Studio del controllo di Bactrocera oleae, di funghi agenti filloptosi e carpoptosi anticipata nell’olivicoltura da mensa e da olio in Sicilia.

Abstract STUDY ON THE CONTROL OF BACTROCERA OLEAE AND FUNGI INDUCING EARLY LEAF AND FRUIT DROP IN OLIVE GROWING FOR TABLE OLIVES AND OIL PRODUCTION IN SICILY. Susceptibility of olive cultivars to olive fruit fly, damage thresholds, sampling methods, effectiveness of products deterring olive fruit fly oviposition, foliar chlorosis and withering of branches have been investigated. Riassunto Tra le cultivar saggiate (16 siciliane e 6 estere) esiste un ampio gradiente nella suscettibilità agli attacchi di B. oleae, andando dalle più suscettibili Nocellara del Belice, Giarraffa, Cerasuola alle meno preferite; tra queste ultime vi sono cultivar con caratteristiche peculiari diversificate: Nocella…

The life cicle of Plasmopara viticola

Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Bed. & De Toni is an obligate biotrophic oomycetous organism which causes downy mildew of grape vine. An understanding of its life-cycle is essential in relation to the pathology and epidemiology, and for the development of better control of the disease. It overwinters as oospores within fallen leaves.

Metabolites produced by agents of dieback of grapevine in Sicily: Lasiodiplodia mediterranea, Neofusicoccum parvum and N. vitifusiforme

Botryosphaeria dieback was recently reported in West Sicilian vineyards. The disease complex was only associated with isolates of genus Lasiodiplodia in 2007 and together with Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum and Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme, this latest reported for the first time on Vitis vinifera in Italy. Moreover, a representative isolate of each species was inoculated on green shoots and fulfilled Koch’s postulates, although the lengths of vascular discolourations were variable depending on the species. As well as the other GTD causal agents, the expression of foliar symptoms (pale colour along the margins and between veins) was also occasional in Sicily, it was hypothesized that…

A dark-septate fungus is the dominant endophyte in roots of the halophite Inula Crithmoides. Does habitat-adapted symbiosis operate in salt-adapted plants?

Opere in legname ed alterazioni biotiche del materiale ligneo

Ulteriori studi sulle micorrize vescicolo-arbuscolari del ficodindia in areali siciliani

Specie di Trichoderma associate alla produzione di Pleurotus ostreatus

Detection of an endophytic Acremonium sp. in healthy or naturally damaged leaves of Vitis vinifera.

Microrganismi fungini associati a Rincophorus ferrugineus (Olivr) in Sicilia e valutazione dell'efficacia entomopatogena di un ceppo di Beauveria bassiana (Bals. 9 Vuill: oservazioni preliminari.

Indagine sulla dinamica di presenza in campo delle popolazioni di aspergilli e penicilli in vigneti della Sicilia occidentale

Microspore embryogenesis inCitrusand other fruit crops

Conventional methods, involving several generations of selfing, are not applicable to produce homozygous lines in Citrus as well as in the other fruit crops, due to the high heterozygosity of the genomes, the long duration of the generation cycle, the large size, and, often, the self-incompatibility. For this reason, there is no different way to obtain homozygosity in this kind of plants than “gametic embryogenesis” that allows the development of haploids (Hs, plants with gametophytic chromosome number) and doubled haploids (DHs, haploids that have undergone chromosome duplication) from heterozygous parents in a single step. Therefore, gametic embryogenesis is increasingly object of res…

Le micorrize delle piante mediterranee: aspetti morfo-anatomici, ecologici ed applicativi

EX VITRO MYCORRHIZATION OF VITRO-DERIVED PLANTLETS OF 'CARRIZO' CITRANGE [C. SINENSIS (L.) OSB. × P. TRIFOLIATA (L.) RAF.]

In this study, vitro-derived plantlets of ‘Carrizo’ citrange were inoculated with Glomus intraradices during the acclimatization phase, from in vitro to in vivo. Plantlets were grown in presence (+M) and in absence of inoculum (-M) and in addition, in sterile and non-sterile substrate. After three months of culture, some vegetative parameters and the level of infection, varied greatly in the different theses. In particular, the highest formation of new branched roots has been observed in inoculated plantlets cultivated in sterile substrate. Good results were observed also in non-inoculated plantlets cultivated in non-sterile substrate, in presence of endemic inoculum. The same trend was…

Osservazioni preliminari sulle alterazioni delle eritrine di Foro Umberto I (PA) e funghi associati

