It is important to manage the environment inside an horticultural greenhouse in order to guarantee suitable growing condition for the crop, safety condition for the workers and energy savings. Microclimate is influenced by climatic parameters, such as solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Evaporative systems are generally used in warm regions for commercial greenhouse cooling, however such systems require large quantity of water that is often a scarce natural resource in Mediterranean areas. Solar absorption systems can be applied for greenhouse cooling in regions with high values of solar irradiation as alternative to evaporative systems by exploiting renewable energy sources. The solar cooling system could provide significant energy-saving opportunities for cooling greenhouses in hot climates allowing the reduction of electricity and water consumption by exploiting the contemporaneity between the cooling requirements and the solar energy availability. The paper presents the technical considerations on the application of a solar absorption cooling system to a greenhouse in the Mediterranean climatic region. The aim of the research was to define the solar collector surface related to the greenhouse cultivated area and the potential of the system in terms of cooling capacity and energy consuption. The simulation study was realized based on the experimental data collected at the experimental centre of the University of Bari, Southern Italy, in order to control the air temperature of a greenhouse covered with plastic film; the greenhouse was characterized by a surface of 300 m2. The cooling system was designed by adopting suitable technologies of energy saving, in order to reduce cooling energy needs. The designed system consists of an absorption chiller having a cooling capacity of 18 kW fed by 50 m2 of evacuated-tube solar collectors coupled to a new distribution system which provides the cooling power only for the air volume surrounding the crop and not for the whole greenhouse.

Aim of the research is the development of biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. These compostable and biodegradable materials are used in order to made biodegradable mulching films. Fillers, coloured pigments, natural plasticizer and vegetal fibres were opportunely added inn order to assure the chemical, physical-mechanical properties of the film during the cultivation time. Soil mulching films, made with the biodegradable materials, were applied to the soil by means of spray techniques; the mulches were tested in an ornamental cultivation carried out inside a greenhouse. The innovative biodegradable spray films lasted in the field up to 12 months, keeping their mulching effect and guarantying weed suppression.

Aim of the research is the development of biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. Soil mulching coatings, made with the biodegradable materials, were applied to the soil by means of spray techniques; the coatings were tested in an ornamental cultivation carried out inside a greenhouse. Containers for seedlings transplant were realized using the biodegradable materials; seedling production and post-plant performance were analyzed. The containers were tested in a pepper cultivation carried out inside the greenhouse. The innovative biodegradable spray coatings lasted in the field up to 9 months. The biodegradable containers for seedlings transplanting showed a good resistance during the first stage of use, when the seedlings were grown from the seeds before the transplanting; the biodegradable materials showed a soil fertilizing effect, due to the slow release of proteinaceous material, as a result of the biodegradation process.

Agricultural activities need plastics 1'or many applications such as films lor soil mulching and pots lbr plants tr"ansplanting. The use of plastic proc{ucts, made of fossil raw materials, sucll as polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropyÌene results in huge quantities of plastic wastes to be disposecl of. In the past two decades, the growing environmental awareness strongly encouraged researchers and industries toward the use of biodegradab|: polymers 1òr solving the plastic wasle problem. Researchers have made strong eflbrts to identify new biopolymers corning fionl renewable sources as valid ecosustainable alternatives to petroleum based plastic commodities. The rnain reseai'ch results and current applications concernìng the biodegraclable plastics in agriculture, such as thermo-extrucled \later-Ili and sprayable water-botn polysaccharides based coatings. are described in this chapter. A liner-rp o1'triopolymers cuning from raw and renewable sources, such as polysaccharides. a1'e reported; the inh'insic chemicc»physical properlies of polysaccharides, responsible for the realization of clry water stable hydr.ogels, suitable for the formation of both soil mulching coatings ancl transplanting biopots. are investigated. A clescription of the natural actditives, fillers and cellulosic fibers included in the polymeric matrices. able to enhance the mechanical performance of coatings and pots is provitled, together with tlie outputs in the specific applications.

