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First Report of Dipodascopsis uninucleata in Red Wine: Isolation and Identification
Full text linkThe identification and characterization of yeast species during winemaking are essential for ensuring fermentation quality and preventing microbial spoilage. In this study, an atypical yeast colony was isolated from a red wine sample and subjected to morphological and molecular analyses. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiling of the ITS region yielded patterns inconsistent with known wine-associated yeasts. Subsequent sequencing of the D1/D2 domain confirmed the isolate as Dipodascopsis uninucleata, marking its first documented occurrence in a wine matrix. Microscopic examination revealed distinctive ascus structures, while literature review highlighted the species’ capacity to produce bioactive oxylipins and accumulate lipids, suggesting potential biotechnological applications. Interference assays demonstrated minimal impact of D. uninucleata genomic DNA on the qPCR-based quantification of Brettanomyces bruxellensis, a key spoilage organism. These findings expand the known diversity of wine microbiota and underscore the importance of molecular tools in detecting rare or previously unreported yeast species in oenological environments
Effects of mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis on the growth and chemical composition of the food preservative Salvia officinalis
Full text linkArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) develop symbiotic relationships with plant roots, where they improve important physiological functions like growth, photosynthesis, and the production of bioactive substances. To study the effect of mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis, Salvia plants were grown with or without Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation, and shoots, roots, and rhizosphere soil were collected for biomass and biochemical analyses. AMF inoculation led to substantial improvements in Salvia officinalis with significant increases in growth (48.8%), photosynthetic efficiency (42.6%), and essential oil yield (63.2%) compared to non-inoculated plants. The improved photosynthetic activity under AMF treatment resulted in elevated carbohydrate production, particularly soluble sugars. The enhanced accumulation of amino acids - especially phenylalanine - supports the synthesis of secondary metabolites since phenylalanine acts as a key precursor for phenolic compounds and flavonoids via the phenylpropanoid pathway. AMF-treated plants exhibited marked increases in both primary metabolites (e.g., amino acids, soluble sugars, organic acids) and secondary metabolites (e.g., phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides), indicating a favorable shift in carbon allocation toward bioactive compound production. Flavonoid content rose by 21.7%, while phenolic compounds and essential oils also showed significant qualitative and quantitative enhancements. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity increased notably, as indicated by a 34.4% rise in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. The AMF-inoculated plants also demonstrated enhanced antibacterial and anticarcinogenic properties, underlining the role of AMF in stimulating the production of defense-related secondary metabolites. Overall, AMF inoculation significantly increased Salvia officinalis growth, metabolic activity, and synthesis of bioactive compounds, proving its efficacy as a natural method to increase the agronomic value and functional quality of this food preservative plant
Symbiotic associations between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Cinchona officinalis, the Quina tree, in the Andean Amazon of Peru
Full text linkMost studies on Cinchona officinalis, the ‘quina tree’, have focused on its pharmaceutical properties, while agro-ecological aspects have received little attention to date. Studies about its association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which represent an important clade of beneficial soil fungi, are still scarce. Especially, the AM fungal partners of C. officinalis and their diversity has never been determined. These microorganisms play a crucial role in plant establishment across diverse ecosystems by enhancing water and nutrient uptake from the soil, suppressing root pathogens and pests, and contributing to overall plant health and resilience. The current study aimed at analyzing the arbuscular mycorrhizal root structures, at visualizing this mutualistic relationship between C. officinalis and AMF, and to identify the AMF species in the rhizosphere of the ‘quina tree’. Rhizosphere soil and roots were collected from a native population of C. officinalis in an Andean tropical forest in the Amazonas region, in Peru. Seventeen AMF species were isolated and morphologically identified. They belonged to eight genera (Acaulospora, Glomus, Funneliformis, Rhizoglomus, Septoglomus, Scutellospora, Sclerocystis and Ambispora) with highest diversity on species level among the AMF detected. Roots of C. officinalis showed high AM colonization (mean= 89%) in the form of different symbiotic structures, such as, vesicles, arbuscules and hyphae. By means of molecular analysis, we detected rDNA of AMF in C. officinalis roots. Our results confirm the AM association in C. officinalis with multiple species and a very high AM root colonization under natural conditions, which opens opportunities for future research to screen the potential of this symbiosis to increase the sustainable productivity on this representative Peruvian tree
