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In vitro culture Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris – callogenesis induction and micropropagation

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: In vitro culture Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris – callogenesis induction and micropropagation Authors: Marum, L.; Rodrigues, C.; Pires, R.C.; Faustino, A.; Marinho, C.; Santos, J.; Peixe, A.; Duarte, F. Editors: G. Colelli, A. Elia; D. Fatchurrahman Abstract: Cynara cardunculus L., a cross-pollinated species complex, has a high level of heterozygosity, giving rise to different phenotypes within populations when propagated by seed. Traditional vegetative propagation of cardoon by offshoot involves the destruction of the mother plant, dissemination of phytosanitary problems, and a low multiplication rate due to the limited number of offshoots produced by the mother plant. Micropropagation is a viable alternative method for large-scale production of selected disease-free plants. The main goal of this work was the study of two in vitro propagation methodologies, micropropagation by shoot tips and callogenesis induction, aiming to multiply disease-free plants of selected Portuguese genotypes. Leaves and offshoots of different genotypes were submitted to two disinfection protocols. For micropropagation from field offshoots, the MS medium combined with IBA and BAP was used, while for callogenesis from leaves, seven combinations of growth regulators (NAA, BAP, IBA, KIN) were studied. The disinfection procedure was important to minimize the contamination rates during the culture establishment phase by shoot tips. The explants overcoming this phase were then multiplicated and rooted. For callogenesis induction, a new protocol of cardoon genotypes was developed for further indirect organogenesis and secondary metabolites production. A higher callus formation was obtained in BAP:NAA (1:10 mg L -1 ) or BAP:NAA (1:2 mg L ) media. The type of leaves (young versus adult) seems to be determinant in callus initiation, considering a lower level of contamination obtained with young leaves. For callogenesis and micropropagation by shoot tips, the genotype type influenced the callus formation and induction stage of shoots, respectively. This study represents the first investigation into the in vitro propagation of Portuguese cardoon genotypes. Further studies are being conducted to increase the induction and rooting rates to implement this new knowledge in future cardoon breeding programs.

Sustainability assessment methodology for CA: The INSPIA model (alphanumeric data and graphical representations)

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Sustainability assessment methodology for CA: The INSPIA model (alphanumeric data and graphical representations) Authors: Triviño-Tarradas, P.; Basch, G.; et al. Abstract: The Initiative for Sustainable Productive Agriculture (INSPIA) project endorses best management practices (BMPs), mainly based on Conservation Agriculture (CA), to enhance the provision of ecosystem services through better stewardship of soil and water resources while ensuring high levels of productivity. This research presents the INSPIA methodology for the assessment of sustainability and for guiding farmers on strategic decision-making at the farm level, applicable to any kind of cropland (annual and permanent crops). The methodology is based on the application of 15 best management practices, which are evaluated through a set of 31 basic sustainability indicators that cover the economic, social and environmental sustainability dimensions. This set of sustainability indicators and BMPs were agreed by a panel of experts consisting of members of European universities and public research stations, representatives of non-profit making associations, members of public sector, technicians and farmers. The selection of sustainability indicators fulfils the three types of validation: design validation, output validation and end-use validation. Basic indicators are then grouped into 12 aggregated indicators, to build the final INSPIA composite index of sustainability. The INSPIA methodology provides farmers and advisers with a helpful tool to understand sustainability and which, to a certain extent, serves to improve performance toward sustainability. Results are presented through this methodology in three different graphical ways: a bar diagram with the whole set of basic indicator-values from 0 to 100; a pie chart representing the sustainability split in the aggregated indicators from 0 to 100; and a final sustainability index ranging from 0 to 100. In the medium and long term, the INSPIA methodology can help to monitor and assess agricultural and environmental policy implementation, as well as help improve its decision-making processes in the future.

