protective effect, which improved crop performance both in control and in salinity conditions. The LDPH treatment improved seeds yield (+38.6% on average of all treated plants respect to untreated plants), as well as residual biomass, relevant in fiber production.

The herbaceous grafting of fruiting vegetables is considered a toolbox for safeguarding yield stability under various distresses and for improving fruit quality. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi seems also to be an efficient tool for increasing the assimilation, uptake and translocation of macroelements and microelements, for modulating plant secondary metabolism and for overcoming several forms of plant distress. The present work evaluated the combined effect of grafting the &ldquo, Birgah&rdquo, (B) eggplant onto its wild/allied relatives&rsquo, rootstocks (Solanum torvum (T), S. macrocarpon (M) and S. paniculatum (P)) and AM fungi (R. irregularis) on the yield, fruit quality, nitrogen use efficiency, mineral profile, and nutritional and functional quality. The B/T, B/M and B/P grafting combinations significantly increased the marketable fruit and fruit number compared with those in the ungrafted control. Furthermore, irrespective of the grafting combinations, AM fungi significantly enhanced the marketable fruit, fruit number and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by 13.3%, 12.7% and 13.3%, respectively compared to those in the untreated control. Exposing the B/T and B/P grafted plants to the +AM treatment significantly increased the ascorbic acid contents by 17.2% and 10.4%, respectively, compared with those in the ungrafted control. Fruits from the combination B/P &times, +AM had a higher chlorogenic acid content than fruits from the ungrafted control plots. Finally, the B/T &times, +AM and B/P &times, +AM combinations decreased glycoalkaloids by 58.7% and 63.7%, respectively, compared with those in the ungrafted control, which represents a highly important target for eggplant fruit healthiness.

The current research elucidated the agronomical, physiological, qualitative characteristics and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) after treatments with a beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens (TG41) alone or in combination with a vegetal biopolymer-based biostimulant (VBP, &lsquo, Quik-link&rsquo, ). The experiment consisted of lettuce plants grown in three N conditions: sub-optimal (0N kg ha&minus, 1), optimal (70N kg ha&minus, 1), and supra-optimal (140N kg ha&minus, 1) N levels. Lettuce grown under 0N fertilization showed a significant increase in fresh yield when inoculated with TG41 alone (45%) and a greater increase with TG41 + VBP biostimulant (67%). At 48 days after transplanting, both the TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulant induced higher values of CO2 assimilation in comparison to the control. The mineral concentrations in leaf tissues were greater by 10% for K and 12% for Mg with the TG41+VBP treatments compared to the untreated lettuce. The lettuce plants receiving either TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulants had a significantly lower nitrate content than any of the untreated controls. In non-fertilized conditions, plants treated with TG41+VBP biostimulants produced lettuce of higher premium quality as indicated by the higher antioxidant activity, total ascorbic acid (+61%&ndash, 91%), total phenols (+14%) and lower nitrate content when compared to the untreated lettuce.

Plants have evolved diverse plant-species specific tolerance mechanisms to cope with salt stress. However, these adaptive strategies often inefficiently mitigate the stress related to increasing salinity. In this respect, plant-based biostimulants have gained increasing popularity since they can alleviate deleterious effects of salinity. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of tomato and lettuce plants grown under high salinity and the possible protective effects of four biostimulants based on vegetal protein hydrolysates. Plants were set in a 2 × 5 factorial experimental design completely randomized with two salt conditions, no salt (0 mM) and high salt (120 mM for tomato or 80 mM for lettuce), and five biostimulant treatments (C: Malvaceae-derived, P: Poaceae-derived, D: Legume-derived commercial ‘Trainer®’, H: Legume-derived commercial ‘Vegamin®’, and Control: distilled water). Our results showed that both salinity and biostimulant treatments affected the biomass accumulation in the two plant species, albeit to different extents. The salinity stress induced a higher activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and the overaccumulation of osmolyte proline in both lettuce and tomato plants. Interestingly, salt-stressed lettuce plants showed a higher accumulation of proline as compared to tomato plants. On the other hand, the treatment with biostimulants in salt-stressed plants caused a differential induction of enzymatic activity depending on the plant and the biostimulant considered. Overall, our results suggest that tomato plants were constitutively more tolerant to salinity than lettuce plants. As a consequence, the effectiveness of biostimulants in alleviating high salt concentrations was more evident in lettuce. Among the four biostimulants tested, P and D showed to be the most promising for the amelioration of salt stress in both the plant species, thereby suggesting their possible application in the agricultural practice.

