Management of Popillia japonica in container-grown nursery stock in Italy

The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica is an invasive alien species recently introduced and established in Northern Italy. Adult beetles are very polyphagous and feed on vines, fruit trees, forest trees, crops, vegetables, ornamental and wild plant species. Eggs are usually laid by females in moist grassland in the summer, singly or in small clusters. Larvae feed on roots and may be transported in soil of plants for planting grown in containers. Restrictions on movement of plants grown in containers from infested to non-infested areas imposed by phytosanitary regulations have a significant economic impact on the nursery industry. An innovative approach was used to exclude beetle oviposition by weed mulching available for container-grown nursery stocks, and by testing larval survival to the application of chemical (cypermethrin) and organic (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Metarhizium brunneum) commercial pesticides registered for European nurseries. The high effectiveness of the method makes it a suitable component of a systems approach strategy for pest risk management, in order to achieve a safe production and trade of nursery plant material in areas infested by the Japanese beetle.

Ecofriendly Marigold Dye as Natural Colourant for Fabric

This chapter highlights on the applications of marigold plant extracts as an antibacterial and antimicrobial best dyer for textiles. Tagetes erecta usually known as Marigold is a vital wellspring of carotenoids and lutein, developed as a nursery plant. Marigold blossoms are yellow to orange red in colour. Now a days, lutein is transforming into an unquestionably common powerful fixing, used as a part of the medicines, food industry and textile coatings. This has increased more noticeable vitality of marigold and its exceptional concealing properties. Regardless of the way that marigold blooms; its extract has been used as a measure of veterinary supports. The examination was directed to contemplate the usage of a concentrate of marigold as a trademark shading, which is antibacterial and antimicrobial. The marigold extract ability was focused on colouring of the cotton fabrics. Investigations of the dye ability, wash fastness, light fastness, antibacterial tests and antimicrobial tests can be endeavoured. Studies have exhibited that surface concealing was not impacted by washing and drying in the shadow/sunlight. These surprises reveal that the concentrate of marigold extract can be used for cotton fabrics.

Multivariate Classification of Prunus Dulcis Varieties using Leaves of Nursery Plants and Near Infrared Spectroscopy

The emergence of new almond tree (Prunus dulcis) varieties with agricultural interest is forcing the nursery plant industry to establish quality systems to keep varietal purity in the production stage. The aim of this study is to assess the capability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to classify different Prunus dulcis varieties as an alternative to more expensive methods. Fresh and dried-powdered leaves of six different varieties of almond trees of commercial interest (Avijor, Guara, Isabelona, Marta, Pentacebas and Soleta) were used. The most important variables to discriminate between these varieties were studied through of three scientifically accepted indicators (Variable importance in projection¸ selectivity ratio and vector of the regression coefficients). The results showed that the 7000 to 4000 cm−1 range contains the most useful variables, which allowed to decrease the complexity of the data set. Concerning to the classification models, a high percentage of correct classifications (90–100%) was obtained, where dried-powdered leaves showed better results than fresh leaves. However, the classification rate of both kinds of leaves evidences the capacity of the near-infrared spectroscopy to discriminate Prunus dulcis varieties. We demonstrate with these results the capability of the NIRS technology as a quality control tool in nursery plant industry.