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Dr. Rosario Torres
IRTA, Postharvest Programme, Edifici Fruitcentre, Parc Científic i Tecnològic Agroalimentari de Lleida, Parc de Gardeny, 25003 Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Biological Control
0 Epidemiology
0 Alternative methods
0 Postharvest fungal diseases of fruit
0 Host-pathogen interaction studies

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Journal article
Published: 08 June 2021 in Journal of Fungi
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Brown rot, caused by Monilinia spp., is among the most important diseases in stone fruits, and some pome fruits (mainly apples). This disease is responsible for significant yield losses, particularly in stone fruits, when weather conditions favorable for disease development appear. To achieve future sustainable strategies to control brown rot on fruit, one potential approach will be to characterize genomic variation among Monilinia spp. to define, among others, the capacity to infect fruit in this genus. In the present work, we performed genomic and phylogenomic comparisons of five Monilinia species and inferred differences in numbers of secreted proteins, including CAZy proteins and other proteins important for virulence. Duplications specific to Monilinia were sparse and, overall, more genes have been lost than gained. Among Monilinia spp., low variability in the CAZome was observed. Interestingly, we identified several secondary metabolism clusters based on similarity to known clusters, and among them was a cluster with homology to pyriculol that could be responsible for the synthesis of chloromonilicin. Furthermore, we compared sequences of all strains available from NCBI of these species to assess their MAT loci and heterokaryon compatibility systems. Our comparative analyses provide the basis for future studies into understanding how these genomic differences underlie common or differential abilities to interact with the host plant.

ACS Style

Marina Marcet-Houben; Maria Villarino; Laura Vilanova; Antonieta De Cal; Jan van Kan; Josep Usall; Toni Gabaldón; Rosario Torres. Comparative Genomics Used to Predict Virulence Factors and Metabolic Genes among Monilinia Species. Journal of Fungi 2021, 7, 464 .

AMA Style

Marina Marcet-Houben, Maria Villarino, Laura Vilanova, Antonieta De Cal, Jan van Kan, Josep Usall, Toni Gabaldón, Rosario Torres. Comparative Genomics Used to Predict Virulence Factors and Metabolic Genes among Monilinia Species. Journal of Fungi. 2021; 7 (6):464.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marina Marcet-Houben; Maria Villarino; Laura Vilanova; Antonieta De Cal; Jan van Kan; Josep Usall; Toni Gabaldón; Rosario Torres. 2021. "Comparative Genomics Used to Predict Virulence Factors and Metabolic Genes among Monilinia Species." Journal of Fungi 7, no. 6: 464.

Article
Published: 27 May 2021 in European Journal of Plant Pathology
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Even though the potential of the fungus Ampelomyces quisqualis against powdery mildew has been largely demonstrated, the efficacy of the commercialised product AQ10 Biofungicide is not consistent. Recently, a solid formulation of A. quisqualis strain CPA-9 that included biodegradable coatings on its composition was developed to overcome the major shortcomings of the biocontrol agents applied under practical conditions. The aims of the present study were to show the compatibility of CPA-9 with different phytosanitary products, and to confirm the potential of this novel formulation in different approaches: (i) under different conditions of temperature (20 and 30 °C) and relative humidity (40, 60 and 85%) on different surfaces (glass and zucchini leaves), (ii) after different rainfall episodes, and (iii) verifying Podosphaera xanthii parasitization by dried conidia of CPA-9. It was demonstrated that CPA-9 was compatible with several phytosanitary products, so it might be included in integrated management programmes. Moreover, the solid formulation showed better resilience than non-formulated conidia, both applied on a glass surface and on zucchini leaves. Adherence of both treatments on zucchini leaves did not show significant differences after simulated rainfall and all tested concentrations of dried conidia were able to produce pycnidia in P. xanthii hyphae. Therefore, the developed fluidised-bed spray-dried formulation of A. quisqualis CPA-9 together with coatings compounds has all the makings of becoming a biocontrol product, although their efficacy under practical conditions should be assessed.

ACS Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres. Formulated Ampelomyces quisqualis CPA-9 applied on zucchini leaves: influence of abiotic factors and powdery mildew mycoparasitization. European Journal of Plant Pathology 2021, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Anna Carbó, Neus Teixidó, Josep Usall, Cristina Solsona, Rosario Torres. Formulated Ampelomyces quisqualis CPA-9 applied on zucchini leaves: influence of abiotic factors and powdery mildew mycoparasitization. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 2021; ():1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres. 2021. "Formulated Ampelomyces quisqualis CPA-9 applied on zucchini leaves: influence of abiotic factors and powdery mildew mycoparasitization." European Journal of Plant Pathology , no. : 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2021 in Plant Science
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Epigenetic regulation is crucial to ensure a coordinated control of the different events that occur during fruit development and ripening. Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases involved in the regulation of gene expression of many biological processes. However, their implications in the Rosaceae family remains unexplored. Accordingly, in this work, we demonstrated the phylogenetic divergence of both sirtuins among Rosaceae species. We then characterized the expression pattern of both SRT1 and SRT2 in selected pome and stone fruit species. Both SRT1 and SRT2 significantly changed during the fruit development and ripening of apple, nectarine and pear fruit, displaying a different expression profile. Such differences could explain in part their different ripening behaviour. To further unravel the role of sirtuins on the fruit development and ripening processes, a deeper analysis was performed using pear as a fruit model. In pear, PbSRT1 gene expression levels were negatively correlated with specific hormones (i.e. abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellin A1 and zeatin) during the first phases of fruit development. PbSRT2 seemed to directly mediate pear ripening in an ethylene-independent manner. This hypothesis was further reinforced by treating the fruit with the ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Instead, enhanced PbSRT2 along pear growth/ripening positively correlated with the accumulation of major sugars (R2 > 0.94), reinforcing the idea that sugar metabolism may be a target of epigenetic modifications during fruit ripening. Overall, the results from this study point out, for the first time, the importance that sirtuins have in the regulation of fruit growth and ripening of pear fruit by likely regulating hormonal and sugar metabolism.

