The horticultural interest of self-compatible fruit tree cultivars depends on their ability to reach the optimal fruit set by self-pollination, thus making superfluous cross-pollination and related problems. In Apulia region (southern Italy) the olive cultivation is spread on about 370,000 hectares. ‘Coratina’ is the most popular olive cultivar in the central part of the region, where actually it is grown in solid blocks on 60,000 hectares and characterized by high and constant productivity. ‘Coratina’ is generally considered to be a self-compatible olive cultivar, but its biological behaviour is a vexed question in the scientific literature. In order to ascertain the real biological behaviour of ‘Coratina’, a 3-year study was carried out on 10 representative monovarietal olive groves scattered on the area of main diffusion. Data concerning fruit set following open-pollination and unassisted self-pollination have been gathered. Among years and sites, an optimal fruit set (3.5%) was obtained from open-pollinated branches and a scarce fruit set (0.02%) from self-pollinated ones. These results assert the self-incompatibility of ‘Coratina’ and show its capacity to provide optimal production levels thanks to the abundant and natural sources of flying compatible pollen from neighbouring districts where different cultivars are spread.

Olive pollination is anemophilous and an adult olive tree can produce large amounts of pollen grains spread in the air during the flowering period. Viability of pollen grains can be checked by using different methods such as cytoplasmic stains, enzymatic reactions or germination. The aim of the work was to verify either if quality and number of pollen grains were similar in 'off' year with respect to 'on' year or differences occurred among olive cultivars. In 2006 and 2007, the viability and number of pollen grains per anther have been investigated in four Italian olive cultivars: 'Ascolana Tenera', 'Cazzinicchio', 'Cima di Melfi' and 'Coratina'. Grains viability was estimated by using three different techniques: acetic carmine, fluorescein diacetate and germination. The three techniques obtained statistically different data, with acetic carmine always showing the highest values but staining also heat-killed pollen grains. Fluorescein diacetate and germination were significantly correlated with a high R2 (0.862). The number of pollen grains significantly varied among the cultivars and between the two years. The average number of pollen grains per anther ranged from 65,722 ('Ascolana Tenera') up to 97,160 ('Cazzinicchio'). A significant difference was detected between the two years for the number of pollen grains per anther, ranging from 98,037 in 2006 ('on' year) down to 70,630 in 2007 ('off' year). The study also showed that the viability (with all the techniques) of the pollen grains was significantly higher in the 'off' year with respect to the 'on' one, with important consequences on the fertilization process.

Background and Aims: In some years, the table grape cultivar Crimson Seedless does not reach the commercially acceptable level of red colour in Mediterranean climates, with negative consequences for the grower. Application of abscisic acid (S-ABA) and sucrose could be a tool for overcoming this problem. Methods and Results: A commercial formulation of S-ABA (400 mg/L) and sucrose (10%) was applied to Crimson Seedless at the beginning of veraison and 5 days later in order to verify the effect on harvestable bunches, skin colour, chemical characteristics, anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and S-ABA concentration either in the skin or the pulp of the berry. The application of S-ABA and sucrose improved the colour of the berries and increased the amount of harvestable bunches at the first pick (80–95%) compared with that of the control treatment (43%). Ripening attributes (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity) were not affected by the application of either S-ABA or sucrose. The S-ABA concentration in skin and pulp increased significantly after the treatments and at first harvest. Abscisic acid increased the concentration of anthocyanins and showed a positive effect on the antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Abscisic acid and sucrose improved the colour of the berry skin, with improved results obtained when S-ABA was applied alone and at the beginning of veraison. Sucrose, although to a less extent, was also effective in improving skin colour and increasing the number of harvestable bunches at the first pick. Significance of the Study: This study provides new information about the positive effect of either S-ABA or sucrose on colour, anthocyanin concentration and antioxidant activity of the berry. Moreover, bunches could be harvested in fewer picks with important economic consequences for the grower and with an S-ABA concentration in the berry within the physiological values.

