Dall’ultimo dopoguerra ad oggi gran parte dei territori pianeggianti della Capitanata sono stati fortemente utilizzati dall’uomo per un’agricoltura intensiva e specializzata, basata sul modello agroindustriale moderno che ha determinato la semplificazione del paesaggio agrario. Ciò nonostante, presso le aree collinari “marginali” dei Monti Dauni Settentrionali, le acclività del territorio hanno favorito la definizione di diversi agro-ecosistemi caratterizzati dall’alternanza di campi coltivati e margini di siepi, alberature, pascoli; questi elementi possono svolgere funzioni importanti per il mantenimento della biodiversità del territorio. Il lavoro ha riguardato 33 stazioni di campionamento in cui sono stati determinati gli Indici di Ecologia del Paesaggio (Landscape Ecology Index). Il processo di analisi, sviluppato con l’ausilio del GIS, ha reso possibile lo studio comparato delle diverse componenti ecologiche presenti nelle differenti stazioni e la loro elaborazione su più livelli di indagine e conoscenza. I risultati dell’elaborazione di tali indici hanno evidenziato una variabilità molto accentuata, sia del numero di habitat, che della loro frammentarietà. Tale comportamento è particolarmente evidente nella parte occidentale dell’area, a ridosso delle zone boscate, mentre tende a diminuire spostandosi occidente in cui gli agro-ecosistemi si caratterizzano per la loro elevata specializzazione (colture cerealicole).

Abstract Batch testing of biomethanization was conducted on organic matrices from a mixture of grasses (triticale and barley) and legumes (field bean - Vicia faba L. var. minor). These tests were performed in mesophylic conditions (35°C) on previously chopped and ensiled biomass. The three crops have been cultivated in Southern Italy (Puglia region), both as single-crops and intercropping between triticale or barley and field bean, in different mixture combinations, during the season 2009-2010. Emphasis was placed on the determination of the chemical composition of feedstock from the three single species and their different intercropping ratios, mowed at two subsequent stages (milk and dough development of grasses), also assessing their consequent biogas and methane potential yields after silage. Seven overall treatments have been compared: the three species in monoculture (triticale, barley and field bean, respectively); two mixtures between triticale and field bean (with triticale at 70 and 50%, respectively); two mixtures between barley and field bean (again with barley at 70 and 50%, respectively). Immediately after cutting and for the next 90 days, biomass samples were closed into plastic mini-silos, each having a 5L capacity, in order to simulate the silage process. Thereafter, the batch testing was performed and biogas and methane production have been determined, with respect to the main chemical characteristics of the chopped and ensiled biomass samples, able to affect biogas and methane yield. Considering the single-crop treatments the highest biogas per hectare production has been found with respect to triticale (8737.1 nm3 ha–1) and barley (8837.6 nm3 ha–1), at the first and second harvesting stage, respectively. Concerning grass-legume intercropping, the highest biogas yield (8635.0 nm3 ha–1) was observed with reference to the 70:30 mixing ratio, specifically on barley mowed at the milk development stage. The methane content in the biogas ranged from 61.1% (on a 50:50 mixing ratio of barley at the milk stage) to 53.7% (on a barley monoculture at the dough stage).

The research aimed at assessing physical-chemical composition of two species of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L. and Sambucus ebulus L.) collected in three different phenological stages for their possible use in the anaerobic digestion process. In addition the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) were also verified by batch fermentation test.

This study investigated the qualitative characteristics of several edible wild herbaceous species, including those most consumed in Foggia Province (southern Italy). Analysis of qualitative characteristics was performed for the edible parts of 11 wild species (Beta vulgaris L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Centaurea solstitialis L., Cichorium intybus L., Scolymus hispanicus L., Sonchus oleraceus L., Borago officinalis L., Diplotaxis erucoides L., Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC, Sinapis arvensis L., Portulaca oleracea L.) and three cultivated species (C. intybus, B. officinalis, D. tenuifolia). The plants were collected from areas in the Foggia countryside, and the edible part of each species was analysed for dry matter, protein, cation and anion contents as well as total phenols and antioxidant activities. Among the cations, calcium was the most differentiated among species, ranging 784 mg kg-1 fresh weight (Fw) for B. vulgaris to 5886 mg kg-1 Fw for S. hispanicus. The nitrate contents were also highly variable, from 75 mg kg-1 Fw for C. intybus to 3874 mg kg-1 Fw for D. tenuifolia. Total polyphenols ranged from 1054 mg GAE mg kg-1 Fw for C. solstitialis to 3664 mg GAE mg kg-1 Fw for S. arvensis. Antioxidant activities ranged from 839 mg TE kg-1 Fw for B. vulgaris to 5658 mg TE kg-1 Fw for C. intybus. Significant differences were also noted between wild and cultivated plants in the qualitative parameters. Total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were higher in wild C. intybus and B. officinalis than in their cultivated counterparts. Multivariate analysis (cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis) allowed integration of the ANOVA data to determine the qualitative characteristics of the wild species that contribute most to group differences. The results of the present study aims at improve the current knowledges about edible wild species as vegetable sources in the Mediterranean diet.