THE SAF HERBARIUM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST SCIENCE (UNIVERSITY OF PALERMO)

In the wide scenario of herbaria housed in the Italian Universities there are very few examples of structures mainly devoted to forest sciences and fungi in forest ecosystems. The “Regio Istituto Superiore Forestale di Vallombrosa” (Tuscany), established in 1869, was the first example of a structure that housed an herbarium with exsiccata of forest trees. In Italy, the southernmost laurea degree course in “Environmental and Forest Sciences” concern the Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences in the University of Palermo (Sicily). Two herbaria (CAT and PAL) are currently present in Sicily with the following specialties: a) Vascular plants, bryophytes, and algae of Mediterranean area, …

Alterazioni ricorrenti in vivai di specie ornamentali in Sicilia.

Detection of endophytic bacteria in leaves of Vitis vinifera by using fluorescence in situ hybridization

Previous investigation on five cultivars of healthy Sicilian grapevine allowed the isolation of endophytic bacteria belonging to Bacillus genus from different organs (bud, leaf, stalk and shoot). The aim of this work was to use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments in healthy and damaged leaf tissues of Vitis vinifera to visualize and localize bacteria associated with plant materials. The leaves were cleared to minimize the autofluorescence of the plant fragments. The use of fluorescently labelled bacterial probe Eub338 in FISH experiments on discoloured grapevine leaf disks allowed the estimation of the spatial distribution of different bacterial colonies. At the same time,…

Sull’impiego di inoculi AM in ambito vivaistico

Epidemiological survey on 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' and putative vectors in Western Sicily

Bois noir (BN) associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ is an important grapevine yellows disease widespread in Europe and Mediterranean regions. During a two years survey (2014-15) carried out in a 10-year-old vineyard located in San Giuseppe Jato (PA), symptoms of Bois noir were observed on cvs Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Nero d’ Avola. Incidence of the disease increased over the two years, reaching values of about 34 % on cv Chardonnay. Ca. ‘P. solani’ was detected on symptomatic leaf samples from all cultivars with the highest percentage on cv Chardonnay followed by Pinot noir and Nero d’Avola. Further surveys were performed in order to highlight the epidemiology of the disease by…

Grapevine deseases in Sicily

Antifungal peptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens AG1 active against grapevine fungal pathogens

Abstract Antifungal metabolites produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens AG1, previously isolated from wood of grapevine with “esca syndrome”, were studied. The crude protein extract (CPE) obtained from culture supernatant fluid by precipitation with ammonium sulfate was assayed against many grapevine fungal pathogens. B. amyloliquefaciens strain AG1 showed a broad spectrum of antifungal activity, inhibiting mycelial growth in vitro of all tested fungal microorganisms. The metabolites contained in CPE were heat stable and remained active over a wide pH range (2–10). Their activity was not affected by proteolytic or glycolytic enzymes. Tricine- SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a…

Dynamics of Aspergillus and Penicillium species in different Italian vineyards

The ectomycorrhizal community of Abies nebrodensis: preliminary results

Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei is a Critically Endangered forest tree included in Appendix I of the Bern Convention and as a priority species in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive [1]. In situ and ex situ conservation strategies [2] and, more recently, a LIFE Natura project [3] allowed a marked improvement of health conditions of trees and of seedlings renewal. A first attempt to characterize the ectomycorrhizas of A. nebrodensis was carried out by Venturella & Rambelli [4]. In the frame of the activities of the II National Workshop of Ectomycorrhyza (Palermo, 2015), this paper reports the preliminary investigation carried out on the ectomycorrhyzal community of A. nebrodensis i…

Un endofita fungino in Eruca sativa Mill., probabile antagonista di Albugo candida (Pers. ex Hook) Kuntze.

DISTRIBUTION OF BOTRYOSPHAERIACEAE SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH GRAPEVINE DECLINE IN WESTERN SICILY.

Recently, the pathogenicity of different Botryosphaeraceae species on grapevines has been reported from many European and extra-European areas. During summer 2008, in a Sicilian vineyard located in the Marsala area (TP), we observed a decline induced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The occurrence and quite rapid spread of the disease seemed to support the regional variability of the species in question, which is retained a tropical and subtropical pathogen to different trees. In the last two years, the decline syndrome has been observed in the following other grape-growing areas of western and central Sicily: Alcamo and Salemi (TP), Montevago (AG) and Milena (CL). From declining plants showing…

Sull'impiego delle micorizze arbuscolari per la definizione della qualità dei suoli nei processi di desertificazione

Funghi endofiti e micorrizici: bioindicatori dello stato fitosanitario in ambienti naturali e degradati.

