Danilo Scordia | Università di Catania (original) (raw)

Papers by Danilo Scordia

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The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of soil water availability and nitrogen fe... more The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of soil water availability and nitrogen fertilization on yield, water use efficiency and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) over four-year field experiment. After the year of establishment, three levels for each factor were studied in the following three years: I0 (irrigation only during the year of establishment), I1 (50% ETm restitution) and I2 (100% ETm restitution); N0 (0 kg N ha−1), N1 (60 kg N ha−1) and N2 (120 kg N ha−1). Irrigation and nitrogen effects resulted significant for stem height and leaf area index (LAI) before senescence, while no differences were observed for stem density and LAI at harvest. Aboveground biomass dry matter (DM) yield increased following the year of establishment in all irrigation and N fertilization treatments. It was always the highest in I2N2 (18.3, 28.8 and 28.9 t DM ha−1 at second, third and fourth year growing season, respectively). The lowest values were observed in I0N0 (11.0, 13.4 and 12.9 t DM ha−1, respectively). Water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly higher in the most stressed irrigation treatment (I0), decreasing in the intermediate (I1) and further in the highest irrigation treatment (I2). N fertilization lead to greater values of WUE in all irrigation treatment. The effect of N fertilization on agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was significant only at the first and second growing season. Giant reed was able to uptake water at 160–180 cm soil depth when irrigation was applied, while up to 140–160 cm under water stress condition. Giant reed appeared to be particularly suited to semi-arid Mediterranean environments, showing high yields even in absence of agro-input supply.

Italian Journal of Agronomy, 2014

In this paper the suitability of three perennial, herbaceous, lignocellulosic grasses (Arundo don... more In this paper the suitability of three perennial, herbaceous, lignocellulosic grasses (Arundo donax, Saccharum spontaneous spp. aegyptiacum and Miscanthus x giganteus) for the production of second-generation bioethanol in semi-arid Mediterranean environment was studied. Crops were established in spring 2002, supplying irrigation and nitrogen fertilization up to 2004/2005 growing season. Subsequently, crops were grown without any agronomic input and harvested annually. Data reported in this paper refers to 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 growing seasons. Aboveground dry matter (DM) yield was higher in Arundo (35.4±2.1 Mg ha -1 in 2009 and 32.2±1.9 Mg ha -1 in 2010 harvest) than in Saccharum (27.3±2.0 and 23.9±1.9 Mg ha -1 , respectively) and

Bioenergy crops are expected to play an important role in reducing CO2 emission, in energy supply... more Bioenergy crops are expected to play an important role in reducing CO2 emission, in energy supply and in European energy policy. However, a sustainable bioenergy supply must be resilient to climate change and the impacts on agriculture at both global and regional scale. The purpose of this study was to forecast the potential distribution of several bioenergy crops based on agronomic and environmental constrains under current conditions and future scenarios (2020 and 2030) in European Union. Potential biomass yield, according to the category end use product achievable in each environmental zone of Europe at present and in the future available land have been also studied. Future yields were assessed according to two factors: technological development and climate change: the former was based on prospect of DG-Agriculture for conventional crops and expert judgments for bioenergy crops, while the latter based on relevant research papers and literature reviews which used site-specific crop growth models. Yields are expected to increase in northern Europe due to climate change and technological development, while in southerneastern Europe the negative effect of climate change will be mitigated by the technological development. The estimated total biomass production in Europe, on the basis of future yields and surplus land made available for energy crops, may not be sufficient to meet the needs of bioenergy supply as claimed in the European directive 2009/28/EC.

