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The Apulian Region (Italy) is a socio-ecological system shaped by the millennial co-evolution between human actions and ecological processes. It is characterized by monumental olive groves protected from Regional Law 14/2007 for the cultural value of the landscape, currently threatened by the spread of a devastating phytopathogen, the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa. The aim of this paper is to apply landscape resilience analysis focusing on ecosystem services to understand the potential effects and trade-offs of regeneration policies in a peri-urban area characterized by monumental olive groves land cover. The study involved land-cover and land-use analysis, supported by a survey on the inhabitants and an ecosystem services analysis. The results showed a mismatch between the agroecosystem and the social and economic use linked to leisure or hospitality. The study area was defined as a peri-urban landscape characterized by tourist use. From the interviews of the users, the cultural heritage of olive groves seems linked to the presence of olive trees like a status quo of the landscape and olive oil productions. The culture aspect could thus be preserved by changing the type of olive trees. In addition, the analysis showed that the microclimate could be preserved and enhanced in terms of air temperature and thermal comfort, by replacing the olive trees with varieties resistant to Xylella, such as cv. Leccino. Therefore, regeneration policies that promote replacing dead olive groves with new olive trees could be efficient to stimulate social components of the landscape and improve the resilience of ecosystem services in peri-urban areas in the interest of the cultural heritage of the users and benefits that they provide. An ecosystem services analysis at a local scale could be a strategy for an integrated regenerate approach between land-use and land-cover with social, ecological, and economic evolutions vision orientated to a sustainable and desirable future.
Teodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Valentina Catanzaro; Luigi De Bellis; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Giacomo Lorenzini; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi. How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8778 .
AMA StyleTeodoro Semeraro, Elisa Gatto, Riccardo Buccolieri, Valentina Catanzaro, Luigi De Bellis, Lorenzo Cotrozzi, Giacomo Lorenzini, Marzia Vergine, Andrea Luvisi. How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):8778.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Valentina Catanzaro; Luigi De Bellis; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Giacomo Lorenzini; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi. 2021. "How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 8778.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that can be easily accumulated in durum wheat kernels and enter the human food chain. Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) with contrasting cadmium accumulation in grains, High-Cd or Low-Cd (H-Cd NIL and L-Cd NIL, respectively), were used to understand the Cd accumulation and transport mechanisms in durum wheat roots. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic solution, and cadmium concentrations in roots, shoots and grains were quantified. To evaluate the molecular mechanism activated in the two NILs, the transcriptomes of roots were analyzed. The observed response is complex and involves many genes and molecular mechanisms. We found that the gene sequences of two basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors (bHLH29 and bHLH38) differ between the two genotypes. In addition, the transporter Heavy Metal Tolerance 1 (HMT-1) is expressed only in the low-Cd genotype and many peroxidase genes are up-regulated only in the L-Cd NIL, suggesting ROS scavenging and root lignification as active responses to cadmium presence. Finally, we hypothesize that some aquaporins could enhance the Cd translocation from roots to shoots. The response to cadmium in durum wheat is therefore extremely complex and involves transcription factors, chelators, heavy metal transporters, peroxidases and aquaporins. All these new findings could help to elucidate the cadmium tolerance in wheat and address future breeding programs.
Erika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Alessandra Genga; Luigi De Bellis; Alessio Aprile. Molecular Responses to Cadmium Exposure in Two Contrasting Durum Wheat Genotypes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 7343 .
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Andrea Luvisi, Alessandra Genga, Luigi De Bellis, Alessio Aprile. Molecular Responses to Cadmium Exposure in Two Contrasting Durum Wheat Genotypes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22 (14):7343.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Alessandra Genga; Luigi De Bellis; Alessio Aprile. 2021. "Molecular Responses to Cadmium Exposure in Two Contrasting Durum Wheat Genotypes." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 14: 7343.