The use of mulching films made from non-renewable fossil fuels causes the serious drawback of huge quantities of plastic wastes to be disposed of. Over the last years the growing environmental awareness has prompted researchers to develop a new generation of mulching products starting with raw materials from renewable origin. These materials have to retain their physical and mechanical properties while in use, to be compostable or digestible anaerobically at the end of their life, and to be degradable via micro-organisms into carbon dioxide or methane, water and biomass when integrated directly in the soil. Aim of the research was the development of biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. Particular attention has been devoted to evaluate the application of such biobased materials in the agricultural practice of mulching. Biobased mulching films were generated in situ by low-pressure spraying of polymeric water dispersion on the soil; the mulches were tested in a Romaine Lettuce Mortarella cultivation inside a greenhouse from November 2013 to January 2014. This paper describes the functionalities of the new bio-based mulching coatings, which were developed and tested in a real scale field cultivation test. During the test in the field, the biodegradable soil mulching materials showed suitable properties for an efficient and profitable use in agriculture. The innovative biodegradable spray coatings lasted in the field up to 2 months. Tests on the lettuce yield and on the properties of the soil under the mulching coatings were carried out. The biodegradable materials could be the environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic petro-chemical polymers and could contribute to a sustainable agriculture.

Nowadays the growth of the cities increased built and paved areas, energy use and heat generation. The phenomenon of urban warming, called urban heat island, influences negatively outdoor comfort conditions, pollutants concentration, energy demand for air conditioning, as well as increases environmental impact due to the demand of energy generation. A sustainable technology for improving the energy efficiency of buildings is the use of green roofs and walls in order to reduce the energy consumption for conditioning in summer and improve the thermal insulation in winter. The use of green roofs and walls can contribute to mitigate the phenomenon of heat island, the emissions of greenhouse gases, and the storm water runoff affecting human thermal comfort, air quality and energy use of the buildings. Recently, a number of municipalities started to adopt regulations and constructive benefits for renovated and new buildings which incorporate green roofs and walls. The aim of this paper is to describe the green roofs and walls plant technology.

Radiometric characteristics of photoselective and photoluminescent films. Plastic films for protected cultivation capable of modifying the spectral distribution of the transmitted radiation can be developed with suitable radiometric characteristics in order to influence plant vegetative activity. In order to study such films, experimental tests were carried out at the experimental farm of the University of Bari in Valenzano (Bari, Italy), at latitude 41° 05' N, from December 2006 to September 2007. Two photoselective films (GREEN4% and GREEN2%), three photoluminescent films (RED,BLUE and RED-BLUE) and one low density polyethylene film were used as greenhouse coverings for cherry trees and peach trees. The photoselective films GREEN4% and GREEN2% alter the quality of solar radiation passing through the covering materials modifying the spectral distribution of the solar radiation in the wavelength range of the red radiation (R, 650-670 nm) and of the far red radiation (FR, 720-740 nm) in comparison with the natural solar radiation recorded in open field. The photoluminescent films RED, BLUE and RED-BLUE have the capacity to absorb UV radiation in order to re-emit it in the wavelength of red radiation,blue radiation and red-blue radiation, respectively.The results showed the radiometric characteristics of these innovative plastic films. The photoselective films GREEN4% and GREEN2% were characterised by a reduction of the R/FR ratio of the photon fluence rate in the red to that in the far red in comparison to the natural solar radiation.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the radiometric properties of coloured nets on cherry tree photomorphogenesis. A field experimental test using coloured nets for the protection of cherry trees was carried out. Different coloured nets (BLUE, RED, PEARL, GREY and YELLOW), characterised by a nominal shading factor of 40%, and a NEUTRAL net with a nominal 12% shading factor were tested. Cherry trees in OPEN FIELD conditions were used as control. The effects of the nets on the trees growth were correlated with the radiometric properties of the nets, which were evaluated by means of laboratory tests. The RED and BLUE nets influenced mainly the B/FR ratio: the former net decreased and the latter increased the B/FR ratio. The nets influenced the annual trunk growth of the trees: respect to OPEN FIELD (100%), the highest increase was induced for the trees grown under the NEUTRAL net (132%), followed by the YELLOW (121%), the BLUE (120%), the PEARL (111%) and the RED (106%) net while the lowest was recorded under the GREY net (79%). The NEUTRAL net (-3 d) and the YELLOW net (-1.5 d) influenced fruit maturity advancing harvest, while the other nets retarded the ripening time: RED (+2 d), BLUE (+2.5 d), PEARL (+3.5 d) and GREY (+4 d).

