A modification of the technique of etiolation and blanching, using Velcro adhesive strips as blan... more A modification of the technique of etiolation and blanching, using Velcro adhesive strips as blanching material, was used as a pretreatment to improve rooting percentage of some Quercus species. Softwood cuttings from stock plants of different age, grown both indoor and outdoor and stem cuttings from seedlings of different origin, were taken to determine the relative benefit of each treatment. Part of the cuttings was treated with an inoculum of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. An additional trial was conducted on stoolbeds applying girdling, banding and IBA on young suckers of two different species of oak. Rooting ranged from almost 0% in the outdoor trial on adult plants to 98.8% in Q. mongolica stem cuttings from seedlings. Rooting strongly decreased with the age of the mother plants and was also species- and ecotype-dependant. The effect of the initial stock plant treatments did not show significant influence on rooting percentage while the number and length of the new roots were, in g...
Molecular mechanisms that are the base of the strategies adopted by Mediterranean plants to cope ... more Molecular mechanisms that are the base of the strategies adopted by Mediterranean plants to cope with the challenges imposed by limited or excessive solar radiation during the summer season have received limited attention. In our study, conducted on C. incanus plants growing in the shade or in full sunlight, we performed measurements of relevant physiological traits, such as leaf water potential, gas exchange and PSII photochemistry, RNA-Seq with de-novo assembly, and the analysis of differentially expressed genes. We also identified and quantified photosynthetic pigments, abscisic acid, and flavonoids. Here, we show major mechanisms regulating light perception and signaling which, in turn, sustain the shade avoidance syndrome displayed by the ‘sun loving’ C. incanus. We offer clear evidence of the detrimental effects of excessive light on both the assembly and the stability of PSII, and the activation of a suite of both repair and effective antioxidant mechanisms in sun-adapted lea...
... Milan Univ. (Italy). Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree),Colugnati, G. (Centro Pilota per la Vi... more ... Milan Univ. (Italy). Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree),Colugnati, G. (Centro Pilota per la Vitivinicoltura, Gorizia (Italy)),Altissimo, A. (Studi Agronomi Associati, Vicenza (Italy)),Filippetti, I. (Bologna Univ. (Italy). Centro Interdipartimentale ...
The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of integrating tools currently used for ... more The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of integrating tools currently used for assessments of tree decay in the urban environment with innovative techniques used in other fields and industries for various applications, such as quality control, environmental ...
To verify the responses of visible foliar injury (VFI), we exposed seedlings of three oak species... more To verify the responses of visible foliar injury (VFI), we exposed seedlings of three oak species for 4.5 months in an open air facility, using differing ozone (O3) and drought treatments: O3 (three levels from ambient to ×1.4 ambient), and drought (three levels of irrigation from 40% to 100% field capacity). We related the accumulated phytotoxic O3 dose (POD1) and cumulative drought index (CDI) to the O3 and drought VFI and assessed growth increment (height, diameter, leaf number), biomass (of all organs), and physiological parameters: net photosynthesis per plant (Pn), photosynthetic nitrogen (PNUE) and phosphorus use efficiency (PPUE)). The results indicated that an increase in POD1 promoted O3 VFI in Quercus robur and Quercus pubescens, while Quercus ilex was asymptomatic. The POD1-based critical level at the onset of O3 VFI was lower for Q. robur than for Q. pubescens (12.2 vs. 15.6 mmol m−2 POD1). Interestingly, drought reduced O3 VFI in Q. robur but increased it in Q. pubesce...
The goal of this work was to assess the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and deficit irrigation... more The goal of this work was to assess the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and deficit irrigation applied in the nursery on the post-transplant growth and physiology of Acer campestre L. and Tilia cordata Mill. For this purpose, 144 preconditioned plants were planted in an experimental plot in northern Italy and were monitored for three growing seasons. Controlled inoculation in the nursery enhanced the root colonization rate three years after transplanting only in Acer campestre. Inoculated Acer campestre showed higher survival, shoot length, turgor potential and leaf gas exchange than non-inoculated plants throughout the experiment. By contrast, in Tilia cordata, no difference in root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi was observed between plants inoculated or not in the nursery three years after transplanting. Indeed, the survival, growth and physiology of Tilia cordata after transplanting were little affected by inoculation. Deficit irrigation in the nursery determined higher sur...
