Detection of viruses infecting Lilium spp. by RT-PCR and Real-Time PCR

In order to enhance the Italian lily bulb production, a breeding program was carried out at CRA-VIV in Pescia (PT – Italy) during the last years. Asiatic hybrids (Lilium × elegans Thunb.), lily cultivars and other native species were involved in the program. The obtained lily lines, which presented interesting traits, were preserved in a collection. After years of vegetative propagation, some of the new selections showed symptoms referable to viral infections. Virus diseases represent some of the most dangerous threats of Lilium, so the application of fast and effective diagnostic techniques for early detection is very important. The aim of the present study, in the frame of a phytosanitary survey of the lily collection, is to investigate the presence and incidence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Lilium symptomless virus (LSV), Lily mottle virus (LMoV) and two tospoviruses (Impatiens necrotic spot virus, INSV, and Tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV). Among the 60 samples object of this study, infections by LSV and CMV were frequently observed. Also LMoV was detected in a smaller amount of samples. All of the samples were negative to INSV and TSWV

La toma de posesión de las villas del Infantado de Huete por el condestable Álvaro de Luna en 1442

The aim of this paper is concerned with establishing a conceptual framework for the study of the ritual side of transmissions of power in late medieval Castilian manors. We will consider the influence of the ethics and aesthetics of feudalism on the elements that express the consent of the involved communities during these ceremonies, as well as on aspects of the contractual nature inherent in the relationship between rulers and ruled in the context of the lordship. A crucial difference can be established between various acts of possession depending on the various kinds of attitudes shown by the communities towards the new lord, ranging from mere passive obedience to eventual hints of actual negotiations. It is also considered here if the latter is the case of the communities within the Infantado de Huete toward their new lord, Constable Álvaro de Luna, in 1442.En este trabajo se propone un marco conceptual para el estudio de las ceremonias de toma de posesión señoriales en la Castilla bajomedieval. Se considera el influjo de la ética y la estética de lo feudal sobre los elementos que expresan el consentimiento de las comunidades durante dichas ceremonias, así como sobre los aspectos de naturaleza contractual inherentes a la relación entre gobernantes y gobernados en el contexto del señorío. Se establece una diferencia crucial entre diversos tipos de tomas de posesión, dependiendo de las distintas actitudes que en ellas adoptan las comunidades hacia el nuevo señor, yendo éstas desde la mera obediencia pasiva hasta sugerir posibles contextos de negociación propiamente dicha, y este último caso se ilustra con el ejemplo de los actos de la toma de posesión de las villas del Infantado de Huete por el condestable Álvaro de Luna en 1442

Flower Longevity and Ethylene Production in Different Development Stages and Treatments in Lilium

The cut lily flowers may be considered on the edge between sensitive and insensitive to ethylene. The effect of ethylene inhibitors did not always increase the vase life of these cut flowers and the effect of treatments is variable with cultivars. The aim of this work was to investigate the ethylene production and the flower longevity of Asiatic lily (cv. Elite and Prato) during natural senescence (attached flowers) or on cut stems (with or without storage at 4°C). The flower longevity did not change very much (only 1 day) in the different treatments. Blasting or incomplete opening of apical buds was observed only in cut inflorescences. Ethylene production was very low and slightly increased during senescence. No climacteric peak and no significant differences between attached and detached flowers were observed. Pistils produced higher levels of ethylene during the first developmental stage, when the bud was still closed, and lower level during development. The lowest value of ethylene production was observed when the flowers were fully opened