Studies on the subgenus Agraphoderus Bates of Blennidus Motschulsky from Peru: the jelskii species–group (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini)

Estudio sobre el subgénero Agraphoderus Bates de Blennidus Motschulsky de Perú: el grupo de especies jelskii (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini) Se describen cuatro especies nuevas de Blennidus subgen. Agraphoderus, de los Andes al sur de Perú: B. (A.) procerus sp. n., B. (A.) abramalagae sp. n., B. (A.) etontii sp. n. y B. (A.) straneoi sp. n. Estas cuatro especies, conjuntamente con B. (A.) jelskii (Tschitschérine, 1897), constituyen el grupo de especies jelskii, que es muy homogéneo y cuyas especies posiblemente estarían estrechamente emparentadas, diferenciándose de otros miembros de mismo subgénero por la peculiar morfología del edeago. Se realiza una redescripción de B. (A.) jelskii tomando como criterio el lectotipo y paralectotipo designados por Straneo & Vereshagina (1991), con la cual se completa la breve descripción original realizada por Tschitschérine. Finalmente, basándonos en el patrón de distribución de las especies del grupo jelskii, y enfatizando el rasgo característico de las especies estenoendémicas que habitan áreas geográficas restringidas, se considera que posiblemente se hayan originado por procesos de especiación alopátrica. Palabras clave: Blennidus, Agraphoderus, Perú, Taxonomía, Especies nuevas.Four new species of Blennidus subgenus Agraphoderus are described from the Andes of Southern Peru: B. (A.) procerus n. sp., B. (A.) abramalagae n. sp., B. (A.) etontii n. sp. and B. (A.) straneoi n. sp. Together with B. (A.) jelskii (Tschitschérine, 1897), they form a very homogeneous group of probably closely related species (the jelskii group), which is distinguished from other members of the subgenus by the distinctive morphology of the aedeagus. A redescription of B. (A.) jelskii is given based on the lectotype and paralectotype designated by Straneo & Vereshagina (1991), supplementing Tschitschérine’s brief original description. The distribution pattern of the species presently included in the jelskii species–group is discussed, emphasizing distinctive traits of stenoendemic species inhabiting restricted geographical areas, and discussing their possible origin by allopatric speciation. Key words: Blennidus, Agraphoderus, Peru, Taxonomy, New species.Estudio sobre el subgénero Agraphoderus Bates de Blennidus Motschulsky de Perú: el grupo de especies jelskii (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini) Se describen cuatro especies nuevas de Blennidus subgen. Agraphoderus, de los Andes al sur de Perú: B. (A.) procerus sp. n., B. (A.) abramalagae sp. n., B. (A.) etontii sp. n. y B. (A.) straneoi sp. n. Estas cuatro especies, conjuntamente con B. (A.) jelskii (Tschitschérine, 1897), constituyen el grupo de especies jelskii, que es muy homogéneo y cuyas especies posiblemente estarían estrechamente emparentadas, diferenciándose de otros miembros de mismo subgénero por la peculiar morfología del edeago. Se realiza una redescripción de B. (A.) jelskii tomando como criterio el lectotipo y paralectotipo designados por Straneo & Vereshagina (1991), con la cual se completa la breve descripción original realizada por Tschitschérine. Finalmente, basándonos en el patrón de distribución de las especies del grupo jelskii, y enfatizando el rasgo característico de las especies estenoendémicas que habitan áreas geográficas restringidas, se considera que posiblemente se hayan originado por procesos de especiación alopátrica. Palabras clave: Blennidus, Agraphoderus, Perú, Taxonomía, Especies nuevas

Short and mid-term effects of artificial defoliation on the growth of euramerican poplar (Populus × canadensis clone I-214) in poplar stands in relation to the intensity and seasonal timing of defoliation.

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Zeolite application and irrigation during ripening reduced berry sunburn damage and yield loss in cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.)

Climate change poses significant challenges to the grapevine cultivation for wine production. In the last years, the occurrence of extreme weather events such as intense heat waves and prolonged period of drought increased sunburn damage with negative consequences to yield and berry composition. Short-term adaptation strategies are urgently needed to mitigate these effects. In this light, our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zeolite application on the canopy and irrigation during ripening on sunburn damage, yield, and berry composition in cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.). Over 3 years (2021-2023), canopy management and irrigation treatments were arranged in a strip-plot design. Canopy management treatments included leaf removal on the cluster zone, with and without zeolite application, and no defoliated control; irrigation treatments comprised irrigation from berry softening and no irrigation. Both zeolite application and irrigation reduced sunburn damage, thus mitigating yield loss. Regarding berry composition, zeolite application did not alter the main parameters whereas irrigation led to reductions in sugar and anthocyanin concentrations. These findings suggest that zeolite application and irrigation during ripening represent promising and cost-effective solutions for grape growers facing climate change-induced challenges. However, further studies are necessary to optimize timing of irrigation to avoid detrimental effects on anthocyanin accumulation

