<Emphasis Type="Italic">Longidorus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">kheirii</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Iran

Longidorus kheirii n. sp., a parthenogenetic species, was found in soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of Rosa sp. growing in a natural mountainous region close to Maragheh city, northwestern Iran. It is characterised by having a long body (6.7-9 mm), a 19.5-23 mum wide head continuous with the body contour, a truncate and slightly concave lip region with convex sides between the anterior end and the guide-ring, an odontostyle 113-130 mum long, an odontophore 69-97.5 mum long, a body width of 90.5-117.5 mum at the mid-body, a long, wide oesophageal bulb (149.5-193.5 x 39.5-48 mum), a tail length of 47-72 mum, a male with 11 ventromedian supplements and spicules of 85 mum in length, and four juvenile stages. The ribosomal 18S rDNA gene of L. kheirii n. sp., L. leptocephalus Hooper, 1961, L. profundorum Hooper, 1966 L. euonymus Mali & Hooper, 1973 and two unidentified species listed as Longidorus sp. 1 and Longidorus sp. 2, all recovered from northwestern Iran in the same survey, and the ITS1 of L. kheirii n. sp. and Longidorus sp. 1 were sequenced in order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships with other previously sequenced Longidorus species.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Associated with <i>Olea europaea</i> L. Growing in Yunnan Province,Southwestern China

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruit trees, with high economic, ecological, cultural and scientific value. China began introducing and cultivating olive in the 1960s, and Yunnan Province is one of the main growing areas. Improving the cultivation and productivity of this tree crop species is an important challenge. Olive is a typical mycotrophic species and the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for this plant is well recognized; nevertheless, studies of olive AMF in China are still very limited. Roots and rhizosphere soils of olive were sampled from five representative growing sites in the Yunnan Province of China to investigate the AMF colonization status in the root systems, the AMF community in the olive orchards and the edaphic factors influencing the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) parameters. Root samples of olive trees from different growing sites generally showed AMF colonization, suggesting that autochthonous AMF manifest a high efficiency in colonizing the roots of olive plants. The spore density on the five sites ranged from 81.6 to 350 spores per 20 g soil. Twenty-three AMF species from 9 genera were identified in total, and Glomeraceae was the dominant family. The findings of our study suggested a high AMF diversity harbored by olive growing in different areas of the Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Furthermore, the hyphal colonization in roots positively correlated with soil pH and EC. The arbuscule colonization in olive roots negatively correlated with soil pH, EC, OM, TN, TP and AN. The spore density positively correlated with OM, TN, AN, AP and sand content. Finally, the Shannon index of AMF in the rhizosphere soil positively correlated with the clay content, but negatively correlated with soil pH, TN and silt content. The high diversity of autochthonous AMF in Yunnan is promising for screening AMF isolates for utilization in the efficient cultivation of this crop.     

Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitizing Olive Tree (Olea europaea L.)

A root-knot nematode from Portugal, Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from olive trees (Olea europaea L.). Females of the new species have a characteristic perineal pattern with medium to high trapezoidal dorsal arch with distinct punctuations in the tail terminus area. The excretory pore is located posterior to the stylet, about 1.5-2.5 stylet lengths from the anterior end. The stylet is 17.1 μm long with pear-shaped knobs. Males have a rounded, posteriorly sloping head cap and head region not annulated. The robust stylet, 24.5 μ long, has large, elongate knobs. Mean length of the second-stage juveniles is 449.5 μm, stylet length 14.2 μm, and tail length 44.1 μm. Scanning electron microscope observations provide further details of perineal patterns and head and stylet morphology of females, males, and second-stage juveniles. Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. did not reproduce on any of the differential hosts used to separate the four most common Meloidogyne species. The common name "olive root-knot nematode" is proposed for M. lusitanica n. sp.     

