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In order to evaluate the effects of beneficial microorganisms on greenhouse tomato “plum” grown under salinity conditions, research was carried out in Naples (southern Italy), by evaluating two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) treatments (Micoseeds Plus by Msbiotech, Myco Apply DR by Sumitomo, and a non-inoculated control) in factorial combinations with four soil electrical conductivities (1, 2, 3 or 4 mS cm-1 EC), by using a split plot design with three replicates. The mycorrhizal index increased from 1 to 2 mS cm-1 in plant roots inoculated with AMF, whereas in the control it decreased when the soil EC increased from 1 to 3 mS cm-1; the control attained lower values of mycorrhizal index than AMF treatments at any soil EC. AMF inoculated plants matured two days later than the control plants, but showed higher yield at all soil ECs. The plants grown under the 4 mS cm-1 soil EC matured four days earlier compared to 1 mS cm-1; the inoculation with beneficial microorganisms resulted in the best production performance under the 3 mS cm-1 soil EC due to both higher fruit number and mean weight, whereas the control plants attained the highest yield under both 2 and 3 mS cm-1 soil EC. The highest values of fruit dry residue and soluble solids as well as polyphenols, ascorbic acid and lycopene content were recorded under both of the AMF inoculations, and 4 mS cm-1 soil EC. The application of beneficial microorganisms as an environmentally friendly tool resulted in the improvement of tomato yield and quality performances both in normal and in saline soils.

This research was carried out to assess the effects of biodegradable mulching films on fruit yield and quality performances of greenhouse grown tomato, in southern Italy. Four mulching treatments (two MaterBi biodegradable black films, MB N2/12 and MB N8, having 15 and 12 μm thickness respectively; black polyethylene film, LDPE, 50 μm thick; non-mulched control) were compared using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. LDPE resulted in higher harvest precocity than non-mulched control. The biodegradable MB N8 and the plastic LDPE films led to the highest fruit yield, total crop biomass and leaf area index, whereas the non-mulched control had the lowest values in terms of overall performances. Fruit dry matter and soluble solids were the highest under the biodegradable films MB N2/12 and MB N8, and the lowest in the control. Titratable acidity and color component “a” were the highest under MB N8 and the lowest in the control. Fruits of MB N8 and LDPE attained the highest levels of color components “L” and “b” respectively, the biodegradable mulch MB N8 also led to the highest fruit firmness. The highest antioxidant concentrations and activities were obtained from the biodegradable films. Biodegradable mulch films MB N2/12 and MB N8 proved to be as effective as the plastic film in terms of tomato yield, but the positive effect on fruit quality and antioxidant content as well as the environmentally friendly features of those films also increase their importance.

By taking into account the plurality of religions present in Italian schools, mainly linked to the phenomenon of migration, in this essay the first results of a qualitative analysis of the image of...

Research was carried out in southern Italy in order to evaluate the effects of two farming systems (open field, greenhouse) and five transplanting times (27 September, 11 October, 25 October, 8 November, 22 November) on plant growth, harvest precocity, fresh pod yield and seed quality of organic faba bean. Crop biomass and root expansion were higher in open field than in greenhouse. The fourth planting time resulted in the highest crop biomass, whereas the second crop cycle showed the highest leaf area index. Greenhouse crops showed higher precocity than the open field ones by about two weeks, as well as the first transplant; the delay in harvest beginning increased from the second to the fourth planting time. Fresh pod yield in open field was significantly higher than that obtained under protected environment with the third and fourth planting times. Seed yield was higher in greenhouse grown crops than in open field, with the third to fifth planting time. Seed fiber and protein content showed higher values in greenhouse compared to open field and increased with the transplant delay. Seed polyphenols attained higher concentration in open field and with the two earliest planting times. Overall, 25 October to 8 November planting times in open field best fitted the southern Italy growing conditions in terms of pod yield, but the 27 September to 11 October planting times resulted in the highest harvest precocity, remarkably enhanced under greenhouse growing, whereas seed quality was controversial.

