The Mediterranean library of knowledge
Explore the ENI CBC Med Programme's library of deliverables: a comprehensive digital repository of diverse resources tailored for the Mediterranean region. Discover in-depth studies, innovative strategies, and practical tools spanning tools addressing key environmental, economic, and social issues. The library is your go-to source to find valuable knowledge to inspire new collaborative projects driving fair, sustainable and inclusive development across the Mediterranean.
3.7.1_Co-publication Using innovative legume-based mixtures as cover crops in a multi-functional olive system
The main objective of this experiment is to provide useful indications on sustainable management of multifunctional olive systems under Mediterranean rainfed conditions by analysing the effects of different soil management on olive trees. Two field trials were established in 2022 in Italy and Lebanon, using a randomised block design and comparing four treatments: (1) cover crop with innovative mixture (IM); (2) cover crop with commercial mixture (CM); (3) natural cover + fertilization (NC); (4) traditional soil tillage + fertilization (ST). The preliminary results referred to the first year showed a better establishment of NC compared to both mixtures, regardless of whether it is below or outside the tree canopy. The higher grass-based biomass produced by NC below the tree canopy may have influenced the competition for available soil water between the sward and tree components. Regarding the water potential of olive trees, during the period of greatest water deficit, ST showed lower levels of water potential and NC showed a significantly lower photochemical efficiency. Moreover, NC promotes a smaller fruit size while no significant differences emerged between the other treatments.
3.7.1_Co-publication Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of historical olive (Olea europaea Linnaeus 1753 subsp. europaea) cultivar Mehras in Jordan
The complete mitochondrial genome of the olive cultivar Mehras was determined using high- throughput sequencing technology. It consisted of 710,808 base pairs and comprised 70 genes, including 44 protein-coding genes, 23 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes, with a GC content of 44.7%. Significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (InDels) were detected throughout the mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using other genotypes, including five olive cultivars, three related species, and Olae exasperata as an out- group. The analysis revealed that the olive cultivar Mehras shares an ancient common ancestor with the Frantoio cultivar from Italy and the Manzanilla cultivar from Spain, which confirms previous findings based on plastome sequencing.