Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Cristofano, Christophe El-Nakhel, Giuseppe Colla, Mariateresa Cardarelli, Youry Pii, Luigi Lucini, Youssef Rouphael
Summary: Protein hydrolysate biostimulants are environmentally friendly options for reducing nitrogen input, but their plant growth-promoting mechanisms are still not fully understood.
Article
Plant Sciences
Giovanna Marta Fusco, Petronia Carillo, Rosalinda Nicastro, Giuseppe Carlo Modarelli, Carmen Arena, Stefania De Pascale, Roberta Paradiso
Summary: The impact of cold treatments on plant growth and flowering in Ranunculus asiaticus L. was investigated. The two hybrids, MBO and MDR, showed different responses to cold treatments, with MBO being less efficient in promoting flowering.
Article
Plant Sciences
Francesco Cristofano, Christophe El-Nakhel, Giuseppe Colla, Mariateresa Cardarelli, Youry Pii, Luigi Lucini, Youssef Rouphael
Summary: Salinity is a critical issue for water and soil, and using biostimulants is an effective strategy to protect crops from yield losses caused by salinity. The research shows that protein hydrolysate biostimulants have positive effects on yield and photosynthetic performance, and their effectiveness is dependent on the source material.
Article
Plant Sciences
Michele Ciriello, Valerio Cirillo, Luigi Formisano, Christophe El-Nakhel, Antonio Pannico, Stefania De Pascale, Youssef Rouphael
Summary: This study evaluated the adaptability and post-harvest performance of six types of basil in a closed-loop hydroponic system. Russian basil showed the highest productivity, while Thai and Mexican basil exhibited the best water retention after harvest.
Article
Agronomy
Shravan Manbhar Haldhar, Mukesh Kumar Berwal, Rakesh Bhargava, Pyare Lal Saroj, Ramesh Kumar, Jagan Singh Gora, Dilip Kumar Samadia, Dhurendra Singh, Christophe El-Nakhel, Youssef Rouphael, Pradeep Kumar
Summary: Citrullus colocynthis L. is a wild watermelon that naturally grows in arid regions and has non-edible fruits with therapeutic and nutraceutical value. A botanical pesticide formulation called Thar Jaivik 41 EC has been developed from C. colocynthis and has shown effective insecticidal properties. It is safe for plants and can benefit farmers and consumers.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Michele Ciriello, Luigi Formisano, Youssef Rouphael, Giandomenico Corrado
Summary: This article analyzes the aroma profile of three different cultivars of Genovese basil grown in the open field or floating raft system during two successive harvests using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer. The research shows that agronomic factors such as cultivation method, genotype, and harvesting method have a significant impact on the aroma and flavor of basil plants.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sara Rajabi Hamedani, Mariateresa Cardarelli, Youssef Rouphael, Paolo Bonini, Andrea Colantoni, Giuseppe Colla
Summary: In response to the environmental consequences of fertiliser production, organic biofertilisers are being promoted to maximize resource use and align with circular economy principles. This study focuses on the environmental performance of two iron-based fertilisers (Fe-biochelate and Fe-EDDHA) through life cycle assessment. The results show that Fe-biochelate has lower impacts on global warming, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and fossil resource scarcity compared to Fe-EDDHA, making it a more eco-friendly alternative.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonio Pannico, Giuseppe Carlo Modarelli, Silvia Rita Stazi, Matteo Giaccone, Raffaele Romano, Youssef Rouphael, Chiara Cirillo
Summary: Foliar nutrition is used globally to address microelement deficiencies and optimize yield performances, but it can also positively impact hazelnut nut quality and kernel composition. Recent studies emphasize the importance of managing not only micronutrients, but also major components like nitrogen for sustainable orchard nutrition. In our research, various foliar fertilizers were tested to understand their effectiveness in supporting hazelnut productivity and improving nut and kernel quality. The results showed that foliar fertilization influenced tree growth, increased kernel weight, and reduced blank incidence compared to the control. Treatment differences were also observed in fat, protein, and carbohydrate concentration, with fertilized treatments showing higher fat concentrations and total polyphenol content. The composition of oil in the kernels was also improved through foliar fertilization, although the response of fatty acid composition to nutrient spray varied. Oleic acid concentration increased while palmitic acid concentration decreased in fertilized plants. Additionally, CD and B trees exhibited a higher ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids compared to untreated trees. Finally, foliar spraying improved lipid stability by increasing total polyphenol concentration.
Article
Horticulture
Aurora Cirillo, Lucia De Luca, Luana Izzo, Marco Cepparulo, Giulia Graziani, Alberto Ritieni, Raffaele Romano, Claudio Di Vaio
Summary: The Vesuvian apricot includes numerous varieties originating from the same production area and with a long tradition of cultivation. The presence of secondary metabolites, many of which act as antioxidants, makes apricot fruit and its derivatives important for human health. This study analyzed 12 Vesuvian apricot accessions using chemical-physical and nutraceutical analyses. The results showed a wide range of organoleptic characteristics in Vesuvian apricot accessions, providing options for consumers and processors.
Review
Horticulture
Beppe Benedetto Consentino, Michele Ciriello, Leo Sabatino, Lorena Vultaggio, Sara Baldassano, Sonya Vasto, Youssef Rouphael, Salvatore La Bella, Stefania De Pascale
Summary: Fresh vegetables and fruits have always been important sources of nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Biofortification is a promising strategy to increase the concentration of these compounds in the produce. This review discusses the latest findings on agronomic biofortification, focusing on increasing the concentration of crucial minerals in edible portions of vegetables. The effects on human health and the influence of other compounds were also analyzed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this practice.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Giordano, Michele Ciriello, Luigi Formisano, Christophe El-Nakhel, Antonio Pannico, Giulia Graziani, Alberto Ritieni, Marios C. Kyriacou, Youssef Rouphael, Stefania De Pascale
Summary: The success of space missions and colonization of extraterrestrial environments require ensuring adequate nutrition for astronauts and independence from terrestrial resources. Microgreens, such as tatsoi, coriander, green basil, and purple basil, can provide a balanced diet and improve the overall nutraceutical profile of astronaut meals. The addition of potassium iodide (KI) at different concentrations increased the level of iodine (I) in the microgreens, resulting in improved antioxidant activity and increased concentration of phenolic acids and flavonoids.
Article
Horticulture
Alexios A. Alexopoulos, Anna Assimakopoulou, Panagiotis Panagopoulos, Maria Bakea, Nikolina Vidalis, Ioannis C. Karapanos, Youssef Rouphael, Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Summary: This study tested the effect of salinity on plant growth, nutritional composition, and quality features of Hedypnois cretica and Urospermum picroides. The results showed that high salinity severely decreased the fresh yield and mineral profile of leaves and roots of both species. However, leaf pigments and total phenolic compounds content were not significantly affected by salinity. Total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased with increasing salinity in most cases, while free proline content increased and nitrates' content decreased. It was concluded that tailor-made nutrient solutions could allow the cultivation of tolerant species with low-quality irrigation water.