The tomato is one of the most important vegetables in the world. The demand for tomatoes is high in virtually any country, owing to their gastronomic versatility and nutritional and aromatic value. Drought, salinity, and inadequate temperature can be major factors in diminishing yield, affecting physiological and biochemical processes and altering various metabolic pathways, from the aggregation of low molecular–weight substances to the transcription of specific genes. Various biotechnological tools can be used to alter the tomato genes so that this species can more rapidly or better adapt to abiotic stress. These approaches range from the introgression of genes coding for specific enzymes for mitigating a prevailing stress to genetic modifications that alter specific metabolic pathways to help tomato perceive environmental cues and/or withstand adverse conditions. In recent years, environmental and social concerns and the high complexity of the plant response may increase the attention of applied plant biotechnology toward biomimetic strategies, generally defined as all the approaches that seek to develop more sustainable and acceptable strategies by imitating nature’s time-tested solutions. In this review, we provide an overview of some of the genetic sequences and molecules that were the objects of biotechnological intervention in tomato as examples of approaches to achieve tolerance to abiotic factors, improving existing nature-based mechanisms and solutions (biomimetic biotechnological approaches (BBA)). Finally, we discuss implications and perspectives within the GMO debate, proposing that crops modified with BBA should receive less stringent regulation.

Root growth is often restricted by genetics, cultural factors, and adverse environmental conditions. The application of plant biostimulants can help to promote root growth and to guarantee optimal shoot growth and productivity. An innovative biopolymer-based biostimulant (Quik-Link, Italpollina S.p.A., Rivoli Veronese, Italy) for boosting root growth and improving nutrient uptake by plants was tested in three experiments. In the first experiment, tobacco leaf explants cultured in vitro under Murashige and Skoog basal medium enriched with 1 mL L-1 of Quik-Link showed regeneration of roots while no roots were detected from leaf explants cultured without the addition of Quik-Link in the medium. In the second experiment carried out under greenhouse conditions, tomato plants were transplanted in pots filled with a sandy soil and irrigated after two days from transplanting with a solution containing the biostimulant at three concentrations corresponding to 0, 0.12 or 0.24 mL plant-1. After 12 days from transplanting, tomato plants treated with 0.24 mL plant-1 of biostimulant exhibited a higher root dry biomass and root to shoot ratio than control plants. In the third experiment, carried under field conditions, treatments were defined by a factorial combination of two fertilization levels (conventional and low input fertilization with half-dose of fertilizers used in conventional fertilization plan) and two Quik-Link application rates (0 and 12 L ha-1). Biostimulant application increased marketable yield by 19.2 and 9.7%, under reduced and conventional fertilization regimes, respectively. Quik-Link application increased N, P, and Fe in tomato leaves at flowering/fruit set stage. Fruit quality parameters were only affected by fertilization level with an increase of soluble solids contents with the reduced rate of mineral fertilizers.

Nitrate is the principal source of nitrogen for most higher plants. Particularly leafy vegetables require large quantities of nitrate fertilizer to attain maximal yields. The crop yield and quality as well as nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables depends upon many preharvest factors such as genetic materials, agronomical and environmental factors. Three greenhouse experiments were carried out in order to assess the effects of preharvest factors (cultivars, plant density and N dose) on yield and quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). In the first trial four spinach cultivars were compared in terms of yield and quality attributes. The marketable yield of the four cultivars tested was in the following order: ‘Tasman’ = ‘Kookaburra’ > ‘Platypus’ = ‘Regiment’. No significant differences among cultivars were observed for the βcarotene, vitamin C and nitrate contents. In the second trial, treatments were defined by four plant densities (800,000; 1,000,000; 1,200,000; 1,500,000 seeds ha-1). The lowest marketable yield was observed under the lowest plant density, whereas no significant difference was recorded between the other treatments. The highest leaf dry matter, K, and nitrate contents were recorded at 1000000 seeds ha-1. In the third experiment we evaluated the effects of four N fertilizer doses (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1) on crop performance. Marketable yield increased quadratically with increasing N application with the highest values recorded at both 150 and 225 kg ha-1 indicating a luxury consumption of the nutrient at 225 kg ha-1. Finally, the highest protein and nitrate contents were observed at 225 kg ha-1 of N.

Microgreens appeared in the human diet as a decoration of culinary dishes, due to their shape, tenderness and vivid colours. They are currently attracting researchers' attention for their nutraceutical properties. In fact, they were found to be packed with vitamin C, carotenoids and minerals. The genetic aspect is one the most important preharvest factors. Microgreens of the Brassicaceae family are well researched. In our study, six genotypes belonging to the Brassicaceae family: Cress (Lepidium sativum L., 'Curled'), komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis 'Comred F1'), mibuna (Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica 'Japanese greens'), mizuna (Brassica rapa var. japonica 'Greens'), pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis 'Red Wizard F1'), tastoi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. narinosa), were cultivated in a growth chamber, and analysed to determine colourimetric parameters, nitrate content, minerals, bioactive molecules (chlorophylls, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenols) and antioxidant activity. The results confirmed the hypothesis of genetic variability for the analysed parameters. pak choi and komatsuna had the highest content of macronutrients (P, S, K and Ca). Pak choi had the highest total chlorophylls and total ascorbic acid content. These findings place emphasis on an appealing product like microgreens.