17The influence of irrigation doses on standard and high lycopene tomato varieties has

Cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis DC) belongs, together with globe artichoke (C. (cardunculus L. var. sylvestris L.) and wild cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var., sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori). to the family Asteraceae (Compositae). Cultivated cardoon is of regional importance in Italy. Spain and southern France, where it is used for the preparation of traditional dishes. It has been shown to have potential as a source of oil from its seeds, inulin from its roots and various biopharmaceuticals from its leaves. Levels of genetic diversity and relatedness between eleven Italian and 10 Spanish accessions were assessed by DNA profiling with eight AFLP primer combinations and at five microsatellite loci. The AFLP analysis of genetic similarities showed that the Spanish and Italian accessions represent two distinct gene pools; substantial variation was present within each accession. On the other hand a limited variation was detectable by applying SSR markers.

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13The effect of conventional integrated pest management and organic farming production 14 systems on the agronomic performance and quality of standard and high lycopene tomato cvs. 15 has been evaluated for two years in two of the main processing tomato producing areas of 16 Spain (Extremadura and Navarra). As an average, the production under organic farming was on 17 average 36% lower than in conventional integrated pest management. Organic farming tended 18show reduced contents of citric and glutamic acid. Although the contents in sugars were not 19 significantly affected, the ratios sucrose equivalents to citric and glutamic acid increased. 20Nevertheless, a strong influence of the environment and interactions were detected and under 21 certain conditions (e.g. Extremadura), organic farming may increase the contents in glucose 22and fructose. The levels of lycopene were not affected by the cultivation system, while beta-23 carotene contents were higher under organic farming. High lycopene cvs. 24424' registered the highest lycopene levels, but with 27.6% and 28.1% lower production 25 levels compared to 'H-9036', the cv. with the best agronomic performance. 'Kalvert', with high 26 accumulation of sugars and high ratios sucrose equivalents to citric and glutamic acid and high 27 lycopene contents would be an ideal material for supplying quality markets. 'H-9997' with 28 intermediated levels of lycopene accumulation proved to be a good material combining 29 production levels and functional quality. 'CXD-277' offered the higher values in variables 30 related with organoleptic quality with intermediate lycopene accumulation but with lower 31 production. 32 33

Degradable materials have been suggested to overcome accumulation in the field of persistent plastic residues associated with the increasing use of polyethylene mulches. New degradable materials have been proven successful for increasing crop productivity; however, their degradation in the field has been hardly addressed. A qualitative scale was used in the present study to assess the above-soil and in-soil degradation of degradable mulches during the cropping season. Degradation was determined in three biodegradable plastic mulches (Biofilm, BF; Mater-Bi, MB; Bioflex, BFx), two paper sheet mulches (Saikraft, PSA; MimGreen, PMG) and one oxo-degradable plastic mulch (Enviroplast, EvP). Polyethylene (PE) mulch was used as control. Mulches were tested in five Spanish locations (Castilla-La Mancha, La Rioja, Navarra, Aragón and Catalunya), with three crop seasons of processing tomato. Biodegradable plastic mulches BF and MB degraded more and faster above-soil than paper mulches; among biodegradable mulches BF degraded more than MB, and MB more than BFx. The above-soil degradation of the oxo-degradable mulch EvP was highly dependent on location and crop season, and it degraded more than PE. Main environmental factors triggering above-soil degradation were radiation, rainfall and crop cover. In-soil, paper mulches and BF degraded more and faster than MB, whereas BFx and EvP barely degraded. Environmental factors triggering in-soil degradation during the crop season were rainfall and irrigation water. The effect of soil parameters (organic matter, nutrient availability) on degradation during the cropping season was not evidenced. The qualitative scale used proved convenient for determining mulch field degradation. A visual scale for supporting the qualitative evaluation is provided. In order to standardise parameters and criteria for future studies on field mulching degradation evaluation, a unified degradation qualitative scale is suggested.