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Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an oilseed species that can be grown as a semi-perennial in Mediterranean environments, including the coastal areas of Sicily. The present study investigated the optimization of cultivation techniques for castor, with the crop being maintained over a two-year period, through the evaluation of different agronomical inputs in order to increase seed yield. The effects of irrigation (I) and nitrogen fertilization (N) on the seed and oil yield and their components were assessed in castor cultivated in a typical semi-arid environment. Four levels of irrigation (I0, I30, I60, and I100: 0, 30, 60, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration—ETm restoration, respectively) as the main plot and three levels of nitrogen fertilization (N) (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha−1) as the sub-plot were considered. Irrigation mostly affected the number of racemes per plant, the number of capsules per raceme, and the seed weight. The oil content was, on average, 39.2% and 45.6% for the first and second year, respectively. The highest seed yield was obtained by I100N120 treatment (4154.0 kg ha−1); however, the combination of a high soil nitrogen level (N120) and medium water availability (I60) resulted in satisfactory seed and oil yields. The reduction in the irrigation water to an intermediate level could be also an environmentally friendly strategy not significantly affecting yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Iblei plateau (Sicily, Southern Italy) the native dairy cattle breed Modicana during the spring season grazes exclusively on natural pastures for the production of the Ragusano protected denomination of origin cheese. Along the grazing season, herbage undergoes to changes on protein, fibre and moisture content, affecting quality parameters such as plant carotenoids concentration, involved in the colour and nutritional characteristics of dairy products and potential biomarkers for authenticating fed green pasture-based diets. The aim of this work was to assess whether the cheese traceability index, based on the carotenoids spectra data elaboration, could be related to seasonal variations of floral composition and pasture quality. Four herbage and cheese samples were collected every two weeks in two representative farms of this area, from March to May 2013. Pasture characteristics as pastoral vegetation composition and pastoral value were analysed using the methodology developed for pastoral resources studies. Traceability index showed a significant positive correlation with pasture moisture and crude protein content (r=0.729* and 0.853**, respectively), while it was negatively correlated with fibre content (r=-0.719*). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fibre hemp can be grown under a wide range of agro-ecological conditions, but it requires special attention for several physiological features and crop management. A management strategy in order to reduce inputs and thus achieve acceptable yield could be achieved optimizing sowing time. With this respect, the effects of sowing date on hemp biology and yield was studied, using two monoecious and two dioecious genotypes. Field experiments were carried out in two subsequent years (2003–2004) in South of Italy, using drip irrigation system. Sowing time, in the two year period, ranged between March 10th and July 22nd. Optimal sowing time was observed between the end of April and the first three weeks of May; in that range, the dioecious Fibranova yielded the most in terms of aboveground biomass and stem dry yield, followed by Tiborszallasi, while the two monoecious showed the lowest yield. On the contrary, before and after that period, the shorter day length caused an early floral induction that strongly reduced stem and fibre elongation, and thus aboveground dry biomass and consequently stem yields. Based on this study a simulation model focusing on flowering prediction in Mediterranean environment was developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Monoecious and dioecious hemp were studied in Mediterranean semi-arid environment. [•] Later dioecious showed the highest aboveground and stem DM yield (tha−1) [•] WUE ranged between 2.73gl−1 in good water and 3.45gl−1 in water stress conditions. [•] Optimum of photosynthetic rate was achieved at 24°C. At 43°C hemp growth ceased. [•] As soil water availability increased, RUE increased and light extinction coefficient (k) decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]