The increasing threat to European forests from the invasive foliar pine pathogen, Lecanosticta acicola

European forests are threatened by increasing numbers of invasive pests and pathogens. Over the past century, Lecanosticta acicola, a foliar pathogen predominantly of Pinus spp., has expanded its range globally, and is increasing in impact. Lecanosticta acicola causes brown spot needle blight, resulting in premature defoliation, reduced growth, and mortality in some hosts. Originating from southern regions of North American, it devastated forests in the USA's southern states in the early twentieth century, and in 1942 was discovered in Spain.Derived from Euphresco project 'Brownspotrisk,' this study aimed to establish the current distribution of Lecanosticta species, and assess the risks of L. acicola to European forests. Pathogen reports from the literature, and new/ unpublished survey data were combined into an open-access geo-database (http://www.portaloff orestpathology.com), and used to visualise the pathogen's range, infer its climatic tolerance, and update its host range. Lecanosticta species have now been recorded in 44 countries, mostly in the northern hemisphere. The type species, L. acicola, has increased its range in recent years, and is present in 24 out of the 26 European countries where data were available. Other species of Lecanosticta are largely restricted to Mexico and Central America, and recently Colombia.The geo-database records demonstrate that L. acicola tolerates a wide range of climates across the northern hemisphere, and indicate its potential to colonise Pinus spp. forests across large swathes of the Europe. Pre-liminary analyses suggest L. acicola could affect 62% of global Pinus species area by the end of this century, under climate change predictions.Although its host range appears slightly narrower than the similar Dothistroma species, Lecanosticta species were recorded on 70 host taxa, mostly Pinus spp., but including, Cedrus and Picea spp. Twenty-three, including species of critical ecological, environmental and economic significance in Europe, are highly susceptible to L. acicola, suffering heavy defoliation and sometimes mortality. Variation in apparent susceptibility between reports could reflect variation between regions in the hosts' genetic make-up, but could also reflect the signif-icant variation in L. acicola populations and lineages found across Europe. This study served to highlight sig-nificant gaps in our understanding of the pathogen's behaviour.Lecanosticta acicola has recently been downgraded from an A1 quarantine pest to a regulated non quarantine pathogen, and is now widely distributed across Europe. With a need to consider disease management, this study also explored global BSNB strategies, and used Case Studies to summarise the tactics employed to date in Europe

Effect of Acinetobacter sp on Metalaxyl Degradation and Metabolite Profile of Potato Seedlings (Solanum tuberosum L.) Alpha Variety

One of the most serious diseases in potato cultivars is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which affects leaves, stems and tubers. Metalaxyl is a fungicide that protects potato plants from Phytophthora infestans. In Mexico, farmers apply metalaxyl 35 times during the cycle of potato production and the last application is typically 15 days before harvest. There are no records related to the presence of metalaxyl in potato tubers in Mexico. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Acinetobacter sp on metalaxyl degradation in potato seedlings. The effect of bacteria and metalaxyl on the growth of potato seedlings was also evaluated. A metabolite profile analysis was conducted to determine potential molecular biomarkers produced by potato seedlings in the presence of Acinetobacter sp and metalaxyl. Metalaxyl did not affect the growth of potato seedlings. However, Acinetobacter sp strongly affected the growth of inoculated seedlings, as confirmed by plant length and plant fresh weights which were lower in inoculated potato seedlings (40% and 27%, respectively) compared to the controls. Acinetobacter sp also affected root formation. Inoculated potato seedlings showed a decrease in root formation compared to the controls. LC-MS/MS analysis of metalaxyl residues in potato seedlings suggests that Acinetobacter sp did not degrade metalaxyl. GC–TOF–MS platform was used in metabolic profiling studies. Statistical data analysis and metabolic pathway analysis allowed suggesting the alteration of metabolic pathways by both Acinetobacter sp infection and metalaxyl treatment. Several hundred metabolites were detected, 137 metabolites were identified and 15 metabolic markers were suggested based on statistical change significance found with PLS-DA analysis. These results are important for better understanding the interactions of putative endophytic bacteria and pesticides on plants and their possible effects on plant metabolism

Batang pier: A documentary on a group of children in Pier 18, Tondo who dive for junk to earn money

For the residents living in the port area, the body of water beside their homes is polluted and is home to a myriad of infections, bacteria and diseases. The irony is that this water gives people a source of income, but only for those brave enough to risk their health. This is how the children of Pier 18 in Tondo earn money. Children whose ages range from 10 to 14 years drive in the polluted waters to retrieve junk and sell to the junk shop located near the entrance of Pier 18. Out of these children, only three are given focus and featured at a more personal level. Their struggle to cope with poverty taught them to be mature, resourceful and practical. Aside from junk diving, their other activities such as collecting scrap metals from trucks, playing and gambling somehow created a great impact on their relationships with neighbors, friends, classmates, teachers and family members. Through this documentary, the children will be the ones to impart their own experiences. In this way, the audience may be able to get a glimpse at what these children consider as their own reality

Environmentally friendly methods for controlling pine pitch canker

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Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols through a Zirconium-Catalized Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Pyrroles with alpha-Ketoesters

Chiral complexes of 1,10-bi-2-naphthol-based ligands with zirconium tert-butoxide catalyze the Friedel Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with R-ketoesters to afford tertiary alcohols in good yields and ee up to 98%. The reaction is also of application to 4,7-dihydroindole to give C2-alkylated indoles after oxidation with p-benzoquinone.We thank the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion and FEDER (Grant CTQ2009-13083) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Grant ACOMP/2011/267) for financial support. C.V. thanks the Generalitat Valenciana for a predoctoral grant.Blay, G.; Fernández, I.; Muñoz Roca, MDC.; Pedro, J.; Recuenco, A.; Vila, C. (2011). Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols through a Zirconium-Catalized Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Pyrroles with alpha-Ketoesters. Journal of Organic Chemistry. 76:6286-6294. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo2010704S628662947

Environmentally friendly methods for controlling pine pitch canker

Funding Information COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Grant Number: PTDC/AGR‐FOR/2768/2014 FEDER. Grant Number: POCI‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐016785 CESAM. Grant Number: UID/AMB/50017/2019 FCT. Grant Numbers: SFRH/BPD/122928/2016, SFRH/BD/120967/2016, SFRH/BPD/101669/2014, IF/00835/2013 Spanish Government via the MINECO/FEDER. Grant Numbers: NGSFORFUSARIUM (AGL2015‐69370‐R), FUTURPIN (AGL2015‐68274‐C03‐02‐R) Academy of Finland. Grant Number: 309896 Forestry Commission, UKPeer reviewedPostprin