Structural and functional responses of soil fungal and bacterial communities to a lithium contamination gradient.

The use of lithium (Li) in decarbonization strategies has positioned it as a central component of modern technological advances, particularly in battery applications. However, the increasing demand for Li has raised concerns about its environmental consequences, which are poorly documented. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by examining the impact of Li on soil bacterial/fungal communities.

Conjoined partners: efficacy and side effects of grafting and dsRNA application on the microbial endophyte population of grapevine plants inoculated with two esca-related fungal pathogens.

Grafting has been exploited since 7000 BC to enhance productivity, disease resistance, and adaptability of cultivated plants to stressful conditions especially in woody crops such as grapevine (Vitis spp.). In contrast, the application of sequence specific double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) to control fungal pathogens and insect pests has only been recently developed.

Grafting with non-suckering rootstock increases drought tolerance in Corylus avellana L. through physiological and biochemical adjustments.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning plant water stress responses still need deeper investigation. Particularly, the analysis of rootstock-mediated signals represents a complex research field, offering potential applicative perspectives for improving the adaptation of fruit crops to environmental stresses. Nonetheless, fundamental knowledge on this subject needs to be widened, especially in some woody species, including European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L).

CRISPR/Cas9-driven double modification of grapevine MLO6-7 imparts powdery mildew resistance, while editing of NPR3 augments powdery and downy mildew tolerance.

The implementation of genome editing strategies in grapevine is the easiest way to improve sustainability and resilience while preserving the original genotype. Among others, the Mildew Locus-O (MLO) genes have already been reported as good candidates to develop powdery mildew-immune plants. A never-explored grapevine target is NPR3, a negative regulator of the systemic acquired resistance.

Mycorrhization and chemical seed priming boost tomato stress tolerance by shifts of primary and defence metabolic pathways.

Priming modulates plant stress responses before the stress appears, increasing the ability of the primed plant to endure adverse conditions and thrive. In this context, we investigated the effect of biological (i.e.

Harnessing microbes as sun cream against high light stress.

Plants rely on solar energy for growth through photosynthesis, yet excessive light intensity can induce physiological damage. Despite the considerable harm, inadequate attention has been directed toward understanding how plant-associated microorganisms mitigate this stress, and the impact of high light intensity on plant microbial communities remains underexplored. Through this Viewpoint, we aim to highlight the potential of microbial communities to enhance plant resilience and understand how light stress can shape plant microbiome.

Daily Orange Consumption Reduces Hepatic Steatosis Prevalence in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Exploratory Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

: Consumption of flavonoid-rich orange juice has been shown to reduce adiposity and liver steatosis in murine models of diet-induced obesity. However, little is known about the effects of whole orange intake, independent of body weight changes, on liver function and steatosis in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The goal is to understand the direct impact of orange consumption on metabolic health.

Unearthing Grape Heritage: Morphological Relationships between Late Bronze-Iron Age Grape Pips and Modern Cultivars.

The grapevine was one of the earliest domesticated fruit crops and has been cultivated since ancient times. It is considered one of the most important fruit crops worldwide for wine and table grape production. The current grape varieties are the outcome of prolonged selection initiated during the domestication process of their wild relative.

Aromatic Profiling of New Table Grape Varieties Using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry and Olfactometry.

The aim of this study is the aromatic characterization of new table grape varieties, namely Guzun (), Melona (), Cotton Candy (), IVC SA3 (), and IVC SB1 (). The qualitative and quantitative analysis of odorant molecules present in the berries allows for the definition of the aroma profile of the grape. This analysis benefits from the progress of analytical techniques and sensory methodologies.

The Role of Terroir on the Ripening Traits of cv 'Glera' in the Prosecco Area.

The grapevine ( L.) is widely cultivated worldwide owing to the substantial commercial value of the grapes and other products derived from their processing, wines in particular. The grapevine is characterized by a remarkable phenotypic plasticity within the same variety, which shapes the final berry quality attributes hence reflecting the complex interactions between the plant and the environment leading to the expression of wine typicity.

A polyphasic molecular approach to characterize a collection of grapevine endophytic bacteria with bioprotective potential.

Aims: The work presented here was conducted to characterize the biodiversity of a collection of bacterial isolates, mainly wood endophytes, as part of a research project focused on exploring their bioprotective potential for postharvest biological control of fruits.

Methods And Results: This work was the basis for the development of a tailored method combining 16S rDNA sequencing and Rep-PCR to differentiate the isolates and identify them to genus level or below. More than one hundred isolates obtained from wood and roots of different grapevine genotypes were cultured on appropriate growth media and then subjected to the specified multistep molecular identification.

Distinct structural variants and repeat landscape shape the genomes of the ancient grapes Aglianico and Falanghina.