The influence of fertilization on shoot growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and ... more The influence of fertilization on shoot growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and mineral content was monitored on sweetgum (Liquidambar stryraciflua L.), Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum Schott), and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) over a 3-year period after planting in the urban environment. The research was carried out on newly planted trees that were placed in different urban sites and fertilized after planting. Fertilization was repeated for 2 years after planting at the beginning of the spring. There were contrasting results according to the species and the year of measurements. Fertilization was to a limited extent effective in the first year after planting but failed to provide better results in the following years. Thus, the results of this research do not support the utility of fertilizer application as a method to improve plant establishment, growth, or physiology after transplanting in the urban environment.
The many-faceted relationships that exist between plants and humans play an integral role on the ... more The many-faceted relationships that exist between plants and humans play an integral role on the development of our civilisation that goes merely beyond some productive aspects, involving other scientific sectors like anthropology, ethnobotany, geography, art and environmental sciences and, above all, the group of social sciences like psychology and sociology. Comprehension of the psychological, physiological and social responses of people towards plants can be a valid tool for the improvement of physical and psychic conditions, both of single individuals and of whole communities. Though some very ancient references are present in the literature, the study of these aspects of fundamental importance has stimulated the interest of several researchers mainly in the last 10-15 years, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries and the United States, producing, as a consequence, a substantial bibliography, So-called horticultural therapy is not a new therapy. It can be done at home, in either public or private gardens, in green spaces or in structures for the cultivation of plants attached to hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and hospices. It has, therefore, great flexibility and, probably, its great therapeutic value resides in the fact that it can be a preventive medicine and a therapy of support to traditional medical treatments, contributing to the harmonic exploitation of residual potentialities and to a more structurally defined personality of the patient.
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants int... more Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants into the atmosphere. These compounds have a great effect on biosphere–atmosphere interactions and may affect the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, with further consequences on human health and forest ecosystems. Novel methods to measure and determine BVOCs in the atmosphere are of compelling importance considering the ongoing climate changes. In this study, we developed a fast and easy-to-handle analytical methodology to sample these compounds in field experiments using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers at the atmospheric level. An improvement of BVOCs adsorption from SPME fibers was obtained by coupling the fibers with fans to create a dynamic sampling system. This innovative technique was tested sampling Q. ilex BVOCs in field conditions in comparison with the conventional static SPME sampling technique. The results showed a great potential of this dynamic sampling system t...
Abstract Urban trees can play a crucial role in developing sustainable, safe and resilient cities... more Abstract Urban trees can play a crucial role in developing sustainable, safe and resilient cities, but at the same time they can pose risks. The study deals with a procedure able to quantify the risk that a tree subjected to the action of a windstorm, without or with ongoing precipitations (a rainstorm), can cause by falling on potential targets located over its area of influence. The procedure has a modular structure: it is based on the combination of four components (hazard, exposure, vulnerability and damage) that can be developed and/or adapted to different case studies by maintaining the same configuration. Two concepts are introduced and discussed: the “Scale”, concerning the spatial extension over which the analysis is performed, and the “Degree of Knowledge” (DoK), on the accuracy devoted to estimate each component involved in the risk definition. Firstly, each procedure component is described, and the principles behind its division in four DoKs are explained. Then, the risk-analysis procedure is tested by means of a practical example. Results obtained with different DoKs in defining the hazard component are compared and discussed. The procedure is able to quantify the risk, but the lack of literature data seems to affect its reliability. Thus, aiming at the development of a tool as less subjective as possible, some topics where further research is needed are identified.
There is no doubt that metropolitan areas are, and will increasingly be, the engines of economic ... more There is no doubt that metropolitan areas are, and will increasingly be, the engines of economic growth and fertile grounds for the development of technology, creativity and innovation and this will need a shift in the future cities planning and management especially regarding the increase in green areas. This must be done through a regeneration process that can only refer to the 17 objectives of sustainable development (UN, 2019) that are frequently neglected in regeneration programs and this is likely to result in unsustainable urban renewal in many cities. Three main challenges for sustainable urban regeneration can be identified:- environmental (climate change, carbon emissions and use of resources), - social (inequality, cohesion and health), - institutional (governance). We need to promote the start of a real "green revolution", a revolution that, through the increase in plant cover, will make our cities a better place, doing it with an inclusive approach. The "...