Identifying new tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes with improved technological performances is an important requisite for achieving high yield and quality of industrial produce. An open-field experiment was carried out in southern Italy in order to assess the effects of three elongated tomato hybrids oriented to ‘peeled’ chain (Max 14802, Massaro, Taylor) in terms of crop productivity and nutritional value. The hybrid Taylor showed the highest marketable yield due to the highest fruit number, whereas Massaro showed the highest processing efficiency. Among the three genotypes compared, titratable acidity and fiber were highest in Max 14802 fruits (0.45 g anhydrous citric acid·100 g-1 and 0.94 g·100 g-1 respectively), Taylor was best ranking in terms of fat and sucrose content, and Massaro achieved the highest glucose, fructose and rutin accumulation. Compared to fresh fruits, peeled tomatoes attained higher values of total and soluble solids, reducing sugars, total polyphenols (referred to fresh weight), rutin and naringenin, but had a decreased value of colour coordinate a/b ratio. No significant differences between the three tomato cultivars were recorded in terms of sensorial traits. From the present research interesting clues have arisen regarding the best performances of the hybrid Taylor in terms of fruit yield and organic acid content, and of the hybrid Massaro regarding the processing efficiency and fruit health-beneficial properties.

Increasing attention is being given to plant biostimulants as a sustainable farming practice aimed to enhance vegetable crop performance. This research was conducted on greenhouse-grown perennial wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.), comparing three biostimulant treatments (legume-derived protein hydrolysates, Trichoderma harzianum T22, and protein hydrolysates + Trichoderma harzianum T22) plus an untreated control, in a factorial combination with three cropping seasons (autumn&ndash, winter, winter, winter&ndash, spring). Measurements were performed on leaf yield components, colorimetric indicators, mineral composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. Leaf marketable yield and mean weight, as well as plant dry weight, showed the highest values in winter crop cycle. Biostimulant treatments resulted in 18.4% and 26.4% increase in leaf yield and number of leaves per rosette, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Protein hydrolysates led to the highest plant dry weight (+34.7% compared to the control). Soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index as well as NO3, PO4, SO4, and Ca contents were influenced more during the winter&ndash, spring season than the winter cropping season. The winter production season resulted in a 19.8% increase in the leaf lipophilic antioxidant activity, whereas the hydrophilic antioxidant activity was 34.9% higher during the winter&ndash, spring season. SPAD index was the highest with protein hydrolysates + Trichoderma applications, which also increased the colorimetric parameters compared to the untreated control. The treatment with protein hydrolysates + Trichoderma enhanced N, PO4, Mg, and Na contents, compared to both biostimulants applied singly and to the untreated control. Both biostimulants applied alone or the protein hydrolysates + Trichoderma combination led to the increase of the lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant activity, as well as ascorbic acid and chlorophyll b, compared to the untreated control. The present research revealed that protein hydrolysates and Trichoderma single applications, and even more their combination in the case of some nutrients content, represent an effective tool for enhancing the yield and the quality attributes of perennial wall rocket produced under the perspective of sustainable crop system.

In the Mediterranean area the light intensity during the spring-summer season exceeds the optimal requirement of pepper plants, thus impairing production and quality of fruits. Research was carried out in Fisciano district (Salerno, southern Italy) on bell pepper organically grown in greenhouse with the purpose to assess the effect of shading net on yield and fruit quality. Two black shading nets (25 or 35% light reduction) placed on a polytunnel covered with a long life PE film, and a control (unshaded polytunnel) were compared. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used and the experimental unit covered a 32.0 m2 (8.0×4.0 m) surface area, with plants spaced 1.0×0.4 m (2.5 plants m-2). The crops grown under 35% shaded polytunnel gave the highest yield, as a consequence of the highest number of fruits plant-1 whose mean weight was not affected by shading. Dry residue, soluble solids and sugars, as well as the concentration of cations (Ca, Mg, K) and anions (nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides) of the fruits grown under the unshaded polytunnel were highest. Proteins, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were best favored by the 35% shaded polytunnel. The shading net represents a beneficial tool to best fit the light and temperature conditions in greenhouse to pepper plant requirement, thus enhancing fruit yield and antioxidant content.