Salvia clandestina L. is a wild perennial species present in the Salento area of Italy. Here, we examined the in vitro effects of an aqueous extract of S. clandestina L. on the MG‐63 osteosarcoma cell line. The extract reduced osteosarcoma cell viability mainly by way of apoptosis, as we observed (1) upregulation of gene and protein expression of p53, cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27Kip1, and proapoptotic BAX; (2) activation of caspases; and (3) induction of a sub‐G1 peak in the cell cycle. The mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK1/2 and p38 are activated and involved in the intracellular effects of the S. clandestina extract, as preincubation with the JNK1/2 inhibitor SP600125 or the p38 inhibitor SB203580 significantly decreased S. clandestina extract–induced cytotoxicity and inhibited increase in p53, p21WAF1, p27Kip1, and BAX. SP600125 also inhibited mRNA levels for all the aforementioned proteins, while SB203580 only affected p53 mRNA. Furthermore, S. clandestina extract treatment counteracted epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, inhibited cell migration, and decreased the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase MMP2. In addition, S. clandestina extract enhanced the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin on MG‐63 cells through downregulation of the Akt/PKB protein kinase. We conclude that S. clandestina extract may be a novel agent for osteosarcoma treatment.
Antonella Muscella; Erika Stefàno; Luigi De Bellis; Eliana Nutricati; Carmine Negro; Santo Marsigliante. Antitumor and antimigration effects of Salvia clandestina L. extract on osteosarcoma cells. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAntonella Muscella, Erika Stefàno, Luigi De Bellis, Eliana Nutricati, Carmine Negro, Santo Marsigliante. Antitumor and antimigration effects of Salvia clandestina L. extract on osteosarcoma cells. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Muscella; Erika Stefàno; Luigi De Bellis; Eliana Nutricati; Carmine Negro; Santo Marsigliante. 2021. "Antitumor and antimigration effects of Salvia clandestina L. extract on osteosarcoma cells." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences , no. : 1.
Phytopathological adversities are often attributable to human activities (as a consequence of the globalization of trade or tourism mass, changes in common agricultural practices and climate change), resulting in food losses due to pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc. For this reason, we are developing lab-on-chip devices as diagnostic tools to identify and manage phytopathological problems caused by infectious agents capable of spreading in agro-ecosystems, such as the Xylella fastidiosa epidemic in Puglia [1] or other bacteriosis and virosis such as Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3).
Ilaria Buja; Erika Sabella; Anna Grazia Monteduro; Maria Serena Chiriacò; Silvia Rizzato; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Giuseppe Maruccio. Lab-on-Chip Platform for On-Field Analysis of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus 3. Engineering Proceedings 2021, 4, 16 .
AMA StyleIlaria Buja, Erika Sabella, Anna Grazia Monteduro, Maria Serena Chiriacò, Silvia Rizzato, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi, Giuseppe Maruccio. Lab-on-Chip Platform for On-Field Analysis of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus 3. Engineering Proceedings. 2021; 4 (1):16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Buja; Erika Sabella; Anna Grazia Monteduro; Maria Serena Chiriacò; Silvia Rizzato; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Giuseppe Maruccio. 2021. "Lab-on-Chip Platform for On-Field Analysis of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus 3." Engineering Proceedings 4, no. 1: 16.
Human activities significantly contribute to worldwide spread of phytopathological adversities. Pathogen-related food losses are today responsible for a reduction in quantity and quality of yield and decrease value and financial returns. As a result, “early detection” in combination with “fast, accurate, and cheap” diagnostics have also become the new mantra in plant pathology, especially for emerging diseases or challenging pathogens that spread thanks to asymptomatic individuals with subtle initial symptoms but are then difficult to face. Furthermore, in a globalized market sensitive to epidemics, innovative tools suitable for field-use represent the new frontier with respect to diagnostic laboratories, ensuring that the instruments and techniques used are suitable for the operational contexts. In this framework, portable systems and interconnection with Internet of Things (IoT) play a pivotal role. Here we review innovative diagnostic methods based on nanotechnologies and new perspectives concerning information and communication technology (ICT) in agriculture, resulting in an improvement in agricultural and rural development and in the ability to revolutionize the concept of “preventive actions”, making the difference in fighting against phytopathogens, all over the world.