葡萄连作对土壤细菌和真菌种群的影响

分别采集种植葡萄30年的连作园和3年的新植园根围土、非根围土及葡萄园周边的空地土壤,采用PCR DGGE技术,研究葡萄连作对土壤细菌和真菌种群结构及多样性的影响,并对分离出的优势种扩增条带进行测序.结果表明：葡萄连作后土壤细菌和真菌的多样性增加,且根围土壤的微生物多样性高于非根围土壤.聚类分析显示：葡萄长期连作后根围与非根围土壤细菌和真菌的种群结构趋于一致,两者不同于空地土壤;而短期种植葡萄的根围土壤细菌和真菌的种群结构不同于非根围土壤和空地土壤.与新植园相比,连作园根围土壤中微生物种群结构发生较大变化,细菌中Flavobacterium sp.（DQ339585）和Bacillus sp.（AY039821）种群数量减少,Pedobacter sp.（AJ871084）种群数量增多;真菌中Omphalina farinolens（EF413029）出现,Pestalotiopsis sp.(DQ657877,DQ657875,DQ657871）、Phacidium lacerum（DQ470976）和Lecythophora decumbens（AF353597）种群数量减少,Pilidium acerinum voucher（AY48709）种群数量增多.其中Bacillus sp.、Flavobacterium sp.和Pestalotiopsis sp.对病原菌具有颉颃作用,连作园根围土中上述微生物种群数量的减少,不利于葡萄对病原菌的颉颃;Pilidium acerinum voucher数量的增加可能与葡萄连作后病害加重有关.     

Anhydrobiosis in Pratylenchus penetrans and Tylenchorhynchus n. sp. in Cultivated Soils Cropped to Winter Rye

Anhydrobiotes of Pratylenchus penetrans were found in two cultivated soils sown to rye in southern Ontario during the growing season. Anhydrobiotes at the 0-2.5-cm depth were recovered from 9 and 6 of 11 samplings, respectively, of a Vineland silt loam and a Fox loamy sand during the dry summer of 1983. At the 2.5-15.0-cm depth, anhydrobiotes were recovered less frequently. In the summer of 1984, anhydrobiotes of P. penetrans were recovered once and anhydrobiotes of Tylenchorhynchus n. sp. twice in 11 samplings. The percentages of P. penetrans populations that were anhydrobiotes in 1983 and 1984 were closely related to soil moisture content and corresponding moisture tensions. Populations of P. penetrans were greatest in October in the lower soil depth, 2.5-15.0 cm; those of Tylenchorhynchus n. sp. were greater in the surface layer of soil, 0-2.5 cm, and peaked in August.     

Macroposthonia sicula n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae), a Parasite of Olive Trees in Sicily

Macroposthonia sicula n.sp. collected from rhizosphere and roots of olive (Olea europaea L.) at Kamarina, Sicily, Italy, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the related species (M. sphaerocephala and M. maskaka) by the longer styler and the characteristic narrowing postvulval portion of the body.     

Longidorus carniolensis sp. n. (Nematoda, Longidoridae) from vineyard soil in Slovenia

A new needle nematode, Longidorus carniolensissp. n., recovered from the soil around the roots of grapevine Vitis vinifera L. from Slovenia, is described and illustrated. Longidorus carniolensisis an amphimictic species, characterised by females with a moderately long (L=5.6-8.2 mm) and plump (a=51-72.4, ave. 66.3) body, assuming a spiral to C-shape when heat relaxed. Head region continuous, anteriorly almost flat, lip region 23-25 μm wide; guiding ring situated posteriorly (42-47 μm, 43-50 μm in males), odontostyle long (ave. 146.6 (136-157) μm); pharyngeal glands with normal location, their nuclei of approximately equal size; tail bluntly conoidal to almost hemispherical. Males abundant, spicules slender and long (122-145 μm), ventromedian supplements 13-17, irregularly spaced, preceded by an adanal pair. Four juvenile stages present, the first stage juvenile with bluntly conoidal tail. Codes for identifying the new species when using the key by Chen et al. (1997) are: A 56, B 4, C 4, D 1, E 4, F 35, G 1, H 1, I 2. The new species is morphologically the most similar to Longidorus poessneckensis Altherr, 1974, Longidorus macrosoma Hooper, 1961, Longidorus caespiticola Hooper, 1961, Longidorus helveticus Lamberti et al., 2001, Longidorus macroteromucronatus Altherr, 1974, Longidorus pius Barsi & Lamberti, 2001, Longidorus raskii Lamberti & Agostinelli, 1993, Longidorus kheirii Pedram et al. 2008, Longidorus silvae Roca, 1993, Longidorus iuglandis Roca et al., 1985, Longidorus vinearum Bravo & Roca, 1995 and Longidorus major Roca & d'Erico, 1987, but differs from these species either by the body and odontostyle length, position of guide ring, head region and tail shape or the shape of the first stage juvenile tail. Sequence data from the D2-D3 region of the 28S rDNA distinguishes this new species from other speciesof the genus Longidorus with known sequences. Relationships of Longidorus carniolensissp. n. with other Longidorus species based on analysis of this DNA fragment and morphology are discussed.     

