Breeding for black rot resistance in grapevine: advanced approaches for germplasm screening

Crop improvement by means of traditional or molecular breeding is a key strategy to accomplish the European Green Deal target of reducing pesticides by 50% by 2030. Regarding viticulture, this is exacerbated by the massive use of chemicals to control pathogen infections. Black rot is an emergent disease caused by the ascomycete Phyllosticta ampelicida, and its destructiveness is alarming vine growers. Implementing and improving effective phenotyping strategies are fundamental preliminary steps to breed disease resistant varieties and this work suggests good practices adopted for this purpose. Primarily, the pedigree of black rot resistance donors was reconstructed based on the collection of phenotypic historical data, highlighting unexplored sources of black rot resistance. Strains used for artificial infections were isolated, genetically characterized and mixed to avoid race-specific resistance selection. A new inoculation protocol based on the use of leaf mature lesions was developed. Ex vivo inoculation on detached leaves was effective for the evaluation of conidia germination and hyphal growth, but not for disease progression. Finally, the pedigree was used for the identification of 23 genotypes to be tested. Two breeding selections (NY39 and NY24) resulted symptomless in all assessments and a third one (F25P52) also showed very high resistance, although with a greater variability. Other two genotypes (F12P19 and ‘Charvir’) fell within the medium resistance category, making them good candidates in a regime of well-timed preventive treatments. In conclusion, this work was effective to a comprehensive parental line characterization and preparatory towards grapevine breeding programs for black rot resistanc

process innovation alliances and the interplay of firm age early evidence from italian small firms

We investigate whether and how process innovation of small enterprises is influenced by allying with another firm. Drawing on resource-based view of the firm and integrating findings from studies on the liabilities of age and newness, we argue: 1) for a direct association between strategic alliances and process innovation, and 2) in favor of a moderating role of firm age on this relationship. The results from a representative sample of 159 Italian small firms shed new light on the role of strategic alliances in explaining process innovation, and support this proposal. We find a significant and positive relationship between strategic alliances and process innovation, and a moderating effect of firm age on this relationship. This suggests that a younger firm benefits more than an older one from the increase in process innovation activities occurring as a result of alliances with other firms. The age of the firm appears to dictate the nature of relationship between strategic alliances and process innovation. Significant and novel theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.</p

Dynamics of the Energy Transfer Process in Eu(III) Complexes Containing Polydentate Ligands Based on Pyridine, Quinoline, and Isoquinoline as Chromophoric Antennae

In this work, we investigated from a theoretical point of view the dynamics of the energy transfer process from the ligand to Eu(III) ion for 12 isomeric species originating from six different complexes differing by nature of the ligand and the total charge. The cationic complexes present the general formula [Eu(L)(H2O)2]+ (where L = bpcd2- = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N'-diacetate; bQcd2- = N,N'-bis(2-quinolinmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N'-diacetate; and bisoQcd2- = N,N'-bis(2-isoquinolinmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N'-diacetate), while the neutral complexes present the Eu(L)(H2O)2 formula (where L = PyC3A3- = N-picolyl-N,N',N'-trans-1,2-cyclohexylenediaminetriacetate; QC3A3- = N-quinolyl-N,N',N'-trans-1,2-cyclohexylenediaminetriacetate; and isoQC3A3- = N-isoquinolyl-N,N',N'-trans-1,2-cyclohexylenediaminetriacetate). Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations provided the energy of the ligand excited donor states, distances between donor and acceptor orbitals involved in the energy transfer mechanism (RL), spin-orbit coupling matrix elements, and excited-state reorganization energies. The intramolecular energy transfer (IET) rates for both singlet-triplet intersystem crossing and ligand-to-metal (and vice versa) involving a multitude of ligand and Eu(III) levels and the theoretical overall quantum yields (ϕovl) were calculated (the latter for the first time without the introduction of experimental parameters). This was achieved using a blend of DFT, Judd-Ofelt theory, IET theory, and rate equation modeling. Thanks to this study, for each isomeric species, the most efficient IET process feeding the Eu(III) excited state, its related physical mechanism (exchange interaction), and the reasons for a better or worse overall energy transfer efficiency (ηsens) in the different complexes were determined. The spectroscopically measured ϕovl values are in good agreement with the ones obtained theoretically in this work

