Yield Response and Physiological Adaptation of Green Bean to Photovoltaic Greenhouses.

The cultivation of the horticultural crops inside photovoltaic greenhouses (PVG) should be studied in relation to the shading cast by the photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof. This work evaluated the green bean cultivation inside PVGs with a percentage of the greenhouse area covered with PV panels (PV cover ratio, PV R ) ranging from 25 to 100%. Three dwarf green bean cycles (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Valentino) were conducted inside an iron-plastic PVG with a PV R of 50%. The average yield was 31% lower than a conventional greenhouse. Adverse effects on quality were noticed under the PV roof, including a reduction of pod weight, size, and caliber. Negative net photosynthetic assimilation rates were observed on the plants under the PV roof, which adapted by relocating more resources to the stems, increasing the specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area ratio (LAR), and the radiation use efficiency (RUE). The fresh yield increased by 0.44% for each additional 1% of cumulated PAR. Based on the linear regressions between measured yield and cumulated PAR, a limited yield reduction of 16% was calculated inside a PVG with maximum PV R of 25%, whereas an average yield loss of 52% can occur with a PV R of 100%. The economic trade-off between energy and green bean yield can be achieved with a PV R of 10%. The same experimental approach can be used as a decision support tool to identify other crops suitable for cultivation inside PVGs and assess the agricultural sustainability of the mixed system.

Effect of Animal ByProducts Fertilization on Durum Wheat in Mediterranean Conditions: Preliminary Results.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of new-BioFertilizing Amendments (BFAs) deriving from fast organic matter decomposition of Animal ByProducts (ABPs) in comparison with ordinary soil organic amendments (compost), mineral N-fertilizers and no fertilization, on durum wheat development and production in a field trial under Mediterranean conditions. Results showed taller plants with heavier spikes and greater vigor in plots fertilized with BFAs when compared to no fertilization and N-fertilization, respectively. Likewise, BFAs fertilization resulted in higher protein content, gluten content, protein yields and higher values of yellow index with respect to no fertilization and N-fertilization. In contrast, lower values for test weight in correspondence of BFAs fertilization as well as no statistically significant differences on grain yield and gluten index were found. These preliminary results suggest that replacing N-fertilization with BFAs can be effective to ensure crop quality and yield stability in Mediterranean conditions.

Effect of pregnancy and birth on the course of myasthenia gravis before or after transsternal radical thymectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) affects women at childbearing age. Therefore, the question arises if these patients should become pregnant and if thymectomy has a positive effect on the course of MG in pregnant patients. METHODS: Fifteen pregnancies had been followed retrospectively. All patients underwent transsternal radical thymectomy for MG. The course of MG in the period before, during, and after the pregnancy was scored according to Ossermann's classification. The effect of thymectomy on delivery and on the newborns was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were divided in two groups: pregnancies before (group I, n=8) and after (group II, n=7) thymectomy. During pregnancy, in group I, one deterioration was observed and in seven patients the disease was unchanged. In group II, one deterioration, five unchanged courses, and one improvement were observed. In the postpartum period, in group I, seven patients did not change and one improved. In group II, two deteriorations, three unchanged courses, and two improvements were observed. Before pregnancy, group II patients were in a better Ossermann stage in comparison with those in group I. Eight of the 12 deliveries were spontaneous (three abortus). Myasthenic symptoms were observed in two newborns in group I. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MG is not prohibitive to have children. The course of MG after transsternal radical thymectomy is often ameliorated. A better MG-stage, reached after thymectomy, before pregnancy seems to be correlated with a better course during pregnancy.