Soilless systems as an alternative to wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) traditional open-field cultivation in marginal lands of the Tuscan Apennines to enhance crop yield and producers’ income

Yield and quality of wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) cultivars ‘Regina delle Valli’ and ‘Alpine’ cultivated in soil, as the traditional production system, and in soilless (both in open air and protected environments), as an innovative and sustainable production system, were investigated in a marginal and inner area of the Pistoiese Apennine Mountains during two production seasons. An earlier marketable production was obtained in soilless culture, but total marketable yield was higher from plants grown in a traditional open-field environment. Fruits obtained from the protected soilless system were larger, but developed some mildew, had some visual defects, and revealed a reduced skin chroma index, flesh firmness, and total soluble solids content compared to fruits harvested from plants grown under direct sunlight, while no significant differences were observed in total titratable acidity and pH between growing systems. ‘Alpine’ was more suited to soilless protected cultivation, with a much higher yield compared to ‘Regina delle Valli’. Physicochemical properties of berries were not affected by the cultivar, but fruit quality changed with plant age and seasonal crop cycle. ‘Alpine’ fruits gained a greater sensorial preference, both in traditional soil and soilless culture.     

Morphological and molecular data on the dermal microfilariae of a species of Cercopithifilaria from a dog in Sicily

Dermal microfilariae found in a dog from Sicily, Italy, were characterized morphologically and genetically and differentiated from those of all the other blood microfilariae commonly found in dogs. In particular, the microfilariae were short (mean length of 186.7 μm), presented a body flattened dorso-ventrally and a rounded head, bearing a tiny cephalic hook. The genetic identity of microfilariae herein studied was also assessed by molecular amplification, sequencing and analyzing of multiple ribosomal ITS-2 and mitochondrial (cox1 and 12S) target genes. Both morphologic and genetic characterization as well as the molecular phylogenetic history inferred using sequences of a barcoding dataset were concordant in supporting the identification of Cercopithifilaria at the genus level. Surprisingly, microfilariae here examined were well distinct from Cercopithifilaria grassii (Noè, 1907), from northern Italy, and resembled those of a species described in Brazil, Cercopithifilaria bainae Almeida & Vicente, 1984. This paper provides evidence for the existence of a Cercopithifilaria species infesting a dog from Sicily and also presents a PCR protocol on skin samples as a tool for further epidemiological studies, which could provide evidence on the aetiology and the natural history of this filarial species.     

Acute phase protein response during road transportation and lairage at a slaughterhouse in feedlot beef cattle

The effects of transport for 5 hr by road and lairage for 48 hr on acute phase protein in Limousine feedlot beef cattle (n = 10, 14-16 months old, body weight 620 ± 70 kg) were examined. Blood was collected at before loading, immediately after unloading and 12, 24 and 48 hr after the initiation of transportation. Serum was collected for assay of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), plasma was obtained for assay fibrinogen (Fb) and the white blood cell count (WBC) was determined in whole blood at each time point. A significant effect of experimental conditions on Hp, SAA and WBC was observed. In particular, this effect was found 24 hr after transport for Hp and SAA and after 48 hr for WBC. Application of a linear regression model showed a high correlation between WBC and Hp and SAA. Lairage in a slaughterhouse represents a stressful condition that can compromise animal welfare and meat quality. Monitoring of SAA with the highest sensitivity and specificity could be a useful marker of welfare condition in this period.     

Effects of hydrocortisone and aminophylline on the aggregation of equine platelets in vitro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of hydrocortisone and aminophylline on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation in horses. Blood samples from 30 healthy Thoroughbred horses were collected by via jugular venipuncture to assess platelet aggregation. Platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma were prepared from all samples by centrifugation and divided into three different aliquots. In the first aliquot, platelet aggregation was measured after platelet activation with 1 µM and 0.5 µM ADP (Group A). In the other two aliquots, the effect of a 10 min preincubation with hydrocortisone (Group B) or aminophylline (Group C) on ADP-induced aggregation at final ADP concentrations of 1 µM and 0.5 µM was observed. Platelet aggregation, recorded by an aggregometer, was evaluated by measuring the maximum degree of platelet aggregation and the initial velocities of platelet aggregation were obtained. Our results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone and the induction effect of aminophylline on equine platelet responses in vitro.     

Symptomatic Capillaria plica infection in a young European cat

An 8-month-old owned European cat showing abdominal pain, fever, distended painful bladder and urinary blockage was presented. Intravenous fluids were immediately administered and, after sedation, a urinary catheter was applied. Blood and urine analysis revealed cystitis and a moderate-to-severe degree of renal failure. About 20 thread-like nematodes, identified as Capillaria plica larvae and fragments of adult stages, were found in the urine sediment. After treatment with an oral formulation of fenbendazole at 25 mg/kg q 12 h for 10 days, urinary signs and bladder worms disappeared. Cases of Capillaria species bladder worms in cats are rarely reported and most infected cats show no clinical signs, presumably because of a low parasite burden. In the present study, feline capillariosis was associated to urethral obstruction, severe difficulties in urination, cystitis and renal failures.     

