This study assessed the morphological diversity of floral traits among sixteen Tunisian Capsicum annuum landraces grown under open-field conditions. Significant variation was recorded for all examined traits, including days to flowering, corolla length, anther and filament length, and calyx diameter. Flowering time ranged from 43 to 133 days, indicating a wide phenological divergence among genotypes. Most landraces exhibited pendant flower orientation, while a few showed intermediate positions. Correlations ranged from r = 0.69 to r = 0.85 among corolla, anther, filament, and calyx dimensions, suggesting coordinated floral development, whereas flowering time was largely independent of flower size. Cluster analysis distinguished early- and late-flowering groups, reflecting contrasting adaptive strategies and potential genetic differentiation. Overall, the observed floral variability underscores the diversity present within Tunisian pepper germplasm, offering valuable opportunities for breeding programs targeting earliness, reproductive efficiency, and environmental adaptability.

Microgreens combine visual, taste, flavor and bioactive qualities based on genetic selection, making them a gastronomic novelty. In the present study, ten microgreen genotypes were investigated in terms of biometrical traits (fresh yield, dry matter concentration, and main color indices) alongside compositional analyses, involving cations, nitrate, vitamin C, phenols, and glucosinolate profile. The genotypes were selected from Brassicaceae (five), Chenopodiaceae (one), Portulacaceae (one) and Asteraceae (two) families, according to the availability of unexploited local varieties beyond the commercial ones. The microgreens were cultivated hydroponically in a controlled environment. Distinct genotypic variations were observed for each measured biometric and qualitative trait, with substantial differences noted between and within species. Among the ten genotypes, the underutilized purslane stood out for vitamin C (30 mg 100 g-1 f.w.), Mg (39 mg 100 g-1 f.w.), and the remarkably low nitrate content (7 mg 100 g-1 f.w.). White mustard exhibited the highest levels of glucosinolates (171 mg kg-1 f.w.), phenols (190 mg g.a.e. 100 g-1 f.w), and notable concentrations of cations such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. From a nutritional perspective, ‘Mugnolo’ (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) proved less suitable as a microgreen due to its highest Na/K ratio (2.28) and generally the low content of other minerals, phenols, vitamin C, and glucosinolates. The findings of this study hold significance for selecting new microgreen species/varieties that align with the preferences and requirements of both consumers and producers.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the dose and source of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on plant vegetative growth, productivity, and quality of onion bulbs in the conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado. For this purpose, the experimental design included three doses of N (50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1, corresponding to 50, 100 and 150% of the recommended dose, respectively), and two N sources (urea, 45% of N; and and ammonium sulfate, 20 % of N). It was verified that the increment of N doses resulted in more vigorous plants and, consequently, in greater productive gains. In addition, it was found that the use of ammonium sulfate provided a 37.2% increase in bulb weight and total productivity and a 59.6% increase in the productivity of Class III marketable bulbs compared to urea. In addition, it was concluded that, for onion cultivation under tropical conditions, like in the present study, the use of a dose equivalent to 150% of the recommendation for onion provides better productive performance of the crop, especially when associated with the use of sulfate ammonium as N source

As climate change is contributing to increase the pressure on available fresh water, there is a need to develop strategies to reduce the irrigation volumes, without adverse effects on crop productivity. Against this background, a study was conducted in South Tyrol (Italy) with the aim of characterizing apple short-term transpiration responses to progressive soil water depletion using sap flow sensors in combination with a weighing system to estimate the whole tree transpiration (Tgrav). Two cycles of progressive water drought were induced within three potted apple trees under semi-controlled conditions. Sap flow rate, based on the Heat ratio method (HRM), and actual gravimetric transpiration measurements have been performed constantly throughout the whole experiment. Plant water status was assessed by midday stem water potential (psistem) and leaf gas exchange measurements. Tree transpiration ranged from 0.6 to almost 2 L m-2 day-1, depending on the daily climatic conditions. Plant water status was significantly affected by soil water availability only under severe drought conditions corresponding to a psistem = -1.75 MPa. The sap flow sensors used in this experiment well responded to both the changes in the environmental conditions and in the soil water availability. Daily transpiration values obtained from the sap flow sensors (Tsap) data were well correlated with the actual transpiration rates (Tgrav), but largely underestimated it. Under soil water limitations, the sap flow rate was especially low in the central part of the day and in the afternoon, but not in the morning. HRM sensors were able to record nonnegligible nocturnal fluxes representing about 10% of the total daily fluxes.