Effect of pre-bloom anti-transpirant treatments and leaf removal on 'Sangiovese' (Vitis vinifera L.) winegrapes

Recent trials have shown that basal shoot leaf removal at pre-bloom is effective in reducing fruit-set and yield, leading to better grape quality composition. The present trial was designed to determine whether similar results can be achieved with 'Sangiovese' vines by testing a pre-bloom spray of film-forming anti-transpirant (P) against pre-bloom hand defoliation of basal shoots (HD) and no defoliation (C). The results of our threeyear experiment show that, compared to C, P reduced net assimilation of treated leaves for 20-40 days and photosynthetic compensation was not found after treatments in the upper untreated leaves of P and in the remaining upper HD leaves; berry-set, cluster weight and yield were significantly reduced in P and HD; bunch compactness decreased in HD, with P clusters registering an intermediate value; must soluble solids content (°Brix) and pH of P and HD were higher; no differences were found among treatments for titratable acidity. Berry and skin weight and anthocyanin content of P and C berries were similar, whereas HD berries, which were fully exposed to ambient light and temperature throughout each season, showed higher skin weight and skin weight-to-berry weight ratio, but a decreasing of total skin anthocyanins content compared to C and P.

Application of kaolin and italian natural chabasite-rich zeolitite to mitigate the effect of global warming in vitis vinifera l. Cv. sangiovese

High temperatures and the anomalous distribution of rainfall during the growing season may have a negative impact on grapevine yield and berry composition. In recent years, many studies have focused on the application of agronomical techniques to reduce the negative impact of heat waves on secondary metabolites such as phenols. In particular, treatments with kaolin have shown positive effects on reducing canopy temperatures, enhancing the accumulation of anthocyanins. In regard to the above, three treatments were evaluated: untreated control (C), kaolin (CAO), and chabasite-rich zeolitites (ZEO) applications on cv. Sangiovese in order to verify the cooling effects on leaves and bunches, and the impact on gas exchange, yield parameters, berry composition, and on both chemical and sensory notes of wine. Minerals were sprayed twice around the veraison on the entire canopy at a 3% concentration. The results showed that the application of the minerals was able to reduce the berry temperatures in both years of the trial as compared to the untreated control (C), without affecting vine gas exchange, yield, and soluble solid accumulation. Furthermore, the cooling effect determined an increase in anthocyanin on both the grapes and the wine. At testing, CAO and ZEO wines stood out regarding greater color intensity and were preferred by the judges

Use of an automatic fruit-zone cooling system to cope with multiple summer stresses in Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes

Grapevines are frequently subjected to heatwaves and limited water availability during ripening. These conditions can have consequences for the physiological health of the vines. Moreover, the situation is often exacerbated by intense solar radiation, resulting in reduced yield due to sunburn and a decline in quality. In light of these challenges, our study aimed to develop a fruit-zone cooling system designed to mitigate grape sunburn damage and improve the microclimate conditions within the vineyard. The system comprises a network of proximal sensors that collect microclimate data from the vineyard and an actuator that activates nebulizers when the temperature exceeds the threshold of 35 degrees C. The research was conducted over two years (2022 and 2023) in Bologna (Italy) using potted Sangiovese and Montepulciano vines. These two vintages were characterized by high temperatures, with varying amounts of rainfall during the test period, significantly impacting the evaporative demand, which was notably higher in 2023. Starting from the veraison stage we compared three treatments: Irrigated control vines (WW); Control vines subjected to 50% water restriction during the month of August (WS); WS vines treated with nebulized water in the bunch area during the stress period (WS+FOG). The application of nebulized water effectively reduced the temperature of both the air around the clusters and the clusters themselves. As we expected, Montepulciano showed better single leaf assimilation rate and stomatal conductance under non-limiting water conditions than Sangiovese while their behavior was unaffected under water-scarce conditions. Importantly, for the first time, we demonstrated that nebulized water positively affected gas exchange in both grape varieties. In addition to this, the vines treated with the misting system exhibited higher productivity compared to WS vines without affecting technological maturity. In the 2023 vintage, the activation of the system prevented the ripening blockage that occurred in Montepulciano under water stress. Regarding the concentration of total anthocyanins, a significant increase in color was observed in WS+FOG treatment, suggesting a predominant role of microclimate on anthocyanin biosynthesis and reduction of oxidative phenomena. In conclusion, the fruit-zone cooling system proved to be an invaluable tool for mitigating the adverse effects of multiple summer stresses

Effects of Mechanical Winter Pruning on Vine Performances and Management Costs in a Trebbiano Romagnolo Vineyard: A Five-Year Study

