Maria Gonnella | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) (original) (raw)
Papers by Maria Gonnella
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1997
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1999
Advances in Horticultural Science
Acta Horticulturae, 2001
Grouped under the name of rocket salad a number of species of the Brassicaceae family belong to t... more Grouped under the name of rocket salad a number of species of the Brassicaceae family belong to the Eruca Miller and Diplotaxis DC genera. The popularity of rocket as a leafy vegetable is because of the spicy hot taste of its leaves which are used as garnish salads, snacks, and a large variety of meals. Rocket has a short production cycle and can accumulate large amounts of nitrate in leaves (up to 10 g/kg fresh weight), a compound believed to be potentially toxic to human health. This paper reports on a number of soilless trials carried out on rocket salad to evaluate the effect of species, light, temperature, N level (1, 4, and 8 mM), N form ratio (NH4+:NO3-= 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100), and withdrawal of N some days before harvest on nitrate accumulation and yield. In order to reduce NO3- in rocket without affecting yield the following conclusions are made: 1) remove part of leaf petioles; 2) remove part or all of the nitrate nitrogen from the nutrient solution a few days before harvesting; 3) use nutrient solutions with NO3-N and NH4-N rather than nitrate nitrogen only.
Protecting the environment by improving the crop-system nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) while m... more Protecting the environment by improving the crop-system nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) while maximising yield and quality is a primary challenge for modern agriculture, and understanding the processes that govern N fluxes in the plant-soil system is essential to improve NUE. An on-farm study was conducted over two fall-winter seasons to evaluate the NUE, agronomical and physiological response of romaine (var. longifolia, cv Manavert) and red oak-leaf (var. crispa, cv Aruba) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to different N-rates (0, 60, 120, 180 kg ha –1 of N). Nitrogen rate influenced all tested parameters, including plant fresh and dry weight, N accumulation, leaf NO3 – and dry matter content, NUE indices, N nutrition index (NNI), soil residual N and the estimated N losses at the end of the crop season. Fresh yield, dry weight and N-accumulation response to N rate were influenced by lettuce genotype. Manavert had higher N recovery, NUE, and lower leaf NO3 – concentration than Aruba. Analysing the NNI overtime, 120 kg ha –1 of N assured an optimal N status in both Manavert and Aruba, while N deficiency and excess were observed at lower and higher N-rates, respectively. An empirical relationship was observed between NNI and leaf NO3 – concentration , suggesting that leaf NO3 – concentration may be used to predict NNI and thus the crop N status. The relationship between NNI and leaf NO3 – concentration may be used to define optimal leaf NO3 – concentration ranges for the rapid and site-specific assessment of the crop N status, and the dynamic adjustment of N-fertil-isation, contributing to improve crop NUE, minimise N-losses, and optimise yield and quality of lettuce crops.
A 2-yr field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium cyanamide as an alternative n... more A 2-yr field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium cyanamide as an alternative nitrogen (N) fertilizer source on N use efficiency (NUE), yield, and quality of two types of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), romaine (var. longifolia, cv. Manavert) and red oak-leaf (var. crispa, cv. Aruba), grown on clay soil under a Mediterranean environment. Pretransplanting application of 120 kg ha–1 of N as calcium cyanamide (120CC) was compared with a traditional split application of 120 kg ha–1 of soluble N (120SN) consisting of 50% ammonium sulfate applied before transplanting and 50% as ammonium nitrate applied after transplanting. An unfertilized control (0-N) was included to calculate NUE indices. At harvest leaf area index, dry weight, fresh yield, dry matter concentration, and NUE indices were not affected by the N source. Leaf nitrate (NO3–) content was on average 55 and 41% higher in Aruba than in Manavert in the first (Exp-1) and second (Exp-2) season, respectively. Plants fertilized with 120CC had lower leaf NO3– content (41 and 18% in Aruba and 70 and 21% in Manavert in Exp-1 and Exp-2, respectively) compared with those fertilized with 120SN. These results suggest calcium cyanamide may be used as an effective tool to reduce leaf NO3– accumulation and to produce high-quality lettuce in compliance with European Regulation No. 1258/2011 while assuring competitive yields.
Acta Horticulturae, 2004
ABSTRACT Small-size leafy vegetables can be profitably cultivated in floating system all year rou... more ABSTRACT Small-size leafy vegetables can be profitably cultivated in floating system all year round to obtain ready-to-use vegetables. In the present study two cultivars of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr.) were used: 'Baikal' and 'Valerianella a seme grosso di Olanda', both characterised by long and pale green leaves and suitability for greenhouse growing. The growing set-up consisted of benches containing the nutrient solution and floating boards to support the plants. A density of 1200 plants m-3 was adopted. Approximately 50 days after sowing fresh leaf production was 1900 g m-2, with a dry matter content of 7.5 g 100 g fresh weight (fw)-1. Nitrate content was nearly 4000 mg kg fw-1. The replacement of the nutrient solution with rain water three days before harvesting resulted in nitrate reduction in leaves by one third. Moreover, the obtained product had no discarded parts, substrate or pesticide residues. In the management of the nutrient solution the usual pH increase due to NO3--N absorption was recorded and continuous correction with acids was needed. The permanence of the nutrient solution in the tanks or benches for a long time proved to diminish oxygen level in the nutrient solution. This aspect is crucial in the high growth phase when solution enrichment with oxygen is needed by recirculating the solution between the benches and the relevant tanks or by insufflating air in the nutrient solution. The daily water consumption increased with increasing growth. Total water consumption was 51 L/m3.
