Identification of genes differentially expressed during interaction of resistant and susceptible apple cultivars (Malus x domestica) with Erwinia amylovora.

Background: The necrogenic enterobacterium, Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of the fire blight (FB) disease in many Rosaceae species, including apple and pear. During the infection process, the bacteria induce an oxidative stress response with kinetics similar to those induced in an incompatible bacteria-plant interaction. No resistance mechanism to E.

Effectiveness of five insecticides for the control of adults and young stages of Cacopsylla melanoneura (Förster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in a semi-field trial.

Background: Cacopsylla melanoneura (Förster) is a vector of Candidatus Phytoplasma mali, the causal agent of one of the most serious diseases in European apple orchards, apple proliferation (AP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of five insecticides from different chemical groups (carbamates, chitin inhibitors, insect growth regulators, organophosphates and pyrethroids) towards overwintered adults and young stages of C. melanoneura under semi-field conditions.

Multielement (H, C, N, O, S) stable isotope characteristics of lamb meat from different Italian regions.

The study focuses on the (2)H/H, (13)C/(12)C, (15)N/(14)N, (18)O/(16)O and (34)S/(32)S values of defatted dry matter (DFDM) and on the (2)H/H, (13)C/(12)C and (18)O/(16)O values of the fat fraction of meat samples from various lamb types reared in seven Italian regions, following different feeding regimes (forage, concentrate, milk). The (13)C/(12)C (r = 0.922), (2)H/H (r = 0.

Measuring odour emission and biofilter efficiency in composting plants by proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry.

PTR-MS (Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry) is an innovative technique that allows the rapid detection of most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high sensitivity (sub-ppb) and by direct injection. We describe here the possible use of PTR-MS in waste managements and composting plants both for the real time monitoring of volatile emissions and, after calibration with olfactometric assessments, for the instrumental determination of odour concentration. Beside a short description of the technique, we will report on the calibration of PTR-MS data with olfactometric assessment of odour concentration showing the possibility of a relatively good estimation of odour concentration by instrumental data.

Genotype-specific regulation of cold-responsive genes in cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.).

Cold acclimation in plants involves a very complex molecular response, with the regulation of many different genes and metabolic pathways. In this work fifteen cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) genes putatively regulated during cold exposure were isolated and their expression was studied in five cypress genotypes, along 15 days of treatment at 3 degrees C. Treated samples of shoots were collected from four year old cypress seedlings and a subtractive hybridization approach (PCR-Select) was performed after mRNA extraction.

Effects of chlorantraniliprole on eggs and larvae of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Background: Chlorantraniliprole is a novel insecticide belonging to the class of selective ryanodine receptor agonists. The aims of this study were to evaluate the toxicity and the length of residual activity of chlorantraniliprole against the grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller), larvae and eggs, under laboratory and field conditions.

Results: Dose-response bioassays showed that chlorantraniliprole had a high level of toxicity to neonate larvae of L.

Toxicity of emamectin benzoate to Cydia pomonella (L.) and Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): laboratory and field tests.

Background: Emamectin benzoate is a novel macrocyclic lactone insecticide derived from naturally occurring avermectin molecules isolated by fermentation from the soil microorganism Streptomyces avermitilis Kim & Goodfellow. The present study aims to evaluate the toxicity of emamectin benzoate to codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, C.

A SNP transferability survey within the genus Vitis.

Background: Efforts to sequence the genomes of different organisms continue to increase. The DNA sequence is usually decoded for one individual and its application is for the whole species. The recent sequencing of the highly heterozygous Vitis vinifera L.

A factory-scale application of secondary adjunct cultures selected from lactic acid bacteria during Puzzone di Moena cheese ripening.

The lactic acid populations of 2 seasonal Puzzone di Moena cheeses made from winter and summer raw cow's milk were characterized at different ripening times. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated on selective media and subjected to genetic typing and identification. The species most frequently found during ripening were Lactobacillus paracasei ssp.

Ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may reduce pollen viability in Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) trees--correlative evidence from a field study.

A fully randomized sampling design was adopted to test whether pollen viability of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) was impacted by NO(2) pollution. Spatial strata (500500 m each) with high (41.9-44.

A reference integrated map for cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from three crosses, based on 283 SSR and 501 SNP-based markers.

We have developed an integrated map from five elite cultivars of Vitis vinifera L.; Syrah, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling which are parents of three segregating populations. A new source of markers, SNPs, identified in ESTs and unique BAC-end sequences was added to the available IGGP reference set of SSRs.

Metabolite profiling of grape: Flavonols and anthocyanins.

Flavonols are products of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, which also give rise to anthocyanins and condensed tannins in grapes. We investigated their presence in the berry skins of 91 grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), in order to produce a classification based on the flavonol profile.

Phenological models for blooming of apple in a mountainous region.

Six phenological series were available for 'Golden Delicious' apple blooming at six sites in Trentino, an alpine fruit-growing region. Several models were tested to predict flowering dates, all involving a "chilling and forcing" approach. In many cases, application of the models to different climatic conditions results in low accuracy of prediction of flowering date.