A research was carried out in order to evaluate how agrochemicals contamination and solar radiation influence the mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) films. The films, manufactured adding several different combinations of light stabilizers, were subjected to natural and artificial weathering and to three agrochemicals commonly used during the cultivation practices. Two sets of field trials were carried out from 2006 to 2007 at the experimental centre of the University of Bari (Italy). The films, installed on steel arches of low tunnels, were periodically sprayed with the agrochemicals containing iron, chlorine and sulphur. For control the same films, mounted over other low tunnels, were not sprayed. Stress and strain at break of the film samples, taken at fixed time intervals in the field and after exposure in an artificial ageing chamber, were measured. Tests were conducted to evaluate the chemical contaminants absorbed by the films. Solar radiation falling on the films under test was continuously measured and recorded by means of a pyranometer and a CR10x Campbell data logger. The results of the tests showed that the different light stabilizers influenced the behaviour of the films in presence of the sprayed agrochemicals. The experimental data were investigated evaluating the cumulative solar radiation, the kind of anti-UV additive and the absorbed contaminants. Concerning the agrochemicals which were absorbed by the films, values up to 6800 ppm of sulphur were recorded during the tests. The research allowed the identification of the suitable additives in relation with used agrochemicals. The tests showed that an improved resistance to the agrochemicals was recorded for the EVA film stabilized with NOR-HALS plus UV filter.

Plastic films used to cover vineyard change microclimate conditions aiming to advance or delay grape maturity according to the table grape marked demand. The capacity of the cov-ering materials to modify the greenhouse microclimate strongly depends on their radiometric properties. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of three watering regimes and of the radiometric characteristics of plastic film used to delay harvest of Crimson seedless table grape grown in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). Crimson Seedless vines trained to “tendone” trellis system were irrigated with different water regimes, from berry set to one week before harvesting, corresponding to about 50% (WR1), 100% (WR2) and 80% (WR3) of water lost by evapotranspiration. After veraison, Crimson Seedless vines were covered with plastic film until grape harvest. Laboratory tests were carried out on the new film in order to evaluate the radiometric properties. Vine water status and leaf gas exchange were as-sessed. At harvest, the yield components and the grape characteristics were analyzed. Vine water status measured under midday conditions showed a moderate improvement for WR3 and WR2 treatments, but leaf temperature decreased and leaf gas exchange increased in WR3 vines. Water availability significantly affected berry growth, inducing the lowest cluster weight in the treatment WR1 that received the lowest watering volumes; also berry diameters were significantly affected by the irrigation treatments. Crop water productivity (grape produc-tion per unit of applied water) decreased from WR1 to WR2 and WR3. The greatest water deficit reduced significantly the total pruning weight per vine, that is an indicator of the vege-tative vigor.

Over the last years the growing environmental awareness has been prompting the research to develop a new generation of mulches starting with raw materials from renewable origin. Innovative biodegradable soil mulching coatings were developed using novel polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. These biodegradable polymeric materials were applied in the field by means of the spray technique at University of Bari (Italy, latitude 41° 05' N), from 2009 to 2011. In order to obtain biodegradable coatings and to modulate their chemical-physical and mechanical properties, grafting and crosslinking protein hydrolysate with biodegradable polymeric materials such as Poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) and natural polyunsaturated fatty acids were performed. In order to improve the physical properties and decrease water sensitivity, fibers, saw dust and carbon black were added. The biodegradable soil mulching polymeric materials showed suitable mechanical properties keeping its mulching effect up to 12 months. The black coatings inhibited weed growth like the black LDPE film did, satisfying the agronomic task of the mulching film. The biodegradable materials are environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic petro-chemical polymers for a sustainable agriculture.

