Magnolia grandiflora is an important ornamental tree in urban areas. In 2025, leaf spot symptoms were observed on M. grandiflora leaves in Viterbo, Italy. The causal agents were isolated and identified through morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analysis of EF1-α, RPB1 and RPB2 gene sequences, and were identified as Fusarium venenatum and F. clavum. Pathogenicity tests on healthy M. grandiflora leaves produced characteristic brown leaf spots within 3 d post-inoculation. Re-isolations of the inoculated fungi confirmed Koch’s postulates. This study demonstrated that F. venenatum and F. clavum caused the leaf spot symptoms on Magnolia, and is the first report of this disease in Italy. These results provide the basis for developing targeted disease management strategies for emerging diseases caused by these fungi in urban areas.

During a monitoring survey carried out in a park in Aveiro, Portugal, typical Phytophthora symptoms of root rot, stem bleeding cankers and extensive canopy dieback were observed on mature ornamental glossy privet trees (Ligustrum lucidum). A study carried out in spring 2022 aimed to isolate the causal agents, as there is was no available knowledge on potential root pathogens of this host. Thirty-two Phytophthora isolates were obtained from inner bark tissues and/or rhizosphere samples (soil and fine roots) collected from 27 declining glossy privet trees. Based on morpho-biometric data and phylogeny of concatenated ITS and cox1 sequences, Phytophthora isolates were identified as P. hibernalis (14 isolates), P. multivora (12) and P. lacustris (6). Pathogenicity tests confirmed the virulence of the three species on glossy privet. Phytophthora lacustris was the most aggressive species, while P. hibernalis was most abundant. These results give new insights into emerging Phytophthora-related tree diseases in urban areas, and highlight the importance of enhancing biosecurity measures against these invasive pathogens.

Enhancing plant resilience is crucial for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem health in an era of climate change and the global spread of plant pathogens. The strategic exploitation of diverse ecological niches to isolate microorganisms that promote plant growth, suppress pathogens and tolerate abiotic stress conditions is paramount. Here, 21 bacterial strains were isolated from three distinct sources: digestate produced from straw feedstock, Quercus ilex roots mycorrhised with Tuber aestivum, and a peperino stone fountain. These isolates were assigned to eight genera, Bacillus , Pseudomonas , Stenotrophomonas , Burkholderia , Acinetobacter , Aeromonas , Exiguobacterium and Sphingobacterium , all linked to plant growth promotion, stress mitigation and pathogen control. Tests for plant‐growth‐promoting and biocontrol activities included indole acetic acid, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, cellulase and chitinase and phosphate/potassium solubilisation. Efficacy against Phytophthora infestans and tolerance to salinity, pH and drought were also assessed. Functional patterns varied by isolation source, suggesting niche‐specific adaptation. Although all isolates displayed metabolic versatility, peperino stone strains exhibited higher tolerance to acidity and drought, while isolates from straw digestate and mycorrhizal roots tolerated alkalinity. Most isolates are promising for P. infestans control. These findings highlight the importance of targeted microbial sourcing in developing effective biofertilisers and biopesticides, offering sustainable solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges.

Canker and dieback diseases caused by fungal pathogens represent an increasing threat to woody plants in both urban and forest environments, where sustainable management options are urgently needed. In this study, the biocontrol potential of Bacillus strain N1 was investigated against Neofusicoccum parvum and Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi, causal agents of canker diseases on Eucalyptus globulus and Castanea sativa, respectively. The whole-genome sequence confirmed the taxonomic identification of strain N1 as B. velezensis, showing high average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values with reference strains. AntiSMASH analysis revealed the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters associated with the production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, and lipopeptides, reflecting strain N1’s genomic potential to produce compounds that may contribute to its antifungal activity. Moreover, B. velezensis strain N1 significantly inhibited the growth of N. parvum and G. smithogilvyi and showed a biocontrol efficacy on detached eucalyptus and chestnut shoots. In both preventive and curative treatments and pathosystems, the application of B. velezensis N1 resulted in a significant reduction in the length of necrotic lesions, compared to pathogen-only controls, while no phytotoxic effects were observed on treated shoots. Overall, this study supported B. velezensis N1 as a promising candidate for the sustainable control of canker-associated pathogens in woody plants.

Historic mural paintings are particularly vulnerable to biodeterioration caused by microbial colonization, which can lead to the degradation of the organic and inorganic components of wall surfaces. This study presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first identification of the Paracoccus marcusii IBR3 strain on a 19th‐century mural painting from a private Italian villa. In vitro analyses revealed that strain IBR3 exhibits significant enzymatic activities, such as casein hydrolysis and calcium carbonate dissolution. These activities implicate the strain in the degradation of proteinaceous binders and mineral substrates, which are typical of mural artwork. As part of an environmentally sustainable conservation strategy, the antimicrobial activity of Thymus serpyllum essential oil was evaluated against strain IBR3 using in vitro tests, membrane integrity assays, and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. The essential oil, chemically characterized by GC–MS, demonstrated promising biocidal efficacy. These findings suggest that T. serpyllum essential oil could serve as a non‐toxic alternative for preserving and maintaining culturally significant wall paintings.

Pythium-like organism species are widespread soilborne oomycetes known to cause root diseases in a wide range of plant hosts. However, their involvement in the decline of woody species in historical and urban gardens has received limited attention. This study reports the isolation and identification of a Pythium-like organism from declining Quercus ilex specimens in a historical garden, where affected trees showed symptoms of root rot and sucker dieback. Integration of morphological observations and molecular analyses of ITS, LSU, and Cox II sequences confirmed the identity of the isolates as Globisporangium glomeratum (formerly Pythium glomeratum). Pathogenicity tests confirmed the aggressiveness of these isolates on Q. ilex seedlings, resulting in significant reductions in plant height and shoot and root biomass. The detection of G. glomeratum in the soil of a historical garden underscores the risk of its unintentional dissemination through nursery stock or soil movement, particularly in urban settings where plant replacement is frequent. This is the first report of G. glomeratum as a pathogen of Q. ilex, emphasizing the importance of phytosanitary monitoring in culturally and ecologically valuable green spaces.