Advances in Horticultural Science
The Catalogna chicory (Cichorium intybus L., catalogna group), also referred as chicory "asp... more The Catalogna chicory (Cichorium intybus L., catalogna group), also referred as chicory "asparagus" or "puntarelle", is a traditional product in the Puglia region (Italy), both for cultivation and consumption as raw or cooked. There are similar populations in Lazio (Catalogna chicory “Frastagliata di Gaeta”) and in Veneto (Catalogna chicory “Gigante di Chioggia”). These chicory groups are very limited in diffusion, and are eaten above all as raw vegetables or in salads mixed with oil, garlic and anchovies (typical recipe of Lazio region). For the Puglia cultivation of chicory asparagus are primarily used both Molfetta and Galatina types. The crop grows during a winter cycle of nine months from seed or transplant (in November) to harvest (in April). This is allowed by scalar transplant and ripening (inside the same plot); Molfetta population (more resistant to cold) is cultivated before Galatina (more susceptible to cold). These populations were evaluated and desc...
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a common weed that grows all over the world and is one of the... more Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a common weed that grows all over the world and is one of the most widespread weed species in summer crops. However, it has great potential to become a new crop since its identification as one of the best plant sources ofω-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid, as well as some antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and glutathione). Several other features distinguish this species: high content of crude protein, water-soluble polysaccharides useful as gums, and good tolerance to salinity. This review summarizes purslane’s origin, botanical, and physiological features while its nutritional and medical properties are reported in reference to several studies carried out on its chemical properties. Finally, its cultivation potential is discussed and future uses are proposed for this species, mainly as a component in ready-to-use vegetables (especially in mixed packaging) but also for other cultivation purposes.
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1997
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1999
Advances in Horticultural Science
Acta Horticulturae, 2001
Grouped under the name of rocket salad a number of species of the Brassicaceae family belong to t... more Grouped under the name of rocket salad a number of species of the Brassicaceae family belong to the Eruca Miller and Diplotaxis DC genera. The popularity of rocket as a leafy vegetable is because of the spicy hot taste of its leaves which are used as garnish salads, snacks, and a large variety of meals. Rocket has a short production cycle and can accumulate large amounts of nitrate in leaves (up to 10 g/kg fresh weight), a compound believed to be potentially toxic to human health. This paper reports on a number of soilless trials carried out on rocket salad to evaluate the effect of species, light, temperature, N level (1, 4, and 8 mM), N form ratio (NH4+:NO3-= 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100), and withdrawal of N some days before harvest on nitrate accumulation and yield. In order to reduce NO3- in rocket without affecting yield the following conclusions are made: 1) remove part of leaf petioles; 2) remove part or all of the nitrate nitrogen from the nutrient solution a few days before harvesting; 3) use nutrient solutions with NO3-N and NH4-N rather than nitrate nitrogen only.
Protecting the environment by improving the crop-system nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) while m... more Protecting the environment by improving the crop-system nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) while maximising yield and quality is a primary challenge for modern agriculture, and understanding the processes that govern N fluxes in the plant-soil system is essential to improve NUE. An on-farm study was conducted over two fall-winter seasons to evaluate the NUE, agronomical and physiological response of romaine (var. longifolia, cv Manavert) and red oak-leaf (var. crispa, cv Aruba) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to different N-rates (0, 60, 120, 180 kg ha –1 of N). Nitrogen rate influenced all tested parameters, including plant fresh and dry weight, N accumulation, leaf NO3 – and dry matter content, NUE indices, N nutrition index (NNI), soil residual N and the estimated N losses at the end of the crop season. Fresh yield, dry weight and N-accumulation response to N rate were influenced by lettuce genotype. Manavert had higher N recovery, NUE, and lower leaf NO3 – concentration than Aruba. Analysing the NNI overtime, 120 kg ha –1 of N assured an optimal N status in both Manavert and Aruba, while N deficiency and excess were observed at lower and higher N-rates, respectively. An empirical relationship was observed between NNI and leaf NO3 – concentration , suggesting that leaf NO3 – concentration may be used to predict NNI and thus the crop N status. The relationship between NNI and leaf NO3 – concentration may be used to define optimal leaf NO3 – concentration ranges for the rapid and site-specific assessment of the crop N status, and the dynamic adjustment of N-fertil-isation, contributing to improve crop NUE, minimise N-losses, and optimise yield and quality of lettuce crops.