It is well known that, at present, more than a half of the world population live in the built-up ... more It is well known that, at present, more than a half of the world population live in the built-up areas (in Europe almost 80%) and the urbanization trend will continue as the population increases and more people will live in large cities. In this scenario arboriculture and urban forestry should have a main role in the effort to manage urbanization and to create livable cities and it is certain that all green areas, starting from the single tree specimens to periurban forests which, in some way, recall the "concept of nature", can fulfil a paramount function in improving life quality and in reaching the minimal threshold for human well-being. What is going to happen next - over 10-15 years - will obviously be of the greatest interest to all people concerned with urban environment. This latter poses some constraints to tree growth and survival: drought, poor soil quality and compaction, pollutants, salinity, pathogens, light heterogeneity, and conflicts with human activities often cause premature plant death or limit plant growth, thus reducing the net benefit by urban green areas. It is therefore important to better understand the dynamics leading to tree decline in the urban environment, and to develop strategies and techniques aimed at improving the horticultural tolerance (i.e. the capacity to provide benefits, not only to survive, under stressful conditions) of urban trees. These include nursery pre-conditioning techniques and post-planting management techniques, but a key role is played by species selection. Hundreds of species are used in the urban environment, but selection criteria are frequently based upon aesthetics and whether the species are native or not, rather than on the tolerance to typical stresses imposed by the built environment and on the capacity to provide substantial benefits therein
The influence of fertilization and soil amendments on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was moni... more The influence of fertilization and soil amendments on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was monitored on English oak trees (Quercus robur L.) over a 3-year period after planting. The results indicate that shoot growth, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and leaf gas exchange were higher in fertilized plants, especially during the second and third years after planting. However, compost and leonardite were rarely better than the control. Soil physical characteristics were positively influenced by soil amendments, which promoted a better structure and lowered penetration resistance compared to control and fertilization.
A modification of the technique of etiolation and blanching, using Velcro adhesive strips as blan... more A modification of the technique of etiolation and blanching, using Velcro adhesive strips as blanching material, was used as a pretreatment to improve rooting percentage of some Quercus species. Softwood cuttings from stock plants of different age, grown both indoor and outdoor and stem cuttings from seedlings of different origin, were taken to determine the relative benefit of each treatment. Part of the cuttings was treated with an inoculum of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. An additional trial was conducted on stoolbeds applying girdling, banding and IBA on young suckers of two different species of oak. Rooting ranged from almost 0% in the outdoor trial on adult plants to 98.8% in Q. mongolica stem cuttings from seedlings. Rooting strongly decreased with the age of the mother plants and was also species- and ecotype-dependant. The effect of the initial stock plant treatments did not show significant influence on rooting percentage while the number and length of the new roots were, in g...
Molecular mechanisms that are the base of the strategies adopted by Mediterranean plants to cope ... more Molecular mechanisms that are the base of the strategies adopted by Mediterranean plants to cope with the challenges imposed by limited or excessive solar radiation during the summer season have received limited attention. In our study, conducted on C. incanus plants growing in the shade or in full sunlight, we performed measurements of relevant physiological traits, such as leaf water potential, gas exchange and PSII photochemistry, RNA-Seq with de-novo assembly, and the analysis of differentially expressed genes. We also identified and quantified photosynthetic pigments, abscisic acid, and flavonoids. Here, we show major mechanisms regulating light perception and signaling which, in turn, sustain the shade avoidance syndrome displayed by the ‘sun loving’ C. incanus. We offer clear evidence of the detrimental effects of excessive light on both the assembly and the stability of PSII, and the activation of a suite of both repair and effective antioxidant mechanisms in sun-adapted lea...
... Milan Univ. (Italy). Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree),Colugnati, G. (Centro Pilota per la Vi... more ... Milan Univ. (Italy). Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree),Colugnati, G. (Centro Pilota per la Vitivinicoltura, Gorizia (Italy)),Altissimo, A. (Studi Agronomi Associati, Vicenza (Italy)),Filippetti, I. (Bologna Univ. (Italy). Centro Interdipartimentale ...