Photoselective and photoluminescent films and effects on the plant growth. Photoselective and photoluminescent plastic films for protected cultivation modify the spectral distribution of the solar radiation thus influencing plant growth. This paper shows the results of the tests carried out at the experimental farm of the University of Bari from December 2006 to September 2007; two photoselective films (GREEN4% and GREEN2%), three photoluminescent films (RED, BLUE and RED-BLUE) and one low density polyethylene film were used to cover greenhouses where cherry and peach trees were grown. The lowest vegetative activity was recorded for the trees grown in open field in comparison with the trees grown inside the greenhouses. The photoselective films influenced positively the growth of the trees, especially the GREEN4% film. Among the photoluminescent films the RED film was more efficient in increasing the vegetative activity; it was due to the film capacity of absorbing UV radiation and re-emitting it in the wavelength band of the red radiation, which is very efficient for photosynthesis.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the radiometric properties of innovative covering films for protected cultivation capable of modifying the spectral distribution of the transmitted radiation and thus the vegetative activity. Two photoselective films, three photoluminescent films and one low-density polyethylene film were used as greenhouse coverings for cherry trees and peach trees, grown in pots. The photoselective films were characterised by a reduction of the R/FR ratio in comparison to the natural solar radiation. Tree growth parameters, such as the apical shoot of cherry trees and the shoot of peach trees, were monitored. Different responses to vegetative activities were observed under the films, depending on the species, with a higher shoots growth rate in the peach with respect to the cherry. The photoselective film characterised by the lowest R/FR ratio significantly enhanced the growth of cherry and peach trees in comparison to the trees cultivated under the other greenhouse films.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) films are widespread used in agriculture for soil mulching. The use of LDPE mulching films causes the serious drawback of huge quantities of waste to be disposed of. Over the last years the growing environmental awareness has been prompting the research to develop a new generation of mulching products starting with raw materials from renewable origin. These materials have to retain their physical and mechanical properties while in use and have to be compostable or biodegradable at the end of their life, degrading via micro-organisms into carbon dioxide or methane, water and biomass. The research is focused on the development of novel biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. Biodegradable soil mulching coatings were realized with these biodegradable polymeric materials by means of spray techniques; the coatings were tested in a Ligustrum ovalifolium cultivation carried out inside a greenhouse. This paper describes the functionalities of the new bio-based mulching coatings, which were developed and tested in real scale greenhouse cultivation tests. During the trial, the biodegradable soil mulching materials showed suitable properties for an efficient and profitable use in agriculture. The innovative biodegradable spray coatings lasted up to 18 months. The biodegradable materials could be the environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic petro-chemical polymers and could contribute to a sustainable agriculture.

Two commercial films, coded “YELLOW” and “NEUTRAL”, and one experimental film, coded “BASF” (provided by BASF Italia Srl), were tested in a vineyard located in Southern Italy (Castellaneta Marina, Taranto, Italy), during 2011, to assess their influence on the productive characteristic of a seedless grapevine variety. The vineyard was conducted applying the viticultural practices normally adopted for seedless varieties in the geographical area and was drip-irrigated at about 50% of the full evapotranspiration. The radiometric properties of the films were evaluated by means of laboratory tests. In the field, the main microclimatic parameters were recorded: photosynthetic photon flux, air relative humidity and temperature. The main parameters of vine ecophysiological leaf functioning were also measured. At harvest, the vine productivity and the grape quality were assessed. The radiometric tests showed that the PAR total transmissivity coefficient was 86.3% for the “BASF” film, 81.8% for the “NEUTRAL” film and 86.0 % for the “YELLOW”. By analyzing the vine production, grape yield, berry and cluster weight were found higher under the “BASF” film than under the other two types of plastic covers.