ACS Style

Núria Vall-Llaura; Rosario Torres; Violeta Lindo-García; Paula Muñoz; Sergi Munné-Bosch; Christian Larrigaudière; Neus Teixidó; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba. PbSRT1 and PbSRT2 regulate pear growth and ripening yet displaying a species-specific regulation in comparison to other Rosaceae spp. Plant Science 2021, 308, 110925 .

AMA Style

Núria Vall-Llaura, Rosario Torres, Violeta Lindo-García, Paula Muñoz, Sergi Munné-Bosch, Christian Larrigaudière, Neus Teixidó, Jordi Giné-Bordonaba. PbSRT1 and PbSRT2 regulate pear growth and ripening yet displaying a species-specific regulation in comparison to other Rosaceae spp. Plant Science. 2021; 308 ():110925.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Vall-Llaura; Rosario Torres; Violeta Lindo-García; Paula Muñoz; Sergi Munné-Bosch; Christian Larrigaudière; Neus Teixidó; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba. 2021. "PbSRT1 and PbSRT2 regulate pear growth and ripening yet displaying a species-specific regulation in comparison to other Rosaceae spp." Plant Science 308, no. : 110925.

Research article
Published: 18 March 2021 in Environmental Microbiology
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We present the first worldwide study on the apple (Malus × domestica) fruit microbiome that examines questions regarding the composition and the assembly of microbial communities on and in apple fruit. Results revealed that the composition and structure of the fungal and bacterial communities associated with apple fruit vary and are highly dependent on geographical location. The study also confirmed that the spatial variation in the fungal and bacterial composition of different fruit tissues exists at a global level. Fungal diversity varied significantly in fruit harvested in different geographical locations and suggests a potential link between location and the type and rate of postharvest diseases that develop in each country. The global core microbiome of apple fruit was represented by several beneficial microbial taxa and accounted for a large fraction of the fruit microbial community. The study provides foundational information about the apple fruit microbiome that can be utilized for the development of novel approaches for the management of fruit quality and safety, as well as for reducing losses due to the establishment and proliferation of postharvest pathogens. It also lays the groundwork for studying the complex microbial interactions that occur on apple fruit surfaces. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Ahmed Abdelfattah; Shiri Freilich; Rotem Bartuv; V. Yeka Zhimo; Ajay Kumar; Antonio Biasi; Shoshana Salim; Oleg Feygenberg; Erik Burchard; Christopher Dardick; Jia Liu; Awais Khan; Oualid Ellouze; Shawkat Ali; Davide Spadaro; Rosario Torres; Neus Teixido; Okan Ozkaya; Andreas Buehlmann; Silvana Vero; Pedro Mondino; Gabriele Berg; Michael Wisniewski; Samir Droby. Global analysis of the apple fruit microbiome: Are all apples the same? Environmental Microbiology 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Ahmed Abdelfattah, Shiri Freilich, Rotem Bartuv, V. Yeka Zhimo, Ajay Kumar, Antonio Biasi, Shoshana Salim, Oleg Feygenberg, Erik Burchard, Christopher Dardick, Jia Liu, Awais Khan, Oualid Ellouze, Shawkat Ali, Davide Spadaro, Rosario Torres, Neus Teixido, Okan Ozkaya, Andreas Buehlmann, Silvana Vero, Pedro Mondino, Gabriele Berg, Michael Wisniewski, Samir Droby. Global analysis of the apple fruit microbiome: Are all apples the same? Environmental Microbiology. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ahmed Abdelfattah; Shiri Freilich; Rotem Bartuv; V. Yeka Zhimo; Ajay Kumar; Antonio Biasi; Shoshana Salim; Oleg Feygenberg; Erik Burchard; Christopher Dardick; Jia Liu; Awais Khan; Oualid Ellouze; Shawkat Ali; Davide Spadaro; Rosario Torres; Neus Teixido; Okan Ozkaya; Andreas Buehlmann; Silvana Vero; Pedro Mondino; Gabriele Berg; Michael Wisniewski; Samir Droby. 2021. "Global analysis of the apple fruit microbiome: Are all apples the same?" Environmental Microbiology , no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 14 January 2021 in Pest Management Science
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BACKGROUND Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. is the most significant disease of stone fruit. New approaches to fruit production have necessitated the development of control strategies that are more eco‐ and consumer‐friendly. An efficient field strategy to control brown rot was previously designed based on the application of two biocontrol agents (BCAs), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA‐8 (CPA‐8) or Penicillium frequentans 909 (Pf909), with calendar‐based treatment. In the present study, the strategy was validated on different stone fruit hosts in four producing countries over two seasons. RESULTS The results obtained were reported according to three different scenarios: Scenario 1, in which there was no presence of disease in the field; Scenario 2, in which high disease pressure occurred in the field and treatments (biologicals or chemicals) were not effective; and Scenario 3, with low or medium to high disease presence. The results were successful since, in general, BCA strategies demonstrated to control brown rot to a similar extent as chemicals strategies. We found that most of the trials conducted in this study were classed under Scenario 3 (62.5 %), while only 12.5% and 25 % of the trials were classed under Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION These novel findings allowed the formulation of CPA‐8 and Pf909 as valuable tools for farmers to more competitively produce stone fruits and meet consumer demand for safer and more environmentally friendly products.