Crimson Seedless’ is a table grape cultivar that often fails to develop adequate red color in Mediterranean climates. Application of abscisic acid (S-ABA) may be an aid for improving color, but its potential effects on overall quality and S-ABA concentration of the berry should be also considered. We tested two concentrations (200 and 400 mg/L) and different times of application (from 1 week after veraison up to 9 days before harvest) of a commercial formulation of S-ABA (ProTone®) to verify the effect on harvestable bunches, color, chemical characteristics, metabolic profile, and S-ABA concentration in the berry. It was found that either the application of S-ABA at 400 mg/L one week after veraison or the application of S-ABA at 400 mg/L one week and four weeks after veraison positively affected the berry skin color, shifting the hue (h°) from 20 to a more red-violet hue (h° = 11–12). In general, the application of S-ABA, with the exception of the late treatments, enhanced coloration of the berries and increased the amount of harvestable bunches at the first pick because it promoted the skin-coloring process. S-ABA did not affect berry firmness but reduced the berry detachment force. Nevertheless, the values remained sufficiently high and the general quality of the bunch was not compromised. Ripening parameters (°Brix, pH, titratable acidity) were not affected by S-ABA applications, and even the primary metabolite profile was not influenced by the treatments as ascertained by multivariate statistical analyses [principal component analyses (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)] applied to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. The S-ABA concentration in the berry, when treatments were performed around veraison, was within the natural range for grape (10–400 ng/g f.w.), whereas when late treatments were applied (few days before harvest), the concentration was higher (more than 1,000 ng/g f.w.). The best results for yield, quality, and S-ABA concentration in the berry were observed for the treatments performed a few days after veraison at the dose of 400 mg/L. This study gives new information about the positive effects of S-ABA on color without any particular change in the metabolic profile of the berry.

Tra le cultivar ad uva da tavola a bacca rossa coltivate in Puglia, la 'Crirnson seedless' è una delle più importanti per il contributo produnivo offerto alla produzione totale regionale. È una cultivar molto interessante per l'epoca medio-tardiva di maturazione (settembre-ottobre), per produttività, per caratteri qualitativi (pezzatura, consistenza e sapore della bacca), ma presenta frequentemente una colorazione dell'epicarpo non adeguata agli standard commerciali. La difformità di colorazione delle bacche, osservata nei climi caldo-aridi, può dipendere sia dalle elevate temperature estive che dalle limitate escursioni termiche giorno/notte che ostacolano l'accumulo di antociani nell'epicarpo. Per migliorare la colorazione delle bacche della cultivar 'Crimson seedless' si è pensato di ricorrere all 'applicazione dell' acido abscissico (SABA), verificando gli effetti dello stesso sulla qualità generale dell'uva e determinandone la concentrazione nelle bacche alla raccolta. Nell'annata 2010-2011 è stata condotta una prova in un vigneto commerciale di 'Crirnson seedless' in agro di Rutigliano (Ba) per valutare gli effetti dell'S-ABA sulla colorazione e su altri aspetti qualitativi dell'uva. Una formulazione commerciale di S-ABA (ProTone®) è stata impiegata a due concentrazioni (200 e 400 mg/L) ed in diverse epoche a partire dall 'invaiatura. I risultati ottenuti hanno indicato che, al momento della raccolta, l'applicazione di S-ABA ha significativamente influenzato i parametri del colore dell'epicarpo. In particolare, i grappoli trattati con S-ABA alla concentrazione maggiore all'invaiatura si sono colorati prima ed in maniera più uniforme rispetto al testimone, con conseguente anticipo della raccolta di circa 15 giorni, aspetto molto importante dal punto di vista commerciale. Alla raccolta, i valori di consistenza della bacca, °Brix , pH e acidità titolabile non hanno mostrato differenze significative fra i trattamenti. In conclusione, l'applicazione di S-ABA ha svolto un positivo effetto sul colore dell'epicarpo delle bacche di 'Crimson seedless', migllorandone la colorazione commerciale che è stata raggiunta in anticipo.

