No abstract

No abstract

Evaluating the economic damage caused by soil erosion is important. In addition to increasing the awareness of the problem among farmers and policy makers, evaluation of the economic damage caused by erosion can promote the implementation of more sustainable soil management practices. In the present study, we describe a new approach to evaluate incentives for the adoption of agri-environment measure (AEM) in degraded and eroded vineyards. To estimate this incentive, the replacement cost (RC) and the loss of income are calculated when the vineyard is managed with conventional tillage versus a cover crop (AEM). Our findings show that the incentive could range from the loss of income due to AEM adoption to the ecosystem service benefit (RCC-RCAEM). In our case study, the incentive ranged from 315Euroha(-1) (loss of income) to 1,088Euroha(-1) (ecosystem service benefit). Within this range, the incentive amount is determined according to efficiency criteria based on vineyard slope. We also present a conceptual model of public spending efficiency that should help policy makers decide how to allocate the incentives so as to maximize the economic return associated with ecosystem services

No abstract

Dr Daniela Barbera, for help with the triangle tests. We thank Dr Antonio Sparacio and the oenologist Salvatore Sparla for help with the Merlot and Nero d'Avola grapes. We also acknowledge the "Valle dell'Acate" winery for help with the Frappato grapes. Funds for this work were provided through an intramural grant of the IRVO

(2015) Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), Arboricultural Journal, 37:3,[180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195] To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071375.2015.1112163 Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is regarded as invasive within urban and natural areas worldwide. Efficient methods to control it are significantly needed if we are to limit its well-known environmental and economic impacts. Up to now the use of herbicides has proven necessary since following mechanical damage, Ailanthus vigorously resprouts. However, the seasonal response of Ailanthus stems, treated with herbicides, has never been assessed. We compared the control efficacy recorded in autumn, winter and summer in an abandoned suburban citrus grove in Sicily, under Mediterranean-climate conditions. Glyphosate was injected within drill holes made in knee-high cut trees. Tree mortality and the resprouting ability of treated stems were significantly affected by the application timing and by diameter class of stems. Mortality was significantly lower in winter treatments within the smaller diameter class. Within the larger diameter class, only autumn treatments showed a notably higher mortality rate and a significantly lower growth of sprouts. Hence, autumn interventions are strongly recommended to effectively treat Ailanthus. Mortality was notably higher in the smaller diameter class. Our results confirm the importance of early intervention to control Ailanthus, also showing that the choice of the season is crucial to obtaining satisfactory control of its resprouting ability.

The almond industry in Italy represents a high degree of structural variability that is determined and sometimes jeopardized by the coexistence of old, traditional orchards and new plantations that differ from each other not only in terms of age but also orchard systems. Apulia and Sicily remain the most important production areas where 90% of the almond orchards are concentrated. In this southern part of Italy, almond and its derivatives still remain very important. In the last two decades, the Italian almond industry did not show a regular trend, neither with respect to production nor to acreage. An innovative almond industry revealed its consistency year after year since 2000. Self-fertile cultivars, clonal rootstocks and new planting designs optimized for mechanization were the most important technical aspects which revealed a new way to set up almond orchards. As a matter of fact, the Italian almond industry is still characterized by two strongly different structures: a traditional one based upon old cultivars and orchard systems often with unsatisfactory yields, and an innovative one which is very interesting and appears to be able to partially renew the sector. Technical aspects on this new way to obtain innovative almond orchards and their perspectives are reported here primarily in terms of technical choices.

Background and Aims: Some wineries, in order to promote the growth of yeasts able to ferment grape musts, traditionally produce wines using the 'pied de cuve' method. The aim of the present work was to study the performance of fortified pied de cuve (FPdC) prepared by addition of wine. Method and Results: Two FPdCs were prepared with the addition of wine at 1.5 and 3% (v/v) of ethanol to the musts and allowed to spontaneously ferment. The FPdCs were then added to fresh bulk musts in order to accelerate the spontaneous alcoholic fermentation (AF). Interestingly, several Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated during the pied de cuve preparation were detected at the highest concentration throughout AF. The chemical composition of the wines conformed to commercial regulations. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were mainly represented by diethyl succinate and ethyl lactate, as well as by hexanol and isoamyl alcohol. Principal component analysis of the chemical parameters, VOCs and sensory data showed that the use of experimental pied de cuve influenced positively the composition of the final wines. Conclusion: The FPdC had no negative impact on the microbiological and chemical composition of wines, but it affected the diversity of the species S. cerevisiae present during AF and the sensory profile of the final wine. Significance of the Study: This study provided evidence that FPdC accelerates spontaneous AF and influences the sensory profile of red wines.