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Very little information is available for Mediterranean areas about the soil N dynamics and crop N use efficiency during the transition phase from conventional tillage (CT) to no-tillage (NT). Hence, a 2-yr experiment was conducted under semiarid Mediterranean conditions in three sites to study how soil N dynamics, crop N uptake, grain yield, and N use efficiency vary with N-fertilization rate and crop genotype in the switch year from CT to NT. Treatments consisted of two tillage systems (CT and NT), five N-fertilization rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha−1), and two durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes (one modern variety and one old landrace). Irrespective of the genotype, NT reduced compared to CT both wheat N uptake and grain yield under low soil N availability. The greater soil N supply under CT was the main reason for this outcome, so much so that the differences between CT and NT for these traits gradually decreased with the increase of N fertilization rate, practically disappearing at 80 kg N ha−1). The analysis of the N use efficiency components corroborated this hypothesis showing clearly that the yield advantage observed in CT depended mainly on the increase in N supply in soil under CT than NT condition. The two wheat genotypes responded similarly to varying soil tillage system. However, the adverse effects of NT practice were more evident in the modern variety than the old landrace. This study ultimately indicates that in the Mediterranean areas the switch year from CT to NT regime is rather delicate. Given that the lack of soil cultivation considerably reduces the soil N availability, hence, using NT technique alone as a substitute for CT is not agronomically feasible. Instead, an optimal application of NT is achievable by acting simultaneously on other factors of the cropping management, particularly the N-fertilization strategy, to maximize the crop N use efficiency and increase crop yield, which are essential requirements for a more sustainable agriculture.

The salinity of soil is a relevant environmental problem around the world, with climate change raising its relevance, particularly in arid and semiarid areas. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) positively affect plant growth and health by mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses, including salt stress. The mechanisms through which these benefits manifest are, however, still unclear. This work aimed to identify key genes involved in the response to salt stress induced by AMF using RNA-Seq analysis on durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum Desf. Husn.). Five hundred sixty-three differentially expressed genes (DEGs), many of which involved in pathways related to plant stress responses, were identified. The expression of genes involved in trehalose metabolism, RNA processing, vesicle trafficking, cell wall organization, and signal transduction was significantly enhanced by the AMF symbiosis. A downregulation of genes involved in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress responses as well as amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates metabolisms was also detected, suggesting a lower oxidative stress condition in the AMF inoculated plants. Interestingly, many transcription factor families, including WRKY, NAC, and MYB, already known for their key role in plant abiotic stress response, were found differentially expressed between treatments. This study provides valuable insights on AMF-induced gene expression modulation and the beneficial effects of plant-AMF interaction in durum wheat under salt stress.

Antalis, Rgt Natur e Marco Aurelio hanno ottenuto indici di resa uguali o superiori a 100 in tutti i 6 areali. Produzioni superiori o uguali alle medie in 5 areali su 6 sono state registrate per la novità Federico II, caratterizzata anche da buon peso ettolitrico e tenore proteico, e per Claudio.

Microplastic contamination, like other global change factors, can induce effects on ecosystem functions and processes, affecting various soil biophysical properties. However, effects of such contaminants on nutrient cycles in agroecosystems are still poorly understood. We here performed two pot experiments to investigate the effect of polyester microplastic fibers (PMFs) on soil physical properties, nitrogen cycle, and plant performance in a maize-based agroecosystem. Moreover, we followed the N loss via leaching in soil contaminated or not with PMFs by simulating heavy rainfall events that mimic a future scenario of climate change. Our results show that soil contaminated with PMFs (at a concentration of 0.5% w/w) can jeopardize agroecosystem sustainability by affecting soil physical properties and in particular soil macro- and microporosity, the nitrogen cycle, and plant performance. In particular, we found that soil PMF contamination limited crop growth and N uptake by circa 30%, and consequently increased N loss via leaching. Overall, our findings show that soil contamination with PMFs may pose problems to future agricultural challenges like food security and environmental protection.

