Soil Solarization Efficiently Reduces Fungal Soilborne Pathogen Populations, Promotes Lettuce Plant Growth, and Affects the Soil Bacterial Community.

Lettuce is the most cultivated leafy vegetable in Greece; however, due to the adopted intensive cropping system, its cultivation is susceptible to many soilborne pathogens that cause significant yield and quality losses. In the current study, the impact of various soil disinfestation methods such as solarization, chemical disinfestation, and application of a biofungicide were evaluated in a commercial field that has been repeatedly used for lettuce cultivation. The populations of soilborne pathogens , , and were measured via qPCR before and after the implementation of the specific disinfestation methods.

First Report of causing root rot of avocado trees in Greece.

In September 2023, thirty declining 30-year-old avocado (Persea americana) trees ('Hass' grafted on 'Zutano' seedlings) were detected in a 1.5-ha orchard in the island of Crete (Chania region). Crown symptoms encompassed wilting and leaf chlorosis, advancing to defoliation and extensive dieback.

Identification of f. sp. Race 1 as the Causal Agent of Lettuce Fusarium Wilt in Greece, Commercial Cultivars' Susceptibility, and Temporal Expression of Defense-Related Genes.

Fusarium wilt of lettuce is found throughout the world, causing significant yield losses. Lettuce is the most-cultivated leafy vegetable in Greece, affected by a large number of foliar and soil-borne pathogens. In this study, 84 isolates of , obtained from soil-grown lettuce plants exhibiting wilt symptoms, were characterized as belonging to race 1 of f.

as an Emerging Foliar Pathogen of Lettuce in Greece: Identification and Development of a Real-Time PCR for Quantification of Inoculum in Soil Samples.

Lettuce is the most commonly cultivated leafy vegetable in Greece, available in the market throughout the year. In this study, an emerging foliar disease observed in commercial farms has been associated to the pathogen , a member of the species complex (FIESC). Thirty isolates obtained from symptomatic lettuce plants were identified on the basis of morphology and evaluated for their pathogenicity.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Copper Nanoparticles for the Control of Leaf Spot and Anthracnose Diseases of Olive.

Olive crop is frequently treated with copper fungicides to combat foliar and fruit diseases such as olive leaf spot caused by and anthracnose caused by spp. The replacement of copper-based products with more eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. Metal nanoparticles synthesized in several ways have recently revolutionized crop protection with applications against important crop pathogens.

Laminarin Induces Defense Responses and Efficiently Controls Olive Leaf Spot Disease in Olive.

Olive leaf spot (OLS) caused by is mainly controlled using copper fungicides. However, the replacement of copper-based products with eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. The use of plant resistance-inducers (PRIs) or biological control agents (BCAs) could contribute in this direction.