Il periodo più indicato per la concimazione azotata dell’uva da tavola è quello precedente il germogliamento, alla fase fenologica di “gemma d’inverno”. Scarsi risultati produttivi o peggioramenti qualitativi sono emersi con eccessivi apporti di azoto e con interventi in fasi fenologiche avanzate. La somministrazione di 80 kg di N e 200 kg di Ca per ettaro risulta più che sufficiente per ottenere un buon equilibrio vegeto-produttivo nel vigneto.

tThe popularity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is increasing among growers and consumers due toits nutritional value, nutraceutical properties and adaptability to different soils and climate conditions.Pomegranate is characterized by a large variability in terms of domestic, wild and ornamental genotypes,and for seed-hardness, juiciness, rind and aril color, sugar/acid ratio, antioxidant activity, fatty acids, phe-nols and arils anthocyanins content. Evaluation of pomegranate germplasm has usually been performedusing fruit morphological and chemical traits, whereas genetic studies received less attention. The aimof the present work was: (a) to carry on a morphological and biochemical characterization of a set ofpomegranate genotypes collected in Puglia region, Southeastern Italy and (b) to investigate genetic diver-sity by microsatellite markers. A two-year study was carried out for the evaluation of 13 pomegranategenotypes, sweet and sour, of Italian and Israeli origin. Significant differences were observed for many ofthe parameters investigated, in particular fruit and aril size and maturity index of fruits, titratable acidity,total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of juices and oil content of seeds. Genetic analysis on thepomegranate collection identified 53 SSR loci able to distinguish the different genotypes and to estimategenetic distances. In the dendrogram, pomegranate genotypes clustered according to both geographicalorigin and morphological–chemical traits (skin color, size, taste and polyphenolic content), suggestingthat SSR markers could be effective to detect the genetic diversity of pomegranate, thus facilitating theexploitation of this fruit species germplasm. In general, morphological, chemical and genetic parametersallowed to clearly distinguish the Italian genotypes from the Israeli ones.

ll clone della varietà Victoria presenta l’acino allungato, risultato gradito ai consumatori. L’analisi molecolare ha rivelato che quella morfologica è l’unica differenza rispetto alla Victoria. Si tratta di una mutazione avvenuta all’interno della gemma per cause naturali

In 2006 and 2007, the quality of pollen grains has been investigated in four Italian olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars: ‘Ascolana Tenera’, ‘Cazzinicchio’, ‘Cima di Melfi’ and ‘Coratina’. Grains quality was estimated by using two different methods, acetic carmine (stainability) and fluorescein diacetate (viability), in comparison with germination. Acetic carmine and fluorescein diacetate gave statistically different data, i.e., 90.2 vs. 58.1%, whereas the mean germination value was only 48.0%. Acetic carmine always showed the highest values but also stained heat-killed pollen grains with a non-significant difference between heat-killed and stainable grains. Significant differences in acetic carmine and fluorescein diacetate values were observed among cultivars. ‘Cima di Melfi’ showed the highest percentage of stainable and viable pollen grains. Finally, fluorescein diacetate and germination were significantly correlated with a high R2 (0.862, P≤0.001).

D-amygdalin is a toxic compound found in the kernels of some bitter almond cultivars.This compound is toxic because of its potential to release poisonous hydrogen cyanide. The D-amygdalin contents of the kernels of 18 commercial almond cultivars (Prunus dulcis Mill. = Amygdalus communis L.) and three wild genotypes (Amygdalus webbii Spach.) were determined by HPLC. In initial tests, two extraction procedures [100% (v/v) methanol or 4% (w/v) citric acid)], two different kernel cutting sizes (powdered or roughly-cut pieces), and two shaking techniques (mechanical shaking or sonication) were assessed. The results obtained showed that the method of extraction can have a strong effect on the extent of recovery of the potentially toxic compound, which varied by a factor of approx. 20-fold across the different extraction techniques.The greatest recovery of D-amygdalin from wild almond kernels was achieved with mechanical shaking of roughly-cut kernels in 100% (v/v) methanol, and this procedure was applied for all subsequent analyses of the D-amygdalin contents of all genotypes. The highest amounts of D-amygdalin were found in “bitter” cultivars and wild genotypes (716 – 23,025 mg kg–1), with lower values in “sweet” cultivars (0 – 158 mg kg–1). High levels of variability were observed both among the 18 almond cultivars and the A. webbii genotypes tested.