Sperimentazione di campo sull'impiego delle soglie in legname e pietrame in ambiente mediterraneo

On Acremonium sp., endophytic in grape leaves and antagonistic to the downy mildew agent Plasmopara viticola: chimical structure and activity of acremonines A and B

Indagine sulla dinamica di presenza delle popolazioni di aspergilli e penicilli in vigneti della Sicilia occidentale

Osservazioni sugli endofiti fungini in Posidonia oceanica

La presenza di funghi endofiti in rizomi radici e foglie di Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delille è stata valutata nell’ambito di uno studio morfologico ed ecologico condotto in differenti ambienti mediterranei. In particolare, su individui prelevati in 5 diversi siti costieri siciliani, sono state effettuate osservazioni mirate alla visualizzazione di strutture miceliari nei tessuti dell’ospite, all’isolamento di colonie fungine su substrati artificiali agarizzati e alla loro identificazione su basi morfologiche e molecolari. Le indagini, sebbene tuttora in corso, rilevano la costante presenza di microrganismi fungini endofiti negli organi saggiati sia pure con differenti valori di frequenza d’i…

In semi-vivo antagonism of Acremoninum byssoides towards Plasmopara viticola

In previous laboratory tests the culture filtrates and the crude extracts obtained from Acremonium byssoides were shown to completely inhibit Plasmopara viticola sporangia germination. A study was thus undertaken in order to investigate on the possible inhibiting activity of the hyphomycete towards pathogenesis of the oomycete in grapevine. A. byssoides was cultivated on malt-extract agar (MEA) to obtain pure colonies and on maltextract broth (MEB) to obtain culture filtrate and crude extract. Healthy leaves of grapevine were put in Petri dishes containing sporangia suspended in: deionized sterile water, malt-extract broth, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), culture filtrate, crude extract and a sus…

Ex vitro mycorrhization of vitro-derived plantlets of 'Carrizo' citrange [C. Sinensis (L.) Osb. × P. Trifoliata (L.) Raf.]

In this study, vitro-derived plantlets of 'Carrizo' citrange were inoculated with Glomus intraradices during the acclimatization phase, from in vitro to in vivo. Plantlets were grown in presence (+M) and in absence of inoculum (-M) and in addition, in sterile and non-sterile substrate. After three months of culture, some vegetative parameters and the level of infection, varied greatly in the different theses. In particular, the highest formation of new branched roots has been observed in inoculated plantlets cultivated in sterile substrate. Good results were observed also in non-inoculated plantlets cultivated in non-sterile substrate, in presence of endemic inoculum. The same trend was obs…

Necrosi apicale del Mango (Mangifera indica L.)causata da Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall, in Sicilia.

Preliminary studies on "esca" disease in Sicilian vineyards

Preliminary observations on fungal endophytic community and mycorrhizal status in symptomless Quercus ilex seedlings

Recently, a study on the Quercus ilex L. decay caused by biotic and abiotic agents has hypothesized alterations on endophytic and mycorrhizal fungal populations. Since holm oak is among the most representative Mediterranean species, that occurs widely in both urban and rural areas, in this work we preliminarly report these symbiotic fungal communities in asymptomatic seedlings, in order to compare these populations with those found in seedlings subjected to water and saline stress. Endophytic fungi were isolated from twigs and leaves and identified by morphological and molecular analysis. The ectomycorrhizal status was evaluated on root samples randomly selected to calculate the percentage …

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated trasformation of nonpathogenic and antagonistic Fusarium oxisporum with the jellyfish gene GFP.

Impiego dei funghi micorrizici arbuscolari come indicatori della qualità dei suoli

Selezione di ceppi eduli di Pleurotus spp. resistenti a Trichoderma viride: risultati preliminari

Plasmopara viticola: three decades of observation in Sicily

Alterazioni delle caratteristiche fisico-chimiche dei paletti di castagno in ambiente mediterraneo

Diversity of Diatrypaceae species in three Spanish grapevine producing regions.

The objective of this study was to identify species of Diatrypaceae associated with trunk diseases in three different Spanish grapevine producing regions: Albacete, Cádiz and Valencia provinces, located, respectively, in geographically distant areas of Central, South and Eastern Spain. Species identification of 71 isolates was performed using a combination of morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA (ITS) and the β-tubulin gene. Four species of Diatrypaceae were identified: Cryptovalsa ampelina was the predominant species (63.4%) followed by Eutypa lata (19.7%), Eutypella microtheca (4.2%), and Eutypella citricola (2.8%)…

Evoluzione morfologica di Albugo candida in Eruca sativa.

