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

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…

Nuovi mandarini e mandarino-simili a confronto nella Sicilia occidentale

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…

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

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

Preliminary studies on "esca" disease in Sicilian vineyards

Epidemiological investigations and molecular characterization of ‘candidatus phytoplasma solani’ in grapevines, weeds, vectors and putative vectors in western Sicily, (Southern Italy)

Bois noir is caused by &lsquo

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

Epidemiological study of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in a sicilian vineyard.

Un'indagine epidemiologica sulle più ricorrenti fitopatie viticole in Sicilia

Pathogenic fungi of Mangifera indica in Sicily

On the pathogens of Mangifera indica in Sicily

Mango pathogens in Sicily

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

Prima segnalazione di Daldinia concentrica su avocado

Pathogenicity bioassays of isolates of Beauveria bassiana on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

BACKGROUND The control of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), the main palm pest in the Mediterranean Basin, is problematic because of its biology and the current restrictions in many European countries on the use of chemical insecticides in urban areas. Entomopathogenic fungi have been studied as potential biological control agents, but information on their natural incidence is limited. Strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin were isolated from symptomatic insects collected on dead palms, and their pathogenicity against different instars of R. ferrugineus was evaluated in the laboratory. RESULTS The overall percentage of infected insects found in Canary palms was 7%. In laborato…

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…

Arthrinium phaeospermum , Phoma cladoniicola and Ulocladium consortiale , New Olive Pathogens in Italy

In recent years, leaf necrosis and twig dieback in the olive crop have been detected in Sicily (Italy). In this article, we identify the predominant fungal species associated with symptomatic leaves and twigs, using morphological features and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, as Alternaria alternata, Arthrinium phaeospermum, Phoma cladoniicola and Ulocladium consortiale. The pathogenicity of these four species was tested on olive plants cv. Biancolilla. All species were pathogenic on leaves, but only U. consortiale produced cortical lesions on twigs, thus suggesting its main role in the Olea europaea twig dieback. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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

Fungal pathogens associated with grapevine trunk diseases in young vineyards in Sicily

After the first report of grapevine decline caused by Botryosphaeriaceae in Sicily in 2007, epidemiological studies carried out in mature vineyards until 2011 confirmed the widespread occurrence of “Botryosphaeria dieback” and the “Esca complex” disease. Dieback symptoms were also recently observed in two young vineyards in Partanna and Castellammare del Golfo in western Sicily (Trapani province). Declining vines were inspected for grapevine trunk disease (GTD) symptoms, and were uprooted and submitted for analyses. Fungal isolates were collected and identified using culturing and molecular analyses. One isolate per identified species was inoculated to three grapevine shoots to evaluate pat…

Effect of water and heat stresses on the physiology of Ugni blanc infected by Neofusicoccum parvum

International audience; Botryosphaeria dieback is one of the most widespread and prevalent grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) in Europe. Symptoms include necrosis of perennial organs of grapevine while external symptoms include bud necrosis, leaf discoloration and dead arms although incidence and severity vary from year to year. The causal agents of this disease are Botryosphaeriaceae species with Neofusicoccum parvum being one of the most prevalent. Their aggressiveness were reported to be influenced by environmental factors particularly temperature increasing disease severity. Thus, our study investigated the influence of heat and water stress on the grapevine / N. parvum interaction. Cuttin…

Vite: primavera 2011 a rischio peronospora?

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

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

Incidence of grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schif.) on occurrence of ochratoxin A in grapes

Observations were carried out in an organic vineyard (cv malvasia di candia), at salemi (sicily), during 2006-2007, in order to verify the influence of grapevine moth lobesia botrana (den. & schif.) on presence of ochratoxin a (ota) in bunches at harvest time. a percentage of 12.98% of bunches were attacked by grape moth during 2006, while 8.65% of them were infected by grey mould and sour bunch rot (5.77% and 2.88% respectivelly). analyses carried out on 12.98% infested bunches, showed a level of 20 μg/kg of ota, while on intact samples 0.04 μg/kg of toxin was registered. During 2007, infestation of bunches by grape moth was very low (2.05%), due to the particular climatic conditions, and …

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…

Fusaria antagonisti isolati dalla rizosfera di Mangifera indica.

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…

Aspergillia and Penicillia on grapes in some Sicilian vineyards

Prime osservazioni sulle micorrize di Quercus suber L. in Sicilia