Spinitectus mexicanus n. sp. (Nematoda : Cystidicolidae) from the intestine of the freshwater fish Heterandria bimaculata in Mexico

A new nematode, Spinitectus mexicanus n. sp., is described on the basis of the specimens recovered from the intestine of Heterandria bimaculata (Heckel) (Poeciliidae, Cyprinodontiformes) from 3 rivers of the Papaloapan River basin (type locality La Basura River), Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz State, Mexico. It differs from its congeners mainly in having the spination of the cuticle separated into 4 longitudinal sectors, each with posteriorly diminishing numbers of larger spines at the anterior part of body. It is the first species of Spinitectus described from a poeciliid fish and the second reported from freshwater fishes in Mexico.     

Qualitative aspects of myrmecocenosis (Hym., Formicidae) in olive orchards with different agricultural management in Spain

A study has been made of the presence of ants in 60 olive trees in each of three orchards under different agricultural management in the province of Granada (southern Spain), during the months of May, July and September 1997, using both observational methods as well as the collection of specimens from the soil and trunk and the tree canopy. A total of 18 species of ants were identified, 16 of which were present in the orchard of Arenales, four in Colomera 1, and nine in Colomera 2. The number of species varies over the survey, being greatest before the flowering of the trees, this period coinciding with the lowest temperatures. The species Tapinoma nigerrimum (Nylander) was the only species present in all the samplings of the olive orchards, and the other common species in the three zones proved to be: Messor barbarus (L. 1767), Tetramorium semilaeve André and Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latr.). Most of the species found made their nests in the soil under the tree canopy, and only four species nested exclusively in open areas. Ten species foraged in the tree and seven foraged in groups. The three olive orchards were similar in phenology, temperature and humidity, and therefore the differences in the myrmecofauna at the different sites were attributed to agricultural practices at each site.     

Despite Long-Term Compost Amendment Seasonal Changes are Main Drivers of Soil Fungal and Bacterial Population Dynamics in a Tuscan Vineyard

The effect of long-term (8 years) compost treatments (compost or compost plus mineral fertilizer) on genetic structure of bacterial and fungal populations in both bulk soil and rhizosphere of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) was analyzed in respect to a control constituted by the soil treated with mineral fertilization. Soils were sampled in early summer (July), mid-summer (August), and before harvest (October). Bacterial and fungal populations were characterized by genetic fingerprints generated by the application of 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA Multiplex Terminal Fragment Length Polymorphism (M-TRFLP) technique. Compost induced no significant differences at any time on microbial communities from bulk soil samples, whereas seasonal variations significantly affected both bacterial and fungal populations as indicated by the Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) ordination method of the M-TRFLPs results. MDS analysis of grapevine rhizosphere M-TRFLPs showed that temporal separation was significant for the bacterial population only. Results suggested that soil microbial populations in vineyard productive ecosystems may be sensitive to environmental changes induced by seasonal variations and show a certain degree of resilience to different agricultural practices.     

Impact of common European tree species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere

Trees play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem fertility, notably through rhizosphere processes. The aim of this study was to compare soil physicochemical properties between bulk soil and rhizosphere of several tree species, and to compare rhizosphere properties between fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. The soil sampling was performed in Breuil-Chenue forest (North-East of France) in seven stands: native forest (old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus sessiliflora Smith) coppice with standards; CwS), beech, oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.), Douglas-fir and fertilised Douglas-fir, Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and fertilised Norway spruce. Systematic soil sampling was performed at 0–3, 3–10, and 10–23 cm in 20 calibrated pits. The rhizosphere of the different species was generally enriched in C, N, Ca, Mg, and K. Interestingly, the same positive effect was observed in the fertilised plots. The rhizosphere effect varied between tree species for C, “base” cations, pH_water and cation exchange capacity. This study reveals that interactions between roots, microorganisms and soil can enrich the pool of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared to bulk soil whatever the soil fertility conditions, and that the magnitude of the rhizosphere effect depends on tree species.     