Free-roaming dogs and cats in central Italy: public perceptions of the problem

A cross-sectional telephone survey of randomly selected households examined the extent and types of problems associated with free-roaming dogs and cats in the Teramo province of Italy. The households were sampled randomly within each municipality; municipalities were combined into coastal, central hills and mountain regions for analysis. The survey was conducted in May and June of 2004 with a response rate of 74% (397/536). Ninety percent of respondents (N=356) believed that free-roaming dogs and cats were a problem. They were most commonly concerned about personal safety, followed by animal welfare, public health and environmental sanitation. Sixty-nine percent of respondents (274) actually saw free-roaming dogs or cats where they live. While dogs were most commonly seen, cats were seen in greater numbers. Overall, 10% (39/297) and 5% (21/397) of respondents cared for free-roaming cats and dogs, respectively. Two-thirds of the respondents (251/397) believed that animals were abandoned because the owners lost interest. About 2/3 of respondents (251/397) reported that the community government should have the responsibility for dealing with free-roaming dogs and cats. The respondents supported the idea of building more shelters and controlling the birth rate as control measures rather than euthanizing dogs and cats. The results suggest that free-roaming dogs and cats are a very common sight in this part of Italy with substantial concerns by the residents. However, concerns about the animals' welfare were clearly raised, supporting the laws that make it illegal to euthanize a healthy dog or cat in Italy. Using the information from this study, research on the underlying causes of abandonment of dogs and cats or failing to sterilize them should be undertaken to begin to address this problem. Further, national and regional funding must be provided to support existing laws which should help protect and eventually decrease the numbers of free-roaming and homeless dogs and cats.     

Resistance profiles of Botrytis cinerea populations to several fungicide classes on greenhouse tomato and strawberry in Lebanon

Tomato and strawberry are the most important protected crops in Lebanon and are seriously affected by grey mould disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea. In the present study, the fungicide sensitivity assays revealed medium to high frequencies of B. cinerea isolates resistant to benzimidazoles, dicarboximides, and anilinopyrimidines on tomato and strawberry. Fludioxonil- and boscalid-resistant mutants were uncommonly found at generally low frequency on both crops. Resistance to fenhexamid was detected in only one site on tomato but in most sites on strawberry with high frequencies, and the occurrence of resistance to QoI fungicides was ascertained on both crops. The majority of the tested isolates (>90%) exhibited multiple fungicide resistance, and isolates resistant to the seven antibotrydial fungicide classes were detected on strawberry in three locations. A high level of resistance was shown by B. cinerea mutants resistant to boscalid, fenhexamid, and QoI fungicides, while two levels of moderate and high resistance to anilinopyrimidines were identified. Genetic analysis revealed point mutations in the target genes commonly associated with resistance in B. cinerea isolates, with all mutants resistant to dicarboximides, fenhexamid, boscalid, and QoI fungicides carrying single-nucleotide polymorphims in BcOS1 (I365S/N, Q369P, and N373S), Erg27 (F412V/I), SdhB (H272R/Y), and cytb (G143A) genes, respectively. The general incorrect use of fungicides has caused the development and spread of fungicide resistance as a widespread phenomenon on protected tomato and strawberry in Lebanon. The implementation of appropriate antiresistance strategies is highly recommended.     

Effektive Kontrolle des Braunrostes (Puccinia recondita f. sp. secalis Rob. ex Desm.) in Winterroggen mit Fungiziden unterschiedlicher Wirkstoffgruppen – Auswertung der Ringversuche der L?nder Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Sachsen und Thüringen

To investigate different control measures against the diseases in winter rye several trials were done in the German federal states. As a result from these trials the brown rust,Puccinia recondita f. sp.secalis, was the disease with the most negative influence on the yield. The brown rust occurrence at different times on the top three leaves depend on the winter and spring weather. It should be verify whether the protective use of fungicide mixtures with the new carboxamides active ingredient benefits the curative use (disease onset) in terms of achieved efficiency againstP. recondita. It can be stated that the action threshold does not need to be changed when using fungicide mixtures with carboxamides. Regarding the duration of the fungicide efficacy againstP. recondita an order in increasingly levels of efficiency could be determinate. The order is, from lowest to highest, azole fungicides, strobilurin-azole compounds, azole carboxamide compounds, and azole-carboxamide strobilurin mixtures. Due to the variability in the values of the individual test sites in the experimental series the tendency could be confirmed, however, no statistical significant differences between the various mixtures could be determined. The new carboxamides enrich the possibilities of targeted anti-resistance strategy againstP. recondita in winter rye. These trials results are introduced into recommendations for agricultural practice.