Emergent Ascomycetes in viticulture: an interdisciplinary overview

The reduction of pesticide usage is a current imperative and the implementation of sustainable viticulture is an urgent necessity. A potential solution, which is being increasingly adopted, is offered by the use of grapevine cultivars resistant to its main pathogenic threats. This, however, has contributed to changes in defense strategies resulting in the occurrence of secondary diseases, which were previously controlled. Concomitantly, the ongoing climate crisis is contributing to destabilizing the increasingly dynamic viticultural context. In this review, we explore the available knowledge on three Ascomycetes which are considered emergent and causal agents of powdery mildew, black rot and anthracnose. We also aim to provide a survey on methods for phenotyping disease symptoms in fields, greenhouse and lab conditions, and for disease control underlying the insurgence of pathogen resistance to fungicide. Thus, we discuss fungal genetic variability, highlighting the usage and development of molecular markers and barcoding, coupled with genome sequencing. Moreover, we extensively report on the current knowledge available on grapevine-ascomycete interactions, as well as the mechanisms developed by the host to counteract the attack. Indeed, to better understand these resistance mechanisms, it is relevant to identify pathogen effectors which are involved in the infection process and how grapevine resistance genes function and impact the downstream cascade. Dealing with such a wealth of information on both pathogens and the host, the horizon is now represented by multidisciplinary approaches, combining traditional and innovative methods of cultivation. This will support the translation from theory to practice, in an attempt to understand biology very deeply and manage the spread of these Ascomycetes

Erector spinae plane versus fascia iliaca block after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial comparing analgesic effectiveness and motor block

Background Ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (FIB) provides effective analgesia after total hip arthroplasty (THA) but is complicated by high rates of motor block. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a promising motor-sparing technique. In this study, we tested the analgesic superiority of the FIB over ESPB and associated motor impairment. Methods In this randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial, patients scheduled for THA under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to preoperatively receive either the ultrasound-guided FIB or ESPB. The primary outcome was morphine consumption 24 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were pain scores, assessment of sensory and motor block, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and other complications, and development of chronic post-surgical pain. Results A total of 60 patients completed the study. No statistically significant differences in morphine consumption at 24 h (P = 0.676) or pain scores were seen at any time point. The FIB produced more reliable sensory block in the femoral nerve (P = 0.001) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (P = 0.018) distributions. However, quadriceps motor strength was better preserved in the ESPB group than in the FIB group (P = 0.002). No differences in hip adduction motor strength (P = 0.253), side effects, or incidence of chronic pain were seen between the groups. Conclusions ESPBs may be a promising alternative to FIBs for postoperative analgesia after THA. The ESPB and FIB offer similar opioid-sparing benefits in the first 24 h after surgery; however, ESPBs result in less quadriceps motor impairment

Marker-assisted breeding for Downy mildew, Powderey mildew and Phylloxera resistance at FEM

Il programma di miglioramento genetico per le resistenze a stress biotici ha avuto inizio presso la Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM) nel 2010. Inizialmente è stata condotta una caratterizzazione sia genotipica che fenotipica di materiali acquisiti da altri programmi di breeding e di materiale selvatico raccolto in New Jersey. Sia i genotipi conosciuti nei database internazionali che i genotipi sconosciuti, imparentati e non, sono stati impiegati come linee parentali nel processo di introgressione e di piramidazione di loci di interesse. Una volta pianificati e ottenuti gli incroci, la valutazione delle progenie è avvenuta seguendo un processo di Marker-Assisted Selection: dapprima è avvenuta la selezione fenotipica in serra in base al tipo di malattia e al numero di loci attesi per la medesima malattia; successivamente si è proceduto con lo screening molecolare in base ai loci specifici attesi nei parentali. Cinque sono i loci Run/Ren associati alla resistenza all'oidio presenti nel programma FEM; riguardo ai loci associati alla resistenza alla peronospora, quattro Rpv sono ben rappresentati nel piano di incroci. Ad oggi il 26% delle F1 è piramidizzato per quattro loci di resistenza

Studi sui tratti di qualità negativa nelle nuove viti mediamente resistenti alle malattie fungine

