Community Analysis of Culturable Sapwood Endophytes from Apulian Olive Varieties with Different Susceptibility to Xylella fastidiosa

Endophytes are symptomless fungal and/or bacterial microorganisms found in almost all living plant species. The symbiotic association with their host plants by colonizing the internal tissues has endowed them as a valuable tool to suppress diseases, stimulate growth, and promote stress resistance. In this context, the study of culturable endophytes residing the sapwood of Apulian olives might be a promising control strategy for xylem colonizing pathogens as Xylella fastidiosa. To date, olive sapwood cultivable endophytes are still under exploration; therefore, this work pursues a study of cultivable endophytes occurrence variation in the sapwood of different olive varieties under the effect of seasonality, geographical coordinates, and X. fastidiosa infection status. Our study confirms the stability of sapwood endophytic culturable communities in the resistant olive variety and presents the seasonal and geographical fluctuation of olive trees’ sapwood endophytes. It also describes the diversity and occurrence frequency of fungal and bacterial genera, and finally retrieves some of the sapwood-inhabiting fungal and bacterial isolates, known as biocontrol agents of plant pathogens. Thus, the potential role of these bacterial and fungal isolates in conferring olive tree protection against X. fastidiosa should be further investigated.

Individual Protective Covers (IPCs) for Young Tree Protection from the HLB Vector, the Asian Citrus Psyllid

Psyllid exclusion is the most effective strategy to keep citrus trees free from HLB. Individual protective covers (IPCs) are a novel strategy based on psyllid exclusion of individual trees using a protective mesh bag. This new 3-page publication summarizes the knowledge we have accrued from our 3-year-long field studies using the IPC system and provides recommendations that can help with effective use of this technology. By F. Alferez, U. Albrecht, S. Gaire, O. Batuman, J. Qureshi, and M. Zekri.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1425

Logic and Effectiveness of Urban Tree Preservation: A Comparative Case Study of Charlotte and San Antonio

While most U.S. cities have a tree protection policy, the subsequent impact on the reduction of canopy loss is unclear. To rectify this, I utilize a theoretically grounded framework of influence comprised of clear identification of the problem/public support, adequate resources, and sound policy logic. This is then tested in a comparative case study of Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas. While Charlotte benefits from public recognition of the problem and adequate resources, its regulations are weak, lacking a logical connection to aspirational outcomes. San Antonio's regulations are stronger, but combined with weaker problem identification and resources. Through quantitative and qualitative assessments, I find that San Antonio's strict regulations may have stabilized loss rates, while Charlotte's weaker rules have not. Results highlight the importance of policy logic over other commonly suggested determinants of natural resource protection.

Pinyon Engraver Beetle Acoustics: Stridulation Apparatus, Sound Production and Behavioral Response to Vibroacoustic Treatments in Logs

Bark beetles are among the most influential biotic agents in conifer forests, and forest management often focuses on bark beetle chemical communication for tree protection. Although acoustic communication occurs in many bark beetle species, we have yet to utilize acoustic communication for bark beetle control. Here, we describe the stridulatory organs and ‘stress’ chirps of the pinyon engraver, Ips confusus, a significant pest and mortality agent of pinyon pine in western North America. Only females possessed stridulatory organs and their stress chirps varied significantly in duration, pulses per chirp, and dominant frequency. We tested an array of acoustic-vibrational treatments into logs but were unable to disrupt male entry into logs or alter female–male interactions, female tunneling, and female oviposition. We found acoustic–vibrational treatments had little effect on I. confusus behavior and suggest further studies if acoustic methods are to be utilized for bark beetle control.

Canopy analysis and thermographic abnormalities determination possibilities of olive trees by using data mining algorithms

In order to take the appropriate tree protection measures, it is crucial to determine and track abnormalities that may occur in olive trees in time to time for many reasons. Abnormalities start in different sections of the trees, depending on the environmental effects of the olive tree, with a specific impact like fungal diseases, drought, etc. after a certain age especially in non-resistant species. Protection steps may be taken when abnormalities are apparent or predictable in certain olive trees, using some external indicators. However, when abnormalities formed within trees cannot be identified externally, there is a sudden breakdown and overthrow of valuable properties, such as monument trees. In the literature, various devices and methods are explained to classify these defects in different trees. By the way, in this research, a non-destructive inspection method (thermography) was clarified and used to assess anomalies in old olive trees without damage in the interior. According to the results of average thermal data, 60, 400, 600 year-old olive trees, 60-40, 70-30 and 80-20 learning-prediction data rates decision tree and random forest results according to normal and abnormal thermal difference, the thermal range was found as 35.95 ℃ at 60 year-old tree, also it was found as 36.25 ℃ at 400 year-old tree and it was found as 38.25 ℃ at 600 year-old tree.

Characterization and variation of bacterial and fungal communities from the sapwood of Apulian olive varieties with different susceptibility to Xylella fastidiosa

Endophytes are symptomless fungal and/or bacterial microorganisms found in almost all living plant species. The symbiotic association with their host plants by colonizing the internal tissues has endowed them as a valuable tool to suppress diseases, to stimulate growth, and to promote stress resistance. In this context, the identification of cultivable endophytes residing the sapwood of Apulian olives might be a promising control strategy for xylem colonizing pathogens as Xylella fatidiosa. To date, olive’s sapwood cultivable endophytes are still under exploration; therefore, this work pursues a study of diversity and occurrence variation of cultivable endophytes in the sapwood of different olive varieties under the effect seasonality, geographical coordinates, and X. fastidiosa infection status. Briefly, our study confirms the stability of sapwood cultivable endophytic communities in the resistant olive variety, presents the seasonal and geographical fluctuation of olive’s sapwood endophytes, describes the diversity and occurrence frequency of fungal and bacterial genera, and finally retrieves some of sapwood-inhabiting fungal and bacterial isolates are known as biocontrol agents of plant pathogens. Thus, the potential role of these bacterial and fungal isolates in conferring olive tree protection against X. fastidiosa should be further investigated.

Regularities of transformation of dimethoate in apple agrocenoses

The aim of the research was to identify the regularities of dimethoate transformation in apple agrocenoses under the influence of protection technologies.Methods. The work was done in Toxicological laboratory of the North Caucasus Federal scientific center of horticulture, viticulture, winemaking. The research was conducted in field and laboratory conditions with using of methodological approaches based on modern methods and techniques. The pilot territory was laid in close corporation PPF Central. The extraction of analyzed compounds by plant and soil material is carried out according to the "Guidelines for the determination of micro-quantities of pesticides in plants, processed products, soil and water".Results. The background determination of organophosphate pesticides in soil before the planned treatments during this year revealed: the substance of dimethoate is higher the hygienic regulations in 1.3-1.4 times in 53% of the examined samples. During the harvest period, the content of dimethoate in all soil samples exceeded the permissible concentration, in the control version includes 0.3-0.5 PC of dimethoate. The accumulation of dimethoate is associated with its ability to react with complexing metal ions, which count in our soils is sufficient.Conclusion. Compiling the apple protection system is recommended to take into account that the annual using of dimethoates implying a violation of hygienic standards in soil and apple fruits. If there is a single application, residual amounts of dimethoate are in apple fruits, and their concentrations are exceeding or staying in the maximum permissible level. The samples were taken after 40 days of treatment. We recommend to exclude these insecticides (including D. V. dimetoate) from the apple tree protection system or use single application every 2 years in the first half of growing season.