ACS Style

Carla Casals; Belén Guijarro; Antonieta De Cal; Rosario Torres; Josep Usall; Víctor Perdrix; Ulrike Hilscher; Edith Ladurner; Tom Smets; Neus Teixidó. Field validation of biocontrol strategies to control brown rot on stone fruit in several European countries. Pest Management Science 2021, 77, 2502 -2511.

AMA Style

Carla Casals, Belén Guijarro, Antonieta De Cal, Rosario Torres, Josep Usall, Víctor Perdrix, Ulrike Hilscher, Edith Ladurner, Tom Smets, Neus Teixidó. Field validation of biocontrol strategies to control brown rot on stone fruit in several European countries. Pest Management Science. 2021; 77 (5):2502-2511.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carla Casals; Belén Guijarro; Antonieta De Cal; Rosario Torres; Josep Usall; Víctor Perdrix; Ulrike Hilscher; Edith Ladurner; Tom Smets; Neus Teixidó. 2021. "Field validation of biocontrol strategies to control brown rot on stone fruit in several European countries." Pest Management Science 77, no. 5: 2502-2511.

Chapter
Published: 16 December 2020 in Postharvest Pathology
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Penicillium digitatum and P. expansum are the most devastating pathogens of citrus and pome fruits respectively, causing significant economic losses during postharvest handling worldwide. To obtain new rational and environmentally friendly control alternatives, a better understanding of the fruit-pathogen interaction may be considered as a novel perspective for the control of postharvest diseases. The main objective of our studies was to gain insights into the fruit-pathogen interactions, specifically in oranges and apples defence responses against compatible and non-host pathogens. For such purposes, firstly a deep study of infection capacities of both pathogens in oranges and apples at different conditions was performed. Later, we characterized the effect of wound response in oranges and apples harvested at different maturity stages and temperatures, as well as we identified the possible compounds involved in the wound healing process. In addition, a visualization of lignin, suberin and callose in apple and oranges tissue was conducted using histochemical tests. Finally, in apples, a transcriptomic study in response to compatible and non-host pathogen was conducted; and the expression of several genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway were quantified in citrus fruit.

ACS Style

Rosario Torres; Laura Vilanova; Josep Usall; Neus Teixidó. Insights into Fruit Defense Mechanisms Against the Main Postharvest Pathogens of Apples and Oranges. Postharvest Pathology 2020, 21 -40.

AMA Style

Rosario Torres, Laura Vilanova, Josep Usall, Neus Teixidó. Insights into Fruit Defense Mechanisms Against the Main Postharvest Pathogens of Apples and Oranges. Postharvest Pathology. 2020; ():21-40.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rosario Torres; Laura Vilanova; Josep Usall; Neus Teixidó. 2020. "Insights into Fruit Defense Mechanisms Against the Main Postharvest Pathogens of Apples and Oranges." Postharvest Pathology , no. : 21-40.

Journal article
Published: 06 November 2020 in Revista Bio Ciencias
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En la actualidad, la normativa europea vigente ((UE) No 546/2011) exige una evaluación rigurosa de los riesgos antes de registrar un fungicida biológico como producto fitosanitario para poscosecha de fruta, y antes de su introducción en el mercado. Esta evaluación debe incluir información sobre la capacidad del agente de control biológico (ACB) para colonizar, persistir y propagarse, así como las posibles rutas de dispersión en condiciones habituales de uso. Los métodos moleculares basados en la detección de ácidos nucleicos por medio de la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) pueden ser de gran ayuda para investigadores que trabajan en control biológico. En este trabajo, brevemente se introduce el programa de desarrollo de un ACB, y se presentan ejemplos de cómo las herramientas moleculares han sido utilizadas para generar información valiosa para el registro de un ACB efectivo contra patógenos de poscosecha de fruta.

ACS Style

L. Soto-Muñoz; N. Teixidó; J. Usall; C. Casals; R. Torres. EN PRENSA Control biológico de enfermedades en poscosecha de fruta: herramientas moleculares para la detección y cuantificación de antagonistas EN PRENSA. Revista Bio Ciencias 2020, 7, 1 .

AMA Style

L. Soto-Muñoz, N. Teixidó, J. Usall, C. Casals, R. Torres. EN PRENSA Control biológico de enfermedades en poscosecha de fruta: herramientas moleculares para la detección y cuantificación de antagonistas EN PRENSA. Revista Bio Ciencias. 2020; 7 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

L. Soto-Muñoz; N. Teixidó; J. Usall; C. Casals; R. Torres. 2020. "EN PRENSA Control biológico de enfermedades en poscosecha de fruta: herramientas moleculares para la detección y cuantificación de antagonistas EN PRENSA." Revista Bio Ciencias 7, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2020 in Horticulture Research
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Infections by the fungus Monilinia laxa, the main cause of brown rot in Europe, result in considerable losses of stone fruit. Herein, we present a comprehensive transcriptomic approach to unravel strategies deployed by nectarine fruit and M. laxa during their interaction. We used M. laxa-inoculated immature and mature fruit, which was resistant and susceptible to brown rot, respectively, to perform a dual RNA-Seq analysis. In immature fruit, host responses, pathogen biomass, and pathogen transcriptional activity peaked at 14–24 h post inoculation (hpi), at which point M. laxa appeared to switch its transcriptional response to either quiescence or death. Mature fruit experienced an exponential increase in host and pathogen activity beginning at 6 hpi. Functional analyses in both host and pathogen highlighted differences in stage-dependent strategies. For example, in immature fruit, M. laxa unsuccessfully employed carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) for penetration, which the fruit was able to combat with tightly regulated hormone responses and an oxidative burst that challenged the pathogen’s survival at later time points. In contrast, in mature fruit, M. laxa was more dependent on proteolytic effectors than CAZymes, and was able to invest in filamentous growth early during the interaction. Hormone analyses of mature fruit infected with M. laxa indicated that, while jasmonic acid activity was likely useful for defense, high ethylene activity may have promoted susceptibility through the induction of ripening processes. Lastly, we identified M. laxa genes that were highly induced in both quiescent and active infections and may serve as targets for control of brown rot.

