Phyllosphere grapevine yeast Aureobasidium pullulans reduces Aspergillus carbonarius (sour rot) incidence in wine-producing vineyards in Greece

Phyllosphere yeasts were isolated from leaves of vine (Vitis vinifera L.) canes and evaluated in a detached berry assay for their ability to suppress Aspergillus carbonarius (Order: Eurotiales, Family: Trichocomaceae) growth. Seventeen of the 21 yeast isolates significantly reduced A. carbonarius growth, i.e. sour rot infection compared to untreated controls in laboratory tests. The most effective yeast isolate Aureobasidium pullulans (Order: Dothideales, Family: Dothioraceae), isolate Y-1, was field tested on two varieties of red grape, Grenache Rouge and Agiorgitiko located on the Island of Rhodes and in Corinthos County, Greece. It was demonstrated that A. pullulans Y-1 was as effective as the commercial fungicide fludioxonil + cyprodinil, in reducing sour rot infection, A. carbonarius presence on berries at harvest and ochratoxin A contamination in must.     

The 2008 EORTC/MSG consensus definitions: What’s new? What’s next?

The definitions of invasive fungal diseases are intended to guide the appropriate use of clinical, radiologic, and various laboratory findings to increase diagnostic certainty in clinical research. The need for standardized definitions was the result of highly variable criteria used to diagnose invasive fungal diseases in epidemiologic and therapeutic studies. We review the original definitions published in 2002, and the need for revision. We also summarize the key changes in the revised 2008 definitions, discuss limitations and pitfalls, and comment on the potential impact of these changes.     

Nutrients of the Saronikos Gulf in relation to environmental characteristics (1973–1976)

The nutrient distribution in relation to environmental characteristics of the Saronikos Gulf was studied at two stations for the period 1973–1976. The distribution of measured values and their spatiotemporal variations were compared with previous data for the same area. Winter convection resulted in a very weak gradient of temperature, salinity, oxygen and nutrients. Stratification started to develop in May and persisted. for about six months. Little seasonal variation of nutrients appeared to occur, with higher values generally in winter. It was found that the station in the vicinity of the outfall contained more phosphate and ammonia than the station in the source water. Their levels of nutrients were similar in both years, except in the case of phosphate and nitrite, which were double at the station near the outfall in 1975. Of the nutrients controlling productivity in the photic layer of the examined stations in the Saronikos Gulf, phosphate had a stronger limiting effect on plant growth than inorganic nitrogen.     

Woodland history of northern Greece from the mid Holocene to recent time based on evidence from peat pollen profiles

The woodland history of the northern mountainous parts of Greece is considered in the context of pollen profiles from bogs in Rhodopes, Lailias-Vrontou, Paiko, Voras and Pieria. In the time period covered by these diagrams (only those from Voras and Lailias extend back to the 7th millennium B.P.) the overall trends in the woodland history at the particular sites are comparable but there are also substantial differences that are attributed to the effects of human influence which varied in time, intensify and extent. The earlier phase, which corresponds to the Atlantic period of Firbas, is characterized by mixed deciduous woodlands with Quercus or Tilia the main components. This is followed by the phase (Subboreal) in which coniferous woodlands, which consisted of Abies and Pinus, dominated. In this time, Fagus gradually expanded. In the final phase (Subatlantic), Abies becomes more or less extinct and Fagus has a dominant role. These developments broadly correspond with those recorded in pollen profiles from Central Europe.     

A comparative study of Antithamnion tenuissimum and three varieties of A. cruciatum, including var. scandinavicum var. nov. (Rhodophyceae)

Antithamnion cruciatum (C. Agardh) Nägeli var. scandinavicum var. nov. is described from material collected on the Danish and Swedish coasts. The variety was found growing on small stones, shells and on Zostera at depths between 0.5 to ca. 10m. A comparative study was made with var. cruciatum , var. radicans (J. Agardh) Collins et Hervey and Antithamnion tenuissimum (Hauck) Schiffner, including examination of type material and laboratory cultures of isolates from the Mediterranean and the Swedish west coast. Variety scandinavicum differs from the other varieties mainly by absence or rare development of gland cells, and sparsely branched whorl-branches. A. tenuissimum is distinguished from A. cruciatum by its shorter thallus, a sympodial type of branching, apparent absence of gland cells and adaxial-monostichous branchlets. Asexual reproduction was found to occur commonly in culture in the two species and their varieties, the morphology of which is discussed.