Steinernema aciari sp. n. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Guangdong, China

A new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema aciari sp. n. was described. It was recovered from a soil sample collected from Haimen town, Shantou district in the eastern coast of Guangdong province, the People's Republic of China during a survey for entomopathogenic nematodes. S. aciari sp. n. belongs to the Steinernema glaseri group. It can be separated from all described Steinernema species by the combined morphological and morphometrical characters of various stages of the nematodes. For male, the new species can be recognized by spicule length (86+/-6.3 microm); spicule tip blunt with a hook-like structure; gubernaculum with a short and Y-shaped cuneus and corpus well-separated posteriorly. For infective juvenile, the combination of the following characters: body length (1113+/-68 microm), distance from anterior end to excretory pore (95+/-3.7 microm), tail length (78+/-5.2 microm), and E % (123+/-7) can be used to differentiate the new species from other nematodes. For female, the tail (conoid with a long mamillate terminus and a distinct postanal swelling) and vulva (slightly protruding from body surface with conspicuous double flapped epiptygma) shapes can be used as diagnostic characters for the new species. The new species can also be distinguished from other Steinernema species by DNA sequences of either a partial 28S rDNA or the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA, and from the close related species S. glaseri, Steinernema longicaudum CWL05, and Steinernema guangdongense by cross-breeding test.     

Bulk and rhizosphere soil bacterial communities studied by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis: plant-dependent enrichment and seasonal shifts revealed

The bacterial rhizosphere communities of three host plants of the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae, field-grown strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), were analyzed. We aimed to determine the degree to which the rhizosphere effect is plant dependent and whether this effect would be increased by growing the same crops in two consecutive years. Rhizosphere or soil samples were taken five times over the vegetation periods. To allow a cultivation-independent analysis, total community DNA was extracted from the microbial pellet recovered from root or soil samples. 16S rDNA fragments amplified by PCR from soil or rhizosphere bacterium DNA were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE fingerprints showed plant-dependent shifts in the relative abundance of bacterial populations in the rhizosphere which became more pronounced in the second year. DGGE patterns of oilseed rape and potato rhizosphere communities were more similar to each other than to the strawberry patterns. In both years seasonal shifts in the abundance and composition of the bacterial rhizosphere populations were observed. Independent of the plant species, the patterns of the first sampling times for both years were characterized by the absence of some of the bands which became dominant at the following sampling times. Bacillus megaterium and Arthrobacter sp. were found as predominant populations in bulk soils. Sequencing of dominant bands excised from the rhizosphere patterns revealed that 6 out of 10 bands resembled gram-positive bacteria. Nocardia populations were identified as strawberry-specific bands.     

Longidorus biformis n. sp. and L. glycines n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae): Two Amphimictic Species from Arkansas

Two new amphimictic species of Longidorus were found in Arkansas. Longidorus biformis n. sp., found in the rhizosphere of hardwood trees along streams in sandy soil in 14 Arkansas locations, is characterized by its long body (5.42-9.50 mm), wide expanded flattened head end, head width 20.0 to 26.0 µm, odontostyle 96 to 125 µm, guide ring 29 to 38 µm posterior to the anterior end, elongate conoid tail, and c'' = 0.9-2.1. Females with 2 to 11 vetromedian supplement-like structures were found in 2 of 14 populations of this new species. Longidorus biformis n. sp. is closest to L. seinhorsti Peneva, Loof &Brown, 1998 and L. closelongatus Stoyanov, 1964. Among North American species it is closest to L. glycines n. sp. A distinguishing feature of L. biformis n. sp. is the presence of supplement-like organs in some females. Longidorus glycines n. sp., found in soybean microplots at the Main Research Station, Fayetteville, Arkansas, is characterized by its long body (6.14-8.31 mm), wide offset flattened head end, head width 20.3 to 23.3 µm, odontostyle 87.3 to 99.5 µm, guide ring 22.3 to 26.4 µm posterior to the anterior end, short conoid tail with rounded terminus, and c'' = 0.9-1.4. Longidorus glycines n. sp. is closest to L. lusitanicus Macara, 1985. Among North American species it is close to L. biformis n. sp., L. breviannulatus Norton and Hoffman, 1975, and L. crassus Thorne, 1964. Both new species are believed to have four juvenile stages; the first stage was not found for L. biformis n. sp.     