Anche nel 2020-21, pur nelle difficili circostanze determinate per il secondo anno consecutivo dalla pandemia da Covid-19, sono state condotte in Sicilia le prove della Rete nazionale di confronto varietale di frumento duro. I campi sperimentali sono stati allestiti in 5 ambienti siciliani. La sperimentazione ha riguardato 30 varieta’, di cui ben 9 al primo anno di valutazione. I risultati produttivi riscontrati nelle diverse localita’ appaiono molto differenti e fortemente influenzati dall’andamento meteorologico verificatosi nelle diverse zone dell’Isola. At 2020-21, despite the difficult circumstances determined for the second consecutive year by the Covid-19 pandemic, the tests of the national durum wheat variety comparison network were conducted in Sicily. The experimental fields were set up in 5 Sicilian environments. The experimentation involved 30 varieties, of which 9 in the first year of evaluation. The production results found in the different locations appear very different and strongly influenced by the meteorological trends that occurred in the different areas of the island.

Identifying genotypes with a greater ability to absorb nitrogen (N) may be important to reducing N loss in the environment and improving the sustainability of agricultural systems. This study extends the knowledge of variability among wheat genotypes in terms of morphological or physiological root traits, N uptake under conditions of low soil N availability, and in the amount and rapidity of the use of N supplied with fertilizer. Nine genotypes of durum wheat were chosen for their different morpho-phenological characteristics and year of their release. The isotopic tracer 15N was used to measure the fertilizer N uptake efficiency. The results show that durum wheat breeding did not have univocal effects on the characteristics of the root system (weight, length, specific root length, etc.) or N uptake capacity. The differences in N uptake among the studied genotypes when grown in conditions of low N availability appear to be related more to differences in uptake efficiency per unit of weight and length of the root system than to differences in the morphological root traits. The differences among the genotypes in the speed and the ability to take advantage of the greater N availability, determined by N fertilization, appear to a certain extent to be related to the development of the root system and the photosynthesizing area. This study highlights some variability within the species in terms of the development, distribution, and efficiency of the root system, which suggests that there may be sufficient grounds for improving these traits with positive effects in terms of adaptability to difficult environments and resilience to climate change.

Many aspects concerning the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in plant nutrient uptake from organic sources remain unclear. Here, we investigated the contribution of AM symbiosis to N and P uptake by durum wheat after the addition of a high C:N biomass to a P-limited soil. Plants were grown in pots in the presence or absence of a multispecies AM inoculum, with (Org) or without (Ctr) the addition of 15N-labelled organic matter (OM). A further treatment, in which 15N was applied in mineral form (Ctr+N) in the same amount as that supplied in the Org treatment, was also included. Inoculation with AM had positive effects on plant growth in both control treatments (Ctr and Ctr+N), mainly linked to an increase in plant P uptake. The addition of OM, increasing the P available in the soil for the plants, resulted in a marked decrease in the contribution of AM symbiosis to plant growth and nutrient uptake, although the percentage of mycorrhization was higher in the Org treatment than in the controls. In addition, mycorrhization drastically reduced the recovery of 15N from the OM added to the soil whereas it slightly increased the N recovery from the mineral fertiliser. This suggests that plants and AM fungi probably exert a differential competition for different sources of N available in the soil. On the whole, our results provide a contribution to a better understanding of the conditions under which AM fungi can play an effective role in mitigating the negative effects of nutritional stresses in plants. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00572-021-01031-8.

Plant performance is strongly dependent on nitrogen (N), and thus increasing N nutrition is of great relevance for the productivity of agroecosystems. The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on plant N acquisition are debated because contradictory results have been reported. Using 15N-labeled fertilizers as a tracer, we evaluated the effects of AM fungi on N uptake and recovery from mineral or organic sources in durum wheat. Under sufficient N availability, AM fungi had no effects on plant biomass but increased N concentrations in plant tissue, plant N uptake, and total N recovered from the fertilizer. In N-deficient soil, AM fungi led to decreased aboveground biomass, which suggests that plants and AM fungi may have competed for N. When the organic source had a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, AM fungi favored both plant N uptake and N recovery. In contrast, when the organic source had a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, a clear reduction in N recovery from the fertilizer was observed. Overall, the results indicate an active role of arbuscular mycorrhizae in favoring plant N-related traits when N is not a limiting factor and show that these fungi help in N recovery from the fertilizer. These results hold great potential for increasing the sustainability of durum wheat production.

