Flavescence dorée (FD) is a major grapevine disease in Europe with significant economic consequences. The objective of this review is to provide as much information as possible on the documented susceptibility or tolerance of different cultivars, both international and local within individual countries. Additionally, spontaneous recovery has been observed as a viable option for replanting injured vines, but its efficacy varies by cultivars. In this regard, a broad categorization was developed for several cultivars, particularly those examined in Europe, describing their higher or lower susceptibility and aptitude to recover. Future research, however, should not only address the geographic spread of FD, but also investigate how pathogen–host interactions may differ across cultivars. Such insights could be crucial for assessing the risk of FD introduction in new regions and understanding cultivar-specific susceptibility and epidemic dynamics, because present studies remain mostly concentrated in regions suffering significant FD pressure, resulting in a focus on a small number of cultivars that are often specific to a certain geographical area. Furthermore, the implementation of innovative strategies has the potential to give a comprehensive and long-term approach to managing and containing FD.

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.

Flavescence dorée (FD) is one of the most damaging grapevine diseases in Europe, caused by the quarantine-listed Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Given the absence of resistant cultivars and curative treatments, effective disease control relies on early and accurate FDp detection. PCR-based diagnostics are the gold standard, but their accuracy depends on DNA extraction quality. Grapevine tissues contain PCR inhibitors like polysaccharides and polyphenols, complicating DNA isolation. While CTAB methods yield high-quality DNA, they are time-consuming, and commercial kits provide purer but often lower DNA yields at high costs. A rapid and optimized DNA extraction method for FDp detection is urgently needed. We developed the “HotShot Vitis” (HSV) method, a modified HotSHOT protocol optimized for grapevine tissues. HSV was benchmarked against the CTAB method and a commercial silica membrane kit. Although HSV showed limitations in DNA quantification due to buffer composition, it efficiently extracted DNA suitable for amplifying the grapevine trnL-F gene and detecting FDp by two qPCR assays. DNA extracted by HSV also supported molecular typing and sequencing of FDp 16 S rRNA and map genes, performing comparably to CTAB and the commercial kit. Importantly, HSV reduced the extraction time to about 30 min, significantly faster than the CTAB (2 h) and kit (40 min) methods. HSV is a fast, reliable, and chemically low-risk DNA extraction method for FDp detection and characterization in grapevine. Its efficiency and simplicity make HSV ideal for large-scale diagnostics and early disease management.

The present study focused on trees of Tuscany autochthonous plum cv. Coscia di Monaca in order to evaluate the presence of viruses and elucidate the physiological and biochemical responses to virus infections under real field conditions. Among the several investigated viruses, plums tested positive only to plum pox virus (PPV) and plum bark necrosis steam pitting associated virus (PBNSPaV), occurring as both singular and co-infections. This is the first report of PBNSPaV in a Tuscany orchard. Furthermore, the present study not only confirmed the detrimental effects of PPV on the carbon dioxide assimilation rate due to both stomatal limitations and mesophyll impairments, but also showed that although PBNSPaV did not induce such photosynthetic impairments when occurring as singular infection, it enhanced this damaging effect when present as a co-infection with PPV, as confirmed by a severe decrease in the chlorophyll content. Infection-specific responses in terms of accessory pigments (i.e., carotenoids and xanthophylls), as well as sugars and organic acids, were also reported, these being likely related to photoprotective mechanisms and osmotic regulations under virus-induced oxidative stress. Overall, the results here presented represent an important step to fill knowledge gaps about the interaction of plant viruses and autochthonous Prunus cultivars.

Urban green areas are essential for human well-being, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Although railway renewal projects are celebrated today, Italy pioneered the Flowery Stations Contest (FSC) in the early twentieth century. This study provides the first comprehensive synthesis of the FSC experience (1911–1915), investigating its historical evolution, organizational features, and botanical aspects. A systematic review of 81 historical documents was conducted to reconstruct the contest’s framework. To evaluate long-term impact, we surveyed 90 historically top-ranked stations via satellite imagery and investigated the case study of Ripafratta station (a fraction of San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Tuscany). Results show the FSC involved up to 291 stations, prioritizing esthetic decorum and hygiene against locomotive soot. Although organizers recommended 64% non-native genera, stationmasters favoured local biodiversity, increasing effectively employed native genera to 43%. Nowadays, 54% of surveyed stations retain their gardens, mainly located in rural areas, yet 82% of these are neglected following the decline of the resident stationmaster’s role. We conclude that the FSC established a significant physical and cultural legacy. Recovering its model of decentralized stewardship could offer a strategic framework for modern urban regeneration, transforming stations into multifunctional hubs while preserving regional floristic identity, in alignment with contemporary European sustainability models.