With the perspective of reintroducing peanut cultivation in southern Italy about six decades after its dismissal, research was carried out with the aim to identify the best performing farming management in terms of yield and quality. In this respect, the effect of the factorial combination between four plant densities (6.1, 7.8, 10.3, and 12.1 plants m-2) and two harvest times (100 and 110 days after planting) was assessed on pod and seed yield, as well as on seed quality, antioxidant activity, and elemental composition. The later harvest time determined a 26.9% dry weight increase, but a 14.3% decrease in the number of seeds per pod. Plant density significantly influenced all the yield and growth indices except for mean seed weight. Yield and growth of each plant were best affected by the lowest plant density, whereas the opposite trend was recorded for the same parameters referred to the surface area unit. The density of 12.1 plants m-2 resulted in a 32% reduction in pods per plant compared to 6.1 plants m-2, but had the greatest effect on seed production per m-2. The leaf area index was the highest with the density of 12.1 plants m-2. The total dry weight increased by 1.7-fold from 6.1 to 12.1 plants m-2. Compared to the first harvest time, in the second one the protein content decreased by 6.8%, and total polyphenols and antioxidant activity decreased by 11.2% and 7.6%, respectively. The second harvest time led to a depletion of N, P, and Mg, by 6.8%, 6.2%, and 6.8%, respectively, and a 7.1% Ca increase. The reintroduction of peanut cultivation in southern Italy is a realistic goal, though further studies regarding the crop system management are needed.

Construction activities, maintenance and expansion of below-ground grey infrastructures are known to often have precedence over tree preservation, and they have a high chance of damaging nearby trees' roots.Damages to tree root systems are often due to the fact that is difficult to locate roots.Non-invasive techniques capable to assess the presence and the position of tree roots, may help guide the excavation activities in order to avoid damaging the primary roots of the affected tree and preserve fine roots.The objective of this paper is to review and discuss the existing knowledge about the main non-invasive methods to investigate tree roots in the urban environments.The ground penetration radar (GPR) is a geophysics technique based on the emission short pulses of electromagnetic waves by an antenna and the detection of the reflected waves by a receiver.GPR show its capacity to adequately locate the position and the diameter of coarse roots, with sufficient resolution, in the first 90-100 cm, even on paved sites, with no need of pavement displacement.The electric resistivity tomography (ERT) is a geoelectric technique that consists in applying electric current into the soil through electrodes and measuring the difference in electric potential (voltage) at a selected position.Positive correlation has been found between soil resistivity and coarse root biomass.Earth impedance method (EIM) also involve electricity enforcement into the soil-tree system but allow to quantify only absorbing root surfaces and ignores non-absorbing root surfaces.Sonic tomography applied to root system have shown good results in correctly locate coarse roots in the first 30 cm of depth.

Although the importance of organic amendments on arid soils of semi-arid and arid lands in improving long-term soil fertility, the excessive use of these amendments may induce the mineralization of the soil’s native organic components. Thus, this study focused on the examination of the impact of the use of three different amendments, sewage sludge, compost, and horse manure on nitrogen soil dynamics as well on the physico-chemical characteristics (soil texture, nitrogen cycle, and carbon concentration) and plant characteristics (morphology and production). In this context, the present work discusses one of the major issues challenging sustainable agriculture development related to increasing land degradation, soil salinization, and fertility loss. The three amendments were applied on the soil collected at the Institute of Arid Regions of Gabes. The findings of these experimental trials indicated that compost seems to be the most valuable organic amendment that may be used for an adequate supply of nitrogen and optimal benefits for plant growth. The highest mineral nitrogen content was found in the treatment with sludge. The manure-based treatment had the highest carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N=25). The effects of the amendments were well reflected in the growth and production of bean plants after one year from the amendment. An increase in biomass was observed in the amended pots. The highest increase in pods biomass was obtained in the pots amended with sewage sludge and vegetable compost followed by household manure treatment