Giovanni Antonio Re

Condensed tannin accumulation and nitrogen fixation potential of Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. grown in a Mediterranean environment

BACKGROUND Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a forage legume found in temperate areas but is less widespread in Mediterranean environments. Compared with other perennial legumes, it has the advantage of containing condensed tannins (CT) that can be important for their implications on ruminant nutrition and health. Data on nitrogen (N) fixation by sainfoin in the literature originate from very different environments and only a few field data are available, so it is important to improve knowledge on the N fixation potential of this species, particularly under a Mediterranean climate. Here the accumulation pattern of polyphenolic compounds (total, non-tannic polyphenols and CT) and the N fixation potential of sainfoin were studied in order to contribute to its valorisation for sustainable farming management in Mediterranean environments. RESULTS CT concentrations were always in the range considered beneficial for animals, not exceeding 50 g delphinidin equivalent kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM). The regression of aerial fixed N on aerial DM showed a relationship of 22 kg fixed N t⁻¹ aerial DM in a Mediterranean environment. CONCLUSION A wider exploitation of sainfoin is suggested for production under rain-fed conditions, thus enlarging the limited set of available perennial legumes suitable for Mediterranean environments.

Traditional knowledge about plant, animal, and mineral-based remedies to treat cattle, pigs, horses, and other domestic animals in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia

BackgroundMediterranean farmers traditionally utilized plants, animals, and minerals sourced locally to treat their animals. Research is needed to understand at what extent such knowledge of domestic animal care still survives and to document such traditions for further developments.MethodsWe carried out our field study to recover ancient ethno-veterinary practices by means of questionnaires and interviews to farmers in rural areas of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Italy). Quantitative indices were used to evaluate the distribution and diversity of the acquired information.ResultsWe report here 98 sources (42 plant taxa, 14 animal-based substances, 15 minerals, and 27 other materials of various origin) emerged from the survey for the care of 41 ailments of cattle, pigs, and horses. Ethno-veterinary treatments, detailed in their formulations and applications, were used against ecto- and endo-parasites, gastrointestinal diseases, heart diseases, viral and bacterial diseases, wounds, sprains, and bruises.ConclusionOur survey can be useful to implement the use of phyto-therapeutics and other remedies of non-herbal origin for diseased animals, and, as elderly farmers held most of the knowledge, it can contribute to the conservation of Mediterranean ethno-veterinary knowledge.

Novel crop, novel pests: Assessment of insect damage to achenes of cardoon grown in a Mediterranean environment

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) has gained interest as a novel crop for bioenergy, multipurpose uses, and industrial bio‐based productions, also based on the achene yield. However, achenes can be affected by various insects, which are considered as minor pests in traditional Cynara crops. Nonetheless, very little information is available on these pests. The aim of this research was to identify the frequency of different insect species with particular regard to weevils, and to quantify the achene yields and losses caused by these spermophagous insects on cardoon. Field measurements were performed across three consecutive years in Sardinia (Italy). Mature cardoon heads of different insertion orders (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary heads, respectively) were manually harvested. For each head, the achenes were counted and weighed, and bare receptacles were scored in terms of damaged areas by weevil larvae (i.e., the percentage of total area). The results highlighted a higher frequency of Larinus scolymi (90%) compared to Larinus cynarae. The total number of achenes per head and the 1000‐achene weight were markedly affected by head order. Actual achene yield ranged from 86.8 to 107.9 g per plant. The estimates of achene yield losses per plant due to Larinus weevils ranged from 36.3 in 2014 to 113.0 g per plant in 2015, corresponding to about 0.4 to 1.1 t per hectare, respectively. Our results showed that achene losses were caused mainly by L. scolymi, indicating that cardoon crop profitability could be jeopardised in the absence of insect controls. Based on the experimental data, appropriate strategies aimed at controlling weevil infestations are needed to preserve cardoon achene yields.