The varieties of vines tolerant to the main fungal diseases are the object of growing interest because they require fewer treatments for the production of quality grapes. These varieties are considered qualitatively unsuitable especially for some characteristics such as the foxy aroma, the level of anthocyanin diglucosides and the level of methyl alcohol in wines. In the three-year period 2016-2018, from a population of 74 medium resistant varieties placed in a single collection, in Marlengo (BZ), young leaves were taken for DNA analysis; annually 2 surveys of the OIV 452 453, 455 and 456 descriptors were carried out, and, at 18° Brix, sombunches were collected for the analysis of different metabolites. Nano-vinifications were carried out for 32 genotypes. Genotypes with different levels of stacked loci associated with resistance to downy and powdery mildew were detected, with different resistance behaviors over the years. Only some genotypes have aromas of foxy and only 20% of the genotypes analyzed have levels of anthocyanin diglucosides higher than the levels required by current legislation. Some vinifications showed methanol levels higher than the legal limit set. High percentages of genotypes respected the legal levels of metabolites required by current regulations and only genotypes with the presence of V. labrusca showed the aroma of foxy

Η Νέμεση στην Ελληνορωμαϊκή Ανατολή

This PhD thesis, entitled “Nemesis in the Greco-Roman East” collects, describes and comments on different kinds of sources (literary, epigraphical, artistic and archaeological) attesting the cult of Nemesis in the Hellenophone part of the Roman Empire. The majority of the sources belongs to the 2nd-3rd c. A.D., but the spread of Nemesis’ tradition is much older. The dissertation is divided in two volumes, the first consisting of the text and the second of a catalogue with all the findings (inscriptions, statues and reliefs, coinage) related to Nemesis in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. An introduction on the concept represented by Nemesis throughout centuries is displayed in the first introductory chapter, starting from the concept of “nemesis” in the Homeric poems and analysing the figure of the goddess in Greek mythology: she was considered as mother of Helen, and generally as punisher of the hubris and the arrogant behaviours, considered as violation of the cosmic order and harmony. Moreover, the two major sanctuaries of Rhamnous and Smyrna are taken into account, where we can see the Greeks – and later the Romans – connecting the cult of Nemesis to important historical events and characters (the victory at Marathon and Alexander the Great respectively). An important aim of this research is to define the weight of the Roman influence in the development and spread of Nemesis’ cult in the eastern provinces; even if it is hard to define a line between traditions and various forms of religious dialectic, the collection and comparison of sources of different character helped define a certain Roman “ingredient” in the worship of Nemesis in the Greek areas of the Roman Empire. This “ingredient” is visible in different fields of research, such as the iconography of the goddess, with attributes imported and reinterpreted in the Roman times (chapt. 2), and the places where she was worshipped with small temples or aediculae. Indeed, what came out is a preponderant presence of Nemesis in the Roman amphitheatres and theatre-arenas (chapt. 4); in these places, the Greek society could venerate the goddess in the occasion of the spectacles, as protectress of the participants in the games (including the editores, the persons who financed them), but also as a special protectress of these areas. This is clearly demonstrated in the relief of the theatre of Hierapolis, where Nemesis is represented in the last section of the ornament of the proscenium, in a scene of sacrifice at her altar that stands out from the general decorative narration. In the Greco-Roman society of 2nd- 3rd c. A. D., Nemesis was also worshipped as the protectress of public associations (chapt. 4) in which the urban population assembled with different social and economic goals. The present research collected and commented for the first time on all the different sources focusing on those relating to the cult of Nemesis. The comparison of the evidence underlined the basic character of Nemesis as the goddess of the theatre-arenas, the places of gathering of people around the Roman games. A great variety of associations stood out. For instance, the “synethia tes Nemeseos” of Thessalonica seems to be very similar to a collegium funeraticium; the “Nemesiastai” of Nicaea seems to be fans of the Roman games, as well as the “friends of hunting” of Philippi and the “friends of weapons”, attested on the small bronze statue of Nemesis of uncertain origin. However, the goddess was also at the centre of youth associations attested in Egypt, Gallia Narbonensis, Lusitania and Italy.The absorption of Nemesis’ cult in the people’s beliefs finds a place also in the funerary sources, where we could find many attestations of Nemesis as protectress of the deceased people, and a goddess linked to the idea of justice and life beyond death. Indeed, the present research collected for the first time all the sources with a funerary character worshipping Nemesis (chapt. 