Breve nota: funghi associati a marciumi anomali in acini d'uva.

Possibilità d'impiego di soglie in legname e pietrame in ambiente mediterraneo

Epidemiological study of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in a sicilian vineyard.

Diversità della comunità ectomicorrizica presente in un impianto artificiale di conifere alloctone in Sardegna

Nel presente contributo sono riportati i risultati di uno studio sulla diversità della comunità fungina ectomicorrizica (ECM) presente in un impianto artificiale di conifere alloctone (Abies alba Mill., Pinus nigra Arnold e Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière), in cui è presente rinnovazione di A. alba e di Quercus ilex L., unica specie vegetale arborea autoctona presente nell’ambiente di studio. L’area d’indagine è localizzata a Tempio Pausania (Sardegna), sul monte Limbara in località Madonna della Neve (1262 s.l.m). Al suo interno sono stati individuati 5 plot omogenei, ed in ciascuno di essi sono stati prelevati frammenti radicali dalla base di esemplari adulti di A. alba, P. n…

Fungal and bacterial endophytes in Olea europaea.

The composition of the endophytic community in leaves and twigs of the olive-tree (Olea europaea L.) was studied in Sicily (Italy). Two sampling areas were selected: one in San Cipirello (PA) and the other one in Racalmuto (AG). The olive-yards were similar for plant age, cultivar and agricultural management. Isolation assays were made from samples collected from each locality in spring, summer and autumn during 2007 and 2008. Quantities of fungal and bacterial isolates were different in relation to the sampled sites. The prevailing fungal genera in almost all samplings were Alternaria, Cladosporium, Diplodia, Phoma, Septoria, Stemphylium and its teleomorph Pleospora. Regarding bacterial ge…

Un'indagine epidemiologica sulle più ricorrenti fitopatie viticole in Sicilia

In "semi-vivo" antagonism of Acremonium byssoides towards Plasmopara viticola.

Possibilità di impiego di soglie in legname e pietrame in ambiente mediterraneo

Viruses infecting different Mediterranean genotypes of Ficus carica and their distribution in different plant organs.

Seven Mediterranean Ficus carica genotypes, i.e. cv. Palazzo, Severoni precoce, Bianca, Pilusedda, Dottato bianco, Bifara and Zidi, were screened for the presence of seven fig-infecting viruses associated with fig mosaic disease (FMD) in order to explore their distribution in different plant organs (leaf, bud and syconium) that will be utilized as a plant source material in different sanitation techniques. RT-PCR assays conducted on reverse-transcribed TNA extracted from leaves, apical buds and syconia (1.5-2cm) of each genotype for the presence of Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 1 (FLMaV-1), Fig mild mottling-associated virus (FMMaV), Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig latent virus 1 (FLV-1), Fi…

Pathogenic fungi of Mangifera indica in Sicily

Antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis strain AG1 against fungal microorganisms associated with Vitis vinifera.

Detection of endophytic bacteria in leaves of Vitis vinifera by using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH.

On the pathogens of Mangifera indica in Sicily

Study on endophytic strains of genus Acremonium in symptomless grapevines

Possibilità di impiego di soglie in legname e pietrame in ambiente mediterraneo

Naphthalenone polyketides produced by Neofusicoccum parvum, a fungus associated with grapevine Botryosphaeria dieback

A strain of Neofusicoccum parvum isolated from declining vines was pathogenic to grapevine cultivar Inzolia in Sicily. This strain produced some metabolites in liquid medium. Crude extract, through a bio-guided purification process, yielded four naphthalenone polyketides. They were identified by comparison with spectroscopic data and optical proprieties reported in literature as: (3S, 4S)-7-ethyl-3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, (3S*, 4S*)-3,4-dihydro-3,4,8-trihydroxy-7-(1-hydroxyethyl)-6-methoxy-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, (4S)-3,4-dihydro-4,8-dihydroxy-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, named  botryosphaerones D and A, isosclerone, respectively,  and (3S*,4S*)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-…

Mango pathogens in Sicily

Arthropds and mycorrhizal fungi associated to the rhizosphere of grapevine in Sicily.