A 2-yr field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium cyanamide as an alternative n... more A 2-yr field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium cyanamide as an alternative nitrogen (N) fertilizer source on N use efficiency (NUE), yield, and quality of two types of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), romaine (var. longifolia, cv. Manavert) and red oak-leaf (var. crispa, cv. Aruba), grown on clay soil under a Mediterranean environment. Pretransplanting application of 120 kg ha–1 of N as calcium cyanamide (120CC) was compared with a traditional split application of 120 kg ha–1 of soluble N (120SN) consisting of 50% ammonium sulfate applied before transplanting and 50% as ammonium nitrate applied after transplanting. An unfertilized control (0-N) was included to calculate NUE indices. At harvest leaf area index, dry weight, fresh yield, dry matter concentration, and NUE indices were not affected by the N source. Leaf nitrate (NO3–) content was on average 55 and 41% higher in Aruba than in Manavert in the first (Exp-1) and second (Exp-2) season, respectively. Plants fertilized with 120CC had lower leaf NO3– content (41 and 18% in Aruba and 70 and 21% in Manavert in Exp-1 and Exp-2, respectively) compared with those fertilized with 120SN. These results suggest calcium cyanamide may be used as an effective tool to reduce leaf NO3– accumulation and to produce high-quality lettuce in compliance with European Regulation No. 1258/2011 while assuring competitive yields.
Acta Horticulturae, 2004
ABSTRACT Small-size leafy vegetables can be profitably cultivated in floating system all year rou... more ABSTRACT Small-size leafy vegetables can be profitably cultivated in floating system all year round to obtain ready-to-use vegetables. In the present study two cultivars of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr.) were used: 'Baikal' and 'Valerianella a seme grosso di Olanda', both characterised by long and pale green leaves and suitability for greenhouse growing. The growing set-up consisted of benches containing the nutrient solution and floating boards to support the plants. A density of 1200 plants m-3 was adopted. Approximately 50 days after sowing fresh leaf production was 1900 g m-2, with a dry matter content of 7.5 g 100 g fresh weight (fw)-1. Nitrate content was nearly 4000 mg kg fw-1. The replacement of the nutrient solution with rain water three days before harvesting resulted in nitrate reduction in leaves by one third. Moreover, the obtained product had no discarded parts, substrate or pesticide residues. In the management of the nutrient solution the usual pH increase due to NO3--N absorption was recorded and continuous correction with acids was needed. The permanence of the nutrient solution in the tanks or benches for a long time proved to diminish oxygen level in the nutrient solution. This aspect is crucial in the high growth phase when solution enrichment with oxygen is needed by recirculating the solution between the benches and the relevant tanks or by insufflating air in the nutrient solution. The daily water consumption increased with increasing growth. Total water consumption was 51 L/m3.
Advances in Horticultural Science
The Catalogna chicory (Cichorium intybus L., catalogna group), also referred as chicory "asp... more The Catalogna chicory (Cichorium intybus L., catalogna group), also referred as chicory "asparagus" or "puntarelle", is a traditional product in the Puglia region (Italy), both for cultivation and consumption as raw or cooked. There are similar populations in Lazio (Catalogna chicory “Frastagliata di Gaeta”) and in Veneto (Catalogna chicory “Gigante di Chioggia”). These chicory groups are very limited in diffusion, and are eaten above all as raw vegetables or in salads mixed with oil, garlic and anchovies (typical recipe of Lazio region). For the Puglia cultivation of chicory asparagus are primarily used both Molfetta and Galatina types. The crop grows during a winter cycle of nine months from seed or transplant (in November) to harvest (in April). This is allowed by scalar transplant and ripening (inside the same plot); Molfetta population (more resistant to cold) is cultivated before Galatina (more susceptible to cold). These populations were evaluated and desc...
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a common weed that grows all over the world and is one of the... more Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a common weed that grows all over the world and is one of the most widespread weed species in summer crops. However, it has great potential to become a new crop since its identification as one of the best plant sources ofω-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid, as well as some antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and glutathione). Several other features distinguish this species: high content of crude protein, water-soluble polysaccharides useful as gums, and good tolerance to salinity. This review summarizes purslane’s origin, botanical, and physiological features while its nutritional and medical properties are reported in reference to several studies carried out on its chemical properties. Finally, its cultivation potential is discussed and future uses are proposed for this species, mainly as a component in ready-to-use vegetables (especially in mixed packaging) but also for other cultivation purposes.
Nitrate in Leafy Vegetables: Toxicity and Safety Measures, Aug 2013
Vegetables constitute a major dietary source of nitrate, contributing to the daily dietary intake... more Vegetables constitute a major dietary source of nitrate, contributing to the daily dietary intake for a percentage ranging from 30 to 94%. Although nitrate itself is relatively non-toxic, or even beneficial, the possible harmful effects of nitrate derived compounds on human health arouse public concern and have led to the development of government regulations and monitoring programs aimed at protecting the public health. In this perspective, have been set an acceptable daily intake for nitrates and maximum levels of nitrate content for several vegetables, paying particular attention to some leafy vegetables, characterized by a high capacity to accumulate nitrates. This chapter focuses on the main factors concerning nitrate accumulation in vegetables and their contribution to nitrate intake in the human diet, taking into account the recent EU Regulation No. 1258/2011 and the Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food chain (CONTAM) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
La concimazione azotata degli ortaggi (a cura di Incrocci L., Dimauro B., Santamaria P., Pardossi A.), 121-140. , Sep 20, 2013