The excessive use of agricultural soils and the reduction in their organic matter, following circular economy and environmental sustainability concepts, determined a strong attention in considering composting as a preferred method for municipalities and industries to recycle organic by-products. Microorganisms degrade organic matter for producing CO₂, water and energy, originating stable humus named compost. The current study analyzed the chemical composition of a cow slurry on-farm digestate and a more stabilized digestate-derived compost (DdC), along with their phytotoxic, genotoxic and antifungal activities. The chemical analysis showed that digestate cannot be an ideal amendment due to some non-acceptable characteristics. Biological assays showed that the digestate had phytotoxicity on the tested plants, whereas DdC did not induce a phytotoxic effect in both plants at the lowest dilution; hence, the latter was considered in subsequent analyses. The digestate and DdC induced significant antifungal activity against some tested fungi. DdC did not show genotoxic effect on Vicia faba using a micronuclei test. Soil treated with DdC (5 and 10%) induced damping-off suppression caused by Fusarium solani in tomato plants. The eco-physiological data indicated that DdC at 5–10% could increase the growth of tomato plants. In conclusion, DdC is eligible as a soil amendment and to strengthen the natural soil suppressiveness against F. solani.

In South Italy durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) has a long-time tradition of growing and breeding. Accessions collected and now preserved ex situ are a valuable genetic resource, but their effective use in agriculture and breeding programs remains very low. In this study, a small number (44) of simple sequence repeats (SSR) molecular markers were used to detect pattern of diversity for 136 accessions collected in South Italy over time, to identify the genepool of origin, and establish similarities with 28 Italian varieties with known pedigree grown in Italy over the same time-period. Phenotyping was conducted for 12 morphophysiological characters of agronomic interest. Based on discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and STRUCTURE analysis six groups were identified, the assignment of varieties reflected the genetic basis and breeding strategies involved in their development. Some “old” varieties grown today are the result of evolution through natural hybridization and conservative pure line selection. A small number of molecular markers and little phenotyping coupled with powerful statistical analysis and comparison to pedigreed varieties can provide enough information on the genetic structure of durum wheat germplasm for a quick screening of the germplasm collection able to identify accessions for breeding or introduction in low input agriculture.

In legumes, pod shattering occurs when mature pods dehisce along the sutures, and detachment of the valves promotes seed dispersal. In Phaseolus vulgaris , the major locus qPD5.1-Pv for pod indehiscence was identified recently. We developed a BC4/F4 introgression line population and narrowed the major locus down to a 22.5-kb region. Here, gene expression and a parallel histological analysis of dehiscent and indehiscent pods identified an AtMYB26 orthologue as the best candidate for loss of pod shattering, on a genomic region ~11 kb downstream of the highest associated peak. Based on mapping and expression data, we propose early and fine up-regulation of PvMYB26 in dehiscent pods. Detailed histological analysis establishes that pod indehiscence is associated to the lack of a functional abscission layer in the ventral sheath, and that the key anatomical modifications associated with pod shattering in common bean occur early during pod development. We finally propose that loss of pod shattering in legumes resulted from histological convergent evolution and that this is the result of selection at orthologous loci. One-sentence summary: A non-functional abscission layer determines the loss of pod shattering; mapping data, and parallel gene expression and histological analysis support PvMYB26 as the candidate gene for pod indehiscence.

Among foods protected by the European Union with the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) mark, several ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, typical legumes of Basilicata Region, are included. This work aimed to conduct a survey of seed-borne pathogens isolated from “Ciuoto” and “Cannellino rosso”, ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, in two years and cultivation areas of the National Park of the Agri Valley, for identifying resistant and climatic changes well-adapted genotypes. Three validated methods were used for the seed-borne pathogens screening. Eighteen fungi were differently found for ecotype and year of observation by the washing test. Saprophyte contaminants pathogens isolated and detected by the blotter test were strongly reduced by 1% sodium hypochlorite treatment. Using the between paper test, specific for detecting Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the presence of this pathogen for both ecotypes, years and cultivation areas, and also some bacteria were individuated. Therefore, area-, environment- and ecotype-dependent differences were revealed, probably also caused by a different polyphenolic content and thickness of integument of two ecotypes. This study represents a baseline information for further studies, development of forecasting models and management of seed-borne diseases associated with common beans.

The “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, typical of Basilicata Region (Southern Italy), include different ecotypes protected by the European Union with the mark PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The study aimed to determine the presence of seed-borne pathogens, isolated from two ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, “Ciuoto” and “Cannellino rosso”, in two different cultivation areas during the years 2018 and 2019, for identifying genotypes resistant and well adapted to climatic changes. The seeds were evaluated for seed-borne pathogens screening by using three validated seed health testing methods, according to the 2020 International Rules for seed testing. The washing test identified 18 fungal pathogens, different for ecotype and year of observation; the 1% sodium hypochlorite treatment strongly reduced the contaminants. With the blotter test, several saprophyte pathogens were found. Between paper test, specific for detecting the C. lindemuthianum, revealed the presence of this pathogen for both ecotypes and years, in all areas, and individuated some bacteria, too. In conclusion, this work highlighted differences by the two PGI common bean ecotypes in response to seed-borne pathogens resistance and environmental change due probably to their different thickness and polyphenolic content of integument.

Summary: Lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) is cultivated under a wide range of environmental conditions, which led to diverse phenological adaptations and resulted in a decrease in genetic variability within breeding programs due to reluctance in using genotypes from other environments. We phenotyped 324 genotypes across nine locations over three years to assess their phenological response to the environment of major lentil production regions and to predict days from sowing to flowering (DTF) using a photothermal model. DTF was highly influenced by the environment and is sufficient to explain adaptation. We were able to predict DTF reliably in most environments using a simple photothermal model, however, in certain site-years, results suggest there may be additional environmental factors at play. Hierarchical clustering of principal components revealed the presence of eight groups based on the responses of DTF to contrasting environments. These groups are associated with the coefficients of the photothermal model and revealed differences in temperature and photoperiod sensitivity. Expanding genetic diversity is critical to the success of a breeding program; understanding adaptation will facilitate the use of exotic germplasm. Future climate change scenarios will result in increase temperature and/or shifts in production areas, we can use the photothermal model to identify genotypes most likely to succeed in these new environments.