Advanced methods are necessary to improve the detection of flavescence dorée (FD), one of the most relevant grapevine (Vitis vinifera) diseases in Europe, caused by flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Detection is commonly carried out visually by agronomists/winegrowers, and is time-consuming and error-prone. The present study demonstrated that full-range hyperspectral data (i.e., 400 to 2,400 nm) collected at leaf level can be used as a tool to rapidly and nondestructively detect FD infection directly in the field. Focusing on a Sangiovese (red grape) vineyard of Tuscany (Central Italy), heavily affected by FD (incidence higher than 75%), we showed that the proposed hyperspectral approach is capable of (i) detecting FDp infection, even before the occurrence of leaf symptoms (accuracy >70%); (ii) discriminating FD-induced leaf symptoms, even between asymptomatic and lightly symptomatic leaves (accuracy 80%); and (iii) elucidating the complex physiological responses of grapevines to FDp infection, with changes in leaf parameters estimated from spectra suggesting that the disease not only impaired early-season photosynthetic efficiency but also accelerated leaf senescence, potentially impacting grapevine productivity and grape quality. Although the hyperspectral approach proposed here is not intended to replace traditional diagnostic methods (molecular analyses), it could serve as a valuable tool to support the monitoring of plants affected by FD and may represent a crucial advancement in FD management. Further and broader studies including vineyards less challenged by FD and with other grape varieties (e.g., white ones, showing leaf yellowing instead of reddening) are encouraged.

Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has rapidly spread, mainly in the central and eastern Mediterranean coastal area, infesting various new host plants alongside known ones. This invasive species poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems, necessitating urgent action to monitor and control outbreaks in previously pest-free areas. While entomological and morphological recognitions are crucial for initial detection, challenges often arise in quickly identifying different developmental stages or genus-level distinctions, particularly in surveys conducted by personnel with limited entomological skills. Due to these challenges, a qPCR probe protocol was developed to enhance the diagnostic capacity of laboratories responsible for the territorial control of pests. This biomolecular tool integrates morphological surveys, enabling prompt and reliable proof of A. spiniferus presence in free areas, delimited territories, or during phytosanitary import inspections. The protocol’s high analytical specificity, inclusivity, and exclusivity ensure accurate identification of A. spiniferus, while its low limit of detection and high repeatability and reproducibility reinforce its utility as a standardized diagnostic method. By facilitating prompt and targeted control efforts, this innovative approach strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems against the widespread threat of A. spiniferus infestations.

This study presents a qPCR-based molecular diagnostic method utilizing a TaqMan probe to ac-curately identify Agrilus auroguttatus Schäffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from adult insects, ex-creta samples, and frass residues. The method demonstrated excellent DNA amplification across all sample types, highlighting strong analytical specificity. The protocol exhibited high repeata-bility and reproducibility, with inter-run and intra-run variability standard deviations consist-ently at or below 0.5. This assay distinguished A. auroguttatus samples from non-target species with 100% sequence correspondence. Analytical sensitivity (LoD) for adult and frass samples was determined at 8 pg/µL and at a 1:5 dilution from an initial concentration of 5 ng/µL, yield-ing mean Cq values of 35.14 ± 0.71 and 37.07 ± 0.59, respectively. The indirect diagnostic capabil-ity of this method is particularly valuable for detecting the presence of wood-boring insects, po-tentially aiding in the early detection of A. auroguttatus in new environments or in managing cur-rent outbreak areas. This diagnostic tool could thus play a critical role in biosecurity efforts to limit the spread of this invasive species.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (quinoa) is a very promising crop due to its nutraceutical properties and strong tolerance to extreme conditions, including high UVB. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying its adaptation to high UVB are still unclear, especially during germination as its traditional sowing consists of either broadcasting or continuous stream distribution in furrows. We evaluated the response of germinating quinoa seeds to acute UVB radiation, looking at the mobilization of starch reserves as well as the utilization of starch and free sugars. Biometric and physiological traits were evaluated in control (0 W m⁻²) and UVB (3.4 W m⁻²)-exposed seeds during a 24 h treatment starting with seed imbibition. Quinoa exposed to UVB showed a delay in germination and strong reduction in root elongation. Although the negative effect of UVB on germination was fully recovered at 48 h of imbibition, that on root elongation was irreversible, especially with a longer exposure time. Further analysis showed low differences in the concentration of free sugars, except at 2 and 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, starch mobilization in UVB-treated seeds was strongly reduced compared to control. This was associated with the amylolytic activity analysis, which showed strong reductions in both α- and β-amylase activities during the whole treatment, indicating that UVB strongly reduced enzyme activation for the mobilization and use of starch reserves. Overall, these data suggest that quinoa seeds can regulate the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in reserve mobilization, in order to resist to acute UVB radiation and maintain seed viability.