Ilaria Buja; Erika Sabella; Anna Monteduro; Maria Chiriacò; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Giuseppe Maruccio. Advances in Plant Disease Detection and Monitoring: From Traditional Assays to In-Field Diagnostics. Sensors 2021, 21, 2129 .
AMA StyleIlaria Buja, Erika Sabella, Anna Monteduro, Maria Chiriacò, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi, Giuseppe Maruccio. Advances in Plant Disease Detection and Monitoring: From Traditional Assays to In-Field Diagnostics. Sensors. 2021; 21 (6):2129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Buja; Erika Sabella; Anna Monteduro; Maria Chiriacò; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Giuseppe Maruccio. 2021. "Advances in Plant Disease Detection and Monitoring: From Traditional Assays to In-Field Diagnostics." Sensors 21, no. 6: 2129.
Fruit quality is certainly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, and a main quality attribute is the external appearance of the fruit. Various possible agronomical approaches are able to regulate the fruit microenvironment and, consequently, improve fruit quality and market value. Among these, fruit bagging has recently become an integral part of fruits’ domestic and export markets in countries such as Japan, China, Korea Australia and the USA because it is a safe and eco-friendly technique to protect fruits from multiple stresses, preserving or improving the overall quality. Despite increasing global importance, the development of suitable bagging materials and, above all, their use in the field is quite laborious, so that serious efforts are required to enhance and standardize bagging material according to the need of the crops/fruits. This review provides information about the effects of bagging technique on the fruit aspect and texture, which are the main determinants of consumer choice.
Muhammad Ali; Raheel Anwar; Ahmed Yousef; Binqi Li; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi Bellis; Alessio Aprile; Faxing Chen. Influence of Bagging on the Development and Quality of Fruits. Plants 2021, 10, 358 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Ali, Raheel Anwar, Ahmed Yousef, Binqi Li, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi Bellis, Alessio Aprile, Faxing Chen. Influence of Bagging on the Development and Quality of Fruits. Plants. 2021; 10 (2):358.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Ali; Raheel Anwar; Ahmed Yousef; Binqi Li; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi Bellis; Alessio Aprile; Faxing Chen. 2021. "Influence of Bagging on the Development and Quality of Fruits." Plants 10, no. 2: 358.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a plant well known in traditional medicine for its many beneficial properties, but the lack of standardization regarding the product to offer to consumers limits its diffusion. To this end, drying appears to be a useful technique to offer a low-cost product that can be stored for long time, but the different drying procedures may give rise to end-products of very different quality as nutraceutical and antioxidant compounds. Nettle leaves have been dehydrated employing freeze-drying (FD), oven-drying (OD) or heat pump drying (HPD) and compared with fresh leaves following water extraction to emulate the use by final consumers. Results indicate that the best dehydration technique is HPD, which apparently gives rise to more than a doubling of total phenols and antioxidant activity in the extract compared to the water extract obtained from fresh leaves but a reduction in the level of ascorbic acid of about 39%. In addition, the content of some phenolic compounds is 10 to over a hundred times higher in the extract after HPD than that obtained from fresh samples. This confirms that the dehydration technique should be tuned in relation to the compounds of greatest interest or value.
Leani Martìnez Garcìa; Costanza Ceccanti; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Luca Incrocci; Alberto Pardossi; Lucia Guidi. Effect of Drying Methods on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Urtica dioica L. Leaves. Horticulturae 2021, 7, 10 .
AMA StyleLeani Martìnez Garcìa, Costanza Ceccanti, Carmine Negro, Luigi De Bellis, Luca Incrocci, Alberto Pardossi, Lucia Guidi. Effect of Drying Methods on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Urtica dioica L. Leaves. Horticulturae. 2021; 7 (1):10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeani Martìnez Garcìa; Costanza Ceccanti; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Luca Incrocci; Alberto Pardossi; Lucia Guidi. 2021. "Effect of Drying Methods on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Urtica dioica L. Leaves." Horticulturae 7, no. 1: 10.