Anche nella coltivazione in regime biologico la conoscenza delle caratteristiche delle migliori varietà disponibili è di primaria importanza perché permette di scegliere la semente più adatta ai singoli ambienti cercando di conciliare esigenze produttive e qualitative e rendendo ancora più interessante questo metodo di coltivazione, soprattutto in quegli areali dove l’incremento delle rese risulta limitato da condizioni pedoclimatiche marginali. Sono state realizzate prove di confronto di 21 varietà in 10 località dell'Italia centro-meridionale utilizzando uno schema sperimentale a blocchi randomizzati con 3 o 4 ripetizioni. L'analisi dei risultati dell'ultimo quinquennio ha consentito di evidenziare come Emilio Lepido, Iride, Antalis, Claudio, Marco Aurelio, e Monastir siano le varietà più stabili dal punto di vista produttivo.

Debranning was applied to durum wheat to the study the relationship between kernel shape and size, and ash and mineral distribution having implications for semolina yield. To this aim four durum wheat genotypes carried out over three environments were selected to determine the morphological and yield traits as well as the distribution along the kernel of the ash, macro- (Na, K, P, Ca, and Mg), and micro-elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mo). A descendent ash gradient within the kernel reflects the decreases in the minerals that occurred during debranning. Perciasacchi with high seed weight (TKW) and greater thickness followed by Cappelli showed a more uniform distribution of ash content along the kernels. High r Pearson coefficient (p &lt, 0.01) showed an inverse relationship between thickness and ash decay. Since thickness was strongly affected by the genotype, it could represent a useful trait for breeding programs to predict the milling quality.

Per valorizzare la filiera del grano duro italiano non va trascurata la formulazione e il continuo aggiornamento di liste di orientamento varietale attraverso la Rete nazionale di confronto varietale. I potenziali ampi margini di crescita per il settore primario nazionale, al servizio e al traino delle grandi performance industriali e commerciali delle imprese della trasformazione, sono possibili se si ottimizzano stabilmente i parametri qualitativi e igienico-sanitari delle produzioni e si lavora ad una maggiore concentrazione dell’offerta. La Rete nazionale di confronto varietale del grano duro, realizzata mediante prove svolte con protocolli comuni in ambienti rappresentativi delle diverse regioni, permette di acquisire e divulgare in maniera tempestiva le caratteristiche produttive, qualitative e di sensibilità alle principali fitopatie di numerose cultivar, per valutare il loro adattamento nei diversi areali anche al variare dell’andamento climatico negli anni. Ciò assicura un’informazione indipendente e su scala nazionale utile agli agricoltori nella scelta della cultivar più idonea, di supporto al ricambio varietale e in grado di assecondare le richieste di produttori e trasformatori e quindi, alla fine, dei consumatori. Nell'articolo vengono riportati i dati quanti-qualitativi relativi all’annata agraria 2018-19 durante la quale sono stati realizzati 31 campi di confronto tra varietà di frumento duro in regime convenzionale, dislocati in 14 regioni, e 7 campi in coltura biologica, localizzati in 5 regioni del Centro-Sud. Le varietà complessivamente saggiate sono state complessivamente 38 in convenzionale e 17 in biologico.

Nella stagione 2019-20, il confronto tra varietà di frumento duro in coltura biologica è stato realizzato in 10 campi localizzati in 7 regioni del Centro-Sud (Sicilia, Sardegna, Puglia, Basilicata, Lazio, Toscana e Marche). Ai vertici della graduatoria produttiva si ritrovano RGT Rangodur, Monastir, Daurur, Marakas, Marco Aurelio e Kanakis. Per un buon equilibrio fra resa e proteina si distingue Marco Aurelio insieme ad Anco Marzio, Furio Camillo, Claudio, Monastir, Marakas e Kanakis