Neues aus der Deutschen Genbank Obst (DGO): Die Bayerische Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau als neuer DGO-Partner im Netzwerk Wildobst – Teilnetzwerk Quitte
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Foliar magnesium fertilizer increased leaf blade magnesium and alleviated leaf symptoms in Pinot Noir without altering productivity or fruit composition
Full text linkThe application of magnesium (Mg) fertilizer to the foliage of ‛Pinot Noir’ was studied over three years in a vineyard that historically developed moderate to severe Mg deficiency symptoms on leaves in late summer in western Oregon. Three foliar sprays of MgSO4 between fruit set and veraison at either 11.2 or 22.4 kg.ha-1 for each spray (providing a total of 3.36 or 6.73 kg.ha-1 of actual Mg per year) improved Mg concentrations in leaf blades at veraison, but not in petioles, and decreased Mg deficiency symptoms. The high Mg rate had higher leaf blade Mg concentrations than the low Mg rate in year 3, and a lower prevalence of Mg deficient leaves in years 2 and 3 than the low rate. Improving vine Mg status with foliar Mg had no influence on vine growth, other physiological parameters, or fruit yield. Increasing Mg status also did not increase sugar levels in must, nor increase Mg or S concentrations in must. Leaf blades collected at veraison or thereafter were effective in diagnosing low vine Mg status, but petioles were ineffective in diagnosing Mg status. Critical values for leaf blade Mg concentrations for ‛Pinot Noir’ are discussed based on the concentration of Mg in leaf blades of symptomatic leaves and also in routine veraison samples where Mg deficiency symptoms subsequently occurred in experimental plots. Since there was no negative impact of low Mg on vine productivity or must chemistry, critical values for Mg that actually impact economic production or fruit quality for ‛Pinot Noir’ grown in the region remain unclear
Compost obtained from municipal solid waste stimulates mycorrhization by native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and delays foliar senescence in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Full text linkCompost application enhances soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity, reducing the need for chemical inputs and supporting agroecosystem resilience, while mycorrhizal symbiosis improves nutrient and water uptake efficiency, thereby increasing crop tolerance to abiotic stresses. Moreover, both compost and mycorrhizae contribute to soil carbon sequestration, offering an environmental-friendly solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining long-term soil productivity and health. The use of municipal solid waste (MSW)-derived compost in agriculture supports a circular economy by recycling organic waste into valuable soil amendments, aligning with zero-waste principles and reducing pressure on landfills.
In this work, we treated grapevine plants with MSW-compost, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or the combination of both, in a pot experiment with agricultural soil as growth substrate. Root mycorrhization was evaluated by staining and microscopy, while effects on the aerial parts of the plant were evaluated by measurement of the reflectance spectra of leaves.
Results showed that MSW-compost increased the root mycorrhization by native AMF (i.e. in non-AMF inoculated plants), leading to mycorrhization levels comparable to those obtained with the addition of commercial inoculum. At the same time, MSW-compost amended plants showed a delayed leaf senescence.
The integration of compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represents a promising strategy to both improve adaptation of agriculture to climate change and reduce our dependence on synthetic fertilizers, fostering virtuous practices in sustainable agricultural systems.
Metabolomic analysis of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. plant response to organic and inorganic fertilization
Full text linkAloe vera is well known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties and is relatively undemanding in terms of growing conditions. However, the impact of fertilizers on the quality of its bioactive compounds remains underexplored. This study evaluates the effect of three types of fertilizers (one nitrogen-based inorganic fertilizer and two organic fertilizers) on the the metabolomic profiling and pathways of Aloe vera. Using the MetaboAnalyst 5.0 platform, 61 metabolites or more and 54 metabolic pathways were identified as being affected by the treatments. The results show that the inorganic treatment significantly increased fatty acids, particularly palmitic and stearic acids, while organic fertilizers (compost and compost-humus) stimulated the production of essential amino acids such as leucine, methionine, and phenylalanine. Additionally, compost-humus enriched 45 metabolic pathways, mainly related to amino acid metabolism, whereas inorganic nitrogen induced 33 pathways, predominantly related to fatty acid biosynthesis. The study reveals that organic fertilizers enhance the enrichment of amino acid metabolism, thus improving Aloe vera’s medicinal and cosmetic properties. In contrast, inorganic nitrogen optimizes fatty acid production, known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings highlight the need for targeted fertilization strategies to maximize specific metabolites for industrial applications
