Characterization of the olive endophytic community in genotypes displaying a contrasting response to Xylella fastidiosa.

Background: Endophytes mediate the interactions between plants and other microorganisms, and the functional aspects of interactions between endophytes and their host that support plant-growth promotion and tolerance to stresses signify the ecological relevance of the endosphere microbiome. In this work, we studied the bacterial and fungal endophytic communities of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) asymptomatic or low symptomatic genotypes sampled in groves heavily compromised by Xylella fastidiosa subsp.

Transgenerational effects of chromium stress at the phenotypic and molecular level in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In this study, we describe the results obtained in a study of the transgenerational phenotypic effects of chromium (Cr) stress on the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. The F1 generation derived from parents grown under chronic and medium chronic stress showed significantly higher levels of the maximal effective concentration (EC) compared with F1 plants generated from unstressed parents. Moreover, F1 plants from Cr-stressed parents showed a higher germination rate when grown in the presence of Cr.

Drought Stress Pre-Treatment Triggers Thermotolerance Acquisition in Durum Wheat.

Durum wheat is strongly affected by climatic constraints such as high temperatures and drought, which frequently lead to yield reduction. Damages due to high temperatures are related to plant thermotolerance, a trait determined by two components: basal and acquired thermotolerance. In this study, the effect of drought and heat stress imposed singularly or sequentially was investigated in ten durum wheat cultivars (cvs) at the physiological and molecular level.

Effects of Cadmium on Root Morpho-Physiology of Durum Wheat.

Durum wheat [ L. subsp. (Desf.

Identifying plant genes shaping microbiota composition in the barley rhizosphere.

A prerequisite to exploiting soil microbes for sustainable crop production is the identification of the plant genes shaping microbiota composition in the rhizosphere, the interface between roots and soil. Here, we use metagenomics information as an external quantitative phenotype to map the host genetic determinants of the rhizosphere microbiota in wild and domesticated genotypes of barley, the fourth most cultivated cereal globally. We identify a small number of loci with a major effect on the composition of rhizosphere communities.

Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols Characterization of Four Monovarietal Grape Pomaces from Salento (Apulia, Italy).

The wine industry annually produces millions of tons of by-products rich in polyphenolic compounds that can be reused as secondary raw material in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The purpose of this work was to describe the presence of nutraceutical compounds and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of pomaces from three Apulian (South Italy, Italy) grape varieties (Negroamaro, Malvasia di Lecce and Primitivo) and to compare them with one of the most cultivated wines in Europe (Cabernet Sauvignon). The main classes of polyphenolic substances were characterized via high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector/mass spectrometer time of flight (HPLC/DAD/TOF) and the antioxidant activity was evaluated with three different methods.

Screening of Olive Biodiversity Defines Genotypes Potentially Resistant to .

The recent outbreak of the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), caused by subsp. (), is dramatically altering ecosystem services in the peninsula of Salento (Apulia Region, southeastern Italy). Here we report the accomplishment of several exploratory missions in the Salento area, resulting in the identification of thirty paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic plants in olive orchards severely affected by the OQDS.

Diseases Caused by in Genus: An Overview of the Research on an Increasingly Widespread Pathogen.

Cultivated plants belonging to the genus are globally widespread and for some countries, are economically important crops; and they play a key role in the composition of a landscape. is a key threat to plant health, and several species are heavily stressed by this pathogen, such as almond, peach, and plum; many strain types of different subspecies can cause severe diseases. This review highlights different approaches to managing epidemic events related to in stone fruit plants.

Molecular Responses to Cadmium Exposure in Two Contrasting Durum Wheat Genotypes.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that can be easily accumulated in durum wheat kernels and enter the human food chain. Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) with contrasting cadmium accumulation in grains, High-Cd or Low-Cd (H-Cd NIL and L-Cd NIL, respectively), were used to understand the Cd accumulation and transport mechanisms in durum wheat roots. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic solution, and cadmium concentrations in roots, shoots and grains were quantified.

Influence of Bagging on the Development and Quality of Fruits.

Fruit quality is certainly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, and a main quality attribute is the external appearance of the fruit. Various possible agronomical approaches are able to regulate the fruit microenvironment and, consequently, improve fruit quality and market value. Among these, fruit bagging has recently become an integral part of fruits' domestic and export markets in countries such as Japan, China, Korea Australia and the USA because it is a safe and eco-friendly technique to protect fruits from multiple stresses, preserving or improving the overall quality.

Secondary Metabolites in -Plant Interaction.

During their evolutionary history, plants have evolved the ability to synthesize and accumulate small molecules known as secondary metabolites. These compounds are not essential in the primary cell functions but play a significant role in the plants' adaptation to environmental changes and in overcoming stress. Their high concentrations may contribute to the resistance of the plants to the bacterium , which has recently re-emerged as a plant pathogen of global importance.