ACS Style

Marta Balsells-Llauradó; Christian J. Silva; Josep Usall; Núria Vall-Llaura; Sandra Serrano-Prieto; Neus Teixidó; Saskia D. Mesquida-Pesci; Antonieta De Cal; Barbara Blanco-Ulate; Rosario Torres. Depicting the battle between nectarine and Monilinia laxa: the fruit developmental stage dictates the effectiveness of the host defenses and the pathogen’s infection strategies. Horticulture Research 2020, 7, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Marta Balsells-Llauradó, Christian J. Silva, Josep Usall, Núria Vall-Llaura, Sandra Serrano-Prieto, Neus Teixidó, Saskia D. Mesquida-Pesci, Antonieta De Cal, Barbara Blanco-Ulate, Rosario Torres. Depicting the battle between nectarine and Monilinia laxa: the fruit developmental stage dictates the effectiveness of the host defenses and the pathogen’s infection strategies. Horticulture Research. 2020; 7 (1):1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marta Balsells-Llauradó; Christian J. Silva; Josep Usall; Núria Vall-Llaura; Sandra Serrano-Prieto; Neus Teixidó; Saskia D. Mesquida-Pesci; Antonieta De Cal; Barbara Blanco-Ulate; Rosario Torres. 2020. "Depicting the battle between nectarine and Monilinia laxa: the fruit developmental stage dictates the effectiveness of the host defenses and the pathogen’s infection strategies." Horticulture Research 7, no. 1: 1-15.

Research article
Published: 22 September 2020 in Food Science and Technology International
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In the present work, the major physiological and compositional changes occurring during ‘Merrill O’Henry’ peach growth and its relationship with susceptibility to three strains of Monilinia spp. at 49, 77, 126 and 160 days after full bloom were explored. Results of disease incidence indicated wide differences among phenological stages, being 49 and 126 days after full bloom the moment when peaches showed significantly lower susceptibility to brown rot (40 and 23% of rotten fruit, respectively, for strain ML8L). Variation in brown rot susceptibility among different growth stages was also strain-dependent. Lower fruit susceptibility to ML8L at 49 and 126 was accompanied by noticeable changes in the fruit ethylene and respiration patterns, and also in sugars and organic acids content. By employing a partial least squares regression model, a strong negative relationship between citric acid, and a positive association of ethylene with peach susceptibility to Monilinia spp. at diverse phenological stages were observed. The results obtained herein highlight that the content of certain compounds such as citrate, malate and sucrose; the respiratory activity and the fruit ethylene production may mediate in a coordinated manner the fruit resistance to Monilinia spp. at different phenological stages of peach fruit.

ACS Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Rosario Torres; Núria Vall-Llaura; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall. Scrutinising the relationship between major physiological and compositional changes during ‘Merrill O’Henry’ peach growth with brown rot susceptibility. Food Science and Technology International 2020, 27, 366 -379.

AMA Style

Núria Baró-Montel, Jordi Giné-Bordonaba, Rosario Torres, Núria Vall-Llaura, Neus Teixidó, Josep Usall. Scrutinising the relationship between major physiological and compositional changes during ‘Merrill O’Henry’ peach growth with brown rot susceptibility. Food Science and Technology International. 2020; 27 (4):366-379.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Rosario Torres; Núria Vall-Llaura; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall. 2020. "Scrutinising the relationship between major physiological and compositional changes during ‘Merrill O’Henry’ peach growth with brown rot susceptibility." Food Science and Technology International 27, no. 4: 366-379.

Journal article
Published: 14 August 2020 in Scientia Horticulturae
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In the present study, two fungi Cladosporium ramotenellum strain PGP02 and Phoma spp. strain PGP03 and the bacterium Pseudomonas oryzihabitans PGP01 were isolated from Pyrus and Prunus in vitro rescued embryos, whose plantlets showed a better growth than non-contaminated cultures. Upon identification, concentrated solutions of the three microorganisms were applied to pear (Pyrus communis L.) in vitro rooted plantlets, increasing in different ways biometric parameters such as plant fresh weight (FW), stem length and root length. Then, these microorganisms were tested in embryos derived from three directed crosses between early ripening nectarine varieties (Prunus persica cv. Nectarina). In a first cross, in vitro cultured embryos were inoculated with both fungi, C. ramotenellum PGP02 and Phoma spp. PGP03, at 2 × 107 esp mL−1, and the bacterium P. oryzihabitans PGP01, at 2 × 108 CFU mL−1. In the following crosses, only the bacterium P. oryzihabitans PGP01, at 2 × 108 CFU mL−1, was employed. The effects on number of germinated embryos, development of the subsequent plants, after 24 weeks of in vitro culture, as well as their ex vitro acclimatization performance were analysed. These microorganisms had no effect on the germination efficiency of nectarine embryos. However, the presence of the bacterium P. oryzihabitans PGP01 modified root system architecture in the three crosses, increasing root volume and thickness, which in consequence enhanced the acclimatization efficiency to soil in those crosses with poor acclimation efficiencies. These results enforce a breakthrough in the use of microorganisms along the in vitro embryo rescue used in early ripening peaches and nectarines breeding programmes, and the production of plants more resistant to the stressful conditions imposed by the acclimatization to soil.