Ochratoxin A occurrence in Italian wines of different origin

Oospore di Plasmopara viticola: dinamica di maturazione e possibile antagonismo di Acremonium byssoides

Taxonomy, pathogenicity and phylogeny of fungi associated with Botryosphaeria dieback in Sicily

Since the first report of “Botryosphaeria dieback” caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in 2008, other Botryosphaeriaceae were found associated with declining vines in grape-growing areas of Western and Central Sicily. In a recent study, Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia sp., Neofusicoccum parvum and Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme were isolated from declining grapevines. In order to fulfill Koch’s postulates and verify any genetic variability among isolates, pathogenicity, morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were performed. The pathogenicity of eighteen isolates was tested by inoculating 2-year-old rooted grapevine cuttings (cv. Inzolia) and evaluating vascular discoloration length …

Study on mycorrhization of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. in Siciliand stands with different degree of soil disturbance

Antagonismo in vitro di Fusarium oxisporum Schlct. Emend. Sn. e Hans. Isolato dalla rizosfera di Mangifera indica L. nei confronti di patogeni fungini.

Study of the variability of an endophytic Acremonium population in symptomless grapevines.

Fitopatie fungine in vivai ornamentali nella Sicilia occidentale

Frequent Alterations in Sicilian Olive-yards:First Pathogenicity tests

Grapevine infectious diseases in Sicily

Funghi associati ad alterazioni in oliveti siciliani

Mycorrhizae in genus Tuber

Acremines A-F, novel secondary metabolites produced by an endophytic strain of Acremonium sp., isolated in grape leaves infected by Plasmopara viticola

Six novel metabolites, acremines A–F have been isolated from agar cultures of a strain of Acremonium sp. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated using a combination of 13C and 1H homo and heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments and X-ray analysis. Acremines A–D inhibited the germination of sporangia of Plasmopara viticola.

First observations on the interaction between Lasiodiplodia Theobromae and Epicoccum purpurascens, both endophytes in grapevine buds

Antimycotic activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against fungi of vineyards soil origin

Preliminary investigations on grapevines (cv Catarratto) with symptoms of “esca” allowed the isolation of different bacterial colonies (Alfonzo et al, 2009). A Gram-positive, spore forming isolate, able to inhibit fungal growth, was subjected to identification. On the basis of the whole 16S rRNA gene sequence, it showed a similarity of 99% with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. There are numerous reports on the antagonistic activity of this species towards several phytopathogenic microorganisms. For this reason, the potential of the bacterial strain against the fungi commonly associated to the soil of vineyards (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus carbonarius, Cladosporium cl…

Prime indagini sulle micorrize della vite in Sicilia

Lulwoana sp., a dark septate endophyte (DSE) in roots of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile seagrass

Posidonia oceanica is the most common, widespread and important monocotyledon seagrass in the Mediterranean Basin, and hosts a large biodiversity of species, including microorganisms with key roles in the marine environment. In this study, we ascertain the presence of a fungal endophyte in the roots of P. oceanica growing on different substrata (rock, sand and matte) in two Sicilian marine meadows. Staining techniques on root fragments and sections, in combination with microscope observations, were used to visualise the fungal presence and determine the percentage of fungal colonisation (FC) in this tissue. In root fragments, statistical analysis of the FC showed a higher mean in roots anch…

Ulteriori osservazione sull'interazione tra Acremonium sp., Vitis vinifera e Plasmopara viticola

Studio sul controllo di Bactrocera oleae, di funghi agenti di filloptosi e carpoptosi anticipata, e sulle tecniche di propagazione e conservazione in vitro nell'olivicoltura da mensa e da olio in Sicilia

Stato sanitario e micorrizazione in specie arboree forestali: casi studio in Italia

La sanità delle piante è notoriamente correlata a elevati livelli di micorrizazione, soprattutto in ospiti strettamente dipendenti dalla simbiosi. Eventuali fattori di stress, abiotici o biotici, agenti di deperimento alterano il bilancio fotosintetico e influenzano, spesso negativamente, l’associazione mutualistica, aggravando così lo stato di sofferenza delle piante. Relativamente alle piante forestali, diversi studi hanno confermato l’intima interazione tra stato sanitario e micorrizazione. In questa nota si riportano i risultati di nostre indagini, condotte in due Regioni ecologicamente molto diverse, Lazio e Sicilia, rilevando lo stato micorrizico di piante di Fagus sp., Pinus sp. e Qu…

Ulteriori studi sulle micorrize del ficodindia in Sicilia

Microrganismi fungini isolati da alterazioni e morie di Rhyncophorus ferrugineus

Il Mal dell'esca della vite in Sicilia

Specie di Trichoderma associate alla "muffa verde" di Pleurotus ostreatus.

