Use of novel alternative compounds in agriculture is being promoted to reduce synthetic pesticides. An in vitro study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of chitosan hydrochloride (CH) and COS (chito-oligosaccharides)-OGA (oligo-galacturonides) at concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1%, 0.05%, and 0.025%. COS-OGA at 1% and 0.5% concentrations completely inhibited mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicicola, Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructigena, and Monilinia fructicola. Further, complete inhibition was observed with 0.25% COS-OGA for M. fructigena and M. laxa. Inhibition for B. cinerea, M. fructicola, A. alternata, and A. brassicicola at 0.25% COS-OGA was 86.75%, 76.31%, 69.73%, and 60.45%, respectively. M. laxa and M. fructigena were completely inhibited by CH concentrations of 1–0.25% and M. fructicola by concentrations of 1–0.5%. At CH 0.25%, inhibition for M. fructicola, A. brassicicola, A. alternata, and B. cinerea was 93.99%, 80.99%, 69.73%, and 57.23%, respectively. CH showed effective antibacterial activity against foodborne Escherichia coli. COS-OGA had higher antioxidant activity than CH when assessed by DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Our findings offer insights into the antimicrobial efficacy and mechanisms of action of these novel compounds, which have the potential to serve as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. In vivo investigations are required to validate the prospective application of these treatments for pre- and postharvest disease management.

Monilinia fructicola is the most common and destructive brown rot agent on peaches. Knowledge of gene expression mediating host–pathogen interaction is essential to manage fungal plant diseases. M. fructicola putative virulence factors have been predicted by genome investigations. The pathogen interaction with the host was validated. Five M. fructicola isolates were inoculated on two cultivars (cv.s) of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) ‘Royal Summer’ and ‘Messapia’ with intermediate and late ripening periods, respectively. The expression pattern of 17 candidate effector genes of M. fructicola with functions linked to host invasion and fungal life, and seven peach genes involved in the immune defense system were monitored at 0, 2, 6, 10, and 24 h-post inoculation (hpi). All fungal isolates induced similar brown rot lesions on both cv.s whereas the modulation of effector genes was regulated mainly at 2, 6, and 10 hpi, when disease symptoms appeared on the fruit surface, confirming the involvement of effector genes in the early infection stage. Although differences were observed among the fungal isolates, the principal component investigation identified the main differences linked to the host genotype. The salicylic acid and jasmonate/ethylene signaling pathways were differently modulated in the host independent from the fungal isolate used for inoculation. On plants susceptible to brown rot, the pathogen may have adapted to the host’s physiology by modulating its effectors as weapons.

Induced resistance (IR) based on elicitors application aims to strengthen plant defenses, rather than directly targeting pathogens. These compounds are less toxic than conventional pesticides and are useful in reducing their use. Strategies based on COS–OGA, Swinglea glutinosa, and low copper doses were tested in this three-year (2021–2023) field investigation against grapevine downy (DM) and powdery (PM) mildew. Their effectiveness was compared to copper, sulfur, untreated, and water-sprayed plants in a naturally infected vineyard. Combined treatments provided higher levels of protection. COS–OGA at 2 L ha⁻¹ combined with low copper doses and an adjuvant protected canopy and production from both DM and PM at the same level as copper and farm application (based on copper and sulfur). In favorable seasons, 2023 for DM and 2022 for PM, this strategy reduced the DM McKinney Index compared to untreated plants by 74% and 39% on leaves and bunches, respectively. Reductions observed for PM were 85% on leaves and 46% on bunches. S. glutinosa showed reductions only in one assessment against PM on bunches. This work validates IR-based DM and PM management strategies under field conditions and paves the way toward concrete reduction in copper and sulfur use in vineyards.

Over the past few decades, social agriculture, a component of multifunctional agriculture, has grown in popularity due to its numerous benefits for a variety of people, including those with learning and intellectual disabilities. A survey was conducted to assess social agricultural courses or modules offered by tertiary institutions. The study found that Italy and The Netherlands have the highest number of education and training programs that offer a full curriculum and/or individual social agriculture courses. In Norway, continuing and further education courses are frequently used to teach social agriculture. The Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom also have prominent social agriculture degree programs. The findings of this survey reveal a disconnect between the agricultural and therapeutic aspects of social agriculture educational programs. Most programs have well-tailored agriculture modules, while others have excellent therapeutic modules to the detriment of the other. Thus, social agriculture programs that focus on all aspects must be developed. Additionally, accreditation bodies are also needed.

ISHS V International Symposium on Postharvest Pathology: From Consumer to Laboratory ‒ Sustainable Approaches to Managing Postharvest Pathogens Identification of Monilinia spp. from stone fruits in the Marche region of Italy

Consumer demand, retailer involvement, policies to reduce pesticide application, and the growth of organic agriculture are steering research toward safer alternatives like basic substances: compounds used as food, food ingredients, or in medicine with a potential secondary application in plant protection. Downy mildew (DM) and powdery mildew (PM) are major grapevine diseases, and many fungicide applications are required for their management. In this 2-year field trial, chitosan, whey, sweet orange essential oil (EO), Equisetum arvense, Urtica spp., and Ampelomyces quisqualis were tested against DM and PM in repeated stand-alone treatments (10 applications in 2022 and 11 in 2023) on cultivar Montepulciano in Italy. Their effectiveness was compared with copper and sulfur. Untreated plants and water-sprayed plants served as two negative controls. The disease McKinney Index was calculated based on incidence and severity, following visual assessments. Several compounds reduced the amount of DM and PM. Chitosan 0.5% and sweet orange EO 600 ml/hl provided the highest protection levels, reducing the DM McKinney Index on leaves up to 94 and 91% compared with the untreated control. Against PM, both treatments achieved a 98% reduction. Reductions on bunches were up to 72 and 47% for DM and 40 and 37% for PM. For two consecutive years and under high disease pressure, chitosan proved as effective as copper in managing DM on both leaves and bunches. This trial explored some natural compounds as additional tools for DM and PM management. Further studies are crucial to validate their effectiveness across different environments, disease levels, and cultivars.