Michele Falce

Adverse climatic dynamics in recent years have intensified the need for resilient and multifunctional agricultural systems that integrate productivity, ecological sustainability, and socio-economic viability. This study evaluates the harvesting performance of three cropping systems: intercropping of cardoon and safflower (IT) and monocultures of cardoon (DC) and safflower (DS). Field trials were conducted during three following growing seasons to assess key harvesting parameters, including working speed, effective field capacity, harvesting costs, biomass yield, seed yield, seed losses, and seed moisture content. DC demonstrated the better performance, with a working speed of 6.35 ha h⁻¹ and a field capacity of 2.56 ha h⁻¹, also resulting in the lowest harvesting cost (EUR 70.24 ha⁻¹). In contrast, IT exhibited the lowest performance and the highest cost (EUR 98.61 ha⁻¹). DS achieved the highest effective seed yield (1.394 Mg ha⁻¹), while IT produced the greatest biomass (22.96 Mg ha⁻¹). Seed losses were lowest in DS (0.020 Mg ha⁻¹) and highest in IT (0.425 Mg ha⁻¹). Moisture content ranged from 5.82% in DC to 9.40% in DS. These findings highlighted the trade-offs between productivity, efficiency, and system complexity, offering valuable insights into the comparative performance and sustainability of innovative cropping systems under changing climatic conditions.

Considering the increase in market requests for bio-products, it is necessary to study the possibility of cultivating industrial crops in areas still untapped to extend the total cultivation surface, reducing land competition with food crops. With this aim in mind, we studied the harvesting performance and cost, and seed losses of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivation during two growing seasons and in three different locations: (A) an agroforestry field, (B) a marginal field and (C) a dedicated field utilized as a control. The overall efficiency of the cultivation system was higher in location C in respect to the other two fields. The yield was 12–22% and 21–26% higher in location C compared to locations B and A, respectively, while seed losses were 40–33% and 28–50% lower in C compared to locations A and B, as well as the total harvesting costs, which were 45% and 31–35% lower in location C compared to locations A and B, respectively. Despite this, the results highlighted how the reduction in cultivation efficiency given by limiting factors was lower compared to that of other crops, highlighting the possibility of cultivating Safflower for bio-products’ production on alternative lands.

Mulching is one of the most recommended practices in agriculture due to its positive effects on the plant/soil system. Very few experiments have been conducted to date to investigate the effect of mulching, with both organic and inorganic materials, on tobacco. The main aim of this study was to test the synergic effect of a soil-biodegradable (according to standard EN17033) mulching film (the commercial Mater-Bi^®, Novamont SpA, Novara, Italy) and drip irrigation (M-D) compared with that of bare soil and sprinkler/drip irrigation (first/second part of the growing season; BS-SD) on a tobacco crop (Nicotiana tabacum L., flue-cured Virginia) grown in the Tiber Valley (the tobacco cultivation district of Central Italy). BS-SD represents the standard practice applied by tobacco growers in the study area. The plants grown under the M-D management system grew more and developed faster than the plants grown under BS-SD conditions. Under the M-D system, yields increased in comparison with the BS-SD conditions (+29%, on average). The gross revenue obtained via the M-D-cured products also increased (+63%, on average) thanks to higher prices assigned by expert evaluators on the basis of the extrinsic quality traits (color, structure and texture, degree of ripeness, elasticity, lamina integrity, handling defects, and vein incidence). The economic value of the cured products increased with the leaf crowns; it was the lowest in the basal (B) leaves and the highest in the middle-upper (MU) leaves. The intrinsic quality traits of the cured leaves (total N and nitrate contents, alkaloids, and reducing sugars) also confirmed that the best quality was found in the M-D-cured products, as determined by expert evaluation. Interestingly, the reducing sugar (RS) contents of tobacco obtained using the M-D management system were 2.5-, 1.1-, and 0.9-fold greater than those under the BS-SD conditions (B, M, and MU products, respectively). An additional commercial value of the cured products was thus obtained with the M-D crop management system due to RS, an intrinsic quality trait considered by manufacturing industries.

The effects of the co-location of energy production from a photovoltaic (PV) plant and aromatic crops (thyme, oregano, and Greek mountain tea) in a hot and dry environment have been investigated in Enel Green Power PV plant located in Kourtesi (Greece). The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the PV plant on microclimate, on soil temperature and water potential, and on the crops’ growth in a testing area (the corridors between two modules rows) compared to a full sunlight control area. The net radiation and of the wind speed recorded in the testing area showed a 44% and 38% reduction respectively, compared to the control area, while air temperature and relative humidity did not show any difference. Among crop/soil monitored parameters, cumulative reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the average soil temperature were found 29% and 8% lower in the testing area, conversely the soil water potential (SWP) was 34% higher compared to control area. No significant differences in the plant growth have been detected between testing and control areas, except for oregano whose weight was higher in testing area. The results suggest that in hot and dry climatic conditions, the reduction of climatic stress could compensate the decrease of photosynthesis due to the shading effect of the PV modules, thus not damaging crops’ growth.

Soybean meal is the most important protein source in beef cattle feeding. The research of alternative protein sources to replace soy use, avoiding negative effects on in vivo performance and on the product’s quality, is an important issue. In this context, cardoon represents a non-OGM resilient crop that can be cultivated in marginal lands for extracting its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) and whose and the residual meal from its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) could be a suitable by-product for animal feeding, due to its fairly high protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cardoon meal as an innovative protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period. Thirty-two bulls were divided into two groups and fed with a diet containing soybean meal (SG) or partially replacing soybean meal with cardoon meal as a protein source (CG), respectively. The feeding trial lasted about 11 months. Growth performances and meat physical–chemical traits were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, average daily gain, or in the main meat quality indicators, as well as in fatty acid profiles were found among the groups. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative to soybean meal in fattening Limousine bulls in order to enhance the sustainability of the farming system.

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s previsions show that by 2050 the world’s population will reach 9.6 billion people, and the request for a high value protein source will increase as well. Poultry can guarantee high value protein for humans, even in the poorest regions of the world. Hence, efficient poultry production is needed, matching with sustainable development. The residual meal from cardoon seed oil (used for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) is suitable for animal feeding due to its protein content. The aim of this preliminary study was to test for a possible use of cardoon meal as a protein source in a poultry diet during the finishing period. Forty-five Kabir chickens were divided into three groups and fed three diets in which soybean meal (control) was partially (16%) or completely replaced with cardoon meal as a protein source (treated groups). In vivo performances, animal welfare, dressing out and meat color were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, dressing out, nor in meat quality were found among groups. Moreover, birds that were fed cardoon meal showed lower perivisceral fat. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative for soybean meal in the finishing period in poultry feeding.