Edible Coatings from Cladodes Alongside Chitosan on Quality and Antioxidants in Cherries during Storage.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of edible coatings (ECs) prepared from extracts of (OFI) cladodes in comparison with a commercial chitosan formulation on the quality of 'Regina' cherries packaged in macro-perforated bags and stored for up to 28 d (1 °C, 90% RH). The coating concentrations were 25% and 50% aqueous OFI extract (approximately 0.59 and 1.

Probing the effects of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) extract on 2D and 3D human skin models.

Background: Natural products are not only positioned in the heart of traditional medicine but also in modern medicine as many current drugs are coming from natural sources. Apart from the field of medicine and therapeutics, natural products are broadly used in other industrial fields such as nutrition, skincare products and nanotechnology.

Methods And Results: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.

Grapevine wood microbiome analysis identifies key fungal pathogens and potential interactions with the bacterial community implicated in grapevine trunk disease appearance.

Background: Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) is a disease complex caused by wood pathogenic fungi belonging to genera like Phaeomoniella, Phaeoacremonium, Fomitiporia, Eutypa and members of the family Botryosphaeriaceae. However, the co-occurrence of these fungi in symptomatic and asymptomatic vines at equivalent abundances has questioned their role in GTDs. Hence, we still lack a good understanding of the fungi involved in GTDs, their interactions and the factors controlling their assemblage in vines.

Elucidation of the Origin of the Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece.

The olive tree of Vouves in Crete, is considered the oldest producing olive tree in the world with an estimated age exceeding 4000 years. In the present study, we sequenced two samples (from the bottom and the top of the tree) to elucidate the genetic relation of this ancient tree with other olive cvs as well as to gain some insights about its origin. Our results showed that both samples have different genetic origins, proving that this ancient tree has been grafted at least one time.

Changes in Quality and Antioxidant Properties of Virgin Olive Oil of 'Cornicabra' According to Fruit Maturation in Longnan, China.

This work aims to study the influence of olive fruit maturity on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity which determine the quality of virgin olive oils (VOO). According to the results, the values of all parameters were within the range specified by the Codex Alimentarius (2017). With the increase of fruit maturity, the oil content continued to increase until reached the maximum value (20.

The NADPH Oxidase A of Is Essential for Pathogenicity, Normal Development, and Stress Tolerance, and It Interacts with Yap1 to Regulate Redox Homeostasis.

Maintenance of redox homeostasis is vital for aerobic organisms and particularly relevant to plant pathogens. A balance is required between their endogenous ROS production, which is important for their development and pathogenicity, and host-derived oxidative stress. Endogenous ROS in fungi are generated by membrane-bound NADPH oxidase (NOX) complexes and the mitochondrial respiratory chain, while transcription factor Yap1 is a major regulator of the antioxidant response.

Seasonal Appearance, Abundance, and Host Preference of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) in Olive Groves in Greece.

Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) is a xylem inhabiting bacterium which is exclusively transmitted by xylem sap feeding insects. Among them, Philaenus spumarius Linnaeus and Neophilaenus campestris Fallén are the most abundant species in Europe.

Multiple TaqMan qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) diagnostics for pesticide resistance monitoring and management, in the major agricultural pest Tetranychus urticae.

Background: Decisions on which pesticide to use in agriculture are expected to become more difficult, as the number of available chemicals is decreasing. For Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae), a major pest for which a number of candidate markers for pesticide resistance are in place, molecular diagnostics could support decision-making for the rational use of acaricides.

Morphological Diversity, Genetic Characterization, and Phytochemical Assessment of the Cypriot Tomato Germplasm.

Tomato ( L.) is considered one of the most valuable and versatile vegetable crops globally and also serves as a significant model species for fruit developmental biology. Despite its significance, a severe genetic bottleneck and intense selection of genotypes with specific qualitative traits have resulted in the prevalence of a restricted number of (geno)types, also causing a lack of diversity across widespread cultivated types.

Explore the Rare-Molecular Identification and Wine Evaluation of Two Autochthonous Greek Varieties: "Karnachalades" and "Bogialamades".

Wines produced from autochthonous varieties have an essential financial impact on the national economy of Greece. However, scientific data regarding characteristics and quality aspects of these wines is extremely limited. The aim of the current study is to define the molecular profile and to describe chemical and sensory characteristics of the wines produced by two autochthonous red grapevine varieties-"Karnachalades" and "Bogialamades"-grown in the wider area of Soufli (Thrace, Greece).

Blue Light Improves Photosynthetic Performance during Healing and Acclimatization of Grafted Watermelon Seedlings.

To investigate the importance of light on healing and acclimatization, in the present study, grafted watermelon seedlings were exposed to darkness (D) or light, provided by blue (B), red (R), a mixture of R (68%) and B (RB), or white (W; 35% B, 49% intermediate spectra, 16% R) LEDs for 12 days. Survival ratio, root and shoot growth, soluble carbohydrate content, photosynthetic pigments content, and photosynthetic performance were evaluated. Seedling survival was not only strongly limited in D but the survived seedlings had an inferior shoot and root development, reduced chlorophyll content, and attenuated photosynthetic efficiency.

