63 research outputs found
Dimensional and genetic characterization of the last oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis L.) of historical sites in Lazio (central Italy)
No full textIn central Italy, Platanus orientalis L. specimens characterize many gardens in urban and suburban villas. In this research, centuries-old oriental plane trees were studied in different historical sites of Lazio according to the COVE (COnservation of VEteran trees) multidisciplinary model. Historical sources, morphological and dendrometric aspects, crown quality, genetic traits of each specimen, as well as their susceptibility to the canker stain disease, were investigated. Platanus orientalis was clearly distinguished from P. occidentalis and their hybrid P. acerifolia through molecular tools. UPGMA analysis based on SSR and ISSR molecular markers clustered the plane trees in different sub-groups, probably according to the different sites of sampling. These findings, supported by historical and morphological data collected in the considered sites, showed that almost all the trees studied are a small remnant of those planted in the period running from the second half of XVI century to the first decades of XVII century. Plant health conditions diverge within and among the sites inspected. Past-prolonged severe pruning treatments of trees located near the main monuments affected their growth, causing faster and premature senescence. However, the management of historical gardens has so far led to an efficient prevention of Ceratocystis platani introduction, spread and establishment. This study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to interpret the present status of the ancient tree asset within historical sites and let the past become a lesson for the future in a broader scenario of conservation and management of cultural heritage
Suppression of soil-borne plant pathogens in growing media amended with espresso spent coffee grounds as a carrier of Trichoderma spp.
No full textEspresso spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a high-value organic waste material often reported as a suitable soil amendment in horticulture. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the suppressiveness characteristics of SCG by the analysis of antagonistic microorganisms colonizing SCG and by a bioassay with cress grown on peat amended with 10% SCG and infested with the damping off causal pathogens Scierotinia sclerotiorum and Phytophthora nicotianae. Among culturable microorganisms, mesophilic bacteria were the main forms colonizing SCG followed by actinomycetes. Fungal species isolated from SCG were represented by Trichoderma atroviride and, at a lesser extent, T. citrinoviride and Aspergillus sp. In vitro assays revealed that sterilized SCG were able to strongly inhibit mycelial growth of both S. sclerotiorum and P. nicotianae. By contrast, T. atroviride representative isolates Ta3 and Ta4, isolated from SCG, were able to rapidly colonise sterilized SCG. This result indicates that this species is insensitive to antimicrobial compounds present in SCG and are probably involved in the mechanism of soilborne pathogen suppression. Both Trichoderma isolates were characterised for their antagonistic activity. In dual culture assays, T. atroviride Ta3 and Ta4 inhibited the mycelial growth of both S. sclerotiorum and P. nicotianae and produced toxic volatile and non-volatile metabolites, having complementary inhibitory effects on growth of the target pathogens. Results from the bioassay revealed that sterilized peat-SCG substrate significantly reduced damping-off of cress due to P. nicotianae but failed to suppress that caused by S. sclerotiorum. When the sterilized peat-SCG substrate was enriched with T. atroviride Ta3 and Ta4 a consistent decrease of damping off caused by the two pathogens was recorded. SCG was found to be a valuable source of nutrients and not phytotoxic on cress at 10% peat substitution rate, but decreased plant growth. Present results indicate that SCG, a suitable component of mixed-peat or fortified substrates, are capable to provide disease suppression and represents an optimal substrate to support growth and activity of antagonistic Trichoderma
Lignin Nanoparticles with Entrapped Thymus spp. Essential Oils for the Control of Wood-Rot Fungi
No full textAfter decades of utilization of fossil-based and environmentally hazardous compounds for wood preservation against fungal attack, there is a strong need to substitute those compounds with bio-based bioactive solutions, such as essential oils. In this work, lignin nanoparticles containing four essential oils from thyme species (Thymus capitatus, Coridothymus capitatus, T. vulgaris, and T. vulgaris Demeter) were applied as biocides in in vitro experiments to test their anti-fungal effect against two white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus) and two brown-rot fungi (Poria monticola and Gloeophyllum trabeum). Entrapment of essential oils provided a delayed release over a time frame of 7 days from the lignin carrier matrix and resulted in lower minimum inhibitory concentrations of the essential oils against the brown-rot fungi (0.30–0.60 mg/mL), while for the white-rot fungi, identical concentrations were determined compared with free essential oils (0.05–0.30 mg/mL). Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to assess the fungal cell wall changes in the presence of essential oils in the growth medium. The results regarding brown-rot fungi present a promising approach for a more effective and sustainable utilization of essential oils against this class of wood-rot fungi. In the case of white-rot fungi, lignin nanoparticles, as essential oils delivery vehicles, still need optimization in their efficacy
Characterization of Phytophthora cinnamomi from common walnut in Southern Europe environment
No full text
Ceratocystis fagacearum ̶ Pest Report and Datasheet to support ranking of EU candidate priority pests
No full textThese two files are part of the outputs produced under the mandate M-2017-0056 of the European Commission requesting EFSA for technical assistance in the field of quarantine pests qualifying as priority pests as by Article 6(2) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants.
