Abstract

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), an emerging halophyte species, represents a nutritiousand refined food product. In this study, the effect on yield and quality of potted sea fennelgrown on three posidonia (Podisonia oceanica (L.) Delile)-based composts (a municipal organic solidwaste compost, a sewage sludge compost and a green compost) and a peat-based substrate wasanalyzed. Composts were used both pure and mixed with peat at a dose of 50% on a volumebasis. We hypothesized that the halophytic nature of this plant might overcome the limitations ofhigh-salinity compost-based growing media. The growth parameters, color traits and trace metalscontent (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of the edible parts were compared. Independently ofthe substrates, the average total and edible yields were 51 and 30 g plant?1, respectively, while theaverage waste portion was about 41%. The use of posidonia-based compost did not affect the colortraits of sea fennel plants as compared with samples grown on the commercial peat-based substrate.In general, potted sea fennel grown on both posidonia-based composts and commercial peat-basedsubstrate appeared a good source of essential micronutrients. Only a weak reduction of Fe and Mnconcentrations was observed in plants grown on posidonia-based composts, especially when used atthe highest dose. Independently of the growing medium, the content of potentially hazardous traceelements (Cd and Pb) in the edible parts of sea fennel was always below the maximum admissiblelimits fixed by the European legislation. Results indicate that posidonia-based composts can be usedas a sustainable peat substitute for the formulation of soilless mixtures to grow potted sea fennelplants, even up to a complete peat replacement.

Autore Pugliese

• Montesano Francesco Fabiano , Renna Massimiliano

Tutti gli autori

• F.F. Montesano; C.E. Gattullo; A. Parente; R. Terzano; M. Renna

Titolo volume/Rivista

Agriculture

Anno di pubblicazione

2018

ISSN

2077-0472

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

Non Disponibile

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile