First Report of a Blight Caused by Rhizoctonia solani on Anubias heterophylla in Italy.

Anubias heterophylla Engler, which is used in aquariums, is a species in the Araceae family native to western tropical Africa. A few nurseries in Italy produce plants for this market. During the spring of 2002, symptoms of blight were observed on Anubias plants grown in an ebb and flow soilless media system in a nursery in Sardinia, Italy.

First Report of Typhula Blight on Agrostis stolonifera and Poa annua in Italy.

During January 2002, Agrostis stolonifera and Poa annua turfgrasses on a golf course in Avigliana (northern Italy) exhibited 10- to 45-cm-diameter circular patches when the snow melted from the greens, tees, and fairways. Many patches coalesced to form large areas of strawcolored blighted turfgrass. At the patch margin, infected plants were covered with white-to-gray mycelium.

First Report of Web Blight on Yellow-Sage (Lantana camara) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani in Europe.

Lantana camara is increasingly grown in northern Italy as a potted plant and contributes to the diversification of offerings in the ornamental market. During the spring of 2001, selections of L. camara cuttings growing at a commercial farm located at Albenga (Riviera coast) exhibited tan leaf spots of irregular size and shape.

Soil fumigation with chloropicrin in Italy: experimental results on melon, eggplant and tomato.

Starting in 1999, seven experimental trials were carried out in Italy in order to evaluate the efficacy of chloropicrin (CP) (Tripicrin, a.i. 99% by wt) as alternative to methyl bromide for soil disinfestation.

First Report of the Presence of Albugo tragopogonis on Cineraria maritima in Italy.

Cineraria maritima L. (synonym Senecio cineraria DC.), commonly known as dusty-miller, is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens.

First Report of Bremia lactucae Causing Downy Mildew on Helichrysum bracteatum in Italy.

Helichrysum bracteatum, also known as strawflower, is commonly grown for the production of dried flowers and, more recently, as a potted plant. This latter cultivation system is becoming increasingly important on the Liguria Coast in northern Italy. During the spring of 2002, severe oubreaks of a previously unknown disease were observed in commercial farms in the area of Albenga (northern Italy) on several cultivars of H.

First Report of Septoria Leaf Spot on Cornus sericea in Italy.

Cornus sericea (synonym C. stolonifera), family Cornaceae, is becoming widely used in Italy as ground cover in parks and gardens. In spring 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown disease were observed in several gardens located in northern Italy (Biella Province).

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum on Eruca vesicaria and Diplotaxis spp. in Europe.

Two types of rocket are available on the market in Italy: (i) Eruca vesicaria (synonym E. sativa) known as ruchetta or cultivated garden rocket; and (ii) several species of Diplotaxis (Diplotaxis erucoides, D. muralis, and D.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum on Lettuce in Europe.

In spring 2001, plants of the lettuce cv. Salad Bowl showing symptoms of a wilt disease were observed in several commercial plastic greenhouses near Bergamo, in northern Italy. Wilted plants were first observed during the spring and summer of 2001 when temperatures were between 26 and 35°C.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Asclepias curassavica in Italy.

Asclepias curassavica is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens. In 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in commercial farms located in Albenga (northern Italy). Powdery mildew developed on the lower surface of leaves of container grown plants.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Euryops pectinatus in Italy.

Euryops pectinatus is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens. In 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in commercial farms located in Albenga (northern Italy). All green parts (leaves, stems, and petioles) became covered with a white mycelium.

First Report of Pycnostysanus azaleae on Rhododendron in Italy.

Rhododendron species cultivation has a long history in northern Italy, where a wide selection of cultivars and hybrids is grown. In spring 2001, a previously unknown bud blast was observed on several rhododendron cultivars growing in gardens and parks in the Province of Biella, Italy. Flower petioles and twigs, but not leaves, showed extensive necrosis, and flower production was reduced.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Azalea Cv. Mollis (Rhododendron japonicum × R. molle) in Italy.

Rhododendron cultivation has a long history in northern Italy, where a wide selection of varieties and hybrids are grown. In summer 2001, a previously unknown powdery mildew was observed on azalea cv. Mollis (Rhododendron japonicum × R.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Campanula carpatica and Schizanthus × wisetonensis in Italy.

The production of potted ornamental plants is very important in the Albenga Region of northern Italy, where plants are grown for export to central and northern Europe. During fall 2000 and spring 2001, sudden wilt of tussock bellflower (Campanula carpatica Jacq.) and butterfly flower (Schizanthus × wisetonensis Hort.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Gazania sp. Hybrid in Italy.

Gazania sp. hybrid is produced in pots in the Albenga Region of northern Italy for export to central and northern Europe. During fall 2000 to spring 2001, sudden wilt was observed in commercial plantings of this ornamental.

Proof for the Occurrence of Flower Blight Caused by Ciborinia camelliae in Italy.

Camellia cultivation has a long history in the Lake Maggiore area of Northern Italy where a wide selection of varieties is present. In March to April 2001, a previously unconfirmed flower blight was observed on a collection of camellia varieties grown in a garden. Initial symptoms included the appearance of irregular, small, brown spots on the petals.

PCR Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici on Basil.

Sixty-nine amplified DNA fragments, generated from different isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici, were tested for F.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Calendula officinalis in Italy.

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) has recently become popular as a potted ornamental plant in Italy. During the spring 1999, a sudden wilt of 120 day-old plants was observed in the Albenga region of Northern Italy, an area of intensive floriculture production. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil line and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves.

First Report of Sclerotium rolfsii on Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) in Europe.

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) has recently become popular as a potted ornamental plant in Italy. During the summer of 1999, a sudden wilt of 60-day-old plants was observed in the Albenga region (Northern Italy), an area of intensive floriculture. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil line and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt on Hebe sp. in Italy and Europe.

Hebe (showy speedwell), an increasingly important crop in the Riviera Ligure (northern Italy), is cultivated in greenhouses and open fields. During summer 1999, a serious wilt of hybrids (Hebe speciosa × H. franciscana cvs.

Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici Isolated from Soil, Basil Seed, and Plants by RAPD Analysis.

Fifty-two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, obtained from infected basil plants, seed, flower residues, and soil from different growing areas in Italy and Israel, were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), coupled to a DNA extraction protocol from colonies grown on Fusarium-selective medium. In a pathogenicity assay, 35 isolates caused 32 to 92% disease on seedlings of the highly susceptible basil cultivar Fine verde, while 17 isolates were nonpathogenic on basil. Thirty of the F.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt on Paris Daisy (Argyranthemum[Dendranthema] frutescens).

Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) is an economically important crop on the Riviera Ligure (Northern Italy), where approximately 10 million plants per year are produced for export. In September 1997, a serious wilt of plants (cv. Camilla) grown in plastic pots (14 to 18 cm in diameter) was observed.

Effect of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron on plasma AVP secretion: a study in cancer patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a serotonin subtype 3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, on arginine vasopressin secretion in humans. Plasma vasopressin concentrations were determined in 24 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, before and after ondansetron intravenous (i.v.