Meloidogyne petuniae n. sp. (Nemata: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitic on Petunia in Brazil

Meloidogyne petuniae n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens parasitic on petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) in Brasilia, Brazil. The perineal pattern of the female is elongate to ovoid with a high, squarish arch and widely spaced, coarse striae. The stylet of the female is 12.9-16.5 µm long and has three small, rounded knobs that are distinctly set off from the shaft. Each knob is marked by a deep longitudinal indentation posteriorly and anteriorly. In SEM the base of the shaft appears to be divided into six distinct ridges. The excretory pore opens about 15.4-53.6 µm from the head end. Males are approximately 0.8-2.2 mm long. Most specimens have a high and narrow head cap, but in some the head cap is narrow and low. The stylet of the male is 21.1-26.0 µm long and has small, rounded knobs, set off from the shaft, but not indented as in the female. Second-stage juveniles are 353-464 µm long; the labial disc is fused with the medial lips to form a dumbbell-shaped head cap; the medial lips are indented posteriorly; and the head region is marked with one to two irregular annulations. The stylet is 9.2-10.8 µm long and has rounded, posteriorly sloping knobs. The tail is slender, approximately 46.4-57.2 µm long, and has a short hyaline terminus, 10.3-13.5 µm long. The somatic chromosome number is 2n = 41 and the esterase phenotype is VS1-S1, with S1 being a weak band. The malate dehydrogenase phenotype is N1, which is unique for this species. Petunia, tomato, tobacco, pea, and bean are good hosts; pepper, watermelon, and sweet corn are poor hosts; and peanut, cotton, and soybean are non-hosts. Galls produced by this species are smaller on petunia than on tomato.     

氮沉降对杉木和枫香土壤氮磷转化及碳矿化的影响

氮沉降是全球变化的重大环境问题,根际是地下生态过程研究的前沿,但目前氮沉降对亚热带地区不同树种土壤氮、磷供应和碳矿化根际过程的影响及其机制尚不清楚。选取典型红壤区15a针叶树杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)和阔叶树枫香(Liquidamba formosana)为对象,野外原位开展10 g N m~(-2)a~(-1)氮沉降试验3a,于2014年8月收集杉木和枫香根际土壤和非根际土壤,测定其p H值、有效氮、速效磷、水溶性有机碳及其34 d有机碳矿化动态,并计算根际效应。结果表明:氮沉降显著降低两个树种土壤p H值和杉木根际土壤速效磷(P0.05);提高枫香非根际土壤NO~-_3-N和杉木非根际土壤水溶性有机碳含量。同时,氮沉降显著提高杉木土壤有机碳矿化速率,根际和非根际的增幅分别为71.2%和41.2%,降低枫香土壤有机碳矿化速率,根际和非根际的降幅分别为10.6%和44.1%。此外,氮沉降显著降低枫香土壤NO~-_3-N和有机碳前期矿化速率的根际效应,增强后期矿化速率的根际效应,而杉木对氮沉降响应不显著。可见,氮沉降可显著改变树木土壤养分供应和有机碳稳定性,且丘陵红壤区针叶树和阔叶树根际过程对氮沉降的响应模式有别。率先报道了亚热带不同树种根际碳、氮、磷耦合过程对氮沉降的响应格局,并较好地揭示了针叶树和阔叶树对氮沉降响应的分异机制。     

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. (Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode from Puerto Rico

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from galled roots of eggplant, Solanum melongena L., from Puerto Rico. The perineal pattern of females is round to ovoid with fine, widely spaced striae. It has occasional breaks of striation laterally and a circular tail tip area lacking striae. The stylet, 15.8 μm long, has reniform knobs that merge gradually with the stylet shaft. Males have a high, rectangular, smooth head region, not set off from the body contour. The labial disc is continuous with the medial lips which do not slope posteriorly. The styler, 22.9 μm long, has large rounded backward sloping knobs; the shaft is of uneven diameter. Mean body length of second-stage juveniles is 453.6 μm. The truncate head region is not annulated, and the rounded, slightly raised labial disc and the crescentic medial lips form dumbbell-shaped lip structures. The stylet, 11.6 μm long, has rounded, posteriorly sloping knobs. The slender tail, 54.4 μm long, gradually tapers to a bluntly pointed tip. Tomato, tobacco, pepper, and watermelon are good hosts; cotton and peanut are not hosts. M. mayaguensis n. sp. reproduces by mitotic parthenogenesis and has a somatic chromosome number of 2n = 44-45. The enzyme patterns are unique among Meloidogyne species.     