Research was conducted to evaluate how solar radiation, agrochemical contamination, and different light stabilizer systems influence the mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA/C) based films suitable for crop protection. Three independent outdoor trials were performed at the experimental field of the University of Bari (Italy) in 2006, 2007, and 2008. During each trial each film type was installed in the field as new covering of two low tunnels: one of the tunnels was periodically sprayed inside with agrochemicals containing sulfur, chlorine and iron, while the other one, not sprayed, was used as control. Besides, artificial photoaging tests were carried out on the films in laboratory. The research showed that the different light stabilizer systems influenced the mechanical behavior of the films in the presence of the progressively absorbed agrochemicals. An improved resistance to the agrochemicals was recorded for the EVA/C films stabilized with aminoether type hindered amine light stabilizer (NOR-HALS) and ultra violet filter.

Plastic materials are generally used for several agricultural applications: films for greenhouse covering, low or medium tunnel, soil mulching and solarisation, silage, nets, irrigation and drainage pipes, bags, containers, pots, and agrochemical containers. At the end of their lifetime, the agricultural plastic materials produce, consequently, high volumes of waste to be disposed of. A non suitable disposal system for agricultural plastic waste could induce economical damages, negative effects on the landscape and on the agro-ecosystem with loss of material or energy. With an optimized process of collection, transport and final disposal of, agricultural plastic wastes become "secondary raw materials" that can be re-used for other different applications. In this way the by-products obtained from agricultural plastic wastes become technically efficient and economically feasible. Unfortunately, the management of plastic waste flux coming from agricultural activities is still far to be solved in some Italian areas. Apulia Region, Southern Italy, is characterized by high densities of greenhouses, tunnels, protected vineyards and mulching films for vegetable cultivation. Due to the huge problems connected to the disposal of agricultural plastic wastes, institutions, local authorities and farmers associations of Apulia Region have been interested in solving this problem during the last decade; first attempts were carried out within the European projects “LabelAgriWaste” and “Free Field”. The Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, an agricultural area typically suited to vineyards, olive groves, orchards, and vegetables, is interested to realize modernization actions for the growers of the area. In fact the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani is a partner, together with the University of Bari and other institutions, in the project “Agricultural Waste valorisation for a competitive and sustainable Regional Development – AWARD”, European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Italy 2007-2013. The aim of this project is to offer an optimized management of agricultural plastic wastes. A Geographical Information System (G.I.S) is one of the strategies to pursue at local scale, with regard to the municipal territories of the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. In the present paper, the G.I.S. is described at a province scale: the principal agricultural areas with large use of mulching and greenhouse plastic films were examined by means of statistical data (plastic covered surface according to the type of application, the cultivation, the type of plastic material, etc.) and remote sensing survey. These data were introduced in a specific database, based on which three different layers were created. Through the use of the GIS, the road network was evaluated, with reference to the considered agricultural areas and with the existing temporary storage areas, in order to optimize the transport of agricultural plastic waste from the farms to the collecting points and to the recycling firms. The obtained results enabled the analysis and the planning of agricultural plastic waste fluxes, together with the possibility to investigate different development scenarios and to consider new planning strategies for their management.

The availability of large areas with a low density of population makes the rural areas suitable for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic systems. Decentralised and distributed generation systems for the production of renewable energy can be established but this requires the development of tools of land management for a correct planning of the installation in the land of the renewable energy sources. The choice of the location and of the size of the power plants depends on different factors such as the availability of the energetic renewable source and the impact on the rural areas. In the present research a methodology of energy land planning was introduced by using a GIS (Geographic Information System). The land management methodology was applied to the area of the Provincia of Bari in Puglia (Region), Italy. Parameters such as soil use, presence of natural park or environmental constraints were used to define the areas available for the installation of photovoltaic generation systems.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the radiometric properties of coloured nets used to protect a peach cultivation. The modifications of the solar spectral distribution, mainly in the R and FR wavelength band, influence plant photomorphogenesis by means of the phytochrome and cryptochrome. The phytochrome response is characterized in terms of radiation rate in the red wavelengths (R, 600-700 nm) to that in the farred radiation (FR, 700-800 nm), i.e. the R/FR ratio. The effects of the blue radiation (B, 400-500 nm) is investigated by the ratio between the blue radiation and the far-red radiation, i.e. the B/FR ratio. A BLUE net, a RED net, a YELLOW net, a PEARL net, a GREY net and a NEUTRAL net were tested in Bari (Italy), latitude 41° 05’N. Peach trees were located in pots inside the greenhouses and in open field. The growth of the trees cultivated in open field was lower in comparison to the growth of the trees grown under the nets. The RED, PEARL, YELLOW and GREY nets increased the growth of the trees more than the other nets. The nets positively influenced the fruit characteristics, such as fruit weight and flesh firmness.

