Mating type and fungicide resistance in populations of Podosphaera xanthii in south Italy

Powdery mildew is one of the most common and severe diseases of cucurbits, causing heavy yield losses in all growing areas when not successfully controlled. Two different fungal species, Podosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces orontii, are generally recognized as causal agents. The results of monitoring carried out in 2016 and 2018 confirmed that P. xanthii is the exclusive pathogen causing cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) in southern Italy. P. xanthii is a bipolar heterothallic fungus; a PCR-based method for distinguishing MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs was applied for assessing mating type distribution in fungal populations present on cucurbits in different sites. The idiomorph MAT1-2 was prevalent over the MAT1-1 in 2016, whereas they were approximately in a 1:1 ratio in 2018; this finding corroborated the hypothesis that the MAT1-1 idiomorph was more recently introduced in the area. Cyflufenamid-resistant isolates were widespread in commercial greenhouses and field plantings even though use of this fungicide had been drastically reduced by the farmers 1 year before the monitoring due to the effectiveness losses observed in CPM control. Occurrence of cyflufenamid resistance and its impact on efficacy were evaluated in a field trial comparing different fungicide spray schedules. Cyflufenamid-resistant isolates were detected even at the first appearance of symptoms on leaves, increasing over time. Isolates resistant to cyflufenamid showed a resistance factor as high as 900. Generally, P. xanthii was better controlled when cyflufenamid was used in integrated strategies rather than in spray schedules based on the exclusive use of the fungicide.     

A web-based ToolBox approach to support adaptive forest management under climate change

The design and implementation of the adaptive forest management (AFM) ToolBox is presented. Design principles derived from previous experiences in decision support system (DSS) development include support for (1) modularity, (2) accessibility via the Internet, (3) inclusion of different types of knowledge and information, (4) the use of different data sources, and (5) specific problem types. As major components of the AFM ToolBox DataBase, Vulnerability Assessment Tools (single user version, group mode) and an optimization tool to generate optimized management plans at the level of management units or landscapes are highlighted. A key feature is the distinction of two archetypical user profiles (manager, analyst). The AFM ToolBox is evaluated against eight criteria for the assessment of DSS. It is concluded that the ToolBox approach setting focus on modularity while avoiding to over-emphasis technical integration provides the right frame to secure the flexibility regarding tools and decision-making processes which is mandatory if a DSS should be taken up by practice.     

Carbon sequestration of modern Quercus suber L. silvoarable agroforestry systems in Portugal: a YieldSAFE-based estimation

Modern alley cropping designs, with trees aligned in rows and adapted to operating farming machinery, have been suggested for Europe. This paper explores the potential for adoption of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) agroforestry in Portugal and estimates the potential carbon sequestration. Spatial modeling and Portuguese datasets were used to estimate target areas where cork oak could grow on farmland. Different implementation scenarios were then modeled for this area assuming a modern silvoarable agroforestry system (113 trees ha^?1 thinned at year 20 for establishing 50 trees ha^?1). The YieldSAFE process-based model was used to predict the biomass and carbon yield of cork oak under low and high soil water holding capacity levels. Approximately 353,000 ha are available in Portugal for new cork oak alley cropping. Assuming implementation rates between 10 % of the area with low soil water capacity (60 mm: 15 cm depth, coarse texture) and 70 % of the area with high soil water holding capacity (1,228 mm: 200 cm depth, very fine texture), then carbon sequestration could be 5 × 10⁶ and 123 × 10⁶ Mg CO₂ respectively. Due to higher yields on more productive land, scenarios of limited implementation in high productivity locations can sequester similar amounts of carbon as wide implementation on low productivity land, suggesting that a priori land classification assessments can improve the targeting of land and financial incentives for carbon sequestration.     

An integrated web system to support veterinary activities in Italy for the management of information in epidemic emergencies

The management of public health emergencies is improved by quick, exhaustive and standardized flow of data on disease outbreaks, by using specific tools for data collection, registration and analysis. In this context, the National Information System for the Notification of Outbreaks of Animal Diseases (SIMAN) has been developed in Italy to collect and share data on the notifications of outbreaks of animal diseases. SIMAN is connected through web services to the national database of animals and holdings (BDN) and has been integrated with tools for the management of epidemic emergencies. The website has been updated with a section dedicated to the contingency planning in case of epidemic emergency. EpiTrace is one such useful tool also integrated in the BDN and based on the Social Network Analysis (SNA) and on network epidemiological models. This tool gives the possibility of assessing the risk associated to holdings and animals on the basis of their trade, in order to support the veterinary services in tracing back and forward the animals in case of outbreaks of infectious diseases.     