The worldwide increase in urban and industrial areas represents a challenge for urban green management, pollutant mitigation and environmental monitoring. We propose an analysis approach for the spatial and spatial-temporal distribution of pollutants in the environment through dendrochemistry techniques, in order to gauge the value of this discipline in urban ecosystem. The proposed analysis models can be useful to evaluate significant changes in space and time related to economic activities and to describe the “impacts” of adopted strategies, as demonstrated in the case study of the opening or closure of factories, and therefore to describe the cause-effect relation connected with human activities. Trees represent a key factor for urban planning, providing a wide variety of ecosystem services including in-depth environmental monitoring, which is one of the main elements to be included in a high quality urban design. The proposed approach aims at suggesting the dendrochemistry as a novel and feasible tool definable as a cost-saving ecosystem service in the urban context.
Teodoro Semeraro; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis; Roberta Aretano; Sandro Sacchelli; Gherardo Chirici; Marco Marchetti; Claudia Cocozza. Dendrochemistry: Ecosystem Services Perspectives for Urban Biomonitoring. Frontiers in Environmental Science 2020, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleTeodoro Semeraro, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi De Bellis, Roberta Aretano, Sandro Sacchelli, Gherardo Chirici, Marco Marchetti, Claudia Cocozza. Dendrochemistry: Ecosystem Services Perspectives for Urban Biomonitoring. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 2020; 8 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeodoro Semeraro; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis; Roberta Aretano; Sandro Sacchelli; Gherardo Chirici; Marco Marchetti; Claudia Cocozza. 2020. "Dendrochemistry: Ecosystem Services Perspectives for Urban Biomonitoring." Frontiers in Environmental Science 8, no. : 1.
During their evolutionary history, plants have evolved the ability to synthesize and accumulate small molecules known as secondary metabolites. These compounds are not essential in the primary cell functions but play a significant role in the plants’ adaptation to environmental changes and in overcoming stress. Their high concentrations may contribute to the resistance of the plants to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which has recently re-emerged as a plant pathogen of global importance. Although it is established in several areas globally and is considered one of the most dangerous plant pathogens, no cure has been developed due to the lack of effective bactericides and the difficulties in accessing the xylem vessels where the pathogen grows and produces cell aggregates and biofilm. This review highlights the role of secondary metabolites in the defense of the main economic hosts of X. fastidiosa and identifies how knowledge about biosynthetic pathways could improve our understanding of disease resistance. In addition, current developments in non-invasive techniques and strategies of combining molecular and physiological techniques are examined, in an attempt to identify new metabolic engineering options for plant defense.
Marzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction. Pathogens 2020, 9, 675 .
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Francesca Nicolì, Erika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (9):675.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2020. "Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction." Pathogens 9, no. 9: 675.
After the discovery in 1967 of plant glyoxysomes, aconitase, one the five enzymes involved in the glyoxylate cycle, was thought to be present in the organelles, and although this was found not to be the case around 25 years ago, it is still suggested in some textbooks and recent scientific articles. Genetic research (including the study of mutants and transcriptomic analysis) is becoming increasingly important in plant biology, so metabolic pathways must be presented correctly to avoid misinterpretation and the dissemination of bad science. The focus of our study is therefore aconitase, from its first localization inside the glyoxysomes to its relocation. We also examine data concerning the role of the enzyme malate dehydrogenase in the glyoxylate cycle and data of the expression of aconitase genes in Arabidopsis and other selected higher plants. We then propose a new model concerning the interaction between glyoxysomes, mitochondria and cytosol in cotyledons or endosperm during the germination of oil-rich seeds.
Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Amedeo Alpi. Aconitase: To Be or not to Be Inside Plant Glyoxysomes, That Is the Question. Biology 2020, 9, 162 .
