Evolutionary analysis of Citrus tristeza virus outbreaks in Calabria,Italy: two rapidly spreading and independent introductions of mild and severe isolates

The evolution of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) from outbreaks occurred in Calabria, Italy, was compared with that of CTV outbreaks reported previously in another two proximal Italian regions, Sicily and Apulia. Examination of four genomic regions (genes p20, p25 and p23, and one fragment of open reading frame 1) showed two recombination events, and phylogenetic analysis disclosed two divergent CTV groups in Calabria: one formed by severe and the other by mild isolates. This analysis, together with others involving population genetic parameters, revealed a low migration rate of CTV between the three Italian regions, as well as significant differences in selective pressures, epidemiology and demography, all affecting the genetic structure of CTV populations.     

QTLs for chlorophyll and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in barley under post-flowering drought

Drought is one of the major factors limiting barley yields in many developing countries worldwide. The identification of molecular markers linked to genes controlling drought tolerance in barley is one way to improve breeding efficiency. In this study, we analyzed the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence in 194 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from the cross between the cultivar ‘Arta’ and Hordeum spontaneum 41-1. Five traits, chlorophyll content, and four chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, namely initial fluorescence (F_o), maximum fluorescence (F_m), variable fluorescence (F_v), and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) which are related to the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus, were measured under well-watered and drought stress conditions at post-flowering stage. QTL analysis identified a total of nine and five genomic regions, under well-watered and drought stress conditions, respectively, that were significantly associated with the expression of the five target traits at post-flowering stage. No common QTL was detected except one for chlorophyll content, which was identified in both growth conditions, demonstrating that the genetic control of the expression of the traits related to photosynthesis differed under different water conditions. A QTL for F_v/F_m, which is related to the drought tolerance of photosynthesis was identified on chromosome 2H at 116 cM in the linkage map under drought stress. This QTL alone explained more than 15% of phenotypic variance of maximum quantum yield of PSII, and was also associated with the expression of four other traits. In addition, another QTL for F_v/F_m was also located on the same chromosome (2H) but at 135.7 cM explaining around 9% of the phenotypic variance under drought conditions. The result presented here suggest that two major loci, located on chromosome 2H, are involved in the development of functional chloroplast at post-flowering stage for drought tolerance of photosynthesis in barley under drought stress. If validated in other populations, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters could be used as selection criteria for drought tolerance.     

First interception of the asiatic Bamboo longhorn, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorophorus annularis</Emphasis> (F., 1787) (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) in Italy

This study provide information on the first occurrence in Italy of the Coleoptera Cerambycidae Chlorophorus annularis (Fabricius, 1787). It is a species naturally and widely distributed in Asia and in oriental tropical and subtropical areas. This cerambyx is a post-harvest pest of bamboo belonging to several genera as Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Phyllostachys, Sinocalamus, but it can also infest cultivated plants as Citrus spp., Gossypium, Liquidambar spp., Saccharum officinarum L., Vitis spp., and Zea mays L.     

Genetic variation for phenolic acids concentration and composition in a tetraploid wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum turgidum</Emphasis> L.) collection

Phenolic acid intake through the consumption of whole-wheat foods provides important health benefits associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer. The genetic variation for phenolic acids was extensively studied in common wheat, but a comprehensive survey in tetraploid wheat is lacking. In this study we evaluated the genetic variability for individual and total phenolic acids concentration existing in a large collection of tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). A 2-year evaluation was undertaken on the whole-meal flour of 111 genotypes belonging to seven T. turgidum subspecies including cultivars, landraces and wild accessions. Durum cultivars [T. turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) MacKey], had the highest average concentration of total phenolic acids (828.7 μg g^?1 dm in 2012; 834.5 μg g^?1 dm in 2013) with amounts varying from 550.9 μg g^?1 dm to 1701.2 μg g^?1 dm, indicating a variation of greater than threefold fold. The lowest concentration of phenolic acids was found in T. turgidum subsp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Schübler) Thell. Rivet wheat (T. turgidum L. subsp. turgidum) had phenolic acid concentrations similar to those in durum, but less variation was noted among the accessions. On the other hand, the accessions of the four remaining subspecies showed lower phenolic acid concentrations and variation among the accessions as compared to durum. A total of six phenolic acids were identified across the wheat genotypes. The effects of genotype, year and year × genotype were estimated by ANOVA and resulted significant for all phenolic acids. The ratio of genotypic variance to total variance suggested the possibility of improving phenolic acid content in elite wheat germplasm through appropriate breeding programs. Moreover, significant correlations between phenolic acids and other quality characteristics of the grain were detected.     