Bioresource technology, 2010

Saccharum (Saccharum spontaneum L. ssp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack.), is a rapidly growing, wide r... more Saccharum (Saccharum spontaneum L. ssp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack.), is a rapidly growing, wide ranging high-yield perennial, suitable for second generation bioethanol production. This study evaluated oxalic acid as a pretreatment for bioconversion. Overall sugar yields, sugar degradation products, enzymatic glucan hydrolysis and ethanol production were studied as effects of temperature (150-190 degrees C), reaction time (10-40 min) and oxalic acid concentration 2-8% (w/w). Time and temperature were combined into a single parameter, Severity Factor (SF) [Log(R(0))], and related to oxalic acid using a response surface methodology. Maximum total sugar yield was attained at a SF of 2.93 and 6.79% (w/w) oxalic acid, while maximum formation of sugar degradation products was observed at the highest SF (4.05) and 5% (w/w) oxalic acid. These were also the conditions for maximum simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of the residual solids. Commercial cellulases and Saccharomyc...

Fibre hemp can be grown under a wide range of agro-ecological conditions, but it requires special... more 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.

In the present study two experiments, namely, (i) the adaptation and productivity of different he... more In the present study two experiments, namely, (i) the adaptation and productivity of different hempgenotypes, both monoecious and dioecious, developed in Central-Northern and Southern Europe, and (ii)the water consumption, water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), leaf transpiration andnet photosynthesis of Futura 75 hemp cultivar were studied. Experiments were carried out in SouthernItaly in two subsequent year periods. Sowing occurred in May in both years.Results show that fibre hemp, both monoecious and dioecious, performed well giving high productivity;however, fibre hemp needs almost 250 mm of water for monoecious early genotypes and 450 mm fordioecious late genotypes. Higher biomass and stem dry yields were achieved with genotypes developedfor Central-Southern environments, such as the dioecious Dioica 88 and Fibranova.In order to estimate the water consumption and WUE of Futura 75, four water regimes (I3, I2, I1and I0corresponding respectively to 100%, 50%, 25% ETm restoration and irrigation until crop establishment)were tested.Futura 75 was strongly affected by water shortage and the WUE ranged between 2.73 g l−1in goodwater conditions and 3.45 g l−1in water stress conditions. The highest light extinction coefficient (k) wasobserved in water stressed (0.58) than in good watered conditions (0.40). The water stress reduced RUE,LAI and therefore aboveground biomass yield.Air temperature strongly influenced net photosynthesis with an optimum at 24◦C; higher and lowervalues of air temperature led to a decrease of net photosynthesis.

Industrial Crops and Products, 2013

Giant reed was evaluated for enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentat... more Giant reed was evaluated for enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using a commercial cellulase/␤-glucosidase and Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis CBS 6054 for ethanol production following dilute-oxalic acid pretreatment. A response surface methodology with two input parameters -severity factor (SF) and oxalic acid concentration (OA) -was employed to optimize both enzymatic hydrolysis and SSF. Xylan content after dilute-OA pretreatment decreased with increasing SF and OA; almost complete hydrolysis was observed when the harsher pretreatment conditions were used. Glucan and lignin content showed an opposite trend with respect to xylan content after dilute-OA pretreatment. Accordingly, enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol production reached 95% of glucan conversion and 18 g l −1 (75.3% of the maximum theoretical ethanol yield), respectively, with the pretreatment condition 4.05 SF and 5% OA w/w. Dilute-OA mediated pretreatment of giant reed followed by coupled saccharification and fermentation can be considered a promising methodology for second generation bioethanol production.

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2013

Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting t... more Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited.

Biofuels, …, 2010

Modeling non-food cropping systems, which can be implemented alongside existing food crops system... more Modeling non-food cropping systems, which can be implemented alongside existing food crops systems, has been so far undertaken in many studies, with special focus on energy crops production on agricultural land.7–12 Different approaches, methods and datasets have been used, ...

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2011

Cellulose Ethanol SSF Fractionation a b s t r a c t Biomass pretreatment is essential to overcome... more Cellulose Ethanol SSF Fractionation a b s t r a c t Biomass pretreatment is essential to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose for ethanol production. In the present study we pretreated giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a perennial, rhizomatous lignocellulosic grass with dilute oxalic acid. The effects of temperature (170e190 C), acid loading (2e10% w/w) and reaction time (15e40 min) were handled as a single parameter, combined severity. We explored the change in hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin composition following pretreatment and glucan conversion after enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid residue. Two different yeast strains, Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis CBS 6054, which is a native xylose and cellobiose fermenter, and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis FPL-450, which does not ferment xylose or cellobiose, were used along with commercial cellulolytic enzymes in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).