In Tunisia, water scarcity is one of the major constraints for agricultural activities. The reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) in agriculture can be a sustainable solution to face water scarcity. The research was conducted for a period of four years in an olive orchard planted on a sandy soil and subjected to irrigation treatments: a) rain-fed conditions (RF), as control b) well water (WW) and c) treated wastewater (TWW). In WW and TWW treatments, an annual amount of 5000 m3 ha-1 of water was supplied to the orchard. Soil samples were collected at the beginning of the study and after four years for each treatment. The main soil properties such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, soluble cations, chloride (Cl-), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), organic matter (OM) as well as the infiltration rate were investigated. After four years, either a significant decrease of pH and infiltration rate or a significant increase of OM, SAR and EC were observed in the soil subjected to treated wastewater treatment.

Twenty-year-old “Chemlali” olive trees trained to vase and rainfed were investigated in either “on” (2004) or “off” (2003) year. A randomized block design with three blocks and three treatments was used and each experimental plot consisted of nine olive trees. Three treatments were applied: (1) rainfed conditions (RF, used as control treatment); (2) irrigation with well water (WW); and (3) irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW). Irrigation with TWW led to a significant increase of root N, P, Ca, Zn, Mn, Na, and Cl concentrations, in particular in the on-year. Data showed significant differences, between the two years, for the concentration of the mineral elements in the roots, with general lower values in the on-year, probably as a consequence of nutrients movement upward in the tree. Fruit N, P, K, Zn, Mn, and Cl contents were significantly higher in TWW irrigated trees with respect to both RF andWWtrees, whereas similar values for Ca, Mg, Na, and Cl contents were measured forWWand TWWirrigated trees.The irrigation with TWWallowed to reuse problematic waters and to save nutrients inputs in the olive orchard thus moving towards a more sustainable management of olive orchards in countries where water is the major limiting factor for agriculture.

In arid regions, such as Tunisia, the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) in agriculture can be a sustainable solution for water scarcity. A two-year field experiment was conducted in order to investigate the short term effects of TWW on olive growth, yield and concentration of total nitrogen (Nt), potassium (K), phosphorous (P), and heavy metals (i.e. Zn, Mn, Pb and Cd) in olive leaves. Olive trees were subjected to the following irrigation treatments: (i) trees irrigated with well water (WW) and (ii) trees irrigated with treated wastewater (TWW). For both treatments, the TWW and WW were applied at a rate of 4.5m3 day−1 tree−1 (5000m3 ha−1 year−1). After two years, non-significant injuries caused by salts and/or heavy metals were observed on shoot growth of trees irrigated with TWW. The application of TWW significantly increased concentration of Nt, P and K in the leaves, whereas heavy metals (Zn and Mn) showed a significant increase only after the second year of irrigation.

The responses in soil conditions, vine growth, and physiological, yield, and composition components of cv. Nero di Troia to the application of synthetic and organic mulches were studied for two years (2006-2007 and 2007-2008). The effects of the application in the vine rows of two synthetic mulches (geotextile as polypropylene and black polyethylene) and an organic mulch (exhausted olive pomace 3- and 6-cm thick) were compared to a control (weed mowing) in an organic vineyard. Throughout the trial, we conducted soil and leaf analyses, weed surveys, and phytotoxicity tests and measured vegetative activity, leaf gas exchange and water status, yield, and composition components. The exhausted olive pomace showed positive effects on some soil fertility variables and on vine physiology (stomatal conductance, transpiration, and net assimilation). Black polyethylene and geotextile provided good control of the weeds, especially in the first year, but positive results were also obtained with the exhausted olive pomace. Yield and composition components of grape were unaffected by any of the organic and synthetic mulches compared to weed mowing. The exhausted olive pomace provided good control of weeds, improved the fertility of the soil, and could be acceptable in terms of sustainability. The mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both physical and phytochemical through the release of phytotoxic compounds. © 2012 by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Humic acids are the most active components of soil organic matter and have been shown to have an hormone-like activity thus stimulating plant growth. The objective of this work was to verify the quantitative and qualitative yield responses of the table grape cv. Italia after the application of a humic acid at various phenological stages. The humic acid used in this study has been extracted from a clay soil of the Apulia region and was applied at a concentration of 100 mg L–1 in four different times: pre-bloom (I), full-bloom (II), fruit set (III) and veraison (IV) and in two years, 2007 and 2008. The following parameters were measured at harvesting: berry size, °Brix, pH and titratable acidity. Finally, the °Brix/titratable acidity ratio has been calculated. Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) readings were performed every 30 days up to harvesting time on the leaves of the middle shoots. No statistical differences were observed between the two years for all the parameters examined. The humic acid applied at full-bloom (II) induced a significant increase of berry size (width and weight) and a significant improvement of the other quality parameters (titratable acidity and °Brix/titratable acidity) with respect to the control. This study confirmed that humic acids, if applied at full-bloom, can induce significant increase of qualitative and quantitative parameters in table grape and can find a positive application in an organic and sustainable viticulture.