AMA StyleLuigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi, Amedeo Alpi. Aconitase: To Be or not to Be Inside Plant Glyoxysomes, That Is the Question. Biology. 2020; 9 (7):162.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi; Amedeo Alpi. 2020. "Aconitase: To Be or not to Be Inside Plant Glyoxysomes, That Is the Question." Biology 9, no. 7: 162.
“Heavy metals” is a collective term widely applied for the group of metals and metalloids with an atomic density above 4 g/cm3
Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis. Editorial for Special Issue “Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity, and Detoxification in Plants”. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 4103 .
AMA StyleAlessio Aprile, Luigi De Bellis. Editorial for Special Issue “Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity, and Detoxification in Plants”. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21 (11):4103.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis. 2020. "Editorial for Special Issue “Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity, and Detoxification in Plants”." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 11: 4103.
Climate change will inevitably affect agriculture. Simulations of the effects of climate change on the agronomic performance (plant height, biomass dry weight, number of spikes, grain weight, harvest index, and 1000-kernel weight) of nine durum wheat cultivars were performed to identify the genotypes that will have a greater yield potential over the next 50 years. Plants were grown in two Fitotron® CGR crop growth chambers: “room 2020” designed to reproduce the current climatic conditions (control) and “room 2070”, designed to simulate the expected climate for the year 2070 in the RCP8.5 scenario (800 ppm, elevated [CO2], and a temperature increase of 2.5 °C). The plant life cycle was clearly shorter in “room 2070” due to the physiological strategy of the plant to escape the high summer temperatures through early ripening of the kernels. Again, in “room 2070”, the modern cultivars Rusticano, San Carlo, and Simeto and the old cultivar Cappelli increased the grain yield. Surprisingly, Cappelli seemed to be particularly suitable for cultivation in an environment rich in atmospheric CO2 and under high temperature stress, since it produced a grain yield that was approximately three times higher than the other varieties.
Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield. Agronomy 2020, 10, 793 .
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Carmine Negro, Francesca Nicolì, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi De Bellis. Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (6):793.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. 2020. "Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield." Agronomy 10, no. 6: 793.
Bois noir is a disease associated with the presence of phytoplasma ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ belonging to the Stolbur group (subgroup 16SrXII-A), which has a heavy economic impact on grapevines. This study focused on the changes induced by phytoplasma in terms of the profile and amount of secondary metabolites synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway in leaves of Vitis vinifera L. red-berried cultivar Sangiovese. Metabolic alterations were assessed according to the disease progression through measurements of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and phenolic compounds produced by plant hosts, in response to disease on symptomatic and asymptomatic Bois noir-positive plants. Significant differences were revealed in the amount of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and accumulation/reduction of some compounds synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway of Bois noir-positive and negative grapevine leaves. Our results showed a marked increase in phenolic and flavonoid production and a parallel decrease in lignin content in Bois noir-positive compared to negative leaves. Interestingly, some parameters (chlorophyll a, soluble sugars, total phenolic or flavonoids content, proanthocyanidins, quercetin) differed between Bois noir-positive and negative leaves regardless of symptoms, indicating measurable biochemical changes in asymptomatic leaves. Our grapevine cultivar Sangiovese results highlighted an extensive modulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway as a defense mechanism activated by the host plant in response to Bois noir disease.
Carmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Francesca Nicolì; Roberto Pierro; Alberto Materazzi; Alessandra Panattoni; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma. Pathogens 2020, 9, 269 .
AMA StyleCarmine Negro, Erika Sabella, Francesca Nicolì, Roberto Pierro, Alberto Materazzi, Alessandra Panattoni, Alessio Aprile, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Antonio Miceli, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (4):269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Francesca Nicolì; Roberto Pierro; Alberto Materazzi; Alessandra Panattoni; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2020. "Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma." Pathogens 9, no. 4: 269.
