Effects of plant density and the number of emitters on plant growth and nitrate concentration in spinach cultivated in substrate

The effects of plant density and the number of emitters per Styrofoam box on plant growth and nitrate (NO3-) concentration were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrate and were grown during winter in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. The experiment was carried out with four treatments, including two plant densities (160 and 280 plants/m2) and two number of emitters per Styrofoam box (4 and 8 emitters). Each planting box was irrigated daily and fertigated with a complete nutrient solution. Shoot dry weight was not affected by plant density. However, yield increased with plant density and emitter number. Leaf-blade NO3- concentration was not affected by the interaction between plant density and number of emitters, but petioles NO3- concentration was greater in treatment with 160 plants/m2 and 8 emitters. Although leaf-blade NO3- concentration was not affected by plant density, it decreased with the number of emitters. On the other hand, petiole NO3- concentration was not affected by plant density or number of emitters. Leaf-blade NO3- concentration ranged from 3.2 to 4.1 mg/g fresh weight, occurring the highest value in the treatment with 280 plants/m2 and 4 emitters. Petiole NO3- concentration ranged from 3.5 to 5.3 mg/g fresh weight, values that were higher than allowed by EU regulation.

Effects of substrate type on plant growth and nitrogen and nitrate concentration in spinach

Abstract The effects of three commercial substrates (a mixture of forest residues, composted grape husks, and white peat, black peat and coir) on plant growth and nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO3) concentration and content were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrates and were grown during winter and early spring in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip and fertilized with a complete nutrient solution. The NO3 content of the drainage water was lower in coir than in the other substrates. However, shoot NO3 concentration was not affected by substrate type, while yield and total shoot N and NO3 content were greater when plants were grown in peat than in the mixed substrate or the coir. Leaf chlorophyll meter readings provided a good indication of the amount of N in the plants and increased linearly with total shoot N. Keywords Spinacia oleracea; chlorophyll meter; coir; peat; soilless culture systems

Diferentes maneras de salvaguardar el patrimonio agroindustrial en la Europa Mediterránea

Jaén (España) coronó la producción mundial de aceite de oliva en la pasada campaña, aportando en torno a un 20% del preciado zumo, consolidando una gran tradición. Este cultivo es el más característico de su agricultura y el más importante en su relación con el patrimonio agroindustrial. De la misma manera, ocurre en Calabria (Italia) donde este reparto tiene una considerable relevancia socio-económica, base fundamental en la economía de esta región que es la segunda en Italia, según el área cultivada de olivar y la producción de aceite de oliva. Son diferentes las manifestaciones agroindustriales que surgen como consecuencia del proceso productivo del preciado caldo. Desde los tiempos más remotos, el aceite de oliva se ha fabricado en los molinos, ubicados en la mayoría de los casos en las casas de los propietarios, ubicadas en las fincas de olivar. Después de haber realizado un metodológico trabajo de campo de manera presencial y haber llevado a cabo una importante revisión historiográfica tanto en España como en Italia, con esta comunicación se pretende establecer las relaciones que, dentro del patrimonio agroindustrial, existen entre los espacios de producción y la forma en la que se aborda su nuevo uso cuando dejan de tener la función para la que fueron construidos. Tomando como casos de estudio la finca del Marqués de Viana en Garcíez (Jaén), que atesora un palacio renacentista y una de las pocas almazaras del sistema tradicional de rulos del siglo XX —víctima del abandono y la ruina en la actualidad—y Villa Mazza, en Roccelleta di Borgia (Italia) hoy, el Parque Arqueológico de Scolacium, ejemplo de conservación, dinamización y difusión de su patrimonio; pondremos de manifiesto las diferentes opciones que existen en la gestión del patrimonio, entre el descuido y la valorización.

Effects of substrate type on plant growth and nitrogen and nitrate concentration in spinach.

The effects of three commercial substrates (a mixture of forest residues, composted grape husks, and white peat, black peat and coir) on plant growth and nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO3) concentration and content were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrates and were grown during winter and early spring in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip and fertilized with a complete nutrient solution. The NO3 content of the drainage water was lower in coir than in the other substrates. However, shoot NO3 concentration was not affected by substrate type, while yield and total shoot N and NO3 content were greater when plants were grown in peat than in the mixed substrate or the coir. Leaf chlorophyll meter readings provided a good indication of the amount of N in the plants and increased linearly with total shoot N.