Il sud Italia, in modo particolare Puglia e Sicilia , rappresenta il principale areale di coltivazione dell'uva da tavola con oltre il 90 % della produzione nazionale. AI fine di ottenere una gestione sempre più sostenibile sia dal punto di vista ambientale sia economico e nello stesso tempo ottenere produzioni di qualità, negli ultimi anni sono state avviate delle sperimentazioni per una gestione del terreno eco-compatibile con pratiche quali inerbimento, pacciamatura, ecc . Da anni sono disponibili risultati di sperimentazioni e applicazioni su vite da vino specialmente in ambienti settentrionali; invece molto limitate e quasi scarse sono le infoomazioni per la viticoltura da tavola. Attualmente si sta diffondendo, anche negli ambienti del meridione d'Italia, la tecnica dell'inerbimento sia naturale sia artificiale per diverse specie arboree da frutto. Sulla base di queste considerazioni si è pensato di impostare una prova di inerbimento in un vigneto di vite ad uva da tavola in Puglia. La prova è iniziata nell'annata 2009/2010 in un vigneto commerciale di cinque anni condotto in irriguo e sito in agro di Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA). La cultivar utilizzata nella prova è Italia, innestata su 1103P, e la fooma di allevamento il tendone. Le tesi messe a confronto sono state: TI, inerbimento con trifoglio sotterraneo (Trifolium subterraneum L.); T2, inerbimento con festuca (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.); TI , inerbimento naturale; T4 , controllo lavorato. I risultati del primo anno della sperimentazione, tuttora in corso, mostrano che non sono emerse differenze significative tra le tesi a confronto per le caratteristiche biometriche della bacca e per la produzione di uva/ceppo, quest'ultima variata tra i 23,03 kg del controllo lavorato ed i 25,76 kg dell'inerbimento naturale. La colorazione della buccia della bacca ha presentato invece delle differenze statisticamente significative: il valore della luminosità (L*) nelle tesi inerbite con trifoglio (41,59) e festuca (41 ,03) è stato superiore rispetto all'inerbimento naturale (39,63) ed al controllo lavorato (40,41). La saturazione (C*) è risultata significativamente più bassa nel controllo lavorato rispetto alle tesi inerbite , mentre la tinta (h°) non ha mostrato differenze tra le tesi. L'inerbimento non ha influito, in generale, sulla consistenza della bacca ed anche per gli altri parametri chimici (°Brix, pH, acidità titolabile) non sono state rilevate differenze degne di rilievo tra i dati ottenuti per le diverse tesi.

Among the various vineyard treatments adopted in recent years for table-grape cultivation, there has been a significant use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and girdling to increase berry size and yield. In particular, an increase in the application of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and gibberellic acid (GA3) for many seeded and seedless table-grape cultivars has been registered in several countries. In this two-year study, girdling at berry set, gibberellic acid (10 mg/L) applied at berry diameter of 10 to 11 mm, and forchlorfenuron (9.75 mg/L) applied at berry diameter of 11 to 12 mm were investigated to verify their effects on berry size, yield, and chemical and metabolic characteristics of Italia grapes. In general, at harvest all treatments significantly increased berry diameter, length, and weight and consequent cluster weight and yield/vine compared to an untreated control. The treatments showed significant differences for the colorimetric parameters, in particular a higher value of hue for berries treated with GA3 and CPPU, thus shifting the skin color from yellow toward yellow-green. Metabolomic study carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis indicated that metabolic profile depends on the year and, in each year, the effect of treatments consisted of a slight variation of amino acid content. Treatments effects were more pronounced in the year characterized by a cooler summer.