The aim of this paper is to describe the development and the application of novel biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry, to be used in the agricultural application, in particular as biodegradable mulch spray coatings in horticulture and to create biodegradable containers for seedlings. Through the appropriate dosage of additives such as natural fibres, fillers, pigments and plasticizers, it is possible to modulate the physico-chemical and mechanical properties, and the mulching effect of films. Tests were carried out in order to prove the feasibility of the novel spray mulching coatings by investigating their functionality and the mechanical behavior in a standard and controlled experimental condition during the field test. The biodegradable containers for seedlings transplanting were tested in a field test; the seedlings, starting from the seeds, grew inside the innovative containers.

The phenomenon of urban warming, known as urban heat island, negatively influences outdoor comfort conditions and pollutants concentration, as well as increases the environmental impact due to the energy demand for air conditioning. In Mediterranean climate regions the main problem is to control the solar heat gain, that increases building’s temperature during the hot season, in order to protect the conditions of well-being of those who live or work in the buildings. Solar heat can be mainly reduced by increasing the insulation between the exterior and interior of the building, as well as shading the building surface from direct sun exposure. A sustainable technology for improving the energy efficiency of buildings is the use of green roofs and green walls in order both to reduce the energy consumption for conditioning in summer by physically shading the building structures and by promoting evapotranspiration, and to increase the thermal insulation in winter. Aim of this paper is to describe the green roofs and walls design requirements and to develop an energetic model capable of simulating the energy exchanges that take place in the presence of roofs / green walls. The energy model of the microclimate inside a building covered with plant species in Mediterranean climate depends on several different parameters that influence the indoor building microclimate such as external air temperature and relative humidity, incident solar radiation, long wave radiation exchange between the structure and its surroundings, incidence and speed of the wind, air exchanges, physical and thermal properties of the building’s envelope materials, design variables such as building dimensions and orientation. The model takes into account also the effect of different plant species. Solar heat is transferred to the internal air through the envelope by the heat transfer mechanisms as conduction, convection and radiation. The physical properties of the surface, such as the solar reflectance, infrared emittance and the convection coefficient, influence the surface temperature. The use of green roofs and walls can contribute to mitigate the phenomenon of heat island, the emissions of greenhouse gases and the storm water runoff affecting human thermal comfort, air quality and energy consumption in buildings.

Aim of the research is the development of biodegradable polymeric materials based on hydrolyzed proteins, derived from waste products of the leather industry. Particular attention has been devoted to evaluate the application of such biobased materials in the agricultural practice of mulching. Biobased mulching films were generated in situ by low-pressure spraying of polymeric water dispersion on the soil; the mulches were tested in an ornamental cultivation carried out inside a greenhouse. The innovative spray films based on biodegradable components lasted in the field up to 12 months, keeping their mulching effect, thus guarantying weed suppression and preserving soil aggregates.

Two photoselective and three photoluminescent greenhouse plastic films were studied for their effects on the spectral distribution of solar radiation and their influence on the growth of cherry and peach trees in the field and in laboratory tests.The two photoselective films modified the ratio of the photon fluence rate in the red to that in the far-red (R/FR), while the three photoluminescent films increased both the blue and red solar radiation by moving energy from the ultra-violet range to the blue and red wavelength range.The photoselective film that reduced the R/FR ratio, from 1.14 (open-field) to 0.93, enhanced shoot growth in peach (46.1 cm) and cherry trees (68.7 cm) compared to trees grown in the open-field (13.5 cm and 39.3 cm for peach and cherry trees, respectively). Trees grown under the red-emitting photoluminescent film showed increases in shoot length of 27.2 cm and 55.8 cm for peach and cherry trees, respectively; while plants grown under the blue-emitting photoluminescent film showed increases of 22.4 cm and 48.9 cm for peach and cherry trees, respectively. This research showed that a significant enhancement of shoot growth in peach and cherry trees can be obtained using plastic films that modify the spectral distribution of solar radiation. Further research should explore the potential for the development of film-additives that promote more compact vegetative growth.

