Description of the first-stage juveniles of Xiphinema cretense and X. herakliense - Distribution of Xiphinema and Longidorus species in olive orchards and grapevines in Crete, Greece

The occurrence of nematodes of the family Longidoridae was investigated in soil samples collected from cultivated and wild olives and grapevines in Crete. The first-stage juveniles of Xiphinema cretense and X. herakliense are described for the first time. The species X. israeliae, X. cretense, X. herakliense and Longidorus pseudoelongatus, previously recorded exclusively from olives in Crete, are herein reported in the rhizosphere of grapevines. Also L. iranicus is reported for the first time in cultivated olive, while X. italiae and L. closelongatus are reported for the first time in wild olive in Crete. Data on the occurrence of phytoparasitic nematode species in cultivated olives, wild olives and grapevines are updated with those previously published.This research was supported by grant KBBE 219262 ArimNET-ERANET FP7 2012-2015 Project PESTOLIVE ‘Contribution of olive history for the management of soilborne parasites in the Mediterranean basin’ from Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER and Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), grant AGR-136 from ‘Consejería de Economía, Innvovación y Ciencia’ from Junta de Andalucía, and Union Europea, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo regional, “Una manera de hacer Europa”. I.G. Birmpilis and E. Nasiou were employed by the ARIMNET-PESTOL-IVE project.Peer reviewe

Zeolites functionalised with essential oils as new fungicidal materials for citrus fruits

Postharvest diseases produced by fungi are one of the main problems affecting the quality of agricultural products during storage. In citrus fruits, the largest economic losses are caused by wound pathogens, in particular, by Penicillium digitatum (PD), Penicillium italicum (PI) and Geotrichum citri-aurantii (GC), causing citrus green mould, blue mould and sour rot, respectively

Efficient In Vitro and In Vivo Anti‐Inflammatory Activity of a Diamine‐PEGylated Oleanolic Acid Derivative

Recent evidence has shown that inflammation can contribute to all tumorigenic states. We have investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects of a diamine‐PEGylated derivative of oleanolic acid (OADP), in vitro and in vivo with inflammation models. In addition, we have determined the sub‐cytotoxic concentrations for anti‐inflammatory assays of OADP in RAW 264.7 cells. The in‐ flammatory process began with incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nitric oxide production levels were also determined, exceeding 75% inhibition of NO for a concentration of 1 μg/mL of OADP. Cell‐cycle analysis showed a reversal of the arrest in the G0/G1 phase in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, through Western blot analysis, we have determined the probable molecular mechanism activated by OADP; the inhibition of the expression of cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, iNOS, and COX‐2; and the blocking of p‐IκBα production in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, we have analyzed the anti‐inflammatory action of OADP in a mouse acute ear edema, in male BL/6J mice treated with OADP and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). Treatment with OADP induced greater suppression of edema and decreased the ear thickness 14% more than diclofenac. The development of new derivatives such as OADP with powerful anti‐inflammatory effects could represent an effective therapeutic strategy against inflammation and tumorigenic processes

The neglected role of LITHOlogy in the response of Mediterranean FORest ecosystems to climate change: rationale and endorsing results from project LITHOFOR

XV Congreso Nacional de la AEET (El valor ,de la Naturaleza para una sociedad global), 18-21 de octubre, Plasencia, Cáceres.One of the main concerns of ecologists is to understand which factors (biogeographical, physiographical, disturbance, etc.) control ecosystem structure and function. It is surprising that lithology has rarely been considered despite its potential cascading effects on resource availability and ecological conditions. The project LITHOFOR aims to shed light on the role of lithology in forest ecosystem responses to climate change by focusing on pine (Pinus pinaster), Andalusian-fir (Abies pinsapo) and cork-oak (Quercus suber) forests across the unique natural laboratory representedby the Baetic and Rif ranges (S. Spain- N.-Morocco). In the western Mediterranean-Alborán region, climate conditions shift from hyperhumid to semiarid in scarcely a hundred kilometers along West to East longitudinal gradients, and its world-wide renowned geotectonic and lithological complexity allows for abundant forest stands across contrasting lithological contacts. The project is a coordinated multidisciplinary effort of forest ecologists, plant physiologists, geologists, soil scientists, biodiversity researchers and modelers to compare forest structure and functio n among three contrasting lithologies (carbonated, metapelites and ultramafic rocks). Results illustrate that lithological types influence the shape and intensity of patterns along climatic gradients (and in respo nse to drought) for variables as stand structure, tree growth, foliar and root functional traits, litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, and bi ological communities composition (plants, soil nematodes and microbes). This advocates that litho/edaphological factors deserve greater attention

Micro and mesoporous materials with essential oils as sustainable biocide materials

Over the last few years policy is shifting towards more sustainable models, and agriculture is changing together. Legislative changes in the use of pesticides lead to the search for new materials that guarantee the needs of the present without compromising future generations. Consequently, there is an increasing necessity to develop new sustainable materials with fungicidal properties to preserve the quality of fresh horticultural produce during storage. Postharvest diseases of citrus fruits, mainly caused by wound pathogens such as Penicillium digitatum (PD), Penicillium italicum (PI) and Geotrichum citri-aurantii (GC), can produce large economic losses [1]. Many studies have been conducted to find biocide materials that may control the development of these fungi. It has been reported that silver-functionalised zeolitic materials are effective to reduce decay on oranges infected by these fungi [2], but the release of silver may be a problem due to strict regulations associated with food products. An alternative can be the use natural substances as thyme and cinnamon essential oils supported on zeolites as biocidal agents against PD, PI and GC. In vitro studies using Faujasite zeolites impregnated with essential oils at different concentrations showed a significant fungal growth inhibition, obtaining the best results with thyme essential oil. In subsequent in vivo studies, LTA and MCM-22 zeolites synthesized from silica extracted from rice husks, SiO2 and a pillared clay with 20% by weight of thyme essential oil were applied to oranges artificially inoculated with each fungus. Results showed that the antifungal activity highly depended on the fungus and the material used. LTA zeolite with 20% thyme essential oil was the most active antifungal material. As another alternative, silica mesoporous materials were synthetised and impregnated with pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in aqueous or methanolic medium. In in vitro studies, these materials inhibited the growth of PD by 80% compared to the control without functionalised silica. Furthermore, in vivo studies with oranges artificially inoculated with each fungus showed the biocidal activity of the PPE-functionalised materials, especially against PD and PI. Nevertheless, optimization of these materials is still necessary to improve their disease control and general performance