连续五年生物垃圾堆肥施用后地中海蔬菜种植系统中土壤有机碳的变化

Biowaste compost can influence soil organic matter accumulation directly or indirectly. A 5-year experiment was conducted to assess the influence of biowaste compost on the process of soil aggregation and soil organic carbon(SOC) accumulation in a Mediterranean vegetable cropping system. The study involved four treatments: biowaste compost(COM), mineral NPK fertilizers(MIN), biowaste compost with half-dose N fertilizer(COMN), and unfertilized control(CK). The SOC stocks were increased in COM, COMN, and MIN by 20.2, 14.9, and 2.4 Mg ha~(-1)over CK, respectively. The SOC concentration was significantly related to mean weight diameter of aggregates(MWD)(P 0.05, R~2= 0.798 4) when CK was excluded from regression analysis. Compared to CK, COM and COMN increased the SOC amount in macroaggregates( 250 μm) by 2.7 and 0.6 g kg~(-1)soil, respectively, while MIN showed a loss of 0.4g kg~(-1)soil. The SOC amount in free microaggregates(53–250 μm) increased by 0.9, 1.6, and 1.0 g kg~(-1)soil for COM, COMN, and MIN, respectively, while those in the free silt plus clay aggregates( 53 μm) did not vary significantly. However, when separating SOC in particle-size fractions, we found that more stable organic carbon associated with mineral fraction 53 μm(MOM-C) increased significantly by 3.4, 2.2, and 0.7 g kg~(-1)soil for COM, COMN, and MIN, respectively, over CK, while SOC amount in fine particulate organic matter(POM) fraction(53–250 μm) increased only by 0.3 g kg~(-1)soil for both COM and COMN, with no difference in coarse POM 250 μm. Therefore, we consider that biowaste compost could be effective in improving soil structure and long-term C sequestration as more stable MOM-C.     

Morphological and anatomical differences in Aleppo pine seeds from serotinous and non-serotinous cones

Mediterranean communities have been historically conditioned by fire and have therefore developed adaptive traits. Serotiny is a strategy that increases fire resilience by storing seeds in the canopy, protecting them from heat and delaying their dispersion. Aleppo pine is an important serotinous tree species in the low altitude, near-coastal Mediterranean Basin. Differences in serotinous and non-serotinous cones have been detected previously but in order to resolve a gap in the knowledge on seed adaptation to fire, we focused this study on two fire-prone habitats in southern Italy. Several cones were sampled and opened in an oven at two different temperatures in order to group seeds according to provenance and cone type (serotinous or non-serotinous). The sampled seeds were weighed and their coats were removed. Seed size, embryo diameter and nutritive tissue thickness were recorded. We found that seeds with greater weight and size came from the more humid site and from non-serotinous cones. Also, we observed wax and cutine cells formed a thicker seed coat in seeds from the more humid site using a scanning electron microscope. The scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed higher Si and Ca concentrations in the covers of serotinous seeds. Seeds from different provenance and cone types have anatomic and morphological differences that confer different properties against heating. This knowledge can improve post-fire management and promote restoration tools.     

