13004 research outputs found
Sort by
Gene functional studies and gene editing at work to improve the sustainability of viticulture
Get PDFBeing one of the most cultivated tree crops in mid-temperate regions, grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is dangerously affected by the recent and progressive extremization of climatic conditions. This leads to an increase in favorable environments for both existing and emerging fungal pathogens. As a result, pathogen pressure on vineyards is exacerbated, which must be countered with a growing use of fungicides. Today we have the tools to enhance the resilience of this tree species and ensure sustainable production. Indeed, it is now an established practice in some laboratories to regenerate grapevine plants from gene-edited protoplasts, transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The production of NGT-1 plants by DNA-free approach not only mitigates regulatory and public acceptance issues associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but also ensures that the edited plants retain their original genetic background, thereby preserving varietal identity and quality. We are applying a DNA-free gene editing protocol to produce edited plants of different grapevine cultivars, while studying the function of genes whose mutations are important for the resistance to pathogens and resilience in this crop. As examples, members of the Downy Mildew Resistance 6 gene family were edited in two table grape cultivars, ‘Crimson seedless’ and ‘Sugraone’, to dissect their role in downy mildew (DM) resistance. Our results indicated that reduced susceptibility to DM and increased salicylic acid are obtained by knocking out both VviDMR6-1 and VviDMR6-2. More recently, we obtained similar mutations in the wine cultivar ‘Chardonnay’: these prototypes are now being grafted and will be tested in the field. The editing of genes involved in the cell-wall disassembly, precisely of a member of Pectin Methylesterase gene family in ‘Sugraone’, proved the role of the cell wall disassembly in the response to Botrytis cinerea (Bc). Increased susceptibility to Bc was shown upon artificial inoculation of leaves of knocked-out (KO) edited lines as compared to control plants. These results suggest that the pectin modification mediated by VviPME10 plays an important role in the grapevine response to Bc. Testing the effect of VviPME10 editing on berries and in field conditions are essential steps to determine the effectiveness of this mutation in Bc defense. Other traits currently under examination include transcription factors potentially regulating epidermal cell fate and cuticular wax composition in grapevine leaves and berries. These investigations pave the way for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing plant resilience, improving berry quality, and extending shelf life. Overall, testing all the plants obtained from this pipeline in field conditions is important to evaluate their performance in the light of a more sustainable viticulture
More than meets the eye: unravelling anthropic land use impacts on skin microbiota of an opportunistic amphibian species
Get PDFAs amphibians register population declines worldwide as a result of human-driven habitat modifications and emerging dis- eases, their skin microbiota has attracted major interest as a means of adaptation to the changing environment and a barrier against pathogens. A substantial body of research has been published on the characterization of the bacterial taxa found on amphibian skin, or their variation between species and/or life stages, as well on the interaction between amphibian skin micro- biota and potential pathogens, especially the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, showing how bacterial skin communities can influence the resistance of amphibian wild populations to this pathogen. However, the diversity of amphibian skin myco- biota and its potential interaction with the bacterial component of microbiota is still largely unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the diversity patterns of both bacterial and fungal communities living on the skin of Bombina variegata (Linneaus 1758), and to highlight the associations between these patterns with biotic and abiotic parameters of their habitats, including the microbiota of the wetland itself. Skin swabs of about ten individuals were collected from populations of four habitat cat- egories, with varying degrees of human impact. Alpha and beta diversity indices were calculated for both communities from the 16S (bacteria) and ITS1 (fungi) amplicon variants (ASVs) retrieved. Differences across habitats were statistically tested, as well as the influence of abiotic factors and that of one community on another. We found a clear association between skin and water microbial communities in terms of relative abundance of bacterial and fungal ASVs shared between the two microbial communities. Both alpha and beta diversity indices calculated from B. variegata skin swabs were found to be statistically different across habitats, although different patterns were found for bacterial and fungal diversity. Beta diversity indices also showed close clustering of water and skin communities for each habitat and sampling site. Water pH, temperature and dis- solved oxygen proved to be statistically significant factors affecting both bacterial and fungal diversity, but, again, with different patterns between alpha and beta diversity
The Echinococcus multilocularis cycle: first detection of intermediate host in a highly endemic region of Northeastern Italy
No full textIntracellular and extracellular thiol-peptides modulate the response of Marchantia polymorpha to physiological needs, excess, and starvation of zinc, copper, and iron
