Phytophthora cryptoea on Common Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) in Italy.

During the spring of 2013, many plants of common sage (Salvia officinalis L.), grown as potted plants in a commercial farm at Albenga (northern Italy) showed extensive symptoms of foliar wilt and root rot. The first symptoms developed with temperatures ranging between 8 and 26.

First Report of Dry and Soft Rot of Cereus marginatus var. cristata Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Italy.

During the winter of 2013, 50% of 20,000 plants of Cereus marginatus var. cristata, Cactaceae family, grown in a commercial farm located in Liguria (northern Italy) showed symptoms of a dry or soft rot. In the case of dry rot, affected plants showed on the stem superficial necrosis and dry rot, irregularly shaped, 1 to 10 mm, while epidermal and cortical tissues were wounded.

First Report of Web Blight on Rebutia perplexa Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2-IIIB in Italy.

Rebutia perplexa, Cactaceae family, is a clumping fine thorny cactus, producing several flushes of pink flowers. In the spring of 2013, a blight was observed in a farm located near Imperia (northern Italy) on 2% of 2,000 3-year-old plants, grown in plastic pots. Affected plants showed pale brown discoloration of stems, starting from the base, and eventually collapsed.

First Report of Stem Rot on Cereus peruvianus monstruosus Caused by Bipolaris cactivora (Petr.) Alcorn in Italy.

Cereus peruvianus monstruosus, known as "monster cactus," family Cactaceae, is grown as a potted plant. In the winter of 2013, a stem rot was observed on a farm located near Ventimiglia (northern Italy) on 80% of 4,000 9-month-old plants grown in trays in a peat substrate. Symptoms consisted of a rapid rot of the upper portion of the stem.

First Report of Sclerotinia Blight Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Spearmint in Northern Italy.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is an aromatic plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae, grown as well as an ornamental potted plant. During the beginning of 2013, extensive wilting was observed on 4-month-old potted plants of M.

First Report of Web Blight on Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IB in Italy.

Origanum vulgare L., common name oregano, family Labiatae, is grown for its aromatic and medicinal properties and as ornamental. In the fall of 2012, a blight was observed in a farm located near Albenga (northern Italy) on 6% of 30,000 50-day-old plants, grown in trays in a peat/perlite mix.

First Report of Web Blight on Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IA in Italy.

Rosmarinus officinalis L., family Labiatae, is an evergreen shrub used in gardens as an aromatic or ground cover plant. In the summer of 2012, a blight was observed in a farm located near Albenga (northern Italy) on 20% of 150,000 70-day-old plants, grown in trays.

First Report of Crown and Stem Rot of Crested Molded Wax Agave (Echeveria agavoides) caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Italy.

During March 2012, 95% of 24-month-old plants of crested molded wax agave (Echeveria agavoides), a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family, showed symptoms of a basal stem and leaf rot in a commercial farm near Ventimiglia (northern Italy). Affected plants showed extensive chlorosis from the crown level to the stem apex, followed by yellowing and by the appearance of a water-soaked aspect of stem and leaf tissues. As disease progressed, leaves became brown, wilted, and rotted.

Podosphaera sp. on Euphorbia susannae and E. inermis in Italy.

Euphorbia susannae (common name Suzane's spurge) and E. inermis (Euphorbiaceae family) are grown in pots and commercialized in northern Italy. In March 2012, plants of these species grown on the same commercial farm showed signs of powdery mildew.

First Report of Web Blight on Winter Savory (Satureja Montana "Repandens") Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IA in Italy.

Satureja montana L. (winter savory "Repandens") is an evergreen shrub. In late summer 2010, blight was observed on a farm near Albenga (northern Italy) on 3% of 500 potted 2-month-old plants.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Wilt on Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) in Italy.

During summer 2010, symptoms of a wilt disease were observed in a commercial farm in northern Italy on Crassula ovata (jade plant). First symptoms consisted of chlorosis and premature drop of still turgid leaves. As the disease progressed, leaves turned yellow and wilted before dropping off and the stem wilted, bent, and eventually rotted starting from the base.

First Report of Basal Stem Rot of Apple Cactus (Cereus peruvianus monstruosus) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Italy.