Bioresource technology, 2010

In scale-up, the potential of ethanol production by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment using cornc... more In scale-up, the potential of ethanol production by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment using corncob was investigated. Pretreatments were performed at 170°C with various acid concentrations ranging from 0% to 1.656% based on oven dry weight. Following pretreatment, pretreated biomass yield ranged from 59% to 67%. More than 90% of xylan was removed at 0.828% of sulfuric acid. At same pretreatment condition, the highest glucose yield obtained from pretreated biomass by enzymatic hydrolysis was about 76%, based on a glucan content of 37/100 g. In hydrolysate obtained by pretreatment, glucose concentration was low, while xylose concentration was significantly increased above 0.368% of sulfuric acid. At 1.656% of sulfuric acid, xylose and glucose concentration was highest. In subsequent, fermentation with hydrolysate, maximal ethanol yield was attained after 24 h with 0.368% of sulfuric acid. The fermentation efficiency of hydrolysate obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis reached a maximum of 75% at an acid charge of 0.368%.

Industrial Crops and Products, 2014

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multiuse, multifunctional crop that provides raw material to a lar... more Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multiuse, multifunctional crop that provides raw material to a large number of traditional and innovative industrial applications. A relatively simple, low input cultivation technique and the sustainability of its products are the main drivers for a future expansion of the hemp crop. In Europe, the large political support of bioenergy in recent years has fuelled numerous studies on the potential cultivation of hemp for bioenergy production. In China the main drivers for a renewed interest in hemp are its traditional applications. For any given destination, the main target of hemp cultivation is the maximization of biomass production, but each end-use destination has specific quality requirements in terms of properties of the bast fibre, characteristics of the oil and proteins in the seeds, or profile of secondary metabolites in the inflorescence.

and sharing with colleagues.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of soil water availability and nitrogen fe... more The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of soil water availability and nitrogen fertilization on yield, water use efficiency and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) over four-year field experiment. After the year of establishment, three levels for each factor were studied in the following three years: I0 (irrigation only during the year of establishment), I1 (50% ETm restitution) and I2 (100% ETm restitution); N0 (0 kg N ha−1), N1 (60 kg N ha−1) and N2 (120 kg N ha−1). Irrigation and nitrogen effects resulted significant for stem height and leaf area index (LAI) before senescence, while no differences were observed for stem density and LAI at harvest. Aboveground biomass dry matter (DM) yield increased following the year of establishment in all irrigation and N fertilization treatments. It was always the highest in I2N2 (18.3, 28.8 and 28.9 t DM ha−1 at second, third and fourth year growing season, respectively). The lowest values were observed in I0N0 (11.0, 13.4 and 12.9 t DM ha−1, respectively). Water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly higher in the most stressed irrigation treatment (I0), decreasing in the intermediate (I1) and further in the highest irrigation treatment (I2). N fertilization lead to greater values of WUE in all irrigation treatment. The effect of N fertilization on agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was significant only at the first and second growing season. Giant reed was able to uptake water at 160–180 cm soil depth when irrigation was applied, while up to 140–160 cm under water stress condition. Giant reed appeared to be particularly suited to semi-arid Mediterranean environments, showing high yields even in absence of agro-input supply.

