La floricoltura ed il vivaismo ornamentale rappresentano forme molto specializzate di agricoltura, con intensità di coltivazione spesso molto elevate. In questo studio sono stati valutati i carichi ambientali connessi alla produzione di prodotti florovivaistici ornamentali mediante lo strumento della LCA. Le categorie di prodotto esaminate sono state: Piantine da trapianto; Bedding plants; Piante fiorite e da fogliame; Arbusti; Alberi;Palme e palm-like. I risultati mostrano come le strutture produttive e le operazioni meccaniche comportano un carico ambientale limitato mentre l’utilizzo dei plateaux in polistirolo e dei vasi in PVC influiscono pesantemente sui carichi ambientali generati.

The genus Lavandula includes about thirty species plus a number of intraspecific taxa and hybrids which are distributed in the Mediterranean area. The traditional use of lavender both as perfume or medicinal plant is known since antiquity. Nowadays several species are extensively cultivated for the extraction of their essential oils (EOs) which are used in manufactured products like cosmetics and perfumes or in phytotherapy. Lavandula pinnata L. f. is a rare species native to the Canary Islands used in folk medicine as relaxant and also a valuable remedy against bites. To the best of our knowledge, EOs from L. pinnata have been very little studied. The present paper reports on the quali- and quantitative compositional profile of the EOs distilled from the aerial parts (flowers and leaves) of this species. Chemical analyses have indicated that oxygenated monoterpenes are the main constituents of both the flowers (68.30%) and the leaves (83.65%). Carvacrol is the main compound which characterizes the EOs of this species. The compositional profile allows some consideration on the taxonomy and on the pharmacological potential of L. pinnata.

The genus Lavandula includes about thirty species plus a number of intraspecific taxa and hybrids, which are distributed in the Mediterranean area. The traditional use of lavender both as perfume or medicinal plant is known since antiquity. Nowadays several species are extensively cultivated for the extraction of their essential oils (EOs) which are used in manufactured products like cosmetics and perfumes or in phytotherapy. Lavandula pinnata L. f. (syn L. pinnata Lundmark) is a rare species native to the Canary Islands used in folk medicine as relaxant and also a valuable remedy against bites. To the best of our knowledge, EOs from L. pinnata have been very little studied. The present paper reports on the quali- and quantitative compositional profile of the EOs distilled (by a Spring type apparatus) from the aerial parts (flowers and leaves) of this species cultivated in soilless conditions. Chemical analyses by means of GC and GC-MS techniques have indicated that oxygenated monoterpenes are the main constituents of both the flowers (68.30%) and the leaves (83.65%). Carvacrol is the main compound which characterizes the EOs of this species. In addition, discrete amounts of spathulenol (12.22%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.62%) have been detected in flowers EOs, while leaves EOs contained small amounts of carvacrol methyl ether (2.52%).

The influence of increasing rates (0, 15, 30, and 45%) of composted sewage sludge (CSS) in the plantation hole on both urban soil properties and three native Mediterranean woody hedge growth was monitored over a two-year period after establishment. The results indicate that the urban soil physical characteristics were positively influenced by the compost: the highest CSS rate showed an increase in both moisture and infiltration values. The chemical properties of the amended soils were also directly affected by the CSS rate, but the compost effect on organic matter, N and K contents decreased over time. At the end of the trial, the hedge grown on the 30% CSS rate showed significantly higher dry weight values compared to the 45% CSS. The growth response to the compost rates of the three species was not similar: mock privet presented hedges with higher dry weight value than the Mediterranean buckthorn mean value, whereas the lowest ones were found in Tarentum myrtle. Phillyrea, in our experimental conditions, developed regularly not being stressed by the presence of high pH values (45% compost rate); it encourages, in the the Mediterranea basin, sustainable landscaping and xerogardening. The results proved that, compared to urban non amended soils, the amended ones are more suitable to the hedge growth; therefore, a plan of hedge establishment based on the use of composted sludge as amendment for sclerophyllous could be feasible and, what is more, helpful to mitigate the environmental impact of organic waste disposal.