L’indagine è stata rivolta all’identificazione degli agen­ti di “muffa verde” in sacchi di substrato artificiale per la coltivazione di Pleurotus ostreatus. Inoltre, saggi indiretti di antagonismo, condotti impiegando il filtrato colturale di un ceppo di Acremonium byssoides, hanno mostrato una ri­levante attività di contenimento nei confronti dei differen­ti Trichoderma spp. agenti dell’alterazione e, nel contem­po, una scarsa efficacia nei confronti di alcune specie col­tivate di Pleurotus.

First Report of Diaporthe eres Associated with Cane Blight of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in Italy

In March 2014, in a ‘Trebbiano’ vineyard in the province of Florence (Tuscany, Italy), 15% of the grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) showed 1-year old canes with bleached areas, sometimes surrounded by dark margins, irregular dark blotches, and several dead buds. Canes were covered by black pycnidia, and occasionally cracks on the cortex were evident. Woody tissues under the bark were necrotic and canes broke easily. Fifteen symptomatic canes were collected from different vines and cane segments of 20 cm length were placed in a moist chamber and incubated at 25°C. After 72 h, a cream-white cirri mass of conidia was observed from pycnidia and it was plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates.…

Sul deperimento di alcuni esemplari di palme nella città di Palermo

Molecular characterization of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates and detection of fungi associated with Citrange root-stock in Sicilian symptomless Citrus growes.

The first monitoring on the CTV occurrence in central-western Sicily carried out during spring 2011 in asymptomatic citrus groves, has allowed to report CTV- free citrus-growing areas (province of Caltanissetta and Trapani), the first focus in province of Agrigento and two new others in province of Palermo. Molecular analysis (RT-PCR of p18, p20 and p23 genes, single strand conformation polymorphism and partial sequencing) showed that the obtained CTV isolates had a high homology (99%) with mild CTV strains (T 30 and T 385). Moreover, survey on the genetic flow and analysis of synonymous/nonsynonymous, by MEGA 5.0 and DNAsp 5.0 programs, demonstrated the provenience of the new “tristeza” fo…

Sull'interazione tra Acremonium sp., Vitis vinifera e Plasmopara viticola.

Preliminary investigations on the occurrence of Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV)in central-western Sicilian orchards and on the mycorrhizal status in citranges (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.)

In the last decade, since the first outbreak of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in the province of Catania (2002), several new CTV foci were found in Sicily. In order to determine CTV occurrence in centra-lwestern Sicily, identify and characterize viral strains and verify the mycorrhizal status of citrange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. × Poncirus trifoliate (L.) Raf.]. one of the most utilized tollerant rootstock, an epidemiological survey was carried out in 2011. Symptomless samples from citrus groves from different Sicilian provinces (Agrigento, Palermo, Trapani, Caltanissetta) were collected and submitted to serological assay. Only samples from Agrigento and Palermo provinces were ELISA-positiv…

Analisi statistica della distribuzione spaziale del mal dell’esca in alcuni vigneti italiani.

Alterazioni del legno della vite: prime osservazioni in areali della Sicilia occidentale.

Il comportamento epidemico di “malattie del legno” di Vitis vinifera è stato studiato in tre aree viticole della Sicilia occidentale. In particolare, sono stati condotti rilievi in campo per quantificare l’incidenza e l’intensità di sintomi del mal dell’esca e di un deperimento “atipico”; in laboratorio, invece, sono stati effettuati isolamenti per individuare i microrganismi associati ai campioni di xilema alterato. I risultati delle osservazioni, confermano la “fluttuazione” dei sintomi, la differente evoluzione dell’esca in funzione della cultivar e del clima, definendo, inoltre, la natura biotica del deperimento atipico rilevato a Marsala (TP) e quella abiotica delle alterazioni xilemat…

Prime osservazioni sulla morfologia di un endofita in Eruca sativa.

Secondary metabolite production of an antagonistic Acremonium, isolate from asymptomatic grapevine leaves infected by Plasmopare viticola.

First investigation on the phytotoxicity of fungi involved in "botriosphaeria dieback" in Sicilian vineyards

Simple techniques suitable for long-term storage of Plasmopara viticola

Summary. Propagules of Plasmopara viticola or fragments of P. viticola infected host tissue were stored by three techniques, freezing at –25°C, dehydration with CaCl2, and freeze-drying. Viability tests were performed periodically until exhaustion of the testing sample. P. viticola samples that were frozen at -25°C remained viable for eight years, whereas the CaCl2 dehydrated samples remained viable for eight and a half years. Freeze-drying was the most successful long-term storage method, being able to preserve samples for almost 21 years.