4). What came out is a many-sided profile of the goddess, which connects her to the traditional chthonian gods of the Greco-Roman world. The insertion and absorption of Nemesis’ cult in the Greco-Roman society is analyzed also in the political use of the goddess both by the central power, the provincial governors and the citizens (chap. 3). The comparison of various epigraphic sources, indeed, demonstrated how the goddess was at the centre of a dialectic between the central power and the provincial societies.In the fifth and last chapter all the various aspects of the research have been eventually compared and commented, with some new perspectives for the further investigation.Η διδακτορική διατριβή με τον τίτλο “Nemesis in the Greco-Roman East” συγκεντρώνει, περιγράφει και ερμηνεύει μια μεγάλη ποικιλία πηγών (γραμματειακών, επιγραφικών, καλλιτεχνικών και αρχαιολογικών) που πιστοποιούν τη λατρεία της Νέμεσης στο ελληνόφωνο τμήμα της Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας. Η διατριβή χωρίζεται σε δύο τόμους: ο πρώτος αποτελείται από το κείμενο και ο δεύτερος από έναν κατάλογο με όλα τα ευρήματα (επιγραφές, αγάλματα και ανάγλυφα, νομίσματα) που σχετίζονται με τη λατρεία της Νεμέσεως στις ανατολικές επαρχίες της Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας.Μια εισαγωγή για την έννοια που αντιπροσωπεύει η Νέμεση μέσα στους αιώνες παρουσιάζεται στο πρώτο εισαγωγικό κεφάλαιο, ξεκινώντας από την έννοια της «νέμεσις» στα ομηρικά ποιήματα και αναλύοντας τη μορφή της θεάς στην ελληνική μυθολογία: η θεά θεωρούνταν μητέρα της Ελένης και γενικά τιμωρός της ύβρεως και των αλαζονικών συμπεριφορών, που ερμηνεύονταν ως παραβίαση της κοσμικής τάξης και αρμονίας. Επιπλέον, λαμβάνονται υπόψη τα δύο μεγάλα ιερά του Ραμνούντα και της Σμύρνης, όπου μπορούμε να δούμε τους Έλληνες –και αργότερα τους Ρωμαίους– να συνδέουν τη λατρεία της Νεμέσεως με σημαντικά ιστορικά γεγονότα και προσωπικότητες (τη νίκη στον Μαραθώνα και τον Μέγα Αλέξανδρο αντίστοιχα). Ένας σημαντικός στόχος αυτής της έρευνας είναι να προσδιορίσει το μέγεθος της ρωμαϊκής επιρροής στην ανάπτυξη και τη διάδοση της λατρείας της Νεμέσεως στις ανατολικές επαρχίες. Ακόμα κι αν είναι δύσκολο να ορίσουμε μια γραμμή μεταξύ των παραδόσεων και των διαφόρων μορφών θρησκευτικής διαλεκτικής, η συλλογή και σύγκριση των πηγών βοήθησε στον εντοπισμό ενός συγκεκριμένου ρωμαϊκού «συστατικού» στη λατρεία της Νεμέσεως στις ελληνικές περιοχές της Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας. Αυτό το «συστατικό» είναι ορατό σε διάφορα πεδία έρευνας, όπως η εικονογραφία της θεάς, με ιδιότητες που εισήχθησαν και ερμηνεύτηκαν εκ νέου στους ρωμαϊκούς χρόνους (κεφ. 2), και τα μέρη όπου λατρευόταν με μικρούς ναούς ή aediculae. Πράγματι, έγινε σαφής η κυρίαρχη παρουσία της Νεμέσεως στα ρωμαϊκά αμφιθέατρα και στις θεατρικές αρένες (κεφ. 4). Σε αυτούς τους χώρους, η ελληνική κοινωνία μπορούσε να λατρεύει τη θεά στις περιπτώσεις των θεαμάτων, ως προστάτιδα των συμμετεχόντων στους αγώνες (συμπεριλαμβανομένων των διοργανωτών), αλλά και ως ειδική προστάτιδα αυτών των τοποθεσιών. Αυτό αποδεικνύεται ξεκάθαρα στο ανάγλυφο του θεάτρου της Ιεράπολης, όπου η Νέμεση παριστάνεται στο τελευταίο τμήμα του στολισμού του προσκηνίου, σε μια σκηνή θυσίας στον βωμό της που ξεχωρίζει από τη γενική διακοσμητική αφήγηση.Στην ελληνορωμαϊκή κοινωνία του 2ου- 3ου αι., η Νέμεσις λατρευόταν επίσης ως προστάτιδα των δημόσιων συλλόγων (κεφ. 4), που συγκέντρωναν τον αστικό πληθυσμό υπό διαφορετικούς κοινωνικούς και οικονομικούς στόχους. Η παρούσα έρευνα συγκέντρωσε και σχολίασε για πρώτη φορά όλες αυτές τις διαφορετικές πηγές με επίκεντρο τη λατρεία της Νεμέσεως. Η σύγκριση όλων των πηγών υπογραμμίζει τον βασικό χαρακτήρα της Νεμέσεως ως θεάς των θεάτρων-αρένων ως τόπων συγκέντρωσης ανθρώπων γύρω από τους ρωμαϊκούς αγώνες. Ξεχώρισε μια μεγάλη ποικιλία συλλόγων. Για παράδειγμα, η «συνήθια της Νεμέσεος» της Θεσσαλονίκης φαίνεται να μοιάζει πολύ με ένα collegium funeraticium. Οι «Νεμεσιάσται» της Νίκαιας φαίνεται να είναι λάτρεις των ρωμαϊκών αγώνων, καθώς και οι «φίλοι του κυνηγιού» των Φιλίππων και οι «φίλοι των όπλων», που μαρτυρούνται στο μικρό χάλκινο άγαλμα της Νεμέσεως αβέβαιης προέλευσης. Ωστόσο, η θεά ήταν επίσης στο επίκεντρο των συλλόγων νέων που μαρτυρούνται στην Αίγυπτο, την Gallia Narbonensis, τη Λουζιτανία και την Ιταλία. Η απορρόφηση της λατρείας της Νεμέσεως στις πεποιθήσεις των ανθρώπων βρίσκει θέση και στις επιτύμβιες πηγές, όπου βρίσκουμε πολλές ενδείξεις για την Νέμεση ως προστάτιδα των νεκρών και θεά που συνδέεται με την ιδέα της δικαιοσύνης και της ζωής πέρα από τον θάνατο. Πράγματι, η παρούσα έρευνα συγκέντρωσε για πρώτη φορά όλες τις πηγές με ταφικό χαρακτήρα στις οποίες λατρεύεται η Νέμεση (κεφ. 4). Τελικά, προέκυψε ένα πολύπλευρο προφίλ της θεάς, η οποία συνδέεται με τους παραδοσιακούς χθόνιους θεούς του ελληνορωμαϊκού κόσμου.Η εισαγωγή και απορρόφηση της λατρείας της Νεμέσεως στην ελληνορωμαϊκή κοινωνία αναλύεται και στην πολιτική χρήση της θεάς τόσο από την κεντρική εξουσία και τους επαρχιακούς διοικητές, όσο και από τους πολίτες (κεφ. 3). Η σύγκριση των διαφόρων επιγραφικών πηγών, πράγματι, έδειξε πως η θεά βρισκόταν στο επίκεντρο μιας διαλεκτικής μεταξύ της κεντρικής εξουσίας και των επαρχιακών κοινωνιών, που πάντα είχαν στόχο να κερδίσουν την εύνοια και τη χάρη του αυτοκράτορα.Στο πέμπτο και τελευταίο κεφάλαιο συγκρίθηκαν και σχολιάστηκαν τελικά όλες οι διάφορες πτυχές της έρευνας, με κάποιες νέες προοπτικές για περαιτέρω διερεύνηση

