Subterranean, herbivore-induced plant volatile increases biological control activity of multiple beneficial nematode species in distinct habitats

While the role of herbivore-induced volatiles in plant-herbivore-natural enemy interactions is well documented aboveground, new evidence suggests that belowground volatile emissions can protect plants by attracting entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). However, due to methodological limitations, no study has previously detected belowground herbivore-induced volatiles in the field or quantified their impact on attraction of diverse EPN species. Here we show how a belowground herbivore-induced volatile can enhance mortality of agriculturally significant root pests. First, in real time, we identified pregeijerene (1,5-dimethylcyclodeca-1,5,7-triene) from citrus roots 9-12 hours after initiation of larval Diaprepes abbreviatus feeding. This compound was also detected in the root zone of mature citrus trees in the field. Application of collected volatiles from weevil-damaged citrus roots attracted native EPNs and increased mortality of beetle larvae (D. abbreviatus) compared to controls in a citrus orchard. In addition, field applications of isolated pregeijerene caused similar results. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that pregeijerene increased pest mortality by attracting four species of naturally occurring EPNs in the field. Finally, we tested the generality of this root-zone signal by application of pregeijerene in blueberry fields; mortality of larvae (Galleria mellonella and Anomala orientalis) again increased by attracting naturally occurring populations of an EPN. Thus, this specific belowground signal attracts natural enemies of widespread root pests in distinct agricultural systems and may have broad potential in biological control of root pests.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Urban Planning and Technological Innovation

Over the years, city and territory have been transformed disproportionately and the planning appears to have lost control over the dynamics of the events that, unfortunately, have caused indelible changes on urban and environmental systems. The reworking of alphanumeric and geographic data through the territorial information system can be useful as technical support and methodological knowledge capable of intervening and redeveloping the residential centers. In fact, cities and their dynamics can be visualized with tools and machinery capable of representing them in a graphic or schematic way. This study presents some Italian experiences of urban renewal made possible by territorial information systems. The achieved results attest that technological innovation represents a great opportunity for planning increasingly smart cities, in addition to having a greater influence on redevelopment processes in the government of the territory and improving services distribution and the decision making process