Scientific investigations are being increasingly devoted to biostimulant effects on vegetable yield and quality, with the perspective of sustainable crop management. Two farming systems (conventional or organic) in factorial combination with two biostimulant treatments (tropical plant extract (PE), legume-derived protein hydrolysate (PH)) plus a non-treated control were compared in terms of tomato fruit yield, yield components, mineral composition, functional and nutritional indicators. PE- and PH-based biostimulants resulted in higher plant biomass, PH even in higher leaf area index, compared to non-treated control. Marketable yield was not significantly affected by farming system. PH and PE gave higher yield than non-treated control. PH treatment led to higher fruit number than the control, whereas PE incurred significant increase in yield only under organic farming. The mean fruit weight attained the highest value upon PE application under conventional management. Colour component a* (redness) was higher with the conventional system compared to the organic one, whereas an opposite trend was shown by the organic acids malate, oxalate and isocitrate. Irrespective of the farming system, the soluble solids, fruit brightness (L*) and redness as well as the target organic acids malate, oxalate, citrate and isocitrate were significantly higher than untreated plants by 10.1%, 16.1%, 19.8%, 18.9%, 12.1%, 13.5% and 26.8%, respectively, with no significant differences between the PH- and PE-based biostimulants. Higher lipophilic activity and total ascorbic acid concentration but lower lycopene were recorded under organic management. PE and PH application resulted in higher total phenol and ascorbic acid as well as in lycopene content, and lipophilic antioxidant activity than the non-treated control. Biostimulants proved to be an effective sustainable tool for enhancing tomato fruit yield and functional quality both under conventional and organic vegetable systems.

Research has been increasingly focusing on the environmentally friendly biostimulation of vegetable crop performances under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Diplotaxis tenuifolia to assess the effects of two plant biostimulants (Legume-derived protein hydrolysate, Trainer&reg, Tropical plant extract, Auxym&reg, ) and a non-treated control, in factorial combination with three crop cycles (autumn&ndash, winter, and winter&ndash, spring) on leaf yield, photosynthetic and colour status, quality, elemental composition, antioxidant content and activity. Both biostimulants prevalently contain amino acids and soluble peptides, showing the major effects on crop performances, though Auxym also has a small percentage of phytohormones and vitamins. The biostimulants enhanced plant growth and the productivity of perennial wall rocket. The winter&ndash, spring cycle led to higher leaf yield than the winter one. The two plant biostimulants enhanced leaf dry matter, oxalic and citric acids, Ca and P concentrations, phenols and ascorbic acid content as well as antioxidant activity, but did not increase nitrate content. A presumed mechanism involved in the enhancement of crop production could be attributed to the improvement of mineral nutrient availability and uptake. The winter&ndash, spring cycle elicited higher antioxidant content and activity than winter crops. Our current study shows that both the legume-derived protein hydrolysate and tropical plant extract represent an effective tool for boosting the yield, nutritional and functional quality of vegetable produce in the view of sustainable crop systems.

Research in southern Italy assessed the effects of biodegradable mulch on fruit yield and quality of two greenhouse tomato cultivars, ‘Coronel F1’ and ‘Kero F1’. Three mulching types (two MaterBi biodegradable black films, MB N2/12 amnd MB N8; black polyethylene film, low-density polyethylene (LDPE)) and not mulched control were compared. ‘Coronel F1’ showed higher values of fruit yield, total crop biomass and leaf area index (LAI). MB N8 and LDPE films led to the highest fruit yield and growth indexes, whereas not mulched control to the lowest. Fruit dry residue and soluble solids were highest under MB N2/12 and MB N8, titratable acidity was highest under MB N8. Fruits grown under MB N8 and LDPE mulches attained the highest levels of colour components “L” and “b” respectively, and MB N8 the highest fruit firmness. MB N2/12 and MB N8 showed the highest levels of antioxidants and antioxidant activity. Biodegradable polymers improved root growth conditions and fruit quality, showing suitable features for sustainable vegetable production.

Research was carried out on processing tomato in Southern Italy in order to compare four round-prismatic type hybrids oriented to diced produce (4420, Miceno, Nemabrix, Impact as a control). The hybrid Nemabrix attained the highest marketable yield (180.9 t ha–1), due to both the highest number of fruit per plant and their mean weight (103.7 and 70 g, respectively), and it was not signifi cantly different from the other genotypes in terms of processing effi ciency both as a total and along dicing chain (67.8% and 65.6%, respectively). Lycopene attained the highest concentration in Nemabrix (155 mg kg–1), and β–carotene was most concentrated in 4420 and Miceno (2.8 mg kg–1). Signifi cant differences arose between the genotypes with regard to the sensorial variables aspect, colour, taste, fi rmness, and fresh taste.