Increasing green space, especially in densely built-up areas is considered to be a valuable climate change adaptation response in order to reduce the threat of high temperatures to human health and comfort and to controlled global greenhouse gas emissions. Practical responses to climate change, under urban conditions, in order to avoid or reduce trees and shrubs vulnerability, can be considered drought resistant planting approaches, as the addition of organic amendeds to soil. The improvement of physical–chemical soil quality is a key step for carrying out xeriscaping programs of urban green spaces in Mediterranean semiarid areas. Organic amendments, particularly compost, have been receiving a renewed attention not only in horticulture but also in the context of restoring disturbed urban soils to address environmental issues as well as to improve trees and shrubs growth. The influence of increasing rates (0, 15, 30, and 45%) of composted sewage sludge (SSC) placed in the plantation hole on both urban soil properties and growth for three native Mediterranean woody hedge species was monitored over a 2-year period after planting. The experiment was supported by a xerogardening project in an urban context under semi-arid conditions. The results indicate that the urban soil physical characteristics were positively influenced by the addition of SSC: the 45% rate showed an increase in both moisture and infiltration values, thereby increasing the volume of plant-available water in the soil. The chemical properties of the amended soils were also directly affected by the SSC rate, but the effect of the compost on organic matter, nitrogen and potassium contents decreased over time. Our results prove that the hedge growth response to the compost treatments is also highly dependent on the rate of compost used. At the end of the trial, in Rhamnus and Myrthus plants 30% compost level guarantees the best performance; in fact, the further addition of 15% of compost led to a significant decrease in hedge and diameter values, in particular in Myrtle. This could be explained by the high pH at 45% compost, which would seem not to suit the physiology of the two species. On the other hand, in Phillyrea plants, the rate of 45% compost gives high performance equal to that of 30%; it would therefore seem that the high pH at 45% compost does not influence the nutritive elements’ absorption and, as a consequence, the growth. The use of composted sludge as an Q2 amendment for sclerophyllous could be feasible and, what is more, helpful to mitigate the environmental impact of organic waste disposal. Moreover more natural vegetation can be introduced into urban parks and green spaces in semi-arid environments to encourage sustainable landscaping and xerogardening.

The objective of this work was to study the use of four composts, obtained by agro-industrial, urban and green wastes, as growing media components on Rosmarinus officinalis L. Substrates were obtained by mixing each compost with peat in different proportions. Main physical and chemical characteristics of prepared substrates have been compared and, at the end of growing cycle, the biometric survey on main growing parameters and plant nutritional status was performed. The obtained results showed that substrates with 30% compost have main physical and chemical parameters comparable with those of the control. Best quality plants have been obtained substituting peat with 30% of compost, except with the olive mill compost. At the end, the green pruning compost can be recommended as growing media component (up to 50%) for the growth of Rosmarinus officinalis L., being able to determine high quality plants, together with an implemented plant nutrient efficiency.

A life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluation of the aerobic and manufacturing processes of nursery growing media and a growth analysis of Bougainvillea in protected environment have been realized in order to evaluate the environmental and agronomical quality of a compost coming from urban sewage sludge and green waste. The LCA has enabled the environmental impact evaluation of both the compost and the growing media; the analysis has been done considering a composting process lasting 120 days, made by a firm specialized in waste recovery. The structures and equipment together with all the inputs and outputs, both energy-related and coming from the composting matter, have been considered. The transport of the composted waste and the materials used to produce the media has been evaluated. In order to produce the growing media, the compost has been mixed with draining material at the 30% of the volume. The remaining 70% has been obtained mixing peat and compost in the percentages of 0%, 25%, 40%, 55%, and 70% of the total volume. The Bougainvillea plants have been grown for 150 days and fertirrigated with a different nutrient solution according to the growing media compost percentage. The electric conductivity of the nutrient solution and, therefore, its fertilizing ability, was inversely proportional to the growing media compost content. The growing media physical and chemical characteristics have been determined. Regarding the LCA analysis, the peat substratum productive process is the most impacting; this because of the peat extraction process and its transport from the north east of Europe to Southern Italy. At the end of the cultivation trial, the best ornamental performance has been obtained using the compost-based growing media compared to only peat.