Towards Marker-Assisted Breeding for Black Rot Bunch Resistance: Identification of a Major QTL in the Grapevine Cultivar &lsquo;Merzling&rsquo;

Black rot (BR), caused by Guignardia bidwellii, is an emergent fungal disease threatening viticulture and affecting several mildew-tolerant varieties. However, its genetic bases are not fully dissected yet. For this purpose, a segregating population derived from the cross &lsquo;Merzling&rsquo; (hybrid, resistant) &times; &lsquo;Teroldego&rsquo; (V. vinifera, susceptible) was evaluated for BR resistance at the shoot and bunch level. The progeny was genotyped with the GrapeReSeq Illumina 20K SNPchip, and 7175 SNPs were combined with 194 SSRs to generate a high-density linkage map of 1677 cM. The QTL analysis based on shoot trials confirmed the previously identified Resistance to Guignardia bidwellii (Rgb)1 locus on chromosome 14, which explained up to 29.2% of the phenotypic variance, reducing the genomic interval from 2.4 to 0.7 Mb. Upstream of Rgb1, this study revealed a new QTL explaining up to 79.9% of the variance for bunch resistance, designated Rgb3. The physical region encompassing the two QTLs does not underlie annotated resistance (R)-genes. The Rgb1 locus resulted enriched in genes belonging to phloem dynamics and mitochondrial proton transfer, while Rgb3 presented a cluster of pathogenesis-related Germin-like protein genes, promoters of the programmed cell death. These outcomes suggest a strong involvement of mitochondrial oxidative burst and phloem occlusion in BR resistance mechanisms and provide new molecular tools for grapevine marker-assisted breeding