Water limitation for agriculture is a problem in many countries and irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) can be a tool to face the decreasing availability of water for important domestic crops such as olive. Taking into account this aspect, a research was carried out for 13 years in an olive grove (Chemlali cultivar) located in the area of Sfax (Tunisia). Two different irrigation treatments were applied: (a) irrigation with good quality water (GQW) and (b) irrigation with TWW. The main objective of this 13-year study was to verify the effects of the irrigation with TWW vs. GQW on some minor parameters of the virgin olive oil. Many oil parameters significantly increased in the TWW irrigated plot, in particular lutein, total tocopherols, squalene, campesterol and stigmasterol whereas β-carotene, α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, β-sitosterol and total sterols decreased with respect to the GQW treatment. Irrigation with TWW can be a possible tool to irrigate olive groves with two positive effects: saving of freshwater and production of olive oil of good quality.

Grazie alla domanda in crescita e all’elevata produttività (può arrivare a 300-400 q/ha) il melograno può diventare un’interessante coltura per diversifi care il reddito dell’azienda agricola. I prezzi di vendita si aggirano sui 70-80 euro/q per un reddito che può arrivare a 30.000 euro/ha, a fronte di un costo di gestione di 8-10.000 euro/ha

A recent increasing demand in Western countries for pomegranate products by consumers is especially supported for the nutritional and medicinal characteristics, due to the antioxidant properties of this fruit. Some studies have been published on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits in some Mediterranean countries, but little information is available about the genotypes present in Italy and in particular in Apulia (Southeastern region of Italy). This study (2008–2009) evaluated morpho-pomological and chemical parameters of eight pomegranate genotypes localized in private small orchards. Significant differences were observed among the pomegranate genotypes for many of the parameters investigated. In particular, fruit weight ranged from 168.9 g (SouMol) to 574.9 g (SouOst), ◦Brix from 14.7 (ComTri) to 18.0 (SouMol), titratable acidity from 5.4 (ComMol) to 25.0 (SouTri) g/L. SouMol showed the highest polyphenols (97.1 mg/L) and vitamin C (236.3 mg/L) contents. Oil content of the seeds was between 5.90% and 10.30%, no differences have been observed for the fatty acid composition with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as the most abundant fraction (81.23%). Considering all the evaluated parameters, and especially those referring to the organoleptic characteristics and antioxidants content, it must be stated that the best genotypes worthy to be considered from agricultural and industrial points of view were AdeSgi for fresh market and SouOst for the juice industry.

The effect of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephon, in the following ETH) as abscising agent on cv. Crimson Seedless table grape was investigated by means of Fruit Detachment Force (FDF) and Fruit Drop (FD) analyses combined with a metabolomic study carried out by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The effectiveness of ETH as abscising agent was scertained with ETH concentration ranging from 1.4 to 4.0 g/L in a two-year study. The ETH treatments caused berry drops higher than 40% and induced an increase of tartaric acid, procyanidin P2, terpenoid derivatives and peonidin-3-glucoside as well as a decrease of catechin and epicatechin. HRMS–NMR covariance analysis was carried out to correlate the fluctuations of tartaric acid NMR signals to those of MS peaks of the secondary metabolites affected by ETH reatments.

LA PROVA quadriennale (2012-2015) svolta su cultivar Italia ha permesso di individuare il contenu-to di azoto nei diversi organi della pianta al fi ne di dare le indicazioni per improntare un adeguato piano di concimazione. L’azoto totale accumulato negli organi an-nuali è stato di 35 g/ceppo (più 7 g/ceppo della potatura verde) e nei tessuti di riserva di circa 8-15 g/ceppo per un totale di 50-55 g, corrispondente al fabbisogno di azoto di una pianta di vite con una resa di 30 kg/ceppo.