Determining the best conservation agriculture practices for increasing soil organic carbon (C) and hence soil quality is of paramount importance in the semi-arid Mediterranean environment, where soils are experiencing a continuous decline in organic matter. Therefore, the aim of this long-term study was to assess the combined effects of tillage system and crop sequence on soil organic C and biochemical properties of soil generally used as indicators of soil quality. After 23 years of continuous application of contrasting tillage systems (conventional tillage [CT], vs. no tillage [NT]) and crop sequences (wheat monoculture vs. wheat-faba bean rotation), soil samples were collected from topsoil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (15–30 cm) at three different times during a cropping year. Soil samples were analyzed for total and labile organic C pools, microbial biomass C (MBC) and microbial biomass N, basal respiration, and the abundance of main microbial groups by phospholipid fatty acids. Long-term NT increased total organic C (TOC) at a yearly rate of 0.17 g kg−1. This in turn stimulated microbial biomass, in particular Gram-negative bacteria. This suggests a higher soil quality in NT, as was confirmed by the increase in MBC/TOC and the decrease in stress indices. In contrast, no differences were observed with regard to fungal biomass. These findings suggest the need to reconsider the role of specific bacterial groups in organic C accumulation in soils of semiarid environments. It is interesting that the effects of long-term NT varied widely by crop sequence, whereas in CT changes in biochemical characteristics and in the main microbial groups due to crop sequence were modest. Thus, the interaction among various aspects of agronomic management modulates the effects of substrate quality on chemical and biological properties of soil.

Nelle prove del 17° anno di sperimentazione varietale nazionale sul frumento duro in coltivazione biologica, tra le 19 varietà valutate in 7 campi di prova sono da evidenziare i risultati delle varietà Antalis ed Egeo che alla buona e stabile produzione hanno associato anche un tenore proteico e un peso ettolitrico superiori alle medie.

Several studies showed that products made with ancient wheat genotypes have beneficial health properties compared to those obtained with modern wheat varieties, even though the mechanisms responsible for the positive effects are not clear. Ancient durum wheat genotypes are being currently used for the production of pasta, bread and other typical bakery products but the consumption is strictly local. In this work 15 genotypes of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum, including 10 ancient and 5 modern, were characterized for their technological traits through the determination of different parameters: protein content, dry gluten, gluten index, yellow index, ash, P/L, W and G. In addition, the baking aptitude of all genotypes was evaluated. All semolinas were subjected to leavening by commercial baker’s yeast and the experimental breads were subjected to the qualitative characterization (weight loss, height, firmness, colour, volatile organic compounds, image and sensory analysis). The results obtained showed that protein content of grains and semolinas was higher in ancient rather than modern genotypes. Dry gluten ranged from 6.7% of the modern variety Simeto to 13.6% of the ancient genotype Scorsonera. Great differences were found for the yellow index which reached the highest value in Saragolla variety. The P/L and W ratios were significantly higher for the modern genotypes. On average, weight loss was about 14 g, while bread height varied significantly between the trials. Bread consistency varied between 12.6 and 31.3 N. Differences were observed for the yellow of the crumb (higher for modern genotypes) and for the redness of the crust (higher for ancient genotypes). The sensory evaluation displayed a high variability among the breads from the 10 ancient genotypes, while the control breads received scores closed to those of the modern genotypes. This study revealed that the modern durum wheat varieties showed a certain uniformity of behaviour, while the ancient genotypes exhibited a great variability of the final attributes of breads.

Nell’ambito della Rete nazionale di valutazione delle varietà. di frumento duro coordinata dal CREA, nell’annata agraria 2017-18 i campi sperimentali sono stati allestiti in Sicilia in 5 diversi ambienti: Libertinia (Catania), Caltagirone (Catania), Catania, Cammarata e S. Stefano Quisquina (Agrigento). I risultati delle prove condotte nel quadriennio in 18 diverse condizioni ambientali (località × annata), evidenziano che le cultivar Antalis, Kanakis e Monastir hanno fornito rese ampiamente superiori alla media dei singoli campi rispettivamente nell’89%, 83% e 78% delle prove realizzate in Sicilia. Elevata stabilità produttiva hanno dimostrato anche Iride, Core, Alemanno e Ramirez. Al contrario, le vecchie varietà Simeto e Duilio hanno mostrato risultati produttivi positivi solo in un terzo circa delle situazioni ambientali. Aureo, pur interessante per l’elevato contenuto proteico, solamente nell’11% delle prove ha fornito produzioni apprezzabili.

Fattori climatici e malattie crittogamiche hanno inciso pesantemente sulle prove realizzate, in particolare in alcuni areali. La produzione è risultata inferiore rispetto agli anni precedenti, con sole 5,5 t/ha in media al Nord, 5,3 al Centro e 4,5 t/ha al Sud e Isole

Risultati molto diversificati con forti variazioni tra le località della Rete. Sono stati realizzati 4 campi sperimentali al Nord, 4 al Centro e 5 al Sud e Isole, con una produttività media per ciascun areale rispettivamente di: 5,9; 4 e 4,7 t/ha. Produttività eccellenti in provincia di Sassari dove si è ottenuta la punta maggiore di 10,3 t/ha per la varietà Ramdam.