ACS Style

Daniel Cantabella; Ramon Dolcet-Sanjuan; Maria Casanovas; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres; Neus Teixidó. Inoculation of in vitro cultures with rhizosphere microorganisms improve plant development and acclimatization during immature embryo rescue in nectarine and pear breeding programs. Scientia Horticulturae 2020, 273, 109643 .

AMA Style

Daniel Cantabella, Ramon Dolcet-Sanjuan, Maria Casanovas, Cristina Solsona, Rosario Torres, Neus Teixidó. Inoculation of in vitro cultures with rhizosphere microorganisms improve plant development and acclimatization during immature embryo rescue in nectarine and pear breeding programs. Scientia Horticulturae. 2020; 273 ():109643.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel Cantabella; Ramon Dolcet-Sanjuan; Maria Casanovas; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres; Neus Teixidó. 2020. "Inoculation of in vitro cultures with rhizosphere microorganisms improve plant development and acclimatization during immature embryo rescue in nectarine and pear breeding programs." Scientia Horticulturae 273, no. : 109643.

Journal article
Published: 13 July 2020 in Plant Science
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Monilinia spp. may infect stone fruit at any growth stage, although susceptibility to brown rot depends on both host properties and climatological conditions. This said, no studies deciphering the host response in the interaction between peach blossoms and Monilinia spp. are yet available. This study presents an in-depth characterization of the role of ethylene in the interaction of ‘Merrill O’Henry’ peach petals (Prunus persica (L.) Batch) with Monilinia laxa and M. fructicola. We investigated the physiological responses of the host and the fungi to the application of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) as well as the molecular patterns associated with the biosynthetic and ethylene-dependent responses during the interaction of both Monilinia species with the host. The incidence of both species was differentially affected by 1-MCP and ethylene; M. laxa was favoured by the enhanced host ethylene production associated with the treatments whereas M. fructicola reduced its infection capacity. Such differences were host-dependent as treatments did not affect growth or colony morphology of Monilinia spp. Besides, host ethylene production was altered in M. laxa inoculated petals, either by the fungus or the host itself. Molecular analysis revealed some important ERFs that could be involved in the different ability of both species to activate a cascade response of peach petals against these pathogens.

ACS Style

Núria Vall-Llaura; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Josep Usall; Christian Larrigaudière; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. Ethylene biosynthesis and response factors are differentially modulated during the interaction of peach petals with Monilinia laxa or Monilinia fructicola. Plant Science 2020, 299, 110599 .

AMA Style

Núria Vall-Llaura, Jordi Giné-Bordonaba, Josep Usall, Christian Larrigaudière, Neus Teixidó, Rosario Torres. Ethylene biosynthesis and response factors are differentially modulated during the interaction of peach petals with Monilinia laxa or Monilinia fructicola. Plant Science. 2020; 299 ():110599.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Vall-Llaura; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Josep Usall; Christian Larrigaudière; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. 2020. "Ethylene biosynthesis and response factors are differentially modulated during the interaction of peach petals with Monilinia laxa or Monilinia fructicola." Plant Science 299, no. : 110599.

Journal article
Published: 13 March 2020 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Ampelomyces quisqualis has been reported to be a promising biocontrol agent (BCA) against powdery mildew, and it has been commercialised as AQ10 Biofungicide®. However, isolated strains showed inconsistent results when applied under practical conditions, and research to find a thoroughly effective strain is still in progress. In addition, asexual spores of the BCA are required to parasitise powdery mildew; however, producing a high amount of conidia is difficult. The present study aimed to select of an effective strain of A. quisqualis against powdery mildew on zucchini leaves and to test its conidiation in liquid media. The efficacy of several isolates from cucurbits were tested and the most effective was identified as A. quisqualis CPA-9, which reduced powdery mildew on zucchini leaves up to 61.5 % when it was applied at 2.5 × 105 conidia/mL. Conidial production of CPA-9 in liquid media was optimised, and several growing conditions were tested, such as the medium, agitation, and incubation time. Asexual reproduction was induced by modifying the aw of the media or reducing agitation. A concentration of 7.3 × 107 conidia/mL was achieved in 500-mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 75 mL of potato dextrose broth modified with 2.5 % (w/v) of glycerol incubated at 25 °C for 11 days in the dark and without agitation. The produced conidia of CPA-9 maintained the biocontrol efficacy against P. xanthii on zucchini plants and reduced the disease incidence by up to 83 %.

ACS Style

Anna Carbó; Rosario Torres; Josep Usall; Jordi Ballesta; Neus Teixidó. Biocontrol potential of Ampelomyces quisqualis strain CPA-9 against powdery mildew: Conidia production in liquid medium and efficacy on zucchini leaves. Scientia Horticulturae 2020, 267, 109337 .

AMA Style

Anna Carbó, Rosario Torres, Josep Usall, Jordi Ballesta, Neus Teixidó. Biocontrol potential of Ampelomyces quisqualis strain CPA-9 against powdery mildew: Conidia production in liquid medium and efficacy on zucchini leaves. Scientia Horticulturae. 2020; 267 ():109337.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Carbó; Rosario Torres; Josep Usall; Jordi Ballesta; Neus Teixidó. 2020. "Biocontrol potential of Ampelomyces quisqualis strain CPA-9 against powdery mildew: Conidia production in liquid medium and efficacy on zucchini leaves." Scientia Horticulturae 267, no. : 109337.

