Use of Chitosan and Other Natural Compounds Alone or in Different Strategies with Copper Hydroxide for Control of Grapevine Downy Mildew.

Grapevine downy mildew (GDM) is one of the most serious diseases of grapevines. Limitations to the use of copper-based products in organic agriculture according to the European Union (EU) regulation EU/2002/473 and the later EU Commission implementing regulation 2018/1981 have promoted a search for alternatives. This 5-year field trial evaluated the effectiveness of several strategies against GDM using different chitosan-based formulations and application rates in comparison with other natural compounds applied individually or with copper hydroxide.

Spatial pattern of Bois noir: case study of a delicate balance between disease progression and recovery.

Bois noir (BN) is the most important phytoplasma disease of Euro-Mediterranean area and induces severe loss of production and even the death of vines. Understanding the delicate balance between disease progression and recovery of BN infected plants over space and time is crucial to set up management tools. The data collected and analysed allowed to provide insights into dispersal pattern of the disease, caused by'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Seedborne Fungi in Squash (, ).

Squash is one of the most important crops of tropical and temperate regions, and it can be affected by several fungal pathogens. Most of these pathogens infect the seeds, which become an efficient vehicle to disperse seedborne pathogens over long distances, with consequent severe crop losses. The main objective of this study was the identification of the principal seedborne fungi in seeds extracted from 66 samples of asymptomatic and symptomatic squash fruit (, ) collected in two countries, Tunisia and Italy.

Impact of Alternative Fungicides on Grape Downy Mildew Control and Vine Growth and Development.

Grapevine downy mildew (GDM) is one of the most serious diseases of grapevines. With limitations in the use of copper-based products imposed for organic agriculture by the European Union, research for alternatives is encouraged. The aim of this research was to follow a 2-year trial to evaluate the control of GDM using some alternative compounds, and to determine their effects on shoot growth, plant photosynthesis, and grape quality and quantity.

Seed treatments to control seedborne fungal pathogens of vegetable crops.

Vegetable crops are frequently infected by fungal pathogens, which can include seedborne fungi. In such cases, the pathogen is already present within or on the seed surface, and can thus cause seed rot and seedling damping-off. Treatment of vegetable seeds has been shown to prevent plant disease epidemics caused by seedborne fungal pathogens.