Osservazioni sulla suscettibilità al "Marciume verde" causato da Penicillium Corymbiferum West (Shigeo e Abe, 1957)divarietà ed ecotipi di aglio

"In vitro" antagonism towards Plasmopara viticola from an endophyte Acremonium sp. in grapevine

How does Acremonium sp. act against the sexual structures of Plasmopara viticola?

Antagonism of the endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain AG1 to fungal pathogens that cause tracheomycotic deterioration of wine wood

Grapevine trunk diseases can determine considerable losses in the worldwide wine industry. Symptoms of wood diseases are dead spurs, arms, cordons and same times vine death, due to cankers in the vascular tissue (Pascoe, 2000). Recent research has also showed a recrudescence either of escadisease or decay by Verticilliumdahliae and the occurrence of new wood alterations (Botryosphaeriarhodina; Mugnai et al., 1999; Wood et al., 2005; Bonfiglioliet al., 2007). Last investigations, carried out in Sicilian vineyards on fungi associated with xilematic“esca”symptoms, revealed the occurrence of genus Bacillusin wood tissues. A spore-producer Gram-positive bacterial isolate, named AG1, was identifi…

Primi studi su Biscognauxia mediterranea in Sicilia occidentale.

In semi-vivo antagonisme of Acremonium byssoides towards Plasmopara viticola

Interaction between a Bacillus isolate, Eruca sativa and Albugo candida.

Vite: primavera 2011 a rischio peronospora?

Vite: allarme per i cancri da Botryosphaera

Biodiversity in the grapevine: rhizosphere arthropods and mycorrhizal fungi

Sperimentazione di laboratorio e di pieno campo sull'impiego delle soglie in legname e pietrame.

Endomicorrize e funghi vescicolo-arbuscolari, bioindicatori dei suoli agrari.

Antagonismo in vitro di Acremonium sp. nei confronti di alcuni funghi fitopatogeni.

Loquat decline in Italy caused by botriosphaeriaceus fungi

Sull'antagonismo in vivo e in vitro di Acremonium byssoides, endofita in Vitis vinifera, nei confronti di Plasmopara viticola

Lo studio dell’interazione fra Acremonium byssoides, Vitis vinifera e Plasmopara viticola, condotto nell’ultimo decennio, ha evidenziato in vitro e in vivo l’attività antagonistica dell’ifomicete, endofita negli organi verdi di alcune cultivars di vite, nei confronti del patogeno. In particolare, è stato accertato che sospensioni conidiche, filtrati colturali, estratti grezzi e metaboliti di A. byssoides riducono sensibilmente la germinazione delle spore agamiche e gamiche di P. viticola, limitando la produzione di propaguli. Inoltre, l’uso di un microscopio laser confocale e l’impiego di un’opportuna tecnica di decolorazione dei tessuti fogliari, seguita da colorazione di contrasto, ha con…

Descrizione delle micorrize del gruppo Thelephorales ed ecologia specifica delle specie più importanti trovate in un impianto di conifere alloctone in Sardegna

La famiglia delle Thelephoraceae include diverse specie di funghi basidiomiceti imenomiceti con corpi fruttiferi dalla forma assai variabile, coriacei o carnosi e a habitat tipicamente terricolo o lignicolo (saprotrofi, cariogeni e micorrizici, in prevalenza). A tale famiglia, la cui sistematica è ancora incerta, si attribuisce attualmente una decina di generi, fra i quali Thelephora, Tomentella, Tomentellopsis, Pseudotomentella e Lenzitopsis sono frequentemente riportati in letteratura come ectomicorrizici (ECM) in simbiosi con radici di piante forestali (aghi- e latifoglie), in vari ecosistemi. In particolare, studi dettagliati riguardano la descrizione morfologica delle ECM che essi inst…

Fusaria antagonisti isolati dalla rizosfera di Mangifera indica.

Indagini preliminari sul deperimento delle essenze arboree di "Bosco Ficuzza" (PA).

Evoluzione di Acremonium sp., endofita in tessuti fogliari di Vitis vinifera, durante la patogenesi di Plasmopara viticola

Valutazione delle caratteristiche morfo-anatomiche di alcune simbiosi micorriziche mediante tecniche colorimetriche usuali e innovative.