Alteration of spectral wavelength distribution of the solar radiation influence plant growth, development and productivity, thus the nets can be used for the purpose of vegetative control for tree cultivated under covering materials instead of use of growth regulators. Changes in red radiation (R, 600-700 nm), in far-red radiation (FR, 720- 740 nm), or in blue radiation (B, 400-500 nm) in the growing environment affect plant photomorphogenesis, involving the activation of photoreceptors, such as the phytochrome. The phytochrome response is studied in terms of the bichromatic R/FR ratio of the photon fluence rate in the red to that in the far-red. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the radiometric properties of coloured nets on peach tree morphogenesis, by studying the modification of the spectral distribution of the transmitted radiation and thus the effects on the tree vegetative cycle. The radiometric properties of the nets were evaluated by means of laboratory tests. A field experimental test using different coloured nets (BLUE, RED, PEARL, GREY and YELLOW) for the protection of peach trees was carried out. Peach trees in OPEN FIELD conditions were used as control. The RED and BLUE nets influenced mainly the B/FR ratio: the former net decreased and the latter increased the B/FR ratio. The growth of the trees cultivated in OPEN FIELD was lower in comparison to the growth of the trees grown under the nets. The RED, PEARL, YELLOW and GREY nets increased the growth of the trees more than the other nets.

Wastes and by-products of agro-food industries and paper-textile manufacturing companies, such as tomato peels and seeds, and hemp, were glued with sodium alginate in order to produce biodegradable pots for plant transplanting in agriculture, thus aiming both to reduce such wastes and also to fight the accumulation of plastic pot wastes produced in plant nurseries. Laboratory tests performed on polysaccharide films and biocomposites based sheets prepared with the same materials developed for preparing the pots, were carried out in order to understand the chemico-physical correlations between resin, ionic crosslinking agent, reinforcing fibers and water. To this aim, mechanical tests, water vapour permeability tests, water up-take evaluations and morphological analysis were carried out. It was found a strong physical interaction between sodium alginate and calcium ions in the development of a three-dimensional network. The crosslinked structure was able to physically entrap the reinforcement fibers by means of hydrogen bonding, as evidenced by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. SEM analysis performed on fracture surfaces of the biocomposites evidenced that the fibers were well embedded inside the three-dimensional network, even if their dispersion needed some improvement; EDS analysis revealed the presence of calcium in rather all the selected internal micro-zones, thus suggesting a well structured network. In order to assess the agronomic performance of the novel biodegradable pots in seedling transplanting activity, the pots were tested in real field condition during 2009 at the experimental farm of the University of Bari, Italy. From the analysis of the young plants transplanted in the field, it was inferred that the biodegradable containers had enhanced the roots plants development and the plant growing, avoiding transplant shock and root deformation. After the using time, they completely degraded into the soil within 2 weeks

During protected cultivation, the use of agrochemicals influences the degradation of the greenhouse plastic films. A research was carried out to evaluate how agrochemicals contamination and solar radiation influence the physical properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) films. The LDPE films were manufactured on purpose adding different anti-UV stabilizer systems and were exposed to natural outdoor weathering at the experimental farm of the University of Bari (Italy; 41° 05’ N). Each film was tested as covering of two low tunnels: one was sprayed from inside with commercial agrochemicals containing iron, chlorine and sulphur while the other one was not sprayed and used as control. Radiometric tests were carried out on the new films and on film samples taken at the end of the trial. Analyses on absorption of the selected contaminants were carried out in laboratory on the samples taken at the end of the exposure in the field in order to compare the relative effectiveness of the stabilizing systems under evaluation. The experimental tests showed that the natural weathering together with the agrochemicals did not modify significantly the radiometric properties of the films in the solar and PAR wavelength range. Significant variations were recorded for the stabilised films in the LWIR wavelength range.