- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
- Urban Agriculture and Sustainability
- Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development
University of Milan
2011-2025
University of Brescia
2019-2023
Centro di Ricerca per la Patologia Vegetale
2009-2011
Phytoplasmas classified in group 16SrXII infect a wide range of plants and are transmitted by polyphagous planthoppers the family Cixiidae. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identity biological properties, encompasses several species, including 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense', japonicum' fragariae'. Other phytoplasma strains associated with stolbur disease wild cultivated herbaceous woody bois noir grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Such latter have been informally proposed to represent...
ABSTRACT Length heterogeneity-PCR assays, combined with statistical analyses, highlighted that the endophytic bacterial community associated healthy grapevines was characterized by a greater diversity than present in diseased and recovered plants. The findings suggest phytoplasmas can restructure selecting strains could elicit plant defense response.
Abstract Intracellular reproductive manipulators, such as Candidatus Cardinium and Wolbachia are vertically transmitted to progeny but rarely show co-speciation with the host. In sap-feeding insects, plant tissues have been proposed alternative horizontal routes of interspecific transmission, experimental evidence is limited. Here we report results from experiments that horizontally between different phloem insect species through plants. Quantitative PCR in situ hybridization indicated...
Endophytic bacteria benefit host plant directly or indirectly, e.g. by biocontrol of the pathogens. Up to now, their interactions with and other microorganisms are poorly understood. Consequently, a crucial step for improving knowledge those relationships is determine if pathogens growing season influence endophytic bacterial diversity dynamic. Four healthy, four phytoplasma diseased recovered (symptomatic plants that spontaneously regain healthy condition) grapevine were sampled monthly...
In this study, the agricultural digestate from anaerobic biogas production mixed with food wastes was used as a substrate to grow Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and atroviride Ta13 in solid-state fermentation (SSF) produce high-value bioproducts, such bioactive molecules be ingredients for biostimulants. The spp. reached their maximum growth after 6 3 SSF days, respectively. Both species were able cellulase, esterase, citric malic acids, while T. also produced gibberellins oxylipins shown by...
This study aimed at valorizing digestate through Trichoderma spp. solid-state fermentation (SSF) to produce a potentially ameliorated fertilizer combined with fungal biomass as value-added bioproduct. Plant-growth-promoting atroviride Ta13, T. reesei RUT-C30, asperellum R, and harzianum T-22 were tested on different SSF substrates: whole (WD), dried up wood sawdust (SSF1), enriched food waste (SSF2). The was quantified by using qPCR assay. growth of the four only observed SSF2 substrate....
Abstract Trichoderma genus includes soil-inhabiting fungi that provide important ecosystem services in their interaction with plants and other fungi, as well biocontrol of fungal plant diseases. A collection isolates from Sardinia has been previously characterized, but here we selected 113 isolates, representatives the collection, characterized viral components. We carried out high-throughput sequencing ribosome-depleted total RNA following a bioinformatics pipeline detects virus-derived...
Abstract A multidisciplinary approach, based on field surveys, molecular biology techniques, and spatial data analyses, was utilised to investigate the Bois noir ( BN ) epidemiology in north‐eastern Italian vineyards during years 2010–12. Symptomatic grapevines, weeds specimens of insect vector Hyalesthes obsoletus were monitored mapped. Leaf samples from symptomatic grapevines weeds, captured analyzed by real‐time PCR identify phytoplasma BNp ; ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ species),...
The continuous increase in biogas production poses the need for innovative applications its by-products. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has regained attention development of several products because possibility to use low-cost and easily available substrates, such as organic wastes. SSF represents a valuable process agricultural digestate valorization terms enzyme production. In present study, cellulase esterase were produced by Trichoderma asperellum R on digestate-based substrate SSF, with...
ABSTRACT The phytochemical composition of Prunus cerasus var. marasca pomace produced as industrial byproduct was investigated. Its antioxidant and anti‐tyrosinase properties were also assessed to evaluate a possible reuse bioactive food ingredient. Secondary metabolites extracted from using an optimized ultrasound‐assisted maceration in ethanol/water. Total phenols (26.2 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (2.5 RE/g), anthocyanins (82.5 µg CE/g) the extract determined spectrophotometrically. Seventy...
Generally, plants are not considered as hosts for human and animal pathogens (HAP). The recent produce-associated outbreaks of food-borne diseases have drawn attention toward significant deficiencies in our understanding the ecology HAP, their potential interkingdom transfer. To examine association microorganisms classified HAP with plants, we surveyed presence distribution bacterial taxa (henceforth HAPT, brevity's sake) endosphere grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) both plant stems leaves. An...