Studio delle popolazioni di aspergilli e penicilli in uve della sicilia occidentale

In diversi vigneti della Sicilia occidentale è stata monitorata, su uve sane e infestate, la dinamica di presenza di specie di Aspergillus e Penicillium, alcune delle quali note produttrici di ocratossina A, la principale micotossina della filiera vitivinicola. Gli studi condotti dall’allegagione alla raccolta evidenziano la variabilità quali-quantitativa delle popolazioni di aspergilli e penicilli, in relazione alle condizioni ambientali. Le analisi tossicologiche, accertando la presenza occasionale della micotossina, confermano l’assenza di correlazione tra il livelli di OTA nelle uve e la presenza dei funghi in vigneto.

FIRST REPORT OF STEMPHYLIUM sp. ON OLIVE TREES IN SICILY.

In the last five years, we have observed a new decline of Olea europaea in north-western and southern Sicily (insular Italy). The syndrome consists in more or less extensive leaf chlorosis, sometimes with irregular necrotic marginal or apical spots. Apical defoliation of twigs showing cortical necrosis and withering has often been observed. Isolations, carried out in 2007/08, yilded a complex of fungal genera associated with the syndrome. Among these, Stemphylium sp., a well-known foliar pathogen of other plants, was constantly isolated from all the alterations observed. In December 2010, single spore colonies of this fungus were used for artificial inoculations on healthy 3-year-old olive …

Studio dell'attitudine alla coltivazione e della variabilità genetica e molecolare di isolati Siciliani di Pleurotus spp

Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with diseased loquat trees in Italy and description of Diplodia rosacearum sp. nov

[EN] Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a fruit tree cultivated in several countries in the Mediterranean region. A survey of a loquat orchard in Sicily ( Italy) revealed the presence of plants showing dieback symptoms and cankers with wedge-shaped necrotic sectors. Fungi from the genera Diplodia and Neofusicoccum were isolated from symptomatic plants. On the basis of morphological characters and DNA sequence data four species were identified, Neofusicoccum parvum, N. vitifusiforme, Diplodia seriata and a novel Diplodia species, which is here described as D. rosacearum sp. nov. Inoculation trials of loquat plants cv Sanfilipparo showed that N. parvum, D. seriata and D. rosacearum were pathogen…

First report of neofusicoccum batangarum as causal agent of scabby cankers of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) in minor islands of sicily

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, Cactaceae), native to Mexico, is a multipurpose crop. About 90% of Italian production of cactus pear fruit is from Sicily. In 2013, a disease of cactus pear was noticed in minor islands of Sicily, Lampedusa and Linosa (Pelagie archipelago), Favignana (Aegadian archipelago), and Ustica, where cactus pear is grown as living fences. Symptoms were on flattened stems functioning as leaves (cladodes) and included radially expanding cankers, up to 20 cm in diameter, concentric, crusty, silvery areas, with minute, black dots (pycnidia erumpent from epidermis) and a leathery, brown halo. A milky to buff colored exudate, caking on contact with air, oozed from active…

Aspergillia and Penicillia on grapes in some Sicilian vineyards

"In vitro" antagonism of a grapevine endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain towards "esca" fungi.

Preliminary investigations on grapevines (CV Catarratto) with symptoms of “esca” permitted to isolate only bacterial colonies, from black punctuations belonging to the genus Bacillus. Particularly, an isolate was Gram-positive with spore forming and, on the basis of the partial 16S rRNA sequence comparison, it showed a similarity of 99% with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis. There are numerous reports on the antagonistic activity of the species towards several phytopathogenic microorganisms. For this reason the possible bacterial control against the “esca” fungi (Phaeoacre- monium aleophilum, PAL; Phaemoniella clamidospora, PCH; Fomitiporia mediterranea, FOMED), was studied. The antagonist…

Study of variability of an endophytic acremonium population in symptomless grapevine

The endophytism of genus Acremonium in symptomless grapevines of several cultivars, grown both in pots or in the field, is reported. The no-tillage management of tested grapevines and the lack of chemical treatments facilitated the investigation of the ecological plant-fungus interaction. The isolates were differentiated at the strain level by vegetative compatibility assay and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses, using a set of four oligo-nucleotide primers. The endophytic Acremonium population in the healthy grapevine object of the survey seemed to show a low variability; all the techniques agreed in grouping the Acremonium strains in three different clusters and no relatio…

On the health of a monumental tree of Ficus macrophylla Desf. ex Pers. subsp. columnaris (C. Moore) P. S. Green (sin. = Ficus magnolioides Borzì var. magnolioides) in Palermo

Prime osservazioni sulle micorrize di Quercus suber L. in Sicilia

Possibile antagonismo di Acremonium byssoides nei confronti delle strutture gamiche di Plasmopara viticola