Treatment with eCG Decreases the Vascular Density and Increases the Glandular Density of the Bovine Uterus

The uterus plays an essential role in mammalian reproduction and is a target of several hormonal protocols used to improve fertility in cattle. Many studies highlighted the importance of eCG treatment following fixed‐time artificial insemination in improving follicular growth, ovulation and pregnancy rates in cattle. Moreover, eCG has been implicated in angiogenesis, leading to important changes in uterine blood flow and vascularisation. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the specific alterations induced by eCG upon glandular and vascular characteristics of bovine uterus. To investigate the influence of eCG on: uterine thickness and area; uterine artery diameter and area; uterine vascular and gland density; and the expression of the VEGFA‐system, the uteri of crossbred beef cows were collected. All cows were submitted to follicular wave emergence synchronization. On day four of protocol, cows submitted to superovulation (n = 6) received 2000 IU eCG, on day eight, after expected follicular deviation, cows submitted to stimulatory treatment (n = 5) received 400 IU eCG. Control cows (n = 5) did not receive eCG. On day five po cows were subjected to ultrassonographic evaluation and slaughtered for uterine tissue sampling on day six po. Uterine vessels and glands were quantified by the counting point stereological method. The VEGFA‐system was localized in different cellular types, showing no qualitative or quantitative differences in the site of expression or the intensity of the positive signal among the groups. Vascular density was decreased in the endometrium of stimulated and myometrium of superovulated cows compared with the control ones, which showed higher vascular density in the myometrium and endometrium of the ipsilateral uterine horn. The uterine gland density was higher in superovulated compared with stimulated and control cows. Thus, we can infer that stimulatory or superovulatory treatments with eCG influence the vascular density in the endometrium and myometrium in cattle.     

Positive natural selection in the human lineage

Positive natural selection is the force that drives the increase in prevalence of advantageous traits, and it has played a central role in our development as a species. Until recently, the study of natural selection in humans has largely been restricted to comparing individual candidate genes to theoretical expectations. The advent of genome-wide sequence and polymorphism data brings fundamental new tools to the study of natural selection. It is now possible to identify new candidates for selection and to reevaluate previous claims by comparison with empirical distributions of DNA sequence variation across the human genome and among populations. The flood of data and analytical methods, however, raises many new challenges. Here, we review approaches to detect positive natural selection, describe results from recent analyses of genome-wide data, and discuss the prospects and challenges ahead as we expand our understanding of the role of natural selection in shaping the human genome.     

Pressurized liquid extraction of capsaicinoids from peppers

A method has been developed for the extraction of capsaicinoids from peppers by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE); these compounds are determined by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with detection by fluorescence spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry (MS). The stability of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin has been studied at different temperatures (50-200 degrees C), and several extraction variables have been assayed: solvent (methanol, ethanol, and water), different percentages of water in the methanol (0-20%) and in the ethanol (0-20%), and the number of extraction cycles. The study has evaluated the repeatability (RSD < 7%) and the reproducibility (RSD < 7%) of the method. Finally, the PLE method developed has been applied to quantify the capsaicinoids present in three varieties of hot peppers cultivated in Spain, quantifying five capsaicinoids: nordihydrocapsaicin, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, an isomer of dihydrocapsaicin, and homodihydrocapsaicin.     

Residue levels and storage responses of nectarines, apricots, and peaches after dip treatments with fludioxonil fungicide mixtures

Mature apricots (Prunus armeniaca), nectarines [Prunus persica var. nectarine (Ait.)], and peaches [P. persica (L.) Batsch.] were subjected to a 2 min dip treatment with warm water at 48 degrees C or with fludioxonil (FLU) at 100 mg L-1 and 20 degrees C or at 25 mg L-1 FLU and 48 degrees C and then stored at 5 degrees C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) for 1 week plus 1 additional week at 18 degrees C and approximately 80% RH. Fruit residue uptake was determined as a function of fungicide concentration, dip temperature, treatment time (only on nectarines), and fruit storage conditions. FLU residue level was closely related to fungicide concentration and treatment temperatures and was dependent on fruit species. FLU residues showed great persistence over both storage and shelf life. Fruit dipping in water at 48 degrees C effectively reduced decay development in cvs. 'May Grand' nectarines and 'Pelese' apricots but was ineffective in cvs. 'Red Top' and 'Sun Crest' nectarines during 7 days of storage compared with nontreated fruit. Decay rates in cvs. 'Glo Haven' peaches and 'Fracasso' apricots were very low in fruit dipped in water at both 20 and 48 degrees C. Fungicide treatments at 20 and 48 degrees C resulted in the total or almost total suppression of decay in all cultivars. During shelf life, fruit became very prone to decay, averaging 25.7-100% depending on the cultivar. Fruit dipping in hot water effectively reduced decay in 'Pelese' and 'Fracasso' apricots, 'Sun Crest' peaches, and 'May Grand' nectarines as compared to control, but was ineffective in 'Glo Haven' and 'Red Top' peaches. Fungicide treatments at 20 degrees C were more effective than hot water in most cultivars. The combination of FLU with water at 48 degrees C further improved the fungicide performance. Indeed, reduced levels (a fourth) of active ingredient were required to achieve a control of decay comparable to that for treatment at 20 degrees C. Residue levels in fruit after treatment with 100 mg L-1 FLU at 20 degrees C or with 25 mg L-1 FLU at 48 degrees C averaged approximately 0.6-2 mg kg-1, which were notably lower than the maximum residue limit (5 mg kg-1) allowed in the United States for stone fruit.