Mounting evidence recognizes structural variations (SVs) and repetitive DNA sequences as crucial players in shaping the existing grape phenotypic diversity at intra- and inter-species levels. To deepen our understanding on the abundance, diversity, and distribution of SVs and repetitive DNAs, including transposable elements (TEs) and tandemly repeated satellite DNA (satDNAs), we re-sequenced the genomes of the ancient grapes Aglianico and Falanghina. The analysis of large copy number variants (CNVs) detected candidate polymorphic genes that are involved in the enological features of these varieties.

Deciphering the interaction of bacteria inoculants with the recipient endophytic community in grapevine micropropagated plants.

Engineering the plant microbiome with beneficial endophytic bacteria can improve the growth, health, and productivity of the holobiont. Here, we administered two beneficial bacterial strains, VR04 sp. and GR12 sp.

Comparative effects of drought stress on leaf gas exchange, foliar ABA and leaf orientation in four grapevine cultivars grown in Northern Italy.

Drought tolerance varies greatly across Vitis vinifera cultivars, depending on physiological responses and structural and morphological adaptations. In this study, responses to water stress were examined in three extensively cultivated varieties from Northern Italy. Over the course of two seasons, mature potted vines were subjected to a 12 or 13-day period of water restriction.

Glutamate dehydrogenase in "Liverworld"-A study in selected species to explore a key enzyme of plant primary metabolism in Marchantiophyta.

In plants, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is an ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the reversible amination of 2-oxoglutarate in glutamate. It contributes to both the amino acid homeostasis and the management of intracellular ammonium, and it is regarded as a key player at the junction of carbon and nitrogen assimilation pathways. To date, information about the GDH of terrestrial plants refers to a very few species only.

Compost application boosts soil restoration in highly disturbed hillslope vineyard.

A field trial was carried out to investigate the effects of compost application on a young Cabernet sauvignon vineyard located in a hilly area in the North-East of Italy and subjected to land terracing before plantation. The use of a compost based on manure, pruning residues and pomace at a rate of 65 t ha was compared to the mineral fertilization regime recommended for the vineyards in the area (NPK: 80, 50, 200 kg ha). A multi-factorial approach that considered soil chemical properties, microbial community structure and function, vine nutritional and vegetative indexes, yield and quality parameters was applied in the attempt of depict interrelated effects of compost on all these factors.

Characterisation and functionalisation of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules towards sustainable crop protection.

The need to minimise the impact of phytosanitary treatments for disease control boosted researchers to implement techniques with less environmental impact. The development of technologies using molecular mechanisms based on the modulation of metabolism by short dsRNA sequences appears promising. The intrinsic fragility of polynucleotides and the high cost of these techniques can be circumvented by nanocarriers that protect the bioactive molecule enabling high efficiency delivery to the leaf surface and extending its half-life.

Metabolic and Molecular Rearrangements of Sauvignon Blanc ( L.) Berries in Response to Foliar Applications of Specific Dry Yeast.

Dry yeast extracts (DYE) are applied to vineyards to improve aromatic and secondary metabolic compound content and wine quality; however, systematic information on the underpinning molecular mechanisms is lacking. This work aimed to unravel, through a systematic approach, the metabolic and molecular responses of Sauvignon Blanc berries to DYE treatments. To accomplish this, DYE spraying was performed in a commercial vineyard for two consecutive years.

Short term effects of digestate and composted digestate on soil health and crop yield: Implications for sustainable biowaste management in the bioenergy sector.

Composting mitigates environmental risks associated with using solid digestate as fertilizer. However, evidence is lacking on benefits of using composted digestate as fertilizer in enhancing soil health and increasing agronomic yield compared to non-composted digestate (hereafter, digestate). A field study was conducted consisting of digestate, composted digestate, co-composted digestate with biogas feedstocks (corn [Zea mays L.

Aroma precursors of Grignolino grapes () and their modulation by vintage in a climate change scenario.

Current climatic conditions may cause significant changes in grapevine phenology and maturity dynamics linked often with changes to ecoclimatic indicators. The influence exerted by different meteorological conditions during four consecutive years on the aromatic potential of Grignolino grapes was investigated for the first time. The samples were collected from three vineyards characterized by different microclimatic conditions mainly related to the vineyard exposure and by a different age of the plants.

A Bayesian model for control strategy selection against infections.

Plant pathogens pose a persistent threat to grape production, causing significant economic losses if disease management strategies are not carefully planned and implemented. Simulation models are one approach to address this challenge because they provide short-term and field-scale disease prediction by incorporating the biological mechanisms of the disease process and the different phenological stages of the vines. In this study, we developed a Bayesian model to predict the probability of infection in grapevines, considering various disease management approaches.