Journal article
Published: 11 December 2019 in Genes
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To compare in vivo the infection process of Monilinia fructicola on nectarines and apples using confocal microscopy it is necessary to transform a pathogenic strain with a construct expressing a fluorescent chromophore such as GFP. Thus, germinated conidia of the pathogen were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the plasmid pPK2-hphgfp that allowed the expression of a fluorescent Hph-GFP chimera. The transformants were selected according to their resistance to hygromycin B, provided by the constitutive expression of the hph-gfp gene driven by the glyceraldehyde 3P dehydrogenase promoter of Aspergillus nidulans. The presence of T-DNA construct in the genomic DNA was confirmed by PCR using a range of specific primers. Subsequent PCR-mediated analyses proved integration of the transgene at a different genomic location in each transformant and the existence of structural reorganizations at these insertion points. The expression of Hph-GFP in three independent M. fructicola transformants was monitored by immunodetection and epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. The Atd9-M. fructicola transformant displayed no morphological defects and showed growth and pathogenic characteristics similar to the wild type. Microscopy analysis of the Atd9 transformant evidenced that nectarine infection by M. fructicola was at least three times faster than on apples.

ACS Style

Silvia Rodríguez-Pires; Eduardo Antonio Espeso; Nuria Baró-Montel; Rosario Torres; Paloma Melgarejo; Antonieta De Cal. Labeling of Monilinia fructicola with GFP and Its Validation for Studies on Host-Pathogen Interactions in Stone and Pome Fruit. Genes 2019, 10, 1033 .

AMA Style

Silvia Rodríguez-Pires, Eduardo Antonio Espeso, Nuria Baró-Montel, Rosario Torres, Paloma Melgarejo, Antonieta De Cal. Labeling of Monilinia fructicola with GFP and Its Validation for Studies on Host-Pathogen Interactions in Stone and Pome Fruit. Genes. 2019; 10 (12):1033.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Silvia Rodríguez-Pires; Eduardo Antonio Espeso; Nuria Baró-Montel; Rosario Torres; Paloma Melgarejo; Antonieta De Cal. 2019. "Labeling of Monilinia fructicola with GFP and Its Validation for Studies on Host-Pathogen Interactions in Stone and Pome Fruit." Genes 10, no. 12: 1033.

Journal article
Published: 02 October 2019 in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
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Controversy exists on whether ethylene is involved in determining fruit resistance or susceptibility against biotic stress. In this work, the hypothesis that ethylene biosynthesis in peaches at different phenological stages may be modulated by Monilinia spp. was tested. To achieve this, at 49 and 126 d after full bloom (DAFB), ethylene biosynthesis of healthy and infected 'Merryl O'Henry' peaches with three strains of Monilinia spp. (M. fructicola (CPMC6) and M. laxa (CPML11 and ML8L) that differ in terms of aggressiveness) was analysed at the biochemical and molecular level along the course of infection in fruit stored at 20 °C. At 49 DAFB, results evidenced that infected fruit showed inhibition of ethylene production in comparison with non-inoculated fruit, suggesting that the three Monilinia strains were somehow suppressing ethylene biosynthesis to modify fruit defences to successfully infect the host. On the contrary, at 126 DAFB ethylene production increased concomitantly with brown rot spread, and values for non-inoculated fruit were almost undetectable throughout storage at 20 °C. The expression of several target genes involved in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway confirmed that they were differentially expressed upon Monilinia infection, pointing to a strain-dependent regulation. Notably, Prunus persica 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) (PpACS) family was the most over-expressed over time, demonstrating a positive ethylene regulation, especially at 126 DAFB. At this phenological stage it was demonstrated the ability of Monilinia spp. to alter ethylene biosynthesis through PpACS1 and benefit from the consequences of an ethylene burst likely on cell wall softening. Overall, our results put forward that infection not only among different strains but also at each stage is achieved by different mechanisms, with ethylene being a key factor in determining peach resistance or susceptibility to brown rot.

ACS Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Núria Vall-Llaura; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Josep Usall; Sandra Serrano-Prieto; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. Double-sided battle: The role of ethylene during Monilinia spp. infection in peach at different phenological stages. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 2019, 144, 324 -333.

AMA Style

Núria Baró-Montel, Núria Vall-Llaura, Jordi Giné-Bordonaba, Josep Usall, Sandra Serrano-Prieto, Neus Teixidó, Rosario Torres. Double-sided battle: The role of ethylene during Monilinia spp. infection in peach at different phenological stages. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2019; 144 ():324-333.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Núria Vall-Llaura; Jordi Giné-Bordonaba; Josep Usall; Sandra Serrano-Prieto; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. 2019. "Double-sided battle: The role of ethylene during Monilinia spp. infection in peach at different phenological stages." Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 144, no. : 324-333.

Journal article
Published: 28 June 2019 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Monilinia spp. is the main pathogen responsible for postharvest losses of stone fruit. Several studies have examined the conditions for Monilinia spp. infection in the field, but very limited information is available about postharvest. Storing fruit for 1 day in the cold room or dumping fruit in a water tank are the most common handling operations during the postharvest of fruit. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate the risk of Monilinia fructicola infection for two peach and one nectarine cultivars during cold storage and water dump operations. A new methodology was performed using a dry inoculum of M. fructicola. A set of fruit was used as control to demonstrated that at 20 °C 60% relative humidity (RH) was not able to infect fruit, however, the disease was developed when was already infected. In addition, M. fructicola was able to infect and develop disease in fruit at 20 °C 100 RH. The storage of fruit with the presence of M. fructicola conidia on their surface for up to 30 days at 0 °C 100% RH or 4 °C 100% RH did not suppose an important risk of infection since only 3.3 and 3.8%, respectively of fruit were already infected. Overall, all treatments tested with the water dump operation gave optimal conditions to M. fructicola to infect fruit when it was superficially dry inoculated or it was immersed with water contaminated with conidia, increasing the need for water disinfection. In addition, when fruit was immersed in water free from M. fructicola conidia, the postharvest operation gave optimal conditions to develop infections already produced.