The plastic mulch has raised a disposal issue, which has been diverting the research focus on biodegradable film as an alternative. Research was carried out in southern Italy in 2016&ndash, 2017 and 2017&ndash, 2018 in order to assess the effects of three crop cycles (autumn-winter, winter, spring) in factorial combination with three soil mulching types (a MaterBi biodegradable black film, a brown photoselective low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a black-standard LDPE film) and a non-mulched control, on leaves yield, quality and antioxidants of greenhouse grown Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C. The spring cycle was the shortest and best enhanced plant growth and yield. The non-mulched control caused an 11% yield reduction compared to the mulching treatments average (12.4 t ha&minus, 1). The soil temperature was highest under photoselective and standard LDPE films. The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index was 17.4% higher in the leaves grown in mulched soil. Winter season and biodegradable mulch led to higher leaf dry residue and organic acids. Leaf nitrate content was highest in winter and under mulching. The spring cycle, the biodegradable and photoselective LDPE film resulted in the highest antioxidant compound content and activity. The biodegradable polymer improved leaf quality, showing suitable features for sustainable production.

The tomato industry has been searching for new genotypes with improved fruit production, both in the field and industrially processed, together with high-quality performance under sustainable management conditions. This research was carried out in Southern Italy with the aim of assessing the effects of industrial processing on the yield and quality of four tomato hybrids grown according to organic farming methods and addressed at dicing. MAX 14111 and HMX 4228 showed the highest values of field and processing yield as well as reduced sugars and fructose. MAX 14111 had the highest values of total solids and soluble solids, titratable acidity, fiber, energetic value, polyphenols, and also rutin, though not significantly different from Impact. HMX 4228 performed best in terms of sugar ratio, color and naringenin. Concerning the diced products, the sensorial qualities of the four hybrids differed significantly. Total polyphenols, naringenin and rutin in the tomato fruits were higher in the processed than in the raw product. The appreciable fruit yield and quality resulting from both field and processing phase represent a promising perspective for identifying improved tomato genotypes addressed at dicing.

Research was carried out on onion landrace (Ramata di Montoro) for seed production in southern Italy, with the aim to evaluate the effects on yield and quality of four bulb planting times in factorial combination with four densities, using a split plot design with three replicates. The number of flower stalks per plant, their height and diameter, and the inflorescence diameter decreased with the bulb planting delay and density increase. The highest plant leaf area and LAI (leaf area index), seed yield, number, and mean weight were recorded with the earliest planting time, with the lowest bulb density eliciting the highest plant leaf area but the lowest LAI and seed yield per hectare. The ratio between seeds and inflorescence weight, and seed germinability, decreased with the planting delay and density increase. Seed oil, protein, and antioxidant content (polyphenols and selenium) were highest with the last crop cycle. The polyunsaturated fatty acids, predominant in oil, increased with planting time delay, whereas the monounsaturated fatty acids decreased. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid prevailed among polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids, respectively. Planting from 20 December to 10 January with 3.3 cold-stored bulbs per m2 was the most effective combination in terms of seed yield per hectare, whereas seed oil content and quality were the best, with the last crop cycle starting on 21 February, independent of bulb density.

The essentiality of selenium (Se) and iodine (I) for the human organism and the relationship between these two trace elements in mammal metabolism highlight the importance of the joint Se&ndash, I biofortification to vegetable crops in the frame of sustainable farming management. A research study was carried out in southern Italy to determine the effects of the combined inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and biofortification with Se and I on plant growth, seed yield, quality, and antioxidant and elemental status, as well as residual biomass chemical composition of chickpea grown in two different planting times (14 January and 28 February). The AMF application improved the intensity of I and Se accumulation both in single and joint supply of these elements, resulting in higher seed yield and number as well as dry weight, and was also beneficial for increasing the content of antioxidants, protein, and macro- and microelements. Earlier planting time resulted in higher values of seed yield, as well as Se, I, N, P, Ca, protein, and antioxidant levels. Se and I showed a synergistic effect, stimulating the accumulation of each other in chickpea seeds. The AMF inoculation elicited a higher protein and cellulose synthesis, as well as glucose production in the residual biomass, compared to the single iodine application and the untreated control. From the present research, it can be inferred that the plant biostimulation through the soil inoculation with AMF and the biofortification with Se and I, applied singly or jointly, proved to be effective sustainable farming tools for improving the chickpea seed yield and/or quality, as well as the residual biomass chemical composition for energy production or beneficial metabolite extraction.