Vineyard mechanical winter pruning has been spreading worldwide, and the physiological basis ascribable to it has been consolidated throughout the years. Despite labor savings and reduction of costs having been proven, the demonstration of its economic viability might be challenging. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the vine performances and the costs of different degrees of the mechanization of winter pruning over a five-year trial (2011-2015). In a vineyard of cv. Trebbiano Romagnolo (Vitis vinifera L.) located in northern Italy, three pruning treatments were laid out as follows: (a) manual pruning (MAN); (b) mechanical pre-pruning and simultaneous manual follow-up (MP + F); (c) mechanical pruning without a manual follow-up (MP). The results showed a strong increase in the node number of MP. Nevertheless, the yield compensation factors (i.e., the shoot fruitfulness and cluster weight) limited the increase in productivity. Soluble solids did not differ between the pruning treatments, while titratable acidity resulted slightly higher only on the MP berries. The MP treatment was the most economically convenient, with a vineyard surface of 1.5 hectares, while mechanical pruning with manual finishing resulted more advantageous, compared to manual pruning when the vineyard surface was greater than 2.9 hectares. The agronomic and economic results obtained in this five-year trial suggest that mechanical pruning may be profitably applied also on grapevine varieties characterized by low basal bud fruitfulness, such as Trebbiano Romagnolo

Variable rate fertilization in a highly productive vineyard of cv. Trebbiano romagnolo (Vitis vinifera L.) may reduce nitrogen application and vigor variability without yield loss

The site-specific management of the vineyard cultural practices may reduce the spatial variability of vine vigor, contributing to achieve the desired yield and grape composition. In this framework, variable rate fertilization may effectively contribute to reduce the different availability of mineral nutrients between different areas of the vineyard, and so achieving the vine’s aforementioned performances. The present study was aimed to apply a variable rate fertilization in a highly productive vineyard of the fertile Po Valley (Italy) and to evaluate the effects on the spatial variability of vigor. The trial was conducted over two consecutive seasons (2018-2019) in a not irrigated, 3 ha vineyard of cv. Trebbiano romagnolo, trained to GDC and grafted onto SO4. During the summer of both years, vine vigor was mapped with a quad equipped with two GreenSeeker sensors in order to calculate the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); simultaneously, soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was measured by the TopSoil Mapper sensor. Successively, clusters were harvested and berries were sampled according to a prearranged grid for georeferencing yield components and quality parameters. Then, maps of vigor, yield and soluble solid concentration were created. At the beginning of the vegetative growth of 2019, the variable rate fertilization was performed according to a prescription map based on NDVI data of 2018. The NDVI map of 2018 discriminated two zones with different levels of vigor (high, NDVI ≥ 0.73) and medium, 0.55 ≤ NDVI < 0.73), and showed spots scattered in the vineyard with NDVI lower than 0.55, corresponding to dead vines or vines severely affected by “Flavescence doree” and “Esca disease”. On the other hand, only minor differences were found in soil apparent electrical conductivity, and it was not possible to delineate a map with zones characterized by different levels based on this parameter. Harvest data of 2018 showed that in the zones with higher vigor, vines were more productive that those characterized by medium vigor. As expected, high yield was correlated with low sugar concentration and high titratable acidity. The variable rate fertilization performed in spring of 2019 consisted in the application of 30 kg/ha of N in the high vigor zones, 60 kg/ha of N in the zones to save 15 kg/ha of nitrogen compared to farm fertilization and contributed to reduce the spatial variability of vigor. In fact, the 2019 NDVI map showed that the area of the higher vigor zones increased over the previous year. Harvest data of 2019 showed an overall increase of yield and confirmed the relations between yield and berry composition observed in 2018. Those results show that variable rate fertilization may be adopted also in highly productive vineyards to reduce spatial variability of vigor without negative consequences on yield. Then, it is expected that a large-scale adoption of this technique would generate a remarkable reduction of fertilizer with beneficial consequences on the environment

A comprehensive study on the effect of foliar mineral treatments on grapevine epiphytic microorganisms, flavonoid gene expression, and berry composition

Foliar treatments with mineral-based compounds have aroused interest as a sustainable approach to cope with high-temperature stress in vineyards, improving the colour of grapes and wines without altering the sugar concentration. Since berry-associated microorganisms are crucial for wine production, composition and stability, the present study aims to unravel the effects of kaolin and zeolite treatments on berry quality, flavonoid gene expression and epiphytic microorganisms and lactic acid bacteria). Experiments were performed on 'Sangiovese' during ripening in two growing seasons (2019 and 2020). Both mineral treatments were able to cause the elicitation of several flavonoid-related genes and to increase the anthocyanin concentration in berries without an alteration of the final technological maturity (TSS, TA, pH) of the grapes. Interestingly, neither kaolin nor zeolites negatively affected the analysed microbial population at harvest despite transient alterations observed in the more stressful year (2019). These results support the use of foliar mineral treatments to increase anthocyanin concentration in grape berries and protect them from excessive heat without altering their native microorganisms