ACS Style

M. Bernat; C. Casals; R. Torres; N. Teixidó; J. Usall. Infection risk of Monilinia fructicola on stone fruit during cold storage and immersion in the dump tank. Scientia Horticulturae 2019, 256, 108589 .

AMA Style

M. Bernat, C. Casals, R. Torres, N. Teixidó, J. Usall. Infection risk of Monilinia fructicola on stone fruit during cold storage and immersion in the dump tank. Scientia Horticulturae. 2019; 256 ():108589.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Bernat; C. Casals; R. Torres; N. Teixidó; J. Usall. 2019. "Infection risk of Monilinia fructicola on stone fruit during cold storage and immersion in the dump tank." Scientia Horticulturae 256, no. : 108589.

Article
Published: 28 June 2019 in BioControl
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Agrochemical companies are increasing their interest in the production of biopesticides based on biocontrol agents (BCAs), mainly due to the need to reduce the synthetic fungicide application and the consequent benefits for the environment and for human health. The efficacy of the BCA Candida sake CPA-1 has been demonstrated against the main postharvest diseases on pome fruit, and B. cinerea and sour rot in grapes control on field. Recently, two effective fluidised-bed spray-dried formulations based on C. sake CPA-1 and biodegradable compounds were described as an effective biocontrol product. However, the maintenance of the effectiveness and survival of these formulations during a long shelf life is a crucial aspect to the success of its marketing. For this reason, the aim of this study was to select the best packaging and storage conditions to maintain a long shelf life of two fluidised-bed spray-dried C. sake CPA-1 formulations. Viability and aw (water activity) of CPA-1 formulations stored in different packages (bottles and bags), temperatures (− 20 °C and 4 °C) and atmospheric conditions (vacuum and air) were tested for 22 months. Both formulations maintained their initial viability (around 4 × 109 CFU ml−1) when they were stored at − 20 °C regardless of the packages or atmospheric conditions. In contrast, the viability of CPA-1 formulations stored at 4 °C differed between bags and bottles. Both formulations could be stored for at least 21 months at − 20 °C, and only one formulation could achieve a one-year shelf life stored in bottles at 4 °C. C. sake CPA-1 formulations stored for 12 months at the most suitable conditions significantly reduced B. cinerea on grapes by 25 to 56%.

ACS Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres. Shelf life improvement of the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 by suitable package and storage conditions. BioControl 2019, 64, 435 -446.

AMA Style

Anna Carbó, Neus Teixidó, Josep Usall, Cristina Solsona, Rosario Torres. Shelf life improvement of the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 by suitable package and storage conditions. BioControl. 2019; 64 (4):435-446.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Cristina Solsona; Rosario Torres. 2019. "Shelf life improvement of the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 by suitable package and storage conditions." BioControl 64, no. 4: 435-446.

Journal article
Published: 14 June 2019 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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The efficacy of Candida sake CPA-1 as a biocontrol agent against several diseases has been studied since it was isolated 20 years ago. However, it was only recently that two suitable and effective film-forming formulations based on potato starch and maltodextrins were developed using the fluidized-bed spray-drying system. The present work aimed to confirm the capability of both novel formulations by testing their resilience on grapes at different temperatures (0, 22, and 30 °C), relative humidities (40% and 85%), and simulated rainfall levels. Another objective was to examine the control of Botrytis cinerea in different hosts. The CPA-1 cells from both dried formulations survived better than the liquid formulation on grapes stored at 0 and 22 °C regardless of the relative humidity. After simulated rainfall, potato starch formulation achieved significantly higher populations than maltodextrin formulation, although the highest reduction was -1.6 log N N0 -1 . A positive effect of cell establishment prior to the simulated rainfall was shown, and recovered cells from the potato starch formulation were significantly higher after 72 h of cell establishment. Finally, both formulations reduced the incidence and severity of B. cinerea on pears, apples, and tomatoes. The potential of these novel film-forming formulations of C. sake CPA-1 was verified. The resilience of formulated C. sake was better than the commercialized liquid formulation, the adherence of the formulations to the grapes improved after an establishment period prior to rain exposure, and the control of B. cinerea was verified in a wider range of hosts. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

ACS Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Rosario Torres. Verifying the biocontrol activity of novel film‐forming formulations of Candida sake CPA‐1: resilience in relation to environmental factors, rainfall episodes, and control of Botrytis cinerea on different hosts. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2019, 99, 4969 -4976.

AMA Style

Anna Carbó, Neus Teixidó, Josep Usall, Rosario Torres. Verifying the biocontrol activity of novel film‐forming formulations of Candida sake CPA‐1: resilience in relation to environmental factors, rainfall episodes, and control of Botrytis cinerea on different hosts. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019; 99 (11):4969-4976.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Carbó; Neus Teixidó; Josep Usall; Rosario Torres. 2019. "Verifying the biocontrol activity of novel film‐forming formulations of Candida sake CPA‐1: resilience in relation to environmental factors, rainfall episodes, and control of Botrytis cinerea on different hosts." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 99, no. 11: 4969-4976.