The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of integrating tools currently used for ... more The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of integrating tools currently used for assessments of tree decay in the urban environment with innovative techniques used in other fields and industries for various applications, such as quality control, environmental ...
To verify the responses of visible foliar injury (VFI), we exposed seedlings of three oak species... more To verify the responses of visible foliar injury (VFI), we exposed seedlings of three oak species for 4.5 months in an open air facility, using differing ozone (O3) and drought treatments: O3 (three levels from ambient to ×1.4 ambient), and drought (three levels of irrigation from 40% to 100% field capacity). We related the accumulated phytotoxic O3 dose (POD1) and cumulative drought index (CDI) to the O3 and drought VFI and assessed growth increment (height, diameter, leaf number), biomass (of all organs), and physiological parameters: net photosynthesis per plant (Pn), photosynthetic nitrogen (PNUE) and phosphorus use efficiency (PPUE)). The results indicated that an increase in POD1 promoted O3 VFI in Quercus robur and Quercus pubescens, while Quercus ilex was asymptomatic. The POD1-based critical level at the onset of O3 VFI was lower for Q. robur than for Q. pubescens (12.2 vs. 15.6 mmol m−2 POD1). Interestingly, drought reduced O3 VFI in Q. robur but increased it in Q. pubesce...
The goal of this work was to assess the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and deficit irrigation... more The goal of this work was to assess the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and deficit irrigation applied in the nursery on the post-transplant growth and physiology of Acer campestre L. and Tilia cordata Mill. For this purpose, 144 preconditioned plants were planted in an experimental plot in northern Italy and were monitored for three growing seasons. Controlled inoculation in the nursery enhanced the root colonization rate three years after transplanting only in Acer campestre. Inoculated Acer campestre showed higher survival, shoot length, turgor potential and leaf gas exchange than non-inoculated plants throughout the experiment. By contrast, in Tilia cordata, no difference in root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi was observed between plants inoculated or not in the nursery three years after transplanting. Indeed, the survival, growth and physiology of Tilia cordata after transplanting were little affected by inoculation. Deficit irrigation in the nursery determined higher sur...
The influence of fertilization on shoot growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and ... more The influence of fertilization on shoot growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and mineral content was monitored on sweetgum (Liquidambar stryraciflua L.), Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum Schott), and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) over a 3-year period after planting in the urban environment. The research was carried out on newly planted trees that were placed in different urban sites and fertilized after planting. Fertilization was repeated for 2 years after planting at the beginning of the spring. There were contrasting results according to the species and the year of measurements. Fertilization was to a limited extent effective in the first year after planting but failed to provide better results in the following years. Thus, the results of this research do not support the utility of fertilizer application as a method to improve plant establishment, growth, or physiology after transplanting in the urban environment.
The many-faceted relationships that exist between plants and humans play an integral role on the ... more The many-faceted relationships that exist between plants and humans play an integral role on the development of our civilisation that goes merely beyond some productive aspects, involving other scientific sectors like anthropology, ethnobotany, geography, art and environmental sciences and, above all, the group of social sciences like psychology and sociology. Comprehension of the psychological, physiological and social responses of people towards plants can be a valid tool for the improvement of physical and psychic conditions, both of single individuals and of whole communities. Though some very ancient references are present in the literature, the study of these aspects of fundamental importance has stimulated the interest of several researchers mainly in the last 10-15 years, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries and the United States, producing, as a consequence, a substantial bibliography, So-called horticultural therapy is not a new therapy. It can be done at home, in either public or private gardens, in green spaces or in structures for the cultivation of plants attached to hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and hospices. It has, therefore, great flexibility and, probably, its great therapeutic value resides in the fact that it can be a preventive medicine and a therapy of support to traditional medical treatments, contributing to the harmonic exploitation of residual potentialities and to a more structurally defined personality of the patient.