Minimum tillage and no-tillage effects on VSA indicators at different pedoclimatic zones in Europe and China

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Minimum tillage and no-tillage effects on VSA indicators at different pedoclimatic zones in Europe and China Authors: Teixeira, F.; Basch, G.; et al. Abstract: Under the H2020 project iSQAPER, 29 sites with min-till and 12 with no-till practices were identified across 7 and 5 pedoclimatic zones, respectively. These fields/plots were paired with nearby control fields/plots, sharing similar farming features but cultivated using topsoil inversion tillage. All plots were georeferenced and in 2016 a visual soil assessment (VSA), with a convenient score system (poor, moderate and good), of various components of soil quality was conducted on the soils of all fields/plots, complemented by measurements of soil organic matter, labile organic carbon content, pH and texture. Climate variables and indices (mean annual temperature, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, aridity index, net primary production potential, and Gorczyński Continentality Index) were estimated using the software New_LocClim_1.10 for all locations. No-till fields/plots have a statistically significant higher proportion of good scores (p<0.05, chi-square test) with respect to soil structure and consistency, soil porosity, soil stability (slake test), and susceptibility to wind and water erosion when compared to control fields/plots; the strength of the effect, given by Crámer’s V for these VSA indicators, being V=0.85, 0.51, 0.43 and 0.43 respectively. The min-till group shows no statistically significant differences in VSA indicator scores with control fields/plots. Measured soil properties show no statistical difference between both conservation tillage groups and respective control groups. Due to an insufficient number of no-till sites further statistical analysis was performed only for the min-till and control groups. Spearman’s rank-correlation coefficients between VSA indicator scores and climate variables, within each group (min-till and control), show important differences between the two groups with respect to soil structure and consistency, porosity and colour. Correlation coefficients between VSA indicators scores and soil properties also show important differences between the two groups, especially the correlations of the VSA indicators soil structure and consistency, porosity, colour, susceptibility to erosion, and surface ponding, with one or more measured soil properties. We used Spearman’s rank-correlation to detect potential interactions between climate variables and soil properties, by calculating the correlations with VSA indicator scores within min-till and control groups. The potential interactions detected are distinct between min-till and Control. Despite the small sample (n=29 per group and missing data for some variables reduced n further (e.g. for soil organic matter n=13)), exploratory analysis using Linear Discriminant Analysis, show that an important error reduction in the scoring classification, in comparison to a random classification (prediction of the VSA indicators’ scores), can be achieved for most VSA indicators with few variables and/or interactions (e.g. presence of tillage pan, n=18, we achieved an error reduction of 83.3%, using penetration resistance and mean annual temperature as explanatory variables). We argue that min-till practices effects on VSA indicators scores, although not statistically different from those with conventional tillage, may have, at particular locations, a less negative impact on soil quality and soil conservation than conventional topsoil inversion practices; we also argue that a dataset with a higher number of records would allow the development of equations to accurately predict the effect of conservation tillage (no-till and min-till) and conventional tillage practices (topsoil inversion) on VSA indicator scores.

The role of Conservation Agriculture in the European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The role of Conservation Agriculture in the European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Authors: Basch, G. Abstract: European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) has been a factor highly influencing decision making by farmers and the way of farming. Historically, CAP was concentrated on the objectives of food provision, income support, affordable food and market regulation. In the last two decades, following intensification and overproduction, other objectives partially replaced the old ones and more attention was given to Rural Development, competitiveness of farming, environment and biodiversity. Amongst the proposed measures to achieve these objectives were mandatory minimum standards, agri-environmental or ‘greening’ measures schemes and, more recently, the so-called mission area on soil health and food, all of them to address today’s hotspots of the CAP policy framework, i.e. climate action, efficient management of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity and landscapes. The core strategies to tackle all these objectives in the recently defined CAP policy framework are summarized in documents and action plans named “European Green Deal”, “Farm to Fork Strategy”, European Mission on Soil Health and Food”, and “Biodiversity Strategy”. Despite referring positive and wishful approaches such as “Farming practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere … should be rewarded”, these documents are mostly omissive when it comes to concrete when it comes to concrete measures and practices to be named and capable to address not only one but most of the objectives outlined concomitantly. The simultaneous and continuous application of the principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA) has proven to be the most promising way forward to address effectively and efficiently the multiple challenges of food production, following a nature-based approach (minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and species diversity). However, to make CA a mainstream approach towards sustainable agriculture, consumers, civil society and farmers must learn what is needed to achieve soil health and thus true and holistic sustainability of food production. We also must recognize that productive and resource-efficient agriculture must be able to trust on the availability of safe inputs to be used responsibly. Above all in Europe, the considerable income support to the farming sector should clearly linked to the verifiable delivery of ecosystem services. Finally, an unbiased, objective appreciation of all pros and cons of the different farming approaches is needed to assess their conformity with the whole set of goals established and to be achieved within the best compromise possible.