Under the mandate EFSA produced: i) 1 methodology report (DOI available at the field "Related/alternate identifiers"), ii) 28 datasheets, one for each of the 28 candidate pests, and iii) 28 pest reports supporting the information provided in the datasheets.
EFSA wishes to acknowledge the contribution of Anna Maria Vettraino to the EKE and the review conducted by Christer Magnusson.EU; XLS; [email protected]
Lignin nanoparticles containing essential oils for controlling Phytophthora cactorum diseases
No full textPhytophthora cactorum is a plant pathogen affecting a wide range of hosts, causing economically damaging diseases, such as damping off and root rot, in fields and nurs- eries. Current plant protection strategies are often inadequate to control Phytophthora diseases. Hence, an attempt was made to evaluate the potential of a novel control method using lignin nanoparticles loaded with essential oil of Thymus serpyllum (EO- LNPs) for controlling P. cactorum infections on Pinus nigra in vitro and greenhouse con- ditions. Nanoparticles were characterized by Py-GCMS and the drug efficiency, and drug loading capacity were determined using HPLC. T. serpyllum essential oils (EOs) were characterized by gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS). Under in vitro con- ditions, the median effective concentration (EC50) values were 20.453 and 88.711 μg/ ml, for EOs and EO-LNPs, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo tests revealed that thyme EOs and EO-LNPs were very effective in reducing the mortality of inoculated pine seedlings, with an inhibition rate of 93% and 100%, respectively. Results reported in this study open the possibility of using EO-LNPs for improving plant health in green- house settings. The design of new protection strategies relying on lignin nanoparticles conforms to the principles of the circular economy
Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus L. landrace “Carciofo Ortano” as a source of bioactive compounds
No full textThe preservation of agricultural biodiversity and socioeconomic development are relevant both to enhance domestic production and to support innovation. In the search for new biomolecules, we have focused on the "Carciofo Ortano" landrace, growth in the northern part of the Lazio region. Artichoke cultivation generates substantial by-products, including leaves, stems, and roots, which could serve as valuable sources of biomolecules and prebiotic dietary fiber. To valorize the leaf waste of the "Carciofo Ortano" landrace, a multidisciplinary approach was applied. Chemical analysis using HPLC-DAD identified mono-O- and di-O-caffeoylquinic acids and the sesquiterpene cynaropicrin in all artichoke leaf extracts. SPME-GC/MS analyses detected aliphatic alcohols in the fresh leaf samples. Antiproliferative and cytotoxic studies on cancer (SH-SY5Y, MCF-7, MDA) and normal (MCF-10A) human cell lines revealed that leaf extracts induced a selective dose and time-dependent biological effect. While showing slight activity against environmental bacterial strains, artichoke leaf extracts exhibited significant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. Overall, the results highlight the potential of "Carciofo Ortano" cultivation by-products as a rich source of biomolecules with versatile applications in humans, animals, and the environment
Interaction between pathogens and water in disease development in agriculture and forest ecosystems
No full textInteraction between pathogens and water in disease development in agriculture and forest ecosystems
No full textThe present paper reports on the role of water in plant pathology as possible stress factor and vector of pathogen. The latter aspect is considered in a scenario of general risk of introduction and spread of invasive plant pathogens. In addition to peculiar epidemiology aspects, the possible diagnostic methodologies and control methods are considered. The role of water as stress factor is analysed in a general frame of climatic global changes that could enhance the risk of severe drought events. Within this frame some model pathosystems are described where water plays a role as co-factor or inciting factor in disease development
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