Applications of Trichoderma to prevent Phaeomoniella chlamydospora infections in organic nurseries

In order to prevent or reduce infection in grapevine nurseries, greenhouse and nursery trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of Trichoderma harzianum (Rootshield\u27) on the morpho-physiological characteristics of grapevine and on Phaeomoniella chlamydospora artificially inoculated on potted cuttings. The long-distance activity of Trichoderma against Botrytis cinerea was also examined. The study was performed in a commercial nursery where plants were grown organically. Results greatly depended on the vine-growth stage at which Richoderma was applied. Treatment at rooting was the most effective, whilst callusing-box application or treatments at both rooting and callusing gave inconsistent but generally negative results. Treatment at rooting further improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the root system, and increased the percentage of certifiable vines produced. Moreover, Richoderma application also reduced the necrotic area caused by B. cinerea inoculated on the leaves collected from Richoderma-treated plants and the extent of necrosis of P. chlamydospora-inoculated cuttings. This reduction in necrosis was significantly higher 15 months after inoculation. On the other hand, Richoderma increased vine mortality at the end of the growing season compared with untreated plants. On the whole, only when it was applied at rooting did Richoderma produce positive effects on the morpho-phisiological characteristics of grapevine and increased its tolerance to stress-related diseases, such as forms of esca found in the nursery

Application of Trichoderma to Prevent Phaeomoniella chlamydospora Infections in Organic Nurseries

In order to prevent or reduce infection in grapevine nurseries, greenhouse and nursery trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of Trichoderma harzianum (Rootshield®) on the morpho-physiological characteristics of grapevine and on Phaeomoniella chlamydospora artificially inoculated on potted cuttings. The long-distance activity of Trichoderma against Botrytis cinerea was also examined. The study was performed in a commercial nursery where plants were grown organically. Results greatly depended on the vine-growth stage at which Trichoderma was applied. Treatment at rooting was the most effective, whilst callusing-box application or treatments at both rooting and callusing gave inconsistent but generally negative results. Treatment at rooting further improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the root system, and increased the percentage of certifiable vines produced. Moreover, Trichoderma application also reduced the necrotic area caused by B. cinerea inoculated on the leaves collected from Trichoderma-treated plants and the extent of necrosis of P. chlamydospora-inoculated cuttings. This reduction in necrosis was significantly higher 15 months after inoculation. On the other hand, Trichoderma increased vine mortality at the end of the growing season compared with untreated plants. On the whole, only when it was applied at rooting did Trichoderma produce positive effects on the morpho-phisiological characteristics of grapevine and increased its tolerance to stress–related diseases, such as forms of esca found in the nursery

Effect of biostimulant sprays on Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and esca proper infected vines under greenhouse and fi eld conditions

Biostimulants are compounds that infl uence physiological processes in plants, producing better growth and enhancing stress tolerance. The effect of some biostimulants on vines was investigated over a number of years to assess their effect both on the incidence of esca leaf symptoms in the vineyard and on the growth of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora artifi cially inoculated into potted vines. Field trials were carried out for 4–7 years in fi ve 15-20-yearold vineyards infected with esca proper. Potted plants were sprayed with biostimulants, after which the vine trunks were inoculated with P. chlamydospora, and then the vines were sprayed again with biostimulants in the following 2 or 3 growing seasons. On the whole, biostimulants in the fi eld did not reduce foliar symptoms. The percentage of symptomatic vines that had shown symptoms in previous years was higher in the biostimulant-sprayed plots. In the greenhouse, a certain reduction of internal necrosis caused by P. chlamydospora was seen with three of the four biostimulants tested. Prospects for biostimulants as a means control esca are discussed

Experiments on the Control of Esca by Thricoderma

Trichoderma harzianum T39 (Trichodex®) and T. longibrachiatum strain 6 were applied on grapevine to determine their effectiveness against Phaeomoniella chlamydospora on vine cuttings and pruning wounds. Cuttings were dipped in a Trichoderma suspension either before or after callusing. Pre-callusing dips were carried out for 3 years and yielded contradictory results. By contrast, post-callusing Trichoderma dips led to significant growth of hairy roots and a reduction in the longitudinal discolorations caused by P. chlamydospora inoculated into the rootstock after dipping. Trichoderma spp. were also applied to pruning wounds of grafted potted vines, which were then inoculated by placing drops of a conidial suspension of P. chlamydospora on the wound surface. Trichoderma application here prevented black goo and necrosis in the wood below the wound. In the vineyard, T. harzianum T39 was sprayed after pruning for two consecutive years. The biocontrol agent was reisolated from the wood close to the sprayed pruning wounds for up to 2 months after spraying. Although further investigations are necessary, our findings suggest that Trichoderma could be one of the steps in the control of esca

Long term results of single high dose Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the treatment of primary lung tumors

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a standard treatment for inoperable early-stage NSCLC, with local control rates comparable to surgical series. Promising results have been achieved utilizing a high single-dose schedule. The aim of our study was to evaluate long-term local control and toxicity in a series of patients treated with SBRT delivered in a single dose of 30 Gy. 44 patients affected by early stage NSCLC were treated with SBRT delivered in a single dose of 30 Gy. Survival and prognostic factors were retrospectively evaluated. Median follow-up was 34 months (range 3–81). Three- and 5-year local progression-free survival (LPFS) were 87.8% and 87.8% respectively (median 30 months; range 6–81 months), 3- and 5-year OS and CSS were 64.9% and 36.9%, 80.9% and 65.5%, respectively. Two (4.6%) cases of grade 3 pneumonitis occurred. At the univariate analysis lesion diameter ≤ 25 mm was predictive of better 5-year LPFS (95.8% versus 56.3%; p = 0.003) and 5-year PFS (69.8% versus 27.8%; p = 0.002). The results of our study indicated a high local control, survival and tolerability after a long-term follow-up with the use of SBRT 30 Gy single dose. Further prospective studies could better define the role of this regimen

New methodology for diagnosis of orthopedic diseases through additive manufacturing models

Our purpose is to develop the preoperative diagnosis stage for orthopedic surgical treatments using additive manufacturing technology. Our methods involve fast implementations of an additive manufactured bone model, converted from CAT data, through appropriate software use. Then, additive manufacturing of the formed surfaces through special 3D-printers. With the structural model redesigned and printed in three dimensions, the surgeon is able to look at the printed bone and he can handle it because the model perfectly reproduces the real one upon which he will operate. We found that additive manufacturing models can precisely characterize the anatomical structures of fractures or lesions. The studied practice helps the surgeon to provide a complete preoperative valuation and a correct surgery, with minimized duration and risks. This structural model is also an effective device for communication between doctor and patient

Private damages actions before and after the implementation of the Directive (implementation of the EU Damages Directive into Member State law - Würzburg, May 5, 2017)

The majority of Member States have implemented the European Directive on Private Damages Actions for Breach of Competition Law, into their respective law, albeit with some delay. In particular, England, Germany, and the Netherlands, but also France and Italy have faced a certain number of private damages actions well before the implementation of the new regime. Partly the national rules and legal innovations have inspired the European legislator