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NMRProcFlow: A graphical and interactive tool dedicated to 1D spectra processing for plant NMR metabolomics
Amino acids content in \u27Tempranillo\u27 must from three soil types over four vintages
Amino acids are the main grape nitrogen compounds and the principal source of N for yeasts, being precursors of several volatile compounds. Therefore, N compound concentrations in musts can affect sensorial characteristics of wines. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of N-NO3- and N-NH4+ contents from different soils on profile and content of amino acids in \u27Tempranillo\u27 grapes. In order to determine this soil influence on must quality, three plots were selected in AOC Rioja, classified as Fluventic Haploxerepts, Typic Calcixerepts, and Petrocalcic Palexerolls. The results showed that amino acids and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) content allowed us to differentiate samples from the three soils, and in each soil type, samples of each season. In general, must contents of total amino acids and some of them, as alanine, threonine, and tyrosine, were more influenced by soil type; YAN, proline, histidine, serine, and glycine concentrations mainly depended on the interaction soil-vintage. In conclusion, free amino acids concentration could be a tool to differentiate musts coming from different soils
Effect of ground-cover management on predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a Mediterranean vineyard
Most predatory mites belong to the family Phytoseiidae (Acari). Throughout the world, phytoseiids are involved in the biological control of phytophagous mites in vineyards. Conservative strategies, including cover-vegetation management, are essential to achieve environmentally friendly viticulture. The abundance and diversity of phytoseiid mites in the grapevine canopy and the vegetal ground cover of a Mediterranean vineyard were surveyed by weekly samplings, from early May until the end of September for two years (2016 and 2017). Three types of soil management without herbicide application were analysed and referred to as "Tillage", "Spontaneous Cover", and "Flower-driven Cover" treatments. Six phytoseiid species were collected on the grapevine canopy, with Typhlodromus pyri being the dominant species (99.5 %). Five phytoseiid species were recorded in the ground cover, with Typhlodromus and Neoseiulus as the major genera. The Flower-driven Cover treatment showed the highest abundance of phytoseiids in the grapevine canopy. However, both species richness and abundance of phytoseiid mites on the ground-cover vegetation were highest in the Spontaneous Cover treatment. These observations suggest that improving vegetation cover would promote both the abundance and diversity of phytoseiid mites in vineyards because the greater supply of pollen would enhance their survival. Therefore, the use of cover crops in vineyards represents a means of improving vineyard ecosystems by conservative biological control
Agronomic classification between vineyards (\u27Verdejo\u27) using NDVI and Sentinel-2 and evaluation of their wines
A classification between three vineyards belonging to the Appellation of Origin Rueda (Castilla y León, Spain) has been established in veraison to determine the productive capacities of each vineyard and to study their impact on the grape quality. Several open-access multispectral images obtained from the SENTINEL-2A satellite in the year 2016 were used to calculate the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which provides information about the vigour of the vineyards. Eleven cloud-free images were assessed and based on the NDVI, three vigour levels were established: high vigour (0.356-0.458), medium vigour (0.285-0.355) and low vigour (0.166-0.284). A level of vigour was assigned to each vineyard according to the NDVI mean values of its pixels. Significant differences were found in the pruning wood weight and yield: high, medium and low vigour values were 2438, 1895 and 1487 kg·ha-1 and 15984, 12990 and 10576 kg·ha-1, respectively. The highest values of total acidity (6.04 g·L-1) and tartaric acid (9.05 g·L-1) have been obtained in low vigour, as well as the lowest values of pH (3.26), malic acid (0.42 g·L-1) and potassium (1640 ppm). Finally, one wine per vigour was produced and a tasting was carried out to check if the differences between the vineyards were perceptible. According to the obtained results, the NDVI is a good indicator to classify vineyards, finding notable differences between the experimental treatments studied
Assessment of the impacts of microbial plant protection products on the health and development of the gut microbiome of honeybee (Apis mellifera, L.)
MAGIC-RESIST: Identification and mapping of effective resistance genes to rust diseases and Fusarium head blight in the MAGIC WHEAT population WM-800
Mini-review on the efficacy of aquatic macrophytes as mosquito larvicide
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease, which is endemic in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Vector control is the current strategy used for the eradication and elimination of malaria in these countries, but this control method has not proven to be effective, as malaria continues its increasing trend. Although chemical larvicide can also be used to eradicate the malaria vector at the larval stage, preventing the growth of mosquitoes into hematophagous adults, the continuous use of chemical insecticides leads to environmental pollution. It is therefore of paramount importance to identify effective, low-cost, biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides for the control of mosquito larvae.This mini-review aims to assess the present and future of the use of macrophytes as a mosquito larvicide. We critically analyze the trend of malaria cases in sub-Saharan Africa and evaluate why botanical larvicides may contribute to the eradication of malaria in the region. The ecological role of macrophytes in the aquatic environment and their potential as botanical larvicide are explained in detail. The study illustrates that the macrophytes Azolla pinnata, Pistia stratiotes, Eicchornia crassipes, Phragmites australis, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus, Typha latifolia and Leucas martinicensis have been effectively used as larvicides against mosquito larvae. It is recommended that additional work be done to purify the biologically active components that are responsible for the larvicidal activity of these macrophytes, and future research should assess the potential of other macrophytes for effective utilization as larvicides
Quality traits of saffron produced in Italy: geographical area effect and good practices
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the world and is used in food, cosmetic and dyeing industries. Considering that the production of saffron is increasingly widespread in medium-small Italian farms as well as the scarceness of information and studies regarding the quality of the saffron produced in Italy, the principal aim of this study was to investigate the quality of Italian saffron. Qualitative analysis was conducted in accordance with ISO 3632 1,2:2010-2011 considering 484 samples collected over four years (2015-2018). In particular, moisture content, aroma strength (safranal), colouring strength (crocin) and flavour strength (picrocrocin) were assessed for each sample, and whether spice quality varied according to the geographical area where the spice was produced was also investigated. Qualitative analysis showed that the majority (84-93%) of the samples analysed are of the first quality category, regardless of the year of production. Moisture content and colouring strength are the factors that influence the quality of the spice most. Principal component analysis showed that quality is not influenced by the geographical area where the spice was produced. Finally, some best agricultural practices to obtain a high quality saffron spice are reported