Editorial for Special Issue "Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity, and Detoxification in Plants".

"Heavy metals" is a collective term widely applied for the group of metals and metalloids with an atomic density above 4 g/cm [...

Biochemical Changes in Leaves of cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma.

Bois noir is a disease associated with the presence of phytoplasma ' Phytoplasma solani' belonging to the Stolbur group (subgroup 16SrXII-A), which has a heavy economic impact on grapevines. This study focused on the changes induced by phytoplasma in terms of the profile and amount of secondary metabolites synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway in leaves of L. red-berried cultivar Sangiovese.

Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat.

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are two toxic heavy metals (HMs) whose presence in soil is generally low. However, industrial and agricultural activities in recent years have significantly raised their levels, causing progressive accumulations in plant edible tissues, and stimulating research in this field. Studies on toxic metals are commonly focused on a single metal, but toxic metals occur simultaneously.

Molecular Effects of and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees.

Due to global climate change, complex combinations of stresses are expected to occur, among which the interaction between pathogens and drought stress may have a significant effect on growth and yield. In this study, the ()-resistant Leccino and the susceptible one Cellina di Nardò were subjected to (a) individual drought stress, (b) infection and (c) combination of both stress conditions. Here we report the physiological response to stresses in water content in leaves and the modulation in the expression level of seven genes responsive to plant water status and pathogen infection.

Nutraceutical Properties of Mulberries Grown in Southern Italy (Apulia).

In this work, for the first time, were analyzed mulberry genotypes grown in Apulia (Southern Italy, Salento region) were analyzed. Two local varieties of ( and ) and one of were characterized for content in simple sugars, organic acids, phenols, anthocyanins; fruit antioxidant activity (AA) was also evaluated by three different methods (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH; 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS; and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, FRAP test). The results showed that the sugars amount ranged between 6.

Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa.

In olive trees, Xylella fastidiosa colonizes xylem vessels and compromises water transport causing the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). The loss of hydraulic conductivity could be attributed to vessel occlusions induced both by the bacteria biofilm and by plant responses (tyloses, gums, etc.) that could trigger embolism.

Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

In the last years, the interest in Italian monovarietal oils has increased due to their specific organoleptic qualities. Extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are rich in phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites well known and studied for their nutraceutical properties. However, among EVOOs, there is great variability in phenolic composition due to the origin, the production technique, and mainly, the genotype.

Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of 15 Italian L. Cultivar Leaves.

Olive leaf extracts are of special interest due to their proven therapeutic effects. However, they are still considered a by-product of the table olive and the oil industries. In order to learn possible ways of exploiting this waste for health purposes, we investigated the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in the leaves of 15 Italian L.

Antioxidant Activity and Anthocyanin Contents in Olives ( Cellina di Nardò) during Ripening and after Fermentation.

The olive tree "Cellina di Nardò" (CdN) is one of the most widespread cultivars in Southern Italy, mainly grown in the Provinces of Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi over a total of about 60,000 hectares. Although this cultivar is mainly used for oil production, the drupes are also suitable and potentially marketable as table olives. When used for this purpose, olives are harvested after complete maturation, which gives to them a naturally black color due to anthocyanin accumulation.

Accumulation of Azelaic Acid in Xylella fastidiosa-Infected Olive Trees: A Mobile Metabolite for Health Screening.

Monitoring Xylella fastidiosa is critical for eradicating or at least containing this harmful pathogen. New low-cost and rapid methods for early detection capability are very much needed. Metabolomics may play a key role in diagnosis; in fact, mobile metabolites could avoid errors in sampling due to erratically distributed pathogens.

Activation of a gene network in durum wheat roots exposed to cadmium.

Background: Among cereals, durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) accumulates cadmium (Cd) at higher concentration if grown in Cd-polluted soils.

Phylogenetic analysis of viruses in Tuscan Vitis vinifera sylvestris (Gmeli) Hegi.

The health status of the native grapevine Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris (Gmeli) Hegi in natural areas in Europe has received little attention. A survey was carried out on wild grapevines in Tuscany (Italy), where isolates of the Grapevine rupestris stem pitting virus (GRSPaV), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 and 3 (GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3) and Grapevine virus A (GVA) were detected.

Salvia clandestina L.: unexploited source of danshensu.

We report the characterisation of Salvia clandestina L. shoots and roots aqueous extract using HPLC-ESI/MS-TOF. Among the 29 compounds detected, we observed the presence of danshensu (3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl) 2-hydroxy-propinic acid), a powerful antioxidant and a cardio-protective agent.

Xylella fastidiosa induces differential expression of lignification related-genes and lignin accumulation in tolerant olive trees cv. Leccino.

Recently, Xylella fastidiosa was reported in Italy, associated with the "Olive Quick Decline Syndrome". The cv. Leccino exhibits an evident tolerance with a slow disease progression compared with the other cultivars.