Xylella fastidiosa is a highly virulent pathogen that causes Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), which is currently devastating olive plantations in the Salento region (Apulia, Southern Italy). We explored the microbiome associated with X. fastidiosa-infected (Xf-infected) and -uninfected (Xf-uninfected) olive trees in Salento, to assess the level of dysbiosis and to get first insights into the potential role of microbial endophytes in protecting the host from the disease. The resistant cultivar “Leccino” was compared to the susceptible cultivar “Cellina di Nardò”, in order to identify microbial taxa and parameters potentially involved in resistance mechanisms. Metabarcoding of 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 was used to characterize both total and endophytic microbiota in olive branches and leaves. “Cellina di Nardò” showed a drastic dysbiosis after X. fastidiosa infection, while “Leccino” (both infected and uninfected) maintained a similar microbiota. The genus Pseudomonas dominated all “Leccino” and Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò” trees, whereas Ammoniphilus prevailed in Xf-infected “Cellina di Nardò”. Diversity of microbiota in Xf-uninfected “Leccino” was higher than in Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò”. Several bacterial taxa specifically associated with “Leccino” showed potential interactions with X. fastidiosa. The maintenance of a healthy microbiota with higher diversity and the presence of cultivar-specific microbes might support the resistance of “Leccino” to X. fastidiosa. Such beneficial bacteria might be isolated in the future for biological treatment of the OQDS.
Marzia Vergine; Joana B. Meyer; Massimiliano Cardinale; Erika Sabella; Martin Hartmann; Paolo Cherubini; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Pathogens 2019, 9, 35 .
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Joana B. Meyer, Massimiliano Cardinale, Erika Sabella, Martin Hartmann, Paolo Cherubini, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Pathogens. 2019; 9 (1):35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Joana B. Meyer; Massimiliano Cardinale; Erika Sabella; Martin Hartmann; Paolo Cherubini; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS)." Pathogens 9, no. 1: 35.
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are two toxic heavy metals (HMs) whose presence in soil is generally low. However, industrial and agricultural activities in recent years have significantly raised their levels, causing progressive accumulations in plant edible tissues, and stimulating research in this field. Studies on toxic metals are commonly focused on a single metal, but toxic metals occur simultaneously. The understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between HMs during uptake is important to design agronomic or genetic strategies to limit contamination of crops. To study the single and combined effect of Cd and Pb on durum wheat, a hydroponic experiment was established to examine the accumulation of the two HMs. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms activated in the roots were investigated paying attention to transcription factors (bHLH family), heavy metal transporters and genes involved in the biosynthesis of metal chelators (nicotianamine and mugineic acid). Cd and Pb are accumulated following different molecular strategies by durum wheat plants, even if the two metals interact with each other influencing their respective uptake and translocation. Finally, we demonstrated that some genes (bHLH 29, YSL2, ZIF1, ZIFL1, ZIFL2, NAS2 and NAAT) were induced in the durum wheat roots only in response to Cd.
Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Enrico Francia; Justyna Milc; Domenico Ronga; Nicola Pecchioni; Erika Ferrari; Andrea Luvisi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis. Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20, 5891 .
AMA StyleAlessio Aprile, Erika Sabella, Enrico Francia, Justyna Milc, Domenico Ronga, Nicola Pecchioni, Erika Ferrari, Andrea Luvisi, Marzia Vergine, Luigi De Bellis. Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20 (23):5891.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Enrico Francia; Justyna Milc; Domenico Ronga; Nicola Pecchioni; Erika Ferrari; Andrea Luvisi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 23: 5891.
