Ethiopian Mustard as a novel multifunctional crop for the Mediterranean Environment

Three Italian genotypes of Brassica carinata A. Braun (ISCI7, CT 207 and CT 204) were compared over two cropping seasons (2007­08 and 2008­09) in two representative localities (hilly and plain) of southern Italy. The trials were sown in autumn­winter period (from October to December) arranging the genotypes in the field according to a randomised­blocks design with three replicates. During the growing seasons, the main phenological stages were measured and seed yield was determined at harvest time. Grain samples were analysed for oil, protein and glucosinolate content. Moreover, the amount of field residues released by the crop and N content in this residual dry biomass were evaluated. Overall, the results indicated that the earlier genotypes, CT 204 and to a minor extent ISCI 7 produced better in quantitative (grain yield) and qualitative (oil, protein and glucosinolate yields) terms, providing also a greater amount of field residues per unit area rich in N. Nevertheless, owing to the significant combined effect among the year, site and genotype factors, the biological and productive behaviour of the genotypes was markedly conditioned by the different weather conditions occurred during the trials. For this motive, further research is necessary in order to establish the feasibility of introducing Ethiopian mustard in farming systems of southern Italy obtaining an advantage in reducing N fertilisers as well as the agrochemicals for the control of pest and disease also in other crops in rotation