Abstract In this paper volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from durum wheat cultivars and landraces were analyzed using PTR-TOF-MS. The aim was to characterize the VOC’s profile of wholemeal flour kernel find out if any VOCs specific varieties sample matrices. VOC data is accompanied by SDS-PAGE analyses storage proteins (gliadins glutenins). Statistical carried both on signals obtained MS protein profiles. difference between two or preparations same - matrices, in case vs can be very subtle;...

Abstract Microplastic contamination, like other global change factors, can induce effects on ecosystem functions and processes, affecting various soil biophysical properties. However, of such contaminants nutrient cycles in agroecosystems are still poorly understood. We here performed two pot experiments to investigate the effect polyester microplastic fibers (PMFs) physical properties, nitrogen cycle, plant performance a maize-based agroecosystem. Moreover, we followed N loss via leaching...

In a field experiment conducted in Mediterranean area of inner Sicily, durum wheat was inoculated with plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), or both to evaluate their effects on nutrient uptake, growth, and the expression key transporter genes involved nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) uptake. These biotic associations were studied under either low N availability (unfertilised plots) supplying soil an easily mineralizable organic fertiliser. Regardless...

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can play a key role in natural and agricultural ecosystems affecting plant nutrition, soil biological activity modifying the availability of nutrients by plants. This research aimed at expanding knowledge played AMF uptake macro- micronutrients N transfer (using 15N stem-labelling method) faba bean/wheat intercropping system. It also investigates fixation isotopic abundance bean grown pure stand mixture. Finally, it examines driving competition facilitation...

Abstract. Microplastics are recognized as a factor of global change contaminating many environmental compartments. Agricultural soils very likely to receive microplastic contamination and particular concern due their role in food production. Microplastic fibers have already been shown be able affect soil properties, but effect on different types is poorly understood. Moreover, limited information available how the presence this pollutant can water erosion processes, which extremely important...

Several studies, performed mainly in pots, have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can mitigate the negative effects of water stress on plant growth. No information is available about berseem clover growth and nitrogen (N) fixation under conditions shortage. A field experiment was conducted a hilly area inner Sicily, Italy, to determine whether with AM fungi detrimental drought (which Mediterranean often occurs during late period growing season) forage yield symbiotic N2 clover....

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is generally considered to be effective in ameliorating the plant tolerance salt stress. Unfortunately, comprehension of mechanisms implicated salinity stress alleviation by AM far from being complete. Thus, an experiment was performed growing durum wheat (Triticum Desf.) plants under salt-stress conditions evaluate influence on both growth and regulation a number genes related nutrient uptake. Durum were grown outdoors pots absence or presence with...

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 health by mitigating biotic abiotic stresses, including salt stress. mechanisms through which these benefits manifest are, however, still unclear. This work aimed to identify key genes involved response stress induced AMF using RNA-Seq analysis on durum wheat (Triticum...

A better understanding of the genotype response to N fertilization under weed competition is necessary identify varieties that exhibit high use efficiency even when weeds compete for available N. Such may be more suitable low input or organic systems. This study assessed variations in nitrogen (NUE) (and its components) and recovery 15 N‐labeled fertilizer three durum wheat ( Triticum Desf.) genotypes (one landrace two differ terms plant growth, grain yield potential, adaptability stressful...

Much research around the world has compared performance of cereals grown under conventional and conservation tillage systems; however, relatively few long‐term experiments have been conducted in Mediterranean areas, little attention given to interactions among techniques other system components across space time. In this study, we investigated effects (18‐yr) use three (conventional tillage, CT; reduced RT; no‐till, NT) on wheat ( Triticum durum Desf.) grain yield quality within crop...

SUMMARY Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi increase nitrogen (N) uptake by their host plants, but role in plant N capture from soil organic material is still unclear. In particular, it not clear if AM compete with the for coming decomposing matter (OM), especially when extraradical mycelium (ERM) and roots share same volume. The goal of present research was to study effects on wheat after addition 15 N-labelled OM soil. Durum ( Triticum durum ) grown under controlled conditions a sand:soil...

Conservation tillage techniques are becoming increasingly popular worldwide as they have the potential to generate environmental, agronomic, and economic benefits. In Mediterranean areas, studies performed on effects of conservation [in comparison with conventional technique (CT)] grain yield cereal crops reported contradictory results well considerable year-to-year variation, demonstrating how impact different soil crop productivity is strongly site-specific. The present paper summarises...

Choosing genotypes with a high capacity for taking up nitrogen (N) from the soil and ability to efficiently compete weeds this nutrient is essential increasing sustainability of cropping systems that are less dependent on auxiliary inputs. This research aimed verify whether differences exist in N uptake fertilizer recovery among wheat and, if so, these related different competitive against genotypes. To end, 12 genotypes, varying widely morphological traits year release, were grown presence...

Soil contamination with microplastics may adversely affect soil properties and functions consequently crop productivity. In this study, we wanted to verify whether the adverse effects of in on maize plants (Zea mays L.) are due a reduction nitrogen (N) availability reduced capacity establish symbiotic relationships arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. To do this, performed pot experiment which clayey was exposed two environmentally relevant concentrations polypropylene (PP; one most used...

The no‐tillage (NT) technique represents a valuable alternative to conventional tillage (CT) for many crops, but little research has evaluated the effects of its use on performance grain legumes, particularly in Mediterranean regions. present study assessed NT compared with CT yield and N 2 fixation chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean Vicia L. variety minor ), pea Pisum sativum lentil Lens culinaris Medik.). experiment was performed under rainfed conditions during four growing seasons....

Weeds are often the major biological constraint to growing legume crops successfully, and an understanding of critical period weed control (CPWC) is important for developing environmentally sustainable management practices prevent unacceptable yield loss. Therefore, we carried out two field experiments identify CPWC grain traditionally grown in Mediterranean areas: chickpea faba bean. The were conducted at sites both located Sicilian inland (Italy). In chickpea, when weeds left compete with...

Summary Knowledge of the effects agricultural practices on weed seedbank dynamics is essential for predicting future problems in management. This article reports data relative to structure after 18 years continuous application conventional tillage ( CT , based mouldboard ploughing) or no NT ) within three crop sequences (continuous wheat, W ; wheat–faba bean, F and wheat–berseem clover, B ). Tillage system did not affect size total seedbank, but altered both its composition distribution...

This paper reviews the main results from a set of experiments carried out in semiarid Mediterranean environment during past 25 years on faba bean (<em>Vicia faba</em> L.), crop traditionally grown southern Italy and Sicily under rainfed conditions. These focused residual effects subsequent crop(s) assessment nitrogen (N) balance cycle, paying attention to both environmental release N (losses via volatilisation denitrification) estimates N2 fixation as influenced by tillage...