Effects of Mulch on Seedlings and Soil on a Closed Landfill

Landfills are ideal locations for short‐rotation forestry, tree‐based bioremediation, and wildlife habitat reconstruction. However, tree survival is reduced by harsh growing conditions and poor soil quality. This study was designed to determine survival of tree seedlings and test effects of different mulch types and depths on edaphic properties and herb emergence on a closed Ohio landfill. In spring 2002, five species of hardwood tree seedlings (Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Prunus serotina, Quercus macrocarpa, and Populus sp.) were planted in a clustered fashion on 35 plots. Each plot received a mulch treatment consisting of one type of mulch (hardwood, leaf, or mixed) at a specific depth (5 or 15 cm) or was designated as a nonmulched control. The status of each seedling and edaphic qualities (soil moisture, temperature, and nutrients) were recorded for two growing seasons. Aboveground herbaceous biomass was sampled at the end of each growing season. We found that survival and growth were species dependent. At the conclusion of the experiment, Fraxinus had the highest survival rate (70%) and Prunus the lowest (7%). The use of leaf mulch (15 cm deep) increased organic matter and various edaphic properties (cation exchange capacity, P, Mg) after the second growing season. Mulch treatments did not significantly affect aboveground herbaceous biomass when compared to nonmulched controls. These results suggest Fraxinus as a good candidate for landfill plantings. Additionally, leaves and yard waste are plentiful and could quickly enrich poor soils on a landfill if left to decompose aboveground.     

Soil-plant compartments affect fungal microbiome diversity and composition in grapevine

Plant compartments provide unique niches that lead to specific microbial associations. The microbiota colonizing the endophytic compartment (endorhizosphere) and the rhizosphere contribute to productivity, plant growth, phytoremediation and carbon sequestration. The main objective of this study was to investigate how fungal communities are enriched in different habitats outside and inside of grapevine roots. For this purpose, the spatial dynamics of the fungal communities associated with three soil-plant compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere and endorhizosphere) were characterized by ITS high-throughput amplicon sequencing (HTAS). Fungal communities were largely affected in their diversity and composition by soil-plant compartments, whereas the spatial variation (i.e. across five vineyards) was low. The endorhizosphere compartment differed most from the other two, suggesting that the root tissues entail a barrier for fungal colonization. The results of functional prediction via FUNGuild suggested an increase in the relative abundances of potential plant pathogens, endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhiza, and a decrease in wood, dung and undefined saprotrophs from bulk soil towards the endorhizosphere. Roots of asymptomatic vines were a microbial niche that is inhabited by soilborne fungi associated with grapevine trunk diseases, which opens up new perspectives in the study of the endophytic role of these pathogens on grapevines. Results obtained in this study provide helpful information to better know how the host shapes its microbiome and the implications for vineyard productivity and management.     

Vitex agnus‐castus cannot be used as trap plant for the vector Hyalesthes obsoletus to prevent infections by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ in northern Italian vineyards: Experimental evidence

Bois noir (BN), the most prevalent disease of the grapevine yellows complex, causes considerable yield loss in vineyards. BN is associated with phytoplasma strains of the species ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (taxonomic subgroup 16SrXII‐A). In Europe, the BN phytoplasma is transmitted to grapevine mainly by Hyalesthes obsoletus, a polyphagous cixiid completing its life cycle on stinging nettle and field bindweed. As a result of the complexity of BN epidemiology, no effective control strategies have been developed. In previous studies conducted in the eastern Mediterranean coast of Israel, chaste tree (Vitex agnus‐castus) was found to be the preferred host plant of H. obsoletus but did not harbour BN phytoplasma. Thus, a ‘push and pull’ strategy was suggested based on the fact that chaste tree plants located at vineyard borders was an effective trap plant for H. obsoletus adults. However, in other studies carried out in the eastern Adriatic coast of Montenegro, chaste tree was found to be a key source plant for BN phytoplasma transmission to grapevine. This study aimed to investigate (i) the interaction between chaste tree and H. obsoletus through survival, attractiveness and oviposition experiments conducted comparing the behaviour of H. obsoletus in chaste tree versus stinging nettle and grapevine and (ii) the capability of chaste tree to harbor ‘Ca. P. solani’ in northern Italy through transmission trials. H. obsoletus adults were found to survive on chaste tree and grapevine over a 1 week period and prefer chaste tree to grapevine. Moreover, H. obsoletus produced eggs and overwintered as nymphs on chaste tree, even if at a lesser extent than on stinging nettle. H. obsoletus originating from nettle was found able to transmit ‘Ca. P. solani’ to chaste tree (2 plants of 16 were found infected by the BN phytoplasma strain St5 identified in H. obsoletus specimens). These results increased our knowledge about the role of Vitex agnus‐castus as host plant of H. obsoletus and BN phytoplasma in northern Italy and do not recommend considering chaste tree as trap plant at vineyard borders.