Abnormally developed pistils often occur in different apricot cultivars, as a consequence of physiological-biochemical factors and climatic conditions. Apricot is genetically prone to the formation of a high percentage of flowers morphologically hermaphroditic but physiologically unisexual due to pistil hypotrophy, atrophy and/or necrosis. The number of anthers, the amount of the total and stainable number of pollen grains per anther and per flower and flower (pistil) anomalies have been investigated in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars. Anthers and pollen were investigated for two years, 2004 and 2005, whereas flower bud differentiation and anomalies for three years, 2008, 2009 and 2010.Pistil hypo(a)-trophy anomalies occurred between the Baggiolini stages C and D and appeared to be significantly more frequent on the basal portion of long twigs with respect to either the apical portion or spurs and short twigs. All pollen characteristics taken into account varied significantly among the cultivars. The number of anthers per flower ranged from a maximum of 33.2 ('Rouge de Fournes') to a minimum of 22.6 ('Boccuccia Liscia'); the number of pollen grains per anther ranged from 2369 ('Kioto') to 1267 ('Ninfa'), and the pollen stainability was very high in all the examined cultivars (95.0-98.8%). The mean number of stainable pollen grains per flower was 57,149, ranging from 35,629 ('Boccuccia Liscia') up to 76,728 ('San Castrese'). These results indicate that cultivars both producing the greatest amount of stainable and compatible pollen grains per flower and bearing mainly on spurs or short twigs (lower flower anomalies) should be preferred either when planting new apricot orchards or for breeding programs.

Le caratteristiche genetiche del portinnesto e della varietà sono importanti indicatori, ma gli effetti della combinazione di innesto sui risultati quanti-qualitativi sono condizionati dall’ambiente di coltivazione, in particolare dalle caratteristiche del suolo, dalle lavorazioni e dalla disponibilità idrica

A three-year experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of three different soil management systems in a vineyard (organic mulch with exhausted olive pomace at 6 cm thick, weed mowing and herbicide application) on soil physicochemical characteristics and weed flora. A variety of data was collected throughout the trial, such as soil analyses, weed surveys and phytotoxicity tests. The results show that the exhausted olive pomace was able to increase the K and Mg content and exerted good control over weeds, and also had an effect on the weed flora composition. Although further research is needed, it is possible to conclude that the mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both mechanical (thickness of the layer) and phytochemical for the release of phytotoxic compounds (allelochemicals).

In Puglia, Italy, deep tillage and rock fragmentation are common agricultural practices to prepare land for vineyards or orchards. Unfortunately, little is known about how these practices influence soil structure and quality. There is a lack of information on the consequences of these practices on the soil fractions coarser than 2 mm, which are known as rock fragments or skeletal material, the focus of this study. Soil samples were obtained from depths of 0-20 and 20–40 cm and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total and active calcium carbonate. For each soil depth, we determined the amount of fine earth and skeletal material by volume. The results indicate that rock fragmentation and ⁄ or deep ploughing cause a major change in soils, leading to the progressive reduction in total organic carbon and nitrogen, and to an increase in total and active calcium carbonate. In addition, there was a marked increase in skeletal material compared to undisturbed soil. The results confirm that rock fragmentation causes significant changes in soil physical properties and greatly increases the amount of skeletal material.

La prova sulla cultivar Italia ha messo in evidenza come si possa migliorare la qualità dell’uva, in termini di dimensione dell’acino, e ottenere incrementi di produzione con trattamenti con fi toregolatori – gibberelline, citochinine – o con la pratica dell’incisione anulare. Sono state rilevate minime variazioni nella composizione chimica degli acini

New apricot cultivars are yearly introduced in Italy by nurseries and growers. These cultivars come from both Italian and foreign breeding programmes and most of them have been selected in climatic and environmental conditions noticeably different from those of the main Italian apricot growing areas. So far, acquired experience on apricot has shown that environmental adaptability is hard to be foreseen and, for this reason, the introduction of cultivars in new areas often causes commercial failures. In order to reduce this problem and to help growers in choosing new cultivars, in 1992 a National Programme was launched to draw up an annual list of "Recommended fruit varieties" for fruit-tree growers. This means that each new apricot cultivar, bred in Italy or in other countries, enters the collection created by the 10 Operating Units and is assessed for its vegetative, pomological, horticultural and technological characteristics, according to a common evaluation protocol. Basing on the resulting features, lists with recommended/not recommended cultivars are filled in. In order to highlight the strong variability among Italian growing areas and the need for a proper collegial evaluation, a summary of some pomological and phenological features has been drawn up and discussed. Selected data have been collected on 10 sites all over Italy for two consecutive years (2006-2007) characterized by noticeably different climatic conditions. This last aspect could also lead to some considerations about the future adaptation of apricot cultivar to climatic changes.