Massimo Zaccardelli

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of anethole-rich oil from leaves of selected varieties of fennel [Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare var. azoricum (Mill.) Thell].

The chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oils obtained from the leaves of two different cultivars of Florence fennel cropped under three different fertilization treatments (Control not fertilized; Mineral Fertilization; Compost from Municipal Solid Wastes) have been analyzed. All the oils were characterized by high anethole concentration and some showed also a good percentage of limonene. Thus, the leaves of Florence fennel, which are agricultural wastes, could be used for the recovery of anethole to be used for its flavoring and biomedical properties. The antimicrobial activity expressed by assays on the examined oils indicates an appreciable effect, generally higher on Gram-positive bacteria. The various samples of Florence fennel analyzed did not show any results with FRAP test. The DPPH test showed a weak capacity of the samples to catch the free radicals from the solution, attributable to their content in anethole.

Screening of plant-derived antifungal substances useful for the control of seedborne pathogens

The effect of plant essential oils, Solanum chilense and Aster sedifolius raw saponins, plant-derived colourants and Brassica carinata glucosinolate-containing tissues, for the control of seedborne fungi Alternaria dauci, Alternaria radicina, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Ascochyta rabiei, was evaluated. In vitro assays indicated that oregano essential oil, bark chestnut-derived colourant and B. carinata meals, showed a large spectrum of activity against all pathogens. S. chilense raw saponins were effective against A. dauci and A. radicina, while those from A. sedifolius also inhibited significantly C. lindemuthianum. Screening showed the antifungal potential of natural compounds.

Short-Time Response of Microbial Communities to Waste Compost Amendment of an Intensive Cultivated Soil in Southern Italy

In an intensely cultivated soil in southern Italy, the effects of municipal waste compost on soil activities (basal respiration, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis), Biolog functional diversity, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were estimated in a short period following amendment. Treatment with compost at 30 t ha−1 (dry matter) was compared to mineral fertilization and untreated soil. In these poor soils, organic amendment allowed the rapid recovery of an active and biodiverse soil community. While the addition of compost increased all microbial activities and EC, the pH did not change. Conversely, metabolic activity that was positively correlated to FDA hydrolysis rate initially was enhanced by compost but decreased with time and disappeared at the end of the incubation. Results indicated that waste compost amendments affected microbial activities, both at global and functional levels, favoring a rapid return of biological factors of fertility.

Principles of Compost-based Plant Diseases Control and Innovative New Developments

Compost is considered one of the different available sustainable approaches that may be used to prevent, mitigate or to control plant diseases. This is possible through the exploitation of the compost suppressive properties. This chapter aims to address the several aspects of compost suppressivity in order to derive the key principles of this phenomena. In particular, will be elucidate the concepts of compost suppressivity, the mechanisms governing it and the ecological aspects that lead it. Finally, will be reported how compost can be exploited in plant disease management both directly and as suitable source of plant protectants.