Effect of biochar produced from sewage sludge on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, soil chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations.

The addition of biochar, as shown in the literature, improves significantly the chemical and physical soil properties and plant growth. This study examined the effect of biochar, compost and the combination of them on growth, nutrient and heavy metal concentrations of tomato. Biochar (BC) was produced from sewage sludge by pyrolysis at the temperature of 300 °C.

Deciphering the Epigenetic Alphabet Involved in Transgenerational Stress Memory in Crops.

Although epigenetic modifications have been intensely investigated over the last decade due to their role in crop adaptation to rapid climate change, it is unclear which epigenetic changes are heritable and therefore transmitted to their progeny. The identification of epigenetic marks that are transmitted to the next generations is of primary importance for their use in breeding and for the development of new cultivars with a broad-spectrum of tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we discuss general aspects of plant responses to environmental stresses and provide an overview of recent findings on the role of transgenerational epigenetic modifications in crops.

The pleiotropic effects of Prunus avium L. extract against oxidative stress on human fibroblasts. An in vitro approach.

There is a persistent interest in innovative and multifunctional ingredients in biology research. With regards to this, natural sources have an important role due to their multiple benefits. Thus, this study aims to present the pleiotropic activity of Prunus avium L.

Molecular Characterization of the Coat Protein Gene of Greek Apple Stem Pitting Virus Isolates: Evolution through Deletions, Insertions, and Recombination Events.

A RT-PCR assay developed to amplify the full coat protein (CP) gene of apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was evaluated using 180 Greek apple and pear samples and showed a broad detection range. This method was used to investigate the presence of ASPV in quince in Greece and showed a high incidence of 52%. The sequences of 14 isolates from various hosts with a distinct RFLP profile were determined.

Serological and molecular analysis indicates the presence of distinct viral genotypes of in India.

Unlabelled: Recombination leads to the generation of new viral progeny which remain undetected by routine testing procedures and may be a threat to the infected host. Here, we have characterised the complete genome sequences of two isolates of from apple cv. Red Chief (Palampur) and cv.

Endophytic Bacterial Isolates From Halophytes Demonstrate Phytopathogen Biocontrol and Plant Growth Promotion Under High Salinity.

Halophytic endophytes potentially contribute to the host's adaptation to adverse environments, improving its tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we identified the culturable endophytic bacteria of three crop wild relative (CWR) halophytes: , , and . In the present study, the potential of these isolates to improve crop adaptations to various stresses was investigated, using both and approaches.

Characterization of Fungi Associated with Olive Fruit Rot and Olive Oil Degradation in Crete, Southern Greece.

In November 2019, a severe outbreak of fruit rot was observed in olive orchards in Crete, southern Greece. Symptoms appeared primarily on fruits and stalks, resembling those caused by anthracnose. Typical symptoms were fruit rot, shrinkage, and mummification, associated commonly with stalk discoloration and fruit drop.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of (Nematoda: Longidoridae), first report from Greece.

Sampling for needle nematodes was carried out in a grapevine area in Thessaloniki, North Greece and two nematode species of ( and ) were collected. Nematodes were extracted from 500 cm of soil by modified sieving and decanting method, processed to glycerol and mounted on permanent slides, and subsequently identified morphologically and molecularly. Nematode DNA was extracted from single individuals and PCR assays were conducted to amplify D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS1 rRNA, and partial mitochondrial coxI regions.

First Report of Stem Canker of Almond Trees Caused by Fusarium solani in Greece.

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is an important crop for Greece grown on 15.130 ha in 2019. In September 2019, a severe stem canker disease was observed in 6-year-old trees of cv Marta grafted on the rootstock 'F675C14', in a new almond grove of cvs Marta, Soleta, Antonela, Belona and Laurete, in Vlachiana, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Epigenetic Changes and Transcriptional Reprogramming Upon Woody Plant Grafting for Crop Sustainability in a Changing Environment.

Plant grafting is an ancient agricultural practice widely employed in crops such as woody fruit trees, grapes, and vegetables, in order to improve plant performance. Successful grafting requires the interaction of compatible scion and rootstock genotypes. This involves an intricate network of molecular mechanisms operating at the graft junction and associated with the development and the physiology of the scion, ultimately leading to improved agricultural characteristics such as fruit quality and increased tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic factors.

Structural Diversity and Highly Specific Host-Pathogen Transcriptional Regulation of Defensin Genes Is Revealed in Tomato.

Defensins are small and rather ubiquitous cysteine-rich anti-microbial peptides. These proteins may act against pathogenic microorganisms either directly (by binding and disrupting membranes) or indirectly (as signaling molecules that participate in the organization of the cellular defense). Even though defensins are widespread across eukaryotes, still, extensive nucleotide and amino acid dissimilarities hamper the elucidation of their response to stimuli and mode of function.