No full textThiol-peptides, such as glutathione and phytochelatins, are believed to play a crucial role in regulating metal micronutrient needs (in particular, copper, iron, and zinc), and in detoxifying their excessive amounts. This study provides insight into the mechanisms involved in detoxification, starvation, and physiological control of the aforesaid metals in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The results show that the phytochelatin synthase activity in gametophytes of M. polymorpha is induced mainly by zinc, followed by copper, and iron. Interestingly, the amount of phytochelatins produced seems to be controlled by the enzyme activity, rather than by the expression level of its gene. Moreover, when gametophytes are deprived of zinc, copper, and iron, phytochelatin levels decrease, compared with normal nutrient supply. Phytochelatins and glutathione, on the other hand, appear to play a key role in detoxification of excess zinc, copper, and iron, particularly when these thiol-peptides are released extracellularly. This suggests a potential novel function for phytochelatins and glutathione as detoxifying compounds also in the extracellular environmen
Monitoring of GHGs flux dynamics at the "Viote" mountain peatland (Eastern Alps, Italy) under climate change pressure
Get PDFThis presentation focuses on the alpine peatland "le Viote" (46.01 N, 11.04 E, 1560 m asl), located at the centre of a plateau in the Mt. Bondone area, in the eastern Italian Alps (Figure), where the fluxes of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the peatland ecosystem and the atmosphere have been measured by chamber technique since summer 2024. The objectives of the current research activities are to analyse the spatial and temporal variability of both GHGs with special attention to CH4 fluxes, considering the response to climatic drivers, the influence of peatland vegetation community types, hydrology and natural and anthropogenic disturbances history. These activities build on 10+ years of CO2 fluxes monitoring by eddy covariance and a more limited dataset of CH4 fluxes, providing a temporal background for detecting flux magnitude changes
Tiny but mighty: pollen of South Tyrol
No full textUp to 20% of the South Tyrolean population is affected by pollen allergy. The pollen information service (PIS) is provided by the Biological Laboratory of the Agency of Environment and Climate protection. Besides publishing weekly pollen reports, producing pollen calendars for the region and providing a pollen forecast, the PIS is involved in other projects of this research-field. One of them is a study which focused on pollen concentrations in alpine valleys of South Tyrol. Therefore, the pollen concentrations of two alpine stations in Prettau and Grub (both located above an altitude of 1400 m) were measured during the period from 2019-2021. Results showed that the Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) of the alpine stations was lower compared to the SPI of the nearby surveyed stations located at lower altitude in the main valleys. This could be due to the absence of pollen sources at a certain altitude and to a shorter vegetation period at alpine locations. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of long-distance transport of pollen by strong winds could also have impacted the concentration and species spectrum of pollen measured in these stations. Similar difference in pollen load correlated to the altitude had been found focusing on the pollen of only one species: the invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia. In cooperation with a working group, the mean daily concentrations of Ambrosia pollen of five regions in Northern Italy were evaluated for the period 2000- 2023. The results showed that in the stations at higher altitude, the pollen concentration of Ambrosia was lower than in the stations located at lower altitude. Additionally, a significantly decreasing trend was observed in the stations of the lowlands around Milano. This finding can be linked to the accidental import of an invasive leaf-beetle species, Ophraella communa, which reduced the Ambrosia population because it feeds preferably on these plant
Exploring the relationship between field available water capacity (AWC) and atypical aging (ATA) development in base wines
Get PDFHydric stress is a leading cause of atypical aging (ATA) in wine, characterized by unpleasant olfactory notes. The main sensorial and chemical marker of ATA is 2-aminoacetophenone (AAP). Early detection of ATA before the second fermentation in sparkling wines (SWs) is crucial for producing high-quality products. Climate change-induced droughts significantly impact agriculture, including grape farming, particularly in vineyards with shallow soils and reduced available water capacity (AWC). This study examined the relationship between AWC and ATA in base wines (BWs) intended for SW production. Ten vineyards were classified into three AWC categories (low, medium, and high). Hydric stress levels were monitored over two growing seasons to explore their effects on vegeto-productive behavior and AAP development. During the first vintage, drought conditions led to potentially ATA-tainted BWs across all AWC classes. The impact varied with AWC, with low-AWC vineyards experiencing higher stress and producing BWs with elevated AAP levels and vegeto-productive imbalance. In contrast, the following season had unusual rainfall, resulting in some potentially ATA-affected BWs, but no significant differences in AAP content or vegeto-productive balance among the AWC classes were observed. In conclusion, grapevines on low-AWC soils are at a higher risk of producing faulty BWs, particularly in dry vintage
