/library/oar/handle/123456789/41674 2025-12-26T02:13:20Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/123331 Title: Development of olive oil production in Malta Abstract: This dissertation is intended to find out and give a clear picture of the history of olive oil production regarding the Maltese Islands from the first records studied and investigated by archaeologists till the present time. The introduction is focused on the importance that olive oil had from very long time ago having a number of significances in the pagan and other religions and its uses. The first evidence of olive oil production in Malta was under the Phoenicians and continues till the present time. The research carried out provides information of how olive oil was extracted from olives in the past and in the present regarding the advances in technology and the popularity of olive oil production through the years in Malta. Description: DIP.AGRICULTURE 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/123329 Title: Monitoring of Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) in the Maltese Islands Abstract: A survey was carried out on greenhouse tomato crops with the aim of determining if Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) has been introduced in the Maltese Islands. This virus is an important highly infectious new viral pathogen infecting greenhouse tomato crops in Europe, and for this reason, it has been included in the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) Alert List. PepMV belongs to the genus potexvirus. This virus has a narrow host range mainly limited to Solanaceae. There are no known arthropods or fungal vectors as the virus is reported to spread rapidly by mechanical means. The damage caused by PepMV in tomato is always high, which can result in unmarketable fruits and a reduction of 15% yield in infected tomato plants. PepMV symptoms were never reported in Malta, however, specific quarantine controls were made trying to keep the Maltese Islands free from this virus. PepMV surveys have been carried out by the Plant Biotechnology Centre within the Plant Health Department for the past 3 years. A total of 40 different greenhouses spread around Malta and Gozo were visited from which 342 leaf samples corresponding to 1,710 tomato plants were collected. Moreover 27 samples of imported tomato products including seeds, seedlings and tomato fruits were taken from various local suppliers. The survey was based on field surveys, Double Antibody Sandwich - Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) and biological indexing by mechanical transmission on herbaceous hosts. All the tests were carried out at the Plant Biotechnology Centre, Plant Health Department within the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment. For the 3rd consecutive year it showed that Malta is free from PepMV, however necessary precautions must continue in order to keep this disease at bay. Description: DIP.AGRICULTURE 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/122890 Title: Water in pig production Abstract: Agriculture is a heavy consumer of water, in fact 70% of the water withdrawn for consumption world wide is used for irrigation alone making agriculture the most intensive consumer of the resource. Water is one of the fundamental ingredients required for the activity of agriculture. The availability of water or the lack of it is considered as one of the indicators used to distinguish a nation's potential to prosper and evolve. In Europe, water consumed by agriculture is estimated at 30% of the total amount of water used for other needs and purposes. In southern Europe, water is scarce and irrigation accounts for over 60% of water use. Water is very often taken for granted and used as if the supply is unlimited. So much so, data relating to water consumption is very hard to get by and often non-existent. Although 75% of the earth's crust is covered in it, only 1 % is deemed as suitable potable water for humans as drinking water. Lack of adequate planning, management and conservation of a water resource supply may have irreversible damaging effects on the environment. Lake Chad, once one of the African continent's largest bodies of fresh water, now dramatically decreased in size due to the human demand for water, sheds light on the consequences of mismanaged human intervention. The Maltese islands are no exception and have problems of their own. Not only are the meagre supplies of available water from natural sources being over exploited, but there seems to be no official control on this activity. No literature or documentation exists that may lead to the understanding of how water is being managed in the Maltese agricultural sector and no data is available to support studies on how water management can be improved and utilised in the most economic and efficient manner possible. Description: DIP.WATER OP.MANGT. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/122889 Title: Maintaining the sewer collection network and its effects on ground water Abstract: Ground water for the island of Malta is a vital economic, natural, and limited resource that has to be managed and protected on sustainable bases. Contamination of ground water by leakages from the sewerage system can have a drastic impact on the economy of these islands. The sewerage system's primary aim is to safeguard public health and to control environmental pollution. Efficiency of the system depends on its design and the effectiveness of its upkeep. It is the aim of this research to establish the gravity of leakages that are affecting the ground water table, and how could this be reduced. There is evidence that the sewerage system presently leaks. Nonetheless the findings of this paper suggest that the overall impact on ground water from the sewerage system does not appear to be that drastic. However the importance of proper maintenance to maintain the sewerage system operating efficiently is evident. Description: DIP.WATER OP.MANGT. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z