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants int... more Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants into the atmosphere. These compounds have a great effect on biosphere–atmosphere interactions and may affect the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, with further consequences on human health and forest ecosystems. Novel methods to measure and determine BVOCs in the atmosphere are of compelling importance considering the ongoing climate changes. In this study, we developed a fast and easy-to-handle analytical methodology to sample these compounds in field experiments using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers at the atmospheric level. An improvement of BVOCs adsorption from SPME fibers was obtained by coupling the fibers with fans to create a dynamic sampling system. This innovative technique was tested sampling Q. ilex BVOCs in field conditions in comparison with the conventional static SPME sampling technique. The results showed a great potential of this dynamic sampling system t...
Abstract Urban trees can play a crucial role in developing sustainable, safe and resilient cities... more Abstract Urban trees can play a crucial role in developing sustainable, safe and resilient cities, but at the same time they can pose risks. The study deals with a procedure able to quantify the risk that a tree subjected to the action of a windstorm, without or with ongoing precipitations (a rainstorm), can cause by falling on potential targets located over its area of influence. The procedure has a modular structure: it is based on the combination of four components (hazard, exposure, vulnerability and damage) that can be developed and/or adapted to different case studies by maintaining the same configuration. Two concepts are introduced and discussed: the “Scale”, concerning the spatial extension over which the analysis is performed, and the “Degree of Knowledge” (DoK), on the accuracy devoted to estimate each component involved in the risk definition. Firstly, each procedure component is described, and the principles behind its division in four DoKs are explained. Then, the risk-analysis procedure is tested by means of a practical example. Results obtained with different DoKs in defining the hazard component are compared and discussed. The procedure is able to quantify the risk, but the lack of literature data seems to affect its reliability. Thus, aiming at the development of a tool as less subjective as possible, some topics where further research is needed are identified.
There is no doubt that metropolitan areas are, and will increasingly be, the engines of economic ... more There is no doubt that metropolitan areas are, and will increasingly be, the engines of economic growth and fertile grounds for the development of technology, creativity and innovation and this will need a shift in the future cities planning and management especially regarding the increase in green areas. This must be done through a regeneration process that can only refer to the 17 objectives of sustainable development (UN, 2019) that are frequently neglected in regeneration programs and this is likely to result in unsustainable urban renewal in many cities. Three main challenges for sustainable urban regeneration can be identified:- environmental (climate change, carbon emissions and use of resources), - social (inequality, cohesion and health), - institutional (governance). We need to promote the start of a real "green revolution", a revolution that, through the increase in plant cover, will make our cities a better place, doing it with an inclusive approach. The "...
It is well known that, at present, more than a half of the world population live in the built-up ... more It is well known that, at present, more than a half of the world population live in the built-up areas (in Europe almost 80%) and the urbanization trend will continue as the population increases and more people will live in large cities. In this scenario arboriculture and urban forestry should have a main role in the effort to manage urbanization and to create livable cities and it is certain that all green areas, starting from the single tree specimens to periurban forests which, in some way, recall the "concept of nature", can fulfil a paramount function in improving life quality and in reaching the minimal threshold for human well-being. What is going to happen next - over 10-15 years - will obviously be of the greatest interest to all people concerned with urban environment. This latter poses some constraints to tree growth and survival: drought, poor soil quality and compaction, pollutants, salinity, pathogens, light heterogeneity, and conflicts with human activities often cause premature plant death or limit plant growth, thus reducing the net benefit by urban green areas. It is therefore important to better understand the dynamics leading to tree decline in the urban environment, and to develop strategies and techniques aimed at improving the horticultural tolerance (i.e. the capacity to provide benefits, not only to survive, under stressful conditions) of urban trees. These include nursery pre-conditioning techniques and post-planting management techniques, but a key role is played by species selection. Hundreds of species are used in the urban environment, but selection criteria are frequently based upon aesthetics and whether the species are native or not, rather than on the tolerance to typical stresses imposed by the built environment and on the capacity to provide substantial benefits therein
The influence of fertilization and soil amendments on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was moni... more The influence of fertilization and soil amendments on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was monitored on English oak trees (Quercus robur L.) over a 3-year period after planting. The results indicate that shoot growth, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and leaf gas exchange were higher in fertilized plants, especially during the second and third years after planting. However, compost and leonardite were rarely better than the control. Soil physical characteristics were positively influenced by soil amendments, which promoted a better structure and lowered penetration resistance compared to control and fertilization.
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