Biological invasion of European tomato crops by Tuta absoluta: ecology, geographic expansion and prospects for biological control

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a devastating pest of tomato originating from South America. After its initial detection in eastern Spain in 2006, it rapidly invaded various other European countries and spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. If no control measures are taken, then the pest can cause up to 80–100% yield losses in tomato crops in recently invaded areas and may pose a threat to both greenhouse and open-field tomato production. The exceptional speed and extent of T. absoluta invasion have called for studies documenting its biology and ecology, while indicating an urgent need for efficient and sustainable management methods. The development of approaches to manage T. absoluta would be facilitated through a detailed revision of information on this pest in its area of origin. This review combines information on the invasion by T. absoluta, its ecology, and potential management strategies, including data that may help the implementation of efficient biological control programs. These programs, together with a variety of other management tactics, may allow efficient integrated pest management of T. absoluta in Europe and Mediterranean Basin countries.     

Operational interactions between South American sea lions and gillnet fishing in southern Brazil

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Molecular characterization of a compost and its water-soluble fractions

A sequential chemical fractionation was applied to a compost, with its dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted in water and separated in hydrophilic (HiDOM) and hydrophobic (HoDOM) components and a water extract, following oxidation of compost suspension with an oxygen flux (TEA). The components sequentially isolated by mild extractions and hydrolyses as structurally unbound (SU), weakly bound (WB), and strongly bound (SB) to the matrix of the bulk compost and its water-soluble fractions were identified in their molecular structure. The bulk compost was rich with components derived from both aromatic (phenolic compounds) and aliphatic (long-chain fatty acids, hydroxy acids, diacids, and alcohols) structures of suberins, whereas components derived from cutins were especially extracted from TEA, HoDOM, and HiDOM. The TEA sample also yielded a significant amount of oxidized products that was dominated by dehydroabietic acids. The fractionation sequence highlighted the different intermolecular interactions that bound the isolated molecular components to the compost complex matrix. While a significant part of the bulk compost was still present as a solid residue at the end of the sequential fractionation, all water-soluble fractions were almost completely hydrolyzed. These results indicate that the water-soluble components of compost may be readily separated from the compost matrix and contribute to the environmental dynamics of natural organic matter.     

Re-shaping the “original SIN”: a need to re-think sediment management and policy by introducing the “buffer zone” concept

Purpose

The effects of long-standing industrialization processes and poor environmental management practices have often left a harmful legacy for marine-coastal sites worldwide, causing a wide range of unforeseen impacts on the ecosystem and on human health. A critical revision of available data from three highly contaminated Italian sites (Augusta Bay, Sicily; Cagliari Gulf, Sardinia; Pozzuoli Bay, Campania) revealed the crucial role of biogeochemical/physical dynamics and potential widespread delivery of contaminants as key components for a wider comprehensive sediment management.

Materials and methods

Datasets of organic pollutants (ΣPAHs, ΣPCBs), heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn), radionuclides, and grain size composition of marine sediments of all three sites were critically reviewed and seafloor bathymetric data were analyzed.

Results and discussion

A critical review of available physical and chemical information of sediments collected from the three marine sites provides a better understanding of the physical and biogeochemical dynamics of large-scale dispersion of contaminants in those areas, as well as new insights in terms of improved sediments management policies with actions of larger scale monitoring of the “buffer zone” confining with the national relevance and highly contaminated site to trace inputs and accumulation effects of pollutants deriving from the point-source.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates how the presence of polluted sediments on the coastal areas can have, also after the closure of anthropogenic activities, a potential impact at a large scale. Then to better evaluate the effective impact, we suggest the adoption of a buffer zone contiguous to the national relevance sites (SIN) area. While SINs are optimized to define the state of the art of the near-source pollution, buffer zones may help to outline the rate of delivery of pollutants to the deep sea. Buffer zones must be designed by taking into account the local hydrodynamics, sedimentology, and geomorphology, and should be monitored, even if at a lower resolution, like SINs.