Hazelnut: forest food and oil plant – Report from the XI International Congress on Hazelnut in Beijing from 4 to 8 August 2025
Full text linkVom 4. bis 8. August 2025 fand der XI. Internationale Haselnusskongress der International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) erstmals in Peking statt. An dem Kongress nahmen 220 Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler aus fünf Kontinenten teil, die 62 Vorträge und 41 Poster präsentierten. China zählt mit einer jährlichen Produktion von 70.000 t Haselnusskernen selbst zu den zehn größten Haselnussproduzenten weltweit. Der erwerbsmäßige Anbau von Haselnüssen hat sich dort jedoch erst in den letzten 25 Jahren etabliert. Im Jahr 2005 betrug die Anbaufläche noch 600 ha, 2023 waren es bereits 112.000 ha. Diese schnelle Entwicklung im Haselnussanbau und in der Verarbeitung der Nüsse wurde durch die Züchtung geeigneter Sorten für chinesische Anbaubedingungen sowie die Arbeit zahlreicher Institute erreicht. Diese beschäftigen sich mit der Weiterentwicklung neuer Sorten, der Charakterisierung, Vermehrung und dem Erhalt genetischer Ressourcen von Haselnüssen sowie der Optimierung der Kulturführung und der Verarbeitung von Haselnussprodukten. Aus Deutschland nahm Martin Penzel am Haselnusskongress teil. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über den Stand des Haselnussanbaus und der Züchtung weltweit, sowie über Entwicklungen bei Anbausystemen, Kulturführung, dem Auftreten relevanter Krankheiten und Schädlinge – insbesondere der marmorierten Baumwanze (Halyomorpha halys Stål) und des Haselnussbohrers (Curculio nucum L.) – und deren Bekämpfung.From 4 to 8 August 2025, the XI International Congress on Hazelnut of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) was held in Beijing. The event was attended by 220 scientists from five continents, who presented 62 oral presentations and 41 posters. China is one of the ten largest hazelnut producers worldwide, with an annual production of 70,000 t of hazelnut kernels. However, commercial hazelnut production has only been established for the last 25 years. The area under cultivation expanded from 600 ha in 2005 to 112,000 ha in 2023. This rapid development has been achieved through breeding cultivars that are suited to Chinese growing conditions, as well as the work of numerous institutes involved in developing new cultivars, characterising, propagating and conserving hazelnut genetic resources, and optimising the cultivation and processing of hazelnut products. From Germany, Martin Penzel attended the Hazelnut Congress. This article provides an overview of the current state of hazelnut cultivation and breeding worldwide, reviews developments in cultivation systems and crop management, as well as the occurrence of relevant diseases and pests – particularly the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål) and the hazelnut weevil (Curculio nucum L.) – and how to combat them
Nitrogen fertilization and pruning intensity in \u27Chardonnay\u27 and \u27Pinot Noir\u27 wine-producing: effect on productivity and grape must composition
No full text Vineyard soils do not always provide the amount of nitrogen (N) that the grapevines need. This makes it necessary to supplement them with nitrogen fertilizer. However, high doses of N applied can cause excess vigor in the grapevines, which can harm the composition of the grape must and, consequently, its by-products. However, excess vigor can be controlled by winter pruning. The study aimed to evaluate the productivity and grape must composition in \u27Chardonnay\u27 and \u27Pinot Noir\u27 wine-producing, subjected to nitrogen fertilization and winter pruning intensity, in the southern region of Brazil. \u27Chardonnay\u27 and \u27Pinot Noir\u27 grapevines were subjected to applications of 0, 40 and 80 kg of N ha-1 year-1, since 2011. Double Guyot pruning was carried out with two pruning intensities: six buds on each branch (quality pruning) and twelve buds on each branch (production pruning). Productivity, yield components (number of clusters per plant, average cluster weight, ravaz index, green pruning mass, pulp weight and skin weight), berry physical variables (Hue, Chroma, a*, b*, luminosity and berry firmness) and the must chemical composition (total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, pH and TSS/TTA) were evaluated in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 crop seasons. The highest productivity was observed in the \u27Chardonnay\u27 and \u27Pinot Noir\u27 which were production pruned to maintain the highest number of buds per branch per plant and when the cultivars were subjected to nitrogen fertilization. Berry physical variables and the must chemical composition, with the exception of total polyphenols, were not affected or were minimally affected by the types of pruning and the doses of N applied. Adjusting the management practice with production pruning and the application of 80 kg of N ha-1 year-1 is a strategy for increasing productivity in vineyards, associated with controlling the vigor of the grapevines