The main objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that the growing media coming from production processes with minimum environmental impact were also those guaranteeing the best performances to the plant. Our focus is also on the adoption of growing media in ornamental nurseries that are considered “sustainable”, particularly those that protect the environment. The research has been divided into four phases which chronologically followed one another: composts production; growing media preparation and characterization; environmental analysis; rosemary bio-agronomical evaluation. Six different biomasses, mixed with different percentage relations, were composted for 4 months, obtaining eight composts with which as much peat free growing media have been prepared (SC1 - SC8). LCA of growing media production in Southern Italy has been carried out to gain more knowledge about the environmental impact and resource use along the substrata chain. Chemical and physical analyses have been realized on the nine growing media. Furthermore, a bio-agronomical trial has been conducted comparing the eight peat-free growing media with the conventional peaty one (Speat), in order to evaluate the visual quality in rosemary containerised plants. The original hypothesis has turned out, in the experimental conditions in which we have worked, only partly valid. Among the three growing media with a low environmental impact productive cycle only the SC5 guarantees to the rosemary plants good productive performance, even if statistically different from those obtained with Speat. It is necessary to go on with the research even using different composting technologies.

Halophytes are naturally adapted in saline environments, where they benefit from the substantial amounts of salt in the growth media. The need for salt-tolerant crops increases as substantial percentages of cultivated land worldwide are affected by salinity. There are few protocols, guidelines, or trials for glasswort (Salicornia(L.) and Sarcocornia (Scott), belong to the Amaranthaceae) field cultivation. The high salt tolerance and content in bioactive compounds make glassworts one of the most important candidates for future use both for fresh and processed food, due to their functional and health properties. This review describes the glassworts respect to their biodiversity and the most important factors affecting propagation, salt tolerance traits, agro-techniques and yields, food uses and nutraceutical properties

This research, conducted during the 2010 spring-summer seasons in a plastic greenhouse Mediterranean type environment, investigated the effects of drip irrigation system (I1= surface drip irrigation; I2= subsurface drip irrigation) and mulching materials (PM1= black LDPE; PM2= LDPE white on black coextruded; BM1= black biodegradable spray with chitosan; BM2= black biodegradable spray with galactomannans and agarose; U.M= non mulching soil), on soil thermal behaviour, Irrigation Water Productivity (IWP), yield and quality features of ornamental sunflower cut stems. The sprays are two pre-competitive research materials, prepared using natural polymers. The thermal analysis showed that the mulching plastic films increased the soil temperatures around of 2°C, compared with the un-mulching soil, at 20cm depth; instead the mulching sprays didn’t influence significantly the thermal soil behaviour. The agronomic results showed that I1 had more advantage than I2 and that both PM2 e BM1 had the highest IWP values. Among the different mulches the values were, in order, PM1>PM2>BM2>BM1>UM for sunflower yield and qualitative characteristics.

Holm oak is an important evergreen tree species in the Mediterranean environment and plays a crucial role in reforestation and ornamental plant production. However, few data are available on nitrogen nutrition of containerised nursery plants. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of i) different fertilizer sources and ii) increasing N levels on N uptake, N use efficiency and N partitioning in Holm oak plants. Seven commercial fertilizers were chosen among traditional, organic, organic-mineral, coated and stabilized categories and were supplied at the rate of 1 g N plant-1 which was found to give optimal results in other species under similar growing conditions. Four increasing N levels were compared: 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g N plant-1. Experiments were carried out simultaneously and lasted 177 days. Relative recovery and agronomic efficiency significantly decreased from 41.5% to 16.1% and from 22.9 to 8 g g-1, respectively, with the increase in N rate. Optimal N demand was met with a total supply of 1 g plant-1. A lower rate (0.5 g) reduced mainly leaf biomass and leaf area development; a further increase (2 g) gave higher N uptakes (+17%) but not significantly higher biomass. Among fertilizer sources, the best results were achieved with the coated products while the traditional (ammonium sulfate), the organic and the organic-mineral fertilizers were less efficient. Plant growth was more affected by different fertilizer sources compared to N uptake, and this caused a wide variation of physiological efficiency values (from 20.7 to 85.8 g g-1). Biomass partitioning was highly responsive to N availability. N fertilization significantly reduced root/shoot ratio. Moderate N stress conditions influenced more leaf growth than leaf N concentration. Under the same N supply, different release times affected mainly biomass partitioning between stem and root tissues.

