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A Multipurpose Sustainable Farming System for Tobacco Crops in the Mediterranean Area

TitleA Multipurpose Sustainable Farming System for Tobacco Crops in the Mediterranean Area
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsSifola, Maria Isabella, del Piano Luisa, Todisco Daniele, Graziani Giulia, Faugno Salvatore, Sannino Maura, Piscopo Rossella, Salluzzo Antonio, and Cozzolino Eugenio
JournalSustainability (Switzerland)
Volume15
Type of ArticleArticle
KeywordsAntioxidant, commercial activity, farming system, fertilizer application, growing season, Nitrogen, Tobacco
Abstract

The present study aimed to test a multipurpose sustainable tobacco farming system allowing more efficient use of production factors (e.g., mineral N fertilizer) thanks to larger commercial yields, albeit diversified (smoke products, bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical uses, energy), per unit of land area. Three tobacco types (dark air-cured, IBG; light air-cured, Bu; dark fire-cured, Ky) were grown in the field in 2021 on three different soils (sandy clay loam, SCL; sandy loam, SL; clay loam, CL). The total waste biomass (WB, kg dry weight, d.w. ha−1) was measured. Commercial leaves yield (CLY, kg d.w. ha−1), N agronomic efficiency (NAE, kg d.w. kg−1 N), total polyphenols content (TP, mg kg−1 d.w.), antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP, mmol Trolox Equivalent, TE, kg−1 d.w.) and yield of polyphenols (PY, kg ha−1) were determined. The calorific value (CV, MJ kg−1 d.w.), volatile matter (VM, %) and ash contents (%) were also measured, and biomass energy yield (BEY, GJ ha−1 yr−1) was then calculated. Very high percentages (>40%) of total biomass produced by the different tobacco types were pre-harvest waste. NAE increased by 2- to more than 8-fold thanks to a greater potential commercial biomass produced with the same amount of N fertilizer used. Four main components were found in the tobacco polyphenols profile, namely 3-O-CQA, luteolin 7 rutinoside, rutin and quinic acid, which accounted for more than 80% of TP. BEY ranged between 122.3 GJ ha−1 yr−1 (Bu) and 29.9 GJ ha−1 yr−1 (Ky). Both polyphenols yield and energy potential per unit land area and/or per growing season appeared competitive with those from other herbaceous crops. The proposed multipurpose system appeared as a production circuit characterized by a virtuous and sustainable flow of resources. © 2023 by the authors.

Notes

Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Gold Open Access

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85189192958&doi=10.3390%2fsu152416636&partnerID=40&md5=3c157396466b6a823552fed094503d53
DOI10.3390/su152416636
Citation KeySifola2023