Gliotoxin (GT) is a dual fungal secondary metabolite (SM). It displays pleiotropic activities and possesses medicinal properties biocontrol abilities but, unfortunately, has toxic in humans. Various Trichoderma species are used as biological control agents (BCAs), sustainable alternative for crop protection worldwide. Among them virens, GT-producing fungus. Since no information was available on the genetically coded prerequisites production of GT other spp., genome analyses were carried out...
ABSTRACT Endophytic bacteria are microorganisms residing in plant tissues without causing disease symptoms. Here, we provide the high-quality genome sequence of Curtobacterium sp. strain S6, isolated from grapevine plant. The assembly contains 2,759,404 bp 13 contigs and 2,456 predicted genes.
Quinoin is a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) we previously isolated from the seeds of pseudocereal quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and known as functional food for its beneficial effects on human health. As presence RIPs in edible plants could be potentially risky, here further characterised biochemically (complete amino acid sequence, homologies/differences with other three-dimensional homology modeling) explored possible defensive role against pathogens. consists 254 residues,...
Melia azedarach L. is a Meliaceae that has shown important insecticidal activities. However, few researchers have extensively studied the toxicology of aqueous extracts M. (MAE). Therefore, main objective this study was to characterize phyto-eco-toxicological profile MAE. First, botanical and phytochemical characterization MAE performed using histological, metabolomic multi-analytical approach. Second, toxicological effects on pollinating insects (Apis mellifera ligustica) soil collembola...
During a survey carried out in Jordanian vineyards August and October 2012, grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants showing typical yellows (GY) disease symptoms, including leaf discoloration curling, berry shriveling, irregular maturation of wood, were observed. In the same vineyards, bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis stunting chromatic alteration found, suggesting involvement phytoplasmas etiology. Using CTAB method, total DNA was extracted from veins 25 symptomatic two asymptomatic grapevines,...
This study aims to produce a mix of enzymes through Solid State Fermentation (SSF) raw materials. Four different, easily available, agro-industrial wastes were evaluated as SSF substrates for production by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. environmental strains named CpA, CpB2, CpC4, and CpC7. Among the tested wastes, organic wheat bran human use animal feed better supports C. growth protease without any supplements. SDS-PAGE analyses highlighted presence three bands corresponding an...
“Bois noir” (BN) is a grapevine yellows disease, associated with phytoplasma strains related to ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, that causes severe losses viticulture in the Euro-Mediterranean basin. Due complex ecological cycle of its etiological agent, BN epidemiology only partially known, and no effective control strategies have been developed. Numerous studies focused on molecular characterization strains, identify markers useful accurately describe their genetic diversity, geographic...
A low-energy paradigm was adopted for sustainable, affordable, and effective urban waste valorization. Here a new, eco-designed, solid-state fermentation process is presented to obtain some useful bio-products by recycling of different wastes. Urban food scraps from trimmings were used as substrate the production citric acid (CA) solid state Aspergillus niger NRRL 334, with yield 20.50 mg CA per gram substrate. The solution extract metals printed circuit boards (WPCBs), one most common...
Microbial-based products are a promising alternative to agrochemicals in sustainable agriculture. However, little is known about their impact on human health even if some of them, i.e., Bacillus and Paenibacillus species, have been increasingly implicated different diseases. In this study, 18 bacteria were isolated from 2 commercial biostimulants, they genotypically phenotypically characterized highlight specific virulence properties. Some identified as belonging the genus by BLAST RDP...
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an economically important crop and can host several different viruses, including those that have to be excluded from certified propagating material in Europe. Among these, the Vitivirus virus A (GVA) Maculavirus fleck (GFkV) are phloem-limited viruses associated with two grapevine diseases, Kober stem grooving, belonging rugose wood complex, respectively. During a survey conducted 2012 former Republic of Macedonia, symptomatic plants reddening leaves were...
Phytoplasmas are cell‐wall less, uncultivable bacteria, belonging to the class Mollicutes . They parasitise both plant hosts and insect vectors, but knowledge of their biological molecular properties is limited. In particular, analyses 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences revealed that 16SrV group phytoplasma strains identified in grapevine plants closely related, associated with distinct ecologies. this work, we investigated evolutionary relationships eight representative by sequencing 15...