There is a stringent need to reduce the environmental impact of peat in the plant nursery production chain. In this experiment, the use of different rates of sewage sludge compost in the preparation of growing media for potted Bougainvillea was evaluated to assess its efficiency for the replacement of peat and to quantify the environmental impact of such alternative substrates by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. Five substrates containing increasing proportion of composted sewage sludge to peat (0%, 25%, 40%, 55% and 70% v/v) were used, and their physico-chemical properties were measured. Bougainvillea plant growth, biomass production and macro- and micronutrient absorption were also determined. The main results were that compost addition improved the plant nutrient increased the substrate pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and dry bulk density values. Globally, the results showed that compost could be used at up to 55% by volume with no negative effects on plant growth. The LCA showed that use of compost reduced the environmental loads of the growth media, except the Global Warming Potential value (GWP100). Environmental implications of the use of compost in the plant nursery chain are discussed.

Aloe L., is the largest genus in the Xanthorrhoeaceae, (sub-family Asphodeloideae), a family of succulent-leaved, petaloid monocots. Aloes exhibit remarkable morphological variability and range in size from dwarf species to trees reaching heights of up to 20 m. Aloes are well represented in Southern Africa and especially South Africa, where they form an important component of the local flora from taxonomic, ethnomedicinal, chemical/chemotaxonomic, eco-touristic and horticultural perspectives. They are cultivated in open fields in tropical and semitropical climates, in greenhouses in temperate climates, for ornamental, edible, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The species A. vera (L.) Burm. f. and A. arborescens Mill. Are the most widely cultivated around the world. Medicinal use of Aloe leaves dates back thousands of years and today aloes are world-renowned as a source of natural products derived from the leaf exudate and mesophyll. Mainly, active substances have been ascribed to β-polysaccharides (located in the inner leaf parenchyma) and phenolic compounds such anthrones, chromones and their glycosides. Among others, the therapeutic power related to these compounds includes wound-healing, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunostimulant and anticancer properties. The aim of this review is to provide an exhaustive collection of its bio-cultural values, health and therapeutic aspects and agronomic needs in order to improve the quantity and quality of the product. This knowledge will be of potential importance both to increase qualitative and quantitative traits of the production, as well as to protect biodiversity. In vivo multiplication occurs through adventitious shoots that are formed on the underground stem but their formation is limited and has a seasonal frequency which makes this technique very slow and expensive. In vitro culture is an alternative propagation method, which facilitates large scale production in limited time and space.This review provides information for A. vera and A. arborescens about their pedo-climatic needs, agronomic aspects, both outdoors and in greenhouses, with particular reference to location and accommodation, irrigation and fertilization, as well as leaf production.

The grafting of ornamental plants is a relatively new practice in Albania aimed at improving both yields and the environment. Although much information is available on the seedling production of Cupressus spp., whereas few grafting cases have been recorded .This note reports the first grafting of the Arizona cypress ( the scion), which is not well known in Albania, on a local ecotype of Mediterranean cypress (the rootstock). The experiment was carried out in a plastic greenhouse in the Laknas area in February 2016by approach graftage. Five hundred grafted baby plants were grown in controlled conditions (T=22°C e UR 90%). RGR-rootstock (33 mg g-1d -1) was higher than RGR-scion (18 mg g-1d -1). This can be explained by the fact that after grafting, the root system of the plant experiences a slowdown in growth rate because of the crunch of grafting. It is thought to be caused by both components from different species with genetic variation with each other . This great difference, when all growing conditions are the same, can also be explained by the quality of grafting for each plant. At the end of our study, the percentage of grafting compatibility was 87% in Category A (perfect union).

Title: “Compost-based growing media for ornamental plant production” This work suggested the use composts obtained by olive mill (CS), green wastes (CV) or mixed green and urban sludge (CM), as substrates components for ornamental pot plant production. After the physical-chemical analyses, the growing media, obtained by mixing each compost in 30-50-70 % v/v, were used for the cultivation of Aloe vera (L.) Burm., Euphorbia x lomi Rauh, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Rhamnus alaternus L. and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.. The results showed a response highly dependent either on the plant species and the type and concentration of compost. The best compost for the plant growth was the green one at 50% concentration while the olive mill compost resulted not suitable for rosemary growth and may be used at 30% maximum on Euphorbia. Only on aloe, a very resistant species, both green and olive mill compost at 70% are recommended (peat-free substrates). It is even possible to use the compost CM at 50% maximum concentration for the production of rosemary, Rhamnus and Hibiscus plants. The use of compost allows to recycle organic materials and substitute peat in growing media with economic and environmental benefits.