During the summer of 2010, 20% of 7,000 4-month-old plants of apple cactus (Cereus peruvianus monstruosus) showed symptoms of a basal stem rot in a commercial nursery located in Liguria (northern Italy). Affected plants showed yellow orange-to-pale brown color from the crown level to the stem apex and a water-soaked rot was observed on the stem starting from the base. Brown discoloration was observed in the vascular system.

Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces biocellatus on Spearmint (Mentha spicata) in Italy.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is grown for its aromatic and carminative oil and as an ornamental. During the fall of 2009, 4-month-old plants grown on a commercial farm located near Albenga (northern Italy) showed signs and symptoms of an unknown powdery mildew. The adaxial leaf surfaces were covered with white mycelia and conidia, while the abaxial surfaces were less infected.

First Report of Botrytis Blight Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Lavandula stoechas in Italy.

Lavandula stoechas or French lavender (Labiatae) is a perennial shrub that produces pinkish purple flowers and is endemic to the Mediterranean Region. In the Albenga area (northern Italy), this species is grown as a potted plant. In October 2008, symptoms of a previously unknown blight were observed in a commercial glasshouse in the Savona Province (northern Italy) on 10% of 3-month-old 'Sugarberry Ruffles' potted plants.

First Report of Verticillium Wilt Caused by Verticillium dahliae on Figmarigold in Italy.

Lampranthus spp. N.B.

First Report of Sclerotinia Blight Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Petunia × hybrida in Italy.

Petunia × hybrida (Solanaceae) includes several hybrids that are grown as ornamental plants and are very much appreciated for their long-lasting flowering period. During the spring of 2009, extensive wilting was observed on 2-month-old potted plants of Petunia × hybrida cv. Sanguna Lilac Vein grown in a commercial glasshouse near Albenga (northern Italy).

First Report of Collar and Stem Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on Figmarigold (Lampranthus sp.) in Italy.

Lampranthus sp. N.B.

First Report of Gray Mold Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Stevia rebaudiana in Italy.

Stevia rebaudiana (sweetleaf) is a perennial shrub belonging to the Asteraceae family and is widely grown for its sweet leaves. With its extracts having as much as 300 times the sweetness of sugar, this species is used in many countries for the production of sugar substitutes. However, in Italy, as well as in other countries, this species cannot be grown for the use of its leaf extracts.

First Report of Botrytis Blight Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Gaura lindheimeri in Italy.

Gaura lindheimeri (wand flower) is a perennial plant belonging to the Onagraceae family that is used for perennial borders in xeric and mesic landscapes. It produces flowers floating above the plant like small, dancing butterflies. This plant is becoming popular in the Albenga Region (northern Italy) where white and rose varieties are grown as potted plants.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Borago officinalis in Italy.

Borago officinalis L. (common borage) is a flowering plant belonging to the Boraginaceae with several culinary and medicinal uses and grown in soil or as potted plants in Liguria (northern Italy). At the end of winter in 2008, extensive chlorosis was observed on potted plants of B.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Lantana camara in Italy.

Lantana camara L. is grown as an ornamental potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy) and is widely used in private and public gardens in central and southern Italy. In some countries, this plant is considered a noxious weed.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Argyranthemum frutescens in Italy.

Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens (L.) Sch. Bip.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on African Daisy (Osteospermum sp.) in Italy.

African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) is an ornamental plant grown in the winter as a potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy) and is generally marketed in early-to-late spring in Italy and central and northern Europe. In the winter of 2006, stem lesions, general chlorosis, wilt, and plant death occurred in a greenhouse nursery.

Porcelain aorta in coronary artery bypass graft operations: an alternative approach.

Porcelain aorta represents a serious condition for coronary artery bypass graft operations. Here we describe a simple technique to avoid any aortic manipulation during an off-pump coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The right internal thoracic artery is used as the source of blood inflow for single or sequential venous grafts.

Hemodynamic evaluation of the Carbomedics R, St Jude Medical HP and Sorin-Bicarbon valve in patients with small aortic annulus.

Unlabelled: A Doppler echocardiographic study was performed to evaluate the hemodynamic performance of three 19 mm size currently used bileaflet valve prosthesis (St Jude Medical Hydrodinamic Plus, Sorin-Bicarbon and Carbomedic Reduced) implanted in aortic position.

Methods: Patients, 30, with the same profile receiving 19 mm size valve (ten for each valve type) were selected when body surface area (BSA) was > 1.7 m2.