Italian Journal of Agronomy, 2014

In this paper the suitability of three perennial, herbaceous, lignocellulosic grasses (Arundo don... more In this paper the suitability of three perennial, herbaceous, lignocellulosic grasses (Arundo donax, Saccharum spontaneous spp. aegyptiacum and Miscanthus x giganteus) for the production of second-generation bioethanol in semi-arid Mediterranean environment was studied. Crops were established in spring 2002, supplying irrigation and nitrogen fertilization up to 2004/2005 growing season. Subsequently, crops were grown without any agronomic input and harvested annually. Data reported in this paper refers to 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 growing seasons. Aboveground dry matter (DM) yield was higher in Arundo (35.4±2.1 Mg ha -1 in 2009 and 32.2±1.9 Mg ha -1 in 2010 harvest) than in Saccharum (27.3±2.0 and 23.9±1.9 Mg ha -1 , respectively) and

Bioenergy crops are expected to play an important role in reducing CO2 emission, in energy supply... more Bioenergy crops are expected to play an important role in reducing CO2 emission, in energy supply and in European energy policy. However, a sustainable bioenergy supply must be resilient to climate change and the impacts on agriculture at both global and regional scale. The purpose of this study was to forecast the potential distribution of several bioenergy crops based on agronomic and environmental constrains under current conditions and future scenarios (2020 and 2030) in European Union. Potential biomass yield, according to the category end use product achievable in each environmental zone of Europe at present and in the future available land have been also studied. Future yields were assessed according to two factors: technological development and climate change: the former was based on prospect of DG-Agriculture for conventional crops and expert judgments for bioenergy crops, while the latter based on relevant research papers and literature reviews which used site-specific crop growth models. Yields are expected to increase in northern Europe due to climate change and technological development, while in southerneastern Europe the negative effect of climate change will be mitigated by the technological development. The estimated total biomass production in Europe, on the basis of future yields and surplus land made available for energy crops, may not be sufficient to meet the needs of bioenergy supply as claimed in the European directive 2009/28/EC.

Bioresource technology, 2010

Saccharum (Saccharum spontaneum L. ssp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack.), is a rapidly growing, wide r... more Saccharum (Saccharum spontaneum L. ssp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack.), is a rapidly growing, wide ranging high-yield perennial, suitable for second generation bioethanol production. This study evaluated oxalic acid as a pretreatment for bioconversion. Overall sugar yields, sugar degradation products, enzymatic glucan hydrolysis and ethanol production were studied as effects of temperature (150-190 degrees C), reaction time (10-40 min) and oxalic acid concentration 2-8% (w/w). Time and temperature were combined into a single parameter, Severity Factor (SF) [Log(R(0))], and related to oxalic acid using a response surface methodology. Maximum total sugar yield was attained at a SF of 2.93 and 6.79% (w/w) oxalic acid, while maximum formation of sugar degradation products was observed at the highest SF (4.05) and 5% (w/w) oxalic acid. These were also the conditions for maximum simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of the residual solids. Commercial cellulases and Saccharomyc...

Fibre hemp can be grown under a wide range of agro-ecological conditions, but it requires special... more 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.

In the present study two experiments, namely, (i) the adaptation and productivity of different he... more In the present study two experiments, namely, (i) the adaptation and productivity of different hempgenotypes, both monoecious and dioecious, developed in Central-Northern and Southern Europe, and (ii)the water consumption, water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), leaf transpiration andnet photosynthesis of Futura 75 hemp cultivar were studied. Experiments were carried out in SouthernItaly in two subsequent year periods. Sowing occurred in May in both years.Results show that fibre hemp, both monoecious and dioecious, performed well giving high productivity;however, fibre hemp needs almost 250 mm of water for monoecious early genotypes and 450 mm fordioecious late genotypes. Higher biomass and stem dry yields were achieved with genotypes developedfor Central-Southern environments, such as the dioecious Dioica 88 and Fibranova.In order to estimate the water consumption and WUE of Futura 75, four water regimes (I3, I2, I1and I0corresponding respectively to 100%, 50%, 25% ETm restoration and irrigation until crop establishment)were tested.Futura 75 was strongly affected by water shortage and the WUE ranged between 2.73 g l−1in goodwater conditions and 3.45 g l−1in water stress conditions. The highest light extinction coefficient (k) wasobserved in water stressed (0.58) than in good watered conditions (0.40). The water stress reduced RUE,LAI and therefore aboveground biomass yield.Air temperature strongly influenced net photosynthesis with an optimum at 24◦C; higher and lowervalues of air temperature led to a decrease of net photosynthesis.