This study was performed over two growing seasons to evaluate the effects of three irrigation sources on the morpho-productive and microbiological parameters of globe artichoke yields: secondary wastewater (SWW), tertiary wastewater (TWW), and fresh water (FW, control). Escherichia coli, faecal enterococci and Salmonella spp. were monitored in the irrigation waters, the artichoke plants and heads, and the root-zone soil. Bacteriological analysis for total heterotrophic counts were determined for plants, fruit and soil. The irrigation waters were sampled, throughout the irrigation period of the crop, to characterise their physico-chemical properties. The chemical parameters of the SWW (i.e., TSS, BOD5 and COD) were significantly higher compared with those of the FW and TWW. The SWW and TWW significantly affected total marketable heads as number and weight per hectare, with higher yields than for the FW. Total marketable heads (as main, secondary, processing heads) were significantly higher in terms of weight per hectare for the SWW and TWW than for the FW (25%, 16% increases, respectively), as was the main head production for marketable weight (57%, 33% increases, respectively). The microbial qualities of the SWW and TWW were significantly different, with the SWW characterised by higher levels of E. coli and faecal coliforms, while frequently positive for Salmonella spp. Nevertheless, the microbial safety of the artichoke yield was not affected. The reduction in all of the faecal indicators from water to soil and from soil to plant can be explained by the irrigation system, which avoids direct contact of water with plant and aerosol dispersion; by the relatively rapid die-off of faecal bacteria in the soil; and a possible barrier effect of the rhizosphere environment. These data show that if municipal wastewaters are adequately treated, they can be used for irrigation. Thus, they represent a valid alternative to conventional water resources for irrigation of artichoke crops.

A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the effects of two water irrigation sources on the qualityand microbiological safety of tomato plants and fruit, and on the microbiological soil properties: irrigationwith groundwater (GW) and with treated agro-industrial wastewater (TW). In a field experiment insouthern Italy (Apulia region), the physico-chemical characteristics of the irrigation waters and the fruitquality parameters were determined. Escherichia coli, fecal Enterococci and Salmonella spp. were alsomonitored in the irrigation waters, tomato plant and fruit, and root-zone soil. Bacteriological analysis fortotal heterotrophic counts (THCs) were determined for plant, fruit, and soil samples. The irrigation watersource did not significantly affect yield quantitative traits. However, with GW, the marketable fruit yieldwas higher than with TW (∼82 vs. ∼79 Mg ha−1, respectively). For both irrigation treatments, the mostimportant qualitative parameters that characterize the processing tomato fruit (i.e., dry matter content,pH, soluble solid content, color parameters) were in agreement with reports in the literature. For themicrobiological results, the mean levels of E. coli and fecal Enterococci were 4408 and 3804 CFU 100 ml−1,respectively, for TW (above the Italian guidelines for TW re-use). For the tomato plant and fruit, no E. coliisolated in either, and fecal coliforms and THC were not influenced by the irrigation waters (P > 0.05).Total bacterial enumeration by quantitative PCR was lower in soil irrigated with GW, than TW (3.69 vs.4.02, ×106, respectively). Moreover, soil microbial community patterns substantially differed betweenthe two water treatments. These data show that while fecal indicators are not affected, the communitycomposition and dynamics of the whole bacterial population in soil is influenced by the different qualitiesof these waters used for irrigation.

La conversione in biogas delle colture dedicate dipende principalmente dalla varietà utilizzata, dalla tecnica di coltivazione, dal periodo di raccolta e dal contenuto di nutrienti presenti nella coltura. Proteine, grassi, fibre, amido e zuccheri sono tutti fattori che influenzano notevolmente la produzione di metano. Le colture più adatte sono quelle ricche in carboidrati facilmente degradabili e poveri in emicellulosa e lignina, queste ultime caratterizzate da bassa biodegradabilità. Obiettivo del lavoro è stato quello di valutare la composizione fibrosa di miscugli di graminacee (orzo, triticale) e leguminose (favino), raccolti a due differenti stadi di maturazione (lattea e maturazione) e coltivati in aree diverse della Capitanata. In particolare, è stata definita la quantità di fibra neutro detersa (NDF), di fibra acido detersa (ADF), di lignina (ADL), di emicellulosa (NDF - ADF) e di cellulosa (ADF - ADL). In merito alla componente lignea della fibra valori più elevati si sono riscontrati a Foggia rispetto alle altre località confrontate; mentre tra gli erbai, quelli in cui le graminacee sono state consociate in rapporto 1:1 con il favino hanno mostrato valori statisticamente più elevati di lignina rispetto ai trattamenti che non prevedevano la consociazione col favino. Un comportamento analogo si è avuto anche per le altre due componenti della fibra (cellulosa ed emicellulosa).