Due to global climate change, complex combinations of stresses are expected to occur, among which the interaction between pathogens and drought stress may have a significant effect on growth and yield. In this study, the Xylella fastidiosa (Xf)-resistant cultivar Leccino and the susceptible one Cellina di Nardò were subjected to (a) individual drought stress, (b) Xf infection and (c) combination of both stress conditions. Here we report the physiological response to stresses in water content in leaves and the modulation in the expression level of seven genes responsive to plant water status and pathogen infection. In Xf-resistant plants, higher expression levels are reported for genes belonging to ROS-scavenging systems and for genes involved in pathogen stress (pathogenesis-related, PR, and leucine-rich repeat genes, LRR-RLK). However, PR and LRR-RLK were not further induced by water deficit. Interestingly, the genes related to drought response (aquaporin, PIP2.1, dehydration responsive element binding, DREB, and dehydrin, DHN), which induction was higher in Cellina di Nardò compared to Leccino during drought stress, was poorly induced in Xf-susceptible plants when Xf occur. Conversely, DHN was induced by Xf presence in Leccino. These results were consistent with observations on water content. Indeed, response was similar in Leccino regardless kind of stress or combination, whereas a strong reduction was observed in Xf-susceptible plants infected by Xf or in presence of combined stresses. Thus, the reported findings indicate that resistance of Leccino to Xf could be linked to its lower resistance to water stress, probably leading to the activation of alternative defense pathways that support the plant in Xf response.
Mariarosaria De Pascali; Marzia Vergine; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Ilaria Buja; Carmine Negro; Antonio Miceli; Patrizia Rampino; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees. Plants 2019, 8, 437 .
AMA StyleMariarosaria De Pascali, Marzia Vergine, Erika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Eliana Nutricati, Francesca Nicolì, Ilaria Buja, Carmine Negro, Antonio Miceli, Patrizia Rampino, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees. Plants. 2019; 8 (11):437.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariarosaria De Pascali; Marzia Vergine; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Ilaria Buja; Carmine Negro; Antonio Miceli; Patrizia Rampino; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees." Plants 8, no. 11: 437.
This paper is devoted to the analysis of the impact of changes in olive urban forests affected by Xylella fastidiosa on ecosystem services. The focus is on microclimate and thermal comfort evaluated by two indices: the temperature of equivalent perception (TEP) and the predicted mean vote (PMV), which take into account both microclimate parameters and personal factors (heat resistance of clothing and human activity). The work has been carried out through (i) a qualitative analysis of the potential ecosystem services changes caused by temporary transition from olive groves to uncultivated soil, (ii) a study of the potential change of land use from monumental olive groves to other types of use, and (iii) a quantitative analysis on microclimate impact due to the loss of ecosystem services in two selected neighborhoods located in the Apulia region and chosen due to their proximity to the urban context. The analysis revealed that (i) direct effects on ecosystem services are principally linked with regulation functions and cultural services, (ii) a critical loss of cultural value of monumental olive groves occurred in the two neighborhoods, (iii) such a loss may lead to an increase of TEP and PMV, indicating a decrease of thermal comfort in the whole neighborhoods. Thus, it is necessary to plan the replanting policies of the use of the areas affected by X. fastidiosa not only in terms of agricultural planning but also in terms of landscape, urban planning, and human well-being.
Teodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Marzia Vergine; Zhi Gao; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 2642 .
AMA StyleTeodoro Semeraro, Elisa Gatto, Riccardo Buccolieri, Marzia Vergine, Zhi Gao, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (15):2642.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Marzia Vergine; Zhi Gao; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 15: 2642.
In this work, for the first time, were analyzed mulberry genotypes grown in Apulia (Southern Italy, Salento region) were analyzed. Two local varieties of Morus alba (cv. Legittimo nero and cv. Nello) and one of Morus nigra were characterized for content in simple sugars, organic acids, phenols, anthocyanins; fruit antioxidant activity (AA) was also evaluated by three different methods (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH; 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS; and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, FRAP test). The results showed that the sugars amount ranged between 6.29 and 7.66 g/100 g fresh weight (FW) while the malic and citric acids content was low, at about 0.1–1 g/100 g FW. Mulberries are a good source of phenols which are present in higher values in M. nigra and M. alba cv. Legittimo nero (485 and 424 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/ 100 g FW, respectively). The high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector/mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD/MS) analysis identified 5 main anthocyanin compounds present in different concentrations in each variety of mulberry: cyanidin 3-sophoroside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside. The highest concentration of anthocyanins was determined in Morus alba Legittimo (about 300 mg/100 g FW) while the lowest content (about 25 mg/100 g FW) was measured in M. alba cv. Nello. Morus nigra showed a good AA in comparison with the different M. alba genotypes with all the used methods; its AA was equal to 33, 26 and 21 μmols Trolox/g FW when using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests, respectively. All genotypes showed an anti-inflammatory activity (measured by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory assay) which was also compared with two commercial anti-inflammatory drugs. The data obtained support the high biological qualities of mulberry fruits and their diffusion in human nutrition.
Carmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Antonio Miceli. Nutraceutical Properties of Mulberries Grown in Southern Italy (Apulia). Antioxidants 2019, 8, 223 .
AMA StyleCarmine Negro, Alessio Aprile, Luigi De Bellis, Antonio Miceli. Nutraceutical Properties of Mulberries Grown in Southern Italy (Apulia). Antioxidants. 2019; 8 (7):223.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Antonio Miceli. 2019. "Nutraceutical Properties of Mulberries Grown in Southern Italy (Apulia)." Antioxidants 8, no. 7: 223.
In olive trees, Xylella fastidiosa colonizes xylem vessels and compromises water transport causing the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). The loss of hydraulic conductivity could be attributed to vessel occlusions induced both by the bacteria biofilm and by plant responses (tyloses, gums, etc.) that could trigger embolism. The ability of the infected plants to detect embolism and to respond, by activating mechanisms to restore the hydraulic conductivity, can influence the severity of the disease symptomatology. In order to investigate these mechanisms in the X. fastidiosa-resistant olive cultivar Leccino and in the susceptible Cellina di Nardò, sections of healthy olive stems were analysed by laser scanning microscope to calculate the cavitation vulnerability index. Findings indicated that the cultivar Leccino seems to be constitutively less susceptible to cavitation than the susceptible one. Among the vascular refilling mechanisms, starch hydrolysis is a well-known strategy to refill xylem vessels that suffered cavitation and it is characterized by a dense accumulation of starch grains in the xylem parenchima; SEM-EDX analysis of stem cross-sections of infected plants revealed an aggregation of starch grains in the Leccino xylem vessels. These observations could indicate that this cultivar, as well as being anatomically less susceptible to cavitation, it also could be able to activate more efficient refilling mechanisms, restoring vessel’s hydraulic conductivity. In order to verify this hypothesis, we analysed the expression levels of some genes belonging to families involved in embolism sensing and refilling mechanisms: aquaporins, sucrose transporters, carbohydrate metabolism and enzymes related to starch breakdown, alpha and beta-amylase. The obtained genes expression patterns suggested that the infected plants of the cultivar Leccino strongly modulates the genes involved in embolism sensing and refilling.
Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Alessandra Genga; Tiziana Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -11.
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Alessandra Genga, Tiziana Siciliano, Eliana Nutricati, Francesca Nicolì, Marzia Vergine, Carmine Negro, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Alessandra Genga; Tiziana Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-11.
In the last years, the interest in Italian monovarietal oils has increased due to their specific organoleptic qualities. Extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are rich in phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites well known and studied for their nutraceutical properties. However, among EVOOs, there is great variability in phenolic composition due to the origin, the production technique, and mainly, the genotype. The aim of this work was to evaluate the different phenolic profiles and the antioxidant activities of monovarietal oils. The results confirm this variability. In fact, the overall content of oleuropein varies up to four times between the different genotypes (from 33.80 to 152.32 mg/kg oil), while the oleocanthal content is significant only in two oils. The antioxidant activity, determined with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, is correlated with the content of total phenolic substances, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for the DPPH test ranging from 160 to 91 mg of oil, while the ORAC test shows values between 5.45 and 8.03 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g oil.
Carmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis. Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Antioxidants 2019, 8, 161 .
AMA StyleCarmine Negro, Alessio Aprile, Andrea Luvisi, Francesca Nicolì, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Antonio Miceli, Federica Blando, Erika Sabella, Luigi De Bellis. Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Antioxidants. 2019; 8 (6):161.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils." Antioxidants 8, no. 6: 161.