Showing papers by "Anita Solar published in 2009"

Shifts in walnut (Juglans regia L.) phenology due to increasing temperatures in Slovenia.

Abstract: SummaryBud-breaking date (BBD) is one of the most important traits in walnut cultivars for commercial cultivation. In regions with frequent late-Spring frost injuries, BBD affects the stability, quantity, and quality of walnut yield. Due to global warming, shifts in walnut phenology are expected in the future, and the suitability of some cultivars for certain climatic regions may be affected. In the present study, the influence of increasing Winter and Spring air temperatures on BBD was analysed. The late BBD cultivar ‘Franquette’ and the medium BBD cultivar ‘G-139’ were observed over two timeperiods: 1984 – 1990 (P1), and 2000 – 2006 (P2). During P1, the mean air temperature from January to April was 3.7oC, and the average BBDs were 23 April and 5 May for ‘G-139’ and ‘Franquette’, respectively. During P2, the mean air temperature from January to April increased by 0.9oC and the BBDs were 3 days (d) earlier for ‘G-139’ and 7 d earlier for ‘Franquette’. Phenological models showed that the mean air temperat...

Phenolic characterization of some hazelnut cultivars from different European germplasm collections

Abstract: Some main national varieties or endangered old cultivars from six countries (13 from France, 12 from Greece, 10 from Italy, 6 from Portugal, 8 from Spain and 8 from Slovenia) were analysed for phenolic composition within the framework of the SAFENUT (Safeguard of hazelnut and almond genetic resources: from traditional uses to novel agroindustry opportunities) European project. Using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with a diode array (PDA) detector, the content of phenolic compounds was analyzed in extracts from the kernels. Gallic, chlorogenic, sinapic, p-coumaric, ferulic and ellagic acid, as well as epicatechin and routine, were individually identified in all tested cultivars. Large variations of phenolic contents were noted between cultivars. Intercultivar variability was the most evident in sinapic, ellagic and p-coumaric acid, as well as in routine. The cultivar ‘Casina’ from France had the highest sum (251.01 mg/kg) of all the identified phenolics. In contrast, the Greek cultivar ‘Polycarpos’ was the poorest with phenolic compounds et al (49,16 mg/kg). Ellagic acid, one of the most important polyphenolic antioxidants, appeared in concentrations between 0.56 mg/kg (‘Polycarpos’, Greece) and 18.55 mg/kg (‘Porpurea’, Portugal). On the chromatograms, two additional phenolic compounds were found, expressed as the equivalent of chlorogenic acid. They were the most abundant phenolics in all the studied cultivars. An improved method, MS-HPLC will be used next year with the aim of identifying them individually. INTRODUCTION Hazelnut kernels are an important source of several health-promoting bioactive and nutraceutical compounds, such as unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, phytosterols, and phenolics. Due to their chemical and nutritional composition, hazelnuts are recognized as beneficial to human health (US FDA, 2003).

First results of "SAFENUT": A European project for the preservation and utilization of hazelnut local genetic resources

Abstract: The project SAFENUT: ‘Safeguard of almond and hazelnut genetic resources from traditional uses to modern agro industrial opportunities’ has been elaborated within the Council Regulation (EC) N. 870/2004 AGRI GEN RES which established a Community programme on the conservation, characterisation and utilization of genetic resources in agriculture. The project represents a resourceful strategy for re-organizing and sharing, in a more efficient manner, the genetic resources by upgrading the knowledge on their value and uses. One of the main objectives of the project is the centralization of available hazelnut germplasm by harmonizing the standard descriptors for a common characterization of cultivars. SAFENUT could represent an important step towards the characterization, documentation and management of Corylus avellana genetic resources in the Mediterranean Basin by addressing genetic resources collected in typical areas of cultivation, as well as less known local varieties or underutilized genotypes present in marginal areas. Among its objectives, the creation of a core collection and gene banks. The final goal is to set up a European virtual inventory linked with other important databases in order to share and spread all the information that will also be used to promote a wider application of traditional knowledge, agricultural practices, as well as to raise stakeholder awareness on the values of biodiversity components from the biological, economical and socio-cultural perspective. The project benefits from the participation of 11 partners from 6 European Countries, including the ONG Lega Ambiente and a Farmers’ Association. The present work summarizes the main actions and the first-year-results which focused on the centralization and harmonization of hazelnut germplasm with the definition of specific morphological descriptors. A survey was performed in different areas of traditional cultivation and novel ecotypes were pre-selected. In the frame of the biochemical evaluation, 60 varieties were analysed for oil, tocopherol, phenolic and mineral content of the kernel. These results showed great health and technological interest in defining the use of nuts. SSR markers were performed to avoid synonymous and homonymous. With regard to traditional knowledge, a review of the existing hazelnut exhibitions was carried out and questionnaires were designed with the aim to recover historical memories from students and to compare agricultural 7 International congress on hazelnut, 23-27/06/08 Viterbo Italy 2 techniques and importance of crops in landscape among the partner Countries.