“Friariello” pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was grown with NFT in order to evaluate the effects of four nutritive solution electrical conductivities (3.5, 3.8, 4.1, 4.4 mS•cm-1) and two cultural cycles (winter-summer versus spring-autumn) on growth, yield and fruit quality. In the winter-summer cycle, fruit yield was significantly higher than in the spring-autumn one. The 3.8 mS•cm-1 EC resulted in the highest yield in the winter-summer crops, whereas the 4.1 mS•cm-1 EC was the most effective under the spring-autumn cycle. Water consumption was 34% higher in winter-summer than in spring-autumn. The 3.8 mS•cm-1 EC caused the highest water consumption, whereas a 25% reduction was recorded under 4.4 mS•cm-1. The macronutrients absorption was highest with 3.8-4.1 mS•cm-1 EC and lowest with 3.5 mS•cm-1. Fruits harvested in late summer as well as berries obtained under 4.4 mS•cm-1 NS strength mostly showed the best quality. The fruit ascorbic acid and α-carotene content was higher in late summer than in late spring and all fruit antioxidants attained the highest values with 4.4 mS•cm-1 EC.

The object of the essay is the prophecy in the Qur’an, through the stories of the prophets and the language they use. Specifically, a systematic examination of the Qur’anic narrative and speeches of Abraham has been carryied out, with the intent to introduce a symmetrical reading of the story between incidents and the specific language. Emphasis has been put on the philological aspects, by focusing the analysis on the Arabic version of the Qur’an, in order to try to design a personal profile of Abraham and, at the same time, to attempt to counter an approach that claims to see all the Qur’anic envoys only in their instrumental function in the mission of Muhammad.

Research was carried out in southern Italy with the aim to assess the quality of faba bean residual biomass and its potential for biorefinery application. Faba bean is a sustainable crop, due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and a large amount of biomass remains after harvest which can be valorised for energy production. Greenhouse and early planting are known to affect pod yield and, in this respect, even the residual biomass quality needs to be assessed. For this purpose, the effects of five planting times (i.e. the dates of transplants ranging from 27 September to 22 November at two-week interval, earlier and later than the common planting date of 25 October in Naples province) on pods yield, residual biomass, and saccharification potential were evaluated in faba bean grown in open field and in greenhouse. The third planting time resulted in the highest fruit and residual biomass yield under greenhouse, whereas the fourth was the best in open field. Harvest index was best affected by the third and fourth planting times in open field. Greenhouse grown biomass showed higher values of lignin, hemicellulose and pectin, compared to open field, whereas the opposite trend was recorded with cellulose. Lignin content showed a gradual decrease from the first to the last planting time (17.7%–13.7% biomass fraction respectively), as well as pectin (from 14.1 to 11.5% biomass fraction); conversely, cellulose increased from the first to the last planting time (from 41.1 to 48.7% biomass fraction). Glucose was the most represented monosaccharide (46.7 mol%), followed by xylose (27.4 mol%) and galactose (9.9 mol%). Overall, the potential of faba bean residual biomass for energy production was best affected by open field growing, the latest planting time and alkali pre-treatment, the latter giving the highest value of saccharification (60.7 g kg−1 h−1 compared to 27.6 relevant to hot water pre-treatment).

With the aim of assessing the effects of beneficial microorganisms on greenhouse tomato &ldquo, plum&rdquo, grown under salinity conditions, research was carried out in southern Italy from summer to winter, by comparing two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) based formulates (Rizotech Plus, Myco Apply DR) and a non-inoculated control, in factorial combination with four soil electrical conductivities (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 mS&middot, cm&minus, 1 EC). The highest root colonization was 83% at 3.0 mS&middot, 1 under AMF-based treatments and 34% at 1.5 mS&middot, 1 in non-treated control, the latter attained lower values than AMF treatments at any soil EC. Harvest occurred 3.5 days earlier in control plants, six days earlier under 6.0 mS&middot, 1 EC compared to 1.5 mS&middot, 1. The inoculated plants always showed higher yield than the control ones and the highest production at 4.5 mS&middot, 1 EC, control plants attained the highest yield under 3.0&ndash, 4.5 mS&middot, 1 EC. The highest values of most fruit quality indicators, mineral elements and antioxidant compounds and activity were recorded under AMF-based formulates inoculation and 6.0 mS&middot, 1 soil EC. Beneficial microorganisms proved to be an effective environmentally friendly tool for improving tomato yield and quality performances in both normal and soil salinity conditions.