Original article
Published: 16 May 2019 in Plant Pathology
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The secretion of cell wall‐degrading enzymes is one of the mechanisms used by necrotrophic fungi to colonise host tissues. However, information about virulence factors of Monilinia spp., the causal agents of brown rot in stone fruit, is scarce. Plant cell walls have three main components that are broken down by fungal enzymes: cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. In order to identify Monilinia laxa candidate proteins involved in pectin hydrolysis, two in vitro approaches were conducted: a) phenotypic and ecophysiological characterisation of growth of the pathogen at different pHs, in glucose‐ and pectin‐containing solid media for 7 days of incubation, and b) expression analysis of genes encoding M. laxa pectin methyl esterases (MlPMEs) and rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases (MlRG‐HYDs) after incubation for 0.5, 2, 6, 24 and 48 h in glucose‐ and pectin‐containing liquid media. Phenotypic tests evidenced the role of carbon source on M. laxa growth rate and aggressiveness, and indicated that pectinases were greatly affected by pH. Gene expression analyses uncovered differences among members of each family of pectinases and between the two families, defining sets of genes expressed at earlier (0.5‐6 h) and later (48 h) phases. Notably, the up‐ or down‐regulation of these target genes was carbon source‐dependent. Finally, an in vivo study confirmed the synergistic and complementary role that these genes play in the M. laxa‐stone fruit pathosystem. Based on these results, we hypothesise that MlPME2, MlRG‐HYD1 and MlRG‐HYD2 may be potential virulence factors of M. laxa in the process from infection to colonization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

N. Baró‐Montel; N. Vall‐Llaura; J. Usall; N. Teixidó; Miguel Ángel Naranjo-Ortiz; T. Gabaldón; Rosario Torres. Pectin methyl esterases and rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases: weapons for successful Monilinia laxa infection in stone fruit? Plant Pathology 2019, 68, 1381 -1393.

AMA Style

N. Baró‐Montel, N. Vall‐Llaura, J. Usall, N. Teixidó, Miguel Ángel Naranjo-Ortiz, T. Gabaldón, Rosario Torres. Pectin methyl esterases and rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases: weapons for successful Monilinia laxa infection in stone fruit? Plant Pathology. 2019; 68 (7):1381-1393.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Baró‐Montel; N. Vall‐Llaura; J. Usall; N. Teixidó; Miguel Ángel Naranjo-Ortiz; T. Gabaldón; Rosario Torres. 2019. "Pectin methyl esterases and rhamnogalacturonan hydrolases: weapons for successful Monilinia laxa infection in stone fruit?" Plant Pathology 68, no. 7: 1381-1393.

Research article
Published: 19 February 2019 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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BACKGROUND Monilinia spp. are responsible for brown rot, one of the most significant stone fruit diseases. Planting resistant cultivars seems a promising alternative, although most commercial cultivars are susceptible to brown rot. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the resistance to M. fructicola over two seasons in a backcross one interspecific population between almond ‘Texas’ and peach ‘Earlygold’ (named T1E). RESULTS ‘Texas’ almond was resistant to brown rot inoculation whereas peach was highly susceptible. Phenotypic data from the T1E population indicated wide differences in response to M. fructicola. Additionally, several non‐wounded individuals exhibited resistance to brown rot. QTLs were identified in several linkage groups but only two proximally QTLs in G4 were detected over both seasons, and accounted for 11.3%‐16.2% of the phenotypic variation. CONCLUSION The analysis of the progeny allowed the identification of some resistant genotypes that could serve as a source of resistance in peach breeding programs. Furthermore, the finding of loci associated with brown rot resistance would shed light on implementing a strategy based on marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for introgression of this trait into elite peach materials. New peach cultivars resistant to brown rot may contribute to implement more sustainable crop protection strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Iban Eduardo; Josep Usall; Carla Casals; Pere Arús; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. Exploring sources of resistance to brown rot in an interspecific almond × peach population. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2019, 99, 4105 -4113.

AMA Style

Núria Baró-Montel, Iban Eduardo, Josep Usall, Carla Casals, Pere Arús, Neus Teixidó, Rosario Torres. Exploring sources of resistance to brown rot in an interspecific almond × peach population. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019; 99 (8):4105-4113.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Iban Eduardo; Josep Usall; Carla Casals; Pere Arús; Neus Teixidó; Rosario Torres. 2019. "Exploring sources of resistance to brown rot in an interspecific almond × peach population." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 99, no. 8: 4105-4113.

Article
Published: 23 December 2018 in European Journal of Plant Pathology
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Assays were conducted to understand the effect of various factors involved with screening for resistance to Monilinia fructicola in stone fruit. First, the effect of maturity heterogeneity was determined in a set of fruit graded into three apparent maturity classes according to the IAD index for measurements taken with a DA-Meter. Second, different conidia concentrations, incubation times and M. fructicola strains were evaluated to optimize the methodology. Furthermore, the effects of fruit disinfection on M. fructicola, Penicillium expansum and Rhizopus stolonifer growth were studied. Finally, the developed methodology was applied to a set of commercial varieties of stone fruit to determine its suitability for identifying the level of susceptibility to brown rot. The results obtained indicated significant differences between wounded and non-wounded fruit, inoculum concentration and incubation time. The effect of strain aggressiveness was also confirmed, whereas, in general, no significant differences were observed among the fruit collected at the same harvest date. Our results also show that disinfection of fruit prior to inoculation had an effect on the infection process. In addition, the use of this methodology in commercial varieties of stone fruit allowed distinctions to be made among the levels of susceptibility to brown rot. Hence, the developed methodology could be applied to resistance screening in breeding programmes, as well as studying the genetic basis of brown rot resistance.

ACS Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Rosario Torres; Carla Casals; Neus Teixidó; Joan Segarra; Josep Usall. Developing a methodology for identifying brown rot resistance in stone fruit. European Journal of Plant Pathology 2018, 154, 287 -303.

AMA Style

Núria Baró-Montel, Rosario Torres, Carla Casals, Neus Teixidó, Joan Segarra, Josep Usall. Developing a methodology for identifying brown rot resistance in stone fruit. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 2018; 154 (2):287-303.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Núria Baró-Montel; Rosario Torres; Carla Casals; Neus Teixidó; Joan Segarra; Josep Usall. 2018. "Developing a methodology for identifying brown rot resistance in stone fruit." European Journal of Plant Pathology 154, no. 2: 287-303.