Industrial Crops and Products, 2013

Giant reed was evaluated for enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentat... more Giant reed was evaluated for enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using a commercial cellulase/␤-glucosidase and Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis CBS 6054 for ethanol production following dilute-oxalic acid pretreatment. A response surface methodology with two input parameters -severity factor (SF) and oxalic acid concentration (OA) -was employed to optimize both enzymatic hydrolysis and SSF. Xylan content after dilute-OA pretreatment decreased with increasing SF and OA; almost complete hydrolysis was observed when the harsher pretreatment conditions were used. Glucan and lignin content showed an opposite trend with respect to xylan content after dilute-OA pretreatment. Accordingly, enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol production reached 95% of glucan conversion and 18 g l −1 (75.3% of the maximum theoretical ethanol yield), respectively, with the pretreatment condition 4.05 SF and 5% OA w/w. Dilute-OA mediated pretreatment of giant reed followed by coupled saccharification and fermentation can be considered a promising methodology for second generation bioethanol production.

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2013

Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting t... more Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited.

Biofuels, …, 2010

Modeling non-food cropping systems, which can be implemented alongside existing food crops system... more Modeling non-food cropping systems, which can be implemented alongside existing food crops systems, has been so far undertaken in many studies, with special focus on energy crops production on agricultural land.7–12 Different approaches, methods and datasets have been used, ...

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2011

Cellulose Ethanol SSF Fractionation a b s t r a c t Biomass pretreatment is essential to overcome... more Cellulose Ethanol SSF Fractionation a b s t r a c t Biomass pretreatment is essential to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose for ethanol production. In the present study we pretreated giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a perennial, rhizomatous lignocellulosic grass with dilute oxalic acid. The effects of temperature (170e190 C), acid loading (2e10% w/w) and reaction time (15e40 min) were handled as a single parameter, combined severity. We explored the change in hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin composition following pretreatment and glucan conversion after enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid residue. Two different yeast strains, Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis CBS 6054, which is a native xylose and cellobiose fermenter, and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis FPL-450, which does not ferment xylose or cellobiose, were used along with commercial cellulolytic enzymes in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).

Bioresource technology, 2010

In scale-up, the potential of ethanol production by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment using cornc... more In scale-up, the potential of ethanol production by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment using corncob was investigated. Pretreatments were performed at 170°C with various acid concentrations ranging from 0% to 1.656% based on oven dry weight. Following pretreatment, pretreated biomass yield ranged from 59% to 67%. More than 90% of xylan was removed at 0.828% of sulfuric acid. At same pretreatment condition, the highest glucose yield obtained from pretreated biomass by enzymatic hydrolysis was about 76%, based on a glucan content of 37/100 g. In hydrolysate obtained by pretreatment, glucose concentration was low, while xylose concentration was significantly increased above 0.368% of sulfuric acid. At 1.656% of sulfuric acid, xylose and glucose concentration was highest. In subsequent, fermentation with hydrolysate, maximal ethanol yield was attained after 24 h with 0.368% of sulfuric acid. The fermentation efficiency of hydrolysate obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis reached a maximum of 75% at an acid charge of 0.368%.

Industrial Crops and Products, 2014

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multiuse, multifunctional crop that provides raw material to a lar... more Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multiuse, multifunctional crop that provides raw material to a large number of traditional and innovative industrial applications. A relatively simple, low input cultivation technique and the sustainability of its products are the main drivers for a future expansion of the hemp crop. In Europe, the large political support of bioenergy in recent years has fuelled numerous studies on the potential cultivation of hemp for bioenergy production. In China the main drivers for a renewed interest in hemp are its traditional applications. For any given destination, the main target of hemp cultivation is the maximization of biomass production, but each end-use destination has specific quality requirements in terms of properties of the bast fibre, characteristics of the oil and proteins in the seeds, or profile of secondary metabolites in the inflorescence.