Sono riportati i risultati del 16° anno di sperimentazione varietale nazionale. Per stabilità di resa vanno segnalate nei diversi areali le varietà Claudio e Iride in 8 anni di prove bio; limitatamente all'ultimo quadriennio, anche Monastir ed Antalis. Per un buon equilibrio resa-proteina Marco Aurelio e Furio Camillo.

Nell'articolo vengono riportati i risultati della sperimentazione 2017-18 delle prove nazionali "Frumento duro in biologico". Le selezioni più moderne hanno fornito, anche in biologico, il migliore adattamento e, quindi, le risposte quanti-qualitative più interessanti nei diversi areali di coltivazione.

Il clima ha consentito una delle migliori stagioni a livello di rese compensando i prezzi bassi. Seconda stagione consecutiva positiva per gli agricoltori che hanno puntato sull’orzo. La produzione media complessiva al nord (33 varieta’ testate in 8 localita’ diverse) ha raggiunto le 7,6 t/ha; nel centro Italia, le 32 varieta’ testate nelle 6 località hanno registrato una media di 6,7 t/ha; infine, il sud ha registrato una rea media decisamente buona (5 t/ha) e superiore allo scorso anno. Inoltre, quest’anno l’andamento climatico ha reso conveniente fare orzo da birra anche al centro-nord.

Il 2016, come già il 2015, è stato un anno assai variegato per le produzioni, ma certamente più favorevole per la coltura dell’orzo primaverile al Centro-Nord rispetto al biennio 2013-2014

Significativi attacchi di ruggine gialla associati a scarse precipitazioni sulle Isole e a diffusi fenomeni di allettamento al Centro e al Nord hanno influito negativamente su tutte le medie produttive. Le rese sono pertanto state inferiori rispetto al 2015, con 6,5 t/ha al Nord, 4,6 al Centro e 3,5 al Sud e Isole

La Rete delle prove nazionali di orzo da zootecnia per l’annata 2015-2016 evidenzia ottimi risultati produttivi soprattutto al Nord Italia. In questo articolo riportiamo la valutazione di 39 varietà ripartite in tre diversi gruppi varietali a seconda dell’areale interessato dalla sperimentazione (Nord, Centro, Sud e Isole)

Nell’annata agraria 2018-19, per il 17° anno consecutivo, sono state effettuate prove collegiali di confronto tra varietà di frumento duro in coltura biologica, in collaborazione con diverse Istituzioni. Le prove sono state realizzate in 7 località, dislocate in 6 regioni del Centro-Sud (Sicilia, Sardegna, Puglia, Toscana e Marche), utilizzando uno schema sperimentale a blocchi randomizzati con 3 o 4 ripetizioni. In tutti i campi sono state messe a confronto le stesse 19 varietà, fornite non conciate dalle ditte sementiere.A livello produttivo le varietà Emilio Lepido, Iride e Antalis hanno fornito i migliori risultati, mentre le varietà Aureo e Furio Camillo sono risultate, rispettivamente, al vertice per il contenuto proteico e per il peso ettolitrico della granella.

Although Sicily is relatively small (about 25000 km2), it accounts for several agro-ecotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), for many of which no data on morphological, agronomic, and organoleptic characteristics are available to date. Thus, experiments were performed to characterize 12 lentil agro-ecotypes from different areas of Sicily, including some small islands surrounding the main island, and to assess the extent of genetic diversity (by means of six inter-simple sequence repeat [ISSR] primers). A famous agro-ecotype from central Italy (Castelluccio di Norcia) and two commercial varieties from Canada (Eston and Laird) were also included in the study. The results showed a large degree of genetic diversity (based on ISSR markers) and variability in pheno-morphological and agronomic traits. In contrast, the intra-accession variability was on average rather low. The agronomic (productivity, nitrogen fixation capacity) and qualitative (lipid content, hydration coefficient) attributes of several Sicilian agro-ecotypes were more pronounced than those of the controls. This fact certainly represents a prerequisite for their future economic valorization. Moreover, the observed variability may be of interest from the point of view of breeding.